Guest Post with Michelle Moran + Giveaway!

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Have I ever told you how much I loved Michelle Moran's novels? Well, obviously, I adored them! From Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen to Cleopatra's Daughter, every one of her books has a special place in my heart, and apparently, on my bookshelf. Her books made me fall in love with the historical fiction genre and left me deeply mesmerized with the ancient Egyptian culture. Her fourth book, Madame Tussaud, will be launched on 15th February, and I'm eagerly anticipating its release. Make sure you purchase a copy of Madame Tussaud when it comes out! It is available for pre-order at The Book Depository.

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MADAME TUSSAUD: The Woman

When most people hear the name Madame Tussaud, the first thing that comes to mind are the eerily lifelike waxworks which crowd her museums throughout the world. But who was the woman behind the name, and what was she like in the flesh?

http://www.delhiplanet.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/tussaud-marie.jpg
Wax sculptor Marie Tussaud

Madame Tussaud’s story actually began in 18th century Paris. While most people know her from her famous museum in London, it was in France, on the humble Boulevard du Temple, where Marie first got her start as an apprentice in her uncle’s wax museum, the Salon de Cire. At the time, the Boulevard du Temple was crowded with exhibits of every kind. For just a few sous a passerby might attend the opera, watch a puppet show, or visit Henri Charles’ mystifying exhibition The Invisible Girl. The Boulevard was a difficult place to distinguish yourself as an artist, but as Marie’s talent grew for both sculpting and public relations, the Salon de Cire became one of the most popular attractions around. Suddenly, no one could compete with Marie or her uncle for ingenious publicity stunts, and when the royal family supposedly visited their museum, this only solidified what most showmen in Paris already knew — the Salon was an exhibition to watch out for.

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Madame Tussauds, Washington DC

But as the Salon’s popularity grew, so did the unusual requests. Noblemen came asking for wax sculptures of their mistresses, women wanted models of their newborn infants, and – most importantly – the king’s sister herself wanted Marie to come to Versailles to be her wax tutor. While this was, in many ways, a dream come true for Marie, it was also a dangerous time to be associated with the royal family. Men like Robespierre, Marat, and Desmoulins were meeting at Marie’s house to discuss the future of the monarchy, and when the Revolution began, Marie found herself in a precarious position. Ultimately, she was given a choice by France’s new leaders: to preserve the famous victims of Madame Guillotine in wax, or be guillotined herself.

Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution is the story of Marie’s life during one of the most tumultuous times in human history. Her survival was nothing less than astonishing, and how she survived makes for what I hope is a compelling read.

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Madame Tussaud

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Michelle Moran was born in the San Fernando Valley, CA. She took an interest in writing from an early age, purchasing Writer's Market and submitting her stories and novellas to publishers from the time she was twelve. When she was accepted into Pomona College she took as many classes as possible in British Literature, particularly Milton, Chaucer, and the Bard. Not surprisingly, she majored in English while she was there. Following a summer in Israel where she worked as a volunteer archaeologist, she earned an MA from the Claremont Graduate University.

Michelle has traveled around the world, from Zimbabwe to India, and her experiences at archaeological sites were what inspired her to write historical fiction. She is the international bestselling author of Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, and Cleopatra's Daughter. Her fourth novel, Madame Tussaud, will be released on February 15, 2011. You can visit Michelle’s Blog: History Buff


Enter to Win

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One of my lucky readers will have the chance to win:
Please leave a separate comment for each entry or it will only count as one comment! Remember to include your e-mail address or your entry will be disqualified!

Main entry (Mandatory): Tell me something you've learned after reading the guest post OR ask Michelle a question.

Extra entries (Optional):
+1 Join Michelle Moran's Mailing List
+1 Tweet about this post (You can use the tweetmeme button)
+1 Add Michelle as a friend on Facebook
+1 Follower of The Bookaholics
via GFC
+2 Add any ONE of my buttons to your blog sidebar - Leave 2 separate comments

Rules and Regulations:
This giveaway is for entrants of all ages from all countries. Please get permission from your parents or guardians if you are under 13 years of age. The author is responsible for the mailing of the prizes. This giveaway will end on February 22nd, 2010 at 6 p.m. Malaysian time. The winner will be selected randomly by random.org, and he/she must respond with his/her name and complete mailing address within 48 hours of being notified via e-mail. Prize(s) not claimed will be forfeited and a new winner will be selected.

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You can also enter the Madame Tussaud giveaways on these blogs to increase your chances of winning!

112 creative remarks:

Lexie@BookBug said...

Michelle, What inspired you to write about the French Revolution?
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Lexie@BookBug said...

+1 Joined Michelle Moran's Mailing List
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Lexie@BookBug said...

+1 Tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/LexieBookBug/status/31406856584826881
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Lexie@BookBug said...

+1 Add Michelle as a friend on Facebook (Lexie May Hogan)
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Lexie@BookBug said...

+1 Follower of The Bookaholics via GFC (Lexie@BookBug)
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Lexie@BookBug said...

+2 Added button to my blog at http://thebookbug-hogan.blogspot.com/
lexie.bookbug(AT)gmail(DOT)com

brokenteepee said...

I learned that noblemen wanted wax sculptures of their mistresses - the precursor of the blow up doll? heh
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I am Michelle's friend on facebook
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I joined the mailing list
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I follow by gfc
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

Elysium said...

Which wax figure is your favourite?
crimson_haze@hotmail.com

Elysium said...

I'm already on mailig list
crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

Elysium said...

I retweeted. I'm @Elysianfield
crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

Elysium said...

I'm already friend on facebook
crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

Elysium said...

I'm GFC follower (Elysium)
crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I learned that Madame Tussaud was an apprentice in her uncle's wax shop.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom

Unknown said...

I am on Michelle's mailing list.

Unknown said...

Tweeted @amandawk

Unknown said...

Michelle is a friend on facebook.

Unknown said...

I'm a follower.

Carol N Wong said...

I am so glad that you chose Madame Tussaud to write about here. She sounds so intelligent and talented.
I would really love to read and learn more about her.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I joined Michelle Moran's mailing list.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I am a fan of Michelle Moran on Facebook.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Carol N Wong said...

I am a Google Friend Connect Follower of this blog.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Sharli said...

I learned that even the King's sister wanted Madame Tussaud to be her ax tutor!

Thanks for the post and the giveaway!
entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Sharli said...

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Entre_Libros/status/31541798895616000

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Sharli said...

I added Michelle as a friend on Facebook (Sharli de Entre Libros)

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Sharli said...

I'm a follower via GFC

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Michelle,

How do you pick the historical figures about which you write?

Also, I am such a fan of your work! I recommend you all the time!

readingwithmartinis@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

+1 Joined Michelle's mailing list

readingwithmartinis@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

+1 Tweeted about contest
http://twitter.com/#!/MartiniReading/status/31543844927438849

readingwithmartinis@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

+1 Sent FB friend request (Kelly Houser)

readingwithmartinis@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

+1 GFC following The Bookaholics

readingwithmartinis@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Would love to win this book!

nowakoski@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I subscribed to Michelle's mailing list for an extra chance to win this book.

nowakoski@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I tweeted this article for another chance to win this book.

nowakoski@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

I "friended" Michelle on Facebook for another chance to win this book.

Anonymous said...

I follow the Bookaholics blog via GFC for yet another chance to win this book.

Sharli said...

Added one of your buttons to my blog sidebar: http://blogentrelibros.blogspot.com/

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Sharli said...

Added one of your buttons to my blog sidebar: http://blogentrelibros.blogspot.com/

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Misha said...

Hey Michelle, I am a HUGE fan of yours and have devoured all your books.According to your bio, you have travelled to India. Can I ask which historical sites you visited there?

mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

+1 Join Michelle Moran's Mailing List

mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/Misha_1989/status/31567536990457856

mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

+1 Add Michelle as a friend on Facebook


mishamary@gmail.com

Misha said...

GFC Follower


mishamary@gmail.com

Vivien said...

Sounds great! How much research did you have to do for this novel? Did you have to research multiple things?

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Vivien said...

+1 joined mailing list

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Vivien said...

+1 GFC follower

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

TheGirlOnFire said...

The French Revolution is a very interesting time period.Do you think the was an era you would have wanted to live in?

Stephanie

thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

TheGirlOnFire said...

+1 GFC follower

Stephanie

thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Would you like to have a wax model made of yourself?

Rachel

rachel091189 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I was unaware that the Royals visited Madame Tussaud and her uncle's museum. How fascinating!

Allisonmharper@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Allison Macias

Unknown said...

I followed you!


Allisonmharper@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Allison Macias

Unknown said...

I entered Michelle Moran's mailing list!


Allisonmharper@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Allison Macias

Terry said...

Michele, Have you started working on a new book yet and if so can you disclose the topic?

tmrtini at gmail dot com

Terry said...

+1 I am a follower.


tmrtini at gmail dot com

Terry said...

+1 I am a friend of Michele's on Facebook

tmrtini at gmail dot com

Terry said...

+1 I have joined Michelle's mailing list.

tmrtini at gmail dot com

Amanda said...

Michelle, why do you enjoy writing about history?

Amanda said...

+1
Joined Michelle's mailing list!

amandatheaker@gmail.com

Amanda said...

+ 1 for adding Michelle as a friend on Facebook.

amandatheaker@gmail.com

Amanda said...

+ 1 -now a follower of Bookaholics!

amandatheaker@gmail.com

Amanda said...

+1 Tweeted about contest

amandatheaker@gmail.com

Queeny said...

Michelle, who inspired you to write about the French Revolution?

angelqueenyding(at)gmail(dot)com

Queeny said...

+1 Joined Michelle Moran's Mailing List.

angelqueenyding(at)gmail(dot)com

Queeny said...

+1 Tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/queenyding96

angelqueenyding(at)gmail(dot)com

Queeny said...

+1 Add Michelle as a friend on Facebook (Queeny Ding)

angelqueenyding(at)gmail(dot)com

Queeny said...

+1 Follower of The Bookaholics via GFC

angelqueenyding(at)gmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

I had no idea that Madame Tussaud was so politically involved in France during her time! I only ever associated her with the wax museums and took her for an artist only. How wrong I was! I cannot wait to read this!
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I joined Michelle's mailing list.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I added Michelle as a friend on Facebook.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I follow Bookaholics via GFC (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com

Rylin Koey said...

I learned that Madame Tussaud's survival was nothing less than astonishing..

I love to read this book!

koeyleeyee at hotmail dot com

Rylin Koey said...

I Tweeted about this post.

http://twitter.com/DDGModelChic/status/33545929910910978

Rylin Koey said...

I Added Michelle as a friend on Facebook.

Rylin Koey said...

I am a Follower of The Bookaholics via GFC.

Bonnie said...

Main Entry: I didn't know that Madame was an apprentice at her uncle's wax museum, sounds like a wonderful book!

redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Bonnie said...

+1 I joined Michelle's mailing list

redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Bonnie said...

+1 Tweeted with the tweetmeme button
@Bonnieredlady


redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Bonnie said...

+1 Added Michelle as a Facebook Friend!


redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Bonnie said...

+1 Follower via GFC , it didn't seem to be working.


redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

Mrs. DeRaps said...

I'd like to know which of the wax figures in Madame Tussaud's museum(s) is the author's favorite...And her least favorite!

mrsderaps @ hotmail . com

Mrs. DeRaps said...

+1 follower via GFC

mrsderaps @ hotmail . com

Mrs. DeRaps said...

+1 Bookaholics button on blog @ www.derapsreads.blogspot.com


mrsderaps @ hotmail . com

Mrs. DeRaps said...

+1 Added author as friend on facebook


mrsderaps @ hotmail . com

Mrs. DeRaps said...

+1 Bookaholics button on blog @ www.derapsreads.blogspot.com

Orchid said...

Michelle, what's your favorite time period to write about?

hauntingorchid (at) aol (dot) com

Orchid said...

Joined Michelle's mailing list (hauntingorchid (at) aol (dot) com)

Orchid said...

GFC follower (Orchid)

hauntingorchid (at) aol (dot) com

Bookworm Lisa said...

I added Michelle as a friend on facebook (lisa Snider Faber)

ke7yca at gmail dot com

Bookworm Lisa said...

I am a gfc follower

ke7yca at gmail dot com

Bookworm Lisa said...

I tweeted using the button.
https://twitter.com/#!/Bookworm_Lisa/status/34695351860596736

ke7yca at gmail dot com

Harley said...

+1 Follower of The Bookaholics via GFC (Starletreviews)


I hope i win!

harley--22@hotmail.com

Erin said...

I learned that Madame Tussaud was involved in the political conflict that led to the French Revolution. Did not know that!

eireann3@gmail.com

Erin said...

+1- I joined Michelle's mailing list.

eireann3@gmail.com

Erin said...

+1 I added Michelle as a friend on Facebook.

eireann3@gmail.com

Erin said...

+1 I am now following The Bookaholics via GFC!

eireann3@gmail.com

Erin said...

+1 I tweeted about this post (http://twitter.com/#!/DexandLu)

eireann3@gmail.com

Hannah said...

Before I saw this book I had never heard of Madame Tussaud so this post was all new to me, especially that the Royals visited their museum.
wolfluvr420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hannah said...

+1 Joined Michelle Moran's Mailing List
wolfluvr(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hannah said...

+1 Tweeted about this post using the tweetmeme (@wolfluvr420)
wolfluvr420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hannah said...

+1 Added Michelle as a friend on Facebook
wolfluvr420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Hannah said...

+1 I Follow The Bookaholics via GFC
wolfluvr420(at)yahoo(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would have never guessed that nobles wanted wax copies of themselves or loved ones. Seems a bit creepy :)

Thanks so much for the giveaway,
Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I signed up for Michelle's mailing list.

Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Added Michelle as a friend on FB @mooncatfarms

Thanks,
Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower & email subscriber :)

Jules
onebookshy at yahoo dot com

vvb32 reads said...

such a cool book! great post. i like the images of the wax tussuad. i'm curious about the "ingenious publicity stunts". can michelle possibly reveal an example of one?
thanks,
vvb32 at yahoo.com

vvb32 reads said...

i already follow your sweet blog;-D
vvb32 at yahoo.com

vvb32 reads said...

i just joined michelle's mailing list.
vvb32 at yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Ok I think my first entry did not go through so hopefully I still can join this giveaway!!! I had a question for Michelle. In her opinion why does she think Madame Tussuad's popularity for her wax work still have it's appeal to the public.

Thanks for considering me! Wishes for much continued success!

Margaret (goodreads)
singitm@hotmail.com

Evangeline Han said...

Uh oh, I'm 24 hours late. =(
Anyway, this book sounds really fantastic. Many people know about the Madame Tussaud museums but not many know about the actual Madame Tussaud. Michelle did well in writing this book as it raises awareness about Madame Tussaud the person. =)