Monday, September 21, 2015

A REFUGE AT HIGHLAND HALL - Carrie Turansky - One Free Book or Ebook

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/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky

Thank 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:

Caryl Kane said...

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

collettakay said...

I'd love to win a copy of this book!

Colletta in PA

Anonymous said...

Sounds very interesting! I'd love to read this series!
J.C. -Indiana-

Carrie Turansky said...

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!

ASC Book Reviews said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Melissa Henderson said...

How exciting to learn more about Carrie and the book! A great interview! Thank you.
Melissa Henderson in Mechanicsville VA

Deana said...

Can't wait to read your next best seller , "A Refuge at Highland Hall." I enjoyed your interview.
Blessing from Texas

Connie Porter Saunders said...

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

Mortimer Family said...

This was a fun interview! Laura from Michigan

Mortimer Family said...

This was a fun interview! Laura from Michigan

Carrie Turansky said...

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.

Karen Cross said...

What a wonderful interview! I loved the first two novels and am very much looking forward to this last one!

Karen from Texas. :)

Carrie Turansky said...

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!

MammaG said...

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

Anonymous said...

would love to win. Oreo and Angela in KY

Cathy said...

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

Carrie Turansky said...

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!

Olde Willow Stitchery Designs said...

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.

Sarah said...

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!

Carrie Turansky said...

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.

Britney Adams said...

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

Anonymous said...


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 <

Melanie Backus said...

Thank you for a great interview and giveaway. The cover is beautiful!

Melanie Backus, TX

Mary Preston said...

A fabulous first page & a cover that makes me wish I could wear hats.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Terrill R. said...

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

Loraine Nunley said...

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

Unknown said...

I most anxious to read this and continue the series. I absolutely love this type of book !
Deanne in PA

Deanna Stevens said...

I am wanting to continue the series with this one too! Enjoyed the post..
Deanna in NE

Unknown said...

I loved the first two, thanks for all you do!
Kelsey, CO

kim hansen said...

Would be fun to visit the home that the show is taped in. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Angela - Bookaunt said...

I would love to win this book as Carrie is a great writer. Thank you for the chance to win

kam110476 said...

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

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me for the book copy!! Thanks for the chance to win.
Conway, SC.

apple blossom said...

thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Wendy Newcomb said...

This sounds like a great read, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

Wendy from FL

wfnren at aol dot com

Raechel said...

These books have such beautiful covers. Definitely planning on reading these!
Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Raechel in MN.

Patty said...

I love Downton Abbey, so I am sure I would love this series!

Patty in SC

BJM said...

I'd love to have a copy of this book.

Bonnijean in SC

Brenda Arrington said...

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

Joan A said...

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

Kelly Blackwell @ Heres My Take On It said...

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

Pam said...

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

rubynreba said...

I enjoy reading books set in England and France so this looks like a book I would enjoy!
Beth from IA

Anna said...

Don't know if this giveaway is still open, but if it is would like to enter.

Anna, from England......

Alisha said...

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

Merry said...

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

Lyndsay said...

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