Shannon here: June Foster shares the inspiration for her Historical Romance Novella coauthored with her daughter Kelly Cordova. Comment or answer the question at the end of any post dated Feb 8th – 11th to enter the drawing for winner’s choice of a print or e-book copy of Eliza’s Hope. Deadline: Feb 19th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s June:
The Story Behind the Story for Eliza’s Hope
Eliza’s Hope is a novella set in the 1850’s in the fictional town of Buena Esperanza. The Gold Rush is in full force, and Eliza’s father runs a boarding house frequented by hopeful miners. Buena Esperanza is inspired by the real-life town of San Francisco which played an important part in the gold rush days. A fictional gold mine, where much of the action occurs, sits northeast of Buena Esperanza. The novella delves into death as well as new life, depicting the historical days realistically. Strangely enough, the fictional town of Buena Esperanza translates into the English word where June lives: Good Hope.
Kelly Cordova joined her mother June Foster in writing this historical romance. Eliza’s Hope is Kelly’s first fictional novel though she wrote extensively in college, earning both a bachelors and a master’s degree. Eliza’s Hope was also a first for June in that she’d never co-authored a book before.
I can’t wait to write another with Kelly. Authoring a book with another person, especially my daughter,
was likely one of the most incredible experiences of my life. First, Kelly and I live in two different states. We collaborated by text, email, Marco Polo, and phone chats. We had very few miscommunications though I didn’t see her in person the entire time. As a side note, we finally get to see each other face to face this coming March when she’s flying to Alabama with her son for a visit.
If someone asked if I’d co-author a book again with my daughter, the answer would be an empathic yes.
About Kelly: Kelly Cordova lives in Texas with her husband, Tom, where she homeschooled their six children. Before settling in El Paso, she and her husband served as missionaries in Peru. Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism and a Master’s in public affairs journalism. Eliza’s Hope is Kelly’s debut novel.
About June:
An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.
To date, June has written over twenty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. She loves to compose stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives. She’s published with Winged Publications.
Her novel, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, won the 2021 Selah award for Romantic Suspense. It is available on Amazon in paperback, hardback, and eBook format. Learn more & connect:
About the book – Eliza’s Hope:On the ship from Ireland, Eliza O’Connor loses her mother and husband to cholera. After training under the local physician, she longs to become a doctor, but few schools accept women. Now the doctor has passed away, and she works at her father’s boarding house. When a handsome physician arrives, beaten and stripped of his jacket and boots, she believes he’s another gold-crazy miner heading for the hills where her brother has ventured.
At his mother’s desperate request, Dr. Levi Dumont travels from Boston to find his younger brother and bring him home. After Levi is robbed, his trustworthy horse drops him at the O’Connor’s Boarding House where the enchanting Eliza treats his wounds.
When Eliza’s brother returns from the gold fields with a broken leg, Eliza learns her friend who traveled to the mine with her husband needs medical attention. Eliza is determined to make the treacherous journey. When she accompanies Levi to Diamond Falls, Levi discovers affection for Eliza despite his engagement to a woman in Boston.
Though Eliza and Levi come from different worlds, their hopes are the same. Will Eliza have opportunity to study medicine? Can Levi find a life with the Irish lass despite his fiancé and medical practice in Boston?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in June’s other titles?
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Shannon, Thank you so much for allowing Kelly and me to share our work on your blog. The content and format of your website are lovely. It’s a privilege to share with your readers.
Happy Valentine’s Day. Hugs, June
Glad to have you here, June. I can’t believe you’re old enough to have a daughter who’s been married 35 years.
I worked with 5 other authors on a novella collection last year. We didn’t really have to write together though. We had a common theme, but our novellas didn’t intersect or overlap. Each story was stand-alone. I did edit most of the novellas other than mine. Even though we didn’t brainstorm or write together, they all had common threads other than the overall theme. It was fun.
ELIZA’S HOPE looks and sounds wonderful.
I’ve only worked on work projects with others.
Mary, I’d love to hear about one of those times.
This looks like a great book. I would love to win a copy. While I have worked with other people, I don’t think I have done anything that I would consider collaborating on a project.
Susan, thanks so much for commenting. Happy Valentine’s a little late. 😊😀
I have worked together with my best friend to stage her home that was going up for sale. It was alot of fun and the house sold very quickly, so it was a win/win. 🙂 Eliza’s Hope sounds sooo good! And how wonderful that you were able to co-write it with your daughter!! Thank you for a chance to win a copy of this book!
Alison, staging a home sounds amazing! I love to decorate my home except it’s a bit expensive. So glad you enjoyed your joint project.