No Ocean Too Wide with Carrie Turansky q&a

I am delighted to share some insider information from a title on my highly anticipated mid 2019 reads… Carrie Turanksy has answered a few q&a’s about No Ocean Too Wide for us and her publisher provided a giveaway!

 

about the author

Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of twenty novels and novellas. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and she was a finalist for the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award and the Maggie Award of Excellence.

A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals, Turansky lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott. They have five adult children and six grandchildren.

Visit her website or connect with Carrie on facebook, twitter, or instagram!

 

q&a

No Ocean Too Wide is inspired by true events surrounding the British Home Children phenomenon. Can you tell us more about that and what drew you to write about it?

C: Between the years 1869 and 1939 more than 100,000 poor and orphaned British children were taken off the streets, from workhouses, and from families in crisis and emigrated to Canada to start new lives.

They were sent there to work and increase the population. Some were well treated, but many of them suffered neglect, abuse, and rejection because of prejudice against orphans and those with questionable family backgrounds.

Many Canadians believed the sins of the parents were somehow transferred to the children and they were “polluting” the community where they were sent. When I read about this heartbreaking chapter of British and Canadian history, I knew I wanted to write a story to shed light on what happened to British Home Children and honor their memory.

B: I had no idea! I knew the British sent convicts and exiles to North American colonies but children?! This is astounding.

For readers who are unfamiliar with the history of British Home Children, what do you think their reaction will be?

C: I think readers will be surprised to learn how these children were treated, and I hope it will prompt them to consider the needs of children and families in crisis and want to do all they can to help make sure no child suffers as these children did.

B: Absolutely!

Which character in the book do you most resonate with?

C: I identify the most with Laura, the older sister who is determined to do whatever it takes to find her siblings and reunite her family. She faces some very difficult choices, and sometimes she takes things into her own hands and then later regrets it. She learns how important it is to trust God and follow Him where He leads rather than rushing ahead and making impulsive decisions.

B: I have a feeling I’ll relate to Laura as well.

Which scene in the book did you most enjoy writing and/or researching? Which one was the most difficult?

C: One scene I especially enjoyed researching and writing was the first-class dinner scene when Laura is on her voyage across the Atlantic. I found the menu that was served on the Titanic and used some of those dishes. I also used the description of the Titanic dining room.

One of the most challenging scenes to write is tennis game scene when Andrew and his mentor Henry are discussing the background of child emigration. I wanted the scene to sound natural and not come across as an information dump, but I thought two lawyers might have a discussion like that, and it would help readers understand the history of British Home Children in a natural way.

B: I’m looking forward to enjoying both scenes!

What are you currently reading?

C: I have become a great fan of audio books. I enjoy listening to a novel while I’m working in the kitchen, driving, or walking. Lately, I’ve enjoyed listening to The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel and The Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar. Both were wonderful and highly recommended.

B: I agree with you on The Secrets of Paper and Ink and I’m adding The Thief of Corinth to my tbr! Thank you, Carrie!

about the book

Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans–but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans’ home before Laura is notified about her family’s unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God”.

goodreads | amazon | bookdepository | christianbook | bookbub

 

also available

 

giveaway

Thanks to the generosity of the publisher, one fortunate Faithfully Bookish reader friend will win a print copy of No Ocean Too Wide.

US only | ends 7/8 | giveaway policy

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Are you familiar with the British Home Children, reader friends?!

 

Here’s another giveaway opportunity from the author and JustRead Publicity Tours!