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Fiction World War Ii

Our Time Will Come

War, Separation and a Daring Attempt to Reunite

by (author) Jean Gallant Marcoux

Publisher
Tellwell Publishing
Initial publish date
Nov 2019
Category
World War II, Historical
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780228807414
    Publish Date
    Nov 2019
    List Price
    $15.99

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Description

After a year in Paris studying painting at l'´Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Hélene Simard returns home to Quebec City in 1939, with a secret. She has a German fiancé. She can conceal his identity, but not the baby she carries. Hans Werner, her lover, was drafted in the German army, and his dreams of ever reuniting with Hélene are shattered with WWII escalating. In 1942, a bold opportunity arises for him to cross the Atlantic. Hounded by the Canadian police and Nazi assassins, the lovers' hope for a new life together becomes intertwined with a plot to kill Winston Churchill.

About the author

Contributor Notes

Jean Gallant Marcoux was born in Quebec City Canada, where he earned an MD degree from Laval University. As a board-certified allergist, he practiced in Quebec City from 1970 to 1977 after which he continued his career in Houston Texas until his retirement in 2007. Passionate for history, he has published articles for historical society magazines in his native Quebec. This is his debut novel. Dr. Marcoux lives in Houston with his family

Excerpt: Our Time Will Come: War, Separation and a Daring Attempt to Reunite (by (author) Jean Gallant Marcoux)

CHAPTER ONE THE STRANGERS Paris, October 6, 1938

Late afternoon, at the Louvre, Hélène Simard, twenty years old, studied and copied Monet’s La Charette, Route sous la neige — Honfleur. She did not notice, but a man stood behind her at a distance. He did not move, nor did he say anything. As she gathered her brushes and paint tubes, he came forward and introduced himself. He was Hans Werner from Germany, and he was a fellow art student. “I admired your ability to reproduce the various shades of white in Monet’s painting,” he said. He was a tall man, mid twenties with an athletic body, blond hair, and blue eyes. His eyes struck her first. They were bright, ardent, intelligent, and sapphire blue. Hélène sensed an attraction to him, and she loved his cute German accent. “I’m Canadian,” she said. “We have a lot of snow in Canada, and it comes in all shades. But I still have much to learn, and that’s why I’m here. I started at l’École Nationale des Beaux-Arts last month.” “This is my final year at l’École Nationale!” Hans said.

He helped gather her things and together they left the Louvre and crossed the Seine on Pont des Arts. They walked in silence, both hoping the other would speak. Once on the Left Bank, they stopped, realizing he was going right, and she left. “This coming weekend,” Hans said, “will probably be the last before colder weather comes. How about having a picnic at the Jardin des Tuileries, next Sunday?” Hélène felt the urge to accept, but she said, “I need to check with my roommate; she may have plans for us on Sunday. I’ll be painting at the same spot tomorrow. Stop by and I’ll let you know.” Watching him as he walked toward Rue Bonaparte, she had to admire his long, resolute gait. She was a short distance from the small furnished apartment she shared with Milaine, a thirty-something art student from Belgium.

“How was your day?” Milaine asked. “Your grin tells me it was good.” “I met the most stunning man and he invited me to a picnic,” Hélène said, bouncing from foot to foot, and then deciding to place her painting material on the floor. “I want to go, but I’m not sure I should. He’s gorgeous, and he has the cutest accent, but I don’t know…” “Hold on, hold on,” Milaine said. “Who is he? Where is he from? What kind of cute accent?” “His name is Hans Werner,” Hélène recounted, pacing. “He’s from Berlin—” “Hélène, never trust a German!” Milaine stopped for a moment for emphasis.“None of us Belgians do, after what they did to us during the Great War.” “You don’t understand. You should see him; he’s so handsome.”

“Such a good-looking man is probably married,” Milaine said, “or more likely in a liaison.” “He doesn’t wear a ring.” “Hélène, you’re so naïve. What if he is one of these Nazi maniacs we see in magazines and newsreels in the movie theatres?” “He’s so nice,” Hélène said, pouring herself a glass of Chablis in one of the two cheap wine glasses that came with the apartment. “I’ll ask him all these questions next Sunday.”

Editorial Reviews

“Our Time Will Come is an historical fiction novel that revolves around a romance that began in Paris in 1938. The war impeded the couple’s plans as Hélène returned home to Canada while Hans fulfilled his obligations as a German soldier. Despite the complications of the war, their love motivated them to find a way to be together.

The unique perspective that the author shed on this world event kept me intrigued. The exceptional character development and the numerous twists that the narrative took made reading the book pass quickly. Readers of historical fiction would enjoy this author’s innovative angle on World War II. Romance is also a central theme of the book and would satisfy readers of that genre.”

- OnlineBookClub Review

"Marcoux incorporates several fascinating perspectives on both Canadian civilian mindsets and undercover reconnaissance procedures during WWII. This context combines with the action packed plot to create an exciting quick read."

- IndieReader Review