This week a couple of friends are releasing books, and they have all sorts of giveaways with which to celebrate. Our first authoress is Elisabeth Grace Foley with Corral Nocturne, a brief retelling of Cinderella--in the style of a western. I've enjoyed reading Elisabeth's blog for a few months now, and was pleased to get the chance to read her latest offering!Life on her brother’s ranch is lonely for Ellie Strickland. Ed’s ungracious manners and tight-fisted habits keep visitors away and his mother and sister close to home. But when Cole Newcomb, son of the wealthiest rancher in the county, meets Ellie by chance, he is struck by an unexpected impulse to rescue her from her solitude—and Ellie’s lonely summer is transformed.From Elisabeth's blog, I knew to expect a well-crafted story with subtle characterisation and a lovely, if somewhat pensive, writing style. I was interested to see how this would fit into a short Cinderella retelling, and while this is a very sweet and beautifully-written story (reminding me of LM Montgomery's short stories), I ended up feeling that it was a little beneath the author's powers. I would have liked to have seen a more ambitious twist on the well-known Cinderella plot, while I felt the depth of characterisation and the quality of the writing style could have supported a much longer story.
When Cole asks her to go with him to the Fourth of July dance, Ellie is determined that nothing, from an old dress to Ed’s sour temper, will stand in her way. By the time the Fourth of July fireworks go off at midnight, will they herald only more heartache, or maybe—just maybe—a dream come true?
Novella, approximately 21,000 words.
There was a lot to like in Corral Nocturne, but in the end, what excites me the most is the thought of this author turning her hand toward a more ambitious, full-length story which will allow her to explore her three-dimensional world and sensitive characters more fully.
Corral Nocturne releases today, November 1st.
About the Author: Elisabeth Grace Foley is a historical fiction author, avid reader and lifelong history buff. Her first published story, "Disturbing the Peace," was an honorable mention in the first annual Rope and Wire Western short story competition, and is now collected with six others in her debut short story collection, The Ranch Next Door and Other Stories. Her other works include a series of short historical mysteries, the Mrs. Meade Mysteries; and short fiction set during the American Civil War and the Great Depression. A homeschool graduate, she chose not to attend college in order to pursue self-education and her writing career.
The Giveaway!
Enter to win a Prairie Cinderella Prize Package containing
- Corral Nocturne ebook
- mp3 of “After the Ball"
- Pink cameo ring (in the style of the cameo brooch in the story)
- Custom-made Corral Nocturne bookmark
4 comments:
I am super excited to read a full-length of hers. Elisabeth Foley is a God-send to my corner of the literary world--she knows her stuff. Have you read her Mrs. Meade mysteries? I would love to read a full-length version of those too. :)
Ooh, looks interesting.
Hard to go wrong with a Cinderella story ; )
Sarie
Rachel, this is the only thing of Elisabeth's that I've read, but I'm looking forward to more.
Anna and Sarie, Cinderella retellings are fun :). I didn't think this one broke any new ground, but it was very well told.
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