Finding Flora, the new historical novel from Invermere author Elinor Florence, launches April first and the author has several appearances lined up in the region, including Four Points Books in Golden on April 26.
Flora is a Scottish newcomer who leaps from a moving train in 1905 to escape her abusive husband and finds herself alone on the Alberta prairie. Desperate to disappear, she claims a homestead and joins forces with several neighbouring women to battle a hostile government. A full synopsis and the first chapter can be found on Florence’s website.
“In those days women loaded down their hats with flowers and feathers,” Florence said. “I’m going to wear my pioneer outfit and my biggest hat, and I urge everyone to dress in turn-of-the-century clothing for all my events. It’s easy to find examples on the internet.”
The author will appear at Four Points Books in Golden from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, when she will do a reading from Finding Flora at 2 p.m. sharp, chat with readers, and sign copies.
You may preorder Finding Flora now, read it in advance, and be ready with your questions and comments. You may also purchase a copy at the event on April 26, or bring your copy to be signed by the author.
Florence’s own family heritage includes homesteaders, fur traders, and Indigenous women, all of whom inspired her love of history. A member of the Columbia Valley Métis Association, she grew up on a Saskatchewan farm and worked for newspapers in all four Western provinces before settling in Invermere with her young family thirty years ago. She wrote for Reader’s Digest for eight years before purchasing the Columbia Valley Pioneer newspaper in Invermere, then sold the paper in 2010 to write historical fiction.
Her first two novels, Bird’s Eye View and Wildwood, are out of print, but can still be found at Four Points Books in Golden and Invermere. You may contact her for a signed copy.
A full event schedule may also be found on her website, www.elinorflorence.com/events.
For more information, email Florence at elinor@elinorflorence.com or call 250-342-1621.
