Former Battlefords area resident Elinor Florence’s latest book is out.
“Wildwood has arrived at my mountain home, and I’m very pleased with the response so far,” says Florence, who now lives in Invermere, British Columbia.
One reviewer has said: “Wildwood by Elinor Florence is now in my top 10 all-time favourite novels. I loved everything about this book.”
Wildwood tells the story of a single mother from Arizona who inherits an abandoned farmhouse in rural Peace River, Alberta.
She must live off the grid for one year in order to collect her inheritance.
With grim determination, Molly teaches herself the basic pioneer skills while she battles the brutal wilderness.
Only the journal written in 1924 by her courageous great-aunt, the land’s original homesteader, inspires her to struggle on.
Wildwood retails at $20 or less.
“Here are your options,” says Florence. “Call or visit your local bookstore. If it isn’t in stock yet, they can order it for you.”
Or, “Purchase online from Amazon with your credit card. You’ll have it within a few days.”
Or, “Email me at this address if you want a signed copy, bearing in mind that Canada Post charges $15 to mail a book.”
Or, “Reserve it at your public library. (The Phoenix Public Library ordered six copies!)
Florence’s local library hosted a pioneer-themed book launch in Invermere on March 14.
“I love to hear from readers, says Florence, “so email or call me at 250-342-0444 after you have finished the book to tell me how you liked it!”
Florence has deep roots in the Battlefords. She grew up on a farm near Brada on one of the two wartime relief airfields, with her family home located in one of the barracks buildings on the property. Her brother Robert and his wife Wendy Florence still own the family farm in the area. Her mother was a member of the Light family and her grandfather was once the postmaster at the Battleford Post Office.
Florence began a journalism career at the Battlefords Advertiser-Post in 1973. She went on to write for several daily newspapers and magazines including Reader’s Digest.
Her first wartime historical novel called Bird’s Eye View hit bookstores in October 2014.
You can read her weekly blog called Wartime Wednesdays at: http://www.elinorflorence.com/blog. She is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/elinorflorenceauthor
