Sumter author Jacquelyn Cook introduces readers to a story of romance woven throughout with historical events in her first book about the steamboat era along the Chattahoochee River.

The same characters as well as several more the reader knew and loved in River Between and their adventures continue in Mrs. Cook's second in the trilogy Wind Along the River, leaving readers with a sense of anticipation that the story will continue.

This meant Mrs. Cook had to look for another publisher besides negotiating with Zondervan on returning the rights to the books.

Now, they will know.

Mrs. Cook's long awaited River Of Fire, the third about the romantic steamboat era along the Chattahoochee in the days before, during, and after the Civil War, is scheduled for release in December.

"This book is the most fun I've ever written," said Mrs. Cook, author of seven books. "The reason is because all the characters are already old friends. Also, Adrianna, one of the principals in the book, is such an exciting character. She is sweet and innocent, yet at the same, time she’s more sophisticated and worldly than the others" (characters).

"She blunders into all kinds of funny situations and keeps the fireworks popping." said Mrs. Cook.

Barbour and Co. recently bought River of Fire for its new line, HeartSong Book Club, and the book will be among the first 12 books offered.

The idea and story behind the trilogy was conceived about ten years ago during Mrs. Cook s visit to Eufaula, Alabama for that city's spring pilgrimage. She was impressed then by the beautiful mansions and gracious townspeople.

"My editor at Zondervan had asked me to write a book revolving around a romantic love story and commitment to marriage." says Mrs. Cook. "During that initial visit to Eufaula I knew there had to be a story somewhere in all those old homes with their fine architectural details such as widow walks and belvederes."

Meanwhile, on her initial visit to Eufaula Mrs. Cook says Doug Purcell, executive director of the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, gave her a guided tour of Fendall Hall.

"Standing in the belvedere my characters suddenly came to life." says Mrs. Cook, who pointed out she could envision Lily, the main character in the first book, sitting in the glassed enclosed belvedere daydreaming about her lover and watching for signs of the steamboat steaming up the Chattahoochee bringing him back to her.

The same characters appear in all three books, with new ones introduced in the second and third.

In Wind Along the River Mrs, Cook tells the story of what actually happened during the blockade of the Chattahoochee River, weaving in the romance of Emma, a character from the first book, and Jonathan Ramsey, who promises to marry her as soon as the South wins the war.

In River of Fire the character of Foy Edwards, a child in the first book, has grown into a handsome young man. He has recently returned from the Confederate Navy to find his home crumbling, and the family fortune gone. They are struggling to repair their lives just like most Southern families were doing after the war. Suddenly, this dazzling redhead. Adrianna Atherton walks into town and the fireworks begin.

One factor setting Mrs. Cook’s historic romances apart from other novels of this type is that she strives for accuracy in facts. She conducts in-depth research. And the events she writes about actually happened. In fact, many of her characters are based on real people.

Also, the books are the kind you want to share with a friend.