Author Archives: eileenlovesbooks

About eileenlovesbooks

Eileen Charbonneau writes historical novels that the Washington Post has called “provocative…well told, extremely entertaining tales.” and Publisher's Weekly says shows "impressive command of the elements of historical romance..."). Eileen's work has won the Golden Medallion, Chatelaine, Laramie, Mysteryand Mayhem and Phyllis A. Whitney Awards. Her Finalist accolades include the Daphne duMaurier Award, Hearts of the West Award, Golden Leaf. Eileen lives in the brave little state of Vermont, where she and her husband run a small Bed and Breakfast in their 1886 Victorian home. Eileen loves kayaking below the eagles on the Connecticut River and Maple Creemies. She loves hearing from readers. Her email is eileencharbonneau@gmail.com.

Writing for Young People

Posted on by
Reply

“That’s the power of a diverse book. You can change everything for one kid, and create empathy in 100 more.”– Kelsey W.

I love writing my series for young people, The Linda Tassel Mysteries. My Nancy Drew is Linda Tassel, a bridge person between her mother’s Snowbird Cherokee of the Eastern Nation, and her father’s Anglo cultures. Unlike Nancy, she ages in my series as we follow her adventures Her relationship with her friend Tad Gist also deepens and sparks into love.

The first in the series, Death at Little Mound, recently was a semi finalist in the Dante Rossetti Awards for YA novels, and won a first place in the Mystery and Mayhem Awards.

This summer the second book in the series was published: Missing at Harmony Festival. I think my wonderful publisher BWL’a cover captures the spirit of the story.

Release Day!

Posted on by
Reply

An always exciting day in a writer’s life is release day of a new book. I’m happy to announce the first of a 1990s set YA series: The Linda Tassel Mysteries. It was born out of my childhood love of Nancy Drew and my frustration that she stayed the same age! Linda, a daughter of the Eastern Cherokee Nation, gets older in each book! Her first adventure is Death at Little Mound. I hope you or a young reader you know will enjoy it!

Light Up the Night

Posted on by
Reply

At the end of this strange, dark year of 2020, I wish you light. 

I thank everyone who has gifted me with light…the nurse who took the time to tell me how reading my Mercies of the Fallen had eased her out of her work in the middle of a pandemic to enjoy a love story held together by the notes of its hero’s penny whistle…

To my family for opening my horizons by sending images of dogs frolicking on the Oregon shore and a baby reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? in sun-kissed California. 

Baby D

To my Vermont community, for flooding an ancestors mailbox with cards to celebrate her 100th birthday, and for for lighting up our square in defiance of death itself.

Vermont lights the way….

Light a candle. Be the light. We’ll get through this, together.

Awards Season, Part 2

Posted on by
1

As this year-like-no-other continues, so does book awards season. First newsboy: the delight– Seven Aprils has just achieved finalist status in the Laramie Award for Americana fiction, and the Chatelaine Award for Romantic fiction. Wow, thought, I…Lovely Bellingham Washington, here, I come for the Chanticleer International Conference and Awards dinner! That was back in April…until it was moved to September. Now plans are for the whole shebang to go into Zoomlandia. But, stay tuned, of course!

How I will treasure my friends and family in person when Covid-19 is done with us!

I hope you are faring well and escaping into good stories!

When stressed…have a Vermont maple creemie!

Me, I’m looking for my tiara…one can never overdress for an awards ceremony via Zoom.

Laramie Award for Western, Pioneer, & Civil War Historical Fiction Novels, and First Nations Novels
Chatelaine Award for Romantic Fiction
Tiara? Crown? Flowers? Hmmm, this one is nice…
Over the top?
Very Vermonty!

Book Launch in the Time of Pandemic

Posted on by
Reply

During these times, we turn to books to raise our spirits and give us comfort. My new novel Mercies of the Fallen is set in another perilous time in America’s history — the Civil War. Ursula and Rowan are both fallen people, plagued with traumatic pasts but facing their troubled times with courage and heart. I hope you’ll find their story uplifting.

“Civil War history, romance, intrigue, danger, and love meld together in a story any lover of historical fiction or romance will find hard to put down” –Eileen O’Finlan, author of Kelgeen and Children of Erin

Social distancing book launch

April 2020 … new novel!

Posted on by
Reply

I’m so pleased to announce the release of my new novel, Mercies of the Fallen.

Plantation heiress Ursula Kingsley is content with her secluded life in a convent, until the bloodiest day of the Civil War. Blinded Rowan Buckley is in deep love with the woman who pulled him off the battlefield.  He knows she’s full of secrets, but is treason one of them?

The two negotiate the crucial times and battles. Treachery meets them at every crossroad. Will their love survive? 

Mercies of the Fallen is the second of my American Civil War Brides series. The first, Seven Aprils is, for a limited time, available to read for free and at a special $2.99 price on Amazon. I hope you’ll enjoy this series!

enjoy at a special price!

Awards Season, Part 1

Posted on by
4
The Laramie Award for outstanding works in the Americana / Western, Pioneer, Civil War, Frontier, and First Nations Novels.

Awards season is upon us! As my daughter dresses to attend the Emmys out in Hollywood, I’m happy to announce that my Civil War-set novel, Seven Aprils has made two awards long lists! The first is the Laramie Award. What a joy to take my place among authors who love writing about American history!

The second list is for the Chatelaine Award…

The Chatelaine is given to outstanding works in the genre of  Romantic and Women’s Fiction. I was fortunate enough to receive a First Place in this award for my romantic suspense novel Watch Over Me in 2018.

Aren’t they both cool logos? That is because both the Laramie Book Awards and the Chatelaine Awards are divisions of the Chanticleer International Book Awards, and its talented designers.

Honored to be long-listed!

The 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday, April 18th, 2020 at the Hotel Bellwether in Bellingham, Washington. It is a fun evening and a beautiful ceremony. I loved meeting and celebrating with authors from all over the world. I hope Seven Aprils advances further so that I get to attend. I will invite my Hollywood daughter…maybe she can wear her Emmy dress again!

Hollywood Marya and her very Vermonty mom!

Independents Forever!

Posted on by
Reply

This weekend is a good time to visit your local bookstore, as this Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day.

What is Independent Bookstore Day?

It’s a one-day celebration that takes place on the last Saturday in April at indie bookstores across the country. In addition to meeting authors, live music, kids’ events, contests, and other fun stuff, participating bookstores will have exclusive books and literary items for sale only available on that day.  To learn more about Independent Bookstore Day, visit their website.

Treasured readers….

Posted on by
Reply

Authors are creative people, and so are our readers. I love the experience of knowing a reader has truly madly deeply entered the world of my story. I recently send out copies of my upcoming novel for advance reviews. The result from an author I admire touched me in this way….

“Seven Aprils is a breathless adventure led by courageous Tess, who is a Force of Nature. From the compelling opening scene, I was ready to follow Tess anywhere, including through the horrors and heartbreaks of the Civil War, battlefields and surgery tents, trusting in her talent for survival and her gift for hope. Brimming with daring exploits, Seven Aprils treats readers to a fascinating look at 19th century gender roles and the qualities that transcend gender: intelligence, persistence, gumption, compassion, and love, above all—embodied in one unforgettable heroine.”

—Rosemary Poole-Carter, author of Only Charlotte