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Elaine Russell

Goodreads Author

Born

in San Francsico, The United States

Website

http://www.elainerussell.info

Twitter

erussellwrites

Genre

Fiction, Historical Fiction, Children's

Member Since

October 2009

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/elainerussell

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I am the author of three historical novels and six children's book, which have won numerous awards. Writing is a journey that takes me down many unexpected paths. When I begin a new novel, it feels like some of my characters and their unexpected personalities soon take over. Equally enjoyable as the writing, is the research I do for my books (I have a BA in history). I'm always finding fascinating events or facts that help shape the story. My love of travel and history have contributed significantly to my writing, as I enjoy weaving in the culture and past of other countries into my stories.
My latest historical novel, "When the Tamarind Tree Blooms," (April 2024) is about a young métisse, half-Lao/half-French, in 1931 French colonial Laos, I am the author of three historical novels and six children's book, which have won numerous awards. Writing is a journey that takes me down many unexpected paths. When I begin a new novel, it feels like some of my characters and their unexpected personalities soon take over. Equally enjoyable as the writing, is the research I do for my books (I have a BA in history). I'm always finding fascinating events or facts that help shape the story. My love of travel and history have contributed significantly to my writing, as I enjoy weaving in the culture and past of other countries into my stories.
My latest historical novel, "When the Tamarind Tree Blooms," (April 2024) is about a young métisse, half-Lao/half-French, in 1931 French colonial Laos, trying to determine where she belongs in the deeply divided French and Lao societies, where neither group readily accepts her mixed heritage. I am also the author of the historical novels "In the Company of Like-Minded Women" (2018) and "Across the Mekong River" (2012) -- now available in a French, "De l'autre côté du Mékong."
My children’s works include two picture books, "All About Thailand" (2016) and "Thai Celebrations for Children," (2022) with Tuttle Publishing. I am also the author of the middle grade Martin McMillan mystery/adventure series, which features skateboarding heroes Martin and Isabel: "The Lost Inca City," "The Secret of the Ruby Elephant," and "The Sacred Stones". And finally, my young adult novel, “Montana in A Minor,” stems from my passion for music, an interest in the complexities of modern family life, and a belief that everyone appreciates a good love story!
I was born in San Francisco and raised on the peninsula. I attended the University of California at Davis where I earned a bachelor’s degree in history, then California State University Sacramento for a master’s degree in economics. I always wanted to write, but came to it somewhat late in life. I live with my husband in Sacramento, California.

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Elaine Russell’s books

Average rating: 4.14 · 1,858 ratings · 217 reviews · 10 distinct works • Similar authors

	When the Tamarind Tree Blooms 4.33 avg rating — 620 ratings — 3 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
	Across the Mekong River 4.05 avg rating — 657 ratings — published 2004 — 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
	In the Company of Like-Minded Women 4.05 avg rating — 493 ratings — 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
	All About Thailand: Stories, Songs, Crafts and Games for Kids by Elaine Russell (Goodreads Author), Patcharee Meesukhon (Illustrations) 3.88 avg rating — 33 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
	Montana in A Minor 3.88 avg rating — 17 ratings — 3 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
	Martin McMillan and the Sacred Stones by Elaine Russell (Goodreads Author), Patricia Andrews (Illustrations) 4.82 avg rating — 11 ratings — 3 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
	Martin McMillan and the Secret of the Ruby Elephant 4.27 avg rating — 11 ratings — 3 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
	Thai Celebrations for Children: Festivals, Holidays and Traditions by Elaine Russell (Goodreads Author), Patcharee Meesukhon (Illustrations) 3.78 avg rating — 9 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
	Martin McMillan and the Lost Inca City 3.43 avg rating — 7 ratings — published 2012 — 4 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
	De l'autre côté du Mékong by Elaine Russell (Goodreads Author), Susan Gibbs (Translator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 3 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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Elaine Russell's Blog

My Newest Adult Novel

My latest novel, When the Tamarind Tree Blooms, set in 1931 French colonial Laos, will be released on April 1, 2024. This story was a long time in the making, as I did a tremendous amount of research, much of it in French - I had to improve my French reading abilities! There are always many drafts and revisions with the help of editors and my writing group. But I love the process.

I'm very pleased Read more of this blog post »

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Published on March 03, 2024 12:12

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Elaine is Currently Reading

Elaine is currently reading

The Marriage Portrait

by Maggie O'Farrell (Goodreads Author)

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Apr 18, 2026 03:49AM

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Métisse Blanche

by Kim Lefèvre

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Sep 13, 2024 08:02AM

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Wolf Hall (Thomas Cromwell, #1)

by Hilary Mantel

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May 23, 2023 08:50PM

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Elaine is currently reading The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (Goodreads Author)	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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Elaine rated a book it was amazing Circe by Madeline Miller (Goodreads Author)	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
A truly excellent book. The writing is so creative and inspiring. The story of gods and humans struggling one and all to find their place in life against the many obstacles they face. Circe is a lesser god who is never appreciated by her family. Her ...more
Apr 16, 2026 10:41AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Circe by Madeline Miller. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Circe by Madeline Miller <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elaine rated a book it was amazing The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict (Goodreads Author)	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
Very interesting read - a novel based on the Mitford family of England during the 1930s in-between the world wars. There were six sisters and one brother coming from rather bizarre, aristocratic parents who were financially down on their luck. All th ...more
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Elaine rated a book it was amazing Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond (Goodreads Author)	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
A very well done book written back in 2018, which examines the sad situation of many poor people who are victims of hard times and their landlords, ending up evicted from their rental homes. It's a hard book to read, very depressing really. The autho ...more
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I enjoyed this book a great deal. As an author, I found it fun that it's supposed to be an author in present day and her adventures as she writes a novel - alternating between the two storylines. It's set in Scotland now and then in the early 1700s. ...more
Mar 11, 2026 09:59AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Elaine rated a book it was amazing A Suitable Boy (A Bridge of Leaves, #1) by Vikram Seth	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
I read this book not long after it was published in 2005 and loved it. One of my favorite books. With 1,536 pages, it's not a quick read, but the intertwining stories of one family and all those around them are very compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed r ...more
Feb 19, 2026 07:03AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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Elaine rated a book really liked it A Necessary Death (Tucker's Crossing #1) by Terri Karsten	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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