Welcome to Friday Reads!
You can enter to win a print copy of Promise of Purity by Marguerite Martin Gray, courtesy of the author. (US ONLY!) You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends April 28, 2023.) Share on X If you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information to pass along.
Book blurb…
Is true purity found in the laws of religion or in the hearts of the faithful?
East Molesey, England, 1661—
With the return of the exiled king to his rightful throne, Kate Sinclair’s world of black and white now offers the hope of color. But where does color-loving Kate fit? In the bakery as the daughter of a Puritan or in the palace garden among God’s myriad hues? Certainly not within the palace walls of an immoral court with new friends.
Exiled with King Charles II on the continent, Peter Reresby claims unwavering support of his friend’s regained crown. While fighting for the monarchy against his family’s wishes, his sister disappears, and Peter is determined to find her.
When their opposing beliefs collide, Kate and Peter witness a true test of faith in the ability of mankind to shed the past in order to preserve the future… and perhaps learn that the “greatest of these” truly is love.
Story behind the story…
by Marguerite Martin Gray
In February 2023 my novel Promise of Purity released as Book Two in Gardens in Time. What a continuous joy this book brings as I live the story behind the story in my memories.
The gardens of Europe are unique, some very ancient and steeped in history. My journey through them began when I was ten and traveling with my family. Mama and Daddy uprooted the family of three daughters and moved us to England. I remember the thrill of my first plane ride with my two sisters, ages eight and six, bouncing beside me. No fear or anxiety about leaving friends and the familiar, for this adventure promised to be exciting and memorable.
My father pursued his master’s degree in architecture in Liverpool while my sisters and I attended a wonderful school, Devonshire Park. The weekends and breaks found us at castles, manor houses, museums, ruins, churches, or cemeteries—always churches and cemeteries. Where there are national treasures, there are gardens—old, manicured, cultivated, wild, or newly discovered. The paths and lawns became our playgrounds (when they did not contain “Do not walk on the lawn” signs.)
The history lessons provided by my parents or the docents captivated my imagination and remained, fermenting over time, becoming whimsical yet realistic. My childhood grounded me in the beauty of palaces and gardens—Pitti Palace, Hampton Court Palace, Chenonceau Chateau, and Castle Thun.
For Promise of Purity, I chose Hampton Court Palace with its rich history involving Henry VIII, Charles II, and William and Mary and the vast gardens, orchards, and tree-lined drives. Set in the seventeenth century, I centered my characters and plot around the vibrant and frivolous early reign of Charles II. He returned from exile and began the expansion of the gardens and renovations of discarded ones.
As an adult I returned to Hampton Court Palace several times. I imagined a village girl having access to the palace grounds. What magic could she bring as she toiled in the fertile earth. The birth of my novel is the result of these tours of Hampton Court Palace and grounds, the last in June 2022. I walked in Kate and Peter’s steps through the gardens into the kitchens and Great Hall.
As with all of my novels, I want to see and roam the setting, seeing what the characters saw. I’m inspired by the buildings, paintings, paths, gardens, churches, and museums. My research includes planting my feet for a while in the setting. I hope you enjoy this journey through Hampton Court Palace, especially the gardens. Kate is waiting for you there.
Excerpt…
East Molesey, England
March 1661
Chapter One
Kate Sinclair shuddered as she saw another soldier walk down the street. The uniform alone caused her heart to pound and her palms to sweat. Would this be the one to arrest her father, maybe her mother, or even Kate? Her position at the counter allowed her to gaze through the bakery window, hopefully giving her plenty of notice of any unusual activity.
For the past ten months her father had stayed in the back of the establishment during most of the day, in case royal guards saw him and wanted to question him. Many in her small village of East Molesey wandered in and out of secret rooms when rumors of officials abounded. In a few weeks the new king would be crowned, solidifying his hold and place of authority in England.
Anticipation accompanied bouts of anxiety. Would the king finally come to the palace? With the spring weather, the bakery saw more traffic and participated in its fair share of the gossip in the town. This Tuesday morning was no exception.
The Sinclair Bakery remained the most renowned bakery, located in the center of town, even though her father was a Cromwell supporter and a Puritan. In the recent past many in the town shared his political and religious bent. It wasn’t such a good thing now.
Today was slow since yesterday was the major delivery day. All that remained on the shelves were pastries, meat pies, and a few round loaves of bread. Slim pickings for the few customers or curious children peering through the window.
At the tinkling ring from the bell above the door, Kate turned her head in time to see Jane Washburn, her best friend, trip into the store catching herself with the support of the door knob.
“Are you all right? You could have hurt yourself.” Kate leaned over the counter as Jane whirled around, pointing behind her in the direction of the closed door.
“A cavalier is in the village with a petition,” Jane said, the strain of her news burning her cheeks red. “He’s already come to Father’s shop. He signed immediately.”
Jane’s father was the local butcher and had no problem relating to royalists, unlike Kate’s father. Immediately, Kate understood Jane’s staccato, breathless announcement pertained to Kate’s father.
“Well of course he did. He never blatantly served Cromwell.” Kate shook her head and frowned. No reason to hide her disappointment from her friend. “I don’t know what Father will do. And if he doesn’t sign, will he go to jail?”
Kate let her concern spill freely with her friend, the only one who listened without repeating or spreading Kate’s deepest fear.
“I haven’t heard of anyone who hasn’t signed.” Jane rounded the corner of the counter and glanced into the kitchen behind Kate. “Maybe he’ll get a warning.”
“Or perhaps he’ll sign to protect his family.”
Jane grasped Kate by the shoulders and made her look at her. Kate’s thoughts spun. Her family without her father around? In Kate’s twenty-two years she didn’t remember being so unsure of her family’s future, except perhaps about ten years ago when her father threatened to leave for America.
“I’ll warn him. Thank you, Jane.” The girl hugged her and darted out the door, her bonnet hiding her flushed cheeks and wandering eyes.
So the time had come. Kate tired of wondering what and when it would happen. Would the next few hours determine her family’s fate?
About Marguerite…
Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close, Surround Me, Bring Me Near, Draw Me to Your Side, and Wait for Me— Revolutionary Faith Series, Labor of Love, and Promise of Purity— Gardens in Time Series. Besides researching her historical novels, she enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, Marguerite also teaches French and Spanish online. She is the proud mother of two adult children and Mimi to two adorable grandsons. Currently, she lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue cats and dog.
Social media links…
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Rules for giveaway can be found here.
I have always loved historical novels. I like the idea of not only visiting different places, but also visiting different times. I’m pretty sure “armchair time traveling” is a thing ?. I’m particularly fascinated with the location and time period of this story, and the plot definitely sounds intriguing.
I definitely agree about the “armchair time traveling”! Good luck, Candice.
This sounds very good, especially with the historical research behind it!
I agree! Good luck, Janice!
I enjoy learning things from history—things I like didn’t learn in history class!
I agree, Anne! And it’s so much more enjoyable than I ever remember history class being, lol! Good luck!
setting
Good luck!
One thing I enjoy about historical novels, other than the stories themselves, is learning more about actual historical events as well as details on how the people lived, dressed, what they ate, social customs, the culture, and more.
I agree. History is far more interesting through novels. Good luck, Roxanne!