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Kara Isaac #Giveaway – Can’t Help Falling-You Had Me at Narnia

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Today I have the privilege of bringing you an interview with inspirational contemporary romance author Kara Isaac!

 

I heard about Kara Isaac’s book Can’t Help Falling with its Narnia and C.S. Lewis connection and have been blessed to meet Kara at a couple of writers’ conferences. Though Kara is as delightful in person as the charming writing in her books and her New Zealand accent, they had me at Narnia!

They had me at Narnia! #InspyRomance #Giveaway Can’t Help Falling

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I admit to being a huge fan of the Chronicles of Narnia series. I read the stories to my kids…more times than they wanted, listened to the Focus on the Family recordings, bought the BBC movies, and the newer set of movies, as well.

Can’t Help Falling is “A funny, heartfelt romance about how an antique shop, a wardrobe, and a mysterious tea cup bring two C.S. Lewis fans together in a snowy and picturesque Oxford, England.”

Today as one romantic comedy author to another (I’m still trying to think how to bribe her to read my books), I have a few oddly random questions for her.

So, Kara, when I was pregnant with my son, I carried a donut pillow to sit on for Wednesday night church because my back hurt so badly (still a little embarrassed about that), and I once left between Sunday school and church to run eat at a Shoney’s breakfast bar because I was so hungry. How in the world did you fly from New Zealand to Nashville while expecting? Any tips for international flying?

Well, here is where I have to reveal my privilege! There’s no way I would have been able to do it if I hadn’t spent most of the year before accumulating credit card points, flying miles etc. so I could claim an upgrade. A heavily pregnant woman, a fifteen hour flight and a very small economy class seat are my worst nightmare!

I’ve had the opportunity to travel quite a lot internationally and these are my tips :)

  • Always avoid LAX if you can
  • Pack some spare clothes and hygiene necessities in your carryon so that if your luggage gets lost you don’t have to spend days in your travel clothes and furry teeth until your bag shows up or you can find a store to buy new things
  • Go for window seats if it’s a night flight so you can lean against the bulkhead
  • Set your clock for your arrival time zone as soon as you get on the plane and start trying to transition yourself into it in terms of when you sleep etc.
  • Always have printed copies of important documents (hotel reservations, flight details etc.) in case you do get questioned by border officials and don’t have access to email
  • Assume there are going to be long queues and delays for everything and be prepared to wait and be patient. That way if there’s not it’s a bonus :)

Great tips! Thank you! If only I could be that organized.

I loved the special New Zealand chocolate you sent me in lieu of American dollars on that group gift card we bought. Tell me, what other scrumptious foods are there in your country I might like? Or hate?

Oh we have so much good food in New Zealand that it’s almost impossible for me to choose! In my debut novel, Close To You, there is a passing mention of caramel salted cookies made by the Leeds Street Bakery. I put it there because it’s one of my favorite treats in the world :)

Okay, I’ll take one next time we see each :) Thanks!

Who’s your favorite Narnia character, other than Aslan, of course?

Oooo that’s a tough one. Main characters I would have to say Lucy. I adore her tenacity and persistence. For more “minor” characters it would have to be a tie between Reepicheep the mouse for the comedy he brings to a number of the books and Uncle Andrew from The Magician’s Nephew  because the scenes between him and the White Witch when she is in London are some of the best ever :)

I do love Lucy and Reepicheep, too! So much fun! And I absolutely loved the ending of Can’t Help Falling! I know our readers will, as well! Thank you for visiting with us today!

Thanks so much for having me :)

About Can’t Help Falling

Emelia Mason has spent her career finding the dirt on the rich and famous. But deep down past this fearless tabloid-reporter façade, there’s a nerdy Narnia-obsessed girl who still can’t resist climbing into wardrobes to check for the magical land on the other side. When a story she writes produces tragic results, she flees to Oxford, England—home to C.S. Lewis—to try and make amends for the damage she has caused.

Peter Carlisle was on his way to become one of Great Britain’s best rowers—until he injured his shoulder and lost his chance at glory. He’s determined to fight his way back to the top even if it means risking permanent disability to do so. It’s the only way he can find his way past failing the one person who never stopped believing in his Olympic dream.

When Peter and Emelia cross paths on her first night in Oxford, the attraction is instant and they find common ground in their shared love of Narnia. But can the lessons from a fantasyland be enough to hold them together when secrets of the real world threaten to tear them apart? Cobblestone streets, an aristocratic estate, and an antique shop with a curious wardrobe bring the world of Narnia to life in this inspiring and romantic story about second chances.

Kara Isaac lives in Wellington, New Zealand. Her sophomore romantic comedy, Can’t Help Falling, was an RT Review Top Pick and released in October 2016. When she’s not chasing three adorable but spirited little people, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She loves to connect on her website, on Facebook at Kara Isaac – Author and Twitter @KaraIsaac  

Leave a comment by March 28th to be in the drawing for an e-copy of Kara Isaac’s book! #InspyRomance

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Leave a comment by March 28th to be in the drawing for an e-copy of Kara’s book! She said you may pick from either Can’t Help Falling or Close to You!!

Janet W Ferguson (66 Posts)

Janet W. Ferguson is a Christy Award finalist and the FHL Readers Choice Award winning author of realistic inspirational fiction. An avid reader, she loved books so much she found a job as a librarian so she could be around them all day. Then she turned that love of story into writing faith-filled novels with characters who feel like best friends. You’ll laugh and cry as the quirky heroes and heroines chase their happily ever after. ​Janet and her husband live in Mississippi where they say y’all a lot, and she forces him to visit the beach as often as possible. They have two grown children, one really smart dog, and a cat that allows them to share the space. Connect with her at http://www.janetfergusonauthor.com/


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Comments

  1. Hi Janet, thanks for sharing this interview. Kara lives “across the ditch” from me, and I have been privileged to have visited NZ and explored a little of it.
    We are big Narnia fans too, we have the Focus on the Family recordings, movies etc. and thoroughly enjoy the stories- our youngest son is named after a character in The Horse and His Boy, Corin.
    Blessings:)

    • You sound like a kindred spirit!! I love that name you chose, too! I wish I could go see NZ someday :)

  2. Thanks Janet for introducing Kara and her newest novel to us. Excellent international travel tips, Kara. Once on a trip to Germany (from the US) and another time on a trip to Switzerland my luggage was delayed, so I was glad for a change of clothes and my toothbrush in my carry on. Kara your novel sounds fascinating. Added to my wish list. Best wishes and happy writing.

    • Oh wow! Luggage delays are the worst! You sound organized though. The novel is great! Kara did an outstanding job!

      • Thanks so much, Renate! I’m always intrigued by how it is that sometimes my luggage manages to be so much more well travelled than I am! I hope you enjoy Can’t Help Falling if you have the opportunity to read it :)

  3. Thank you so much for introducing me to a new author. I would like to read her books.

  4. Thanks, Janet and Kara, for the interesting interview. It’s great to meet another new-to-me author. While I loved the Narnia books, I’m more of a Tolkien fan, so when I looked up Kara’s books, I was excited to see “Close to You”. Both books are now on my to-be-read list.

    • Oh yes, Sherri! You’ll have fun with Close to You and the hobbit feet!! I hope you enjoy!

  6. This book sounds wonderful! And I know my daughter would absolutely adore it – I raised her on Narnia (she almost wore out her books) and she recently made a trip to Oxford

    • Oh how cool! She got to go to Oxford! Yes, she’ll enjoy this clean read!

    • I’m so envious of your daughter. I did a lot of research about Oxford to write Can’t Help Falling but have never been myself and would love to one day! I hope you enjoy Peter and Emelia’s story if you have the opportunity to read it :)

  7. My TBR pile is already scary high, but these definitely need to be added! Thanks for the “introduction” :)

    • I can relate to the high TBR list, but for sure add Kara’s books to it. You can add mine, too, if you want, LOL.

    • Definitely add Kara’s books to your list. They are amazing. And Close to You is a double RITA award finalist!

  9. Fun! You’re reminding me how long it’s been since I’ve read my Narnia books, though. I still have my paperbacks that were some of the first ‘keeper’ books I bought myself.

    • Hi Amy! My Narnia books are pretty ragged. They were well-used. I’d like to make time to read them again.

  10. Hi – Janet and Kara,
    It was fun hearing your great suggestion for international travel.
    I too love Narnia books and the movies. I think they were some of the first real book series I ever read.
    I loved all the colorful pictures CS Lewis wrote.
    NOW, I’m looking forward to reading Kara’s book. It sounds so fun!

    • Hi Marilyn! It is such fun! I loved the characters in the books. So memorable and beloved!

  11. I think I’ve only read one book of Narnia. Going to have to go remedy that! I couldn’t get the link to Kara’s facebook page to load. Thanks for the tips for flying! Those caramel salted cookies sound heavenly!

    • Oh sorry about the link! I’ll go check it. The audio of the books is a great way to finish the series of Narnia. Lots of fun. I really want one of those salted caramel things!!

  12. I’m also a big fan of Narnia and really enjoyed the theme in this book. A few years ago my family did a trip to the UK and one of our planned stops in Oxford were CS Lewis related. I recall we just walked the streets of Oxford and talk about our favorite CS Lewis books, ideas, and all. It was so much fun.

  13. Kara’s book sounds like a fun one to read, as I love Narnia too! The funny thing is that when I was in 6th grade, someone recommended the series, but my school library only had “The Silver Chair” available. I did NOT like it at all. I don’t think I tried any more until after I was married!

    • Margaret, I didn’t read them until I was married either. I can see why maybe the Silver Chair wasn’t the best to start with. Glad you gave them another shot :)

  14. Ooh, I love Narnia too, and own all the movies, have read the books over and over, and have listened to the audio books. Anything with Narnia has a special place in my heart. ❤

  16. I’m a fan of Narnia and a fan of Kara’s writing. She and I have met at conferences a couple of times, and she is as delightful as her stories!

  20. Sounds like fun! Close to You is also on my TBR list.
    I absolutely love the Focus on the Family Narnia recordings and really need to read the books again.

  22. I have always loved C.S. Lewis and I’d like to read this now too! Thank you for sharing your work with us and for the chance to win. :)

  23. And you had me at Narnia, too! Have not read a Kara Isaac book, but I’m sure this will be my first! Love the synopsis and really love that she says she writes “horribly bad first drafts.” Gives me hope for writing my own first draft. Thanks for sharing this author with us!

  25. I’ve always loved the Narnia series! My Dad read them to me when I was really little and I recently played the White Witch in a community theater production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Would love to read this book!

  26. Thanks for inviting Kara, Janet! I’m unusually late visiting the blog today, but now I can be the first to congratulate Kara on being a double Rita finalist! Yay!

  28. Thanks for the great interview, Janet , and for giving us a more personal glimpse of Kara Issac. It’s fun to get to know more about authors. I LOVE the Narnia series! Our family so enjoys the new Narnia movies, and the Focus on the Family audio series is AMAZING!! Kara’s book, Can’t Help Falling, sounds very intriguing and I like the whole influence of the Narnia theme. Thanks so much for the opportunity of this giveaway!!!
    ~ Alison Boss

    • Hi Alison! I think I enjoy being an author partly because I get to meet other authors, LOL! Yay! Glad you are a Narnia fan, too! I loved all those version! I think you’ll love the book!!
      Blessings :)

  29. Kara’s books are amazing! I loved them both. Thanks for the interview, Janet!

  30. Sounds like a fun read. I wish I could try some of that New Zealand chocolate you mentioned!

    • Hi Jessica! That chocolate was delicious! I ate the whole thing. I’m hoping Kara will bring the salted caramel she mentioned to conference. (Hint to Kara) I’ll trade her with Double Stuf Oreos.
      Good luck in the drawing :)

  33. Loved, loved, loved Can’t Help Falling!! It took the number one spot of favorite books I read in 2016 (and I read over 100)!! I’m looking forward to more fantastic reads from Kara!!

  35. Close to You had me up reading until after midnight. Seems hard to top, but her new one sounds even better. Thanks for the great interview.

    • I’m so glad you enjoyed Close To You, Jayna! I hope you enjoy Can’t Help Falling just as much if you have the opportunity to read it :)

  36. Thanks so much for having me to visit, Janet and to everyone for dropping by! I hope the winner enjoys Peter and Emelia’s adventures :)

    • I know they will! I really appreciate your time! We are looking forward to the next book!

  37. I think it is neat to learn about authors who live in other countries….great interview!!

    • Hi Nicole! Glad you are enjoying Kara’s book! You’ll love this one! So cool you’ve been to Oxford.
      Blessings

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