A MAN TO TRUST - Carrie Turansky - Free Book

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 9 novels and novellas published since 2005, and I have one more contracted. Last September my novella, A Trusting Heart in Christmas Mail-Order Brides, won the ACFW Carol Award. 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.

My family is a huge blessing in my life. Scott and I have been married for 33 years. We have 5 young adult children ages 24 – 30. Three are married. We have three grandchildren, and they are all a delight! Our youngest two daughters are twin 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. Those are happy memories we will always remember.

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

I have always loved 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. I recently read and loved, Promise Me This by Christ award winning author Cathy Gohlke, and I highly recommend it. Next up is A Wedding Invitation by Alice Wisler.

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, and that creates all kinds of trouble for the heroine, the hero and his grandmother. It’s a sweet and touching Christmas story that comes out November 2012.

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. I also love to cook and bake, and I’m always looking for new healthy recipes.

How do you choose your settings for each book?

Several of my books are set in New Jersey where I have lived for 24 years. I have two 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. With the internet, a writer can research and learn about any location.

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

I’d loved to talk to Teddy Roosevelt and hear about when he went west to start a cattle ranch. That was quite an undertaking for a wealthy Harvard educated man. It sounds like a great set up for a story. I’d also like to meet Nellie Bly who lived in the late 1800’s. She was one of the first female investigative reporters who went under cover 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 trust that He is strong and He is loving. Both of these character qualities are true about Him, and they fit perfectly together. Because of that, I know I can trust Him. 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?

A MAN TO TRUST

After years spent helping run her grandmother’s Chrsitian bookstore, it’s time for Adrie Chandler to give her own dream of becoming a professional musician a chance. But can she really trust the beloved shop to new manager Ross Peterson? The man is too charming and too much a reminder of another dream Adrie had to let go—marriage. Yet Ross surprises her by knowing a thing or two about making sacrifices. Suddenly, Adrie is questioning what she really wants. And whether the dreams she once thought unlikely are within reach after all.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One

Today, of all days, Adrienne Chandler should’ve been swathed in white chiffon and Belgium lace. Instead, she wore khaki pants and a navy-blue knit shirt with the words Bayside Books stitched in red over the pocket. Rather than floating down the church aisle on the arm of her father, she hid in the back office of her grandmother’s bookstore, hovering over a slightly lopsided birthday cake.

Adrie struck a match and lit the two large purple candles shaped like the numbers seven and zero on top of Nana’s cake. With a quick huff, she blew out the match and touched up a spot where the chocolate cake peeked through the pale pink butter-cream frosting.

If her life had gone as she’d planned, she’d be enjoying wedding cake rather than birthday cake, but it was time to stop dwelling on what should’ve been and make today special for her grandma.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I hope readers will stop by my website:  www.carrieturansky.com. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter. At my website readers will find the first chapter of all my books, recipes featured in my books, reviews, photos, contact info and links to order my books.

Blessings to all and happy reading!

Carrie


It's been a pleasure to once again feature you on my blog.


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A Man to Trust (Love Inspired) - paperback
A Man to Trust (Love Inspired) - Kindle


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