The Legacy of Deer Run
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A Legacy of Love from this Gifted Author
The title of this final installment of the fabulous Deer Run Series by Elaine Marie Cooper is appropriate in so many ways. The author indeed leaves a fine legacy of characters and their stories that has become her personal legacy for her own descendants. She writes with passion and her research is impeccable. You'll learn without even realizing it because you're so involved in the events of the book, and that's the hallmark of an exceptional author. From the opening page to its conclusion, this one had me hooked. Dare I say in this saga of three novels, the author's skills--while always exceptional--have sharpened with each new book. Without rehashing the storyline here (since others have done it so well), I will say that this book accurately, if sometimes heartbreakingly, portrays the tragedies and triumphs of citizens navigating life in the early days of our struggling nation. Simply put, this book has all the right elements to consider it epic: heart-tugging drama and emotion, romance, action, passion and that touch of humor at the right moments. Above all, the author's ability to pull me into the strong faith of the characters and the binding bonds of friendship and family kept the pages turning. Part of me wishes the series would continue, and I will definitely reread this series again. It's THAT good, and I give it my highest recommendation. Well done! I look forward to more novels from this very talented author.
March 21, 2013
Sweet Inspirational Historical Romance!
Elaine Marie Cooper begins her story on a sad note. The Lowe family of Deer Run had just lost Anne, the wife of James Lowe during childbirth leaving a baby girl in his distraught and loving arms. James's twin brother Daniel Lowe, Jr. the Protagonist in this third book of The Saga of Deer Run, has made a rushed arduous trip home from the weapons armory in Springfield, Massachusetts for the funeral. Daniel overhears ugly words of town gossip Mrs. Endicott proclaiming an old rumor that the Lowe family was under a curse because of Daniel Lowe, Sr having been an enemy soldier in the past bringing on tragic destiny for the Lowe family. Daniel began to question the idea that a loving relationship with a woman could
bring a horrible destruction and end by victimizing any woman who fell in love with a male Lowe. After all, it had happened to Daniel's first love Deborah four years ago; and now to James's wife, Anne. Were they rejected by God's love because they fell in love with a Lowe? If this were so, twenty-one year old Daniel glumly construed during his long cold journey back to Springfield, then vowed he would never marry. Daniel, on edge and miserable when he arrived back at the armory barracks, was soon greeted by the very one Daniel preferred not to see, Ezra Pritchard who coerced Danny into drowning his sorrows in ale at the tavern. Danny finally agreed, not conscious that trying to drink away his problems would only add to his sorrows.
While all of this was happening, we look in on the recently moved family from Boston to Springfield - the Dobbins. Nineteen year old Susannah Dobbins in her room crying and sobbing with outrage that she had left the only home she'd ever known. She blamed her father for moving them from Boston when she had lost her mother to death eight months before as well as all her friends and especially Elias Hopkins who had won her romantic heart, or so she thought at that time. She is telling God in a not so kind manner that it isn't fair that He took her sweet mother away when her father, brother Stephen and she needed her mother so. Susannah hears the noise of revelers in the street below her window and looks down in distaste at seeing three drunk armory workers, one quite inebriated being held up by the other two men. Daniel, being the most drunk of the three happened to raise his head in time to catch the unbelievable sight of Susannah leaning out the window showing much more busty loveliness than intended. Daniel was in shock and awe as he gazed at the beautiful young woman, and Susannah was
in shock and humiliation at realizing her chemise was pulled lower than it should have been. She drew back in repugnance and took to her bed vowing never to mingle in society with such a rogue. Although, she had noticed this young rogue was handsome with his dark hair and features, she preferred not to show notice of such.
Times were very difficult then during the 1800's, with fear and fright always hanging above their heads. Jobs were not to be found in the smaller populated villages, which forced the young men to find work at the Armory in Springfield making weapons for the defense of America. Espionage happening in and about the armory and elsewhere caused suspicions and mistrust of anyone speaking a foreign language; as well as dishonest armory workers looking for a fast dollar in spying for the enemy. Daniel Lowe, Jr , is a valued worker there, as his honesty and good character were respected and noted by his superiors. Susannah Dobbins. a beautiful
young woman fighting her own battles with loneliness and the lack of a promised love for life. She first comes across as selfish and self-centered, and let's add snobbish to that description. Both Daniel and Susannah are products of loving families, however the level of richness in the monetary sense was a wide spectrum.
The next chapters of Elaine Marie Cooper's story brings about the actual meeting of Susannah and Daniel. The morning after the three armory workers went out on the town and Daniel and Susannah saw each other, other dramatic events happened to keep my attention glued to this story. In fact, not once in the entire story did my interest wane. I disliked putting Ms. Cooper's book down to catch a few winks at night
At this point the characters we have met so far have been invited to a church raising. Excuse my quick track back to the ferry boat trip across the river that morning, where Daniel and Susannah were both passengers; and of course looked upon each other in recognition each noticing alluring qualities of the other, like Daniel's green eyes and Susannah's lovely mane of light brown hair. During the ferry trip, a gusty wind blew Daniel's hat into the water, which is a very unique tie-in to a future meeting of the young couple. I'm not giving away any spoilers, you'll need to read this wonderful story yourself. Once at the church raising, little did they realize that they would be formally introduced by a churchwoman who sat them at the same table to be served. Hence we are hooked and settled for a great read.
The weaving and joining the romance between Daniel and Susannah is thoughtfully and delightfully written. Times of illnesses and the families coming together to aid and show concern caused me to wish that we had today that same type of care and concern for others with many of today's citizens. From my reading of this era, things seemed simpler in some ways...but overshadowed with learning to cope with each situation during the hard circumstances of distance and dangers of travel. Even twenty miles on horseback or carriage over rough dirt roads must have been exhausting and rigorous at least.
Elaine Marie Cooper has my utmost respect and admiration at the deep
genealogical and history research she mastered to write this fine book. Her
love and enticement of writing comes through every page. She has definitely
written an historical romance of the deepest kind. Family love and loyalty, deepening romantic love, supporting love for troubled souls, love for friends and learned love for self brings the drama alive. There are unpredicted problems of the family members and family love and support sustains each travesty. Watching the true changes in the main characters through their faith in God and each other is heart rendering. My own tears streamed watching Susannah's metamorphosis into a caring and selfless young woman. Daniel and Susannah's romance, and the need of forgiveness and reconciliation of Daniel Lowe, Sr to his own mistakes where his daughter Polly and Jonathan were are brought about through the excellent writing of Elaine's talented skills.
Even though love prevails throughout this story - many lessons are learned
through bad choices, prejudices, deception, to God's redemptive love reaching down from his heavenly abode to touch and turn situations for good. There are family deaths and births in the same day that is supernaturally defined by our Lord's blessings in only the way he can rain grace overall. Because so much of her story was based on actual fact endeared the book to me.
This reviewer is deeply touched having read Elaine Marie Cooper's intelligent, sensitive and realistic writing of The Legacy of Deer Run. It put me in a time and place I was fascinated to be a part of and wishing for more. My personal involvement with the Lowe and Dobbins families were very real to me even though I haven't as yet read books I and II of this series - I plan to do that forthwith and offer a subtle hint to Ms Cooper that I wish a fourth novel to be in the works. Wouldn't it be fun to watch the Lowe families spread across the space between Deer Run and Springfield with generations growing into the 1900's?
My rating on this novel is a very high five for the superior story line, deep research and the working of actual facts into the story for an excellent and compelling historical romance novel far above the norm. I am honored for Elaine Marie Cooper's request for this review. Thank you and I am blessed.
This review was also published in The Wordsmith Journal Magazine. The reviewer is Barb Shelton, Sr. Perspective review - Just Sayin....
December 1, 2012
Awesome ending to the Wonderful Lowe family Saga!
My Thoughts On This Book
IâÂÂm excited to read and review this book after reading the first two books in this series. The story of Daniel and MaryâÂÂs family continues, and as in all families, their children have growing up and leaving the safe environment of their family home. Danny Lowe now lives and works away from home at the Springfield Armory. Susannah Dobbins just moved to Springfield from Boston with her dad. From the beginning, Danny and Susannah were attracted to each other, but Danny knew it wouldnâÂÂt work because he was only a factory worker and could never provide for Susannah with a life she was use to living. But their attraction on grew more and more.
I really love and thoroughly enjoyed this third and final book in The Deer Run Saga! Again, author Elaine Cooper writes a loving and heartwarming story based on her own family in the early 1800âÂÂs. The scenes in this interesting and intriguing story were so realistic that I found myself wanting to pray for these characters and the sad situations they were going through! And the love and closeness of the Lowe family gives readers that heartwarming feeling throughout the book as the author so vividly describes the family together and the interaction with each other. And this deep love for each other and for the Lord pulls them through the difficult situations they faced in life as a family. Life wasnâÂÂt easy in that era, and especially the Lowe family, knowing the background of MaryâÂÂs husband and DannyâÂÂs father Daniel Lowe. Which means you really need to read all three of the books in this series to find out what happens from the beginning.
And I canâÂÂt forget to mention the beautiful cover of this bookâ¦I just love the awesome design and the colors. It all just seems to fit the story and the era, making the book even more enjoyable!
I highly recommend not only The Legacy of Deer Run, but I also recommend the first two books in The Deer Run Saga. I assure you, you will not be disappointed. And I almost forgot to mention the history in these books. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Springfield, Massachusetts and getting to know life as it was in the early years of the 1800âÂÂs era. I really felt as though I was there while reading these wonderful books. As you can see, I just canâÂÂt say enough about this awesomely wonderful series!!
September 20, 2012
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