I want to extend a warm welcome to Marguerite Martin Gray. Marguerite is giving away a copy of the first two books in her series (Hold Me Close and Surrender). You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends August 3, 2017. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.) Now, here's Marguerite...
Thank you
for the opportunity to share a bit about myself with you today. As the summer
is zipping by, I am busy writing and editing while spending time researching
and reading. Since my recent move from Texas to Louisiana, I’ve been a little
detached from my “stuff.” Slowly, I am determining a writing schedule in my new
home.
Revolutionary Faith Book One and
Two, Hold Me Close and Surround Me, published in 2015 and 2016, take place in 1772-1774
Charles Town, South Carolina. The pre-revolution drama affects the lives of
ordinary citizens, immigrants, and prominent historical figures. Decisions are
made that will change the world. Louis Lestarjette, a French immigrant and
merchant, encounters a society on the brink of revolution. Who can he trust in
his endeavors to prosper? Will he be able to stay neutral in a battle for
independence? Elizabeth Elliott, daughter of a prominent British citizen, is
faced with making difficult decisions about her loyalties. When the mysterious
Frenchman enters her life, her role in the political battle is challenged. Can
she trust her heart in volatile situations?
Bring Me Near: Revolutionary Faith
Book Three will be
released in Fall 2017. Follow familiar characters through the decisive events
of 1775. Will Charles Town and her citizens support and accept the possibility
of separation from Britain? How will Louis and Elizabeth protect their family
and community?
As a
child, I devoured books. When I lived in England for two years during upper
elementary, I started writing short stories. I continued writing journals on my
travels and everyday life until the present. Finally, I became serious about
writing six years ago, and since then I’ve written six novels. I returned to
university and completed my MA in English.
My father
inspired me to research my family history, so I went to Charleston and retraced
some of the steps of Louis and Elizabeth, my main characters. My parents surrounded me with history, travel,
and educational opportunities.
I travel
whenever I can: the United States, Europe, and Central and South America. I
find ideas for my stories through people I meet or interesting stories I hear
about the local history. The Revolutionary Faith series is the result of family
history research and my visits to Charleston. In my writing, I always use real
historical characters in minor roles. They interact with my fictional
characters. I place them in historical situations and try to figure out what
they would say and do in their everyday lives.
What am I working on now? I have finished
writing and editing Labor of Love,
Book One in my Gardens in Time
series. This novel is a stand-alone set in 1560 Florence, Italy. Book Two, Promise of Purity, is written, waiting
for me to edit. It is set in 1660 Hampton Court, England. This summer I am
writing Revolutionary Faith Book Four, Draw
Me to Your Side. I’m busy and love it. In the fall, I will add teaching to
my agenda, which I have done for over 25 years.
Thank you for your time. I hope your summer
is productive and inspiring.
Enjoy the journey.
About Marguerite...
Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close: Revolutionary Book One and
Surround Me: Revolutionary Faith Book
Two. She enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and
reader, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and journalism
from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a MA in English from
Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Marguerite is a member of American
Christian Fiction Writers, Abilene Writers Guild, Daughters of the American
Revolution, South Carolina Historical Society, and the Preservation Society of
Charleston. Recently, she moved from
Abilene, Texas to North Louisiana with her husband.
Where to find her online...
Website: http://margueritemartingray.com
Instagram: marguerite.gray
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You are a new author to me, and I would love to win a copy of your books. The covers are beautiful and the storylines sound great. Thank you. 😊
ReplyDeleteI have not done any geology of my family, but my sister has done a lot and it is very interesting.
DeleteThanks for stopping by. I agree that the covers are beautiful. I have never done any ancestry searches either, but I think it would be quite fascinating.
DeleteGood luck! I'm glad I could introduce you to a new-to-you author.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share. I love research whether of family or events.
DeleteI have not personally looked up anything, but have read the work that others on both sides of my family have done. I am related to many historical figures, including Laura Ingalls Wilder. It appears that my first ancestor came over on a ship in the Winthrop Fleet to Boston Mass. sometime before 1630. There is a Facebook page dedicated to the genealogy of my mother's paternal family. We have over 400 members from all over the country now!
ReplyDeleteI love history and historical novels. I liked when life was simpler. (Last year was simpler-LOL) I would love to read your new books. Thank you.
Cindy, that's incredible about Laura Ingalls Wilder! It's great that you are able to use Facebook to connect.
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for stopping by!
I, too, would enjoy a simpler life. Keep up the research. There is always something new to find.
DeleteHistory has always fascinated me! My aunt did research and did a DNA test and found out that we're descended from the Taino tribe, so we're Native Americans. The history of our people breaks my heart, since the Spaniards killed our men, had children with our women, and basically destroyed our way of life when they took over. I saw a picture of my great-grandmother--my grandpa's mother--and she was beautiful and proud.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your aunt was able to find out so much about your family's history. Yes, that is quite tragic indeed, but it is wonderful that you were able to see a picture of your great-grandmother. Definitely something to treasure.
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, and good luck!
I've toyed with the idea of a DNA test. I probably will do that one day!
DeleteI have helped my sister type up our genealogy for a family reunion.
ReplyDeleteArletta, I bet that was interesting!
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
No, I haven't researched my family history. Others in the family have done so.
ReplyDeleteCaryl,
DeleteI never have, either, but I'd like to one day.
Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!
I've never researched my family history. I'd like to find out information about it, but not sure I want to invest the time!
ReplyDeleteDianna
Dianna,
DeleteI agree. I think it would be fascinating, but I just don't have the time to invest in it at the moment. Perhaps one day.
Good luck!