Reflecting on the recent release of the third novel in her Second World War-era ‘Promise’ series, County-based author Marie Gage said her latest book is more than 20 years in the making.
The self-published A Touch of Promise was released May 26. The 331-page novel reacquaints readers with Pearl Griffith, the protagonist from Gage’s second feature, Promise of the Bluebell Woods.
“Pearl is a young British war bride who dares to leave her homeland, family, and everything familiar to start a new life in Canada, with her beloved soldier husband,” Gage said.
In the second book, released in August 2022, Pearl met Rod, a Canadian soldier posted in the UK at the height of the Second World War. The story focuses on their blossoming relationship – by its end, the conflict in Europe had been resolved and Pearl decided to accompany Rod back to his home in London, Ontario.
The third novel finds Pearl in a difficult position – 10 months into her new life, things haven’t panned out the way she thought they would.
“This story is all about the struggle of war brides when they arrived in Canada,” Gage said. “Canadian women were not very happy because they felt these women had stolen Canadian men from them. And men were in short supply following the war. There was a lot of jealously, which made settling particularly difficult.”
Pearl, now 22, must also navigate a strained, increasingly toxic relationship with her mother-in-law. Missing her family and old life back home, she searches for a reprieve, which Gage said arrives at just the right time.
She finds solace in an unlikely sisterhood – a diverse group of women who share their strength, humour, and understanding, building new bonds that deepen Pearl’s sense of purpose while connecting her with much-needed new friends.
“It’s basically a collection of war brides who feel like they have nowhere to turn, so, in the best of ways, they begin leaning on one another for support,” Gage said. The book tackles some serious subjects, including the devastating effects of posttraumatic stress disorder, then known as battle fatigue.
Through it all, despite the struggles, Pearl perseveres. “She really, really, really loves her husband,” Gage said, noting there are several recurring characters from the first two novels.
Wrapping the trilogy, the author is unsure if she’ll delve into her ‘Promise’ series again. She said it feels complete, like things have come full circle.
Her debut novel, A Ring of Promises, is loosely based on the story of Gage’s grandparents’ immigration to Canada, with the second drawing inspiration from her in-laws. Her latest continued in that vein.
“The inspiration for Pearl was my motherin-law… she did have, in real life, a difficult time with her own mother-in-law, who lived with them. But it wasn’t anywhere near the extent of what Pearl goes through in the book,” Gage said.
A launch party has been scheduled June 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 15 Webb Circle in the Silver Beach community outside Haliburton village. Gage will read an excerpt and be signing books. A Touch of Promise is available at Master’s Book Store and online through Amazon.
