Dear Readers, if you’ve
liked Downton Abbey, you’ll love
Carrie’s series Edwardian Brides. Carrie is a dear friend and a very good
writer.
Welcome back, Carrie.
As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who
were the
people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?
Cathy Gohlke and I traveled to England
and Scotland
on a research trip in May 2014, and we brainstormed ideas for this book while
we enjoyed that trip together. She has been a wonderful encouragement and
support in my writing journey, and I try to do the same for her. I belong to a
local group of writers in Philadelphia
called Story Crafters. Those ladies are a wonderful encouragement too.
We really need those
encouragers, don’t we? If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your
calendar?
On October 31 I’ll be speaking and signing my new book, A
Refuge at Highland Hall, at a Costume Tea Party at Paris in a Cup Tea
Salon and Café in Orange , California . This should be a fun event. I’m
looking forward to meeting California
friends there. For details you can visit my website: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/extras/
If you had to
completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
I’ve been blessed to live in some wonderful places and
travel to several others. I’m originally from Oregon . I love the natural beauty of my home
state, so that might be where I’d want to start over. But being near family is
most important, so I’d probably want to live close to at least some of my
family members.
If you could only
tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
It takes a long time to hone your skills as a novelist. Reading and writing are
key as well as connecting with other writers to exchange feedback on your
writing. I encourage aspiring novelist to join American Christian Fiction
Writers and attend the national conference each year. That’s a great
organization and a wonderful way to learn and grow as a writer.
So many authors, me
included, have been impacted by those conferences. You’ve been asked to be in
charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in
what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
Oh, wouldn’t that be fun! I think I’d give my cruise an
English-Downton Abbey theme and invite the stars from that program to come
along. We could have a costume contest and maybe play a fun game including
facts about the show.
Save me a place on
the cruise. I’d love it. Tell us about the featured book.
A Refuge at Highland Hall is the third and final book in the
Edwardian Brides Series. The story will sweep readers away to England and France in 1915 as the Ramsey family
and their staff and friends face the dramatic challenges and losses of World
War One, yet they also experience the hope and triumph that comes as they put
their trust in God to carry them through. Penny Ramsey helps the family welcome
a group of orphaned children to Highland Hall, but she soon discovers caring for
them is more difficult than she’d expected. She writes to Alex Goodwin, a
daring British pilot, who chases German Zeppelins across the Front Line in France and Belgium , and she longs for the day
they can be together again. The story included two pure and heartwarming
romances: Penny and Alex, and Lydia Chambers and Marius Ritter, a lady’s maid
and a prisoner of war. But most of all I hope readers will be inspired by the
characters’ examples of trusting God through the trials they face.
Fans of Downton Abbey
will find many of the same elements in this series: A wealthy, aristocratic
family living on a large English country estate with romance, conflicts, family
drama; and loyal servants with troubles and heartaches of their own.
Please give us the first
page of the book.
A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
October 20, 2015/WaterBrook Multnomah Books
ISBN: 9781601425003
April 1915
Waves of khaki-clad British soldiers flowed across the south
lawn of the London Zoological Gardens, slowly making their way toward the
chairs and benches surrounding the bandstand. Some men leaned on canes or
hobbled on crutches. Others wore bandages or sported slings, testifying to the
wounds they had received fighting for King and country.
Penelope Ramsey scanned their faces, searching for Theo
Anderson, but her fleeting hope quickly faded. She suppressed a groan and
turned away.
She must stop being ridiculous. Theo wasn’t here. He was in France . And at
this very moment, he was probably performing surgery to save the life of some
poor wounded soldier fresh from the battlefield.
She shook her head. These wandering thoughts would never do.
She was nineteen now, and it was time to put away childish, romantic
daydreams—especially those involving Theo.
Last week he’d written to tell her he was engaged to a
Frenchwoman who volunteered at the hospital where he was stationed in Rouen , France .
After she read his letter, she fled to her room and cried
until her eyes were red and swollen and her pillow was a soggy mess. How could
he fall in love with someone else? She’d always imagined their friendship would
grow and move toward romance. Though he’d never made that promise, she’d held
on to that hope ever since she first danced with him at her sister Kate’s
debutante ball almost three years ago.
Was there still a chance she would find true and lasting
love, or was she a fool to cling to that cherished dream?
Penny lifted her gaze to the sea of soldiers once more. So
many men were caught up in the fight. Thousands from her generation had already
been lost. Heaven only knew how long this terrible war would last and how many
more would perish.
Excerpted from A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
Copyright © 2015 by Carrie Turansky. Excerpted by permission of Multnomah Books,
a division of Penguin Random House, LLC. All rights
I can’t wait until my
book arrives. Where can we find you on the Internet?
I love to connect with reading friends through social
networks and my website: http://carrieturansky.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturanskyThank you, Carrie, for sharing this book with me and my readers. I know they as eager to read it as I am.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Refuge at Highland Hall - Christianbook.com
A Refuge at Highland Hall: A Novel (Edwardian Brides) - Amazon
A Refuge at Highland Hall: A Novel (Edwardian Brides Book 3) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
48 comments:
I loved the interview with Carrie. I am so excited for the release of A REFUGE AT HIGHLAND HALL. I would enjoy a print copy.
Caryl in TEXAS
psalm103and138 at gmail dot com
I'd love to win a copy of this book!
Colletta in PA
Sounds very interesting! I'd love to read this series!
J.C. -Indiana-
Hi Caryl, I just returned from Texas and enjoyed my time there! Thanks for stopping by. I loved traveling to England to research this series. Happy reading!
Lovely! :) Please enter me! I've been anxious to read this one ever since I finished The Daughter of Highland Hall! :)
Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a), NM
What a fun interview! I enjoyed the creative question about what Carrie would do a cruise director. Love the Downton Abbey cruise theme!
Marisa in Philadelphia, PA
deshaies89 at gmail dot com
How exciting to learn more about Carrie and the book! A great interview! Thank you.
Melissa Henderson in Mechanicsville VA
Can't wait to read your next best seller , "A Refuge at Highland Hall." I enjoyed your interview.
Blessing from Texas
I enjoyed getting to know Carrie through this interview and the first page from A Refuge at Highland Hall makes me eager to read more!
Connie from KY
cps1950 at gmail dot com
This was a fun interview! Laura from Michigan
This was a fun interview! Laura from Michigan
HI Friends, yes, Lena always comes up with creative questions that are fun to answer. Who wants to come on a Downton Abbey - English themed cruise . . . or maybe a tour? Wouldn't that be fun. Blessings and happy reading to all.
What a wonderful interview! I loved the first two novels and am very much looking forward to this last one!
Karen from Texas. :)
Hi Karen, it's fun to hear you enjoyed The Governess of Highland Hall and The Daughter of Highland Hall. I've enjoyed writing the series . . . and I was a bit teary-eyed as I wrote those last few scenes. It's hard to say goodbye to these characters who have become so very real and dear to me. I hope you'll enjoy Refuge just as much!
I have read The Governess OF Highland Hall and The Daughter of Highland Hall as well and loved them! And, I also have gotten many tears as well at the end of a wonderful series. You get to know each personality and you root for truth and love. I'm sure A Refuge at Highland Hall will be just as wonderful!Blessings!
graceyost@hotmail.com
would love to win. Oreo and Angela in KY
I read the first book in the series and really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to reading the others. Thanks for the giveaway!
Cathy from BC Canada
It's fun to hear some of you have been keeping up with the series and getting to know all the characters at Highland Hall! I think you'll enjoy finding out what happens to Penny and the rest of the family and loyal servants as they become involved in WW One. I learned so much researching this story, and I'm very excited to share it with you. Only one more month until release day!
I can't wait to try one of your books. I don't have much time for reading, but I would fit this one in.
I've never heard of Carrie, but her books sound faboulous! This is my first time stopping by this blog. I live in the Mitten. Fantastic interview.. This sounds like a great series!
Hi Sarah, I'm glad you visited the blog today! Lena does a wonderful job letting readers know about new books, and her giveaways are famous! I hope you are able to read A Refuge at Highland Hall and the whole series.
What a beautiful cover! A Refuge at Highland Hall is sure to be a wonderful story! Thank you so much for sharing this lovely interview and giveaway opportunity.
Britney Adams, TX
I would love to read carrie's book. Sounds really good. Thanks for the interview Lena. A good one. Please put my name in.
Maxie (TX) > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
Thank you for a great interview and giveaway. The cover is beautiful!
Melanie Backus, TX
A fabulous first page & a cover that makes me wish I could wear hats.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I'm willing to bet that many of my friends would love to read this, as well as myself. We have a big English dinner to kick off the each new season of Downton Abbey. I'm not sure what we will do after this last season.
Terrill - Lynden, WA
A Downton Abbey cruise sounds like it would be so much fun. I am really looking forward to reading Carrie's latest. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
I most anxious to read this and continue the series. I absolutely love this type of book !
Deanne in PA
I am wanting to continue the series with this one too! Enjoyed the post..
Deanna in NE
I loved the first two, thanks for all you do!
Kelsey, CO
Would be fun to visit the home that the show is taped in. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com.
I would love to win this book as Carrie is a great writer. Thank you for the chance to win
Hi Carrie & Lena! I'm so excited to finish collecting the 3 books in the Highland Hall/Edwardian Brides series so that I can get started reading them! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Refuge!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
Enter me for the book copy!! Thanks for the chance to win.
Conway, SC.
thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
live in ND
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
This sounds like a great read, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Wendy from FL
wfnren at aol dot com
These books have such beautiful covers. Definitely planning on reading these!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Raechel in MN.
I love Downton Abbey, so I am sure I would love this series!
Patty in SC
I'd love to have a copy of this book.
Bonnijean in SC
Very interesting first page. Am anxious to read the rest of the book. The interview was very interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Brenda in VA happygrammaof3{at]Comcast[dot]com
We all need encouragers! We had a man (now deceased) at my church who made a point every week to pull someone aside, say something encouraging and pray with them. jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
Oh the costume tea party sounds delightful! What fun! I really wish more things like that happened here in AZ.
Thanks for the chance to win. Thank you also for sharing another wonderful author life.
Kelly in Arizona
Hi, Carrie! It was nice to "meet" you here, today. I would definitely be in for the Downton Abbey cruise even if I have to live on Dramamine for the whole thing! Would love to read your book, especially if it takes me into the Downton time period.
Pam in Ohio
I enjoy reading books set in England and France so this looks like a book I would enjoy!
Beth from IA
Don't know if this giveaway is still open, but if it is would like to enter.
Anna, from England......
This book has been on my want to read list for months! I read the Daughter of Highland Hall last year and I really enjoyed it. I still need to read the first book in the series. I would love to read this one!
~Alisha L. in Florida
I've seen some of the pictures from your visit to England, so beautiful! I'd love to read the Highland Hall series.
Merry in MN
Just finished the second book in the series and can't wait for the final book! I'd love to win a copy!!
Lyndsay from Idaho
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