Marian Merritt, The Vigil, and a Giveaway!

Marian P Merritt

I'm thrilled to welcome author Marian Pellegrin Merritt to the blog today and tell you all about her new release, THE VIGIL! 

Marian writes stories that blend her love of the mountains with her deep Southern roots which leads to her tagline, Where the Bayous Meet the Mountains.

She is an author and freelance writer with over ten years experience. Her work has appeared in newspapers, magazines and online websites and garnered a first place award in ACFW's Genesis contest.

Marian’s published books include: Deep Freeze Christmas, A Cajun Christmas Miracle, and Southern Fried Christmas.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy and an accounting certificate from the University of South Alabama. This Louisiana native writes from the Northwest Colorado home she shares with her husband and a very spoiled Labradoodle.

Connect with her through Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter

If you’d like to be part of her reader’s group on Facebook where she has giveaways, shares behind-the-scenes tidbits, and recruits Beta readers, you can join at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/marianpmerritt/

I’m so glad she's paid a visit to the blog. Since I'm always curious about what inspires a story to spring to life, I had to ask Marian for a quick summation as to why The Vigil came to be:

"The nurse’s character came to me first before the story. As I interviewed the character, the story unfolded and had to be told!"

Talk about character driven.  Love it! The book sounds awesome – here’s a pair of tidbits to whet the appetite!

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Blurb

Cheryl Broussard made two vows: She'd never fall for an abusive man, and she'd never return to her Louisiana hometown. But she's learned all too well the lesson of never-say-never. Now, back in Bijou Bayou after fleeing from an abusive boyfriend, Cheryl finds work as a Hospice nurse. While reading a dying patient's Korean War love letters, family secrets shatter Cheryl's beliefs about her family and herself and shed light on the reason she fled her hometown. When the Broussard family secrets are revealed, can Cheryl deal with the truth and accept the blessing of a second chance for relationships with her family, old friends, and with the God she never really knew? 

Excerpt

The drive east from Houston to Bijou Bayou, the only place I knew I'd be safe, proved to be the longest four hours of my life. Home. At the prospect, my sweating fingers tightened around the steering wheel. But the larger revolt came when I thought about staying in Houston. I couldn't risk being in the same town, no matter how big, with Jarrod Trumont. I feared for my life. And his.

Yet, the greater question loomed ahead:  could I tolerate living in the same town as my mother?

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But wait...there's MORE!

Marian has graciously agreed to give one lucky commentator an e-copy of The Vigil! Let us know you’re out there – I know Marian would love to meet you!!

Happy reading, friends, and happy commenting! Blessings!