This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
I was born in Zambia, grew up in Zimbabwe and am currently living in South Africa. I say currently because I did my first round-the-world trip when I was four years old. So who knows where I'll end up!
I trained as a designer and worked in that field for a number of years, even running my own company. A long stint in advertising followed. After that I spent eight years working in both local and international broadcast television. I even won the odd international award.
Writing was an aspect of each part of my career. But I realized this wasn't enough.
I love "telling stories". I'm passionate about it, so in November 2011 I decided to "wrestle the Rottweiler" and put those stories on paper. I feel most alive when I'm writing and delight in letting my imagination run riot.
My first book, Harcourt's Mountain, signed by Tirgearr Publishing, was launched 15 August 2013. The reviews have been marvelous! Mostly five stars. Harcourt's Mountain was also nominated for the 2014 RONE Awards!
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
Harcourt’s Mountain by Elaine Dodge is historical fiction, but mostly it is the love story of Hope and Luke. It is 1867 in a small frontier town. Luke has ridden into town to purchase his supplies. Hope has no memory of her past and only knows that she is somehow on a “bride ship” and about to be sold into prostitution and slavery. Luke is passing by the dock and is drawn to watch, even though he has no interest in buying a bride. However, there is something about Hope that he cannot explain, and he buys her to be his wife.
The two now have a long and dangerous ride ahead until they arrive at Luke’s cabin on Harcourt Mountain. Hope is confused, frightened, and worried about her new life. Luke is unsure why he has taken a wife he knows nothing about and did not want. Somehow the two manage to learn how to work together, but without really being a husband and wife. Luke has promised never to touch Hope and the arrangement works well, until each of them realizes they are falling in love and need to have a marriage that is real. Luke has to go back into the town and fight to keep his mountain property while Hope remains at the cabin. They both are forced to survive and deal with disaster after disaster, Hope never knowing if Luke is alive or dead and Luke never sure if he will make it back to his mountain and Hope.
I was pretty sure from the very first that there would be real love for Luke and Hope, but the adventure of how they got there made Harcourt’s Mountain a really, really good read. I felt as though I was on the mountain fighting the bear, scared of the Indian, picking the apples, and planting the vegetables, and that Hope and Luke were my new friends. This is a must-read for all; it has a little of everything and Elaine Dodge should be commended for the wonderful story.
