About the Book

Book: Flames of Faith Author: Marguerite Martin Gray Genre: Historical Christian Fiction Release Date: February, 2025 1870 Switzerland. One year. A mountain of ideas. And a menacing railroad forging the barrier between dreams and reality. Claire Pennington formulates a bold plan to avoid the pressure of yet another London season. Her parents grant her one year in Switzerland, yet afterward she must return to England and find a suitor. Armed with a notebook and gumption, she determines to make the mountain town of Thun a tourist destination for all classes of society. However, she does not count on an equally determined railroad engineer set on leaving Thun in the dust. The rugged mountain terrain grants Englishman Lucas Stanley the opportunity to launch his engineering career. The railroad is the answer to modern travel—expedient, efficient, and competitive, yet conquering the section of track from Thun to Interlaken is harder than he originally thought, especially with opposition from a fiery female. Claire confronts him at every turn, using her enthusiasm and people skills to flame local zeal for change and progress in another direction. Opposing proposals collide as Claire, Lucas, and the citizens of the quaint Swiss town face an avalanche of decisions and compromises sparked by flames of faith—and perhaps love. Discover romance and faith in 1870 Switzerland through this standalone novel from the Elements of Hope series where fire, air, water, and earth meet elements of the heart.

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About the Author

Marguerite Martin Gray is an award-winning author of a dozen novels and novellas. She enjoys the study of history, especially when combined with fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish online. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her two adult children and two grandsons keep her young and up-to-date.

More from Marguerite

I am a tourist at heart and always have been since I was a child growing up in England as a preteen. A castle, a map, a manor house, a museum, a mystery, a myth in any country or state. Flames of Faith was sparked by a recent train ride from Interlaken to Thun, Switzerland where an old turreted castle rose above the lake and village. A perfect setting for a novel. It spurred thoughts of who visited this area as well as how and when since the terrain made it dangerous and tricky to just visit on a whim on a Sunday afternoon.

Have you heard of Thomas Cook (1850s and onward) and his famous travels all over Europe with tourists by horse, carriage, boat, foot, and finally train? He paved the way for the middle-class citizen to see gorgeous venues like Switzerland and the Alps. What an adventure to have been on one of his early tours! A Slow Train to Switzerland by Diccon Bewes cemented what I wanted to express in this novel.

Meet Claire Pennington, my heroine, who encompasses the traits of tourist in all the good senses. She wants everyone to have the opportunity to travel the continent and world as she does. Her bold dream inspires others to possibly regard seeing new sites as a way to refresh and revitalize their own lives. Hop on board and discover romance and faith in 1870 Switzerland. Be a tourist without leaving your home.

Interview with the Author

Do you read books in this genre? If so, who do you like to read?

I love everything historical—literature, museums, homes, research. I read mostly historical fiction but enjoy a wide spread of genres. I’ve written contemporary fiction and nonfiction. Some of my favorite authors are Pepper Basham, Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, and Roseanna White.

What helps you to write? Do you eat snacks, listen to music?

I write on an old square table from my 1850 ancestor, placed in front of a window facing my yard. Hot tea or water are my preferred drinks while I listen to jazz or café music. I set a timer and work in 45-minute spurts in between breaks with my online teaching job. Usually my cat and dog are curled up nearby cheering me on in my mission.

If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to?

I’d love to travel to the 1810-1850 where things are beginning to modernize. I’d go to England or France and explore the small villages and participate in the social life. I’d want to avoid the volatile places of battles and major conflicts.

What inspired you to write this book?

I traveled to Thun, Switzerland in 2019 with my husband. We wandered the quaint village winding our way to the top of a hill with a beautiful small castle that had been turned into a museum. I fell in love with the view and the history. After more research, I picked the middle of the 19^th century when tourism and travel for pleasure birthed a new breed of traveler.

Share with me a few of your favorite things.

Travel tops my list. I’ve had the opportunity to travel with my family, husband, students, friends, and children. I lived in England for two years as a preteen, giving my family access to many fascinating countries. Every setting I choose for my novels is a place I have explored and researched with personal physical means. Also, I enjoy walking and hiking, preferring to walk around new areas and experience a place as a local.