About the Book
Book: Promise of Purity
Author: Marguerite Martin Gray
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Release date: February 14, 2023
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.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close, Surround Me, and Bring Me Near– Revolutionary Faith Books One, Two and Three. Besides researching her historical novels, she enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Marguerite is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Abilene Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, South Carolina Historical Society, and Preservation Society of Charleston. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and Cleo, her cat. Her two adult children keep her up to date and young. Follow Marguerite at http://margueritemartingray.com.
More from Marguerite
Hello from north Louisiana. I am so happy to be here with you. When I am not writing, you will most likely find me outside in my garden, reading on the deck or front porch, or hiking/walking in the woods and parks. I love the outdoors, although I am not the athletic sports type, more like a nature lover. That is one reason I have enjoyed writing the novels for Gardens in Time.
When I was a preteen, I had the awesome privilege of residing in England outside of Liverpool while my father pursued an advanced degree in architecture. For a few years, I had the gardens of Britain and Europe as my playground. My sisters and I made up games on the lawns and in the gardens of the estates—supervised, of course. Hide-and-seek in castle ruins or tag in rose gardens or getting lost in mazes proved great entertainment. Hampton Court Palace Gardens was one of those majestic places.
Promise of Purity is set at Hampton Court Palace in 1661 during the return of Charles II from exile. Kate is a Puritan waiting for color to fill her life after a dismal rule under Cromwell. I visited Hampton Court again in June 2022. I wandered in the rose gardens and marveled at the herb plots. Wildflowers existed between the manicured plots of lilies. I strolled through the Privy Garden that my character Kate brings back to life. Walking in my characters’ footsteps energizes me as I present them to you, the reader.
Enjoy the journey through Hampton Court Gardens.
Interview with Marguerite
- How do you select the names of your characters?
For my historical novels I research names from the period. I want them to be easy to pronounce. My historical characters, of course, keep their real names. I have a list of names that I find in my research, at cemeteries, in yearbooks, and family trees that I play with as possible names. Also, I am a teacher and have access to hundreds of first and last names that I add to my list. The hardest one I had to put in a book was my own first name, but since she was a real historical character I had to use it.
- What was your hardest scene to write?
In one of my novels, the character never wanted to have a baby but was pregnant and had to marry. When her husband was away fighting in the war, and she was living at his parents’ house, she left the baby girl in the care of his mother and left. She saw the baby once before she returned to England for good. I remember crying as I wrote the words, for the child was also abandoned by her father.
- What is your favorite childhood book?
As a child I had a fascination with horses, beginning with riding lessons at summer camp. I read all the children’s books about horses. My favorite was The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. Other favorites included Nancy Drew Mysteries, Heidi, and Little Women. I collected books, as I do now, and still have a nice library of children’s books.
- If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
I’ve thought about this often. I started writing as a preteen and took a college writing course as a teenager. In college I majored in Journalism. What I didn’t do, and I really wish I had, was write stories and novels. I encourage young writers to actually write. Don’t worry about being published right away. When I look back, I think about the collection of stories I would have at my fingertips if I had been writing all these years.
- What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I am an avid reader and spend my free time curled up with a book and hot tea. I love walking and hiking in the woods by my house and gardening. Also, I travel a lot–always planning, going, and planning some more. I combine travel with research for my historical novels. I write about places that I have been or at least similar places.
Thank you, Marguerite, for letting us get to know you better!
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 4
Texas Book-aholic, March 5
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, March 6 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, March 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 8
For Him and My Family, March 9
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 9
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 10 (Author Interview)
Babbles Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 11
Artistic Nobody, March 12 (Author Interview)
Connie’s History Classroom, March 13
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14
Guild Master, March 15 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, March 15
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16
Through the Fire Blogs, March 17 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Marguerite is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2494b/promise-of-purity-celebration-tour-giveaway