Meet author Carrie Turansky
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels including A Token of Love, The Legacy of Longdale Manor, No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, and The Highland Hall series.
Tell us about your newest book.
Christmas Mail-Order Brides is a heartwarming holiday novella collection set in the American West in the late 1800s. Two of the novellas feature young mail-order brides heading West to marry grooms they’ve only met through letters, and the third features the matchmaker herself who finally finds her own match when she travels West.
What inspired you to write your story?
My novella, A Trusting Heart, was inspired by my twin daughters and their love for each other. In that story, Swedish born Annika, decides to become a mail-order bride so that her twin sister will feel free to marry the man she loves. But when she arrives in Wyoming, her intended groom is missing, and she is left wondering what to do. I enjoyed learning about Swedish Christmas traditions and including those in the story. There are fun quirky characters, a bit of a mystery, and a sweet love story.
What genre do you focus on.
I enjoy writing historical romance novels that tie into true events or the lives of men and women who lived out their faith in their generation. I believe we can learn a lot from those who have gone before us and be inspired by their lives. Many of my novels are set in England, but some are also set in the US, like Christmas Mail-Order Brides.
Why do you write?
I write to share God’s love and truth through stories that I hope will touch readers’ hearts and inspire their faith. I want to entertain but also encourage readers to consider the characters’ journeys and recognize the way God is working in their lives and situations. I hope they can relate and see God’s love for them as they enjoy the story.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I like to write in the morning between 10:00 and 12:00 and try to reach my daily word count. After lunch I come back and write for another hour or two then work on promotion, marketing, and editing later in the day.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part for me is receiving the editor’s notes and beginning the revision work. It always feels overwhelming at first, and it takes me a day or two to see where to start and how to use the suggestions my editors send me.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
One of the best parts of being an author is hearing from readers and knowing that my books have made an impact on them. Receiving an email or comment on social media like that really lifts my spirit.
What is your favorite pastime?
When I’m not writing, you’ll find me working in my flower gardens, walking around the small lake hear our house or cooking healthy meals for family and friends. I also enjoy having lunch with a friend, taking part in our women’s Bible study, and spending time with family.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes! I’ve written more than twenty novels and novellas. My latest English historical novel is A Token of Love, which is a dual-time story set in Victorian and contemporary London and includes the search for a missing girl by a devoted aunt and a dedicated journalist. On October 7, another Christmas novella collection, A Very English Christmas, releases. Each of the three novellas features a beloved English author as a secondary character: Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter. They bring insight, wit, and inspiration to the three unforgettable heroines. I loved writing A Victorian Christmas Tale and learning more about Charles Dickens.
What are you working on now?
My next project is a full-length English historical novel, Echoes Across the Moors, Book One in the Lost Treasures of Yorkshire Series. Three sisters inherit an old rundown English estate, but the title will only be transferred to them if they stay for one year, and someone is intent on seeing that doesn’t happen. An old photograph they believe features the famous Bronte sisters, beloved English novelists, seems to hold the key to keeping the estate. Romance, family drama, and inspiration will delight and inspire readers who enjoy English historical novels with a classic twist.
Website: https://carrieturansky.com/
Link to book: https://carrieturansky.com/christmas-mail-order-brides-3/
Social media links: https://www.facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky/ https://www.instagram.com/carrieturansky/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/247470.Carrie_Turansky
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/carrie-turansky
Meet author Peggy Wirgau
Susan loves connecting with fellow authors, so let’s chat!
Peggy Wirgau is a Michigan native but moved with her husband to Colorado in 2023. She writes through the eyes of real women in history who did the extraordinary. Her first novel, The Stars in April, is based on the true story of a twelve-year-old Titanic survivor. Peggy is an active member of the Historical Novel Society and American Christian Fiction Writers, and enjoys giving presentations at conferences, schools, and book clubs. She and her husband have two adult children and three grandchildren.
Tell us about your newest book.
To Outwit Them All is based on the true story of the only female member of George Washington’s group of citizen spies, known as the Culper Ring, during the American Revolution. Betty Floyd is the niece of William Floyd, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Forced to flee her Long Island farm for New York City, Betty keeps her Patriot ties a secret until a murder at the British prison drives her to join the highly secretive Culper Ring. Gaining the trust of enemy officers at New York’s finest balls and soirees, Betty catches the eye of Britain’s Director of Intelligence, the charming Major John André. But the slightest misstep could expose her and the entire Ring. Amid heightening collision between duty to her country and deepening feelings for the Major, Betty attempts to uncover a plot led by Benedict Arnold, leading her to the very brink of death.
What inspired you to write your story?
There really was a Culper Ring, and one female member. Her identity remains unknown, although many have speculated as to who she was. Some evidence points to Betty Floyd, the niece of William Floyd, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. I decided to write the book through the eyes of Betty, as if she was the spy known as “the lady who would outwit them all.” I want readers to know more about the Culper Ring and what they did behind the scenes in the fight for independence, and what it might have been like for a young woman masquerading as a Loyalist to the Crown while gleaning information for General Washington.
What genre do you focus on.
I focus on historical fiction because I’ve always loved reading about the past, imagining what life was like in different time periods, and how people dealt with hardships or great disasters.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I’ve written two books, and both took me years to write because I’m a slow writer, I love to procrastinate, and I can’t help but edit as I go. Also, they both involved a great deal of research and deciding what parts of that research were needed for the stories.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Marketing is hard for me, but a necessary part of being an author today. I’m very tech-challenged.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Hearing from readers is so heartwarming and satisfying. I write for them, and hearing from them is the absolute best.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’m a Christian, and I try to show through my books that God (in very subtle ways) guides those that seek His will. And a fun fact — I’ve lived in five states: Michigan, Washington, Virginia, Florida, and now, Colorado.
What is your favorite pastime?
I have a few, including spending time with my grandchildren, baking, gardening, taking walks, exploring historical sites, and reading.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My debut novel, The Stars In April, is based on the true story of a 12-year-old Titanic survivor named Ruth Becker. Ruth was traveling aboard Titanic with her family from India, where her parents were missionaries, to Michigan. When the ship struck the iceberg, Ruth was separated from her family in the lifeboats but managed to help other passengers. When I read about her, I had to know what she was like, and that led to writing her story. I was fortunate to meet a friend of Ruth’s from later in her life and he told me many things she had shared with him about her life in India, which I was able to include in the book.
What are you working on now?
Publicity and marketing for To Outwit Them All and looking for the next real unsung heroine to write about!
Website: Peggy Wirgau
Link to book: Link will be available when book is ready for pre-order.
Social media links: (1) Facebook, Instagram.
Meet author Vickie McDonough
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Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of more than fifty books and novellas. Vickie grew up wanting to marry a rancher, but instead, she married a computer geek who is scared of horses. In October, they will celebrate 50 years of marriage. Vickie now lives out her dreams penning romance stories about ranchers, cowboys, lawmen, and others living in the Old West. Vickie’s books have won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, OWFI Best Fiction Novel Award, the Inspirational Readers’ Choice awards.
Tell us about your newest book, Mutiny of the Heart.
A proud Loyalist and a jaded patriot are bound by a child and a shared loss—but as sparks fly, they must decide if love is worth trusting the enemy.
Heather has no reason to like Lucas Reed. He is an American, who’s fight for liberty from England led to Heather’s family’s financial ruin and the death of her father. But her cousin’s dying wish was that Heather take little Jamie to his father in Charleston, and she’s determined to honor that wish, even if it breaks her heart to do so.
Lucas Reed knows the boy at his door cannot possibly be his, but there’s no denying that Jamie has the trademark Reed blue eyes, black hair, and dimples. Still, Lucas is ready to close the door to the boy and his escort until Miss Hawthorne presents him with a letter. He instantly recognizes the writing he thought he’d never see again. The contents of the letter shatter his resolve, forcing him to open his door—and his carefully guarded heart—to the boy and his steadfast guardian.
As Heather and Lucas work together to create a new life for Jamie, can they resist their growing attraction? Or will mutinous hearts finally admit their love when an enemy’s desperate plot threatens their lives?
What inspired you to write your story?
I wanted to write a generational story about a family so that was the basis for my series. After a visit to the Charleston area and to a plantation, I knew that would be the setting. As for the inspiration for my story, I give that glory to God. Without his giving me a vivid imagination and dropping story ideas into my mind, I doubt I’d be a writer.
What genre do you focus on.
Historical Christian Romance. I watched a lot of cowboy shows with my dad when I was young. I fell in love with cowboys, horses, and the slower pace of the Old West. I even talked my parents to buying me a horse, and my experience with it helped me when it came to writing about horses. Historical Christian romance has always been my favorite genre to read also.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I generally write from around 10–2 or 3. If I’m on deadline, I will often have much longer writing days.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
For me, it’s keeping the pacing going strong in the middle of the book. My advice to young writers who suffer from this is to kill somebody—on paper, that is. 😊 That doesn’t always work for a particular story though. The main thing is to have something exciting happen in the middle that propels your characters forward into the next part of their adventure.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
My favorite part is the research trips my husband and I have made, as well as going to writers’ conferences and seeing my many friends.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
When my husband and I were first married, we went with a group of young adults to Israel and lived on a kibbutz (a communal farm) for a year. We had a wonderful time there, working and meeting the Israelis that lived there. We also got three days a month to travel and were able to visit most of the key areas of historic Israel.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’ve learned to plot more. When I first started writing, I just sat down and wrote. Later, I learned the importance of making character sheets with all of the information about my characters. It helps to have those in case you forget something. I still don’t plot out my whole story, but I often will have a skeleton of it.
What is your favorite pastime?
I don’t have just one. I love to read, watch my favorite shows on tv, garden, travel, and make homemade cards for my friends.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
The Texas Boardinghouse Brides series is a favorite among my readers. The premise is that three mail-order brides show up in a town, expecting to marry the sheriff, but he never ordered a bride. The story has a lot of humor and a young tomboy who often tries to steal the show. The Anonymous Bride is the first book in the series.
Another fun trilogy is my Land Rush Dreams series. Each book has at character or two who ride in the Oklahoma land runs. The third book deals with the Oklahoma land lottery. They are a great way to read about a unique part of our country’s history as well as experiencing an exciting story. The first book in this series is Gabriels’s Atonement.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m not working on a new story. I’ve been working with Wild Heart books to get some of my previously published books republished with beautiful new covers.
Website: www.VickieMcDonough.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Mutiny-Heart-Windswept-Weddings-Book-ebook/dp/B0FDJJK7TN/
Social media links:
Facebook: facebook.com/VickieMcDonough
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/vickie-mcdonough
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/vickiemcdonough
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/VickieMcDonough/
Instagram: instagram.com/vickieamcdonough
Heart Island’s Alster Tower
One of the first—and only—structures the Boldts got to enjoy while Boldt Castle was being built is Alster Tower. Often referred to as the “Children’s Playhouse,” this unique building offers a glimpse into the opulent recreational life of the Boldt family during the early 20th century and illustrates George C. Boldt’s imaginative vision and love for his family.
Completed in 1899, Alster Tower was completed before the construction of the grand Boldt Castle. George Boldt, the millionaire proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, envisioned the tower as a space dedicated to leisure and entertainment for his family and guests. Unlike the main castle, which remained unfinished due to the untimely death of Boldt’s wife, Louise, the family actively used Alster Tower during their summers on Heart Island.
Alster Tower’s design is a departure from conventional architecture created to reflect the charm of medieval European castles. The structure features slanting and uneven walls, ceilings, and roofs, and the deliberate irregularity adds to its whimsical character, making it the most architecturally unique building on the island.
In Madison’s Mission, Mrs. Boldt rests in the Venetian Room and the Boldts entertain here, too. The Tower’s recreational facilities reflects Boldt’s commitment to providing unparalleled entertainment. Its amenities included:
Two-lane Bowling Alley: A space for friendly competition and social gatherings.
Billiard Room: A sophisticated setting for playing billiards.
Venetian Room: An elegantly designed room inspired by Venetian aesthetics.
Library: A collection of books for leisurely reading.
Shell Room: A uniquely decorated room, possibly adorned with seashell motifs.
Theater: A stage for performances and entertainment.
These features made Alster Tower the center for recreation and socialization for the Boldt family and their guests, even before the castle was ready to enjoy.
After years of exposure to the elements and periods of neglect, restoration efforts are working to revitalize Alster Tower. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority undertook extensive work, including masonry restoration, veranda reconstruction, and interior refurbishments. By 2014, the tower was reopened to the public, allowing visitors to experience its historical and architectural significance firsthand. And the work continues.
Today, Alster Tower stands as a captivating piece of the Boldt Castle estate. Visitors can explore its unique rooms and envision the lively gatherings that once took place within its walls. The tower’s distinctive design and rich history offer a fascinating glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the Gilded Age elite. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious, Alster Tower on Heart Island is a destination that promises to enchant and inspire.
Boldt Castle is accessible seasonally from mid-May to mid-October by ferry or tour boat from various locations, including Alexandria Bay, NY, Clayton, NY, and Gananoque, Ontario. Private boaters can also dock at Heart Island. As the island is a U.S. port of entry, visitors arriving from Canada must present appropriate identification for customs processing. For more information on planning your visit, including hours of operation and admission fees, visit the official Boldt Castle website: https://www.boldtcastle.com/visitorinfo
About Madison’s Mission:
Step into the captivating world of Boldt Castle in 1903, where dreams are forged in the fires of adversity and love.
Madison Murray, the devoted maid to the legendary Louise Boldt, harbors a singular mission—to care for her ailing mistress while hiding her own painful past. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Emmett O’Connor, the distinguished foreman overseeing Boldt Castle’s extravagant construction. Their connection sparks with promise, yet the chasm of class difference and hidden secrets loom large.
Just as their budding romance begins to flourish, tragedy strikes, shattering their world. A deadly accident leaves Emmett wrestling with guilt and at the center of an investigation that could unravel everything he holds dear. Then Madison finds herself ensnared in a dangerous coverup that threatens her very life.
When Mrs. Boldt passes away, Madison is left reeling—jobless and burdened by the weight of her perceived failures. In a world filled with uncertainty, can she summon the strength to move forward and confront her past? Will Emmett rise above his challenges to forge a future alongside the woman who has captured his heart?
Meet author Kimberly Rose Johnson
Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest USA. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.
Tell us about your newest book.
For TV chef Adela Romero, the lights of LA have lost their luster. The grief of her husband’s death three years ago still hangs heavy over her and her daughter, Fabi. When Adela returns to San Antonio for a summer break with her daughter, she learns her mother-in-law’s Mexican diner is struggling. Adela wants to help, but her career is tugging her in another direction. Local food critic David Agraponte has a history with Adela. A history he’d like to rekindle. When he interviews Adela, sparks fly—both good and bad. In Adela’s struggle to put her past behind her, she’s tentative about a new relationship, but David hopes she’ll stay at Romero’s long enough to give him a chance.
Sandra always dreamed of managing Romero’s one day, but her chances of proving herself to her aunt are slim with her famous TV-chef cousin taking all the attention. Can’t her aunt see that Adela’s just passing through on her way to her next big gig? Still, as much as she resents it, Sandra may need Adela’s help if there is going to be a Romero’s left for her to manage. When Adela gets a TV offer that’s sure to shoot her career to the stars, her choice may hold more than just her future in the balance. Can David and Adela find a way to save Romero’s and hold onto their own dreams, or will Adela’s opportunity push them apart?
What inspired you to write your story?
I was asked to co-write this book which is an adaptation from a TV movie. I was able to read the script and my imagination fired up and took off with the secondary character whose story I was hired to write into the main body of the story.
What genre do you focus on.
Christian romance. I love to read romance. Once upon a time I said a book had to have romance or I wouldn’t read it. I also write and enjoy reading subgenres, romantic suspense and romantic mystery
What is the hardest part of being an author?
Deadlines stress me out. I generally turn projects in a couple of months early.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
Besides writing, I love my writer friends and readers. They are my people.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
Yes! I have 31 other books. You can find them on my website book page. https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/books/
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a non-fiction screenplay about the life of a missionary.
Website: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Love-Antonio-Miralee-Ferrell-ebook/dp/B09TYBCV8B
Social media links: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyRoseJohnson
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyrosejohnsonauthor/
X https://x.com/kimberlyrosejoh
Thanks so much for hosting me on your blog!
Meet author Traci Summeril
Traci Summeril is a Colorado girl who loves exploring the Rocky Mountains she calls home. She spent her childhood summers on her grandparents’ ranch, where her rodeo queen grandmother taught her to ride—planting the seeds for the rugged cowboy heroes she writes today. Her debut romantic suspense, Secrets Beneath the Snow, written under the pen name Teresa Summers, became a New York Times and Publishers Weekly Bestseller. When she’s not writing gripping, faith-filled romance, Traci is a music teacher and mom to four amazing kids.
Tell us about your newest book.
A Forgotten Heart is the story of Rancher Nick McGraw who had his dreams of teaching shattered and lost his chance for true love in one fell swoop. Years later, he’s finally moved on. The best Christmas gift he can give himself is a new start—with a mail-order bride. After he broke her heart, schoolmarm Elsie Atchinson hoped she would never see Nick again. But moments after they come face to face, Nick is attacked and left for dead in the midst of a white-out blizzard. Elsie can’t abandon him in his time of need. There’s just one problem. The Nick who wakes up with his head wrapped in bandages doesn’t remember leaving Elsie. It will take a Christmas miracle for them to find their way back to the love they once shared and work together to save everything they hold dear.
What inspired you to write your story?
Coming from a long line of teachers, I knew I wanted to write about two in that profession. Especially since one of my favorite stories is Anne of Green Gables. Add in to that my inspiration of my great-great grandmother Amy Lyons, who was a teacher and had to overcome many childhood traumas, and Elsie was “born”.
What genre do you focus on.
I come from a long line of cowboys and some of my best memories are from when I spent my summers on my grandparent’s ranch in Nebraska. Writing anything with cowboys is a way that I can keep my heritage alive. Many of my stories are inspired from the stories my grandmother used to tell me.
Why do you write?
I’ve always loved creating stories. Even from a young age, I would prefer to sit on the jungle gym with my notebook writing a story about a girl who adopted a mischievous dog and cat. It was in college when I felt God tell me that he didn’t give me my stories to keep to myself. So, here I am, many years later, trying to write the stories God has inspired me to share.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
My heroine’s name is Elsie. I chose the name based off popular names back in 1990. She was inspired by very own great-great grandmother’s story. Then there is Nick, my hero. He was inspired by my one of my favorite heroes…Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. Plus, I’ve always loved the name Nick.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
My life is full right now with four kids and also teaching music part-time. So, to get my writing in, I have to wake up before anybody else in the house to meet my goal. I also get to write during my off hours at the school. I try and leave evenings and weekends for family.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part of being an author is wanting to get it right when I first start a new story. I have to give myself permission to just get the words down, to discover the story, and then go back to fix it later. My inner editor can make me slower than I want to be.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
I love seeing the polished manuscript and then holding the book in my hand. That is the best feeling in the world. PLUS, I love sharing my stories with my readers. I have stories that I’m working on currently that I can’t wait to get to my readers.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
You know that feeling of coming home after you’ve been gone. You walk in the door, and you know it’s the place you belong. I try and portray that feeling in my books. My characters finding that place where they belong. Home.
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
I’m still rather new to the publication world, but I have really grown in perseverance. One of my favorite quotes by the great Susan May Warren is, “If you haven’t been changed by the journey, you’ve missed the point.”
What is your favorite pastime?
I love reading next to a cozy fireplace. Sounds cliché, but it really is wonderful. Especially after a long day or week.
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
My very first published book came out this past April 2025 from Love Inspired Suspense called Secrets Beneath the Snow. I wrote it under the pen name Teresa Summers to distinguish between the genres.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two right now. I have a contemporary cowboy that I’m loving and should be released in 2027. Then I have another romantic suspense/adventure that I am also working on that takes place in the same “world” as Secrets Beneath the Snow.
Website: www.tracisummeril.com
Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Heart-River-Mail-Order-Brides
Social media links: @tracisummeril