Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas including The Daughter of Highland Hall, Surrendered Hearts, and Where Two Hearts Meet. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, The Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award. She has written contemporary and historical romance, women’s fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott. They have five adult children and four grandchildren. When she’s not writing you’ll find her working in her flower gardens, cooking healthy meals for friends and family, or traveling with Scott on ministry and research trips.
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Savanna:Â Welcome to the blog, Carrie! I’m so happy to have you here today. Congratulations on your recent release, Refuge at Highland Hall. I can’t wait to read it!
Did you know the end of this book at the beginning when you started writing Refuge at Highland Hall? Or did it surprise you along the way?
Carrie: I outline my books in my proposal for my editor, so I usually have a pretty clear idea of the beginning, the main turning points, and the end before I start writing. But with a Refuge at Highland Hall the final two chapters were added because I was concluding the whole series, and I wanted readers to know a bit more about what would happen with each of the characters from all three books. I admit I was a bit teary-eyes as I wrote those last chapters and said goodbye to the characters I’ve grown to love.
Savanna:Â I know this may be a hard question to answer, but do you have a personal favorite cover from your Edwardian Brides series?
Carrie: I am very grateful for the design team at WaterBrook Multnomah, including head designer, Kristopher Orr, and photographer Brandon Heath. They gave me the opportunity to help choose the cover models and clothing for each of the three books. They’re all beautiful, but I think the third book, A Refuge at Highland Hall, is my favorite cover. I love the hat, the lavender dress, and that view of Highland Hall.
Savanna:Â It really is a stunning cover! Can you share with us one of the most memorable places you visited during your research trips to England?
Carrie: I took two trips to England while I was working on this series and both trips were so very special. On the first trip I visited Highclere Castle where Downton Abbey was filmed. It was so beautiful – even more beautiful than it looks on TV! The highlight of the second trip was visiting Tyntesfiled, the estate I had in mind as I was writing about Highland Hall. It’s near Bristol in southwest England. I’d seen many photos online, but it was even more amazing seeing it in person. I have several photos from my trips to England on my website: http://carrieturansky.com/index.php/research/. I also have Pinterest boards for each book in the series, Tyntesfield, and World War One: https://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/ Come take a look!
Savanna: That’s incredible! What a special experience you’ll never forget. 😉 I read on your website you enjoy working in your flower gardens. I love to garden! What is one of your favorite flowers?
Carrie:Â I live in New Jersey where we usually have long cold winters, so springtime flowers are such an encouragement to me. My front flower garden is filled daffodils, tulips, and grape hyacinth. That really brightens up my view!
Savanna:Â I love those! Your website mentions you also do some speaking engagements. What is one of your favorite topics?
Carrie: It’s hard to choose just one, but I do enjoy telling people about my writing journey and how God has worked in my life. I’ve also spoken about how to do research for historical fiction, self-editing for fiction writers, and following your dreams in the second half of life.
Savanna:Â That’s really wonderful, Carrie. Thank you so much for sharing with us today! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Carrie:Â I enjoy connecting with readers! Look for me on Facebook and Pinterest! https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/ https://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/
I also send out email newsletters 4 – 5 times a year with book news, recommendations for books I’ve enjoyed, healthy recipes, encouraging articles, and giveaways and contests for readers. The signup for my newsletter is on my website. http://carrieturansky.com/
Savanna: I’m so glad you could stop by, Carrie. Have a blessed 2016! Can’t wait to read your upcoming books. 😉
GIVEAWAY!!
Carrie has graciously offered to give away a copy of Refuge at Highland Hall to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be you!
Thanks for entering! Contest is valid for US and Canadian residents only. Contest ends January 26, 2016. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
Wildflowers are my absolute favorite. They can brighten up any day!
Hi Jamie! Yes, I agree. I love seeing the varieties and colors on the side of the road and in the fields. Can’t wait to see them again! 😉
I love Lilacs! Mydfavorite color & love the smell..
That is one of my favorite spring flowers!!! Once my lilac blooms it officially feels – and smells – like spring. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Deanna!
I love little crocuses, but my favorite are the daffodils! I used to have the poem, “Daffodils,” by William Wordsworth, memorized. It perfectly summarizes how bright and cheerful they are!
Love that, Karen! When my hubby and I settled into our new home, I was so surprised the next spring to find daffodils blooming everywhere. The previous owners must have planted them. I enjoy them so much every year!
I love tulips also. I wish they could last a little longer.
You and me both, Stella! 🙂 They’re so pretty. I’m always sad to see them go. Good luck in the giveaway!
I love mums! Nothing beats seeing a produce garden in bloom though, at least nothing I’m capable of nurturing!
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I totally agree with you, Beth!! Love mums AND a beautiful garden in bloom. 🙂 I can’t wait to start planting!!
I love wildflowers. They are absolute beautiful when I see them in the field.
They always make me smile as I think of God planting them for our enjoyment. 🙂 Thanks for joining us today, Sonnetta!
I love the bright red geraniums I plant in hanging baskets. They last all summer and into the fall.
Yes, those are so nice and pretty for hanging baskets, Bonnie. 🙂 They’re one of my Mom’s favorites too!
I love tulips! Yards in spring are just beautiful when they are full of tulips.
Yes, Heather! 😉 I so hope to visit a tulip farm some day. A friend of mine in Oregon often visits one there in spring and sends me pictures. I can’t imagine how beautiful it must be in person. I’m glad you stopped by!
Tulips are gorgeous and I love gladiolus flowers too. The bright colors always make me happy!
I know, Diana, flowers are the best!! 🙂 They cheer us all up! Good luck in the giveaway.
I love tulips! I have many planted in my yard and rejoice when they poke through!
Becky
You sound like me, Becky! 😉 Tulips are a popular favorite here today. Love it!
I love beautiful iris. Their delicate flowers come in such a wonderful variety of colors.
I love irises! My mom and grandma both grow several varieties too. The flowers make me think of them every spring. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Melanie!
Sounds great!
Good luck in the drawing, Kim! 🙂
When it comes to spring flowers… I love hyacinths! I just love to smell them! 🙂
Yes, oh I can’t wait to see them popping up out of the ground. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Amy!
I love the slightly warmer weather in Spring. I don’t care for the hot summer months. But Fall and Spring I enjoy. I do enjoy planting flowers even though I have no green thumb.
I agree, Karen! 😉 Fall and spring are my favorite months too. That’s what’s nice about flowers. You don’t have to be a serious gardener to have success growing lots of colorful varieties. It’s such fun! 🙂
Calla Lily
Hi Barb! Yes, I had some of those in my wedding bouquet. So unique and pretty! 🙂
My favorite spring flower is the daffodil because I know when I see them spring is here!
Yeah, they always bring such hope, don’t they? Thanks for stopping by, Donna!
Hi Savanna, thanks so much for inviting me over to The Engrafted Word! It’s fun to talk about books, travel, and flowers! I love reading the comments and hearing from friends about their favorite spring flowers. It will be fun to see who wins the giveaway!
Hi Carrie!! Thank you SO much for joining us this week. It’s my pleasure to have you! Blessings on your 2016. Hugs!
Some of my favorite flowers are: Peonies, Cupids Dart, Pincushion flowers, Salmon colored Poppies, and the gorgeous Rhododendron! I love perennial gardening!!! I so enjoyed your interview with Carrie. LOVE her books! Thanks, Savanna, for the opportunity of this giveaway!!! ~ Alison
Hi Alison! Just reading your comments and picturing all those pretty flowers made me smile. Thank you! Good luck in the giveaway too. 🙂
I am not a big fan of flowers, because I have really bad allergies. I do love the honeysuckle that grow wild where I live, though.
Awww, that’s too bad, Connie. I hope you can still enjoy them from afar. 😉 Have a great weekend! I appreciate you visiting.
My favorite flower is Lilac. My best friend and I used to play under the trees all day playing dolls and having tea parties. So many memories. Thanks for the giveaway!
That sounds so special, Debbie. Thanks for sharing! Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
I enjoy all flowers, from the first crocus of spring to the mums of late autumn. I think peonies are a favorite – so beautiful and fragrant. Thank you for posting this interview with Carrie Turansky and offering a giveaway!
My pleasure, Valerie. Yes, there are so many beautiful flowers to enjoy through the year. Love them!! Thanks for joining us for the giveaway!
I love most all flowers. Lilacs and gardenias are among my favorites. Thanks for the interview. It was really interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
Brenda in VA
Glad you enjoyed it, Brenda. I always appreciate it when you visit! 🙂
I love spring!! All the wildflowers are gorgeous!
One of my favorites, though, are daisies.
Yes, LOVE daisies!! 🙂 Hi Aerykah! Good luck in the giveaway.
My favorite spring flowers are daffodils and tulips. I love the sense of renewal I get when
I see the first spring blooms.
It posted before I was ready : )
I knew what you meant. 😉 I agree, Deanne. The renewal of life is so refreshing after a cold winter. Thanks for stopping by.
I love to see the daffodils in the spring!
Can’t wait to see them again this year! Thanks for joining us, Patty! 🙂
I love Gerber daisies… The colors are so vivid.
Awww, yes! Thanks for sharing, Caryl! 🙂
I love tulips in the spring but don’t have much luck growing them! Right now, I love my amaryllis that is getting ready to bloom!
Yeah, they’ve been a bit tricky for me to grow at times too. They’re so worth it when you have success though. 😉 Thanks for visiting, Joan. Have a good weekend!
I love daffodils.
Me tooooooooo, Merry! 🙂 Can’t wait for them to return this spring.
My favorite spring flowers are tulips!
Hi Laurie! Tulips are such a perfect spring flower. Glad you could join us!
I LOVE peonies!
You and me both, Vicki! 😉 They always smell so sweet too. Good luck in the giveaway!
I LOVE tulips!!! They are my favorite, though a bouquet of colorful “wild” flowers on my table is sure to bring a smile.
Hi Amanda! Yes, I love fresh bouquets. Every year I always grow zinnias and love bringing them inside. They’re always so bright and cheery. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!