Breaking Ground

Now available!

Breaking Ground, a novel by Marie Corbett, front cover of women with books on her head

When free-spirited Carmel spends a summer working at a Canadian Rockies resort in the 1960s, she falls passionately in love. Weighed down by her Roman Catholic upbringing, and at a time when repressive morals condemned free love, she is torn between her desire for her self-indulgent new boyfriend and her desire to have a career. Amidst betrayals, poverty, and unwanted pregnancy, Carmel rises above her personal struggles to achieve her dream by becoming a lawyer in a male-dominated world.

“An absorbing and candid journey of self-discovery from a sheltered Catholic background where rules were rigidly clear into a changing world with few signposts. A well-written reminder of why the women’s movement mattered.” —Margot Duley, historian, author of Where Once Our Mothers Stood: Women’s Suffrage in Newfoundland, 1890-1925

“The gripping story of a woman defying convention and charting her own path with enthralling passions woven throughout. A captivating read.” —Victoria Montgomery Brown, author of Digital Goddess: The Unfiltered Lessons of a Female Entrepreneur

“…Marie Corbett touchingly portrays blunt and nuanced experiences, and the bold brave steps a woman may take. A rendering to treasure.” —J. Patrick Boyer Q.C. journalist, politician, President of Muskoka Books, author of A Man & His Words and A Passion for Justice.

“In Breaking Ground, Marie Corbett vividly chronicles the coming-of-age journey of Carmel as she struggles to assert herself in her sexual relationships and to complete law school at a time when few women were able to do so. Corbett leads us seamlessly through these events. There is no preaching; the message is deftly conveyed by observing Carmel’s life and seeing what didn’t work for her and, more importantly, what did.” —Bob Bachner, author of Last Clear Chance, Baby Grand, and Killing Jack Armstrong.

“Another fine book from retired judge Marie Corbett. Well done!” —Tom Moore award-winning author in St. John’s NL, author of Angels Crying and The Sign on My Father’s House.

“Heartbreakingly honest. Vivid dialogue. The life of an early feminist in the 1960’s who didn’t yet know about feminism, but who lived the learning curve, and tested all of society’s expectations.” —Linda Silver Dranoff, lawyer, activist, author of Fairly Equal Lawyering the Feminist Revolution

Now available on :
Amazon
Friesen Press
Kobo
Barnes & Noble