Elinor

Elinor by Shannon McNear is a stunning historical fiction that weaves true historical elements with a fictional narrative to give the reader a wonderful story about the first colony of Roanoke. Just wow!

The author has a true talent of taking what facts and true historical knowledge that we have concerning the mysterious, and ultimately a failure, end and disappearance of the first attempt at a colonial settlement by England in what is now the US, Roanoke.

We are transported back to 1587, where the author takes a real life figure, Elinor White Dare, and weaves a tale of adventure, bravery, fear, hope, longing, suspense, mystery, and survival. She takes her extensive research and creates a what if scenario of what might have happened to the doomed colony. So many mysteries and questions surround this lost colony still to this day. I guess that is what makes it so intriguing and interesting.

I loved her attention to detail, her descriptions, and the development of her characters. It was just all around a stunning piece of literature.

I also truly appreciated her Author’s note at the end listing what she knew as true fact, what she used as inspiration, and what fictional elements she introduced to create the story as it is.

I really loved this book and I look forward to more from this author.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Barbour Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 12/1/21 per publisher request.

Elinor by Shannon McNear Is a Christian Historical Fiction story based on the Lost Colony of Roanoke. I remember as a child reading a book about Virginia Dare and being fascinated by her mystery and the Lost Colony of Roanoke.
Shannon McNear gives us a new perspective from a Christian‘s view of history and life. Elinor and her family’s life is still heartbreaking in many ways but at the same time is uplifting and inspiring. The book shows how God’s plans, care and purpose will probably never be the same as ours but fulfill God‘s perfect will for us and others.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars

Heavily pregnant Elinor, her husband and father land on Roanoke, eager to embrace a new world. Landing in a dangerous place, with little resources and hostile Indians, Elinor's father sails back to England for supplies and to report on the situation. This book imagines what happened to the lost colony at Roanoke through the eyes of Elinor.

This was a well written and engaging story. The characters were multi-dimensional, and very realistic. The story moved at a nice pace, holding my interest. I would love to read more from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

This book was very moving and poignant. It was a wonderful historical novel, that kept you wondering what would happen next and how the story would end. It was about life in the late 1500's. I think I am glad I didn't live then, forging the way for those that were yet to come.
This book was a true page-turner. It was a wonderful story with good and bad times. The book description says the book is riveting. Yes, it totally was. The book tells of loss, and actual historical events as it moves along. The story brings in the trust and reliance of God and is a great book for Christian fiction appreciators. The characters were believable and realistic in their search of a place to practice religious and other freedoms. I totally enjoyed the book and felt it was well written and presented history in a very well researched manner.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour publishing and NetGalley and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Most gracious God, make me strong enough, wise enough, for this.

What a compelling story - one you certainly will not put aside! The detail is absolutely superb, to the point of making me short of breath as I was reading. This is a story of redemption, of belief in the promises of God and the opportunity of living out that conviction regardless of what is happening to you and around you. I found this novel incredibly thought provoking, wondering if I would have had even a tiny portion of the courage Elinor had when faced with a bleak future.

Settling in a land far from all that was known brought many challenges to this group of courageous colonists. The author has done extensive research into this lost colony, giving the reader pause for consideration of what occurred back in 1587 and beyond. Would that we could look back into the annals of this great country and know more.

This ARC was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

This is a wonderful book that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. It's a beautifully written romance that combines fact with fiction that made for an excellent read. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down.
I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A lovely tender and also raw fictional tale in what might have happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke. The story came alive as fiction was melded seamlessly with historical elements.

The Englis planters on a new adventure are thrown into the unknown elements of The New World and lean only on their strength, talents, and faith in God to provide hope for a new beginning. Their lives are met with uncertainty, tragedy, and pain which tests their faith.

Elinor is a haunting story that will run the gamut of your emotions, as you are driven forward to delve into its pages. You won't forget the Lost Colony of 1587, long after you close the last page. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily choose to review it.

Get ready to get lost in this fantastic book! It's amazing!
I wasn't able to put this down so I ended up finishing this book in one day!
I love history! This is definitely history that we don't get to read much about and thought the author really out done herself on this one.
My favorite character was Sees Far. I loved seeing things from his point of view as well as Elinor's.
I feel like Sees Far was a good person. He truly is a remarkable character.
5 star s for excellent writing and for making this story realistic. And for making me a part of this wonderful story. I really didn't want it to end. I hope there will be more to come.
I'd like to know what happened after John White left the New World.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

If you are a history lover, settle down into this one. I am a huge history buff and enjoy reading about true events and how an author manages to fictionalize them without damaging the integrity of the event. Shannon McNear tackles a fascinating event here: the lost colony at Roanoke. I would love to know what actually happened to these people. McNear’s research is impeccable as always and I know history buffs will enjoy this one.

My thanks to Barbour fir a copy of this book. The opinion here is my own.
5 likes

What happened to the lost colony of Roanoke? In this beautifully written historical romance, author Shannon McNear takes us on a journey of possibilities.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book. The author introduces us to Elinor White Dare, who, along with her husband Ananias and her father, journeys to the New World with other colonists, never expecting things to go from bad to worse.

No one knows what happened to the lost colony of Roanoke, but the author has given us fiction that is so real, I wonder if the colony was not so much lost, but more likely never found. The research into this novel is evident and vast. The author did a remarkable job sharing facts, moulding fiction into it and making me believe the events as described actually happened. Elinor is a true heroine, and the circumstances of her life show the guts and determination of those who set out across the ocean to a vast and mysterious land.

I was captivated by this story. If you like history and romance, I highly recommend Elinor.

For a fictional story, this read is full of facts, and we are walking in their shoes.

This is the birth of the first baby Virginia Dare, but this story is so much more. We are with Elinor White Dare, Virginia's mother, and her journey to set her feet in Roanoke already expecting Virginia, and traveling with her husband and her father.

These people did not have easy lives, and there is so much happening, but they show a great faith in God.

Through the eyes of the author you will find out what happened to the lost Colony of Roanoke.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Barbour, and was not required to give a positive review.

I have long been interested in this subject. This is just a fascinating look at it. The lost Roanoke Colony continues to fascinate hundreds of years later.

The author does a marvelous job of authentically portraying a time period that has been very little written about in historical fiction. Her words show how well researched this work is.
I found it fascinating to read and learn about a long ago time period that is pretty much off the radar.
Like us the characters have hope dreams,romance,drama,uncertainty,joy,tragedy and death.
I enjoyed reading this story based on historical happenings.

Pub Date 01 Dec 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.