A Note from the Author by Elizabeth Goddard and GIVEAWAY

A Note from the Author

by Elizabeth Goddard.

Hi friends! It's good to be back with you. First let's get this out of the way. I'm giving away a copy of my new release, RUNNING TARGET. This is book four and the last book in the COLDWATER BAY INTRIGUE series. To enter to win you can answer the question:

Do you read notes from the author and if so, what interesting information have you learned? 

When I’ve finished reading a great book, or even a not-so-great book, I always love to read everything else the author has written between those pages. When I read the acknowledgements, I learn about the author’s connections to others—the experts they worked with, their support system of family, friends and other writers. Even more interesting is when the author writes a note to the reader. Usually authors will talk about the background or reason for writing the novel, or set the facts straight in some instances where truth and fiction collide.


For example James Rollins writes thrillers and he always includes “Notes from the Historical Record” and “Notes from the Scientific Record” at the beginning of his novels to give the reader insight into the truth on which he is basing his completely fictional tale.


I started thinking about this today because I’m working on a story in which I have a fictional town based on a real town. The real town is sort of a one-of-a-kind, if you will, and a friend pointed out that people will know I’m really writing about the real town. In most of my stories, I’ve created fictional towns and counties set around real points-of-interest or landmarks. The reason for this is that it gives me freedom to write the story and the town the way I want. I don’t have to worry about getting the town wrong or stepping on the toes of local law enforcement.


I created the fictional town of Grayback for my Uncommon Justice series. One reader wrote about how I had gotten the towns and counties wrong and that raised the question I want to pose to you—


Do you read notes from the author?


You see in the back of Never Let Go, I included an explanation of all my fictional changes. These

notes are to you, the reader, so I encourage you to read author's notes. They’re not only informative they’re fascinating and you can often learn what is fact versus fiction in the story.


Here’s an excerpt from my back of the book author note (also included in the recent Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt if you participated).

Author’s Note
Thank you for joining me on Willow and Austin’s adventure. I hope you enjoyed their search for justice as they rediscover their love. I set this story (and the series) in the Jackson Hole region of Wyoming—one of my favorite places. Though I grew up in Texas, we spent many family vacations in Jackson Hole and the nearby parks. Then, wouldn’t you know it, I married a guy who grew up in the region and has family there, and it’s also one of his favorite places! So, of course, we had to spend anniversaries there. With the splendor of Grand Teton overlooking the valley of Jackson Hole, and the nearby, awe-inspiring super volcano in Yellowstone National Park to explore, I just knew you would enjoy the stunning setting. I also know that words alone could never adequately depict the spectacular landscape.

If you’re familiar with the area, you’ll see counties and towns that don’t exist along with those that do. I took artistic license in creating two fictional counties as well as a couple of towns.

I wanted the freedom to write my two sheriffs and their deputies without stepping on the toes of the amazing men and women of the existing sheriff’s departments and law enforcement in the region. I modeled the counties, towns, and even Emerald M Guest Ranch after real entities so the story would flow smoothly.

I hope if you haven't made it your practice to read on after finishing a novel, that you'll do just that with the next book. 

I have a new release this month—RUNNING TARGET!


Enter to win a copy of RUNNING TARGET by commenting below. Answer this question: Do you read notes from the author and if so, what interesting information have you learned?

Here’s the back copy:

She escaped right into danger…

A Coldwater Bay Intrigue novel

A routine patrol turns deadly when marine deputy Bree Carrington’s boat is sunk by men carrying illegal weapons. Fleeing a barrage of bullets, she’s suddenly rescued by DEA agent Quinn Strand—her ex-boyfriend. Quinn’s return threatens more than Bree’s heart…because he’s the one the men are really after. As criminals hunt her to get to him, can Quinn and Bree take down a drug ring?











Thanks for joining me!

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