Carrie Turansky’s latest novel is inspired by real events as young British children were shipped to Canada and their lives changed forever. I love the detailed insights Carrie shares in this bookchat about the McAlister children, how she came to write about the Edwardian era, and how easily parental rights were taken away by the British government, often separating families forever. As an Australian, I’m well aware of this historical practice as – and Carrie notes it below – Australia was another destination for children like the Garth family and we have own disturbing history of how many of these children were treated. Do enjoy this behind the scenes look and enter the giveaway of No Ocean Too Wide, thanks to Carrie’s publisher, Waterbrook Multnomah.

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”.

Please share a little about your characters, Laura and Andrew, plus Katie, Garth, and Grace.

The McAlisters are a close-knit family with a strong faith. They’ve gone through hardship and loss, but they are committed to caring for each other and doing whatever is needed to stay together. Katie and Garth are fourteen-year-old twins, and Grace is their seven-year-old sister. Laura, their oldest sibling, left home to work as a lady’s maid at a wealthy estate about an hour north of London to help support the family. Their father died two years earlier in a railway accident, and their widowed mother works as a dressmaker’s assistant. She loves her children and does all she can to provide for them, but when she becomes seriously ill and is sent to the hospital, the three younger children are taken into a children’s home. When Laura learns what happened to her mother and siblings she returns to London, determined to reunite her family, but that becomes a much more difficult challenge than she could have ever imagined.

Andrew Frasier is the oldest son in a wealthy, upper-class family who challenges tradition and trains to become a solicitor in London.  Along with his mentor, he accepts a government commission to investigate child emigration.  On board a ship to Canada, he meets his mother’s former lady’s maid, Laura McAlister, and he is surprised when she is introduced as a child emigration escort who is going by another name.  Honesty and integrity are important to Andrew, and he must decide if he will expose Laura’s deception or join her in the secret search for her siblings.

What draws you to write about this era in history?

I first became interested in writing novels set in Edwardian England after watching Downton Abbey. The Edwardian Era was an age of change, with the beginning of aviation and the popularity of motorcars. Those inventions, as well as the class structure, gave me several story ideas. I also love the clothing, the manners, and the beautiful country houses associated with that era.

Carrie’s writing corner in her dining room

Before you commenced this story, were you aware of the practice to send British children overseas for a new life?

I first learned about British Home Children through a Facebook post that took me to a group page run by descendants of people who had come from England to Canada as child migrants.  As I scrolled through the posts I was very touched by the stories and experiences of these children. I jumped into the research and learned that more than 100,000 poor and orphaned children came to Canada between 1869 – 1939. Most were not adopted but taken in as indentured farm workers or domestic servants. Many were neglected and abused and most were scorned by peers and not accepted as equals.

Please share something unexpected that you uncovered during your research for this story

I was surprised to learn that once children were taken into a children’s home in Britain, the parents lost their parental rights. Most were not allowed to see their children once they were admitted to a home. Those running the homes could send the children out of the country to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa without the parent’s knowledge or permission. All that was required was to send the parents a sailing notice after they’d left the country. Many children never saw their parents again, and many sibling groups were separated for life.

Describe your book in 5 adjectives

Heart-wrenching, Suspenseful, Inspiring, Hopeful, Faith-filled

What are the major themes in this story?

Commitment to family, trusting God through difficult times, and the importance of respecting and caring for vulnerable children.

Carrie’s favorite writing chair

Which character did you enjoy writing most?

I enjoyed writing Katie McAlister’s story. She showed true strength and held on to hope through very painful situations.

Which character gave you the most grief?

Writing Laura McAlister’s story was the most challenging. She had to make some difficult choices that set her on a dangerous path. It was difficult to balance her character so she could learn the lessons she needed to learn yet also accomplish her goals.

Did a character or event in your story surprise you in a way you weren’t anticipating?

Garth surprised me a few times. He is a very devoted brother and son, and he wanted to take care of his mother and sisters. But he is only fourteen, and he didn’t have the power or ability to do what he wanted to do. I’m glad I can tell more of Garth’s story in the second McAlister Family novel coming out next year.

What emotions did you experience while writing this story?

Reading the true stories of what happened to British Home Children and hearing some recorded interviews deeply touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes. So many children went through very painful experiences.  It also made me determined to shed light on what happened and make sure their lives are honoured and their stories are never forgotten.

Was your story inspired by a particular family, or more generally the plight of many that you read about?

No Ocean Too Wide focuses on what happened to a fictional family, but most of the incidents in the story come directly from true accounts.  My husband’s family is from Ontario, Canada, where many of these children were sent, so that made it especially interesting for me to learn more about that part of history. One in ten Canadians living today have a relative who came to Canada as a British Home Child, so it’s an important topic that needs to explored.

Carrie and Scott at the Tulip Festival

What is in your writing pipeline now?

I’m working on the next McAlister Family novel that continues the story ten years later, after World War One, as the family continues their search for Grace. There was so much more I wanted to share about British Home Children, and I’m excited to bring this next part of the story to readers.

Thank you, Carrie!

Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of inspirational romance novels set in Edwardian England and the US. Her latest is Across the Blue, which combines the charm of Downton Abbey with the adventurous spirit of the Wright Brothers. She loves weaving heart-warming tales about family, faith, and lasting love. Her novels have been translated into several foreign languages and are enjoyed by readers around the world. Carrie enjoys connecting with reading friends on social media and through her website and blog: http://carrieturansky.com

Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Turansky @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Carrie’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: No Ocean Too Wide or Koorong

a Rafflecopter giveaway