The Soldier and the Orphan: Separated by Church and War is an intriguing story of two brothers who suffer the dire consequences of fanaticism and the aftermath of a war they know nothing about. While Billy Jones enjoys motherly love and care, Tommy Jones is transferred from one orphanage to another before being shipped to Canada as a home child. The church and the governing system don’t help. They help sever the tiny cord that holds the brothers together, thus pushing them further apart.

Billy and Tommy are not aware of each other until they are 32 years old. They pursue a sense of belonging and plunge into the vast sea of life in a relentless search for each other to solve the hard puzzles that beclouded their lives. Will they ever reunite? Why would they have to thread the path of obscurity to find purpose in life?

The Soldier and the Orphan is a fast-paced, emotionally packed novel with strong characters and surprising twists. It will elicit unexpected tears of joy and sadness as the story touches on colonialist attitudes, love, and tragedy. And for listeners wanting an extra taste of mystery and suspense, The Soldier and the Orphan brews up a good share of deceits and secrets, and even murder as the novel threads to a powerful, heart-warming conclusion.

The Soldier and the Orphan will appeal to listeners of all ages and backgrounds but will be of special interest to those who have traced their Canadian ancestry back to a British home child. Listeners who enjoyed Orphan Train and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will enjoy the unique plots and settings of this novel.