Noela Nancarrow reviews 'THE ROAD TO DEER RUN' by Elaine Marie Cooper

The Road to Deer Run

The Road To Deer Run

By Elaine MarieCooper

iUniverse (April 5, 2010)

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

A Classic Story!

The Road to Deer Run, I believe, is destined to become a classic – it is a charming and exciting tale of the highest quality and with timeless appeal, and displays a gentle but passionate expression of life, love, and truth! This is an incredibly beautiful love story inspired by the true events of a young British soldier’s escape during the Revolutionary War and of the young woman who brought him back from the brink of death.  

It’s 1777 and the young British lieutenant Daniel Lowe is in a long line of starving, wounded and exhausted POW’s marching to Boston, which was still a patriot stronghold. It was when they were on the road to Deer Run that Daniel sees his chance to make his escape.  Shouts of ‘prisoner escaping’ and the sound of musket fire and whistling of lead following him, Daniel sprints for his life, but with an appalling and badly infected wound in his thigh, the lieutenant’s leg finally gives way.

Mary Thomsen, a young farmwoman barely nineteen, comes across the nearly dead body of Daniel Lowe while out gathering leaves and sticks. She is shocked to see that this haggard and terribly injured body belonged to a Redcoat soldier, albeit minus his redcoat. Ever since she’d heard her beloved younger brother Asa had been killed in battle Mary has been despondent and upset. She is now confronted with a soldier of the enemy that took her brother’s life. Feeling torn, she needs to make a choice of whether she is able to help this wounded man.

This vividly written journey of Daniel and Mary is one of courage, hardship and endurance.  Daniel Lowe, a man on enemy soil, experiences frequent fear, difficult conflicts and uncertainty about his future, but the only thing Daniel discovers he really needs, is to be with the woman that saved his life. But will Widow Thomsen, Mary’s mother, accept the man that represents the people who killed her 16 year old son into her home or into her daughter’s life? Not to mention the great danger he would put them all in should the villagers find out he was a King’s soldier?

The fascinating and compelling history that flows throughout this novel has stayed true to the times and lends an aura of authenticity in the story as you read about colonial medical practices, clothes, food, homes and farming of the 18th century. Some things have never changed through the times however and these elements of life and human nature such as trauma, sickness and disease, fear, longing and love, will always be present.

The Road to Deer Run is sweet and tender, yet filled with passion. It’s also exciting and fast-paced, brimming with drama and danger. The characters are realistic with many working their way into your heart with their charming and delightful personalities. This memorable story has surprises around every corner but flows smoothly throughout, drawing you in from the beginning and not letting you go until long after you’ve finished.

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This book may be purchased through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local bookstore.

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GIVEAWAYS: This week, Elaine will be giving away one each of the Deer Run Saga to three 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.)