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106 ratings | 3 reviews | avg rating:4.54

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Cynthia’s 2025 Year in Books

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Cynthia Elder

Goodreads Author

Born

The United States

Website

https://www.cynthiaelder.com

Twitter

celder64

Genre

Historical Fiction, Poetry, History

Member Since

March 2025

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/cynthia_elder_author

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Cynthia “Cindy” Elder is a novelist, poet and nonprofit leader. Her two-part novel, Tales of the Sea (Holand Press, 2025), tells the true story of a seafaring family from West Barnstable, Massachusetts, during the final chapter of the Great Age of Sail and the tumultuous years of the Civil War.

Kirkus Reviews, one of the publishing industry’s premier book review sources, describes "Tales of the Sea" as “a well-developed novel that uses copious historical sources to vividly bring its characters and setting to life.” Kirkus gave the novel a “Get It” recommendation, a designation achieved by 25% of authors associated with independent publishers.

Cindy’s poetry has appeared in many literary magazines over the last four decades, including recent e ...more

Combine Editions
Cynthia Elder’s books

Average rating: 4.51 · 53 ratings · 19 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea, #1) 4.34 avg rating — 38 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
	The Drumbeats of War (Tales of the Sea Book 2) 4.93 avg rating — 15 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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Cynthia’s Recent Updates

Cynthia Elder made a comment on Kaylee’s review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea, #1) " So glad you enjoyed it, Kaylee! If you want to find out what happens to Ruth, James, Josiah and Joseph, all will be revealed in The Drumbeats of War. "
May 05, 2026 08:18AM · see review
Cynthia Elder liked Kaylee's review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea, #1): "This is a beautifully written and deeply moving story that brings history to life in such a personal and meaningful way. The connection to real events and families adds a powerful layer of authenticity that makes the narrative feel both intimate and " Read more of this review »
May 05, 2026 08:17AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Cynthia Elder rated a book it was amazing Sailing the Sweetwater Seas: Wooden Boats and Ships on the Great Lakes, 1817–1940 by George D. Jepson	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
George Jepson's beautifully produced book delivers vivid insights into an era of boating history less familiar to saltwater sailors like me. He pulled me in with his personal stories of the people who built and worked on the ships in the Great Lakes ...more
Feb 23, 2026 01:01PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Sailing the Sweetwater Seas by George D. Jepson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Sailing the Sweetwater Seas by George D. Jepson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Cynthia Elder made a comment on Visionary Impart’s review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea Book 1) " Thanks so much for reviewing my first novel. It's gratifying to know that the work paid off. I appreciate you taking the time to post a review! ...more "
Feb 04, 2026 02:31PM · see review
Cynthia Elder liked Visionary Impart's review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea Book 1): "The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea Book 1) by Cynthia Elder is a richly detailed and deeply moving work of historical fiction. Grounded in true events, the novel vividly brings nineteenth-century seafaring life to the page, blending personal dreams" Read more of this review »
Feb 04, 2026 02:30PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Cynthia Elder made a comment on Ellen’s review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea, #1) " I'm so glad you were drawn in by the characters and the sailing experience, Ellen! Thank you for taking time to write a review! ...more "
Feb 04, 2026 02:30PM · see review
Cynthia Elder liked Ellen's review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea, #1): "I was drawn into Tales of the Sea almost immediately by how grounded and authentic it feels. Cynthia Elder doesn’t just tell a historical story she recreates a world shaped by salt air, long voyages, and uncertainty. James Jenkins’ journey from young" Read more of this review »
Feb 04, 2026 02:29PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Journey Begins by Cynthia Elder <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Cynthia Elder made a comment on Kate Calloway’s review of The Journey Begins (Tales of the Sea, #1) " Thank you so much for this enticing review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the first book, Kate! ...more "
Feb 04, 2026 02:28PM · see review
Cynthia Elder rated a book it was amazing Little Great Island by Kate Woodworth	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
"He has so many ways to hope." This sums up Sam, a lobsterman whose livelihood is being swept away by climate change. His daughter, Mari (recently escaped from a religious cult) stirs things up on this little Maine island with talk of sustainable far ...more
Nov 01, 2025 03:39AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Little Great Island by Kate Woodworth. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Little Great Island by Kate Woodworth <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">