The Story Behind the Story for Eliza’s Hope
Eliza’s Hope is a novella set in the 1850’s in the fictional town of Buena Esperanza. The Gold Rush is in full force, and Eliza’s father runs a boarding house frequented by hopeful miners. Buena Esperanza is inspired by the real-life town of San Francisco which played an important part in the gold rush days. A fictional gold mine, where much of the action occurs, sits northeast of Buena Esperanza. The novella delves into death as well as new life, depicting the historical days realistically. Strangely enough, the fictional town of Buena Esperanza translates into the English word where June lives: Good Hope.
Kelly Cordova joined her mother June Foster in writing this historical romance. Eliza’s Hope is Kelly’s first fictional novel though she wrote extensively in college, earning both a bachelors and a master’s degree. Eliza’s Hope was also a first for June in that she’d never co-authored a book before. “I can’t wait to write another with Kelly,” June said.
Authoring a book with another person, especially my daughter, was likely one of the most incredible experiences of my life. First, Kelly and I live in two different states. We collaborated by text, email, Marco Polo, and phone chats. We had very few miscommunications though I didn’t see her in person the entire time. As a sidenote, we finally get to see each other face to face this coming March when she’s flying to Alabama with her son for a visit.
If someone asked if I’d co-author a book again with my daughter, the answer would be an empathic yes.
On the ship from Ireland, Eliza O’Connor loses her mother and husband to cholera. She longs to become a doctor after training under the local physician, but few schools accept women. Now that the doctor has passed away, she works at her father’s boarding house. When a handsome doctor arrives beaten and stripped of his jacket and boots, she believes he’s another gold-crazy miner heading for the hills where her brother has ventured.
At his mother’s desperate request, Dr. Levi Dumont travels from Boston to find his younger brother and bring him home. After Levi is robbed and beaten, his trustworthy horse drops him in back of the O’Connor’s Boarding House where the enchanting Eliza treats his wounds.
When Eliza’s brother returns from the gold fields with a broken leg, Eliza learns her friend needs medical attention. Eliza is determined to make the treacherous journey. When she accompanies Levi to Diamond Falls, Levi discovers affection for Eliza despite his engagement to a woman in Boston.
Though Eliza and Levi come from different worlds, their hopes are the same. Will Eliza find opportunity to study medicine? Can Levi find a life with Eliza despite his fiancé and medical practice in Boston?
Kelly Cordova lives in Texas with her husband, Tom, where she homeschooled their six children. Before settling in El Paso, she and her husband served as missionaries in Peru. Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism and a Master’s in public affairs journalism. Eliza’s Hope is Kelly’s debut novel.
An award-winning author, June Foster is also a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. She is the mother of two and grandmother of ten. June began writing Christian romance in 2010. She penned her first novel on her Toshiba laptop as she and her husband traveled the U.S. in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.
To date, June has written over twenty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. She loves to compose stories about characters who overcome the circumstances in their lives by the power of God and His Word. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who find freedom to live godly lives. She’s published with Winged Publications. Visit June at www.junefoster.com to see a complete list of her books.
Her novel, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, won the 2021 Selah award for Romantic Suspense. It is available on Amazon in paperback, hardback, and eBook format.
Jennifer, thank you so much for featuring Eliza’s Hope on your blog. It’s a blessing to be able to share our co-authored novel.
The California Gold Rush is a fascinating time period. Women played an important role. I really enjoyed imagining a strong independent female who relied on her faith in God to take care of her and give her direction.