Coffee with Marguerite Martin Gray

Good Morning and Welcome to my Back Porch. Here in mid-Michigan, the temps are beginning to drop as fall approaches. In fact, I read a news report that said peek color will arrive in the northern most part of the Upper Peninsula by the end of the month. This summer girl is not ready, but she does enjoy fall. 

That said, let’s keep our heads firmly placed in summer, for just a little while longer and talk about a tropical set of islands that. Have become important to me, as well as today’s guest. 

Welcome to the Porch, Marguerite. You have graced the readers with your presence before, so let just talk about your book in the year two Suamalie Islands Series, Conversation Hearts. I have not finished it yet, but I must say, I enjoy your writing. 

The series is the brain child of others. My story centers around a B & B establishment and the neighbors. Here is a place where cultures from all over the world can congregate and form memories. Since I love the B & B experience and have owned and run a few Airbnbs, I thought it would be a great jumping off place for an absent-minded professor and his grown children.

Every booklover’s dream is to own the quintessential bed and breakfast. I have had the honor to stay in one and is was charming. My kids were little at the time or might have enjoyed it more. 

I have traveled to Maui and picture that place and beauty as I write. I added many books to my research including cookbooks, histories on the South Pacific people and culture and topography. My travels do always influence what my characters do. I love the cultural aspects of anyplace I travel. I never made it to Bora Bora to complete some more research. Maybe one day.

 I hope you get there. 

 What setting(s) did you choose for your book, and why were they important to the story?

The B & B is an important location housing many of the scenes outside and inside. Meals and parties take place there. The beaches are another draw for the characters, romantic or otherwise. The villages offer the pleasant cafes and shopping. There is an archeological element to the story which requires a dig site. All of these places help develop the characters and their lives.

 I am a firm believer that the envorment around us help influence our character traits as well. 

 Were there any unexpected plot twists or character developments that surprised you while writing?

Oh, my characters took off in different directions. Some I reeled in and others I let go their own way. Originally, Walker’s daughters were not going to have a major role. I had other non-related characters for books two and three. But, oh no, his daughters each have their own book as they wouldn’t let go of their importance, interesting roles.

 Don’t you love it when that happens?

 What message, if any, do you hope your book conveys to readers?

These pages offer the opportunity for second chances—in love, in marriage, in business, in relationships, in venues. Also, Conversation Hearts relays the message of speaking from the heart not always the logical mind. Things change, people change, and sometimes God has something else planned. Say the words you mean before the chance passes by. And listen too.

Kind of like the passage in Matthew chapter 5 verse 37 when Jesus instructed the disciples, and us, to mean what we say and say what we mean (let your yes be yes and your non be no).

Thank you again for joining us today and sharing a bit about Conversation Hearts. I pray this tour blesses you in some way.

Readers, be sure to continue reading and even enter the giveaway at the end. If you really want to bless this Author, check out Conversation Hearts and others in her catalog on Amazon.

About the Book

Book: Conversation Hearts

Author: Marguerite Martin Gray

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release date: July 30, 2024

Will she be able to save her father from the island’s magic before she falls victim to it herself?

When Megan Standish finds out about her father’s new relationship, she storms into the Suamalie Islands to rescue her father and carry him home to New Mexico. He’s firmly planted on Alexandre, however, but she refuses to let the island’s magic cast a spell on her decision. Even when a handsome islander and his daughter knock at her heart.

Jean Girard is a local with a flourishing transportation business taking passengers from island to island. When he encounters Megan’s stormy tirade on his boat, he promises to shelter his daughter and himself from her negative vibes. His concern continues to grow as he watches his daughter get attached to the American.

Either Jean will have to create an even bigger hedge of protection around his daughter and his heart from this pouty, controlling woman, or he will have to trust God to peel back the stubborn, hurting layers of the past and allow the miracle of His love again.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Marguerite Martin Gray is the author of Hold Me Close, Surround Me, and Bring Me Near– Revolutionary Faith Books One, Two and Three. Besides researching her historical novels, she enjoys studying history and writing fiction. An avid traveler and reader, she teaches French and has degrees in French, Spanish, and Journalism from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and a MA in English from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Marguerite is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Abilene Writers Guild, Daughters of the American Revolution, South Carolina Historical Society, and Preservation Society of Charleston. She currently lives in North Louisiana with her husband and Cleo, her cat. Her two adult children keep her up to date and young.

More from Marguerite

I have enjoyed this series and the relationships forming as the characters find new ways to communicate on the journey. Are you a good communicator? Introvert or extrovert? Conversation is so very important. Think about how we use it every day: directions, warnings, concerns, prayers, instructions, disciplines. Even though I teach online, my words of concern and instruction are needed to spur the students toward success. Somehow, I have the words to communicate well in so many areas of my life.

Then what about the heart? I think of the Valentine’s candy hearts—Conversation Hearts! As relationships develop between characters in Room for Love and Conversation Hearts, the heart becomes more and more a major component with all the characters. Yet, sometimes we fail to really say what we think in order to protect our hearts. There are many lessons to learn about being honest in relationships. Sometimes we avoid the conversation part and miss out on the wonderful relationships.

I embrace the conversation of the heart in my life through love, decisions, marriage, job, God appointments, children, and difficult circumstances. Explore different facets of important conversations with Amy and Walker and their families as you read this installment of Suamalie Islands series.

Happy Reading!

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 30

Stories By Gina, August 31 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, August 31

She Lives to Read, September 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 2

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 3

A Reader’s Brain, September 4 (Author Interview)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 5

Back Porch Reads, September 6 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 6

Karen Baney Reviews, September 7

Simple Harvest Reads, September 8 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Artistic Nobody, September 9 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, September 10

Holly’s Book Corner, September 11

Beauty in the Binding, September 12 (Author Interview)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Marguerite 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.