SURRENDERED HEARTS - Carrie Turansky - Free Ebook

I plan to start featuring ebooks on my blog as well as print books in 2012, but until then, I'm featuring a few selected books. This one is by a good friend of mine. Welcome, Carrie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?

I am excited about what God is doing in my life and in my writing career. I’ve had 8 novels and novellas published since 2005, and I have two more contracted. I’m blessed to be a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award in the novella category, and I’m looking forward to attending the ACFW Conference later this month. I enjoy writing both contemporary and historical novels, and I am working on a new proposal for a historical romance series.

Tell us a little about your family.

I am very blessed and grateful for my family. Scott and I have been married for 33 years. We have 5 young adult children ages 23 – 29. Two are married and one is engaged to be married this fall. We have three grandchildren, and they are all a delight! Our youngest two daughters are twins and still at home with us, but they are getting ready to launch sometime in the next year or so. I homeschooled our kids for a number of years which helped me gain a great education. Our family loves to travel and we spent a year in Kenya as missionaries when the kids will ages 8 - 15.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?

I love to read. I’d say becoming a writer has made me a more discerning reader. I sometimes find myself switching into editing mode while I am reading, and if there are too many issues with a book, I will set it aside. But I can still get lost in a well-written story. Right now I am reading A Most Unsuitable Match by Stephanie Grace Whitson and enjoying that very much. I also recently read and loved, Promise Me This by Cathy Gohlke. That one comes out early next year, and I highly recommend it.

I loved that book by Stephanie. Tell Cathy to contact me about featuring her on my blog with her book. What are you working on right now?

I am working on a contracted novel for Love Inspired. The working title is A Fairhaven Christmas. It tells the story of a young single mom who returns to her hometown and starts a business as a personal chef, but she ends up caring for an elderly friend who owns a bakery that needs to be renovated. That friend has a grandson who is insisting the bakery needs to be sold. I’m just getting started, so it’s been a lot of fun researching bakers and personal chefs and learning all about those occupations. It will be a fun and touching Christmas story that comes out November 2012.

And must feature that one on my blog. What outside interests do you have?

I love to work in my flower gardens and spend time outdoors in the warmer seasons. We have a small lake near our home and I enjoy walking around it most mornings, watching the birds and fish. I enjoy traveling with my husband, and we have been blessed to go all over the US, a few European countries, Israel, and Kenya. We are very involved in ministry with our church. I lead the women’s ministry and sometimes teach Bible studies and mentoring groups.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

I have set several books in New Jersey near where I have lived for 24 years. I have one set in Vermont, and loved visiting there to vacation and research. But I’ve also set some of my books in Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. I’m originally for Oregon, and I love that part of the country too.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?

I would like to meet Nellie Bly. She was one of the first female investigative reporters who created a different identity to research her articles. I’m sure she would have some fascinating stories to share. I’d love to write a book with a heroine like Nellie Bly.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?

I wish I would’ve known how long it takes to learn the craft of fiction writing, and then how long it would take to get published. You need a lot of perseverance and patience to be a novelist.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?

One lesson the Lord has been teaching me is to have faith and believe He is working even when it looks like nothing is happening and I don’t see answers to prayer. No prayers are ever wasted. God hears and He is working out what is best for those I love and for me. I have seen some wonderful answers to prayer lately for things I have been praying about for many years. It’s very encouraging, and it motivates me to keep praying and trusting God.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?

Join ACFW or other writers’ organization and take advantage of all the great connections and resources that are available through that group. Attend a writers’ conference where you can meet authors, agents, and editors and sit in on some good teaching. Set either a daily or weekly word count goal and stick to it.

Tell us about the featured book?

Surrendered Hearts is a contemporary inspirational romance available as an eBook. Jennifer Evan’s life is changed forever when a gas pipeline explodes and causes a fire at her apartment. Losing her home and beloved dog are terrible blows, but the ugly scars that cover her arm, neck and shoulder steal her confidence and cause her fiancé to desert her. With her funds depleted and her job on hold, she heads to Vermont where she hopes to reconnect with her brother and find a way to rebuild her shattered life. 

Bill Morgan, her brother’s roommate and the head naturalist at the Wild River Nature Center, is a strong, quiet man whose faith runs deep. He is frustrated when his efforts to share his faith with Jenn seem to push her farther away. But caring actions sometimes speak louder than words, and Jenn’s heart is drawn to Bill in spite of the spiritual gulf that separates them. Will she hold on to her pain, or will she surrender her heart and find the faith and love she seeks?

I can’t wait to get this on my Kindle. Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

A wisp of smoke curled through the tall evergreens and drifted toward Jennifer Evans like a ghostly snake. Her steps stalled, and she clutched the handle of her duffle bag until her nails bit into the palm of her hand. The scent of burning wood filled her nose. Her throat tightened, and her heart raced as if some primitive survival instinct had kicked in.

Stop! It’s just smoke from a fireplace or wood stove. She inhaled a calming breath and forced her frightening memories back into their hiding place.

Shifting her focus away from the trees, she searched the quiet Vermont road ahead of her. The man at Wild River Resort said it was only about a mile to her brother’s house. But the weight of the duffle bag pulling on her tender right arm made her feel like she’d already walked twice that far.

She could see why her brother liked Vermont. Birds darted through the trees, calling to each other. A slight breeze lifted the evergreen branches in a swaying dance. The refreshing scent of pine and cedar replaced the offensive smoky odor.

It was wild, beautiful, and peaceful. Her heart ached at that thought. Peace seemed like a dream she could never quite grasp no matter how hard she tried, and the turmoil of the last few months had only heightened the needs in her heart.

Sighing, she shook her head. She had to find her brother. Switching her bag to the other hand, she started off again.

The road curved to the right and she spotted a house set back under the shady trees. Number 427 was painted on the mailbox. That was it. A tremor passed through her fingers as she reached in her jeans pocket and pulled out the folded letter from Wes inviting her to his wedding. She checked the return address. His scratchy, almost illegible handwriting brought a small smile to her lips. He should have been a doctor instead of a missionary, she mused. Then she reminded herself he wasn’t a missionary anymore. Now he worked as an assistant naturalist at the Wild River Resort Nature Center.

She tucked the letter back in her pocket. How would he feel about her arriving a few weeks early for his wedding?

I know I'll love reading it. How can readers find you on the Internet?

I hope readers will stop by my website:  www.carrieturansky.com.

They can read the first chapter of all my books there, find recipes featured in my books, read reviews, see photos, and find contact info and links to order my books.

Blessings to all and happy reading!

Carrie

Thank you, Carrie, for the interesting peek into your life for my readers.

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