Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.
How’d you like the alliteration in my blog title today? 
I’m thrilled to welcome Carla Olson Gade as my guest this week! Carla is one of the first writers I met online when I started blogging a few years ago. She warmly welcomed me to the community, and I’ve loved watching her career grow. She has a great love for history, so of course I had to ask her to choose between two hunky heroes of classic film. (To see who she picked–and to learn how you can win a copy of her latest release–keep reading!)
A native New Englander, Carla Olson Gade grew up in an historic Massachusetts town and now lives in rural Maine with her husband and two young adult sons. Her love for writing and eras gone by turned her attention to writing historical Christian romance. Represented by MacGregor Literary Agency, she is the author of The Shadow Catcher’s Daughter (Heartsong Presents) and “Carving a Future” in the Colonial Courtships novella collection (Barbour). Carla is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Maine Fellowship of Christian Writers. She has judged several writing contests and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest (RWA). Throughout the years Carla has been a conference planner and taught many ministry groups, workshops, and courses, presenting on Christian growth, genealogy, writing, and adult literacy.
Readers can find her at carlagade.com and from there connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. She also blogs at writingtodistraction.blogspot.com and colonialquills.blogspot.com.
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Welcome, Carla! On to the questions we go….
Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?
Inquisitive, Creative, Intuitive, Patient, Reserved, Tenacious, Faithful
Either/Or Questions:
1) European tour or Alaskan cruise?
European for certain! I would love to tour the lands of my ancestors. England, Wales, Scotland, and Sweden. That would be the thrill of my life.
2) Jump in with both feet or Enjoy the view?
I’m an observer, but once I get on board I jump right in!
3) Nachos and cheese or Mac and cheese?
Nachos and cheese! I tend to like spicy foods.
4) Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant?
I’m a romantic at heart and love watching classic movies. Since Joel McCrea isn’t an option, I’ll go with Cary Grant.
5) Dress shirt or Sweatshirt?
I love to dress in a pretty blouse, but you’ll most often find me dressed casually. And living in Maine I need to dress warm. A sweatshirt for me!
6) Chocolate cake or Carrot cake?
Chocolate. Mmmmm! I might say Carrot, but often they are made with raisins and coconut frosting which I detest.
7) Indoors or Outdoors?
Although I’m a bit of a homebody and you’ll most often find me at my computer, I adore being outside, especially on a warm fall day.
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I agree, Carla. I’m usually indoors, but fall is a time of year I love to get outside and enjoy the perfect temperatures. As far as carrot cake, I’m with you…I love it as long as nuts, raisins, or coconut are not involved. And I love that you’re a classic movie fan. I have to say my favorites are the Thin Man movies. They have mystery, suspense, romance, and humor…a perfect combination.
Thanks so much for being here today! I enjoyed getting to know you better.
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Carving a Future in Colonial Courtships
Glassenbury, Connecticut, 1752
Ship figurehead carver Nathaniel Ingersoll has apprenticed for many years under his Uncle Phineas and hopes to become a master ship carver in his own right. Indentured servant Constance Starling arrives on the Connecticut coast too ill for anyone to accept. Has Nathaniel jeopardized the future he has worked hard to achieve for the welfare of a weakly servant?
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Blog Readers: Let’s talk…What’s your favorite classic movie of all time? Any favorites with Jimmy Stewart or Cary Grant?
*Giveaway Details: Carla has offered to give away a copy of Colonial Courtships! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!
**The winner of last week’s Julie Lessman giveaway is Jennifer Dove! I’ll contact you this week with details.
FATHER GOOSE with Cary Grant is one of my all time favorite movies. It’s wonderful.
I would love to read COLONIAL COURTSHIPS thank you.
Anything with Cary Grant is wonderful, right, Mary?
Perhaps Charade or one of his funny films
I’m a big fan of funny, Vera.
Thanks for stopping by today!
I’m one of those oddballs who doesn’t watch classic movies, so I can’t tell whose movies I prefer. Carla, congratulations on your new release.
Lisa, I love classic movies, but I honestly don’t watch them very often. My husband’s not a fan, so I usually compromise for the sake of the marriage.
It’s A Wonderful Life is my favorite movie! Of course, that has our Jimmy Stewart. LOVE that movie!
A Christmas classic, Amy! It’s the perfect season to start watching it.
Congratulations to Carla! So excited for her.
Can’t wait to read the book. Thank you Sarah, for helping us get to know her better.
Doesn’t the book look great, Karen? Thanks for stopping by and saying hi!
Harvey starring Jimmy Stewart is among my top ten favorite movies of all time. But let’s go with Philadelphia Story and get them BOTH plus Katherine Hepburn!
Any movie with a Hepburn (Katherine or Audrey) is a winner in my book, Sarah.
It’s a Wonderful Life is also my favorite movie! Thanks for the interview, Sarah!
Another Wonderful Life fan! ‘Tis the season, Heidi.
Fun interview! I’m a Cary Grant fan all the way!
Amen, Loree! Doesn’t matter what he’s in, it’s worth watching.
Love any movie with Cary Grant!! Fun interview, ladies!
It’s tough to choose between those two, isn’t it, Lindsay? But I’d have to pick Cary too.
What a cute interview!! I don’t watch classic movies and can’t recall liking any of the guys. I know my mom loves Cary Grant and this other tall guy from the 70s but I guess I’m a nineties girl. *grin*
“this other tall guy from the 70s” — Thanks for making me smile, Jessica.
Ahhhh, how can you ask someone to choose between Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant?!?!
Okay, slight overreaction there, but those two guys top my list of “absolute faves of all time.” I really can’t say which I like best. But I love that you mentioned the Thin Man movies–soo good.
Really cute interview!
Aren’t the Thin Man movies the best, Melissa?! I’m a big fan of wit and dry humor.
How much fun to read your replies! Looks like we have a lot of old movie buffs here! And Sarah, I forgot to say no nuts for me either in that Carrot Cake. Glad I’m in good company!
Glad to know I’m not the only picky carrot cake eater, Carla.
And these comments are making me want to watch The Classic Movie channel all afternoon. 
I love Cary Grant. In fact I have three original movie posters of various sizes hangiing in my condo with him on it. The movie posters are “Affair to Remember”, “The Grass is Greener” and “Walk Don’t Run”. My favorite Cary Grant movie is “Affair to Remember”.
Wow, Lori, You are a true fan. I love it!
My college daughter loves old movies. I’ve watched several with her, but my favorite is still It’s a Wonderful Life.
Aw, what a fun mother-daughter thing to do together, Keli. Hopefully I can get my daughter hooked on classic movies. All in time since she IS just two years old, right?
Um, what’s carrot cake without raisins and coconut?
And I love Cary Grant and Jimmy Stuart — it’s really a toss up. I love Bringing Up Baby w/ Cary Grant and I love the Philadelphia Story with Jimmy Stuart — and of course, It’s a Wonderful Life.
Oohhh, I was thinking of Bringing Up Baby too, Beth. One of my faves.
Sarah: I am torn between Jimmy Stewart andCary Grant. I like them both. Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window always causes me to stop what I am doing and watch him. I like the thought process he and Grace Kelly go through. Thelma Ritter is excellent- that last line of hers and that look she gets when she realizes what she said; it’s priceless. My favorite Cary Grant movie is An Affair to Remember. I love the scenery when they go to his grandmother’s villa.
For my 21st birthday, my then-boyfriend, now husband, had his older sister make me a carrot cake. It was my first one. I still like it.
Both actors have been in wonderful movies, haven’t they, Cecelia? And what a great birthday cake idea! I can see why you married that man.
LOVE Charade and Bringing Up Baby.
Ditto those, Julia!
Thanks for swinging by here today, my friend.
I love Bringing up Baby and An Affair to Remember, and who doesn’t enjoy It’s a Wonderful Life.
Sounds like An Affair to Remember and It’s a Wonderful Life are the frontrunners so far.
Makes me want to record some more movies on Turner Movie Classics. That is one way I love to relax, watching the old movies. Something about watching a story in black and white engages me more. Those old stories truly are classics, too. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
Turner Movie Classics! That’s what I meant to say in my earlier comment when I said The Classic Movie channel. Can you tell it’s a Monday?
Shared on twitter.
Thanks, Amy! I’ve got you down for a double entry.
loved this posting/interview, sarah….and thanks for the chance to read this novel, too
Thanks, Karen, and good luck in the drawing!