Do you have more time to read while under stay at home or shelter in place mandate? Things are crazy, far from normal for most of us. As I wrote my Revolutionary Series, I could only imagine the abnormalities, inconveniences, awkward, scary, and disruptive day to day life. Although, I don’t feel threatened by war with fighting, bullets, and cannon, I do face, as you do, a physical threat. And, a threat to my way of life. The good is that I have slowed down, enjoying my garden, reading more, writing more, eating better, and cherishing my loved ones (without touching them.)
In Surround Me, Elizabeth and Louis are facing something on the horizon that they have not experienced before. Sound familiar? There were no answers, just preparation for what might happen. “Battles rage in Elizabeth Elliott’s heart as the threat of war invades her hometown.”
An excerpt from the first page of the novel:
Bordeaux, France, June 1773
His hands tightly gripped the railing, turning his knuckles a startling white compared to his wind-chapped and tanned skin. The pressure in his grasp mimicked the turmoil in his head. Louis Lestarjette’s gaze lifted to a sea of deep-blue waves. Charles Town and any semblance of land had disappeared weeks ago. Why the upheaval now when he had already had weeks to prepare for his journey and his family reunion? Could a prodigal son truly go back home? How would he be received? The same questions rolled over and over in his head.
If he had made a mistake, he would never forgive himself. All the what-ifs jumbled in his mind, tumbling into compartments he thought he’d closed in order to keep away doubts and insecurities. Where was the peace he had claimed? The voyage was a necessity for business, for the colony of South Carolina, and for his family. He had determined even after the first five weeks on the ocean that his love for Elizabeth Elliott would only increase with time.
So, they enter a period with a crazy new normal. Sound familiar? One reviewer for Draw Me to Your Side remarks about the eerie similarities to what we are going through now–a revolution of sorts.
Have time to read? Try this series and tell me what you think.
Registered Nursing, a cosmetology license, and the title of author. When she’s not helping heal the sick, or dabbling in color, you can find her at her computer, giving life to the characters clamoring inside her head to be set free.
The origin of Mothering Sunday began in the Middle Ages. It appears that children who didn’t live with their families because of work in domestic service were allowed to return to their home church or “mother church.” At first it had no ties to maternal relationships. Through time the custom changed to encompass a spring occasion for families to come together. Children picked flowers as a gift for their mothers. Each year it falls on the fourth Sunday in Lent, three weeks before Easter.
If you want to start at the beginning with an autographed copy of Hold Me Close, the purchase price from me is $10 plus $3 shipping (USA). Email me at: margueriteg@att.net and I’ll put your copy in the mail.
All four books are available from Amazon or me. The links are on my website under Books.
Well, it’s not quite spring, but I’m ready to begin my wonderful list of novels. Two new authors to me are included which I always love. Most of the reads are historical fiction, with only one contemporary novel and one time travel story. Join me with reading some of these titles. If not, please tell me what you are reading or what you want to read.
Evermore by Jody Hedlund is about a fairy tale princess.
Do you have a best friend? Or best friends? There’s probably that person from grammar school or that you played with since preschool. Or a high school bestie. I can’t forget my college crew and then the ones from church and my adult life as I moved around. Still out of all the possibilities, I only have a few that are really my best friends–huge blessings in my life!
In my novels in the Revolutionary Faith Series, my heroine has a best friend, one she met when she moved from Boston to Charles Town. So, their friendship is only a few years old but strong and permanent. Although they share some common characteristics, the young women have different temperaments, goals, and dreams. Remember Elizabeth and Charlotte from Pride and Prejudice?
How about Darcy and Bingley? My hero Louis crosses an ocean with not one friend to welcome him in the New World. He does make a quick business partner friend and connects with Samuel, who becomes his confidant. These men stick by Louis and become as close as brothers in a short time.
Whether for years or for days, friends make a difference in our lives. I’m thankful for the ones who accept me just as I am and want the best for me. Not to say, friends don’t have their moments of honest words or criticism but usually words meant to help and improve the friendship and the individuals.
Connect in Fiction with Marguerite Gray 