Lawrence-based writer Carrie Turansky has just released her latest of 20-some novels, The Legacy of Longdale Manor.
Turansky was born and raised in Oregon but has lived in Lawrence with her husband, Scott, and their children for more than 30 years.
The Legacy of Longdale Manor is described by publisher Bethany House as a story about two women—-a century apart—who embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness and romance.
Turansky began writing her novels in 2005 but had previously worked on short stories, essays, devotions and articles.
She started writing shorter novels to break into the industry and has since been writing 60,000-word stories and has shifted from the contemporary romance genre to focus on historical fiction.
Turansky prioritizes her research and takes time to compile the information she needs before creating a novel, and the process usually takes her about a year. As a result of her writing time table, her editor suggested that she move towards writing standalone novels instead of series.
She spent a year in Kenya with her family, and due to frequent power outages, “there would be a lot of time to use your imagination or to read.” When she returned to America, Turansky missed Kenya, and decided that she wanted to write a book that would take place there.
Turansky shared that she let the story “pour out” of her, and admitted that she was inexperienced writing fiction at the time. “All I knew is that I had a great imagination,” Turansky said.
The first time she attended a writer’s conference, she saw a red slash across the copy of a chapter she had shared with an editor, and was told to work on her writing. The experience caused Turansky to temporarily doubt her abilities, until she started to learn more through creative writing books.
Taking the time to focus on learning how to write creatively, she went on to join the American Christian Romance Writers, now the American Christian Fiction Writers, a professional organization dedicated to Christian fiction.
Through ACFW, Turansky joined a critique group that consisted of five women. Together they shared their work and provided feedback for each other. All women had not yet published their work, but would publish their works in the future.
“I really recommend critique groups as a way to really polish your writing and to build friendships that are supportive and helpful,” she said.
Turansky has been honored for her work with the following awards: the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award.
Here is a sampling of her new work, a novel about a young art appraiser’s unexpected journey to England, the past and a family secret:
The lift door slid open, and Gwen Morris stepped into the third- floor offices of Hill and Morris, one of the most prestigious art and antique auction houses in London. She still felt a thrill each time she walked down the dark paneled hallway toward her new office and took in the beautiful paintings, jewelry, and antiques on display.
The receptionist looked up as Gwen approached. The young woman’s eyes widened, and she quickly looked down at her desk and shuffled some papers.
Gwen’s steps slowed. “Good morning, Mary Ann.” “Morning.” Mary Ann slowly lifted her eyes to meet Gwen’s.
“Your grandfather — I mean, Mr. Morris — would like you to come to his office right away.”
A prickle of unease traveled through Gwen, but she quickly dismissed it. He probably wanted to discuss some new acquisitions, or perhaps give her feedback on her first month as junior specialist for art history and antiques.
“Thank you.” She started down the hall and glanced through Charlene’s open office doorway. As the older woman met her gaze, her expression hardened, and she turned toward the windows. That was odd. Charlene usually offered a “Good morning,” or at least a nod as Gwen passed.
She continued down the hall and received chilly looks from three other colleagues. What was going on? Certainly, the weather was gloomy, and they all had a heavy workload, but she couldn’t imagine why everyone seemed to be in such a dark mood this morning.
She approached her grandfather’s outer office, and Mrs. Huntington, her grandfather’s fiftyish administrative assistant, lifted her head, her face impassive. “Mr. Morris said you are to go right in.”
Gwen’s stomach tensed. This did not bode well. She straightened her shoulders, stepped into her grandfather’s office, and closed the door.
Her grandfather looked up, his gray eyes cool and assessing. He sat behind his large wooden desk, with his back to the tall windows behind him. Dark gray clouds draped the buildings on the opposite side of St. James Street, and rivulets raced down the glass in a dizzy dance. The downpour outside seemed a perfect reflection of her grandfather’s shadowed expression. He nodded to the chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Gwen.”
A shiver raced down her back as she lowered herself into the chair. She should ask what was wrong, but she couldn’t seem to force out the words.
“We have a situation … a very serious situation, I might add.” His gray eyebrows drew down into a deep V. “One of the Impressionist paintings we auctioned last Saturday” — he glanced at his computer — “Avenue of the Allies, which you listed as a copy of Childe Hassam’s painting by the same name…”
Gwen nodded, remembering the painting clearly. Hassam was an American Impressionist who painted in Britain and France as well as the U.S. His work was copied by many artists in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
He focused on her again. “It was an original.”
A shock wave jolted Gwen, and she sucked in a sharp breath.
“The buyer is thrilled to have purchased an original Hassam at one-tenth of its true value,” her grandfather continued. “But the seller, Ivan Saunders, is irate. He’s threatening a lawsuit and promising to spread the story of our incompetence far and wide.”
She stared at her grandfather and tried to swallow, but her throat seemed blocked by a huge boulder. How could she have made such a terrible mistake?
Her thoughts raced back to the last week of February, when she’d started in her new position. After one year as an intern, stepping into the role of junior specialist had been a huge transition. That same week, she’d gone through a painful breakup with her boyfriend, Oliver St. Charles. She’d lost hours of sleep over that heartache, and her mind had been in a fog. Was that why she’d failed to realize she was evaluating an original Hassam?
“Well, Gwen, what do you have to say for yourself?”
The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky, 352 pages,$29.99 Hardback, $16.99 Paperback, Bethany House.
'The Legacy of Longdale Manor' by Carrie Turansky.,
