The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Interview and Giveaway

About the Book

Book: The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride Author: Elva Cobb Martin Genre: Christian Historical Romance Release date: September 10, 2024 She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation. Helena Allston had it all—wealth, beauty, and a life of luxury on her family’s plantation. But when her father arranges a marriage to a man she despises, Helena takes matters into her own hands, fleeing on horseback, only to find herself half-drowned and memory-less in a simple cottage. And when her memory returns, Helena ends up back where she began—arranged to marry, this time to the handsome gamekeeper who rescued her. Could there be more than obligation to this marriage? Or is he only after the Windemere Plantation her father promised him? Gideon Falconer is at a loss when it comes to the stubborn, beautiful woman he rescued from the Ashley River. His predicament only worsens when he returns her to her family’s plantation, where her father shocks him with a demand that Gideon marry his daughter to prevent a scandal. As a man new to his faith, he feels compelled to do the right thing, but his own secrets and the past left behind in England threaten to complicate matters further. In a marriage that began as a mere obligation, can Helena and Gideon find the strength to let love and trust conquer all, despite a determined enemy’s schemes to wreck their hope?  
Click here to get your copy!
 

About the Author

Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement.        

More from Elva

In The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, I planned to develop a rich, spoiled heroine who had everything she wanted—beauty, wealth, reputation, an important Charleston family name, and even membership in a popular church of her day but who had no real relationship with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that like so many in America today with our many blessings and freedom but no real love for Christ, his written Word, or his love for the unborn and his biblical plan for marriage and gender? Yet our name may be on some church roll and we call ourselves Christian. I believe our Mighty God is calling America back to him in faith and obedience to the Bible. I believe He is calling forth godly leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, but we must go to the polls and help raise them up. America has a mighty history and a covenant cut with God by our founders. Focusing our hearts and minds on Christ gives us courage and confidence, and we can look to the future with hope in our hearts.   Here’s part of a scene showing the “before Christ” Helena with her pride and arrogance after Gideon rescued her from drowning in the river: Gideon ducked his head at her icy voice. “Look, young woman, I dragged you from the Ashley River and walked miles carrying you in my arms, to this cottage. You were soaked through and through and unconscious.” She interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any more of your wild story. Go from my presence and shut the door while I dress.” She pointed to the cabin door, then reached up and touched the lump on her forehead and groaned. “Why did you strike me, sir?” These words came from between gritted teeth. Gideon’s nostrils flared. “Miss or ma’am, whichever you are, I did not strike you. You must have hit your head on your horse’s neck or a rock when you two jumped into the Ashley. For your information, all I did was save your life, if you’d like to thank me for that.”   Here’s part of Helena’s epiphany: Captive on the pirate ship, Helena dropped to her knees beside the bed and cried out to God. Her life paraded before her, and tears blinded her eyes. The privileged life she’d led as a wealthy planter’s daughter now seemed frivolous and meaningless. She had never lacked for a thing and had not even imagined there could be such people as the pirate captain who now had her under his control, threatening to sail to the Barbary Coast and sell her to a sultan. Would Gideon and her father ever be able to rescue her before the ship sailed away? A chill rose from her heart to her fingertips. Slavery! Would she end up in slavery? Why had she never considered the poor slaves who met all their needs on the plantation? Ever since she was a child, slaves had done everything to make her family’s life easy and pleasant. Was she now to find out what it would be like to be a slave and at the mercy of someone else’s desires and moods?…Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my proud, selfish, unthankful life. If you’re real, come into my heart, deliver me, help me come to know Your plan and purpose for me.   Like Helena, we can cry out to God in humble repentance and return with our whole heart, and He will always answer. We are never out of the reach of God’s eyes or  hand. Here is a simple prayer I invite you to pray for yourself and our nation in this election year: Father God, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son you sent to save me from my sins. I repent and turn from them to You and Your Word. Please forgive me and come into my heart, be not only my Savior, but my Lord and director of my decisions, especially my vote for righteous leaders. Help me find a Bible-preaching church family and do my part in bringing America back to You. I believe You are working mightily in my life, family and nation, and I give You praise. Amen

Interview with the Author

  1. Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?

Yes, Christian historical romances are my favorite genre to read and to write. I

enjoy reading a number of authors including some earlier ones like Eugenia Price and Linda Chaiken, and some contemporary authors like Misty Beller, Kathy Rouser and Colleen Hall.

  1. What is your favorite book and why?

The Holy Bible is by far my favorite book, and I read it through each year in varying versions. This book has forever impacted my life with the goodness of God, salvation, power, wisdom and peace. We have about 15 copies at our house and recommend every family keep several printed copies as our enemies may one day, God forbid, manage to stop or interrupt online versions. Christians in persecuted countries know this well and treasure, guard their printed Bibles. Mark a copy for each child to inherit is also my advice.

  1. What is your favorite hymn?

Blessed Assurance is my favorite hymn. I have a couple of stories that helped make it so. One involves a childless, elderly aunt for whom I became power of attorney for her later days. When she lay in a coma, dying, the doctor had said, I came and stood beside her bed and began softly singing this hymn. To my amazement she started humming along with me from deep in her throat. She never gained consciousness, but she hummed Blessed Assurance! The other story has to do with our 12-year wait for a grandchild and the first time at his age 4 months his sleep-deprived mother and dad agreed for us to bring Sam to our home in a neighboring city for the weekend. When we pulled into our town, darkness was descending and those bright blue eyes looked around, and he started getting upset. Thoughts of what would we do if he REALLY got upset with his mother so many miles away attacked my mind. Instead, sitting beside him in his baby seat in the back, I started singing Blessed Assurance. He turned those baby blues on me and calmed right down, even smiled. Do you think MAYBE he recognized this song from his recent time in heaven’s baby depot?

 

  1. What is one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?

My first novel was accepted and published at my age 74. I’ve taught in writers’ classes and have on my blog an article series detailing my journey entitled Journey to a Book Contract: Five Vital Steps. (In nine posts) Click for Part 9 here, then click down for all the other posts:

https://carolinaromancewithelvamartin.blogspot.com/search?q=Journey+To+a+Book+Contract

  1. Share with me a few of your favorite things.

I love babies of all kinds (human and animals)! I love to grow roses and other flowers. Baking and cooking in general are long-time loves of mine as well as crocheting. Teaching the Bible and befriending/helping the elderly and needy are also favorite things I enjoy doing. And I always pause for chocolate and old houses.

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, October 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2

For the Love of Literature, October 3 (Author Interview)

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 3

Texas Book-aholic, October 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6

Beauty in the Binding, October 7 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8

Guild Master, October 9 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, October 12

Fiction Book Lover, October 13 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 14

Pause for Tales, October 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5455/


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