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Robin Elder

Goodreads Author

Born

in Washington D.C., The United States

Genre

Historical Fiction, History, Suspense

Member Since

September 2016

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Are you interested in learning about true Florida Keys history in a fast-paced, creative way? Then my novellas are for you! In 1992, my husband and I took our first trip to the Florida Keys and that's when my deep affection for the island chain took root. We continued to make annual trips with friends and family, finally buying our own piece of paradise in 2014. Over that time, I became fascinated with Keys history and knew that I wanted to write about it, specifically in the genre of what I call a hybrid between historical fiction and creative nonfiction. I also knew that I wanted to write fast paced page turners with less filler, where just about everything I wrote mattered to the historical aspect and overall plot. And so I did, penning Are you interested in learning about true Florida Keys history in a fast-paced, creative way? Then my novellas are for you! In 1992, my husband and I took our first trip to the Florida Keys and that's when my deep affection for the island chain took root. We continued to make annual trips with friends and family, finally buying our own piece of paradise in 2014. Over that time, I became fascinated with Keys history and knew that I wanted to write about it, specifically in the genre of what I call a hybrid between historical fiction and creative nonfiction. I also knew that I wanted to write fast paced page turners with less filler, where just about everything I wrote mattered to the historical aspect and overall plot. And so I did, penning the novellas, VINDICATION KEY, INDIAN KEY, and FLASHBACK KEY. Here are mini summaries for each:

VINDICATION KEY is a dual timeline book centering around the WWI veterans working on the Overseas Highway, famous Long Key Fishing Camp, the 1935 Labor Day hurricane and a missing Russian treasure.

INDIAN KEY is a dual timeline book about the small island of Indian Key sitting right off Islamorada. What a fascinating history it holds, specifically from the early 1800's. Read about notorious wrecker, Captain John Jacob Housman, the Perrine family, and the events that occurred one fateful day on the tiny 12 acre island.

FLASHBACK KEY is my take on what occurred when six men took refuge in the small, land-based lighthouse attached to the Chesapeake Restaurant in Islamorada during Hurricane Donna in 1960. When I first read about this in a newspaper article, I was curious as to how they passed the time with the storm raging all around them for hours on end. Searching old newspaper archives, I found just two articles addressing how they tried to entertain themselves. One simply stated that they told a few jokes. The other said they sung a few songs and prayed. However, knowing they spent numerous hours hunkering down within the lighthouse walls, I have to presume they kept themselves occupied in other ways. That’s where my imagination entered and I intertwined loads of unusual, real Florida Keys history into the plot. I hope you enjoy my creative take on what occurred during those long, anxious hours.

In addition, I revamped and republished my first novella, FATE'S JOURNEY. A bit of a departure from my Keys themed stories, Fate's Journey is an ode to the books I loved reading as a teenager and young adult—Phyllis Whitney mysteries, Victoria Holt Gothic romance and Harlequin Romances.

My motivation to write is perhaps summed up best by the quote from famed author, Tony Morrison: "If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it."

Enjoy!

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Robin Elder’s books

Average rating: 4.38 · 69 ratings · 16 reviews · 4 distinct works • Similar authors

	Indian Key 4.44 avg rating — 41 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Vindication Key 4.24 avg rating — 21 ratings — published 2014 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Flashback Key 4.43 avg rating — 7 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fate's Journey 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Robin Elder's Blog

A popular 1960's Islamorada landmark was my inspiration for writing Flashback Key

On September 8, 1960, six men took refuge in a small, land-based lighthouse during Hurricane Donna in the burgeoning Florida Keys community of Islamorada. The structure, known as the Chesapeake Seafood Restaurant lighthouse was attached to ... you've guessed it ... the Chesapeake Restaurant. When I first read about this, I was curious as to how the occupants (including the owner) passed the time, Read more of this blog post »

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Published on September 16, 2024 08:08 • Tags: florida-keys-history, hurricane-donna, islamorada

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Robin Elder liked Donna Foster's review of Indian Key: "A fascinating look at the history of Indian Key, Florida through the prism of an alluring fictional saga."
Oct 29, 2024 02:52PM · see review
Robin Elder liked Linda Donohue's review of Indian Key: "Elder wrote a very good story around the historical research she did about the inhabitants of Indian Key in the late 1830s and 1840s. The book was well written and the story moved along. I look forward to reading further books by Robin Elder. I recei" Read more of this review »
Oct 29, 2024 02:52PM · see review
Robin Elder liked Joan's review of Indian Key: "This book contains both historical and modern fiction. The historical part is exceptionally well documented, dealing with slavery, work of scientists at the time, and land ownership, among other topics. The modern part has a very likable protagonist w" Read more of this review »
Oct 29, 2024 02:51PM · see review
Robin Elder made a comment on Natalie’s review of Indian Key " Thanks so much for the review, Natalie! Having visited Indian Key in person, you have a real appreciation for the tiny island's surprising, complex hi ...more "
Oct 29, 2024 02:51PM · see review
Robin Elder made a comment on Diane’s review of Indian Key " Thanks for the review, Diane! If you love the Florida Keys, I hope you got around to reading Vindication Key and Flashback Key. I try to make the less ...more "
Oct 29, 2024 01:54PM · see review
Robin Elder made a comment on Stephanie benton’s review of Indian Key " Thanks so much, Stephanie! You have nailed my style. An easy read and a desire to find out what happens next are two of my three primary goals when wr ...more "
Oct 29, 2024 01:35PM · see review
Robin Elder made a comment on Kathy Woulfe’s review of Indian Key " Kathy, thank you so much for taking the time to review Indian Key. A pattern is beginning to emerge with the reviews I receive, both here and on Amazo ...more "
Oct 29, 2024 01:25PM · see review
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Robin Elder answered Goodreads's question: If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there? It would have to be Hogwarts to spend a year at school with Harry, Hermione, and Ron.
Sep 14, 2024 11:15AM · like