SNOWFLAKE SWEETHEARTS - Carrie Turansky - One Free Book

Welcome, Carrie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

I often write about the power of forgiveness and how it can bring healing and reconciliation. In Snowflake Sweethearts Annie Romano learns that forgiveness is not just a one-time event, it’s an on-going process, and also that forgiveness is a choice of the will and not based on our feelings. 

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

My next book comes out in October 2013. The working title is The Governess of Highland Hall. The publisher is WaterBrook Multnomah. It’s the first of a three-book historical romance set in 1910 in England. I like to think of it as Downton Abbey meets Jane Eyre with a little of the Sound of Music thrown in for good measure. My husband and I visit England last summer to do some research and enjoy the beautiful countryside. This is a dream project for me, and I am having a great time writing it.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

The last time you asked me that question it opened the door for a visit with Dr. Dobson at his new ministry office in Colorado Springs….remember? Thanks for that!  This time I think I would like to visit with actress Maggie Smith who plays Violet Crawley, the Dowager Countess, on Downton Abbey. I would love to learn more about her life and career, plus I would probably have to go to England for that visit, so that would be a plus too.

I missed Downton Abbey the first two seasons, so I bought the DVDs. James and I watched them all in about a week’s span. We loved them. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

It would be wonderful to be able to go back to the early 1900’s and meet Lady Almina, the fifth Countess of Carnarvon, who lived at Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey is now filmed. She turned her beautiful home into a hospital for wounded soldiers during WWI. She was also married to a man who helped discover Kit Tut’s Tomb. Sounds so interesting! Meeting her would be the perfect “research trip” back in time.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

I’ve heard it takes at least10,000 hours of hard work to become a skilled writer, so keep pressing on! Most publish authors complete several books and receive many rejections before they are published. It was true for me. I would encourage you to join a critique group and learn from other writers. Read good craft books like Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Browne and King and Plot and Structure by James Bell. Attend writers’ conferences and retreats. Keep reading and writing. Connect with other writers and be willing to read, review, and promote others’ books. The day will come when those writing friends may be able to help you. Pray and ask for direction and discernment about where to focus your time, talent and energy.

Tell us about the featured book.

Snowflake Sweethearts is a heartwarming, Love Inspired, holiday romance, so this is the perfect month to enjoy this story.

Here’s a summary: Bringing her daughter to the one place she feels safe, single mother Annie Romano returns to Fairhaven, Washington. Though hoping to start a new life as a personal chef, she accepts a different job. Alex Jameson, the handsome man she secretly admired as a teenager, needs a live-in caregiver for his ailing grandmother. Alex is very committed to his corporate marketing job in San Francisco and only plans to stay in Fairhaven temporarily. He doesn’t seem to realize how much he needs faith, family or love. But the holiday season, his grandmothers’ matchmaking friends, and one fatherless little girl start pulling at both Annie’s and Alex’s hearts strings. Just in time to make it a very special Christmas for everyone. 

Sounds like a wonderful story, and I love Christmas books. Please give us the first page of the book.

Annie Romano tucked the loose end of her red wool scarf into the front of her jacket and snuggled down into the soft lining. Puffing out a breath, she tried to warm her chilly face as she waited at the corner of Eleventh and Harris in the historic district of Fairhaven, Washington. A brisk early-November breeze blew up the hill, carrying the fresh, salty scent of Bellingham Bay.

Clenching her hands in her pockets, she gazed across the street at Jameson’s Bakery and lifted a silent prayer. Please, God, help me find a job. Not just for my sake, but also for Emma’s.

With her stomach knotting in a tight ball, she stepped off the curb and crossed the street. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Irene Jameson, or that she was afraid to ask her for a job. The sweet, elderly owner of Jameson’s Bakery had always treated her kindly. But seven years had passed since Annie left Fairhaven, and her life had taken some drastic turns since then.

What would Irene say about Annie’s daughter, Emma?

A powerful mixture of love and guilt rose and battled in her heart, but love won. She pressed the guilt deeper away to deal with another time.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers through my website: http://www.carrieturansky.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carrie.turansky?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/carrieturansky/

I also send out an email newsletter every other month with book news, reading recommendations, photos, recipes, and encouraging articles. The signup for the newsletter on the homepage of my website, or they can email me at carrie@carrieturansky.com, and I will add them to the list.

Thanks so much, Lena! I appreciate this opportunity to connect with you and your readers!

Blessings,

Carrie

I love having you on my blog, Carrie.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Snowflake Sweethearts (Love Inspired) - paperback
Snowflake Sweethearts (Love Inspired) - Kindle


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