Welcome back, Elva. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? I see more surprises and a continued writing partnership with the Lord! Back in early 2019 when first I signed a contract with Wild Heart Books for this three-novel Charleston Brides’ series, I was 75 years old. The day I dropped that signed contract into the mail slot at the Post Office, fear landed heavy on my back. Could I, at my age, possibly write three books in less than three years? Voices sounded in my head and a few in my ears. "You've bitten off more than you can chew, grandmama.” "You'll never be able to do it." I spent the next morning REALLY praying. That day an email came into my inbox. The subject heading was: "You'll See He Pulled It Off Perfectly." It was a word from a prophetess in
I was 77
years old when I signed my 3-book contract with Wild Heart Books. That soon
became a 5-book series. With God, we can do it. Tell us a little about your
family. My high school sweetheart husband, Dwayne, is
retired and a real support of my writing and time I must spend at the computer.
He happily does most of the grocery shopping and makes most of the salads for
our meals—but I still do the main meal prep except on REALLY rushed days. He
can whip up a good fish baked meal we do on a cookie sheet with Sam’s Club
breaded flounder fillets, frozen fries, and onion rings. Of course I add a
steamed veggie.
We have one son and a precious grandson who
live an hour away and often visit. I also have two loving sisters who are
supportive in every way.
My
husband is also retired, and we cook together. Has your writing changed your
reading habits? If so, how?
What are
you working on right now? Since signing a new
three-book contract continuing the Charleston Brides series, I’m working on
Book 4, The Captain’s Governess. This
is the story of Anna Grace’s war-widowed
friend Abigail who accepts a governess position in
I’ll be
eager to feature those books, too. What outside interests do you have? My
husband and I are active in a local church, and walk or do workouts at a gym
most days. I coordinate an internet prayer task force and also manage three
rental houses that provide extra income in our retirement. Baking and gardening
are also favorite things I enjoy.
How do
you choose the settings for each book?
I love history and particularly the time period of the1700-1800’s and sailing
ships, plantation life, and a quieter, less-complicated lifestyle. All my
historical novels so far are in the sailing ship era, and mainly in
If you
could spend an evening with one historical person, who would that be and why? Other
than famous Bible characters, it would probably be George Washington. I’ve
studied him enough to know he had a strong faith. Though not perfect, God used
him to help found this great nation and steer it well in its first years. I’d
like to ask him a few questions about his experience, especially the one at the
beginning of his second term. Ten thousand angry colonists gathered in front of
his residence and threatened him bodily harm for refusing to send our fledgling
nation back into war to help our ally, France, newly warring against
What is
the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? How
long it takes to write, edit, publish, market a novel would have been great to
know.
What new
lessons in the Lord teaching your right now?
I am continually being reminded that I must trust Him to bring to pass all that
pertains to me and our family that He had planned and to pray and thank Him
according to Philippians 4:6 without fretting. He’s also reminded me that
gentleness is a great fruit to nurture in my life.
What are
the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
a.
Cover every writing project or idea with prayer and faith.
b. Become
part of a writers’ group to learn the craft. Iron sharpens iron. (Proverbs
27:17)
c.
Never give up! (Philippians 1:6)
Tell us
about the featured book. The Petticoat Spy is set in
A Charles Town belle and a blockade runner ignite fireworks in
more ways than one during the American Revolution.
To Anna Grace Laurens, the war is like a distant bad dream until her family’s Charles Town plantation is burned and her parents murdered by those loyal to the king. She flees on horseback and leaps into the
As
John Cooper Vargas sails his sloop down the river, he spots a woman diving into
the water. After firing on the Tory raiders chasing her, he rescues her and
offers to take her with his parents to an island hideaway for the duration of
the war. But she has other plans, including revenge for her parents’ deaths.
She insists he drop her off in Charles Town, even with the British planning a
massive attack by land and sea to retake the city, the
John
employs his sailing skills for the patriots, risking capture and death, but he
enjoys his skirmishes with the British navy blockade to bring goods from the
islands to aid the cause. But when Charles Town falls to the British, he
docks his ship in a secret cove and joins Francis Marion's militia. This
decision lands him wounded on a harbor prison ship where more men die than on
the battlefield.
Anna
Grace braves the deprivations, first of a city barricaded against the British,
and then one surrendered and ruled by fists of iron under the English flag and
injustice. At great risk to her, she spies on the British officers garrisoned
in her house, and seeks a way to rescue John before it's too late.
As
both American and English armies gather near
First Page
of The Petticoat Spy
CHARLES
TOWN
OCTOBER
31, 1779
A traitor
is everyone who does not agree with me.
~ King George III,
The wind
whipped through Anna Grace Laurens’s hair as she galloped her mare back toward
their Charles Town plantation through the hardwood forest she loved. In the
fresh morning air, the war her brother fought with the
But even
as they flew along the familiar trail, something jangled against her nerves
like the forewarning rumble of a storm coming.
A burly black
form burst through the brush in front of her, and Jolie reared. Anna clung to
her saddle and stifled the scream rising in her throat.
Big Jim.
Her heart slowed its pace as she recognized their most faithful, loyal servant.
His dark skin glistened with sweat and the whites of his eyes blazed in the
forest shadows.
Prince,
her father’s large brown mixed hound, raced from beside the man and pranced
around Anna’s horse. Jolie shook her thick silver mane, snorted, and kicked out
at the barking animal.
Anna Grace
managed to keep her seat and pointed the tip of her whip toward the pet. “Sit,
boy. Quiet.”
The dog
moved to the side of the path and sat, but emitted a low whining sound.
She
patted the damp neck of her beloved horse and turned to Big Jim standing near,
trying to catch his breath. His torn, bloody clothing revealed wounds on his
thick arms and chest. A flicker of apprehension coursed through her. “What has happened?”
How can readers find you
on the Internet?
http://carolinaromancewithelvamartin.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/elvacobbmartin
http://twitter.com/ElvaCobbMartin
https://www.pinterest.com/elvacobbmartin/
Readers, here’s a link to the book.
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
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The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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14 comments:
This sounds like a great story, with a vivid beginning!
-Melissa M. from TN
Sounds great and this is a new author for me so I'm looking forward to reading it.
Wendy in Nebraska
wfnren at aol dot com
Melissa and Wendy,
Thank you so much for responding! I believe you will enjoy John and Anna Grace's romance set in Charles Town during the American Revolution. Here's one reader's review on Amazon:
Diana S Beall
5.0 out of 5 stars "The Petticoat Spy" is the most riveting story of the Charleston Brides for me.
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2021
Verified Purchase
From the moment I started the book the author draws you into the time, dress, history and culture. I could see myself fleeing from Tories beside Anna Grace with her red hair flying in the wind. The greencoated men chasing her on horseback till she had no recourse but to urge Jolie to jump into the Cooper River. And then Anna Grace's first gaze upon Captain John Vargas. Elva brings you into the story, with scriptures, prayers and historical quotes, and godly love captures you and you can't put it down.
Oh yes! I just came across this book recently and it looks SO good!
Elly -Indiana-
OH this book looks so good. It looks like it's intriguing, mysterious, Historical, romantic, has lots of twists and turn in the plots which I like and so much more. That book cover just calls to me to automatically read it right away. Love the title & excerpt too. Would love to read and review in print format. Books like this are some of my favorite kind of books.
The author is new to me but I like finding new authors because it means I get to try new authors, genres, new books and new styles of writing.
I love how scripture, Faith, Love helps you get through your troubles and find the solutions you need.
This book sounds like a Best Seller.
Please Enter Me.
Hope I Win
Crystal Stewart from Bruin, PA in the USA
This book looks really good!
Abigail from VA
Would love to read. Thank you for sharing. Blessings from WV.
Crystal, thank you so much for your kind remarks about The Petticoat Spy. I hope you do get to read it and the others in the series. This is Book 3 in our Charleston Brides series...and I've recently signed a new contract for Books 4, 5 and 6, praise the Lord. So more reading is on the way!
Blessings,
Elva Cobb Martin
Anderson, SC
Abigail and Lucy,
Thank you so much for commenting. I am busy on Book 4 in this Charleston Brides series and here's a recap of the series and next book coming:
Book 1 The Pirate's Purchase --love story of Capt. Becket and Marisol
Book 2 The Sultan's Captive- story of Georgia Ann and Marisol's son Samuel who recues the heroine from a Barbary Coast sultan's dungeon.
Book 3 The Petticoat Spy - story of Samuel's son John and Anna Grace
Book 4 The Captain's Governess - Story of Anna's friend Abigail and
Joshua Becket set in Jamaica releasing in 2022.
Hope you have a blessed day and some good time to read!
Elva Cobb Martin, Anderson, SC
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Nichols SC.
I love historical fiction!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I love reading about the history of places I've traveled to, and Charleston was a definite favorite of ours! Would love to win The Petticoat Spy!
Pam in OH
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