Noela Nancarrow reviews FIELDS OF THE FATHERLESS by Elaine Marie Cooper

Fields of the Fatherless

Fields of the Fatherless

by Elaine Marie Cooper

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina's (Oct 24, 2013)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

History Comes Alive

History is bursting with stories to be told, but oftentimes some are overlooked that cry out to be shared. This is one of them. You don’t just read this story however; you are immediately transported back to 1775 to the small village of Menotomy in Massachusetts - only three months before the American Revolution. With every fibre of your being, you’ll feel the fear of the rumblings of war, watch with trepidation the ominous preparations, and when the incoming troops ride past, your heart will pound along with the thundering of the horse’s hooves. Nothing can properly prepare you though, for the assault of gunfire, the boom of the cannons, or the tortured cries of the wounded.

This is the compelling story of Miss Elizabeth Russell (Betsy), an eighteen year old woman and the only daughter of Jason and Elizabeth Russell.  When the war becomes imminent, her father instructs her to trust in God and do all she can to protect the family should he be unable to be there for them, but when he hugs her more tightly than he has ever done before, fear surges through her. What would it be like for a young woman to go through a horrific war right on her doorstep, to see and hear things she should never have been exposed to, all at a time in her life when she should be thinking about pleasant things like courting? At the beginning of each chapter, Betsy shares her journal entry of her innermost thoughts and of scripture verses that have been a comfort to her that day. These precede the chapter as a foretaste of the chapter’s essence which I found to be a poignant introduction to each one.

While the men of the area were employing their weapons to defend their rights and freedom, and facing a horror all of their own, this story is very much about the women and children that carried on their own battle against often overwhelming fears. Fear of the approaching war, of the safety of loved ones called to fight, of being discovered by the King’s soldier’s, and fear of the harrowing sounds of war; these were just some of the unsettling terrors that plagued Betsy, and the other women and children. God will use even the direst of circumstances, and Betsy learned much from her experiences, some of which she could never have imagined she’d be in. I couldn’t help but put myself in many of those same situations, and contemplating how I would have reacted.

‘Fields of the Fatherless’ is based on genuine events and people, with the author Elaine Marie Cooper keeping the real history intact as much as possible in this novel. Elaine has written this powerful story with integrity and conviction, but containing a rich eloquence that will stir your heart as evident in this quote, “The tears she kept prisoner in her heart threatened to escape her jail of restraint. Once one prisoner broke out, a flood of mourning would surely follow. She tightened her jaw and sniffed. No tears would bypass the barred doors of her tenacity.”

Your emotions will tear at your heart while reading this amazing story, opening it to empathy, forgiveness, and love, which will linger in your thoughts and heart long after you reach the end!

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An ARC was sent to me in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book may be purchased through Amazon or your local bookstore.

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GIVEAWAYS:  This week, Elaine will be giving away one each of the Deer Run Saga books to three winning recipients from the reviews featured this week. (Limited to USA winners)

Overcoming With God will also be giving away a copy of winner's choice of Elaine's books in e-book format. (Open to International winners)

QUESTION: What brings fear into your heart and what have you discovered helps you to manage those fears?