Featured Book: Surrendered Hearts
Flowing Stream Books (April, 2011)
I met Carrie Turansky through ACFW, and she is a member of the MidAtlantic Zone of ACFW. I got to spend time with her at the My Book Therapy Pitch pre-conference workshop, sharing the same table with her.
Carrie, welcome to Overcoming Through Time.
Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your characters has had to get past?
When I was growing up none of my family members had any kind of personal relationship with God. That lack of a Spiritual foundation affected every area of our family life. Relationships were strained and there was a lot of pain and confusion in my mind and heart because of it. When I was fourteen a friend invited me to a Christian group called Campus Life. That was the first time I heard the truth about God’s love for me and His desire to have a personal relationship with me. I was longing to know Him and prayed to receive Him into my heart that night. From that time on God has faithfully been helping me overcome the painful issues from my childhood and “re-parenting” me. He has also blessed me with a wonderful family through my husband’s family, my husband, our children, and our church family. I feel very blessed and thankful for all He has done in my heart and life.
What is your favorite bible verse and why?
The Lord has given me many wonderful verses to encourage me. I especially love the Psalms. Here is one I have been thinking about lately: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like a horse or mule which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle, or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice and be glad, you upright in heart, sing with all your heart.” Psalm 32
Disability friendliness: Are any of your book available in audio? Large print? Kindle?
Yes, I am happy to say all my Love Inspired titles are available in Large Print. So that includes Along Came Love, Seeking His Love, and in March A Man To Trust. Two of my novella collections are also available in large print: Kiss the Bride and A Blue and Gray Christmas. Three of my novels are available as eBooks: Surrendered Hearts, Along Came Love, and Seeking His Love. In March a Man to Trust will be available as an eBook as well.
What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?
I hope readers of my books will not only be entertained with an engaging, heartwarming story, but they will also be encouraged to draw closer to God as they see how my characters face problems and find God’s direction and solutions.
As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?
Every book I’ve written has a spiritual theme that I hope will have an impact on my readers. I often write about forgiveness and God’s sovereignty, showing His ability to take the most painful and difficult things in life and bring good out of them. In my latest book, Surrendered Hearts, I did a lot of research about recovery from burns. Reading the stories of people who are dealing with burn injuries was very touching. Burns are very painful, and the scars that remain change a person’s appearance forever. My heroine in Surrendered Hearts must redefine what makes a woman beautiful as she learns to accept the changes in her appearance caused by her burn injury.
In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?
Yes, as I mentioned above, the heroine in Surrendered Hearts must work through accepting the changes in her appearance and learn to see herself as God and others see her. Traveling with her on this journey would be helpful for anyone who wonders what makes a woman truly beautiful. How does a relationship with God and others affect how we see ourselves? It’s a touching story and one that I believe can help women see themselves in a more positive light.
Thank you, Carrie, for inviting me over to your blog today. I’d like to invite everyone to visit my newly updated website and take a look around. I have the first chapter of each of my books posted there. My homepage acts as my blog and I post the latest news there. I also offer a free email newsletter every other month with book news, encouraging articles, recipes, fun photos, and more. The signup for that is on my website home page. I hope you will stop by. www.carrieturansky.com
Blessings and happy reading!
Bio: Carrie Turansky is the best-selling author of 8 novels and novellas. She has been a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and The ACFW Genesis, and winner of the Crystal Globe Award and The ACFW Carol Award. Carrie writes contemporary and historical romance for Barbour and Love Inspired and has been a member of ACFW since 2000. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband Scott, who is a pastor, author, speaker and counselor. They have five young adult children and three grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys gardening, reading, flower arranging, and cooking for friends and Family.
Carrie Turansky is the author of Surrendered Hearts and of Along Came Love, Seeking His Love, Wedded Bliss, Kiss the Bride, A Big Apple Christmas, A Blue and Gray Christmas, Christmas Mail-Order Brides.
Thank you, Carrie, for agreeing to answer these questions. We are glad that God led you to, and you received, salvation! Have a blessed day and keep on writing!!
GIVEAWAY: Carrie is generously giving away TWO downloaded copies of Surrendered Hearts this week. Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win!
GIVEAWAY: Carrie is generously giving away TWO downloaded copies of Surrendered Hearts this week. Leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win!
Thanks so much for this interview! It's nice to get to know Carrie. I've not read any of her books yet but they sound interesting. :)
ReplyDeleteWould love to be entered in the giveaway.
Thanks and blessings,
Karen
klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com
What a really great interview, Carrie, and Carrie! In a couple of days, readers will find out just how this historical fiction addict felt about this contemporary book, Surrendered Hearts. Until then...
ReplyDelete*Hint-It's only $2.99 on Kindle if you don't win the giveaway!;)
Thanks for inviting me to your blog, Carrie. It's always fun to connect to readers and talk about stories. I am grateful I have the opportunity to write the stories God puts on my heart.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and happy reading,
Carrie
Interesting insight and I'm keenly passionate about many of these same things. Would love to read more of your inspiring words, Carrie.
ReplyDelete"Surrendered Hearts" is a wonderful read--I so appreciated the way you helped your character and readers journey toward the discovery of true and godly beauty and worth, Carrie.
ReplyDeleteThank you, both Carries, for this interview!
Waving at Cathy Gohlke of MidAtlantic, an awesome writer! Thanks for coming by. Carrie T. is a very humble and soft-spoken person who also has a backbone! Such an interesting combination. I really enjoyed sharing a table with her during the Pitch workshop at conference. I thought - I want to be like that when I am multi-published (Lord willing!) AND she had this amazing idea for a book that I SO want to read!!! Maybe she will share, I won't spill the beans!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I have an admission - I haven't read Carrie T's books yet. I just follow her around everywhere it seems, LOL! Ever since I joined ACFW four years ago I run into her and since hanging out with her and listening to her great ideas at the workshop it is fun to get some insight into how she thinks about things. I am so touched by how God still redeemed her despite her home background. How sad to be brought up in a home without Christ. But God is good, and she has overcome that background! I am looking forward to reading Carrie's Carol-award winning Novella, though, and it awaits me!!!
ReplyDeleteI have Surrendered Hearts on my kindle but haven't gotten to read it yet. But I have read a couple of Carrie's books and just loved them. That is why I downloaded Surrendered Hearts as soon as I saw it, knowing I'd love it too. Carrie is just one of those authors I can count on being exceptionally good without even knowing what it is about and I'd suggest her books to anyone.
ReplyDeleteHi Friends, Thanks for your encouraging comments!
ReplyDeletePamela, I am so glad you've enjoyed my other books. I appreciate you taking time to comment and to recommend my books to friends. That makes my day. : )
Blessings,
Carrie
I have read Carrie's Carol award winning novella "A Trusting Heart" in CHRISTMAS MAIL-ORDER BRIDES, and now I know why everyone LOVES her writing. Wow! As a writer and a reader I enjoyed it. People could learn from reading that story while also studying Swaine's craft book on writing.
ReplyDeleteOh, oh, oh, I so much want to get this book. If I don't win, for sure I'm buying it on Kindle. I've had the pleasure of chatting with Carrie just a bit this last little wile, and would really love to read---and learn---from this book. :o)
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ReplyDeleteI have NO idea why that came up as "Mom" but the name is Joleen. That's funny.
ReplyDeleteHey Christine! Which book? She has so many! I finished my read in one night. I am not feeling good and got up out of bed to read the rest of her Christmas novella! Sigh... Love a happy ending!
ReplyDeleteJoleen, Wow, when I saw it come up as an email from Mom (I get all the OTT comments as emails) I got tears in my eyes. I just finished a manuscript that I will be dedicating to my mother, who passed away last year. I bet one of your kids messed with you computer and changed your onscreen to Mom! Check your Google account and see!
ReplyDeleteAs a teenager I survived a severe burn with 14 following surgeries to "correct" its effects. To this day I still try to hide it when I follow someones eyes to my hand. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of Carrie's research in this book.
ReplyDeleteOh, and by the way, Carrie, a similar group called Young Life was instrumental in me coming to know the Lord!
I played with it and changed my name and comment before I saw your post Carrie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJoleen and I met over at Amazon.com and became friends! I know; strange place to meet. Joleen left a precious comment on one of my reviews and we became friends.:) We found out we had several things in common, a sense of humor, a love of books, and the same hair color, not necessarily in that order. What else does one need to be friends, right?:)
ReplyDeleteHi Joleen, wow, thanks for sharing your experiences with us. I would love to hear your impression of the heroine of Surrendered Hearts, especially how she deals with recovery from her burn injury. Please leave us your email address so we can put your name in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and happy reading,
Carrie T.
Joleen, So you have not read this book yet, right? I would love to hear your thoughts. When I worked in the hospital that was the hardest thing the healthcare workers said as far as what you had to do for treatment. Just so hard on the patients, so painful. So glad you were able to get treatment and praying God brings you complete freedom from any emotional pain left from that ordeal.
ReplyDeleteI have been working all day cooking for 20 people for our bible study tonight, and just got a chance to sit down on the computer. Thanks, ladies for your kind words.
ReplyDeleteNo Carrie, I have not read the book yet. I've no doubt it deals with a lot of what I went through as a 16 year old. Fortunately for me I accepted Christ 8 months before that, so my new church family was the loving and invaluable spiritual support I needed to know God's love through it.
And Carrie T, thank you for the offer. Email is tojoleen@yahoo.com.
Diane, enjoying our new friendship and sisterhood-in-the-Lord!
Great interview. Can't wait to read your new book.
ReplyDeleteI did a special giveaway to Joleen, Carrie T!!! I ordered through Kindle cuz I wanted her to have it "right away" today!!! I will be looking forward to hearing her response to your book. Carrie, have you approached burn therapy groups about sharing about your book? Sounds like it could be a good encouragement to many. Or the VA hospital for our veterans who have survived burn injuries?
ReplyDeleteOh, Carrie P. that was so sweet of you...she's quite a gal, Joleen! Congrats and hope this book ministers to your heart, and that you enjoy it as much I did! I'm am sooo enjoying our new friendship as well. You bless my heart, Joleen.
ReplyDeleteBefore I left Thursday for our camp-out I received a lovely surprise through Amazon from Carrie P... the Kindle version of Surrendered Hearts by Carrie Turansky. Thank you, thank you thank you! I couldn't wait to read it. I was an absolute sponge throughout the book. I've read hundreds of books since I retired 3 years ago, but in my previous 50+ years I have never read anything that comes close to what I experienced both physically or emotionally as a result of my burn. This book was so similar that I couldn't help but relate. I understand that because of the flow of the book, Jenn's emotional scars about her physical scars had to be accelerated. I, unfortunately dealt with it far longer, years. The above comment I made is the first time I've publicly ever mentioned it, and of all my friends I can count maybe 6 or 7 people I've discussed that event with. This weekend, bolstered by what I read, I mentioned it at least twice. Not to make anyone uncomfortable, but it was in the course of a discussion about hospitalizations, etc. I know they all know something must have happened, but no one is brave enough to ask me about it. Isn't that odd? But, I figured if I can be brave enough to mention it without discomfort, perhaps they wouldn't feel so uncomfortable about making note of it... which I believe could be a further way to heal and accept. Never have I mentioned it in a group setting, despite how close I may be to the group.
ReplyDeleteCarrie's book made me think, and honestly, this blog has done that for me as well, as never before. I apologize for making this so long, as this is about Carrie and her book. So, in closing, I just want to say that the characters are wonderfully written and the story was so enjoyable. Also, super kudos to Carrie for allowing Bill to have the integrity to follow God's will with regards to not pursuing a romantic relationship with Jenn until they could be "equally yoked", so to speak. I LOVED that! So many authors will go ahead and ignore that very important bit of obedience, with the idea that the non-Christian will develop a desire for the Lord. But this was so refreshing. In fact, all the Christian characters in the book were a delight because they truly walked with the Lord (especially Wes who confronted Bill about the dangers of a relationship with his sister who was not walking with the Lord). Do you know how many authors won't write their characters that way so as not offend fence-sitters? Or to attract a wider variety of readers, thereby risking their own spiritual integrity? Thank you Carrie! And God bless your efforts. I will totally read what you put out!!!
Oh my, I am so sorry. I had no idea that would be that long!!!
ReplyDeleteWow!!! This is why I started doing this blog, Joleen! I wanted to reach readers of Christian fiction who would be touched by stories of faith and of God helped us to overcome through His healing power! God bless you Carrie Turansky for writing this book. Joleen, if you get a chance, it would be great to post this as a review. Do you know how to copy that text from above? (Diana had to tell me know to do that, I started with computers back in the olden days and have been winging it for a while!)
ReplyDeleteI am so delighted you were ministered to by this book, Joleen! Blessings!
And the winner, from Carrie Turansky, is Karen Lange! Congrats Karen. Someone said the first poster doesn't often win, but if you use random.org like I did then it is the same chance as anyone. Diana and I have found that it isn't chnce - God knows who should read these books. And we try to be obedient to His voice, such as the prompting that Joleen needed this book now! Congrats Karen!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie and Carrie, so much! This is a nice way to end the weekend. :) Can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteHoney, this is a great book. I enjoyed reading it. In fact, I read the whole book in one setting. It was delightful. I always like the way you weave your personal experience into the book. I know others wouldn't know many of the details but I do. I love you. Keep up the great writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Friends, this has been a great week and sharing. I am so touched by all the comments and honesty. I am saying a prayer for all of you who are on a journey of healing from scars outwardly and inwardly. I am so thankful that God does heal our hearts and help us move ahead by His grace and love poured out in our lives. I am very thankful for all those who God has used in my life to help me on my journey. Now I can take some of those lessons He has taught me and weave them into my stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie P. and Diana for inviting me to your blog and reviewing Surrendered Hearts and Christmas Mail-Order Brides. It's always encouraging to connect with readers!
Hope we can all stay in touch....you can visit me any time via my website and on Facebook.
Blessings and Happy reading to all,
Carrie
oooohhhhh, that is so sweet that Carrie T's hubby left that comment. I love that! Can't wait for my sweetie to do that for me, too, some day! He's a keeper, Carrie T!!!
ReplyDeleteCarrie we loved having you! God bless and keep you and write that book you discussed at the pitch workshop!!!