Come Looking for Me
In Come Looking for Me, a mysterious young English woman named Emily risks a crossing of the Atlantic during the War of 1812 for the promise of a new adventure in Canada. But she never arrives.
Captured by Captain Trevelyan, a man as cold-blooded as his frigate is menacing, Emily is held prisoner aboard the USS Serendipity. Seeking to save herself, she makes a desperate escape overboard in the midst of a raging sea battle and is rescued by the British crew of HMS Isabelle. Yet Emily has only exchanged one form of captivity for another, and remains in peril as England escalates its fight against the United States on the Atlantic.
On board the Isabelle, Emily encounters a crew of fascinating seamen and strikes up unexpected friendships, but life on a man-of-war is full of deprivations and dangers to which she is unaccustomed. Amidst heartache and tragedy at sea, she struggles to find her place among the men until a turn of events reveals her true identity. And when Trevelyan’s ship once again looms on the horizon, Emily fears losing the only man she has ever loved and falling into the hands of the only man she has ever loathed.
Come Looking for Me is a rich and compelling story of love and courage, friendship and treachery, triumph and loss. With humour and poignancy, author Cheryl Cooper captures all the colour, detail, and excitement of the great ships from the golden age of sail, while bringing to life those who fought upon them. She tells a story of the bravery of the men locked in the epic, brutal struggle that was the War of 1812, and the courage of a woman who, with extraordinary determination, labours to make her own way in life and in love.
Cheryl Cooper interview on Open Book Ontario –· please visit the Open Book Ontario website.
Buy this Book
- Titile: Come Looking for Me
- Category: Historical Fiction
- ISBN: 978-1-926577-07-4
- Price: $24.95 USA/Canada
- Format: soft cover / 6 x 9 in. / 388 pages
- Features: author interview
- Tags: Adventure, Fiction, War of 1812
Comments (24)
Cheryl has written a wonderful historic tale on the high seas! I really fell in love with the rich characters and became vested in their fate. I laughed and cried and was sad when this great story ended. Awesome read and can't wait for the sequel!!
I have just finished Come Looking for Me and I loved it.
I enjoyed Emily's character as a compassionate but strong willed 'modern for her times' woman who seemed to thrive on her unpremeditated adventure amid the War of 1812. She reminds me very much of Elizabeth Bennett of Pride and Prejudice, without the candid, sometimes caustic comments that Jane Austen gifted Elizabeth with, but with the same strength of self-preservation.
You brought the characters of Magpie, Fly Austen, Gus Walby, Biscuit, and Leander Braden to life so well that in some sections of the book, I could imagine what they were going to say or do next.
Do you suppose Emily has another adventure in store for her, in the form of another book?
It has been months since I finished reading Come Looking For Me, but Cheryl Cooper’s epic tale continues to resonate well beyond the final page. The rich tapestry of characters, intrigue, suspense and 1812 historical detail is recalled at will – the mark of a true classic novel.
"Come Looking for Me" was such an amazing book. I felt like I was in the story while reading it. The accuracy and real feeling of the events and time were a breath of fresh air for someone looking for a good read who also loves history. My mom let me read her copy while I was home and I could not put it down. I took it home with me and spent every free moment over my weekend reading the book. If I didn't know before I read it that CLFM was Cheryl's first book, there was no way I would have guessed it. It had to organization and flow of a seasoned author. I look forward to reading anything Mrs. Cooper has in the future.
I just loved this book ... it completely transported me to another place and time! I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a book so much. My only disappointment was when I turned the final page and realized the story was over. I do hope Cheryl Cooper plans a sequel to this novel so that I can find out what happened to dear Emily and Leander and the ever adorable Magpie and other lovable characters created by Ms. Cooper.
Thanks ever so much Cheryl for such a great read. Historical
novels have always been my favourite type of reading.
Come Looking For Me was certainly that,but for me it was more.
My gt gt grandfather was an ordinary seaman in the British navy at the time of the Napoleonic wars and served in the areas off the coast of France and Spain. I had often wondered about life on board a ship,and you sure answered that for me.
Thanks again Cheryl for such a great book,and I look forward
to a sequel.
Beth Speicher
I had some down-time over the holiday and was able to stay home! The best part about that was reading your book! Cheryl, I loved it. Thank you so much for sharing your gift with the world. There are so many things I loved about Come Looking For Me, I can't name them all and would never try. However, the syle of the prose married so well with the dialogue that from start to finish I was completely immersed in the era and in the experience. What I think I'm trying to say is that it was a 'full-body' experience - rich with imagery on every level. I lived on those ships, thanks to you. Incredible. BRAVO. (I dare not ask, but will anyway - is there a sequel? I didn't quite want to let Emily go...)
What a fabulous book! The author had me tearing up, smiling, yearning for romance and blubbering at the end. I took on the role of Emily and loved every minute of her exciting adventure. I was spellbound throughout the story and had such a visual image of what Emily had to endure and her surroundings. You’ve definitely left it open for a sequel and I need to know what becomes of Emily in the future.
It’s definitely a “Best Seller” in my heart.
Thanks for the wonderful journey Cheryl Cooper.
One of life’s great pleasures is to have a good book to look forward to reading every day. Come Looking For Me was such a book. While the War of 1812 has always fascinated me, I didn't think I wanted to read about the naval battles. But what a treat this book turned out to be! I loved it! The exciting plot clipped along quickly, with great action, fascinating information woven in seamlessly, some good plot twists, and an interesting assortment of characters who came alive and made me hope they'd be alright. I look forward to reading the sequel.
Come Looking For Me is a rollicking good yarn of adventure on the high seas. The story’s protagonist, Emily, took me back to my days as an undergraduate and reminded me of Thomas Hardy’s, Tess. The two characters do come from socio-economic classes that are polar opposites and their eventual fates are much different; however, the reader empathizes with them, wants to rescue them from their circumstances and falls in love with them. Come Looking For Me is a very good read that is difficult to put down and leaves the reader wanting more. Well done!
With all my travels of late, I finally finished Cheryl’s novel last night and wanted to feed back to her how much I enjoyed it. I found it hard to put it down and loved how the opposing forces came together for the climactic sea battle. It is a gripping story with every chapter leaving you wanting more. I found that it was written in the style of a classic novel like Mutiny on the Bounty and Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Come Looking for Me is truly a modern classic.
I keep hoping to see it reviewed in MacLean’s magazine, but wonder if other magazines have picked it up. In any case, please pass on my compliments and admiration for a superb work of literature!
CLFM is the GWTW of today. I started to read the book on a Tuesday night, by 2:00 a.m. I couldn't read any more. Then next day I was off and read the book all day. I felt I was there with Emily and the gang, I could smell the hospital, feel the sea and feel her falling in love with Dr. Braden. the research involved to produce such a yarn must of been tantamount. To write an entire novel with not one swear word or profanity I found refreshing, I enjoyed the verbage of the era. What an astounding undertaking,now get to work and write the next novel so we can droll over your words and go into the dark night together. You are a modern day Margaret Mitchell. Hold Fast, write more. Bev McMullen
I just finished reading your book and I couldn't wait to tell you how incredibly much I enjoyed it!! I'm no literary critic by any stretch of the imagination, but I know a good book when I read one, and yours is well ensconced in the "Good Book" category. I have read a lot of Steven King over the years, and one of the things I like best about his writing is his character development - I have to tell you that you've done an awesome job (in my humble opinion) of just that - character development. I felt I knew the people in your story, and now that I'm finished it I'm going to miss them. I'm a real old softy when it comes to emotional stories - I watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol" every year, and I cry every year - and I'm not ashamed to admit that I had tears in my eyes at the end of your book. Keep writing, whatever you do, because I will look forward to your next one!
Hi Cheryl - Wow!!
I can't put your book down. You hook the reader from the very first page.
I started reading it around 10 pm last night - thought I'd knock off a few pages, just to get the feel of it.
I told myself at 12:30 I just had to stop reading & get some sleep.
Dreamt about it and started reading again in the middle of the night. Then woke up and started reading again...!
I'm on Chapter 8 and I've torn myself away again to get ready to drive to my sister's in Waterloo....
I love the characters, the plot, your writing, the tie into Jane Austen, and I can see Jane Austen's style reflected in yours...but combined with a fast moving plot -- and the backdrop of period sailing lore. It's fabulous!
I'm taking it with me to Waterloo and will try to pay some attention to my sister and her family until I get back tomorrow.
One last word for you: Inspiring!
Nancy Beal
Muskoka Creative Communications
What a ride! I'm happy to finish the book to find out how it all ends, but sad that I'm finished with the joy of reading this page turner!
It was fabulous -- a great adventure, great writing, interesting characters.
Magpie's request to "come lookin' fer me too" at the end made me feel we'd gone full circle back to the first page. And Fly's gift of Pride and Prejudice completes the Jane Austen circle as well.
I can hardly wait to find what other adventures await Emily on her next journey!
I read the first 60 pages, then packed your book away because I am so busy getting ready to leave in 10 days there was a danger that I would devour it and not give the book its full due. I want to savour every word. So I slowed myself down by tucking the book into the bottom of a full suitcase.
60 pages in...I love it! You have a huge talent for character development Cheryl. I am so impressed. There is no doubt that I will love the book in its entirety.
A young woman with a secret. A captain bent of revenge. A doctor willing to risk his life for his comrades and love. Cooper's characters are colourful, her plot compelling and her setting informative and refreshing. I came to the end of each chapter and couldn't wait to read the next. A delicious read!
I finished your book last night, and WOW, what a read!
The story is so engaging, so exciting, so touching, so “right” that if I didn't know how hard you had worked, I would think the story had just flowed out of you with all the characters and plot and historical detail fully formed. Bravo!
Just a quick note to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. What a wonderful creative imagination you have. Your colourful descriptions were more like brush strokes painting vivid images on the canvas of my imagination. You are a true artist and can be proud of your creation. I could not put the book down as each page left me wanting more. A real achievement. Bravo Cheryl.
I read this book, in two days. Could not put it down. The words flowed! Great work, Cheryl Cooper!
The first reference to Fly Austen made my skin tingle; Jane Austen is among my favourites. Being far removed from today's movie scene, I cannot determine which actors would best portray this book’s characters. Be assured this is movie material, so get those agents on it immediately.
Just finished reading this book. What a great story! It almost requires a sequel to let us know what happens when the heroine gets to London and whether she gets reunited with her doctor. Thanks for a few hours of being transported back in time.
WOW! What a read! And I can say I knew Cheryl Cooper when. Well done.
With the bicentennial of the War of 1812 less than 14 months away as I write this, it's great to read Cheryl Cooper's new work of historical fiction about that war.
Mostly we were taught in school about the land battles -- at Queenston Heights, the Battle of New Orleans, the burning of York (now Toronto), and the retaliatory torching of Washington (with the president's residence quickly whitewashed to hide the smoke damage, thus bequeathing it the moniker The White House.) But clearly there was more, these naval battles in the Atlantic between the Royal Navy and the United States Navy.
With "Come Looking for Me" set entirely aboard ships during this war, Cheryl Cooper introduces new information but especially she conveys vividly what it was like to be part of this scene. On top of that, with the lead character a woman who is unwitingly caught up in this war at sea, and with the author a female, this book is rewarding for its different, and eye-opening, perspective on war.
This is historical fiction doing what it does best -- providing education and insight while unfolding a dramatic adventure.