Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Carrie Turansky & Waiting for His Return

Posted November 14, 2017 by meezcarrie in Author Interview, Carrie Turansky, Christian, giveaway, historical, romance / 40 Comments


I always love getting to chat with today’s guest, but I realized not too long ago that I’ve never actually chatted with her here on the blog! Let’s correct that ASAP! As in, right now šŸ™‚

Carrie Turansky has loved reading since she first visited the library as a young child and checked out a tall stack of picture books. Her love for writing began when she penned her first novel at age twelve. She is now the award-winning author of nineteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. Carrie and her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, and speaker, have been married for more than thirty years and make their home in New Jersey. They often travel together on ministry trips and to visit their five adult children and five grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys spending time working in her flower gardens and cooking healthy meals for friends and family.Ā  She enjoys connecting with friends on social media.

You can connect with Carrie on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads and Twitter.

Her latest release is the Civil War novella, Waiting for His Return!

The daughter of a wealthy Tennessee doctor falls in love with an injured artist-correspondent on assignment to cover battles near Union occupied Nashville.

The year is 1864 and the Civil War rages on, impacting families in the North and South. British born James Galloway, a special artist for Harper’s Weekly, travels with the Union troops, sketching battle scenes to bring war news home to those in the North. It’s dangerous work, but he is committed to the Union cause. When he is captured by Confederate troops, he spends several months in a prison camp. Finally, he escapes and travels north, hoping to reach the Union lines, but a bushwhacker attacks him, steals his horse, and leaves him seriously injured at the side of the road outside Nashville.

Rachel Thornton, a kind-hearted doctor’s daughter, takes James into her home and nurses him while he recovers. Her feelings for James grow, but she has already lost one man she loves in the war. How can she give her heart to James, when she knows he may become another casualty of the war? With Christmas coming, will James return to Rachel or will she be left waiting for his return?

This novella was originally published in A Blue and Gray Christmas. It has been revised and updated for new readers to enjoy.

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Hi dear Carrie! Welcome to the blog!

apples or oranges

Carrie T: Apples! I’m originally from Oregon, and we grow the best apples there. Whenever I enjoy a crisp sweet apple I’m reminded of home.

Carrie: Yum… My mouth is watering…

winter or summer

Carrie T: Summer! I love working in my garden and seeing my flowers bloom and grow.

Carrie: If only we could have summer without the heat and humidity šŸ˜‰

dogs or cats

Carrie T: Dogs! They make great companions! We had a border collie for many years and she was very sweet and loyal.

Carrie: Zuzu heartily approves of this answer!

coffee or tea

Carrie T: Tea! I love a good cup of Earl Grey with lavender when it’s cold out, and when it’s warm, I like iced Tazo Passion Tea.

Carrie: I don’t like tea but I do actually enjoy some iced Tazo Passion tea every once in a while.

Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Carrie T: I think I’d say my superpower is coming up with creative, healthy meals and snacks. I follow recipes, but I usually end up switching some of the ingredients. I eat gluten-free and dairy-free to help keep autoimmune issues under control, so that means I have to be figure out how to make some of my favorite recipes fit my food plan. I just made some really delicious pumpkin spice muffins this week. Yum!

Carrie: Yum! I’m gonna need to get that recipe šŸ™‚

Q: Who is your favorite book character from childhood?

Carrie T: When I was young I had an aunt who gave me an award-winning children’s book each year for Christmas. She helped spark my love for reading, and I still own some of those special books. She gave me Charlotte’s Web the year I turned ten, and I really enjoyed that story. Fern is a wonderful character, and I love Wilbur andĀ  Charlotte too.

Carrie: What a great aunt!!! Ooo that gives me some cool aunt ideas….

Q: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever Googled while researching a book?

Carrie T: I use Google and Google image search all the time when I’m writing! When I was writing Waiting for His Return I looked up Medicine during the Civil War, and I had to cover my eyes. Yikes! It was pretty gruesome. I’m so glad for the medical advancements of the last 150 years!

Carrie: Oh goodness! Amen to that!!

Image Source: Library of Congress

Q: In Waiting for His Return, your hero James Galloway is an artist for Harper’s Weekly who travels with the Union Army to record Civil War battles & news. What is something interesting or surprising that you learned about artist-correspondents like James during your research?

Carrie T: I come from a family of artists, and I was an art major in college, so when I learned there were artists who traveled with the troops during the Civil War I thought that would be an interesting occupation for my hero. I was surprised to learn the drawing they made were sent back to New York, and then an engraver carved the image into wood so it could then be printed in the newspaper. The artists were in just as much danger as the troops. Some were injured, and some were captured and held in prisoner of war camps.

Carrie: Wow – that is incredible!

Q: Your heroine Rachel seems like James’ opposite in many ways. What kind of heroine is she? And, who is most like you – Rachel or James?

Carrie T: Rachel is a bit of an introvert, but she has a deep faith and love for her family.Ā  She is young and makes some foolish decisions that cause problems between her and James, but she is also courageous when the need arises.Ā  I’d say I’m more like Rachel than James. I’m a homebody, and I love spending time with my family.

Carrie: I think Rachel and I are going to be kindred spirits šŸ™‚

Q: What do you most want readers to take away from Waiting for His Return?

Carrie T:Ā  I hope readers will feel transported back in time and will identify with James and Rachel as they face the impact the war has on their family, their faith, and future. I hope they will feel hopeful, inspired, and encouraged.

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! šŸ™‚ Before we say goodbye for today, tell us whatā€˜s coming up next for you.

Carrie T: My next English historical novel, Across the Blue, releases February 20th. Ā I’m very excited to share this story with reading friends. The hero is a young aviator and airplane designer who wants to be the first to fly across the English Channel and win the prestigious prize offered by the Daily Mail of London. The heroine is an aspiring journalist from a wealthy family who longs to write about the race across the Channel. But her parents want her to focus on finding a suitable husband who will help them move up in society. I loved learning about early aviation and women’s roles in Edwardian England. Across the Blue is a bit like Downton Abbey meets the Wright Brothers, with high-flying adventure, romance, and inspiration.

Carrie: Yay!! Can’t wait!!

(FYI – You can preorder Across the Blue here)


Carrie Turansky is graciously offering an ebook copy of Across the Blue to TWO of my readers (Open internationally except where prohibited by law) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What about you? Are you more of a risk taker like James or a homebody like Rachel?

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40 responses to “Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Carrie Turansky & Waiting for His Return

  1. Such a fun interview with Carrie! I like tazo passion tea also! As for the question…I think I’m more of a homebody than a risk taker. However, I have been know to step outside my comfort zone and take a risk when the occasion calls for it.

  2. Carrie Turansky

    Thanks for inviting me over to chat today! I love reading your blog posts and keeping up with authors and books. Thank you for sharing your love for reading and encouraging authors and readers. Blessings to you, Carrie!

  3. Jeanne C

    I’m excited to read this story, as it is about the civil war and Nashville, two things I am very interested in. Our daughter lives near Nashville and we have visited many civil war sites in Nashville & Franklin TN. I am more like Rachel I think, likes to be with her family, courageous when she needs to be. Thanks for the fun interview!

    • Carrie Turansky

      I loved visiting Nashville to research this story. That’s fun to hear your daughter lives nearby. I hope you’ll enjoy James and Rachel’s story in Waiting for His Return!

  4. Rebecca Tellez

    I so enjoyed reading the interview with Carrie. I just love her books and really enjoyed Waiting for his Return and am anxiously waiting for Across the Blue. I am more like Rachel, a real homebody.

  5. I am a homebody! I love being in my cozy home snuggled next to my daughter and/or my husband! I love the security home can represent. The world outside of my home is too scary and big. LOL!

  6. Debbie Clatterbuck

    I’m a homebody like Rachel. I had enough adventure being in the Army. My youngest daughter who still lives with me complains that I don’t get out enough, but I like to be curled up in my chair with a good book than be out on the town. Thanks for the opportunity to enter this contest and good luck everyone.

  7. Evangeline

    I am definitely a homebody! ? The cover is beautiful and the story sounds great. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance to do so. Blessings!

  8. Karen K.

    I’m a total homebody like Rachel! I’m such a chicken and don’t like taking risks. I’m terrified of roller coasters and even water slides. I’m perfectly content to live a sedate life! Haha

  9. Winnie Thomas

    I’m definitely a homebody. I like to play it safe.

    I’m looking forward to Carrie T.’s novella and her new novel. Thanks for the fun interview!

  10. Brenda Murphree

    I am definitely a homebody. I don’t like to take risk. I was a kid different when I was young because I took lots of risk then. Thanks for the giveaway!

  11. Caryl Kane

    YAY two of my favorite Carrie’s! Thank you for the fun interview.

    I’m a homebody like Rachel. I’m also learning to take risks.

  12. Rhonda P.

    Hi I’m more of a homebody. I like things the same, however every once and awhile I will take a risk. I also like Tazo tea, haven’t had the lavender one so I need to try it out.

  13. Dianne Casey

    I am definitely a homebody! Looking forward to reading “Waiting For His Return”. I really like reading about the Civil War era.

  14. Marilyn Allison

    Favorite Carrie’s in the world! I’m more like Rachel…and…I want to be Carrie Turansky when my writing grows up. šŸ™‚

  15. Alison Boss

    I am more of a homebody like Rachel. I am so looking forward to reading, Waiting for His Return and Carrie’s upcoming Edwardian novel, Across the Blue! I LOVE Carrie’s books!

    Thanks for the fun interview, Carrie and Carrie! šŸ™‚ I always enjoying getting to know more about an author. Thanks too for this awesome giveaway!!!

  16. Carrie Turansky

    It’s fun to hear from so many reading friends! Thanks for stopping by to read the interview and connect with us! Happy Reading to all!

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