I’m so excited to introduce fellow author Angela Couch to all of you. Angela’s debut novel, The Scarlet Coat, releases today for E-readers with the paperback version to follow on February 1. Angela and I met shortly after I joined American Christian Fiction Writers in 2014. Over the years, we have become not only critique partners, but very close friends. I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of The Scarlet Coat and I can highly recommend it to you, my faithful readers. Click here to read my review on Amazon. But just in case you think I’m bias, The Scarlet Coat also made book blog Rachel’s Reads list of the most anticipated new releases of 2017. I hope you enjoy Angela’s post today where she shares the true history that inspired the first book in her Revolutionary War series, Hearts at War.
Leave a comment or ask a question by February 1 and be entered to win a paperback copy of The Scarlet Coat!
I am so honored to be invited to share some history behind my newly released novel, The Scarlet Coat. The story is set during the American Revolution and begins just after one of the bloodiest battles the war knew. Oriskany.
In August of 1777, one year and one month after the Declaration of Independence was signed, the British decided to use the Mohawk Valley as a spike into the heart of New England. Barry St. Leger was promoted to Brigadier General for the campaign and took with him eight hundred British, German, Loyalist, and Canadian troops, and almost one thousand allied Iroquois.
One of their first stops was Fort Stanwix (for a time renamed Fort Schuyler by the Continental forces, and near present day Rome, New York).
The British laid siege, but the Fort’s commander, Colonel Peter Gansevoort, with his almost eight hundred men, refused to surrender.
Thankfully, help was on the way.
General Nicholas Herkimer with his own troops and the local militia, tallying to about 800 men, were hurrying up along the Mohawk River to bring relief. Unfortunately, Molly Brant, sister of Joseph Brant, a Mohawk military and political leader, and one of the most feared Tories in the area, sent runners to inform the British of the American force.
St. Leger sent an intercept force totaling at least four hundred and fifty men. They ambushed the Continental troops in a ravine near the settlement of Oriskany.
Caught off guard and in a death trap, the Patriots lost over half of their men. Over four hundred men, including Herkimer himself who was wounded and died a few days later. On the British side, the Iroquois war party lost around sixty-five, while the British tallied only seven dead and twenty-one wounded, missing or captured.
But it wasn’t a victory for the British.
While they succeeded in turning back the American relief column, the Continental force held the battlefield after the ambushers had withdrawn back toward Fort Stanwix. The Americans also succeeded in crumbling the moral of the Iroquois warriors which led to internal conflict and contributed the eventual failure of St. Leger’s strike.
Back at Fort Stanwix the British siege only lasted a couple more weeks before news arrived that Benedict Arnold (yes, that one, but when he was still on the side of the Americans) was approaching with a large force (though his actual force was much smaller than rumor suggested). The unhappy Iroquois insisted the British withdraw…and so they did.
When Arnold and his column passed by Oriskany two weeks after the battle, many of the dead Americans still remained where they had fallen. By then the stench was horrific, as was the grisly scene.
Ten miles down the Mohawk River, The Scarlet Coat unfolds.
A Woman Compelled by Christian Charity
Surrounded by the musket fire of the American Revolution, Rachel Garnet prays for her family to be safe. When the British invade the Mohawk Valley, and her father and brother don’t return from the battle, she goes in pursuit of them. She finds her brother alive but her father has been killed at the hand of the enemy. Amidst the death, how can she ignore a cry for help…? Rachel reluctantly takes in a badly wounded British officer. But how long can her sense of Christian duty repress her hatred for his scarlet coat?
A Man Lost to the Devastation of War
Passages of Scripture and fleeting images of society are all Andrew Wyndham recalls after he awakens to the log walls of his gentle prison. Even his name eludes him. Rachel Garnet insists he is a captain in the British army. He mourns the loss of his memory, but how can he hope to remember war when his “enemy” is capturing his heart?
A Scarlet Uniform Holds the Power to Unite or Divide
Andrew’s injuries are severe, his memory slow to return, and the secret of his existence too perilous to ignore. As Rachel nurses him back to health, his hidden scarlet coat threatens to expose the deeds of her merciful heart, and Andrew is forced to face a harrowing decision—Stay hidden and risk losing the woman he loves or turn himself in and risk losing his life.
Angela K Couch is an award-winning author for her short stories, and a semi-finalist in ACFW’s 2015 Genesis Contest for her Revolutionary War novel that will be published by Pelican Book Group. As a passionate believer in Christ, her faith permeates the stories she tells. Her martial arts training, experience with horses, and appreciation for good romance sneak in there, as well. Angela lives in Alberta, Canada with her “hero” and three munchkins.
To connect with Angela, or to learn more about her award winning fiction, you can visit her at www.angelakcouch.com.
Remember, leave a comment or ask a question in the comments below by February 1 to be entered in a drawing for a FREE copy of The Scarlet Coat
OR
Get your own copy of The Scarlet Coat!
Robin Densmore Fuson
Angelan it looks like you did a ton if research that will show forth in this historic romantic story. I like to cover too!
romancinghistory
You’re right, Robin. Angela did do a great deal of research for her novel. Pelican did a great job on the cover too! Thanks for commenting and good luck in the drawing!
Angela Couch
Thanks! The cover did turn out wonderfully. Hope you enjoy the story! 🙂
Martha Artyomenko
Sounds like a fascinating story! I love books set in this time period that are well written. They are a rarity.
romancinghistory
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy Angela’s descriptive voice and the romance is full of tension, too! Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
Angela Couch
I would love to hear your opinion on how I did, Martha. 🙂 Hope you get a chance to read, and enjoy, The Scarlet Coat. 🙂
Laura Conner Kestner
Such an interesting post, and the book sounds truly fascinating. Thank you
romancinghistory
Thank you, Laura. Angela did a great deal of research for this series. It was great fun having her share it with us here! Good luck in the drawing!
Beth Erin
I love learning the history behind great historical fiction! Thanks for sharing and thank you for the chance to win this story!
romancinghistory
Hi Beth! I agree with you 100%! That is what really makes the story come alive to me! Thanks for commenting and good luck in the drawing!
Caryl Kane
WOW! What a fascinating post! The photos are incredible. Thank you for sharing.
romancinghistory
Thanks Caryl! That was all Angela! Good luck in the drawing!
Bonnie Roof
Such an interesting post – thank you!! Shared post.
romancinghistory
Hi Bonnie! I’m a bit of a history addict myself. Mix in a little inspirational romance and I’m all in! Thanks for the share and good luck in the drawing!
Andrea Stephens
Thank you for sharing this bit of history. The book sounds like a great read.
Thank you for having a giveaway too. I appreciate the chance to win as I am on a very tight budget. Giveaways help feed my addiction to reading.
romancinghistory
Andrea, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The book really brought the era to life for me! Thanks for commenting and good luck in the drawing!
Connie Saunders
This sounds like an amazing story. I love history fiction but I haven’t read many stories set around the Revolution. Thank you for sharing!
romancinghistory
Thanks Connie! This story is filled with tension between the hero and the heroine! I hadn’t read many stories set during the American Revolution either. Her second book in the series, The Patriot and the Loyalist, will be released in a few months. Thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing!
Angela Couch
Thanks for hosting me, Kelly! So grateful to call you friend. 🙂
romancinghistory
You are so welcome, Angela! I love your stories and I’m excited to share them with my readers!