
Carolyn E. Cook
Author of Historical Fiction
The past speaks to us in a thousand voices, warning and comforting, animating and stirring to action. --- Felix Adler
I write books for two reasons. One is because I love the process of developing a story and making friends with the characters. When they begin to talk to me, I know I'm on the right track. Number two reason is to add something to a reader's life, characters and situations that will linger.
So I invite you to check out the Books page -- and connect with me through subscribing. When you join the mailing list, you'll get info about new blog postings and details Jessie's Choice, when it will be out, plus -- I'll send you a free digital copy of my short story, Contrary Don't Have No "i" .
Currently available on Amazon as ebook and in print--
Minden Springs Series:
The Life and Times of Lilly Quinn, Book One
You Can Call Me Glory, Book Two
Now available as ebook and in print:
Jessie's Choice, Book Three
For over twenty years, Jessie Reed and her husband Amos have run a successful farm and they have a good life. Then, in an instant, their days together are swept away.
. . .There was a lone tree on the edge of the field and, ahead of me, Moony aimed for it. In drawing closer, I could see that the tree was frightfully split, right down the middle, half of it angled to the ground . . .Amos was prostrate near that tree, while Moony crouched next to him . . .
Jessie knows she must build a new existence, although she has no idea what that might be.
. . .I determined to write to Strat . . .He possessed a thoughtful soul and in my current state, I could trust him with my grief and looseness of mind. At Christmas, I found myself stepping off the train in Minden Springs and Strat’s smile offered warm greeting .
As Jessie moves forward, her friends provide help and encouragement -- Strat, Glory, Sheriff Dodson, Pearl, and the other residents of Mrs. Ritchey’s boardinghouse. Even so, Jessie struggles to find her new path.
But often when a person least expects, a door opens.
* * *
Excerpt from Jessie's Choice, Chapter 8
A bit early, I left my work at the library to make a call on Glory. I found her and the baby to be in fine fettle. Liberty was napping and Glory confirmed, “Our house on Mulberry Street will be completed in another six weeks or so!”
“That’s splendid,” I said. “You can finally have a kitchen of a decent size.”
Not to overstay, I kept my visit to a few minutes, said, “I’ll check on you again next week,” and headed for home.
At the corner of Washington and Main, I took the usual caution before crossing the busy thoroughfare. When all was clear, I was about to proceed and then, on the opposite side of Main, an uncommon sight seized my attention. I was transfixed and my feet clamped still.
Parading along the boardwalk was a woman in travel attire, a suit and hat, and a small valise in her hand. She was no young thing, perhaps as old as myself. Her expression was austere, her movements stiff.
However, that purposeful woman wasn’t what created the unusual picture. Behind her followed a line of girls, in stairstep size from smallest to tallest. This configuration put me in mind of a mother duck parading with her ducklings . . .
Who is this starchy woman? And who are these girls following behind? Jessie will soon learn the answers —
Check out the Books page to see Jessie's Choice cover image.
