Interview with Carrie Turansky & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordCarrie 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:  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?

Interview with Carrie Turansky & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordCarrie:  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:  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:  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?

Interview with Carrie Turansky & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordCarrie:  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:  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:  I love those! Your website mentions you also do some speaking engagements. What is one of your favorite topics?

Interview with Carrie Turansky & GIVEAWAY  | The Engrafted WordCarrie:  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:  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:  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!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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!