Most people that read my blog by now realize I’m a huge fan of Michelle Moran! Not only is she a wonderful person but she has written some of my favorite books like Nefertiti, The Heretic Queen, Cleopatra’s Daughter and now she is back with her newest Madame Tussaud releasing February 15, 2011! I simply can’t wait to delve into it myself but in the meantime Michelle has joined us with a guest post entitled 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?
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.
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.
__________
Thank you so much for the fabulous guest post Michelle! As usual, thank you so much for being so nice to all of us bloggers and being an absolute joy to work with!
Be sure to visit Michelle Moran’s website!
And her blog!
__________
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have a signed hardcover copy of Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran and a bonus pair of beautiful Marie Antoinette cupcake earrings (seen below) to share with one of my lucky readers courtesy of Michelle herself! Best of all because Michelle is such a sweetheart she is willing to send the book and earrings anywhere in the world!
- For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
- For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, please let me know as the extra entry is yours as well.
- For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.
This giveaway is open to everyone! I will draw for the winner of this fantastic prize on February 22, 2011. Good luck to you all!
© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
This sounds like a very interesting book. I thought Madame Tussad was a fictional character!
Thank you for the giveaway.
jgoffice(at)cox(dot)net
I also follow 🙂
jgoffice(at)co(dot)net
Dar, an international giveaway. I am doing my happy clappy dance, especially as it is about a lady that has a rather large part in the English Tourist Industry. I follow your blog and I am now off to tweet about you too.
I'd love to read this one. Thanks for the chance.
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
follower
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I would sooo love to nab a copy of this, please enter me 🙂
lpjalejandro at gmail dot com
Also a follower!
lpjalejandro at gmail dot com
Shame on me for not realising at all that she was a real woman and not just a brand name! This sounds an amazing read, I'd love to enter the giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
whoopidoo[at]btinternet[dot]com
I am now a follower 🙂
whoopidoo[at]btinternet[dot]com
Have tweeted also (craftywhoopidoo)
whoopidoo[at]btinternet[dot]com
Oh this sounds good and those earrings are pretty!
I have your blog in my Google Reader.
chrisbookarama at gmail dot com
I adore her!!!
bookingmama(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow you in my google reader!
I have always heard of Madame Tussaud, and I've read several books set during the French Revolution, but I did not know of Tussaud's strong connection with the leaders of the Revolution. Would love to read this book.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com
extra entry – Google follower
I really enjoy Michelle Moran's story and have been anxiously awaiting Madame Tussaud! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a GFC follower.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Wow, sounds a very interesting book, I never knew there was so much history behind Madam Tussaud
Blackangel(at)blueyonder(dot)co(dot)uk
I am a follower.
Blackangel(at)blueyonder(dot)co(dot)uk
Have tweeted about the giveaway here http://twitter.com/#!/Angelsraven/status/29894410120462337
Now I'll sit back & cross everything in the hopes I'll win
blackangel(at)blueyonder(dot)co(dot)uk
What a fantastically interesting guest post, Michelle and Dar! I would love the chance to be entered in your giveaway, as I am super excited about this book! Thanks for the chance, and I must say, those earrings are great!!
zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
I am also a follower of your blog through google reader.
I agree with Zibilee – great post! Please enter me!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I follow on Google RSS
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I've been waiting to read this! I'm a follower and thanks for the giveaway!
Rachelhwallen@gmail.com
Thanks for the great giveaway!
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
I follow on GFC.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
What an interesting story. I have often heard of the museum, but I never really thought about the woman behind it. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I already am a gfc follower.
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I would love to read this. When I was a kid, we visited my grandparents in England and one of the places I wanted to see most was the original Madame Tussaud's. I loved it.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow your blog via Google Friend Connect.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to read this!
starmetaloak(at)gmail(dot)com
+2 follower
+3 tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/starmetaloak/status/29918460255408130
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to read this.
k_anon{at}hotmail{dot}co{dot}uk
Old GFC follower.
k_anon{at}hotmail{dot}co{dot}uk
I have heard so much about this book. All good. Thanks for the giveaway.
I follow on GFC
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
I would love to win this – I"m a follower as well.
cmdaphne(at)tds(dot)net
Madame Tussaud sounds like a fascinating woman. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
I'm a GFC follower.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
I didn't realize that she was so involved in English history.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
Email subscriber and GFC follower.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com
I am interested in this fascinating book. thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for this great giveaway which sounds extremely interesting. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Please enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I am a GFC follower.
+1 Thanks for the giveaway.
+2 GFC follower
+3 blogging, http://tinyurl.com/66scklj
lolahb at gmail dot com
Dar this is awesome!!! I am so excited for a chance to win
thebirdsisters@gmail.com
XOXo!
I would love to win this book.
amandarwest at gmaildotcom
I'm a follower.
Would love to read this book. I'm a follower.
summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com
+1 I would really love to win this exciting book. Madame Tussade must have been so intelligent and talented. I want to learn more about her. I am very familiar with the French Revoltion but the book about her would be the crowning touch!
+2 Google Friend Connect Follower
+3 I tweeted, my Twitter name is Carolee888
https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/ Giveaway of 'Madame Tussade'
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Thank you. I would love to win this book
I follow!
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/BrokenTeepee/status/29985384653922304
kaiminani at gmail dot com
I'd love to read this! Michelle's books are always good!
I follow your blog on GFC
tweet
http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/29988021935804417
mittens0831 at aol dot com
wonderful giveawaY! I would lvoe the chance to win. I am also a follower.
strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com
+1 Thank you for this wonderful post, Michelle and Dar! I have heard about Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum for a long time but no almost nothing about the woman behind it. I was thrilled when I saw that Michelle had written a book about Madame Tussaud knowing that it's going to be a wonderful book!
Thank you for this fantastic giveaway, it's so generous! Please include me in it.
+2 Google Friend Connect Follower
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a great read, thanks for the chance to win 🙂
estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com
Also a GFC follower 🙂
This one is one of my most anticipated books in 2011.
coffeebooksandlaundry(at)gmail.com
I'm also a follower
This book looks wonderful. I am a current follower.
darrowenator (at) gmail (dot) com
I absolutely love Michelle Moran's novels. Please enter me in your giveaway. I am also a follower of your awesome blog!
lomaurice111@comcast.net
Awesome giveaway!Please enter me :O)
estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com
I also follow on GFC. :O)
That's a great giveaway! Please enter me. 🙂
melreadingcorner (AT) gmail (D0T) com
Holy cow this is an amazing giveaway!!!
stacijoreads@gmail.com
I follow you!!!!
This book is on my wish list so I'd love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.
safoga at gmail dot com
I am a GFC follower, too. 🙂
safoga at gmail dot com
Tweeted here!
http://twitter.com/#!/safoga/status/30058128892497920
safoga at gmail dot com
I would love to win a copy of her book! Thanks for the excerpts!
I follow this blog and am a subscriber.
dancealert at aol dot com
I posted a copy of the contest to my blog:
http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/01/win-copy-oif-michelle-morans-madame.html
DanceAlertReads.blogspot.com
dancealert at aol dot com
Not sure this will be a witty comment, but I enjoyed the interview and would love to win a copy of the book.
pennyt at hotmail dot com
wow, I'm immediately adding this book to my wishlist. I have Nefertiti in my TBR pile already.
Great giveaway!
please enter me, thanks 🙂
naidascrochet@yahoo.com
I can't wait to read this book – I've been reading up on Madame Tussaud in preparation!
rlawrence110(at)yahoo.com
I'm already a GFC follower
Michele
rlawrence110(at)yahoo.com
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/rlawrence110/status/30095766877900800
rlawrence110(at)yahoo.com
I loved her previous books and this one looks just as good! Please sign me up, I'm a follower!
notyourstar11(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm so excited about this book! Last year I read Cleopatra's Daughter and I LOVED it! It's one of my favorite books.
I can only expect the same awesomeness from this book 🙂
– I'm a follower
– Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Entre_Libros/status/30133518801575936
Thanks for the giveaway!
entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com
What a great guest post and giveaway!! If there is a giveaway fairy out there, please smile on me…. I'd LOVE to read and review Michelle Moran's new Madame Tussuad. She is such a fascinating figure from history, and has left such a lasting legacy.
Not to mention the beautiful cover (I really do have a thing for book covers), and those earrings are so fun!
~ Wendi
wbarker at hotmail.com
I am a long-time GFC follower!
~ Wendi
wbarker at hotmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/wbarker1/status/30143634993057792
~ Wendi
wbarker at hotmail.com
I've always wanted to read one of Michelle's books, so I seriously hope that I will win this! (Wow, I am being direct, aren't I?)
– I am one of your old followers
– Tweeted (http://twitter.com/#!/shy8629/status/30151381662826496)
Thank you so much!
Shy
shy8629(at)gmail(dot)com
I love historical novels! ^_^
I'm a follower.
^_^
TL
luraj2612 AT gmail DOT com
This is my most coveted book in 2011, I have to have it.
I follow and I Tweeting this giveaway on Twitter.
teddyr66@yahoo.com
This sounds so good and loved Moran's previous books!
GFC follower: Elysium
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Elysianfield/status/30224960752451584
crimson_haze(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am a GFC follower!
aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com
Sounds really great! I'd love to be entered.
Please count me in. Thanks.
avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
What an intriguing read! I'd be sure to keep an eye on this book.
I'd love to be entered for the giveaway. It's very generous of the author to open it worldwide.
I'm also a follower of your blog, Dar. 🙂
teh(dot)alice(at)gmail(dot)com
Yay, I hope I win!
I'm already a follower.
headlessfowl at gmail dot com
I really want to read this one! Please enter me!
je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com
I follow!
je2kids(at)gmail(dot)com
thanks for the giveaway!!! SOunds like a good read!!
nicolemarielum @gmail.com
This books sounds very interesting and the earrings are gorgeous!
I'm a follower
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/EVA_n_essence/status/30887850689961984
eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com
What a fabulous guest post! It makes me want to read this book that much more. What a fascinating lady Madame was!
redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom
Of course I follow your blog!!
redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom
I love the pictures you inserted in this post. I hope I can visit Madame Tussauds' wax museum one day!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Sounds like a great read!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
What a fabulous give away. Thanks to the author for that!
lesliemsaunders@gmail.com
I also follow on google
lesliemsaunders@gmail.com
I also enjoy Moran' writing. Her ability to capture history and in such detail is truly a gift.
Thanks for the contest.
jennygirl73[at]gmail[dot]com
+2 follower
I read this and enjoyed the history and story. I won a ARC copy from Goodreads. bookhimdanno@blogspot.com lisapeters at yahoo dot com. Thanks for a great trip through history.
This is a great giveaway! I would love a chance to win.
msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower.
msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com
I posted about this in my sidebar.
msjessicamae(at)gmail(dot)com
What an interesting guest post!
Sounds like a great story! Love the history.
Oh my gosh, I want to read this book SO BAD! Historical fiction is my all time favorite genre and this book sounds just wonderful.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com
I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
candc320@gmail.com
I'm so excited for the release of this book!
Thank you for the entry!
Wendy
wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower via GFC!
Thanks for the entry!
Wendy
wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm so excited about this book!
jaymeriley AT gmail DOT com
Thanks! I'm very eager for this novel.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I love Michelle Moran! Please enter me!
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a very old follower
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
Fantastic guest post from Michelle Moran; thanks for hosting her, Dar!
I'll admit I know NOTHING about Madame Tussaud … am only familiar in the vaguest way with the wax museums.
I'd love to be entered into this giveaway … I follow Peeking between the Pages in my Google Reader.
I'm a new follower and would love to win this book!
You can reach me at allisonmharper@hotmail.com
Thanks!
+1 Thank you for the giveaway,and for the interesting guest post.I would love to read this book. 🙂
+2 I'm also a follower
thebookish96[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for the giveaway! I have heard so much about this book and would live to read it.
+2 I am a follower
+3 I tweeted about this
http://twitter.com/#!/wolfluvr420
wolfluvr420(at)yahoo(dot)com
sounds like an interesting book
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I enjoyed your review–I did not know all the details of the story but the intrigue and challenges she faced looks like a story which will capture your interest! Looking forward to reading it. I follow your website now it is a great review site.
awildermoment(at)gmail.com
I would really like to read this! GFC follower:onutzyk_93
email: onutzyk_93@yahoo(dot)com
This book looks great!
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com
I am a long time follower on gfc.
susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com
I've been dying to read Madame Tussaud! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I am a GFC Follower.
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/Misha_1989/status/39641519740813312
mishamary@gmail.com
Thanks for the giveaway!
e-mail: petra_socaciu(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a follower.
http://bagofbutterflies.blogspot.com/2011/02/giveaway-9.html – blog post
I would love to read this book—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
This looks really great!
Stephanie
thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com
This book is on my list..
i have read all of Michele Morans books except this one…
RJB
loki304(at)tds(dot)net
Madam Tussaud is such a unique & interesting character to write about.
Thanks for the giveaway!
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
GFC follower
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
I can't wait to read this!
lovemybabysquid@yahoo.com
GFC follower.
Tweeted.
http://twitter.com/greatmasteryoda/status/40273586056998912