Blog Tour, Guest Post & Giveaway: Finding Uncle Newton and his Nemesis by Douglas P. Cornelius

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Finding Uncle Newton and his Nemesis by Douglas P. Cornelius, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Finding Uncle Newton and his Nemesis 
Author: Douglas P. Cornelius
Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
Release Date: March 15, 2021
Genre: Middle Grade/Teen Historical Fiction (age 13-17)

She is outgoing, but orphaned. He is introverted, but a world-renowned scientist. Would moving in with Uncle Isaac Newton work? When his head was always in a book or the Bible? 

Teen-aged Catherine Barton tries desperately to connect, so seeks a match for her energy in the London coffeehouses. That women were not welcome there in the late 1690’s would not stop her, and she does find promising boyfriend John. 

Meanwhile, Uncle Isaac, as new Warden of the Mint, has his own challenges—nabbing counterfeiters, including the notorious, William Chaloner. He enlists Catherine to spy at the coffeehouse, and she welcomes the bond—all until boyfriend John gets implicated in a counterfeiting scheme. 

Then a case of smallpox, a pandemic scourge that had killed millions just decades earlier, sends her off to dreaded isolation in the countryside. 

And Uncle Isaac’s battle to nab the devious Chaloner turns into a challenging chess match. Will famous scientist Newton be embarrassed by a scofflaw from the street? Will Catherine ever find her true connection? 

Based on actual historical events and people. Author is a prior recipient of Moonbeam and Illumination Awards for books for faith-driven teens.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

 

Guest Post from Author Douglas P. Cornelius

Why learn about important historical figures through fiction rather than a biography?

I believe, at the onset, that fiction has a better chance of drawing the reader in. For today’s young reader, with so many resources competing for his or her attention, a story with a plot and a protagonist struggling to attain some goal, should sustain attention. Afterwards, if an interest in a particular person of history is generated, the youth can then follow up to get more detail to be found in the biography.

But what about the argument that fiction distorts the real life of an actual person? With my writing, I stay true to the key elements of that person’s character as well as the order of events in his or her life. Therein lies the challenge—to wrap a story around those constraints. It helps that most of the fiction relates to the imaginary characters who interact with the key person. Other variances can also be explained in the epilogue.

In addition, a fictional story, not bound by the shackles of a recitation of dates and events, typically uses a more expansive means of expression. You’ll probably find more adjectives, adverbs, and words that try to connect with emotions and feelings, as they are key to drawing the reader in as life events unfold involving forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation. (Bye the way, all this serves to promote writing skills of the reader, as well.)

In sum, I believe with historical fiction there is a good chance the reader will benefit in two main ways: learning about the life-impacting contributions of a Christian champion he or she should know about at some point, and being entertained along the way by an intriguing story. Too many books today have one or the other, but not both.

 

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Illumination and Moonbeam award-winning author Douglas P. Cornelius hails from the Twin Cities, MN. He began writing after careers at Target, Ameriprise, and 3M. A Cornell University graduate, his hope is to reveal the lives of impactful Christian figures through story, rather than biography. Doug has been married for 45 years and has two children, three grandchildren, cat Selah, and new puppy Scout.

CONNECT WITH DOUGLAS: Website | Twitter

---

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a print copy of Finding Uncle Newton and his Nemesis, winner's choice of another book by the author, and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight May 4, 2021 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 11, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE

---

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.