
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.
Author Interview
- How do you overcome writer’s block? Do you have any advice for others in finding their process to overcome it?
First, I want to agree that writer’s block is a real thing that I do face from time to time. It is daunting, but not insurmountable. My way to overcome it is with deadlines. If I have a deadline, it will be reached on time. My advice is to write anyway even if you don’t feel creative. When you are writing a new manuscript, your first words will be a draft anyway. You can always go back when the juices are flowing.
- Do you read the genre you write? Why or why not?
I predominantly write historical fiction although a contemporary is in the mix sometimes. As a young adult I started reading historical fiction. My first read was The Source by James A. Michener. That hooked me for a lifetime. Then a friend introduced the works of Lori Wick bringing in the Christian element. The combination of history with fiction inspires me to read and write with the facts in mind and drama spurring the events. The historical element comes alive on the page.
- How did you come up with the title for your book?
The theme of purity was obvious when I chose Hampton Court and King Charles II as the backdrop. The country had just emerged from the Civil War and the rule of a Puritan under Cromwell. How does a young woman exit a time of strict upbringing with no association with color, celebration, the court, immorality to a time of parties, light, loose morals, and the court, all the way of the future? Kate, the heroine, is a Puritan who wants to enjoy beauty without falling in the trap of immoral actions and thoughts. She promises her father that she will remain pure as she interacts with the court.
- What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
Write because I can’t not write. Write even if I am never published or no one else sees my work. Also, in the editing process, make sure not to lose my voice. Make sure the finished product is still my writing. When I need to be writing, I treat the process like a job. I spend time and effort daily.
- Is your writing space pristine or organized chaos?
Nothing in my life is pristine. I like my things around me–clean, but accessible. My work space faces a window looking at the natural world. I have my pens (many) and my writing pads (many)–I write with pen and paper–and stacks of my resource materials and pictures. Organized chaos is what someone looking at my space would say. It’s not all spread out with bits and pieces scattered about, but it wouldn’t make sense to anyone else but me.
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
Thank you so much! This was a fun one to research!