Celebrate Lit Blog Tour: Elinor by Shannon McNear

January 09, 2022

About the Book

Book: Elinor

Author: Shannon McNear

Genre: Christian/Historical/Romance

Release date: December 1, 2021

A Journey Full of Hope…
Escape into a riveting story based on the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke.

Author Shannon McNear portrays history with vivid authenticity.

In 1587, Elinor White Dare sailed from England heavy with her first child but full of hopes. Her father, a renowned artist and experienced traveler, has convinced her and her bricklayer husband Ananias to make the journey to the New World. Land, they are promised, more goodly and beautiful than they can ever imagine. But nothing goes as planned from landing at the wrong location, to facing starvation, to the endless wait for help to arrive. And, beyond her comprehension, Elinor finds herself utterly alone. . . .
The colony at Roanoke disappeared into the shadows of history. But, what if one survived to leave a lasting legacy?

Click here to get your copy!

Christian Historical Fiction genre is always an interesting genre to read. Shannon McNear has written Elinor, a fictional account of the Lost Colony of Roanoke, VA. Shannon McNear is a new to me author and that also was a reason for my interest in reading this book.

We are taken back to 1587 in the Colonial times. Elinor White Dare has traveled from England to the New World and does so pregnant with her first Child. She arrives with her husband, Ananias, to the New World with promises of a good life. She finds herself alone and without basic needs in the New World. Will Elinor and Ananias survive to tell the story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke?

WOW, the author clearly has done her research for writing of this book. I was captivated from the first chapter. The story of the New World and what might have happened to the Lost Colony was absolutely mind blowing in a good way. The book is fictional, but the author does a GREAT job at bringing the story to life. I also appreciate that the characters rely on their Faith to help them through the challenges in the New World. The book is filled with lots of twists and turns and kept me reading the book until I finished! I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction. Elinor is the first book in the series, "Daughters of The Lost Colony 1587" and I am looking forward to more books in this series. FANTASTIC BOOK!

Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When she’s not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies. Connect with her at www.shannonmcnear.com, or on Facebook and Goodreads.

More from Shannon

Why did I write this story? Well, God shoved the opportunity under my nose, and I didn’t want to be guilty of taking the easy way out, by saying no. 😊

Really, while the concept was fascinating, the execution was daunting, and sometimes terrifying. The Elizabethan Era—before the King James Bible and even before Shakespeare was popular! As a student of the Revolutionary War and surrounding times, I felt very much out of my depth.

Though the research sucked me in, it was also daunting. Sifting through various interpretations of the primary accounts and their own speculations on why they felt things must have gone a certain way. Trying to “find” my story amongst all the theories and opinions. Above all, getting to know my characters and letting them come alive in my own imagination.

And come alive, they did—in full color, with a vividness I did not expect. I hope I was able to translate even a portion of what I envisioned to the page, so that you also can see them!