Bio: Marian
Pellegrin Merritt writes stories that blend her love of the mountains with her
deep Southern roots which leads to her tagline, Where the Bayous Meet the
Mountains. She is an author and freelance writer with over ten years
experience. Her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and online websites
and garnered a first place award in ACFW's Genesis contest.
Marian’s published books include: Deep Freeze Christmas, A
Cajun Christmas Miracle, and Southern
Fried Christmas.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy
and an accounting certificate from the University of South Alabama .
This Louisiana native writes from the Northwest Colorado home she shares with her husband and a
very spoiled Labradoodle.
Welcome, Marian. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
There is a minimal amount of myself in my characters, usually
subtle shades of my personality and my faith materialize in each one.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I really had to think about this one. It's probably one of
those things you intentionally try to forget!
While in gross anatomy during Physical Therapy school, I had
two children and lived forty minutes from school. One night, while the kids were
with hubby, I stayed late at school in the cadaver lab which was in the
basement. It was a Friday night so my younger classmates were out. I was alone
with ten cadavers on tables and several in the storage locker in the corner of
the room.
I got settled with my books and started reviewing muscle
groups when I heard this tap, tap, tap coming from the locker where the pending
bodies for the next class were stored. Determined to ignore the sound, I
focused on my studies and tried to memorize muscle insertions. Tap, tap, tap.
I couldn't ignore the sound and the fact that I was alone in
the basement. By this time, trying to learn or memorize anything was out of the
question. I quickly gathered my books and rushed out. As I exited the building,
a Mobile thunderstorm raged. It was then I
realized the sound I'd heard was water dripping along the side of the building.
No matter, that was the last late-night lab excursion for me.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I've always loved to read and imagined as a small child what
it would feel like to create a story that other people read. But I realized my
writing desire in high school when our assignment was to create a story similar
to the great works in English literature. My story was a Cajun version of Beowulf
- mine was titled Pyowolf about
a Cajun who crosses the great swamps of Louisiana .
I got an A and a resounding round of applause from my classmates.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My favorite is Women's Fiction, but I do enjoy some Romance,
Suspense, and select Thrillers.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I live in a very small mountain town where no one gets in a
hurry. We live fifty miles from the nearest Walmart or other large stores with
nothing between but open area, deer, elk, antelope, and other wildlife.
Sometimes it's frustrating to be so far from resources, but most of the time, I
revel in the quiet, slower pace. But whether living in this small slow-paced
town or in a fast-paced big city, my quiet time with the Lord keeps me from
being sucked into the world's chaos.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Usually, my characters come to me first before any plot. I do
an extensive character interview and learn their entire history before I know
their name. As I start to write the story, a name will come to me. Sometimes
it's from the other character. Sometimes I'll scour websites looking for unique
names once I know my character's history and personality. In some instances,
I've recruited my reader team, Lagniappe Literary Partners or my Facebook Group
– Marian P. Merritt's Readers Group to help me find just the right name.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Graduating with a degree in physical therapy at thirty-six
with two children is one accomplishment I'm proud of. It was not an easy task.
Getting published after turning fifty is another thing I'm happy to have
accomplished. But I believe having strong relationships with my children, my
husband, and my Lord are the things that are much more important and give me
the greatest joy.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
An eagle. I love how they soar and glide through the air,
and I'm always fascinated with their majesty while sitting on a tree limb or
fence post. We have many in the wilderness near our town so it's always a treat
to spot one or two when out on trails or even on the drive to Walmart!
What is your favorite
food?
Shrimp. I'm like Bubba in Forrest Gump. I like boil shrimp,
fried shrimp, Shrimp scampi, Shrimp Gumbo...well, you get the idea.
A woman after my own
heart. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and
how did you overcome it?
When I first learned to write, I fell into the perpetual
loop of constant rewrite. Subsequently, it took three years to complete my
first novel. Now, I've learned to plow through and get the first draft complete
before starting edits. I think it's as simple as that I've learned to trust God
with my writing.
Tell us about The Vigil.
This Women's Fiction deals with forgiveness, acceptance, and
faith that God's plans are perfect. Here's the blurb:
Cheryl
Broussard made two vows: She'd never fall for an abusive man, and she'd never
return to her Louisiana
hometown. But she's learned all too well the lesson of never-say-never. Now,
back in Bijou Bayou after fleeing from an abusive boyfriend, Cheryl finds work
as a Hospice nurse. While reading a dying patient's Korean War love letters,
family secrets shatter Cheryl's beliefs about her family and herself and shed
light on the reason she fled her hometown. When the Broussard family secrets
are revealed, can Cheryl deal with the truth and accept the blessing of a
second chance for relationships with her family, old friends, and with the God
she never really knew?
This book
is set in south Louisiana
so there's a lot of food and southern settings. The Pinterest board I set up
has the recipes of the food mentioned in the book and pictures similar to the
settings.
Pinterest Board for this book: https://www.pinterest.com/mpmerritt/the-vigil/
Please give us the
first page of the book.
"Jarrod, stop! You're hurting me."
My boyfriend tightened his grip and twisted the skin on my
wrist. "Cheryl, I've told you
before about flirting with Barry."
"I wasn't flirting."
Another twist and then a slap to my jaw. My head shook from
the force. He'd never hit me before. Bile rose and scorched my throat.
Repulsion hit like a tidal wave while the ticking clock on the wall blurred,
doubled, then returned to normal. Like the ticking clock, the repulsion
remained. He’d hit me. He had actually hit me.
"Don't lie to me." His eyes bored into me like
darting lasers. "No girlfriend of mine is going to embarrass me like that
and get away with it." Before I could respond, the second strike followed
in the same location along my jaw. My pulse raced. A scream I struggled to
contain escaped, fueling his anger.
Something deep within awakened. I’d become the thing I’d
detested.
No. He wouldn't do this to me. I wouldn’t be that woman.
Couldn’t be that woman.
I can’t wait to get
my copy. How can readers find you on the Internet?
Website: http://www.marianmerritt.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marian-P-Merritt-Author/395714820494287?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarianPMerritt
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4429639.Marian_P_MerrittThank you, Marian, for sharing this new book with us. I know my readers will want to read it as much as I do.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Vigil - Christianbook.com
The Vigil - Kindle
(The Vigil is also available in paperback on Amazon.)
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
20 comments:
Lena, thanks so much for hosting me today and sharing about THE VIGIL. Excited to connect with your readers!
I loved Southern Fried Christmas. Thank you for offering and opportunity to win The Vigil. The except sounds pretty intense.
Tennessee
I would love to read this book.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
A first page that had me reeling. RUN dear girl.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Interesting topic.. I guess we hear more about this more & more..
Dee fro NE
I would love to win this book! The cover and the excerpt really drew me in! Thx so much!
Diana in SC
dianalflowers(at)aol(dot)com
Oh, and I also wanted to say (you don't have to count this as a comment) that settings in Louisiana fascinate me, and would enjoy reading about the southern cuisine there. Even though I am southern, it is like a whole different world here in SC than LA!
I would love to win this ebook. I want to find out the rest of the story.
South Carolina
Loved your story about studying in anatomy lab. I've always wondered how medical students kept from getting completely creeped out in the cadaver lab. A friend of mine who is a doctor said that he and his lab partner named their cadaver, "Abra" - you know, "Abra Cadaver"? :) Would love to win this book on a very timely topic!
This sounds so interesting! I am very interested in reading this - a hospice nurse, leaving abusive situations, and family secrets - excellent! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Sounds very interesting. Thanks.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
Susan in NC
KayM, I'm so glad you enjoyed Southern Fried Christmas - that was my first published novella. Linda, thanks for stopping by. Mary, Deanna, Diana, BJM thanks for commenting. There's lots of food mentioned in the book as well!
Pam, I love Abra Cadaver! Gotta love that gallows humor! Mama Cat and Susan Lulu, Thanks!
Best wishes to all who commented!
Love to try new authors! Shelia from Mississippi
Welcome, Sheila from Mississippi!
You always find such interesting books to review! Thanks for the chance to win this.
Beth from IA
This sounds good, and we share the same last name! :)
-Melissa Merritt from TN
Hi Melissa! My husband's niece (and mine) is Melissa Merritt. You spell it the same as well. Nice to meet you here!
Hi Marian & Lena! Gosh, how closely Cheryl's story mirrors mine years ago. (Exchanging boyfriends' names and Louisiana for Oklahoma. Vigil sounds like i book I need to read!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Hi Marian & Lena! Gosh, how closely Cheryl's story mirrors mine years ago. (Exchanging boyfriends' names and Louisiana for Oklahoma. Vigil sounds like i book I need to read!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
UPDATE AND SURPRISE!
To Lena and her readers, Pelican Book Group is generously gifting all ebooks in their digital library for Lent! This includes THE VIGIL! If you'd like to read it, go to the link below and download. If you like THE VIGIL, I would love to hear from you!
http://pelicanbookgroup.com/ec/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=37_47&products_id=645&zenid=ad419d0707db69ed5b03406a5c0e51d0
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