Harcourt’s Mountain re-release!

AWARD-WINNING NOVEL, ‘HARCOURT’S MOUNTAIN’

IS BEING RE-RELEASED, APRIL 2020

 

HARCOURT’S MOUNTAIN by ELAINE DODGE, originally released in late 2013 is now being re-launched in April 2020 by Read ME Ink Books. A new cover, a light edit and a whole new interior layout, this book which was nominated for the 2014 RONE Awards, and most recently won the NY Literary Magazine’s Best Story Award is a favourite among readers who love epic, historical romance.

And epic this story is, moving from the wild, unexplored wilderness of frontier British Columbia, to the high seas around the tip of South America, to the elegant and wealthy society of Boston 1867.

This slowly building romance is packed with adventure – a young woman is thrust into an unexpected life among Indians, white water, stunning scenery, wild animals, and even wilder men and women who will stoop to kidnapping and murder to get what they want.

Can she learn to trust her heart and the man who bought her from the bride ship auction, even though he made it clear he doesn’t want her?

Currently on pre-order on Amazon, the novel will be on Kindles and e-readers from 20 April 2020 and in print soon after the world-wide lockdown due to COVID-19 is lifted.

Make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to get your copy today and get reading…because the sequel, HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN, will also be available in April 2

 

Spring 1867. 

Luke Harcourt has made a home for himself on a mountain in the wild Canadian forests. On a supply run to town he comes across the Bride Ship. One of the women catches his eye; although dirty, her clothes speak of a gentle refinement and her eyes of desperation. Luke knows he can’t leave her there. He buys her on a whim, compelled to save her from a life of prostitution and slavery. 

Hope Booker is terrified when she’s sold. But Luke allays her fears by promising not to touch her, unless she asks him to. She’s frightened, confused and facing danger every day on their mountain. As she gets to know him, Hope is tempted to open her heart to Luke but, uncertain about his feelings, she’s afraid the biggest danger is falling in love with her husband.  

As Luke and Hope navigate their way through falling in love and facing wolves, rapids and Indians, a string of events ensue that tear them apart, leaving Hope stranded alone on the mountain in one of the worst winters in decades.  

Why did Luke disappear, and will he return? 
Can Hope face a winter on the mountain alone? 

Harcourt’s Mountain is a tale of courage and love. Elaine Dodge paints a vivid picture of frontier life and draws you into this epic story right from the first page. Embrace this journey as you risk the wild Canadian West with Hope and Luke and witness their trials, misfortunes and ultimately the love they both deserve.

 

 

SOME REVIEWS

 

Praise for Harcourt’s Mountain

Winner of the NY Literary Magazine’s Best Story Award

Nominated for 2014 RONE Award

 

A brilliant achievement! ‘Harcourt’s Mountain’ is a gripping, emotion-packed historical romance story with compelling characters, captivating adventures, and a most beautiful, epic love story. Dodge has a talent for painting vibrant scenes and stirring up strong emotions in readers. A well-crafted, immersive, and memorable story sure to appeal to fans of historical romance. 5 stars! -Natasha Bentley – NY Literary Magazine

 

This is a masterfully woven tale that sweeps the reader away to another world where character overcomes tragedy in such breath-taking settings in a mountainous wilderness. – Nick Read

 

Elaine Dodge paints a masterful canvas rich in authentic detail and replete with the gamut of human emotions in this tale about how the west was won for Luke Harcourt. A thrilling read from the very first page, this one gets five stars from me. – Robert Groess

 

This book could be the cousin of the Outlander series if you ask me. LOVED it! – JLC

 

Elaine Dodge has crafted a romance and a historical thriller novel that is ripe for those who thrive on adventures and evolving romance! Very nicely done, Ms. Dodge!
– Viviane Crystal

 

Beautifully written, page turning, Harcourt’s Mountain by Elaine Dodge, will stay with you long after you have turned the last page. – Marian Phair

 

You just don’t read books like this anymore. It was a truly satisfying read in so many ways.

A saga of drama, suspense, romance, and adventure. Touching, heart-wrenching at times, and beautiful. I loved the setting and I felt transported back into the time and culture. I was tense all the way, wanting the characters to win against almost insurmountable odds.

I could not put this book down. – Kathy Bosman

 

It’s the best book of the genre that I’ve read. – Kevin McCloud, Best-selling author

 

Elaine Dodge has a new style that keeps a reader turning the pages and wanting to know what is on that next page. – Shirl Deems

 

 

BUY LINK

https://www.amazon.com/Harcourts-Mountain-Canada-Book-ebook/dp/B0872X1S88

 

 

 CHAPTER ONE

1867
Silver Birch Landing, British Columbia, Canada

He watched her sashay across the saloon of the Silver Forest Hotel, seduction written clearly on her face and in every curve of her body. Harcourt had to admit she was enticing. Big violet eyes, black hair twisted up in inviting curls, the knowing smile on her red lips, not to mention the tight, low-cut dress leaving little to the imagination. It all promised untold carnal delight. Her perfume, a dark, satiny aroma eddied around him as she swayed to a stop in front of him, her hand on her tiny waist.

He smiled. “Miss Butler.”

“Mr. Harcourt. I was watching you. You play well.”

His smile deepened. He’d been very aware of her gaze during the game.

As he’d left the poker table with the evening’s takings, most of which had come out of Stephen Butler’s pocket, he’d seen the calculating look on the man’s face. A few minutes later, in the mirror above the bar, he’d watched Butler give the girl instructions. What kind of father would send his daughter to seduce a man? But here she was, and apparently, it didn’t worry her in the least. In fact, she looked as if she were enjoying herself. This could be interesting.

“Would you like something to drink?” he offered. “Some champagne would be nice.”

He raised an eloquent eyebrow.

“We have to celebrate your winnings,” she said, using her little girl voice. Did she always talk like that, or only when she was trying to entice a man?

“Of course,” He nodded at the barman.

While the waiter was opening the bottle, a very expensive bottle, he noted, Harcourt looked Ida May Butler over, slowly. The fact that she wasn’t insulted by it stirred his amused contempt.

He handed her the glass. Her fingers drifted over his as she took it. He was disappointed. She wasn’t even original in her tactics. Mind you, she couldn’t be more than seventeen under all that gloss. Taking the bottle and his glass, he followed her to the deep velvet sofa that stood in the alcove to the left of the bar – the one behind the potted plants and the artfully draped curtain.

She put her heart into the performance and Harcourt played along to see just how far she would go and exactly what she wanted. She coquetted outrageously for the length of time it took them to finish the bottle.

When a waiter came to see if they wanted another, to Miss Butler’s obvious disappointment, Harcourt shook his head. As the waiter left, she stretched out her hand towards the cord that held the curtain in place. Harcourt was quicker. He captured her hand saying, “Leave it. It might set tongues wagging.”

She shot him a look, as if trying to read his face. Harcourt smiled, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “We wouldn’t want that,” he said.

She fluttered her eyelashes. “Mr. Luke Harcourt. You don’t mind if I call you

Luke?”

Harcourt wondered if she seriously believed that half a bottle of champagne had made him more pliable. “Not at all, Miss Butler.”

“You’re a very good poker player, Luke. How much did you win tonight?” She moved closer, her knee touching his.

“Just over five hundred dollars, I believe.”

“Don’t you know for sure?” She laid her hand on his thigh.

He shrugged. “Counting the money while you play is a distraction.”

“How wonderful to be able to play and not worry about how much you might be losing. That’s awfully brave. You must be rich.”

Harcourt gave a short laugh. “Not rich enough for you, Miss Butler.”

“You could be very rich. My father says your mountain is a gold mine.”

Ah. Of course. “Does he indeed?”

“Oh yes.” Her fingers danced lightly on the muscle of his leg. “He says a man could be wealthy overnight with all that lumber and salmon. Not to mention the possibility of gold. Imagine how exciting it would be to discover gold!” Her hand tightened.

“Imagine.”

“It must be awfully lonely living up there on your own.” She gazed into his eyes, her hand drifting up his thigh. “I’d be terrified. It’s so far away. No one there to keep you company. What if something bad happens? Indians or bears?” She took his hand, pressing his palm on her chest. “Here, you can feel my heart trying to leap out my body even thinking about it.”

He let it lie on her white skin for a moment. It’d been a long time since he’d been with a woman. He felt a momentary flicker of disquiet. But looking into her eyes he caught a glimpse of her empty, amoral, little soul and knew he had no cause for concern. He moved his hand round until it cupped the soft weight of her breast. She breathed in.

“If you sold your mountain to my father,” she murmured, “you would be very rich. You could move to town. We could get to know each other better.” Her hand crept up his thigh. “I’d like to get to know you, Luke, very well.”

He ran his thumb gently over her skin and bent towards her. She closed her eyes. Her red lips parted, softening in anticipation, her breath came quickly. He gave a soft laugh. He could feel her skin begin to warm under his fingers, her desire spreading through her like smoky whiskey, melting her in his hands. She seemed to have totally forgotten who was meant to be seducing whom.

“Luke,” she purred.

“Miss Butler. Will you do something for me?”

His voice so latent with want she almost moaned in response. She could feel his breath on her face. She tilted her head back, shivering as his lips moved very gently on her neck, the tip of his tongue touching her. “Anything.”

“Anything?” His voice was deep, intoxicating. She pressed herself into his hand.

“Yes.”

“Good.” His voice was normal, hard even. He released her and sat back, “Tell your father my land is not for sale.”

She blinked. “What?”

“You heard me. Neither my land, nor my person for that matter, is for sale.” He rose and put on his jacket.

“But why? I, I mean I don’t know what…” She stared up at him. The shock of his rejection was swiftly replaced by outrage. She leaped to her feet. “Oh, how, how dare you! You were—”

“If you do want to get to know me better, Miss Butler, you can start with this – I’m not interested in little girls.”