Social Media Monday: Elaine Cooper

Last week I told you I'd be introducing you to some of my online friends.  People I have met by networking through social media. Today we are spending time with the beautiful Elaine Marie Cooper, author of The Road to Deer Run.  Elaine has the most infectiously sweet spirit and is someone you definitely want to know. I encourage you to take this opportunity to introduce yourself. =) She is offering a free copy of her book to one of my awesome readers so be sure to check the deets at the end of the post. 

Everybody, meet Elaine:

Hi Elaine! I'm so excited to be interviewing you for my blog. Since being your hostess on COTT, I've known you'd be someone I wanted to keep in touch with. Thanks for taking the time for this!

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I’m a Christian, wife, mother of two grown sons, Grammie to triplets, author, magazine freelance writer, and blog writer for www.thebarndoor.net and ReflectionsinHindsight.wordpress.com. I am a retired registered nurse who loves to learn about history. I also enjoy singing Praise & Worship and listening to Revolutionary War era music. Crocheting and cross stitch beckon at my fingers and hot, caffeinated tea beckons my palate. My favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 31:8-9. And no, it’s not about the Proverbs woman! =)

We met through Clash of the Titles. Can you share with my readers how that came about?

Last fall I became familiar with Clash of the Titles through Facebook. They were looking for sponsors to advertise on COTT and I was looking for ways to promote my book. Through COTT I became Facebook friends with some of the staff and connected with other blogs as well. It was a domino effect of connecting! I did not know you, Michelle, until you chose my (anonymous) excerpt for competition. Not only did it lead to winning a COTT championship, but it led to getting to know you better! A win-win! And thank you for this interview, by the way.

You are always welcome. =) I know you were very excited to find out you'd been chosen for a Clash, and your enthusiasm made me excited too! What was your reaction to my first email?

I think I was MORE than excited! My husband couldn’t figure out what was “wrong” with me as I opened the e-mail saying my excerpt was chosen! Lol. My reaction was sheer joy and excitement. Being chosen was affirmation to me that there was worth in my writing.

There sure is--your book went on to win your Clash and also was recently honored at an event in LA. What was that like?

The two honors were received within one week’s time, and I was in a dream world of disbelief. My award from the Los Angeles Book Festival was an Honorable Mention in the Romance category and I was able to fly to LA to receive it, accompanied by my son and daughter-in-law who live in Southern California. I truly felt honored and humbled as I dedicated the award to my daughter Bethany, who passed away 7 years ago from cancer. Had she lived, she might have been the one receiving awards for her inspiring and dynamic prose. But no one was more surprised and excited by winning these back-to-back awards than me.

Sounds like a successful debut to me! What part has social media played in your journey?

Although I reluctantly started using Facebook “kicking and screaming,” social media has honestly been the key to successfully marketing my novel. It has connected me to authors, readers, bloggers, bookstores, organizations, contests, and numerous other connections to promote my book. I honestly am not sure how successful my marketing strategy would have been without using Facebook.

You should know what you're talking about, with almost 1700 Facebook friends! So tell us about this award-winning novel.

The core of The Road to Deer Run is a love story set during the American Revolution. It involves the unexpected discovery of a wounded and dying British soldier on the farm owned by a family of Patriots. The oldest daughter from the farm, Mary Thomsen, discovers him barely hanging onto life. Despite her hatred for the British—the enemy responsible for her brother’s death in the War—Mary’s heart of compassion is stirred and she decides that her Christian responsibility is to provide him comfort in his illness. This of course causes havoc in the household as the family becomes a party to providing comfort to the enemy. Despite the tension between their political beliefs, barriers are slowly broken down between the soldier (Daniel) and Mary as affection begins to bloom. Decisions need to be made as tensions grow and forces that oppose their relationship loom on the horizon, threatening to disrupt everyone’s happiness.

Elaine, I can't thank you enough for visiting my blog today. You are one of my dear friends and I'm blessed to know you. =)

 
Readers, Elaine has offered a free copy of A Road to Deer Run to one fortunate follower!  Ways to enter:

1) Leave a comment
2) Refer friends (must mention you)
3) Tweet or facebook a link to this giveaway
4) Follow my blog

Please tell me in the comments what entries you qualify for. And don't forget to leave your email address.