MISTLETOE MEMORIES - Carla Olson Gade - One Free Book

Welcome back, Carla. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I write Historical Christian Romance which I call “Adventures of the Heart” because life always is an adventure of the heart. I love writing historical settings with a rich faith thread sewn in.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day I remarried my first husband. Our story is a testimony to God’s redeeming love and a love story I could never have imagined.

How has being published changed your life?
Foremost, it is the realization of my dream. It is joy. But I am learning that it is not a destination, but a new road the Lord has set me on. There is so much to do and my routine has changed from one learning and creating to managing, marketing, and continuing to learn and create.

That is so true, Carla. What are you reading right now?
I’m reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. A blessing and an experience.

What is your current work in progress?
I’m writing some proposals and chapters for a few projects for historical novels. I always put a lot into these, including a great deal of preliminary research which inspires the plot and pattern for the story.

What would be your dream vacation?

A dream vacation would be a family vacation to Sweden and Norway, the homeland of both my husband and my ancestors. It would be wonderful to travel there and experience the culture and maybe do some genealogy research to learn more about our family histories.

My father’s family emigrated from Scandanavia. One side from Norway, the other from Sweden. How do you choose your settings for each book?
Sometimes the location is pre-determined as it was for The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter, set in the four corners region or for my newest novella in Mistletoe Memories, set on Schooley’s Mountain in New Jersey. I determine the year based on interesting events or a time period that fascinates me or is relevant to creating an interesting plot. When I initiate the project I consider both factors that work together to create an interesting setting such as pre-revolutionary Boston. The setting must interest me enough to excite me and inspire the story and also offer the reader a setting that will hold their interest as they read the story.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
I think it would be amazing to visit with Jeralean Talley, the oldest living American. She’s 114 years old and a devout Christian.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I enjoy photography, genealogy, graphic design, and designing houses for fun. 

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I enjoy research and preparing for writing immensely, but when I look at the big picture it is sometimes overwhelming. It is always a challenge to decide on which details are most important to include and to organize the story and character arcs. The task can be daunting and sometimes feels like I’m spending more time planning that actually writing. Once I get it worked out, I’m set to go and things flow pretty well so I guess it is worth the effort.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Everyone has a unique experience so don’t expect your publication journey to look the same as others. Sometimes you will share the path with others and at times travel a solitary road. You may lead the way, inspiring others, encourage another along the way, or follow and learn. Sometimes you will take an interesting detour. Everyone’s journey is different so resist the temptation to compare yourself to others or expect to arrive at the same destination. Make the most of your own journey and follow the path as the Lord directs. You may be surprised where it leads!

That is very true. Tell us about the featured book.
Mistletoe Memories is a Christmas novella collection from Barbour. One of America’s earliest summer resorts began atop the majestically wooded Schooley’s Mountain where the mecca of chalybeate springs (or “magic water”) drew visitors from near and far. Eventually the magic water disappeared, but the memories remained. The four stories in MISTLETOE MEMORIES cover the almost 200 years after the house was built and center around a house that became a refuge … that became an orphanage … that became a home.

’Tis the Season by Carla Olson Gade
In 1820, Stephan Yost, resident carpenter of Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey’s fashionable resort, spends off-season working on repairs, renovations, and constructing new buildings. When he is hired to build a permanent home for the resort's physician and his spirited daughter, Annaliese Braun, in time for Christmas, Stephan finds himself enamored by the precocious spinster. But will he be able to compete for her affections against the advances of a manipulative iron baron?

Sounds interesting. Please give us the first page of the book.

’Tis the Season
Schooley’s Mountain Springs

Washington Township, New Jersey

Late October 1820

            “Slow there, boys. Whoa, Hippocrates. Whoa, Galen!”

Annaliese Braun arched back as she drew in the reins with a firm grip. Spooked by a high-pitched whistle, the pair of riled horses continued their unsteady trot. The conveyance shook and the horses lurched ahead. The carriage shuddered beneath her as she tried to maintain control and pull the horses to a stop.

“Ea–sy fellas,” Annaliese called out to them, peering at the packed dirt road before her. The carriage felt askew. She leaned over and beheld the large wheel wobbling at her side, looking up in time to see a large branch strewn across the mountain road. The team shifted and with a jolt, angled back.

            The rear wheels of the wagon slid into the wide gulch at the side of the road. Wet with leaves from last night’s storm, the slippery descent tipped the carriage at a precarious angle on

the uneven terrain. The carriage rocked from side to side, back and forth, as the horses wrestled to gain footing.

I must stop the horses! Annaliese moved to the edge of the footboard of her father’s red landau. As she felt for the tread, her cotton pelisse caught on the side lantern. She steadied the toe of her ankle-boot on the small step and tugged at her long cloak. As she struggled to free herself, the horses bucked and knocked her onto the damp ground where she landed in a most unladylike fashion. Hippocrates and Galen shuffled about as they dug their hooves into the rocky, leaf-strewn slope.

            She looked up at the carriage looming over her, trying to find her voice. The harnesses pulled taut and the wheels rolled forward—toward her legs beneath the coach. Annaliese pushed against the ground trying to move, when strong arms grabbed her by the shoulders, hoisting her from harm’s way.

I must know to whom those strong arms belong. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website:  www.carlagade.com

Blog:  www.carlaolsongade.com

Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/fbgade

Twitter:  @ carlagade  https://twitter.com/carlagade

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/carlaolsongade

Thank you for another great visit, Lena! You are a blessing!

And I’m thrilled to have you visit us again, Carla.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Mistletoe Memories - Christianbook.com
Mistletoe Memories: Four-in-One Romance Collection (Romancing America) - Amazon.com
Mistletoe Memories: Four Generations Transform a House Into a Home for Christmas (Romancing America) - Kindle

Christian Book Store

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