Penelope Marzec: Spotlight on Love’s Gift
I hope you enjoy Penelope Marzec’s spotlight on Love’s Gift. Comment below by April 1 for a chance to win a digital copy of her book!
Welcome back to the Hope-filled Fiction blog, Penelope! I’m happy to share the inspiration behind your latest release.
I wrote Love’s Gift in the hope that readers will understand the hardships that some people have been subjected to in the United States and how faith guided them during their difficulties.
My grandmother came from eastern Europe to this country in 1903 as a child with her mother and father, my great grandparents. There were no restrictions on immigration at that time except for the Chinese.
I knew a bit about that because my husband had a fascination with trains. When our daughters were young, we took them on trips to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum and Strasburg Rail Road several times. From my husband, I learned about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and was subjected to several videos about trains. My husband talked of the Golden Spike and once spray painted a railroad spike gold, which he displayed on his train layout.
I learned about the Chinese laborers who were recruited to come to this country to help build the railroad. They were given lower wages than the whites plus their work in tunneling through the Sierra Nevada Mountains was the most dangerous. Yet, they were excluded from the famous photograph that marked the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in Utah, which was celebrated by the hammering of the Golden Spike.
Unfortunately, the Chinese became victims of racial prejudice and in 1882 the Chinese Exclusion Act banned Chinese laborers from entering the United States. The Chinese already in this country were not allowed to become citizens. In fact, all Chinese people in this country were required to carry residency papers with them at all times. Otherwise, they could be sent to China.
So, I created Amaranth Beach, a Chinese orphan, who was found on the beach as a newborn and raised in an orphanage. Throughout her young life, she is forced to live with injustice, all due to her ethnicity. Yet, she is grounded in her faith, which guides her through adversity, helping her to grow in understanding and allowing her to realize her potential.
Thanks so much for sharing the fascinating history about Chinese immigrants. Your story sounds like an important and inspirational read! I wish you the best with this book and all your future projects. God bless you!
Visit the #HopeFilledFiction blog and leave a comment on Penelope Marzec’s spotlight post by 4/1 for a chance to win her #historicalromance, Love’s Gift. #giveaway
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Love’s Gift by Penelope Marzec
Click the book cover for purchase link
In 1903, Amaranth Beach is burdened by her ethnicity due to the Chinese Exclusion Acts. Abandoned on a beach as a newborn and raised in an orphanage, she is a skilled secretary, but the threat of deportation looms constantly and all employers turn her away… until Mrs. Tildon of Sea Haven, New Jersey, hires her.
Soon after Amaranth’ s arrival, she discovers that the Tildon family secrets run deep— a reprobate father, a long-lost brother, an obnoxious maid who is never fired for her behavior, and William the son who worries too much about what people will think.
When a series of alarming events occur, it’ s up to Amaranth and William to unravel the secrets that threaten to destroy the Tildon family.
Can Amaranth heal the family’ s divisions with her faith? Or will a greater danger threaten them all.
Penelope Marzec grew up along the shore of Raritan Bay in New Jersey. Now a retired teacher, she writes inspirational romances. Two of her inspirationals won the EPPIE award and one finaled in that contest. One paranormal, Irons In The Fire, was a nominee for Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award. Her historical, Patriot’s Courage, won First Place in the Central Region Oklahoma Writers, National Excellence in Story Telling for an Inspirational.
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If you missed Lynn Blackburn’s spotlight on Break My Fall last week, FIND IT HERE!
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
14 Comments
Jasmine b
I think that’s a very good idea for a book, to select that time period and issue.
Deena Adams
Thanks for your comment, Jasmine!
Dienece Darling
I did know about their exclusion and persecution, but I haven’t read a book from their perspective. This sounds like a fascinating read.
Penelope Marzec
I believe historical fiction can provide a deeper understanding of the times and how the era affected people personally. That’s why I like it. ☺️
Deena Adams
Thanks so much for reading Penelope’s spotlight and joining the conversation, Dienece!
Christina Sinisi
Sounds like a lovely book–thanks for sharing!
Penelope Marzec
I hope you get to read it. 🙂
Deena Adams
Thanks for reading and commenting, Christina!
Jeanette Davis
Please do not enter me in the contest as I do not read e-books. I must say this book sounds wonderful. I am adding it to my goodreads list of want to reads. It amazes me when I hear of man’s inhumanity to man…I wonder how can it be??? Thank you for writing about this difficult subject.
Penelope Marzec
I like to point out injustice. It’s a favorite theme of mind. Thanks for adding it to your Goodreads list.
Deena Adams
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jeanette. I appreciate your comments.
Lynn Moore
Penelope…… I had no idea of the history of the Chinese here in America in this time frame. Your intro shed light on a sad season in American history. Blessings to you and your writing!
Penelope Marzec
Lynn,
Thank you. 😊
Deena Adams
Hi, Lynn. I didn’t know about this history, either. I wasn’t a fan of history when I was young, but the older I get, the more I enjoy learning about historical events. Thanks for stopping by the blog!