Thursday, October 06, 2016

THE CAPTIVE HEART - Michelle Griep - One Free Book

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.
London, England, February 1770
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.

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

25 comments:

Elly said...

YAY!!! I've had this on my to-read list for awhile now. I can't wait to get ahold of it!
Elly -Indiana-

collettakay said...

I'd LOVE to win this book!

Colletta in PA

Michelle Griep said...

Hey Elly and Coletta Kay, thanks for stopping by Lena's blog today! And a big thank you to Lena for hosting me.

Anonymous said...

angela in ky would like to win

Mary Preston said...

This does sound marvellous!!!

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Terrill R. said...

I'm so excited for this book. After Brentwood's Ward, I will read just about anything Michelle Griep writes.

Terrill - WA

Cathy said...

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

Caryl Kane said...

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

Bookishqueen said...

Ive seen this book quite a bit lately and I am really interested in it.

Rebekah, Knoxville TN

kim hansen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kim hansen said...

Sounds good. North Platte nebraska.

Connie Porter Saunders said...

The Captive Heart is a lively story. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Pam K. said...

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

Winnie said...

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

Trixi said...

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!

Patty said...

Can't wait to read this book, it is on my wishlist!

Patty in SC

Michelle Griep said...

You readers are awesome! I wish I had enough copies to send you all one!

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!!
Conway SC.

Brenda Arrington said...

Sounds very exciting. Please enter me. I hope to win.
Brenda in VA

Dianna said...

Historical fiction is my favorite. I live near Sycamore Shoals, and this book cover reminds me of it!
Dianna

Dianna said...

Oops, I am in TN!

Abigail Mitchell said...

Your book looks awesome! Please enter me!
Clarksville VA

Unknown said...

The first page was stellar. I would surely love to win a copy. Thank you for the giveaway! ~Amanda J. from FL

Anonymous said...


I would love to win Michelle's book. Maxie from Texas.

rubynreba said...

I always enjoy books set in the wilderness.
Beth from IA