Welcome back, Michelle. Tell us about your
salvation experience.
I
lived in the ’hood growing up, so my mom didn’t allow me to go anywhere by
myself. Ever. One morning I was in the front yard playing by myself. A school
bus pulled up to the curb and the driver swung open the door. He said, “Hey,
little girl, do you want to go to Sunday school?” I didn’t know what that was
but it sounded better than pushing my baby doll around in a stroller. I ran in
the house and asked if I could go, and lo and behold . . . my mom said yes.
Reflecting back on this event, that was a miracle of Red
Sea proportion because that woman seriously never let me go
anywhere. I attended Sunday school that day and every week thereafter, hearing
about Jesus, and never doubting a word of it.
You’re planning a writing retreat where you
can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Carl
Sandburg, which may be tricky since he’s dead. But his poetry blows me away.
His rhythm. His perspective. Awesome.
Okay,
back to the living. I kind of have a literary crush on Travis Thrasher. He has
a way of describing everyday things we take for granted in a fresh, new way. I
want to learn how to do that.
MaryLu
Tyndall is one of my favorite historical romance writers. I’d invite her
because she’s one of the sweetest, most gracious people I’ve ever met. She’s
such an encouragement.
Anne
Voskamp, while not a fiction writer, is an amazingly creative inspirational
author. The way she puts words together is amazing.
Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell
us about that.
I
try to avoid public speaking as much as possible. It gives me hives. No,
really. Super itchy welts because it’s so terrifying. That being said, I have
been known to speak to writers groups.
What is the most embarrassing thing that
has happened to you and how did you handle it?
Really?
I really have to answer this? Sheesh. Okay, let’s get this over with quickly. I
was tubing down the Apple River in Wisconsin
with my husband-to-be. We went over some rapids and I lost something. Or part
of something. The top part. Moral of the story: Always wear a one-piece bathing
suit with snug shoulder straps. My fiancĂ©’s eyes widened and he quickly pulled
me off the tube and into the water so that I could fix the wardrobe malfunction
in private.
People are always telling me that they’d
like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell
someone who came up to you and said that?
I’d
say someday never comes, so quit talking about it and just do it. There’s never
a “right” time to write a book. Life never slows down. Stop using busy as an
excuse.
Tell us about the featured book.
The
wild American wilderness is no place for an elegant English governess.
On
the run from a cruel British aristocratic employer, Eleanor Morgan escapes to America , the
land of the free, for the opportunity to serve an upstanding Charles Town
family. But freedom is hard to come by as an indentured servant, and downright
impossible when she’s forced to agree to an even harsher contract—marriage to a
man she’s never met.
Backwoodsman
Samuel Heath doesn’t care what others think of him—but his young daughter’s
upbringing matters very much. The life of a trapper in the Carolina backcountry is no life for a small
girl, but neither is abandoning his child to another family. He decides it’s
time to marry again, but that proves to be an impossible task. Who wants to wed
a murderer?
Both
Samuel and Eleanor are survivors, facing down the threat of war, betrayal, and
divided loyalties that could cost them everything, but this time they must face
their biggest challenge ever ... Love.
Please give us the first page of the book.
My precious Lord;
My only hope;
My Saviour, how I need You now.
Eleanor
Morgan repeated the words, over and over, scrubbing her fingernails more
vigorously with each repetition. Prayer was always better than blood. Perhaps
if she focused on the simple child’s verse she taught her charges, she wouldn’t
feel like heaving. She bit her lip, trapping a scream behind her teeth. A
merciless idea. Better had she cried out at the unfairness of it all, for now
blood wasn’t merely under her nails. Saltiness warmed the tip of her tongue.
A
rap on her chamber door stopped her scrubbing. The nailbrush clattered into the
basin, her heart into her stomach. Before she could think, she turned and
snatched one of the brass candlesticks off the bureau. Hot wax spilled onto her
skin, the pain barely registering. Duke or not, this time she’d do more than
scratch the man’s face. Lecher. Beast. She raised the makeshift weapon, the
flame extinguishing as the door swung open.
A
tiny woman in a lace wrap entered. Eleanor choked. The candlestick slipped from
her hand and crashed to the floor.
My precious Lord;
My only hope;
Duchess
Brougham’s gaze darted to the rolling candlestick, then back to Eleanor’s face.
One of her brows lifted.
Eleanor
rushed forward and sank to her knees in front of the woman, not caring to grab
a dressing gown to cover her shift. Why bother? Humiliation was cloak enough.
“Your Grace, I swear I did not encourage your husband’s advances. Please, you
must believe me. I would never—”
“Rise,
Miss Morgan.” The lady waited until Eleanor stood on shaky legs, a single
furrow marring her forehead. Was that compassion on her face. . .or resentment?
Duchess
Brougham sighed, long and loud, as if she might expel whatever demon anguished
her soul.
Eleanor
knew she ought say something, but all her words dried up and blew away like the
last leaf of autumn.
Slowly,
the lady’s mouth curved into a fragile smile. “Did you not wonder, Miss Morgan,
why we have had four governesses in the space of a year?”
Eleanor
grimaced. She would have inquired had not pride muddled her thinking. The
position of governess in a duke’s household didn’t seem nearly as prestigious
anymore. La, what a foolish dolt she’d become.
You’ll never aspire to anything higher than
a trollop, girl.
The
sting of her father’s prophecy slapped her with more brutal force than she’d
dealt her employer. She lifted fingertips to her own cheek, coaxing out a
whispered confession. “I assumed lack on the part of the other women, Your
Grace, and for that I am woefully repentant.”
Duchess
Brougham’s eyes glinted with an odd intensity. “The lack is in my husband. I
had hoped that this time. . .for you see, the children dearly love you—” Her
voice cracked, and she shook her head. “It is a sorry business, but there is
nothing to be done for it. For your sake, Miss Morgan, you should leave. Now.
Walk out the door and do not come back.”
Wow! I want to read more. How can readers
find you on the Internet?
If you’d like to keep up with my escapades, find me at
www.michellegriep.com or www.writerofftheleash.blogspot.com
or stalk me on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.Thank you, Michelle, for sharing this book with us. I'm eager to read it.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Captive Heart - Christianbook.com
The Captive Heart - Amazon
The Captive Heart - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (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.
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25 comments:
YAY!!! I've had this on my to-read list for awhile now. I can't wait to get ahold of it!
Elly -Indiana-
I'd LOVE to win this book!
Colletta in PA
Hey Elly and Coletta Kay, thanks for stopping by Lena's blog today! And a big thank you to Lena for hosting me.
angela in ky would like to win
This does sound marvellous!!!
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I'm so excited for this book. After Brentwood's Ward, I will read just about anything Michelle Griep writes.
Terrill - WA
Intriguing - as there aren't as many books set during this time period as in mid to late 1800's and also including the added layer of the indentured servant. Cathy - TX
I'm so excited for the release of The Captive Heart. I LOVED Brentwood's Ward. Michelle has become one of my favorite authors.
Caryl K in TX
Ive seen this book quite a bit lately and I am really interested in it.
Rebekah, Knoxville TN
Sounds good. North Platte nebraska.
The Captive Heart is a lively story. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for this interview with Michelle so we could get to know her better. THE CAPTIVE HEART sounds like a wonderful book. It's been on my "want to read" list for awhile and I've checked out Michelle's Pinterest page for the book.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
Kansas
Thanks for letting us know more about Michelle Griep and her new book. I haven't read any of her books yet, but I've heard a lot of good things about them. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Winnie T from Utah
I've already read & reviewed this but I wanted to let you know I am sharing this post via FB & Twitter! :-)
Awesome book, my first one from Michelle and I love her writing style!
Can't wait to read this book, it is on my wishlist!
Patty in SC
You readers are awesome! I wish I had enough copies to send you all one!
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!!
Conway SC.
Sounds very exciting. Please enter me. I hope to win.
Brenda in VA
Historical fiction is my favorite. I live near Sycamore Shoals, and this book cover reminds me of it!
Dianna
Oops, I am in TN!
Your book looks awesome! Please enter me!
Clarksville VA
The first page was stellar. I would surely love to win a copy. Thank you for the giveaway! ~Amanda J. from FL
I would love to win Michelle's book. Maxie from Texas.
I always enjoy books set in the wilderness.
Beth from IA
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