Hi, guys! V. Joy Palmer here! Since we are all friends here, you guys can call me Joy. ;-) And one of my favorite things to do is talk with my friends at coffee shops then head to the bookstores. Yes, plural. After all, books and yummy drinks are the perfect combination! So consider this our virtual coffee shop. I'll wait a second for you to get your warm drink and a fuzzy blanket before we chat with today's guest. <3
Today we are going to pry into the private life of CHAT with Author Marguerite Martin Gray!
Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me
Close, Surround Me, Bring Me Near, Draw Me to Your Side, and Wait for Me--
Revolutionary Faith Series Books 1-5, Promise Me Christmas, novella, Labor
of Love and Promise of Purity, and Whispers of Wisdom, Gardens in
Time Series Books 1, 2, and 3, and Room for Love, Suamalie Islands Year
One. Besides researching her novels, she enjoys studying history and writing
fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and Spanish online.
She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and rescue pets. Her
two adult children and two grandsons keep her up to date and young.
Connect with Marguerite on her Website/Blog, Newsletter, BookBub, Goodreads, Instagram, and her Facebook Reader Group!
Interview ~
This may be the most important question I ask -- no pressure or anything, LOL!
*drum roll*
What are you drinking in our virtual coffee house? Coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate? Something else altogether?
Tea, please. English Breakfast if you have it.
Tea is always a lovely choice! If you could order anything in the world to eat (we can dream, can't we?), what would it be?
Steak and potato.
Always a favorite! Where is your favorite place to write, and why is that your favorite place?
My old square table in front of a big window with a lamp and candle.
Sounds lovely! Do you have an odd habit that is only explained by your bookish, writer tendencies? Safe space. ;-)
I want to learn something from every book that I read. I write down things I’ve learned or want to research.
That sounds fun to me! What inspired you to write Whispers of Wisdom?
This series takes beautiful European gardens and sets the
story there. I knew I had to include Chenonceau Chateau since it is my favorite
place on earth and has awesome gardens that are highly functional even today.
Love this premise! What led you to write in this genre?
I love
history. My father is an architect. As a family we lived in England for two
years during my preteens. We saw every cemetery, church, garden, manor house,
and castle in our travels all over Britain and Europe. I’ve been hooked on
travel and history since then. I started reading historical fiction by Lori
Wick, James Michener, and Jean Plaidy as a teenager and never quit.
How fun! What message do you hope to convey to your readers?
In this world we will face man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. We need to know and explore the difference. If we learn to lean not on our own understanding but on God’s, we’ll be OK.
Great message! Can you tell us a little about your next project(s)?
I just turned in a Christmas novella to my publisher, Remember Me at Christmas. This is a companion to the Revolutionary Faith series set in 1785 Charleston, S.C. This month I am writing Dreams Revived, Year Three of the Suamalie Island Series. This is a contemporary island theme of a community built on dreams.
Those books sound so good! Do you have a favorite Bible verse or story that inspires you on a soul level?
“I have calmed and quieted myself…I am content.” Psalm 131:2 I am learning about contentment and joy as the way to live my life.
Awesome verse! What are you currently reading? Inquiring minds -- mine! -- want to know. ;-)
Worthy of Legend by Roseanna White and The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.
Great reads! Thanks for answering all of my prying questions, Marguerite!
Scroll to check out Marguerite's upcoming release, Conversation Hearts, and the giveaway for her new release, Whispers of Wisdom!
July 30, 2024
Will she be able to save her father from the island’s magic before she falls victim to it herself?
Giveaway ~
Marguerite has generously offered one print copy of her new release, Whispers of Wisdom, to a US winner!
Craving the wisdom of the
philosophers of the day, Nicole straddles the line between servant and high
society. Will acting as one of higher status bring her closer to her dreams?
Perhaps not, but a treasure hunt with the knight in the tower might fulfill her
longing for a while.
Pierre would avoid the senseless
salons full of manmade wisdom, throwing every pamphlet aside. Yet, he journeys
to Chenonceau to glean knowledge from the estate manager. His goal reaches
beyond the glittery, false, societal affairs to the fields of wheat, vineyards,
and orchards. No fairy tales or treasure hunts for him. Not until his
encounters with Nicole invade his practical world.
Whispers and secrets conjure a treasure hunt, involving the heart as well as the mind.
