Le Point de non Retour

The Point of No Return

Imagine leaving all you know behind for good to head for a land so far away and different that it is beyond your wildest dreams? That is what the Hebert family did. In fact, they had a very profitable business in running an apothecary in downtown Paris and all was perfect. That is for anyone else, but them. Yet their dreams pushed and drove them to run for the unfathomable new world so far across the ocean. In those days, Canada was a vast wilderness filled with mystery and promise .Untouched and raw. Anything could happen. Louis Hebert went ahead to the new world to see what it was all about and in hopes of bringing his family there to settle.

His wife Marie, however, was not to be undone for though she was safe in Paris in the beginning of it all; she was acquiring skills of her own to survive and prepare for making their dreams a reality. She learned the skills necessary to survive in the rough and open terrain of New France with no possibility of help. Marie was raised as the daughter of a wealthy merchant and her husband was a successful apothecary-would she learn those new skills required for a family to survive alone so far from any aid? Then, what about actually getting there? It was so far away and almost inaccessible.

Follow Louis Hebert as he learned to navigate the politics of the era. France was more than eager to jump aboard to settle in the New World, yet they had plans of their own. They wanted all they could gain in profits from there and the fur trade was just showing its promise. King Henry IV was more than willing to have his people settle in the infinite terrain overseas, yet not too thrilled about funding them. He had his eye on the profit and thus the fur monopolies were started. Once they were underway, the wars began for full control over territory in the New World. Then there was the land battle...Enter Samuel Champlain, a young navigator and cartographer who inquisitively had his eyes on finding a route to the Orient where he could see in his dreams of wealth and riches - cities populated by the French along the way. Yet, the land drew him and roped him in. Trip after trip from France to Arcadie-the land he sought to claim for France, the land found his heart warming even more with each trip he made. Will he find his trade route? Well, history tells us that answer of course. In addition, there was Jean Poutrincourt, a nobleman from a daunting lineage. This was a man who saw hope and glory. He was the younger son and had luckily inherited his fair share of his family's estate, yet it was not enough. He wanted more. He saw in his dreams at night a huge Chateau on rolling hills and his descendants growing fat off the food of the land. He spent every penny he owned and from his wife's dowry in doing all he could with each cell of his aging body to make his dreams come true. With his wit and charm, it almost seemed possible, yet; again, there was the politics of the era. Road block after roadblock and with the will of all-somehow they managed to take that first terrifying step in a land so very far away from all they had even known. Such bravery and determination is noted well by the author in this epic tale of such remarkable and profound people.
From the Author Edit

All of them had dreams and all of them had incredible obstacles-money and survival. As the fur trade monopolies, the crown, and even other competing lands stood in their way. For once over there, one had to learn not only to survive the harsh new climate, they had to find peace with the natives who lived there and to keep a look out for pirates, especially those of the English! For France might have claimed the land to the North, the English in the middle, the Portuguese had the south-yet all constantly wanted more! Yet, the majority of this New World at that point in time was unchartered and fearless men such as Samuel Champlain and Louis Hebert took that tentative step in exploring beyond each horizon that stood before them... What would stop the average person-only drove them further in sheer determination and perseverance. In such ground walked upon and endured-heroes are made and heroines as well. These two men looked not only for their dreams in unchartered territory but Champlain and Louis Hebert both saw the potential for this incredible new land and sought to log down all they could learn about Arcadie for others to make their dreams a reality. With a thoughtful pen, Champlain logged down careful and detailed maps and added locations as to the game found in those regions explored but of other potential places for habitation as well. This knowledge was extremely vital for the future settlements. These were people with dreams who would learn to fight and survive incredible odds to reach their goals and gained not only that but laid the foundation for our history where many followed. This novel follows them from France and then to Arcadie by way of modern day Nova Scotia to the Port Royale settlement to Kebec or modern day Quebec City. They learned that once there it was almost impossible to get back to France and if they needed help of any kind? Well, they survived against incredible odds for the author along with thousands of others would not be here if they did not make it. The Hebert family was the first family from Europe to successfully settle and farm in North America. Not much is known about them and most information is only found in dry textbooks and small articles. The author was inspired to find out as much as she could about these incredible people for many reasons. She had discovered their very existence when researching her own family genealogy and was amazed at the wealth in history she had found. She grew up in Massachusetts and was saturated in tales of the Pilgrims from England. Yet, in this group of very brave people from France, she had found people who had settled in the New World decades before the legendary pilgrims. In fact, Louis Hebert and Samuel Champlain were even close to the area in which the Pilgrims later settled in on Cape Cod 16 years before!!!! The settlement of Port Royale as well as other settlements by the French was well underway before the Mayflower even placed an anchor down in Plymouth Harbor! In her research, she found incredible stories such as that of the Hebert family and many, many others. In her research on these amazing people, she had found only dry documentaries and faded periodicals and most of it in French. Therefore, the author began her quest bringing this history into other languages for others to enjoy as much as she does. Her novels are written in a historical fiction format so as to tease the reader into wondering if all of it actually happened. Granted, the research is intense and thorough and very little was left to the author's imagination, in finding such a rich resource of heritage. The author launches this book as the first in her series about incredibly brave and tough people who led the foundation for Canada as we know it today. True and epic adventures abound in this incredible tale that brings to light people that should be heralded for their courage and determination. The lessons they learned stood the test of centuries and are gladly retold and passed on for the reader to enjoy and give way for much thought of all endured. The author was determined to bring to light the epic lives of people who shaped the way for others in realizing their dreams and fighting hard for it. A good tale to keep close to heart today in even these times. One must never forget all they went through for dreams beyond the horizon. Take a note from those amazing people and use it for your own inspiration-the author did for hers. You can find out more about her at her official website at sharondnovels.com or on [email protected] or for her paintball business on Facebook as well @slabcitypaintball