Thank you to all who commented after my interview with Author Carrie Turansky last week. I'm so excited about her newest book releasing, and am eagerly awaiting the next two books in this series.
I am thrilled to announce the book drawing winner - - and actually, we have TWO winners!! CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Wilma Metcalf and Rebecca Maney !!!
You ladies have each won a copy of The Governess of Highland Hall, and I am sure you will LOVE reading it!!
Wilma and Rebecca, if you'd please e-mail me at pattijomoore@yahoo.com and send me your snail-mail address.
Thanks again to everyone who visited, and a special THANK YOU to Carrie Turansky for the interview.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Interview with Author Carrie Turansky
I am so excited to welcome talented author (and sweet friend) Carrie Turansky to CatMom's Corner today. In less than a week (October 15), Carrie's historical romance novel The Governess of Highland Hall will release! If you're a fan of the wonderful Downton Abbey series, you will love Carrie's book. I've had the pleasure of reading it, and truthfully did not want the story to end.
Welcome Carrie, and thank you for visiting my corner and answering a few questions. This is an honor and blessing for me!
1. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing fiction since 1997. Our family spent a year in Kenya before that as missionaries. After we returned to the U.S. I missed Africa so much that I decided to write a story set there as a way to relive some of our experiences. I poured out the story without knowing much about the art of writing fiction. I loved it! But when I showed it to an editor at my first writers' conference, I found out I had a lot to learn about writing novels. I almost gave up writing at that point, but the Lord used a kind neighbor to encourage me with a gift of several writing craft books. I sensed the Lord telling me to press on and learn what I needed to learn to become a skilled writer.
2. How did you get the idea/inspiration for The Governess of Highland Hall?
Early in 2012 I attended a librarian's conference in Philadelphia and had a conversation with Sue Brower, who was the Editor at Zondervan at that time. I asked her what she was looking for, and she said she'd love to find an English historical romance set in the same time period as Downton Abbey with a governess as the heroine and a brooding hero, a little like Jane Eyre, but inspirational. I loved that idea, but I wasn't confident I could do all the research necessary to write a story that rang true to the time and customs. My good friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, had just published Promise Me This, which starts in England in 1912. She encouraged me and loaned me several research books. I jumped in, and found I loved that time period and the story just rose out of the research.
3. Where do you usually write?
I use a laptop, so I can write in several different places. I have a corner desk in our dining room for my office, and I write there sometimes, but I often sit in a recliner in the living room or in a comfy chair in my bedroom. When the weather is nice I like to sit out back on our patio and write there.
4. When not writing, what keeps you busy?
My husband Scott and I often travel on ministry trips and to see our kids and grandkids. We're very involved in our church and love to have people into our home for Bible Study or to share a meal. I am blessed with some great girlfriends, and I enjoy going out to lunch and shopping with them. Spending time with family is always a highlight for me.
5. Please tell us a little about your family.
Do you have any pets?
We are blessed with five children who are all grown and on their own now. The older three are married, and my oldest son and his wife have three children. Having grandkids is a great experience! We love them so much. They live in California and we live in New Jersey, so that means we don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but when we do get together, it's very special. My oldest son is a pastor, and my oldest daughter is going to grad school at NYU studying International Health and Nursing Education. My younger son is a Marine stationed in Alabama. I'll tell you more about my two youngest daughters below.
We don't have any pets at home right now, but our younger two daughters, who are twins, are professional pet groomers. They took their rabbits and birds with them when they moved into an apartment a year ago. They are the only ones who live close by. They often come over and share fun stories with us about their pets and the dogs they groom, so we are very in tune with pets and pet lovers.
6. I'm always interested in "favorites" so if you'd please tell us your FAVORITE FOOD: Homemade Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
DRINK: Earl Grey Tea
COLOR:Blue
VACATION SPOT: England
HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving
BIBLE VERSE: "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to Your holy mountain." Psalm 43:3
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest are: The Governess of Highland Hall; Snowflake Sweethearts; A Man To Trust; and Surrendered Hearts.
Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott who is a pastor, speaker, and the author of several parenting books. Carrie loves to connect via her website: http://carrieturansky.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/
I'm posting a few photos today featuring Carrie, her beautiful book cover, and just for fun a photo of Carrie and me at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September. It was "Genre Night" for writers to dress as one of their story characters. Carrie was so lovely in her long dress and beautiful hat! Since one of my characters is a teacher, I wore one of my "schoolteacher outfits" from years ago.
Any reader leaving a comment on this blog post will be entered into a drawing for a copy of Carrie's wonderful book, The Governess of Highland Hall. ~ The winner will be announced on October 16!
Welcome Carrie, and thank you for visiting my corner and answering a few questions. This is an honor and blessing for me!
1. How long have you been writing?
I've been writing fiction since 1997. Our family spent a year in Kenya before that as missionaries. After we returned to the U.S. I missed Africa so much that I decided to write a story set there as a way to relive some of our experiences. I poured out the story without knowing much about the art of writing fiction. I loved it! But when I showed it to an editor at my first writers' conference, I found out I had a lot to learn about writing novels. I almost gave up writing at that point, but the Lord used a kind neighbor to encourage me with a gift of several writing craft books. I sensed the Lord telling me to press on and learn what I needed to learn to become a skilled writer.
2. How did you get the idea/inspiration for The Governess of Highland Hall?
Early in 2012 I attended a librarian's conference in Philadelphia and had a conversation with Sue Brower, who was the Editor at Zondervan at that time. I asked her what she was looking for, and she said she'd love to find an English historical romance set in the same time period as Downton Abbey with a governess as the heroine and a brooding hero, a little like Jane Eyre, but inspirational. I loved that idea, but I wasn't confident I could do all the research necessary to write a story that rang true to the time and customs. My good friend and fellow author, Cathy Gohlke, had just published Promise Me This, which starts in England in 1912. She encouraged me and loaned me several research books. I jumped in, and found I loved that time period and the story just rose out of the research.
3. Where do you usually write?
I use a laptop, so I can write in several different places. I have a corner desk in our dining room for my office, and I write there sometimes, but I often sit in a recliner in the living room or in a comfy chair in my bedroom. When the weather is nice I like to sit out back on our patio and write there.
4. When not writing, what keeps you busy?
My husband Scott and I often travel on ministry trips and to see our kids and grandkids. We're very involved in our church and love to have people into our home for Bible Study or to share a meal. I am blessed with some great girlfriends, and I enjoy going out to lunch and shopping with them. Spending time with family is always a highlight for me.
5. Please tell us a little about your family.
Do you have any pets?
We are blessed with five children who are all grown and on their own now. The older three are married, and my oldest son and his wife have three children. Having grandkids is a great experience! We love them so much. They live in California and we live in New Jersey, so that means we don't get to see them as often as we'd like, but when we do get together, it's very special. My oldest son is a pastor, and my oldest daughter is going to grad school at NYU studying International Health and Nursing Education. My younger son is a Marine stationed in Alabama. I'll tell you more about my two youngest daughters below.
We don't have any pets at home right now, but our younger two daughters, who are twins, are professional pet groomers. They took their rabbits and birds with them when they moved into an apartment a year ago. They are the only ones who live close by. They often come over and share fun stories with us about their pets and the dogs they groom, so we are very in tune with pets and pet lovers.
6. I'm always interested in "favorites" so if you'd please tell us your FAVORITE FOOD: Homemade Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
DRINK: Earl Grey Tea
COLOR:Blue
VACATION SPOT: England
HOLIDAY: Thanksgiving
BIBLE VERSE: "Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me, let them bring me to Your holy mountain." Psalm 43:3
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. Her latest are: The Governess of Highland Hall; Snowflake Sweethearts; A Man To Trust; and Surrendered Hearts.
Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband Scott who is a pastor, speaker, and the author of several parenting books. Carrie loves to connect via her website: http://carrieturansky.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carrieturansky
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/boards/
I'm posting a few photos today featuring Carrie, her beautiful book cover, and just for fun a photo of Carrie and me at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September. It was "Genre Night" for writers to dress as one of their story characters. Carrie was so lovely in her long dress and beautiful hat! Since one of my characters is a teacher, I wore one of my "schoolteacher outfits" from years ago.
Any reader leaving a comment on this blog post will be entered into a drawing for a copy of Carrie's wonderful book, The Governess of Highland Hall. ~ The winner will be announced on October 16!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Trust and Obey
Today is my middle child's birthday, so I've been reminiscing all day.
It's hard to believe 26 years have flown by since I gave birth to my second precious baby girl! It's also hard to believe that so many years have passed since I went through a very traumatic pregnancy.
At that time, I was thrilled to be expecting my second child, but some routine tests indicated a problem with the baby I was carrying. More tests only confirmed that there was a problem--most likely spina bifida. The doctors even spoke with me about ending the pregnancy--which was OUT OF THE QUESTION for me. The Lord had given me this baby to carry and deliver, and I would do the very best I could.
But those months of waiting were NOT easy. Emotionally preparing myself that I'd most likely be caring for a special-needs child were scary, because I wanted to be the best mom I could be. Would I be able to do everything needed for this child--plus take care of the almost-three year-old I already had?
My tears and worrying culminated one day as I looked in the mirror and told myself that I couldn't do anything on my own---BUT with God's help I COULD accomplish whatever I needed to! It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and even my doctor's nurse later told me that she'd noticed a change (for the better) in my outlook at that particular time in my pregnancy.
I began humming and singing that old hymn, Trust and Obey, and those words took on a new, stronger meaning for me. To this day that hymn is still very dear to me, and I often play it on my piano.
Praise be to God that when I gave birth to my sweet baby girl in early October, she was PERFECT!!! NO birth defects or problems of any kind---completely normal and healthy. And beautiful, I might add. With a head full of red hair that the nurse styled with a little curl on top, she was the most precious sight as I lay in my hospital bed.
Going through that experience all those years ago has taught me that no matter what we may go through in life, we should always, always do the best we can and TRUST AND OBEY, knowing that our Lord has everything in His very capable
Hands.
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
It's hard to believe 26 years have flown by since I gave birth to my second precious baby girl! It's also hard to believe that so many years have passed since I went through a very traumatic pregnancy.
At that time, I was thrilled to be expecting my second child, but some routine tests indicated a problem with the baby I was carrying. More tests only confirmed that there was a problem--most likely spina bifida. The doctors even spoke with me about ending the pregnancy--which was OUT OF THE QUESTION for me. The Lord had given me this baby to carry and deliver, and I would do the very best I could.
But those months of waiting were NOT easy. Emotionally preparing myself that I'd most likely be caring for a special-needs child were scary, because I wanted to be the best mom I could be. Would I be able to do everything needed for this child--plus take care of the almost-three year-old I already had?
My tears and worrying culminated one day as I looked in the mirror and told myself that I couldn't do anything on my own---BUT with God's help I COULD accomplish whatever I needed to! It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and even my doctor's nurse later told me that she'd noticed a change (for the better) in my outlook at that particular time in my pregnancy.
I began humming and singing that old hymn, Trust and Obey, and those words took on a new, stronger meaning for me. To this day that hymn is still very dear to me, and I often play it on my piano.
Praise be to God that when I gave birth to my sweet baby girl in early October, she was PERFECT!!! NO birth defects or problems of any kind---completely normal and healthy. And beautiful, I might add. With a head full of red hair that the nurse styled with a little curl on top, she was the most precious sight as I lay in my hospital bed.
Going through that experience all those years ago has taught me that no matter what we may go through in life, we should always, always do the best we can and TRUST AND OBEY, knowing that our Lord has everything in His very capable
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
WINNER of Kim Vogel Sawyer's Book!!
Thank you to Kim Vogel Sawyer for graciously allowing me to interview her recently, and thank you also to ALL who left comments!!
And I'm thrilled to announce the winner of Kim's latest wonderful book, What Once Was Lost, is..........
SUSAN JOHNSON !!!!
My sweet daughter Amy randomly chose a name from all the entries, and Susan's name was drawn! So CONGRATULATIONS, SUSAN!!
Susan, if you'll email me at pattijomoore@yahoo.com with your mailing address, please, then I'll send your book to you soon!
And THANK YOU again to everyone who commented, and I do hope you'll visit my blog again in the future! You're always welcome at CatMom's Corner. * * I also plan to have more fun interviews, book drawings, gift card drawings, etc. coming up in the future also! * *
HAPPY READING!!!
And I'm thrilled to announce the winner of Kim's latest wonderful book, What Once Was Lost, is..........
SUSAN JOHNSON !!!!
My sweet daughter Amy randomly chose a name from all the entries, and Susan's name was drawn! So CONGRATULATIONS, SUSAN!!
Susan, if you'll email me at pattijomoore@yahoo.com with your mailing address, please, then I'll send your book to you soon!
And THANK YOU again to everyone who commented, and I do hope you'll visit my blog again in the future! You're always welcome at CatMom's Corner. * * I also plan to have more fun interviews, book drawings, gift card drawings, etc. coming up in the future also! * *
HAPPY READING!!!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Interview with Author Kim Vogel Sawyer
I am thrilled to feature an interview with very favorite author Kim Vogel Sawyer, whose newly-released novel What Once Was Lost has already become one of my all-time favorite books!
Kim is not only a super-talented author, but she's also a super-nice person and has become a special friend. Enjoy the interview, and for anyone leaving a comment your name will go into a drawing for a copy of Kim's book What Once Was Lost. (Drawing is for U.S. residents only, please) It is a wonderful story!
~ ~ ~ ~
1. Welcome Kim! Thank you for answering my questions today. First of all, how many books have you written?
What Once Was Lost is my 30th release. In the wings are four more completed stories. The fingers get a work-out every day at the computer. :)
2. Do you always write in the same place (your home office)?
For the most part, yes. Occasionally I write on the porch or go to the settee in the library. I usually do my best work in my office, though, because when I step through that door I'm entering "the zone," and I go into writer-mode. I guess it's a mind thing.
3. How did you get the idea/inspiration for What Once Was Lost?
This story's inspiration grew from a get-away trip with a few writer friends to the Flint Hills of Kansas. A huge rock barn setting off the road caught our attention and we went to investigate. We discovered the barn was all that remained of what once had been the county poor farm. The house had burned down in the 1940s and the poor farm closed at that time. Wondering what had happened to the people who'd lived there led to Christina's story.
4. When you're not writing, what keeps you busy?
Running the B&B (http://www.thekingsinnbnb.com/) takes quite a bit of time. The Hubs and I are active in our church. And of course I love time with my family--my parents, my daughters, and my positively adorable-beyond-descriptions grandkiddos. There's always something to do!
5. I'm always interested in knowing "favorites" - - so what is your favorite color? Need you ask? PURPLE! (CatMom here--I already knew that answer, LOL)
Favorite food? Kind of depends on my mood, but I'm always in the mood for something chocolatey.
Favorite drink? Either Jones Sugar-Free Black Cherry Soda or Shasta Diet Cream Soda, both of which are pretty hard to come by these days.
Favorite type of music? Contemporary Christian or piano renditions of romantic tunes.
Favorite place to visit? Alaska. I'd go every year if we could afford it.
6. Please tell us about your cats.
Let's see, Sam is the big bruiser--a lover, though, instead of a fighter. Frances is the resident mommy--she makes sure everyone has clean ears. Maizie-Grace is our princess--yes, the world revolves around her. And bashful little Clydey-Cat is my muse.
7. Have you always lived in Kansas?
For all but one year of my life, yes, so Kansas has been home.
THANK YOU, Kim, for this fun interview. And readers--remember one name will be drawn from the commenters and I'll mail you a copy of Kim's newly-released book, What Once Was Lost. For everyone else, if you haven't purchased this book, you need to! It really is an amazing, sweet story and I think it's now my favorite of ALL of Kim's books (and I've truly loved everything this talented author has written). :)
Kim is not only a super-talented author, but she's also a super-nice person and has become a special friend. Enjoy the interview, and for anyone leaving a comment your name will go into a drawing for a copy of Kim's book What Once Was Lost. (Drawing is for U.S. residents only, please) It is a wonderful story!
~ ~ ~ ~
1. Welcome Kim! Thank you for answering my questions today. First of all, how many books have you written?
What Once Was Lost is my 30th release. In the wings are four more completed stories. The fingers get a work-out every day at the computer. :)
2. Do you always write in the same place (your home office)?
For the most part, yes. Occasionally I write on the porch or go to the settee in the library. I usually do my best work in my office, though, because when I step through that door I'm entering "the zone," and I go into writer-mode. I guess it's a mind thing.
3. How did you get the idea/inspiration for What Once Was Lost?
This story's inspiration grew from a get-away trip with a few writer friends to the Flint Hills of Kansas. A huge rock barn setting off the road caught our attention and we went to investigate. We discovered the barn was all that remained of what once had been the county poor farm. The house had burned down in the 1940s and the poor farm closed at that time. Wondering what had happened to the people who'd lived there led to Christina's story.
4. When you're not writing, what keeps you busy?
Running the B&B (http://www.thekingsinnbnb.com/) takes quite a bit of time. The Hubs and I are active in our church. And of course I love time with my family--my parents, my daughters, and my positively adorable-beyond-descriptions grandkiddos. There's always something to do!
5. I'm always interested in knowing "favorites" - - so what is your favorite color? Need you ask? PURPLE! (CatMom here--I already knew that answer, LOL)
Favorite food? Kind of depends on my mood, but I'm always in the mood for something chocolatey.
Favorite drink? Either Jones Sugar-Free Black Cherry Soda or Shasta Diet Cream Soda, both of which are pretty hard to come by these days.
Favorite type of music? Contemporary Christian or piano renditions of romantic tunes.
Favorite place to visit? Alaska. I'd go every year if we could afford it.
6. Please tell us about your cats.
Let's see, Sam is the big bruiser--a lover, though, instead of a fighter. Frances is the resident mommy--she makes sure everyone has clean ears. Maizie-Grace is our princess--yes, the world revolves around her. And bashful little Clydey-Cat is my muse.
7. Have you always lived in Kansas?
For all but one year of my life, yes, so Kansas has been home.
THANK YOU, Kim, for this fun interview. And readers--remember one name will be drawn from the commenters and I'll mail you a copy of Kim's newly-released book, What Once Was Lost. For everyone else, if you haven't purchased this book, you need to! It really is an amazing, sweet story and I think it's now my favorite of ALL of Kim's books (and I've truly loved everything this talented author has written). :)
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Soothing Scripture
Like many Americans today, I try to keep up with the news--at least the major headlines and also happenings in my town. And as I've heard so many people comment--especially in recent years--the news reports seem to get worse and worse.
We cannot ignore what's going on in our country and across the world, but I don't believe anyone wants to dwell on the bad news all the time.
As a Christian I often feel helpless when I hear about (or read) news reports of crime, wars, poverty, etc. ~ It often seems as if evil abounds, and is spreading.
BUT....as a Christian, I do not need to feel helpless or hopeless, because I have Someone in my life bigger than ALL the world's problems and evils. So I do the best I can, pray, and turn to God by reading His soothing reminders. My Bible is my most prized book, and even though I've read all the way through several times (and re-read certain Scriptures many, many times) I am still amazed at how certain passages seem to "grab" me--just when I need them!
This evening I was thinking about news I've read in recent days--fighting, tense situations, and turbulence---nothing good or hopeful.
So I began searching Bible verses for words to offer reassurance and hope. Soothing Scriptures, as I like to call them. The verse below is a wonderful reminder to us all that our hope is in our Lord, and with Him we can have courage and strength--even in a world that seems hopeless.
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
We cannot ignore what's going on in our country and across the world, but I don't believe anyone wants to dwell on the bad news all the time.
As a Christian I often feel helpless when I hear about (or read) news reports of crime, wars, poverty, etc. ~ It often seems as if evil abounds, and is spreading.
BUT....as a Christian, I do not need to feel helpless or hopeless, because I have Someone in my life bigger than ALL the world's problems and evils. So I do the best I can, pray, and turn to God by reading His soothing reminders. My Bible is my most prized book, and even though I've read all the way through several times (and re-read certain Scriptures many, many times) I am still amazed at how certain passages seem to "grab" me--just when I need them!
This evening I was thinking about news I've read in recent days--fighting, tense situations, and turbulence---nothing good or hopeful.
So I began searching Bible verses for words to offer reassurance and hope. Soothing Scriptures, as I like to call them. The verse below is a wonderful reminder to us all that our hope is in our Lord, and with Him we can have courage and strength--even in a world that seems hopeless.
Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Thursday, August 8, 2013
International Cat Day
This evening I was delightfully surprised to learn that today, August 8, is International Cat Day! I had no idea (which is surprising, being the avid cat-person that I am). Now that I'm aware of this special day, I'll be sure and mark my August calendar in the coming years!
I cannot imagine life without my cats. Yes, they DO require work and sometimes do make a mess (when a flower pot gets turned over and the dirt spills onto the floor*sigh*), but that's okay....BECAUSE they are part of my family now, and offer unconditional love (in addition to entertainment with their playful antics)
. I realize that some people think of cats as "arrogant, indifferent" creatures, but they are actually loving, smart, and affectionate pets. And each one has his/her own personality (or, maybe that should be PURR-sonality!).
So in honor of International Cat Day, I'm featuring a few photos of some of my precious kitties. My "furry children" are such blessings to me, and I'm so thankful that when God created our world, He gave us animals too!
I cannot imagine life without my cats. Yes, they DO require work and sometimes do make a mess (when a flower pot gets turned over and the dirt spills onto the floor*sigh*), but that's okay....BECAUSE they are part of my family now, and offer unconditional love (in addition to entertainment with their playful antics)
So in honor of International Cat Day, I'm featuring a few photos of some of my precious kitties. My "furry children" are such blessings to me, and I'm so thankful that when God created our world, He gave us animals too!
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