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| Carla Olson Gade |
Carla Olson Gade is the author of Carving a Future, featured in Colonial Courtships, Published by:
Barbour Books, October 1, 2012. Carla is also the author of The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter. Her website is http://carlagade.com
Carla,
what got you interested in the colonial time period?
This ties into another question you ask about
colonial places in my home state. I am originally from Massachusetts where I
was surrounded by its rich colonial heritage. My 350 year old home town of
Wrentham was bought from King Philip for a sum that included a Holland shirt.
Some of my favorite spots are Boston, Plymouth Plantation, and Olde Sturbridge
Village. I have many first settlers in my family tree from Essex County,
Massachusetts and plan to take a genealogy and book research trip there
soon. I now live in Maine (part of
Massachusetts in colonial days) and have done some research in York County
where more first inhabitant ancestors settled, also a place I plan to write
about. There are a several colonial era forts in Maine and many sites to visit
throughout the state.
What
inspired this colonial work?
The old New England town of Glassenbury (as it was
called then) along the Connecticut River, which is the largest and longest
river in New England. In the 18th century it was famed for its
shipbuilding and trade. When I planned the setting, I knew it would be the
perfect spot for the The Red Griffin Inn, the home to the four Ingersoll
brothers. My hero, Nathaniel, is a journeyman ship’s figurehead carver—a
fascinating trade that I wanted to write about.
Do
you have a favorite colonial place you like to visit and why?
I adore Colonial Williamsburg! It truly brings 18th
century history to life and I enjoyed every moment I spent there last year. (By
the way, I had the best tour guide ever…Mistress Carrie!) My research for Colonial Courtships extended to another
favorite place, Connecticut’s Mystic Seaport, and a visit to the charming town
of Glastonbury, Connecticut, which provides the setting for the book. This town hosts more 18th century
houses than almost any other town in America and is truly a site to behold. I
saw many homes of true historical persons that I included in my story, and that
was quite a treat!
Carla,
do you have a favorite colonial recipe you enjoy?
At the end of each story in Colonial Courtships you’ll find a colonial recipe. That’s four
recipes in this book. Carving a Future
features Muster Day Gingerbread, a treat that was served within the story. It is a personal favorite of mine!
Giveaway: Carla
has provided a book to give away.
CARLA, thanks for the interview and the giveaway! So glad you could come visit in VA last year and research with me at CW!
ReplyDeleteCW was one of the best times of my life, Carrie! Loved that you so generously brought us around. So much fun. Thank you so much for interviewing me today!
DeleteAnd I am so glad, Carla, that you had halfway decent weather when you came because it can be really horrid in the summer here! Delighted to be able to put your colonial writing interview up! Blessings!
Deletegreat interview, would love to win
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat!
DeleteWould love to win! I loved historical fiction
ReplyDeletelikesmusic2@consolidated.net
Thanks for stopping by, Debbie!
DeleteDebbie, I know that fact--you like a lot of the same books I do! Blessings!
DeleteLove the interview. Very interesting and makes me want to read the book (or at least add it to my TBR pile!).
ReplyDeleteLadettek (at)gmail(dot)com
LADETTE, yeah, there are four stories that all sound really good in this novella collection. Since it is colonial I don't want to miss out on it!
DeleteThanks, Ladette! I hope you get a chance to read it.
DeleteHi Carla-- and Madam Interviewer Carrie :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent interview! Makes me want to visit those places (how neat to live near Sturbridge)! I don't know if it's considered ambiance--but I'm sure they have it. And the opportunity to study your family tree sounds fascinating!
The stories sound great too; cannot wait to curl up with them on one of these cooler fall nights. (whether I win or not--I'm gettin' my hands on one! :) Of course I'd love to win; and that gingerbread recipe sounds lovely for the Thanksgiving and
Christmas holidays. Thanks so much Carla--keep them coming!
How dear of you, Pat! Thanks for your kind comments! I do think this is one of those curl up kind of books!
DeleteGreat interview, Carrie, with my lovely daughter, Carla. I am so happy to be included in the research trips, especially the one in Williamsburg with you! If you keep writing, Carla, I will keep editing! Mom
ReplyDeleteJOYCE!!! Birthday girl!! I am so glad you brought your baby girl down here for her big bday trip last year! You are such a lovely person, as is your daughter! Thanks so much for your kind words!
DeleteThanks, Mom! You're the best!
DeleteAnd thanks, Carrie. We truly both enjoyed spending time with you, and the colonial atmosphere was wonderful.
DeleteCarla, this sounds like a fun and fascinating read. Equally interesting is your 350 year old house. How very sweet of your Mom to "pop" in. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janet! Well, the house isn't 350 years old, but the town is. It was a wonderful place to grow up and romp around in the woods where Indians and ancestors traveled.
ReplyDeleteHey Carla (and Carrie), Really great interview! So excited about this newest book to be published!!!! You're my favorite author!! Read your first book 3 times!! It was exciting! I know all about those romps in the woods! Fun times!! Miss those days!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue!! Those childhood days were the best, and don't forget all those bike rides in that old cemetery!
DeleteI almost forgot to mention, Sue, it was such a great time on that research trip to Glastonbury with you and Rachel along!! That made it very special.
DeleteOh, yes. Those bike rides were amazing!! Thanks for letting us tag along through Glastonbury. It was fun to explore with you!!!
DeleteThis is the first I have heard of this book. I really want to read it. This is my favorite time period. I have been wanting to go to Colonial Williamsburg for so long now. Hopefully, hubby will take me next year. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy c
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Amy, I sure hope you get to go to CW someday! It is fantastic! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteAMY, you have to get him to bring you to CW! I love that place and go there often. Great seeing you here!
Deletelove reading about this time period thanks for chance to win this book.
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
OK, Apple Blossom! I'm so glad you are in the running for a copy! I think it is a fun and interesting story and I hope you'll enjoy it.
DeleteThis is a wonderful giveaway with a 4 in 1 book, like to read multiple stories like this. Carla you spoke of four brothers will there be books written for each of them.
ReplyDeleteI like to read of colonial times and you live in a wonderful historical area, we are near Savannah Ga which is lot of colonial history.
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Hi Paula, glad you came by. We are truly blessed that so many historical societies do a great job of preserving history, especially early American history. Each of the 4 stories in this one book is about a different brother, each have a unique trade.
DeletePAULA, I did not realize you lived near Savannah. I've been there a number of times--what a lovely city. My hubby interviewed for a job down there before we moved to VA. I love living in the historical triangle.
DeleteI love the colonial period and I love free stuff, so I would love to be entered into the contest! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteemmamalissa(at)gmail(dot)com
Well, Emma, I'm glad you stopped by then! We have loads of colonial era book giveaways here.
DeleteGreat interview! I love the research trips, too, and have made many to Long Island and a few to Massachusetts. I lived in Virginia for four years while my husband was at the Pentagon and my favorite place to take visitors was Colonial Williamsburg! That was before I was into research mode, though, and I would love to go back! The closest I've been lately is Mount Vernon, home to George Washington. Love that place, too! I look forward to reading Carving a Future and the recipes! Yum!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca! There really are so many great historical places and you were blessed to live so close to CW for that period of time. I want to go back, too! I hope you'll enjoy reading Carving a Future and having some of that delicious Gingerbread!
DeleteLove seeing Carla here and her beautiful book! I've always thought this cover embodies so much of what I find fascinating about the colonial period. Cannot wait to read! Counting down with you...
ReplyDeleteThanks, too, for being such a joy to know, dear Carla. I wish you and your books the best:)
Laura, thanks for your always kind words. I think they did a beautiful job with the cover with our heroine in the colonial kitchen setting of the inn. It won't be long now. Copies arrived today!
DeleteVery interesting interview! Thanks Carla and best wishes with your new release. I also find figurehead carving a fascinating trade and the Red Griffin Inn sounds charming. I almost made it to Williamsburg once. Went with friends on the way to Virginia Beach, but by the time we arrived the attractions were closed. I did browse the shops though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! Oh, you'll definitely have to go back to CW someday. And I'm hoping that perhaps we can get together sometime when I go back "home" - not too far from were you are!
ReplyDeleteThat would be wonderful, Carla. I'd love to get together! Just let me know when.
DeleteA Christian romance with recipes...my favorite kind of book!
ReplyDeleteMelody, Since the setting includes the inn
Deleteand other food places we thought it would be fun to include them.
How lovely to learn more about dear Carla :) Colonial Williamsbburg sounds like my kind of place. A must visit... if I ever find my way back to the States again. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Dotti, So glad you stopped by. I just love living history museums. Do you have many in Australia?
ReplyDeleteI like the interview. And I adore Colonial Williamsburg too! Their gingersnap cookies are so delicioius.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ks4readin@yahoo.com
Well, you would love it here where I live then--CW is a half hour drive from Yorktown. I love those great big soft gingerbread cookies they have out there, too! Way too tempting!
DeleteI recently finished reading Carla's The Shadow Catcher's Daughter, and am looking forward to her new release. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I meant to add that figurehead carving is going to be a fascinating subject to learn about via your story. Since you first mentioned it I've been looking forward to that.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Lori!! It was great fun researching the trade of figurehead carving!
ReplyDelete