No Ocean Too Wide
When Laura McAlister, a young lady’s maid, learns her three siblings have been taken from their mother and emigrated to Canada without her mother’s knowledge, Laura determines to search for them and reunite the family. But lack of funds and resistance from authorities push her to use a false name and take a position with a child emigration society to gain passage to Canada. Andrew Frasier, a wealthy young lawyer, is surprised to see his mother’s former lady’s maid on board ship escorting a group of child immigrants, especially when she uses a different name. Laura eventually convinces Andrew to help her search for her siblings and uncover the truth about the treatment of British Home Children. Romantic feelings grow between this unlikely couple, and though they have different backgrounds, they share a growing faith and desire to seek justice and relief for the children who are mistreated. Inspiring and hope-filled, No Ocean too Wide will touch your heart and lift your spirit.
Download the Press Release from WaterBrook Multnomah.
More in The McAlister Family Series
Click on book cover image for more details
Endorsements
"'No Ocean too Wide'" is a compelling story of the McAlister family, tragically caught up in the British Home Child immigration schemes. The author, with her impressive attention to the historical facts of these programs, woven together with the trials and tribulations of Laura, Grace, Katie and Garth, make this book not only one of the most enjoyable BHC books I have read to date, but also an important historical lesson for her readers."
"'No Ocean Too Wide'" is Carrie Turansky at her finest, as she weaves rich historical details and engaging characters with the heart-wrenching complexities surrounding the emigration of British Home Children in the early 1900s. I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into English and Canadian history, with its echoes of the trials faced by orphans in books such as Anne of Green Gables, and the strong message of faith and trust in the Heavenly Father who never abandons us."
“’No Ocean Too Wide’ is a fine example of a historical novel performing one of its most important functions: bringing to life, honoring, and preserving a piece of history that might otherwise go forgotten. Turansky’s novel is sure to capture readers with the heartache and hope entwining the McAllister family’s story. Those interested in America’s Orphan Trains will not want to miss this fresh new tale about the British Home Children.”
“Courageous characters and a riveting plot reveal an intriguing segment of little known British and Canadian history—the plight of British Home Children sent to Canada, with or without their parents’ permission—in Carrie Turansky’s ‘No Ocean Too Wide’. I will not forget this beautifully written and inspiring story of faith, friendship, family love and devotion. A perfect treasure of a book.”
In Other News
Research
In No Ocean Too Wide and No Journey Too Far, I focused on the heart-wrenching child emigration scheme that took more than 100,000 poor and orphaned children from England to Canada from 1869 – 1939. I chose to tell this story through the experiences of the fictional McAlister family, but I wove in many actual accounts given by British Home Children. The idea for the story was sparked by a Facebook post from the British Home Children Advocacy and Research Association Group. I joined that group and began reading about the children’s experiences and watching video interviews of the few who are still living. I knew I wanted to tell their story and make sure British Home Children were remembered and honored.
I read some wonderful books to give me background information for this story including, The Golden Bridge by Marjorie Kohli; Nation Builders – Barnardo Children in Canada by Gail H. Corbett; The Little Immigrants – The Orphans Who Came to Canada by Kenneth Bagnell; Promises of Home – Stories of Canada’s British Home Children by Rose McCormick Brandon; and Labouring Children- British Immigrant Apprentices to Canada, 1869-1924 by Joy Parr. Pinterest and Google were also a great help to see images of the areas where the story is set and learn more about British Home Children. You can see the characters and setting on my Pinterest Board for No Journey Too Far at this link, and No Ocean Too Wide by clicking this link.
No Ocean Too Wide will be available in Audio, Dutch, and German!
No Ocean Too Wide Guest Blog Posts and Interviews:
Video interview with Author Johnnie Alexander at Novelists Unwind.
ACFW Author of the Week Interview with Anita Draper.
Radio interview with Afternoon host Stacey at WGTS in Washington, DC.
Newspaper article in the Lawrenceville Gazette about No Ocean Too Wide, “Author Pen’s 20th Novel.”
Author Spotlight and Q & A with Beth at Faithfully Bookish.
Launch Week Facebook Live Videos for No Ocean Too Wide: #1 and #2
British Home Children’s Book Club video chat.