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!
