Carrie Turansky's Blog

Thank you for sending in your Valentine’s short stories! I loved reading each one! Every story had a charm all it’s own, and it was very hard to choose the winners. But there were several that stood out for their creativity, writing skill, and the way the story tugged at my heart. The winners are  . . .First Place goes to Bailey Welch for her story, Now and Forever. I’ve posted it below for you to enjoy. It’s a sweet friends to more story. I hope you’ll read it and leave Bailey a word of encouragement in the comments.Second Place: Abbey Downing for her story, The Sweetest Blunder.Third Place: Andrea Cox for her story, The Last Valentine.  

Honorable Mentions: Janet Shearouse for her story, Elijah;  Heather MacInnas for A Quiet Awakening; and Sayward MacInns for My Mushy Valentine.

 

Now And Forever by Bailey Welch

Marien was quite sure cupcakes were going to be the death of her. She squeezed the final remains of strawberry buttercream out of the strangled piping bag and slammed it down on her worktable. She plopped down on her kitchen stool, flexing her aching hands.

Her bakery kitchen was a mess. Stacks of dirty cake pans filled the sink. Layers of powdered sugar dusted every surface. Rows upon rows of filled cupcake boxes teetered near the back door. What a day for her baking assistant to catch a cold.

No matter. She would push through. Valentine’s Day was one of the most important days of the year for a bakery. She had to pull it together, or she could kiss her baking career goodbye. Then it would be back to cleaning kennels at her parents’ doggie hotel. Marien shuddered at the thought.

The bell tinkled over her shop front door for what seemed like the hundredth time this morning. At least she had Georgie to run the front counter. The petite brunette was in her element boxing up heart-shaped cookies and chocolate-covered strawberries, but she was no help in actually producing the delectable treats her customers raved over.

Heavy footsteps thudded toward the kitchen door, letting Marien know her knight in shining armor was here. A flush broke out across her pale cheeks at the thought. He wasn’t her knight. No matter how much she wanted him to be.

Declan had been her best friend since they were six, from the moment she sat next to the shy boy on their school field trip to the Bay City Fun Park. Twenty years later, he was still the one she could always count on. Now and forever, they had promised as kids. Of course, there were times she wanted to be bold and let him know she wanted something more. But when his mom died suddenly last year, she knew he needed space. Not something else to tangle his emotions further.

“At your leisure, I see.”

Excitement shivered down her spine at the sound of his deep voice.

His six foot, four inch frame filled the doorway. Wavy brown hair was tucked behind his ears, his puffy coat zipped up tight against the February chill.

Marien shot him a glare, but he only laughed, amusement sparking in his green eyes.

“You would be too if you’d been up since three a.m. decorating cupcakes.”

“You have my deepest sympathies.”

“Hush. No one has time for your fake niceties today.”

“Speaking of the time, shouldn’t we be heading out?”

“Yikes!” Marien yipped, leaping off her stool. “We’re going to be late. You can start loading Sweet Scarlet. Let me fill these last few boxes. I’ll be right behind you.”

“You should also look in the mirror before we go.” Declan rounded her worktable and tugged on one of the spiral curls piled atop her head.

The fresh, woodsy scent of him flooded her senses. Heart pounding, she looked up, all thoughts fleeing her mind as his fingers glided down the curl. Staring at her, something darkened in his eyes, turning them from grass to emerald.

Before she could name it, the intensity was gone, Declan’s playful smirk returning. “Or you’ll end up taking half the bakery with us.”

“Oh, get to work,” Marien said, her voice breathier than she intended. She gave Declan a playful shove, but his chest was hard as a rock beneath her hand, which did nothing to help get her pulse under control.

Declan chuckled, grabbing a load of cupcake boxes and the keys before heading out to her beloved delivery van.

A deep breath whooshed through her lips. No matter her other feelings, she was thankful to have a friend like Declan whose IT job let him set his own hours. He’d saved her more than once when she was in a pinch. He really was her knight in shining armor whether he knew it or not.

With the last dollops of strawberry sauce on the cheesecake cupcakes, Marien placed them in the remaining boxes and said a quick prayer, like always. Praying her sweets would be a blessing to those who received them. Another glance at the clock made her heart skip. They really were going to be late.

Marien ripped off her bubble-gum pink apron and charged toward the restroom. Sure enough, she had managed to turn an entire earthy brown curl completely white. After rinsing out the frosted strand and tucking it back into her messy bun, Marien returned to the kitchen and pulled on her winter coat.

She stopped short. There on her worktable was an open box of cupcakes. She didn’t remember leaving any containers open. Dressed and ready to go, the delectable treats were nestled in their spots, except for the twelfth. Instead of a cupcake, the last cup held a swirly pink object.

Marien reached her fingers inside the depression and pulled out a dainty keychain in the shape of a fluffy cone of cotton candy. The tiny treasure dangled before her face, spinning in the bright kitchen lights.

Where did you come from?

Had Declan placed it there?

“Mare, are you coming?” Declan’s call jolted her out of her reverie.

Marien shook her head clear. She shoved the keychain into her pocket and grabbed an extra cupcake to fill the empty hole before snapping the box shut.

She was over tired, her brain making up wild stories. Declan was outside loading cupcakes this whole time. She must have forgotten to finish the last box. Maybe one of her customers misplaced this keychain and Georgie set it there so Marien would see it in case they returned. She would have to ask her about it later.

“Georgie, we’re off,” Marien shouted as she carried the final boxes toward the back door.

“Got it, boss.” Her youthful shopkeeper’s cheeky response made her smirk. It would be just like Georgie to leave something important right where she knew Marien would see it.

A blast of frigid air hit Marien as she exited into the alley behind the bakery. Sweet Scarlet idled in all of her bright red glory. Marien slid her boxes into the back before slamming the doors and climbing into the passenger seat to keep an eye on the precious goods while Declan drove.

“Your chariot, milady,” Declan declared, shifting the van into drive.

“My hero.”

Declan cleared his throat. If she wasn’t mistaken, tendrils of heat had crept up his neck. That was odd. She’d never been able to embarrass him before.

They made the deliveries, but an unknown tension wound between them. The final delivery was massive; a private party in the ballroom of the Grand Hotel that took more than one trip to offload them all.

Marien’s footsteps were slow, her muscles aching by the time they returned to the van for their final haul.

“I’ll take the last load,” Declan volunteered.

“Are you sure?” Marien asked, stifling a yawn. “It’s my business.”

“I’m sure. You rest for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

The tension in Marien’s spine dissipated. She was thankful to not have to climb the front steps for a third time. Crossing over to the passenger side, she opened the door and slid in.

Something sharp poked her behind.

What is that? Reaching beneath her, Marien grabbed the offending object and lifted it before her.

Another keychain?

A miniature white horse dangled on the end of a silver chain. The prancing pony was

bedecked with a powder blue saddle and baby pink reins, a golden pole shooting straight out of its back as though it still spun on the carousel.

Where did you come from?

Had Declan placed this on her seat on purpose?

For the second time today, Marien shook her head. Declan had been with her the whole time.

The second Declan returned to the van, the keychain disappeared into her pocket.

“Got any big plans for tonight?” Marien asked when they were almost back to the bakery.

“We’ll see,” Declan replied, waggling his eyebrows at her. “What about you?”

Marien laughed, but the sound was hard and brittle. “You know me. I love seeing people fall in love but never have any of my own.”

Declan shifted Sweet Scarlet into Park behind the bakery. He rested his warm hand on her shoulder. “Sometimes it takes people a while to realize the blessings right in front of them.”

Blood thrummed in Marien’s ears. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

Before she could get her answer, Declan climbed out of the van. Giving her a departing wave, he disappeared around the corner. That was odd, too. Declan’s hot and cold flashes were giving her whiplash.

Marien returned to the bakery, crossing through the messy kitchen to the front shop. After business hours, Georgie sat with her feet propped up on the coffee table, her head buried in a mystery book.

Marien pulled the keychains out of her pocket. “Are these yours?”

Georgie raised her bespeckled gaze. “No. Never seen them before.”

“Then where–”

A tap on the glass cut Marien short. A burly delivery man was at the front door, a velvet box in his fist. Marien unlocked the door.

“Delivery for Marien Fitzgerald?”

“That’s me.”

The delivery man passed the box to her and left. Marien relocked the door and returned to Georgie’s side.

“What’s that?” Georgie asked.

Marien opened the box to find another keychain, this one in the shape of a waving roller coaster. A chill stole over Marien’s skin. There could be no mistaking it now. Someone was sending her these keychains on purpose.

“Ooo, a mystery!” Georgie exclaimed. “Let’s look for clues.”

Indulging Georgie, Marien turned over the coaster to find the time “six p.m.” written on the bottom.

“Someone wants to meet you at six tonight. It’s almost time!”

“But where?” Marien asked, swept away by Georgie’s enthusiasm.

“Let me see the keychains again.”

The cotton candy, carousel horse, and roller coaster rested together in Marien’s open palm. Apart they meant nothing, but together…

“Bay City Fun Park!” they shouted at the same time.

“You’ve got to go,” Georgie prodded.

“But what if it’s some weirdo?”

“I don’t think that will be the case,” Georgie said, her eyes twinkling. “Besides, won’t

you always wonder if you don’t go?”

Marien bit her lip, debating. “But the shop…”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll clean up. Now get going.”

Marien was back in Sweet Scarlet, headed over to the park before she lost her nerve. She stopped the van in the lot and bought a ticket to the indoor park.

Twinkle lights and balloon hearts filled the space. Couples mingled, drinking hot cocoa and playing games together. The highlight of the room was the ornate carousel, spinning through the center of the space.

A rush of blood filled her cheeks. Declan stood beside the carousel, a sheepish grin on his handsome face. Marien approached on cautious feet. When she was close enough, he extended his hand, something crimson flashing within.

Another keychain!

Shaped into a ruby red heart, the words Be mine? were etched across the surface.

Marien looked up at Declan, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

“I’m sorry it took me so long to come to my senses, Mare. To see the blessing right in

front of me.”

His words stole her breath, but she waved them away. “It took us both too long.”

His smile lit up the room. “Do you accept, then? Will you be mine?”

“Now and forever,” Marien said, the warm tingle of love spreading through her. Slipping her hand into his, she guided him toward the waiting carousel and the rest of their lives.

Bailey Welch is a wife and mother of three who considers faith and family to be the most important things in her life. She is an avid reader of fantasy, science fiction, romance, and historical fiction. When she isn’t diving into a new book, she loves writing, baking, and hiking. She resides in central Wisconsin and is currently working on her first full-length novel.————————————————————————————————————————————————

Isn’t that a fun story?!  Thank you, Bailey for sharing it with us!  Please leave Bailey a word of encouragement.

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Carrie

 

The post Winners of the Valentine Short Story Contest appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Hi Friends, I’m inviting you to try your hand at writing a Valentine’s Day short story in 2000 words or less, and I’m offering some fun prizes for the top three winners! Here’s how it works: write a clean, inspiring, and romantic short story with a Valentine’s theme that is 2000 words or less and email it to me at carrie@turansky.com. You may use AI for brainstorming, spelling and grammar check, but not for the actual writing. I’ll read your story and send you an email reply. I’ll choose the top three as winners based on creativity, writing skill, and how it tugs my heart.

This writing contest is open to all unpublished and published authors. US and international writers are welcome to enter. I must receive your short story by midnight February 12, 2026. Winners will be notified by email, and their names will be posted on my blog on February 14th.

First Place Winner will receive a print copy of one of my novels – their choice – and they will have their short story published on my blog, announced in my newsletter and on social media.

Second Place and Third Place Winners will each receive a print copy of one of my novels – their choice.  If any winner is an international author, they will receive an eBook rather than print.

For inspiration, you might like to read my award-winning one-thousand-word short story, Love on the 452. You’ll find it at this link. For more inspiration, romance, and family drama visit my book page  to see all my books. Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Writing! I look forward to reading your short story!

Carrie

The post Write A Valentine’s Romance in 2000 Words or Less appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Happy Christmas Greetings!

This past weekend Scott and I spent a snowy afternoon and evening in Manhattan reliving some of the events featured of my Christmas novella, Moonlight Over Manhattan. We bundled up and took the train in to the City from our hometown, a journey that usually takes about two hours. . . but with all the snow that fell that morning there were a few delays. It’s a good thing we started out early!

After we arrived at Penn Station, we took the subway up to 50th street and walked down to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It was cold and crowded, but it’s a beautiful sight. We strolled through The Channel Gardens, walked up Fifth Avenue, and visited St. Peter’s. Then we had dinner at Le Rock with a lovely view of The Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

After a dinner, we walked back to Radio City Music Hall and met our daughter Melissa and our granddaughter Lenna to see the Christmas Spectacular. What a great show, and sharing the excitement with our seven-year-old granddaughter made it even more fun.

Would you like to experience Christmas in New York City? Even if you don’t live close enough to take the train in, you can get a taste of the sights and sounds by reading Moonlight Over Manhattan. This heartwarming holiday novella is on sale now through Christmas for only $1.99 at Amazon. Here’s a bit more about the story:

Moonlight Over Manhattan is a heartwarming Christmas romance set against the sparkling backdrop of New York City. When professional organizer Sarah Montgomery is hired to help her elderly neighbor, she finds herself working alongside the neighbor’s intriguing grandson, Justin Latimer—an unemployed poet, or so she assumes. As they join forces to care for his grandmother and take part in festive Manhattan traditions, unexpected friendship deepens into romance. But when Sarah uncovers the truth about Justin and is forced to confront her own guarded heart, she must choose between clinging to her carefully structured life or risking everything for love. Filled with holiday charm, opposites-attract tension, and the magic of Christmas in the city, this novella explores whether two very different people can move past assumptions and find common ground—and lasting love.

Moonlight Over Manhattan is available as in print, eBook, and audio. Visit this link to learn more and find a link to purchase a copy.

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie

 

 

 

The post Moonlight Over Manhattan on Sale appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Hi Friends, one of my favorite childhood memories is baking cookies to give to family and friends during the Christmas season. What’s your favorite Christmas cookie? I have a few favorite recipes I return to year after year, and I wanted to share those with you. I hope you’ll put on your apron and try making one of these recipes. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite Christmas cookie!

When the cookies are done and you’re ready to relax and enjoy one, pour yourself a cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa and settle in with a good book. May I suggest A Very English Christmas? This faith-filled novella collection is perfect for a quiet afternoon by the fire. It features three novellas set in three different eras with endless inspiration. Each story features a famous British author as a secondary character so you can experience Christmas with Jan Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter.

A Very English Christmas is available in print, eBook, and audio. And it’s FREE for those who are part of Amazon’s KU, Kindle Unlimited Program. Learn more at my website. Happy baking and reading!

Ginger Snap Cookies

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 ¾ teaspoon powdered ginger
1 ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
¾ cup butter, softened
1 ¼ cup brown sugar
1 egg
½ cup white sugar (to roll the cookies in before baking)

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cream brown sugar and butter. Add the egg and mix. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until thoroughly blended. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into 1 inch diameter balls. Roll each ball in sugar and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, or until the cookies are rounded and slightly cracked. Makes five dozen cookies.

Cranberry Bliss Cookies

Ingredients

3 cups flour1 tsp. baking soda1 tsp. salt1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened1 cup granulated sugar1 cup packed brown sugar2 eggs2 tsp. vanilla extract, store-bought or homemade1 cup white chocolate chips1 cup dried cranberries

For The Frosting:

1 (8 oz.) bar cream cheese, room temperature1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted in the microwave or double-boiler1 tsp. vanilla extract2 cups powdered sugar

For The Topping:

1 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped

Instructions

To Make the Cookies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt until well-blended. Set aside.Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating to incorporate. Add the vanilla, then reduce the speed to low, and slowly add in the dry ingredients. Increase the speed to medium and continue beating until well-combined. Fold in the white chocolate chips and cranberries and mix until just combined. (Do not overmix.)Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour. Then place rounded tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet that has been prepared with parchment paper, at least 2.5-inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges. Remove pan and transfer to a cooling rack until cool. Wait until all cookies reach room temperature before adding frosting and toppings.

To Make the Frosting:

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the cream cheese and melted white chocolate until combined. (Be sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature before adding the white chocolate, or the chocolate could seize up.) Add in the vanilla and mix until combined. Then reduce speed to low and add the powdered sugar. Mix until incorporated. Then use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl, and beat once more for 1 minute on medium speed until the frosting is smooth. You can add more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting.Spread the frosting on the cooled cookies. Then immediately sprinkle the frosted cookies with the chopped dried cranberries.

 

Peppermint Melt Away Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened
½ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup corn starch

Frosting:

2 Tablespoons butter, softened
2 Tablespoons milk
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
1 ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
½ cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Directions:

In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. In another bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 30 minutes or until firm enough to handle.

Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 9-11 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in milk, extract and, if desired, food coloring. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Spread over cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in an airtight container.

Directions:

In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. In another bowl, whisk flour and cornstarch; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Refrigerate, covered, 30 minutes or until firm enough to handle.

Preheat oven to 350°. Shape dough into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 9-11 minutes or until bottoms are light brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In a small bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in milk, extract and, if desired, food coloring. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Spread over cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in an airtight container.

Merry Christmas,

Carrie

 

The post My Favorite Christmas Cookies appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Weaving Two or More Stories into One

I’m often asked to explain my process for writing a dual-time novel. It’s a challenging journey and stretches me in many ways. First, let me share what I mean by dual-time or split-time. A dual-time novels typically weaves together two narratives, one set in the past and the other in the present or near past. Each storyline has its own arc, characters, and conflicts, but the true beauty lies in how they connect and illuminate themes in one another.

When I’m planning a dual-timeline novel, I often start by finding an incident or person in history that sparks a story idea. I especially like to look for people who are living out their faith in their daily lives. I focus my initial research on that person or incident and see what ideas come to mind for potential plot points, themes, and characters.

I’m looking for the emotional heart of the story. What’s the central question, theme, or truth I want readers to discover? In A Token of Love, the story revolves around courage, compassion, and healing within families as well as standing up for truth and justice. Those guiding themes helped me craft both timelines to reflect those ideas in different ways.

Next, I develop and write the historical chapters. I research the setting, time period, and significant events, but I also focus on creating compelling characters whose experiences resonate with modern readers. Once the historical plot is in place, I turn to the contemporary story, asking: Who would be touched by this piece of history? How might it change their life, their understanding of themselves, or their relationships? Then I write the full contemporary plot. The final step is deciding how to weave them together and give the reader the best experience.

I work with a list of scenes and story timeline to keep both narratives aligned, making sure moments of emotional resonance are placed intentionally across the chapters. I also plan the reveal of key historical discoveries to match turning points in the contemporary story. It’s a bit like conducting a duet. Each voice must be strong on its own, but they harmonize best when they’re aware of each other. This is more challenging when there are mystery elements in one story that can’t be discovered until a certain point in the other. I kept my editor busy helping me figure out the order of scenes in A Token of Love and The Legacy of Longdale Manor.

Writing with Grace Through Difficult Topics

Many historical stories involve heavy realities like war, loss, injustice, or trauma. And even in the contemporary timeline, characters may carry grief, shame, or long-held wounds. In The Legacy of Longdale Manor and A Token of Love, I explored the emotional burden of family secrets, the heartbreak of betrayal, commitment to family, determination to find a missing child, and the importance of faith, truth, and justice.

As a writer of inspirational fiction, I aim to approach these topics with honesty but also with hope. I try to do that by focusing on how the event affects the individual, their thoughts, emotions, and relationships to balance light and shadow. I intentionally include scenes of beauty, kindness, or even gentle humor to provide emotional relief and show redemption. Even in the darkest circumstances, I want readers to glimpse the possibility of healing, forgiveness, and restoration.

When writing about sensitive historical realities, accuracy matters, it’s important to do your research and keep the facts straight. I often include information in my author’s notes in the back of the book that explain when incidents and characters are real and which have been changed or are fictional.

I always lean on the Lord and my faith in Him. My characters often wrestle with questions of meaning and hope. Including faith-based themes, Scripture, and prayer helps offer a sense of deeper purpose to my readers.

Encouragement for Aspiring Writers

If you’re feeling daunted by the idea of writing a dual-timeline novel, or tackling deep themes, I want to encourage you: start with the heart of the story. Let that guide your research, your plot, and your characters. And trust that readers are drawn not just to history or drama, but to stories that reflect truth, beauty, and hope.

Writing stories that span centuries and touch on real-life struggles isn’t easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. When a reader tells me a story helped them process grief, feel understood, or strengthened their faith I’m encouraged and reminded why I write.

You have meaningful stories to tell. Don’t be afraid to dig deep, to write with honesty and grace, and to trust that your words will reach the right hearts at the right time.

My latest release, A Very English Christmas, includes three literary inspired novellas and a contemporary wraparound story. Each of the novellas features a famous British author from a different era as a secondary character. I teamed up with Carole Lehr Johnson and Marguerite Gray to write the novellas, and then I wrote the contemporary wraparound story, designed the cover, and prepared the book for publishing. It’s been a fun and exciting journey to see it all come together. Here’s a little more about the book:

Celebrate the Season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter.

When Emma Grace Langley retreats to her grandmother’s antique shop in the snowy Cotswolds after heartbreak and job loss, she hopes to find clarity. Instead, she finds a collection of heirlooms—a portrait, a rare book, and a charming figurine—that unlock stories from the past. As each tale unfolds, Emma is drawn into the lives of three remarkable women whose lives were touched by England’s greatest storytellers.

In A Portrait of Faith, dutiful daughter Violet Walford longs for a life beyond duty to her family. When she is asked to paint a portrait of lively Regency-era author Jane Austen, their unexpected friendship inspires Violet to pursue life and love with new courage.

In A Victorian Christmas Tale, Clara Reynolds battles physical limitations and family expectations. With the help of a compassionate writer in Charles Dickens’s London, she discovers her true worth.

In A Tale of the Season, Edwardian heiress Arabella Graham seeks refuge in the Lake District—where a country veterinarian and the wisdom of Beatrix Potter show her a new path forward.

As these Christmas stories are shared by the firelight, Emma discovers that healing often comes through faith, love, and the courage to begin again.

A Very English Christmas is a heartwarming celebration of second chances, enduring love, and the literary magic of the season. Order your copy at this link. 

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie

 

The post Dual-Time Stories and Powerful Themes appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If you’ve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 3 grand prizes!

The hunt BEGINS on 10/23 at noon Mountain with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com. Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer). There is NO RUSH to complete the hunt—you have all weekend (until Sunday, 10/26 at midnight Mountain)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them. Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each author’s scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisa’s site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!

Hi Friends! My name is Carrie Turansky, and I am the author of English historical novels, set in Victorian and Edwardian England, mid -1800s to early 1900s. All my books include family drama, romance, and inspiration, and I like to include real people and true historical events. You can learn more about me and all my books here on my website and on Facebook and Instagram. My newest release is A VERY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS, a historical holiday novella collection. Here’s more about the book:

Celebrate the season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter.

In A Portrait of Faith by Carole Lehr Johnson, a friendship with Jane Austen helps a young woman pursue life and love with new courage.

In A Victorian Christmas Tale by Carrie Turansky, love blossoms between a writer and a young woman with a hidden strength—as Charles Dickens pens A Christmas Carol nearby.

In A Tale of the Season by Marguerite Gray, a spirited heiress finds unexpected joy in the Lake District—with a little help from Beatrix Potter.

Romantic, faith-filled, and full of literary charm, A VERY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS is the perfect holiday read for fans of historical fiction and classic British novels.

So how did I weave the writing of A Christmas Carol into my novella, A Victorian Christmas Tale? Read on to learn more . . . 

What motivated Charles Dickens to write A Christmas Carol? Early in 1843, as a response to a government report on the abuse of child laborers in mines and factories, Dickens vowed he would strike a “sledge-hammer blow on behalf of the poor man’s child.” He was also deeply touched when he visited a Ragged School and observed poor children taking part in classes there. Reflections on his own childhood and family struggles may also have played a part in inspiring the story.

How long did it take Dickens to write A Christmas Carol?  It took him only six weeks to write A Christmas Carol! He said he “saw” the characters as he was writing, much like Ebenezer Scrooge saw the characters from the books he had read. He began writing in October and was determined to get the book out in time for Christmas. He met his goal, and it first appeared in bookshops on December 19, 1843.

What was the public’s response to A Christmas Carol? The initial print run of 6,000 copies sold out within five days! Dickens publishers were initially uncertain about the book and the timing of the release so close to Christmas. But Dickens was determined, and he was willing to cover the printing costs himself in an unusual agreement with his publisher. People lined up to purchase copies of A Christmas Carol, and many believe it changed the way Christmas has been celebrated since.

 

Here’s the Stop #19 Basics:
If you’d like, you can order a print copy of A VERY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local bookstore! If you’d like the eBook or audiobook, those are exclusive to Amazon. It is FREE on KU – Kindle Unlimited!

Clue to Write Down: Your  
Here is the Link to Stop #20, the next stop on the loop: Jasmine Fischer’s site! 

But wait! Before you go I have a special giveaway just for you . . . 

I’m giving away a copy of A VERY ENGLISH CHRISTMAS and Charles Dickens Literary Tea to a US reader. If an international reader is chosen, you’ll receive your choice of one of my eBooks.  All you have to do is sign up to receive my author e-newsletter on my website homepage. Comment below and tell me that you signed up or that you’re already a subscriber to enter my giveaway. The winner will be chosen on October 28th and notified by email.

Thanks for stopping by and happy hunting!

Carrie

 

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We Have a New Book For You!

This week we’re celebrating the launch of A Very English Christmas, and we want to invite you to join the celebration! First, here’s a bit about the book:

Celebrate the Season with Three Timeless Tales of Love, Faith, and Christmas Cheer

A Very English Christmas is a collection of three novellas, each drawing from the legacies of famous British authors Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter. These beloved authors appear as secondary characters who guide three unforgettable heroines through journeys of faith, friendship, and holiday romance. A contemporary framing story ties the novellas together, following a young woman on her own quest for renewed faith and purpose in life. A Very English Christmas is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook formats. Readers will be delighted with the blend of historical charm and uplifting themes. Download your copy today, find a cozy spot, and enjoy these heartwarming holiday stories.

In A Portrait of Faith by Carole Lehr Johnson, a friendship with Jane Austen helps a young woman pursue life and love with new courage.

In A Victorian Christmas Tale by Carrie Turansky, love blossoms between a writer and a young woman with a hidden strength—as Charles Dickens pens A Christmas Carol nearby.

In A Tale of the Season Marguerite Gray, a spirited heiress finds unexpected joy in the Lake District—with a little help from Beatrix Potter.

Romantic, faith-filled, and full of literary charm, A Very English Christmas is the perfect holiday read for fans looking for inspiring historical stories with cozy English settings.

Now for our special giveaway!

We’re offering three readers a chance to win a paperback copy of A Very English Christmas and one of the prizes pictured below.

Carole is offering a copy of The Prayers of Jane Austen.

Carrie is offering an illustrated copy of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

 

 

 

 

 

Marguerite is offering The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and a cute squirrel garden flag.

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below and tell us which of the famous British authors featured in the description above is your favorite and why. This giveaway is open October 7 through 18. Three winners will be chosen and notified by email. This giveaway is open to US residents only.

We hope you will order your copy of a A Very English Christmas and consider ordering an extra copy as a Christmas gift! Thank you for helping us spread the word about A Very English Christmas and about this giveaway!

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie Turansky, Carole Lehr Johnson, and Marguerite Gray

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No Ocean Too Wide eBook is on sale for $1.99 this week! Journey with Laura McAlister as she crosses the Atlantic to fight for her family that is torn apart by the British Home Children child emigration scheme—and discovers courage, faith, and unexpected love along the way. Don’t miss this powerful, hope-filled historical novel!  It has more than 600 reviews on Amazon with a 4.5 Star-Rating. Click over to this page for easy order links.  

Many of you may be familiar with the Orphan Trains that took impoverished children from large cities in the East to live with families in small towns and on farms in the Midwest. But did you know that during that same time period more than 100,000 poor and orphaned British children were sent from England to Canada as British Home Children? This child emigration scheme was carried out to clear the streets, children’s homes, and workhouses of orphaned and abandoned children. They were promised a better life in Canada, but sadly that was not the case for all of them.

Most of them were not adopted and welcomed into families. Instead, the boys were taken in as indentured farm laborers and the girls worked as household servants called domestics, even at very young ages. Those who took them in simply filled out a form and paid a small fee. There was little screening and often no follow up. Because of this, and prevailing attitudes of the time, many of these children suffered neglect and mistreatment. They also suffered the pain of rejection and felt like outcasts and misfits because of social prejudice against home children.

When I learned more about child emigration and read true accounts of what happened to these children I was deeply touched, and I knew I needed to share their experiences and honor their memory by writing a novel focused on British Home Children.

My novel, No Ocean Too Wide, weaves actual accounts of what happened to British Home Children into the fictional McAlister family. When their widowed mother becomes seriously ill, three of the four children area taken into a children’s home and soon sent to Canada without their mother’s knowledge or permission. The oldest sibling, Laura, searches for them, following them all the way to Canada to try and rescue the children and reunite the family. She soon realizes she needs the legal help of a wealthy young solicitor, and the two join forces to confront the injustice of child emigration.

If you’d like to learn more about British Home Children, I hope you’ll purchase your copy of No Ocean Too Wide. You can also find out more about child emigration through the British Home Children’s Advocacy and Research Association website. You’ll find helpful articles and online tools to search for relatives who might have come to Canada in this way.

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading!

Carrie

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Are you looking for a cozy read that will put you in the mood for the upcoming holidays? Christmas Mail-Order Brides novella collection releases today, and is available in print or as an ebook for you to enjoy. I loved working on this novella collection with my coauthors Vickie McDonough and Susan Page Davis.

Let me introduce the Hero and Heroine in my novella, A Trusting Heart. Annika is a young Swedish woman who has decided to become a mail-order bride because her twin sister has fallen in love, but she won’t marry until Annika’s future is settled.

Annika write to Mrs. Mayberry’s Matrimonial Society for help and begins to correspond with Charles Simms, a widower on a large ranch in Wyoming. After exchanging several letters, she takes the train West to meet him, but when she arrives, she finds her future groom is missing! His extended family takes her in, but her future is uncertain. It’s a heartwarming story, and I enjoyed including Swedish Christmas traditions as well as a very sweet love story. This is how I imagined Annika and her hero.

Marriage arrives by mail-order . . . and just in time for the holidays!

In the rugged landscapes of the American West, three women seeking new beginnings discover that God’s plans for love often look different than their own. Each story offers a journey of hope, redemption, and second chances for our future brides.

A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky
Annika Bergstrom, a Swedish immigrant, travels west to marry a man she’s never met. But when she arrives, she finds her groom is missing, and she is drawn to someone entirely unexpected. Could the wrong match lead to the right man?

The Prodigal Groom by Vickie McDonough
Jolie Addams sets out as a mail-order bride, but a stagecoach mishap leaves her stranded with a rugged stranger. Can this detour reveal God’s perfect plan for her life and love?

Mrs. Mayberry Meets Her Match by Susan Page Davis
Matchmaker Mrs. Mayberry has helped countless couples find happiness. But when she journeys west to right a mistake from the past, she discovers her own heart may be in for a surprise.

From snow-capped mountains to dusty frontier towns, each story captures the spirit of the season and the beauty of trusting God with our future. Whether it’s a woman discovering courage in a strange new land, a bride finding love where she least expected it, or a matchmaker realizing it’s never too late for romance, these tales remind us that Christmas is the perfect time for new beginnings.

If you enjoy historical romance filled with faith, hope, and heartwarming holiday cheer, I think you’ll love Christmas Mail-Order Brides. It’s the perfect book to curl up with by the fire—or to share with a friend who enjoys clean, uplifting stories.

You’ll find links to order your copy and more info at this page.

I can’t wait for you to meet these characters and experience their journeys. I hope their stories encourage your faith and warm your heart this Christmas season!

To celebrate the release of Christmas Mail-Order Brides, I’m giving away three copies of the book. Just leave a comment on this blog post and tell me one Christmas tradition that is special to you. I’ll choose three winners on 9/16 and notify them by email. This giveaway is open to US and international readers. US readers my choose a paperback or eBook copy. International winners will receive an eBook copy.

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie

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I’m excited to share some wonderful news with you—my newest book, Christmas Mail-Order Brides, releases on September 9th! This collection of three inspirational historical novellas brings together inspiration, adventure, and romance, all wrapped in the charm of a frontier Christmas.

Marriage arrives by mail-order—and just in time for the holidays.

In the rugged landscapes of the American West, three women seeking new beginnings discover that God’s plans for love often look different than their own. Each story offers a journey of hope, redemption, and second chances for our future brides.

✨ A Trusting Heart by Carrie Turansky
Annika Bergstrom, a Swedish immigrant, travels west to marry a man she’s never met. But when she arrives, she finds her groom is missing, and she is drawn to someone entirely unexpected. Could the wrong match lead to the right man?

✨ The Prodigal Groom by Vickie McDonough
Jolie Addams sets out as a mail-order bride, but a stagecoach mishap leaves her stranded with a rugged stranger. Can this detour reveal God’s perfect plan for her life and love?

✨ Mrs. Mayberry Meets Her Match by Susan Page Davis
Matchmaker Mrs. Mayberry has helped countless couples find happiness. But when she journeys west to right a mistake from the past, she discovers her own heart may be in for a surprise.

From snow-capped mountains to dusty frontier towns, each story captures the spirit of the season and the beauty of trusting God with our future. Whether it’s a woman discovering courage in a strange new land, a bride finding love where she least expected it, or a matchmaker realizing it’s never too late for romance, these tales remind us that Christmas is the perfect time for new beginnings.

If you enjoy historical romance filled with faith, hope, and heartwarming holiday cheer, I think you’ll love Christmas Mail-Order Brides. It’s the perfect book to curl up with by the fire—or to share with a friend who enjoys clean, uplifting stories.

📖 Release Date: September 9, 2025
📚 Authors: Carrie Turansky, Vickie McDonough, and Susan Page Davis

You’ll find links to preorder your copy and more info at this page.

I can’t wait for you to meet these characters and experience their journeys. I hope their stories encourage your faith and warm your heart this Christmas season!

Click over and take a look at my Pinterest board to see the inspirations for the settings and characters.

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie

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