Carrie Turansky's Blog

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

 

The post Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop # 19 appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

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

The post A Very English Christmas Launch Giveaway appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

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

The post Christmas Mail-Order Brides Launch Giveaway appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

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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I have a new book coming out October 7 – A Very English Christmas! With each book I release, I like to share the cover design journey with you . . . so here’s the inside scoop.

I come from a family of artists and have a degree in fine art, so my book covers are especially important to me. I’ve been blessed to work with some wonderful artists and designers on my past novels. Most of them have given me the opportunity to offer input and suggest changes to the initial designs. Sometimes I was shown several options and asked to choose my favorite, but with traditional publishers the publishing team has the final say. I’ve loved my covers and readers often tell me how they have drawn them to the story.

Becoming an independent author means I am responsible to create the cover design or hire an artist to take on that part of the project for me. When it was time to design the cover for A Very English Christmas, I decided to learn some new skills and tackle the design myself. My coauthors gave me the go-ahead, and I jumped in.

I took an online class to learn the basics of how to use Midjourney and Canva. It took many hours to get the design right for the different editions. I also used some new tools designed by Thomas Umstattd at Author Media in his Author Toolbox for help with the back cover copy and also for a help with the initial idea for the cover.

Here’s where we started with the title and concept. We wanted a Victorian heroine with a Christmas tree in the background.

I worked at Midjourney and came up with this image for my Victorian heroine.

But I wasn’t happy with her expression and there is quite a learning curve with Midjourney. I discovered how to add an image of a woman I liked an inspiration and got this new image beow. She was just what I was looking for!

Next I created a templet for the eBook cover size and took the image to Canva to add the title, subtitle, and authors’ names.

But the corner scroll elements were too close to the edge and were partially cut off when the printed proof copy arrived. Thank goodness for proof copies! The colors are also darker and duller when they were printed, so I lightened the image and brought the corner scrolls in more toward the center.

That’s our final front cover! We hope it draws you to our story. Here’s a bit more about A Very English Christmas:

Step into a world of snowy English landscapes, heartfelt romance, and literary charm in this trio of holiday novellas. A Very English Christmas features three stories set in Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian England—each with a beloved British author as a secondary character. Jane Austen helps a young woman find courage. Charles Dickens inspires a forbidden romance at the London Foundling Hospital. And Beatrix Potter offers quiet wisdom to a runaway heiress in the Lake District. Uplifting, romantic, and perfect for the season, this collection is a cozy treat for fans of classic literature, Christian fiction, and heartwarming holiday tales.

If you love Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter, you’ll adore this holiday collection of three literary-inspired novellas. A Very English Christmas blends faith, romance, and timeless themes with the charm of old England. The perfect cozy read for the season!

You can preorder the ebook at this link, and the paperback and audio will be available October 7th. We can’t wait to share these stories with you!

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie

The post Creating the Cover for A Very English Christmas appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Hi Friends, I’m excited to share the beautiful new cover for A Very English Christmas. The eBook is up for preorder on Amazon. It will also be available in print and audio when it releases October 7, 2025.

Three beloved literary legends, three historical love stories, and one modern woman’s search for hope converge in a charming English antique shop for a Christmas she’ll never forget.

Here’s the story behind the story. I’m part of the Inspirational UK & Ireland – Books, Readers, and More group on Facebook. That’s where I first connected with fellow authors, Carole Lehr Johnson and Marguerite Gray.

Last year Carole and Maggie contacted me and asked if I’d like to join them in a novella project. We brainstormed some ideas, and decided to each write a Christmas novella set in a different era in England’s history, and each of us would include a famous British author as a secondary character. I would also write a contemporary wraparound story that would open the book and have scenes between each novella with the heroine reflecting on the themes of the stories. This idea came from watching the movie Princess Bride where the grandfather tells his grandson the historical story. It gives the book a time-slip feeling.

With that basic idea in mind, Carole wrote A Portrait of Faith, the Regency era story including Jane Austen, I wrote A Victorian Christmas Tale that includes Charles Dickens, and Maggie wrote The Tale of the Season set in the Edwardian era with Beatrix Potter.

We shared chapters and critiqued for each other during the writing process. They gave great input! Then I wrote the wraparound story, combined the manuscript, formatted the book, created the cover, and loaded it to Amazon for publishing. We will work together to promote the book and spread the word the word to readers. And we’d love to have your help! We’re looking for a few readers who are active reviewers. Please read on to learn more. 

My last novel, A Token of Love, was set in 1854, and I loved writing another story in Victorian London. This novella is set in October – December, 1843, during the time when Charles Dickens is writing A Christmas Carol. The hero, John Stafford, is a fictional best friend to Charles Dickens who helps him in the writing and publishing of that book. It was fun to learn more about Charles Dickens and the impact of his stories, especially A Christmas Carol.

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, devoted 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 struggles against physical challenges and family expectations while falling in love with John, a writer with ties to Charles Dickens. Their work at the London Foundling Hospital brings healing, hope, and a Christmas transformation that would make Scrooge proud.

And in A Tale of the Season, Edwardian heiress Arabella Graham escapes to the Lake District and meets a charming country veterinarian—as well as artist and children’s author Beatrix Potter. With gentle wisdom and the peace of a country Christmas, Arabella discovers the joy of finding her own path.

Blending romance, inspiration, and literary nostalgia, A Very English Christmas is the perfect holiday escape for fans of historical fiction and classic English authors.

If you’d like to read an early ebook copy of A Very English Christmas and help us spread the word about this book, please leave a comment. We’ll be giving away 5 copies to active reviewers!

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading

Carrie

The post The Inspiration for A Very English Christmas appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

I recently watched the PBS Masterpiece series, Miss Austen, and really enjoyed it. If you also watched it and were drawn in by the historical details, the emotional depth, or the beloved figure of Cassandra Austen herself, you’re likely ready for more. If so, I have good news for you! There are some wonderful books that capture the same spirit. These novels explore Jane Austen’s life and legacy, offer a glimpse into the Regency era, or echo the themes and tone of Miss Austen. Best of all, they’re clean, uplifting reads that will leave your heart full. Click the image above to learn more about Miss Austen.

Miss Austen by Gill Hornby.  This is the novel that inspired the PBS series. Cassandra Austen’s voice shines as she reflects on her sister Jane’s life and legacy. A quiet, deeply felt narrative of sisterhood, secrets, and love.

Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron, published by HarperCollins.  Book 1 in a clever mystery series featuring Jane Austen as a sleuth. Rich in historical detail and full of Austen-like wit and insight

 

The Dashwood Sisters Tell All by Beth Pattillo, published by Guideposts/HarperCollins. Two modern sisters discover a long-lost diary linked to Sense and Sensibility and embark on a literary journey through England. Smart, fun, and heartfelt.

Just Jane by Nancy Moser, Published by Bethany House.  A beautifully researched novel of Jane Austen’s life, exploring her family, writing, and faith. Inspiring and deeply respectful.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen, Published by Bethany House.  This Regency mystery features an old manor, hidden rooms, and family secrets. Rich atmosphere and slow-burning romance in the style of Austen.

The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller, Published by Barbour.  This is the first in the Regency Brides – A Legacy of Grace Series with a Regency romance reflective of Pride and Prejudice.

Austen at Sea by Beth Pattillo, published by Harper Muse.  A modern-day Austen fan takes a themed literary cruise that turns into a journey of emotional healing. Lighthearted and moving with nods to Austen throughout.

The Weaver’s Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd, published by Thomas Nelson.  Set against England’s Industrial Revolution, this Regency-era romance explores class conflict, loyalty, and unexpected love. Clean and atmospheric.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson  published by Thomas Nelson.  A Regency romantic suspense full of mystery, secrets, and stolen letters. Elegant prose and a quietly compelling heroine.

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo, published by Guideposts/HarperCollins.  When her academic career implodes, a professor heads to England and stumbles upon a secret Austen society. Witty, heartwarming, and thoughtful.

Whether you’re an Austen devotee or a newcomer drawn in by Miss Austen, these titles will take you deeper into the themes of grace, restraint, and enduring love. Most are published by trusted publisher like Bethany House, HarperCollins Christian, and Revell, so you can expect uplifting stories told with care. So, brew a cup of tea, find a cozy reading nook, and let yourself be swept back to Regency England.

What other Regency novels have you enjoyed?

Until next time ~ Happy Reading!

Carrie

The post Ten Books To Read if You Enjoyed Miss Austen on PBS Masterpiece appeared first on Carrie Turansky.

Hello Friends, The Winter Clue Quest is a fun opportunity for you to connect with authors you enjoy reading and to discover new authors with books you’ll love . . . Plus you could win some great prizes!

Here’s how to play: Visit each featured author and hunt for the answer to their question. Collect all the answers and then submit them via this Google Form. Take one or all six days to complete the clue quest. Be sure to sign up for the authors’ newsletters that interest you and spread the word to others. We are awarding three Prizes: $200 Amazon Gift Card, $100 Amazon Gift Card, and $50 Amazon Gift Card! Happy Hunting!

Recording Sheet if you desire it.

DAY ONE AUTHORSCrystal Caudill– What is the name of the free novella you can download when you sign up for Crystal’s newsletter?  https://crystalcaudill.com/Kelly Goshorn– What is Kelly’s nemesis?  https://kellygoshorn.com/Sarah Sundin– What World War II plane did Sarah ride in?  https://www.sarahsundin.com/Heather Tabers– When Heather’s not writing, what does she enjoy creating out of polymer clay? https://www.heathertabers.com/Carrie Turansky– What is the title of Carrie’s free short story she’s offering readers when they sign up for her newsletter? https://carrieturansky.com/Erica Vetsch– What is one of two sports teams listed on Erica’s home page? www.ericavetsch.comRoseanna White– What’s the name of Roseanna’s patron group? http://www.roseannamwhite.com/

DAY TWO AUTHORSJennifer Diebel– What two foods would Jennifer live off of if she could? https://www.jenniferdeibel.comLaura Frantz– Where is the author from and where does she live now? https://laurafrantz.netJessica Gustafson– In addition to writing, what type of art does Jessica Gustafson specialize in? https://www.jessicagus.com/Carrie Hachadurian– What did Carrie buy during the pandemic in a delusional attempt to improve her skills? https://www.carriehachadurian.com/Nicole Miller– How many purebred Arabian horses does Nicole own? https://nicolemillerwriter.com/KyLee Woodley– What’s the title of the free short story you get for signing up for KyLee’s newsletter? https://kyleewoodley.com/

 

DAY THREE AUTHORSElizabeth Daghfal– What does Elizabeth have a *slight* addiction to–but never manages to do? https://elizabethdaghfal.comKristine Delano– What is the name of Kristine’s audio Novella? www.kristinedelano.comElly Gilbert– Name one or more of Elly’s dogs. https://ellygilbert.com/Breana Johnson– What is the title of Breana’s free novelette? https://breanajohnsonwrites.com/Katy Lee– What is Katy’s free book on her website called? https://katyleebooks.com/Dana Lynn– Where did Dana meet her husband? https://danarlynn.com/

 

DAY FOUR AUTHORSAlena Auguste– What state is Alena originally from? alenaauguste.com Lisa Jordan– What is Lisa’s tagline? www.lisajordanbooks.comCarrie Padgett– How many pets does Carrie have? https://carriepadgett.com/Jenny Snow – What mountain has Jenny climbed but never reached the top? www.jennysnow.net Angela Ruth Strong– Which of her books was made into a movie? https://www.angelaruthstrong.comJeanne Takenaka– What is the name of Jeanne’s community? https://jeannetakenaka.comDalyn Weller–  What does Dalyn have too many of? https://dalynweller.com/

DAY FIVE AUTHORSMindy Graham– Who told Mindy the story that inspired her to tackle one rock at a time? https://www.mindygraham.comSarah Popovich– What are Sarah’s favorite reads? https://www.sarahpopovich.com/Rebecca Reed– What’s the name of Rebecca’s dog? https://rebeccareedwrites.comCynthia Ruchti– What four word answer does she hope to hear readers say when they finish one of her books? https://www.cynthiaruchti.comJessica Stone– According to her Home page, what is Jessica’s story? https://www.jessicastonestories.com/Amanda Wen– What type of pet does Amanda have? www.amandawen.com

DAY SIX AUTHORSBrianna Foster Barrett– What type of cuisine is her cooking specialty? https://briannagrams.comLeslie DeVooght– What is Leslie’s hometown? https://lesliedevooght.com/Jen Dodrill– How many kids does Jen have? https://jendodrillwrites.com/Erin Kohler– What was Erin’s first car? https://erinkohlerwrites.comGabrielle Meyer– What is something Gabrielle includes in each of her stories? https://gabriellemeyer.com/Carolyn Miller– What country does Carolyn Miller live in and come from? https://www.carolynmillerauthor.com/

Thank you for joining the Winter Clue Quest!

Blessings and Happy Reading,

Carrie