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Good news! The entire trilogy, The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan is FREE (most places) now through April 21, in honor of Charlotte Brontë’s 201st birthday!
In honor of Charlotte Brontë’s 201st Birthday on April 21, 2017, The Memoirs of Jane E, Friendless Orphan books are on SALE! They’re supposed to be FREE everywhere… but we’re having some trouble getting Amazon to price-match.
They ARE free on Nook, iBooks, Scribd, 24Symbols, Kobo, Inktera, !ndigo, Angus & Robertson, and Mondadori:
Born not in a past of corsets and bonnets but into a future of cloning and bioterror, could Jane Eyre survive? This Jane is an “unclaimed embryo,” the living mistake of a reproductive rights center–or so her foster family tells her. At age ten she is sold into slavery as a data mule, and she must fight for freedom and identity in a world mired between bioscientific progress and the religions that fear it. Jane grows up and escapes to take a job as a homeschooler, but what can she do when she finds herself falling in love with the first man to treat her with kindness–her employer? Could a rich man of social regard ever love someone without even a name of her own? And can Jane’s love for him survive the deepest of betrayals? This Jane’s story celebrates and reexamines the continued relevance of a literary classic, demonstrating that self-respect and genuine love are worth a fight, regardless of where–or when–we live.
“Jane Eyre has long been a favorite of mine, and I enjoyed the first part of this retelling immensely. While appealing to the modern reader’s ear, it remains faithful to the truth of the original, even retaining the charm and tone of Bronte’s voice.” Carolyn Astfalk, Rightfully Ours
“I love the old classics but I also love futuristic stories. “Unclaimed: The Memoirs of Jane E.” combines both elements in a fun-to-read, hard-to-put-down book. With imagination and a great writing style, Erin McCole Cupp has created a powerful futuristic story that is a real thought-provoker. Science fiction readers will love the creative futuristic elements. At times humorous and other times heart-wrenching, this story delves into issues worth considering as society advances.” Theresa Linden, The Liberty Trilogy
“All of the sophistication of the original and an intriguing, futuristic spin that makes the book hard to put down.” Dawn Witzke, Path of Angels
“Unclaimed is unique and exemplifies why Charlotte Bronte’s gothic romance transcends the bounds of time and place to form universal truths.” Oliva Folmar Ard, This Dread Road
“A brave and thought-provoking story rich with vivid details and authentic, memorable characters.” Therese Heckenkamp, After the Thaw
With her husband disabled and out of work and her child in mortal danger,
a mother must leave her family and find work so they can all survive.
The husband’s name is Joseph. The child’s name is Jesus.
The working mother is Mary.
“When I contemplate the Holy Family, I often wonder about those ‘hidden years’ — the decades left biblically undescribed that laid the foundation for Jesus Christ’s public ministry. In ‘Working Mother,’ Erin McCole Cupp offers us one possible scenario in a story that is emotionally gripping and filled with heart. Based on known biblical precepts, Working Mother contemplates the depths of Mary and Joseph’s ‘yes’ to God’s will for their lives.” Lisa M. Hendey, author of The Grace of Yes and Founder of CatholicMom.com
“It’s not often that we’re given a look at the Virgin Mary as a real person without somehow finding her diminished. And yet, that’s exactly what McCole Cupp does… It’s not only a delightful read, but one that will increase your appreciation for the Mother of God.” Sarah Reinhard, Author and Blogger, SnoringScholar.com
“Erin McCole Cupp’s ‘Working Mother’ pulls us into the daily life of the Holy Family. The story portrays how the Lord creates miracles from the mundane, answering prayers and weaving the tapestry of our lives in the most unpredictable of ways. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. The writing was excellent and the tone was reflective. Prayerfully read, Cupp’s story is edifying.” AnnMarie Creedon, author of Angela’s Song
“As a working mother, it’s hard to find time to read for enjoyment. …[R]ich with imagery and pulsing with palpable faith, ‘Working Mother’ is not to be missed. You will find yourself seeing through the eyes of Mary only to look back at yourself. If you struggle coming to terms with working outside of the home and living out your vocation as wife and mother, this is a must read.” Cristina Trinidad, fillingmyprayercloset.com
“Working Mother is an intimate and compelling glimpse into the lives of the Holy Family during their exile in Egypt. Reading WM helped me to understand a bit of the physical and emotional struggles that the Holy Family might have faced in their daily lives. I came away with a greater respect for their strength and a greater empathy for their humanity. Well done!” Laura Nelson, greenforgod.com
“’Working Mother’ sounds like a modern-day phenomenon… a woman having to step up from family and home to provide for her family and maintain her home. But it was a reality, even in the days of Christ, when it was even harder for a woman to step up to these responsibilities… Erin McCole Cupp weaves a remarkable tale of heroic love that puts a new light on how Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a role-model for women of all ages… not just the mother who toils at home to raise her children, but also the mother who must leave her home to toil in order to provide for her children and her husband. ‘Working Mother’ is a shot of strength and encouragement to many women who take on a responsibility thrust upon them by changing life’s circumstances and fulfill it wholeheartedly. It’s another beautiful example of how Our Blessed Mother does understand us, no matter where we are, and can help us shoulder the burden.” Amy M. Bennett, author of The Black Horse Campground Mysteries
“The Holy Family’s time of exile in Egypt is left to the imaginations of the faithful. Author Erin McCole-Cupp explores the possibility that the Blessed Mother supported her family. This novella is a well-researched depiction of family life at the time of Christ’s birth.” Barb Szyszkiewicz, franciscanmom.com
“Erin McCole Cupp gives the term “working mother” an unexpected twist in this thought-provoking story. Imagine a different time, a different place, and a familiar figure thrust into a role never imagined. Then stir in sacrificial giving with no guarantees and without a roadmap…” —Leslie Lynch, author of The Appalachian Foothills novels
“Imagine the Holy Family’s journey to Egypt from an inside perspective. How might Mary have been called upon to be faithful in the details of supporting her family? How might Joseph have grown in his relationship with God as his son? Enjoy a refreshing perspective of an ancient journey through vivid details, drawing us closer to God.” A. K. Frailey, author of The Deliverance Trilogy
Hey, Tomato Pie Peeps! This is going to be a fly-by. Things to do, people to see, breakfasts to cook, etc.
Cristina at Filling My Prayer Closet has one part of an interview with little ol’ me, not to mention a giveaway of an ebook (Kindle, I believe) of Don’t You Forget About Me. BTW, this part of the interview reveals how the story came together, how endometriosis of all things played a part, and… outtakes. Books have outtakes. Oh yes they do. Cristina is a hilarious, warm and full of fresh ideas, so go check out this fresh, young lay Dominican.
Tiffany at Life of a Catholic Librarian has another part of that interview and is giving away a hard copy of DYFAM. This part of the interview tackles the value of a Best Good Friend, how to write a mystery if you don’t really read them, and the question everybody seems to want to ask but is afraid to: Is Cate really just Erin with a different name? If I have learned one thing from homeschooling, it is the value of a good librarian–her value is above rubies, above curriculum catalogs. Go visit Tiffany, a lay Dominican Middle Eastern dancer. Yes, you can be both.
WOW! We are getting in some fabulous flashes for Wildcard Wednesday. In case you missed it, WCW is a monthly fiction improv, and this month’s is an audition for an upcoming short story anthology from Full Quiver Publishing. It’ll take 10 minutes to write, maybe 5 to post/link, and you could get discovered. Oh, and the linkup doesn’t even close until September 6 at 1am. Q: What’s to lose? A: NOTHING!
And now I’m leaving you with my tall glass of cold, bubbly coffee.
One of the greatest compliments I’ve received (and, thankfully, keep receiving) on Don’t You Forget About Me is that it isn’t “preachy.”
“While I’m a fan of Catholic fiction, I’m not always impressed by the writing. Don’t You Forget About Me is a well-written, entertaining book that actually has some substance to it. ” -Review by Jay Calvin Nelson on Amazon
“Without being preachy or in-your-face about it, Cupp compares the difficulties and heartaches of being a fallen-away Catholic with the peace and joy that comes when one humbly and trustingly puts his life in God’s loving hands.” –Review by Laura Pearl on Amazon
“Fans of Christian fiction will particularly enjoy the elements of faith that add to the richness of the story without hampering the plot.” –Review by Therese Heckenkamp on Amazon
“I found the religious elements well integrated into the story.”–Review by “ruthjoec” on Amazon
As I told Kate over at So Much To Say, So Little Time, I’m not a message writer. I just want to tell you a story. On the other hand, as I told Catholic Fiction, since I don’t go into a book with message in mind, I tend to discount the possibility that story can be used by God to share a message. So here I am, embracing message even while I embrace the people who might not want to read it otherwise.
Introducing the “One For A Friend” Don’t You Forget About Me Giveaway. Here’s how it works.
Comment below with a link to the review. In your comment, include some (vague) info about a friend or family member (no names, please) who, like Cate Whelihan, is anything but a practicing Catholic–but who just might enjoy reading Cate’s story. Example: “I know someone who thinks I’m crazy that I joined RCIA, but she loves mysteries.” “I have this friend who thinks I’m crazy for not using contraception, but she’s a sucker for romantic suspense.” Etc.
On Wednesday, June 18, 2014, I’ll draw a commenter’s name from a hat. I’ll send that commenter one paperback copy of DYFAM, inscribed to the friend you described in your initial comment. (We’ll work out the details over email.)
Clear as mud? I’m just putting my money where my New Evangelization mouth is. Let me know below if you have any questions.
1. Here’s the success of the decluttering efforts.
See what’s on my coffee table? Nothing but a decorative pumpkin waiting to be roasted for pies & soups. And what’s on my kitchen table?
That’s right. N O T H I N G.
And only the barest of essentials on the bathroom counter. The sink isn’t even encrusted with anything. Impressed? You should be.
2. I’m coming to terms with the boot. My foot still hurts the rare times I’m not wearing the boot, but it’s no longer the kind of hurt that makes me say, “Funny, I don’t remember sticking a hot curling iron under my sock this morning.”
For those of you who’ve read DYFAM and were wondering “how much of it was autobiographical,” Laura at Green4God can relate! She has been kind enough to interview me on her blog, and that’s one of the Qs. To see my A (that would be A for “answer,” not some other A), check out Laura’s blog.
Okay, here’s some elaboration. The most frequent compliment regarding my writing that I get from people who know me in real life is, “I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the writing.” That means, “I expected it to suck and it didn’t!” If that doesn’t convince you to go get a free book, then I don’t know what will.
Erin McCole Cupp 