About The Book
Book: Promise Me Christmas
Author: Marguerite Martin Gray
Genre: Christian Historical Romance, Christmas
Release Date: October 17, 2023
Would Amy ever see him as anything other than a former Loyalist who destroyed her home?
One more building, one more road, one more disaster reconstructed.
But George Elliot remains trapped in the past, reliving his role in the destruction of Charles Town. Through the support of his family and two Patriot generals, he is allowed to pursue a life among them but struggles to find purpose. Forgiveness lurks but has not quite settled his unsteady heart.
Amy Engle strives to help the men who are alive but hurting through her work at the hospital. Some men fail to grasp God’s forgiveness and struggle to heal mentally from the brutality of war…George Elliot being one of them. These men need a place to heal, and Amy proposes to open a mission to do just that with George at the helm. Amy’s prayer is that this will give George purpose and confidence.
What she didn’t count on was her heart’s commitment to the man.
With the devastation of war that left nothing unscathed, the people of Charles Town could use a dose of Christmas miracles. If there are any that remain after the devastation of war.
Can they determine in their hearts to find comfort in love, promises, and forgiveness?Click here to get your copy!
About The Author
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, Labor of Love and Promise of Purity, Gardens in Time Series Books 1 and 2, 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.
More from Marguerite
I have desired to revisit my beloved characters and charming Charles Town. The Lestarjette family and their potential adventures sprout to life in my imagination if not on paper. Marriages, jobs, children, new nation?
In Promise Me Christmas I get a glimpse into the colorful lives of familiar heroes and heroines, villains and enemies, major and minor roles as after war scenarios surface. As minor, supporting characters make their presence known, I realize in life there are no minor roles. Each human being has a purpose and a God-given mission.
Think about all the people who stand in the peripheries of your life. They are as important in the scheme of life as your close family and friends. In this novella, I hope to emphasize God’s promises and hopes through people who are flawed, hurting, healing, and making efforts to exist and prosper in a town devasted by war, death, and poverty.
We might not have gone through a war, siege, and occupation by enemy forces, but we can grasp the hopes and promises of Christmas through the lenses of sickness, death, broken relationships, financial woes, and natural disasters.
I hope you enjoy this Christmas novella from my heart of hope and promises to yours.
Q & A with Marguerite Martin Gray
Was there a special someone, such as a teacher, parent, or other relative, who encouraged you to pursue writing?
I have three teachers who encouraged me beginning in the fifth grade in England. Mr. Lawrence taught me all subjects including French and English. I started journaling in his class and have not stopped. My 10th grade Journalism teacher gave me all the skeleton rules for writing with many opportunities to write. In 12th grade I had a wonderful history teacher who encouraged me to start reading historical fiction. I combined all their lessons in my writing and research. I was blessed to have them in my education.
Why did you choose the historical genre?
My father is an architect with a strong love of history. We lived in England for two years and visited churches, cemeteries, houses, and castles in many countries. History lessons abounded and my love blossomed. Although, I read across genres, historical is my favorite. I want to learn facts and stories about history whenever I can. Recently, I wrote my first contemporary novel which stretched me out of my comfort zone. I love the challenge of research and writing a compelling story that is fresh even though in a historical period.
What types of research do you pursue? Books, on-site visits, etc.
Fortunately, I LOVE research. The first thing I do is visit the setting and tour all the historical places that I might want to include. Then I purchase the first books that I need to start my research with highlighting and ample note taking. I use on-line websites for quick research questions. I use both fiction and non-fiction resources. I listen to music from the period, try recipes, study the fashion, read the literature of the time, and watch movies. Research takes months before I write the first word.
What do you want your readers to take away with them after finishing one of your novels?
My motto for writing is Entertain. Educate. Encourage. I aim for the reader to be entertained through fiction and enjoy the characters and the plot. While reading, I want the reader to learn something about the period, an interesting fact about the environment. Because my writing is Christian fiction, I desire for the reader to walk away with something to boost their faith—forgiveness, love, compassion, trust, praise.
Readers always want to know what is next for an author. Do you have any works in progress you can share about?
I am always writing and researching for the next project. I am finishing book four in the Gardens in Time, Flames of Faith, set in 1870 Switzerland. The research has taken me to the Victorian era and the time of the train and tourism. I’ve loved being a passenger on the way to Switzerland during a time of progress.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 25
Texas Book-aholic, October 26
Betti Mace, October 27
Bliss, Books & Jewels, October 28 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 28
Connie’s History Classroom, October 29
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 30
A Reader’s Brain, October 31 (Author Interview)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 1
She Lives To Read, November 2
For Him and My Family, November 3
By The Book, November 4 (Author Interview)
Splashes of Joy, November 4
lakesidelivingsite, November 5
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 6
For the Love of Literature, November 7 (Author Interview)
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Margeurite is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/2896e/promise-me-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you for sharing your interview, bio and the book details, I have enjoyed reading about you and your work and I am looking forward to reading Promise Me Christmas
Thank you for the interview. I appreciate your time and sharing. Happy reading.
This should be a fantastic novel. Thanks so much for hosting.
The cover is so pretty