About Marguerite
Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of the Revolutionary Faith series, the Gardens in Time trilogy, two books in the Suamalie Island series, and a non-fiction book of basic Spanish for missionaries. She enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism, and a MA in English. Presently, she is an online High School Spanish and French teacher who lives in North Louisiana with her husband and three rescue pets. Her two adult children keep her young and in the know and her two grandchildren keep her on her toes.
Her writing journey has taken quite a few years, going back to her childhood. It all began with reading. Supplying her with enough books to read was a chore for her parents. Wanting to keep the books from the library didn’t help her plight. Throughout her life, she has purchased as many books as possible, loving the feel of each one and their positions on her shelves. A Beauty and the Beast library would be nice!
Combining reading with her love of research very easily segued into writing. Her Revolutionary Faith Series had a natural birth. Her parents made sure her education included travel and cultural history while taking her sisters and her through castles, manor houses, churches, and cemeteries throughout Britain and the European continent while living in England. Inspired after researching in Charleston, South Carolina, she had to write the series of her heart beginning in 1772 Charles Town, South Carolina with a Frenchman landing in a colony on the verge of irreversible decisions. At the time, she did not realize the series would be five novels, but her characters and pen with God’s blessings spurred her on.
My Favorite Places on Earth
I grew up traveling since I lived in England when I was 10 and 11 years old. My parents made sure we saw and explored many churches, cemeteries, castles, and manors in Britain and the European continent. This ruined me for life for now I want to travel whenever the urge hits me, which is often!
I try to travel to wherever my novels are set. For the Revolutionary Faith Series, I spent a lot of time in Charleston, SC. The old family home from the 1770s is a favorite as well as St. Philip’s church and graveyard. The Custom House releases lots of secrets too.
Charleston
France
France is a destination to which I’ll always return. My three top haunts draw me back again and again. Chateau Chenonceau on the Cher River is called a Lady Chateau because of its petite size and the women who ran the chateau were powerful for centuries leaving their personas in the gardens, décor, and history.
The walled city of Carcassonne in southern France near the Pyrenees holds its Medieval characteristics. I love to roam the streets up to the castle and wander through the halls and rooms imagining the ancient lives embraced in the structure.
Mont-Saint-Michel, an old abbey, rests out in the waters of western France. The pedestrian streets wind up and up with shops, restaurants, hotels, and residences lining the narrow road. Once within the abbey, the views are splendid and awe-inspiring. I find it is a place of personal meditation and worship.
Italy
When asked where to travel in Europe if it is the first time, I say Italy for it is the beginning of Western Civilization and offers something for everyone. Florence draws me back often. The small-town feel lets me wander the streets with familiar ease. The layers of history open avenues of exploring and questions. Labor of Love (Book One in my Gardens in Time series) is set in Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens in Florence in 1561.
England
England holds a special place in my memories, past and present. I will always say yes to traveling to Britain. One of my favorite haunts is Hampton Court Palace, a few miles outside of London. The red-tile Tudor façade shines golden in the sun. Promise of Purity (Book Two in my Gardens in Time series) is set here in the court of Charles II in 1660.
England holds a special place in my memories, past and present. I will always say yes to traveling to Britain. One of my favorite haunts is Hampton Court Palace, a few miles outside of London. The red-tile Tudor façade shines golden in the sun. Promise of Purity (Book Two in my Gardens in Time series) is set here in the court of Charles II in 1660.
England
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