When Columbian Guard, Stephen Bridger, drops off a three-year-old named Adam as a lost child, her life irrevocably changed. While the sparks of attraction are undeniable, Emily tries her best to ignore them as she and her best friend, Lucy, scheme to keep Adam safe and happy, far away from the orphanages they both know too well. Soon Stephen learns about Adam’s mother while both the mystery and his relationship with Emily deepens. As they learn bits of truth, danger and deception now threaten to undermine their growing relationship. Why is a young woman murdered while surrounded by thousands of fairgoers? What secrets could a sweet, abandoned little boy possibly hold? Can Emily and Stephen solve the deadly mystery before time runs out? Themes in the Book: Emily and Stephen’s unique love story offers a fresh and inspirational lesson of trust and betrayal, faith and doubt, the meaning of family and God’s unending goodness. |
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About Carol Cox Award-winning author of twelve novels and eleven novellas, Carol shares her love of history, mystery, and romance in the books she writes. A pastor’s wife, Carol makes her home with her husband and young daughter in northern Arizona. To learn more about Carol and her books, visit her Web site at www.CarolCoxBooks.com. |
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Q&A with Carol Cox, author of A Bride So Fair Q. Where did you get the idea to write A Bride So Fair? A. Several years ago, I came across a brief article that mentioned the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893, calling it a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. And my response was, “If it was such a big deal, how come I’ve never even heard about it?” So I looked it up online and was overwhelmed at the wealth of information I found. I had no idea how many of the things we take for granted today were introduced at that fair—things like the Ferris wheel, Cracker Jacks, Cream of Wheat, Juicy Fruit gum, and the concept of the Midway. Familiar names from our history books were among the 27 million people who visited the fair. Thomas Edison, Scott Joplin, Frederick Douglass, Jane Addams, and Susan B. Anthony were all there. It was a moment in which our nation felt itself on the brink of major change, and the more I learned about the fair, the more excited I became. I knew I had to set a story there, and that initial idea turned into a three-book series, A Fair to Remember. A Bride So Fair is the final title, and it was hard to say goodbye to the setting and characters I’ve come to love. Q. How much research is involved in writing a solid historical fiction novel like this one? A. I was so fascinated by what I learned about the fair that I continued researching for two years before the first book in the series was even contracted. As I mentioned above, I found a tremendous amount of information online, including photos of the fairgrounds and its buildings. I was able to purchase several books printed during that time period that gave detailed descriptions of exhibits as well as the reactions of people who visited the fair. That was invaluable in getting insight into how it affected people of that day. I studied maps of the grounds and floor plans of several of the buildings until I felt like I could navigate them as easily as I can get around my home town.
All of that helped in getting my facts straight, but I needed to add sensory details to make the setting come alive. What would my hero and heroine experience on the shore of Lake Michigan? What would they see, hear, smell? How would it feel to walk across the vast fairgrounds or stroll along the edge of the lagoon? I made a trip to Chicago, where I spent a day at Jackson Park, the site of the exposition. All but one of the buildings are long gone, but simply being there and soaking up the setting added a myriad of details for me to draw on when writing the story. At that point, I could look at my research photos and feel like I could step into the scene and describe it as though I’d actually been there.
Q. What inspires you the most as a writer?
A. It’s always interesting to hear what sparks ideas for other writers. For some, it springs from a character; for others, the catalyst is an issue they’re passionate about. With me, the setting often comes before either the characters or the plot. A particular place will catch my imagination and I’ll wonder what kind of people might have been there and what would have happened to them. I love the challenge of bringing a setting to life so it becomes something a reader can experience rather than just read about.
Q. You’ve written quite a few novels already, do you have any advice for aspiring novelists?
A. Read in a wide variety of genres to discover which holds the most appeal for you. Your writing will show far more depth and passion if you’re working in a genre you love.
Be patient. Prepare to learn and gear yourself mentally for a marathon, not a sprint. The learning process takes time.
Study the craft of writing. There are excellent books available, covering everything from basic grammar to character development to plot and structure and much more. A number of organizations exist today that offer teaching, encouragement, and support to both aspiring and experienced writers. And writers conferences are held all around the country. Attending conferences is a wonderful way to build on your knowledge as well as getting to know others who share your passion for writing.
Develop a teachable attitude. The more I write, the more I realize how much more there still is to learn. There is always the joy of growing, of improving my skills, of learning to be a “workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (from 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV) Post a comment before midnight on Monday 28th April and you will be entered into the draw for a copy of A Bride so Fair. This giveaway is open to all my readers 🙂 |
Blog tour of A Bride so Fair by Carol Cox & open giveaway!
Posted By: Rel On Sunday, April 20, 2008 | 22 Comments
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22 Responses to Blog tour of A Bride so Fair by Carol Cox & open giveaway!
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April 20, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Thank you for this review. Sounds like a great read.
April 21, 2008 at 12:35 am
This book sounds good and a good interview also. thanks
April 21, 2008 at 2:12 am
Hi Becoming Me and Ausjenny! I have added a giveaway since you posted so your names are both in the draw!Thanks for dropping by!
April 21, 2008 at 9:21 am
This sounds like a really good book!Please enter me.itsmyemail (at) bigpond.com
April 21, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Thanks for the interview and for blogging about this series. Who knew all the things that came out of that fair?! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of “A Bride So Fair.”cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
April 21, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hello, Thanks for the author interview! I enjoy learning more about the person behind the book. I enjoy reading historical romance. Please enter me in your drawing.Thanks,Cindijchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
April 21, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Please enter me, thanks!
April 22, 2008 at 12:22 am
Looks good, please enter me.cmrobin@bellsouth.net
April 22, 2008 at 3:38 am
I had never heard of this series, but I’m keen to read after reading this review and interview. =)
April 22, 2008 at 9:59 am
I would love to read this story.mce1011[at]aol[dot]com
April 22, 2008 at 10:04 am
Pop me in please Rel.
April 22, 2008 at 4:46 pm
i’d love to be entered!kt_dug(at)yahoo(dot)com
April 23, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Great interview! The book sounds wonderful, I would love to read it!
April 23, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Enjoyed the interview, I’d like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
April 24, 2008 at 12:48 am
Sounds like a great book! Please enter me in.
April 24, 2008 at 9:31 am
Good interview Rel,please put me in too,ta.
April 24, 2008 at 10:23 am
thanks for this review, it sounds like a good book, i like mystery and romance intertwinned as well as learning lessons on trust. I found the interview with the author very informative and encouraging. We can all benefit from learning from 2 tim 2:15. It is also amazing to read about the research that is done before writing a fiction book such as this
April 24, 2008 at 10:25 am
oops i forgot to leave my name…guess i need to do more research before posting a blog!Louise Veenstra builder4lulu@hotmail.com
April 26, 2008 at 12:17 am
A Bride So Fair sounds like a wonderful read! Please enter me to win a copy.hawkes(at)citlink.net
April 26, 2008 at 10:19 pm
This sounds like a really great book. Good interview too.
April 27, 2008 at 11:36 am
I’ll be looking out for the first two books in this series I think! Looks like a good story.
April 28, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Sounds great!! Hope I’m not too late!