Today we welcome author Ed Londergan and his new work: "The Devil's Elbow" a thrilling historical story.
THE DEVIL'S ELBOW
Release Date: July, 2012.
Genre: Historical Fiction, history, action/adventure, romance.
Book Synopsis
Set in colonial Massachusetts, The Devil’s Elbow follows Jack Parker from his orphan childhood days as an apprentice to a greedy and brutal Boston merchant to the isolated pioneer settlement of Brookfield, where he ends up in the fight of his life to protect the people and place he loves.
The knowledge Jack’s father gave him, that the measure of a man is how he deals with the worst life can throw at him, the support of the powerful man who becomes his friend, and deep, unshakeable love for the childhood girlfriend who becomes his wife, fuel Jack’s determination and will to survive. All Jack has learned on his eight year journey meets its greatest test when he and ninety-eight others are trapped in a four-room tavern for three hot, humid August days, fighting for survival against 400 once-friendly Indians, who are determined to wipe them out and reclaim their land and way of life.
PRAISE FOR "The Devil's Elbow"
Brings the 1600's Bay Colony alive.
A rousing story about tragedy, triumph, perseverance, and love. Rich in historical detail with well developed characters you will come to know. An enjoyable read from start to finish.
A very good story:
This book is a wonderful read. Mr. Londergan brings history to life. His depiction of life in colonial Massachusetts is right on. It reminded me of Kenneth Roberts classic story "Arundel" but much easier to read. One of the best historical novels of this era. I hope there are many more coming.
Lawrence J. Murphy - February 25, 2013
Excerpt
“I can’t believe we’re actually about to be married,” she said softly, looking up at me. Her face was radiant, a wonder that filled my heart with overwhelming emotion at how much I loved this woman. “We’ve been waiting for this for so long,” she said, looking at the three of them.
“We’ve wanted to get married for years and now we will,” she told them earnestly, “and now we will,” she repeated in a whisper. Mr. Pynchon cleared his throat and began the short ceremony.
“Rebecca Morgan,” he said formally, “In the sight of our most gracious God, this man, John Parker, asks that you be his wife, from this day forward, until the Lord removes you from one another by death. How do you answer him?”
She turned and looked into my eyes. I could feel her love for me and it felt so good, so strong, and so wonderful.
“In the sight of God, I will be his wife,” she said never taking her eyes from me.
“John Parker, the Lord has given you this woman, Rebecca Morgan, to be your wife until death parts you. In the sight of God, do you accept her as your wife?” I looked at this woman, this girl that I loved for so long and was filled with a joy and happiness I had never known before.
“Yes, in the sight of God, I take her as my wife.”
“May the Lord in all ways be good to you. You have our heartiest wishes and prayers. You are now husband and wife.”
LINKS:
GOODREADS
Things I wished I
knew about being an author I did not know before (Author's Guest Post)
I wished I knew how
difficult it was to find an agent or publisher.
I thought it would not be difficult to find an agent
because, as we all know, our first book is a masterpiece. I mean why any agent
would not jump at the chance to represent me. After sending out 84 query
letters, getting 40 or so rejections of the “thank you for thinking of us but
your book is not right for us at this time,” it started to sink in just how
difficult it could be. Over the last year, I made friends with an editor who
has good connections in the publishing world. She is going to refer me to agents
she knows for my next book.
I was very lucky, considering only 1% of all authors ever
get published, to find a local independent publisher. One of the happiest days
of my life was when she told me that she would publish my book.
I wish I knew how much
work it took after the book is published.
Writing the book is the easy part. The amount of work it
takes to build up and continue a good level of sales is sometimes overwhelming
considering I balance work, marketing and promotion, and writing my second and
third novels. While it is exciting, it can also be draining; the book signings
and book clubs are neat because people want to buy your book and have you sign
it. All the social media postings can be hard because it is tough to figure
what you will put on your various sites, something different each time.
I wish I knew how
much time it took to write so many drafts.
I thought that I would sit down and op off a draft that I
would send to a couple of friends, get their comments, make some changes and
shoot off to an editor who could not wait to represent me would be easy. I mean
how hard can it be to put thoughts into words? Well, my first book went through
14 drafts mostly because I did not know what I was doing. I was learning to
write at a professional level. I know have eight readers who agree to read the
manuscript and make critical comments within a month’s time. Putting myself on
a schedule with a deadline – getting a new book out every year, has helped
tremendously.
I wish I knew how
great is to have someone ask me to sign one of my books.
The first in-person sale I made was to a teacher at a New
England fall festival. She picked it up, looked at the front and back covers,
start to put it down, looked at me then at the back cover again and said “Hey!
You wrote this.” She asked me to sign it…Her name is Anne and she is from
Connecticut.
I wish I knew more
about the marketing and distribution
I spent most of my career in the financial services industry
and saw national marketing and promotions strategies and tactics in operation
every day so I was no stranger to how it worked. Yet, doing much of it, myself
became a daunting task. My publisher does all she can; we work well together
because our success is joined. I know that distribution to multiple audiences
is the key to succeeding in this business, besides being a writer good enough
for people to want to read your books.
I wish I knew what is
was like to get a bad review
The first bad review, three stars and a short sentence about
how it was a good first novel but nothing special, shook me. I could not
believe that someone would not think it is a five star book; all of the other
reviewers did. I learned for it though. I went back and re-read it a couple of
times and made me realize that I needed to be a better writer to get
consistently great reviewers. I know I am a good writer…you have to believe in
yourself before anyone else will…and can tell a good story but now understand
that it will not always be sunshine, rainbows, and lollipops.
The Author
Ed Londergan is an author and passionate storyteller who enjoys sharing his work with everyone.
He loves to write, is working on a sequel to The Devil's Elbow, and is an avid reader and an amateur colonial historian. A graduate of Holy Cross, he lives in Central Massachusetts with his wife Barbara and cat Duncan.
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