Peeking Between the Pages

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Guest Post with Author Michelle Moran (Madame Tussaud) & Giveaway (open Worldwide!)

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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?

Marie Grosholtz

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.

Marie in her workshop

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.

Marie in the Madeleine Cemetary

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!
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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!


To enter…

  • 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.

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Comments

  1. 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

  3. 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.

  8. 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

  11. Oh this sounds good and those earrings are pretty!

    I have your blog in my Google Reader.

    chrisbookarama at gmail dot com

  13. 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

  14. 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

  16. Wow, sounds a very interesting book, I never knew there was so much history behind Madam Tussaud

    Blackangel(at)blueyonder(dot)co(dot)uk

  19. 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.

  27. 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

  32. I have heard so much about this book. All good. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  34. Madame Tussaud sounds like a fascinating woman. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  47. +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

  50. wonderful giveawaY! I would lvoe the chance to win. I am also a follower.

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

  51. +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

  52. This sounds like a great read, thanks for the chance to win 🙂

    estrella [dot] azul20 [at] gmail [dot] com

  62. This book is on my wish list so I'd love to win a copy! Thanks for the chance.

    safoga at gmail dot com

  65. 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

  67. 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

  69. I can't wait to read this book – I've been reading up on Madame Tussaud in preparation!

    rlawrence110(at)yahoo.com

  72. 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

  74. 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

  75. I am a long-time GFC follower!

    ~ Wendi
    wbarker at hotmail.com

  82. Sounds really great! I'd love to be entered.

    Please count me in. Thanks.

    avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

  83. 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

  89. What a fabulous guest post! It makes me want to read this book that much more. What a fascinating lady Madame was!

    redladysreadingroomATgmailDOTcom

  91. 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

  95. 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

  103. I'm so excited for the release of this book!

    Thank you for the entry!

    Wendy
    wendysfictionaddiction(at)gmail(dot)com

  109. 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.

  111. +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

  114. 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

  122. This book is on my list..
    i have read all of Michele Morans books except this one…
    RJB
    loki304(at)tds(dot)net

  123. Madam Tussaud is such a unique & interesting character to write about.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    megalon22 at yahoo dot com