Books with author Cara Carroll

This 6X9″, 170-page paperback book includes true stories, history, and images from beautiful Catawba Valley. The story of Catawba Valley, Virginia, its people, places and events would have wide range appeal to non-Catawbians, rural and urban audiences. Luemma Craft and John Garman would marry and have seventeen children during 1890 – 1914. Echoes from Catawba Volume 1 relates some of the stories about families growing up during a time when there was no indoor plumbing, electricity, and many hardships. The stories about their schools, farms, churches, and their General Store will keep your attention and remind you of better times. In order to survive, they lived off the land and worked hard. These mostly Scot-Irish descendants had a culture, identity, and values that bear looking at in this complex and politically-correct world we live in today. Times were difficult but the people of Catawba considered themselves blessed and felt they had all they needed: God, family, Church, and community. The author gathered information from Catawba people as they recalled their childhood days growing up in a totally different world we live in now. The author also used his personal experiences growing up in the mountains in the 1940s and 1950s as well as calling upon memories of hearing what the previous generation conveyed. Echoes From Catawba comprises stories with heart and humor so as to transform the reader back into those early times of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Any fiction that may crop up is strictly accidental and not intended. It may sound like fiction to some (that’s okay) but it is history put forth in stories written to induce a smile, maybe a tear and retained knowledge of rural life in the early 1900s. During the interviewing process and research for this book, folks were asked how they felt about growing up in such challenging times. They each stated they would do it all over again without changing anything. That spirit lives within all Catawbians regardless of where they are now. Many have lived in Catawba all their lives. I hasten to add that this book has drawn the interest of urban people who have no connection to Appalachia and never experienced rural living. These are stories that should appeal to any reader. This book is enlightening, interesting, heartwarming and inspiring. After reading about this special, unique place called Catawba Valley, it will leave you ready for Volume 2, being released the fall of 2019. The collectors edition, hardcover book can be found at www.echoesfromcatawba.com-You give Catawba a life in your stories and it takes me back to better times. Thank you. -Terri Garman Csarnogusky-Very well written accounts of families and a past era in rural Catawba. It gives everyone the perspective of how life was in many rural farming families. –Jonathan Gregory Reed

Marvin is a shy young boy who becomes curiously interested in the art of magic and dreams of becoming a real magician someday. Marvin takes his classmates on a magical odyssey, develops self-confidence and discovers the meaning of true friendship. Marvelous Marvin's Magical Moment will leave readers with a sense of joy and encouragement to "dream, believe and reach for the stars!"

High school is tough. It's even tougher when the whole world goes haywire. Fourteen-year-old Joy Preston has finally found her niche at a new school--fun, friends, and a new crush. But in a moment, everything changes. Disaster at a pool party is just the beginning. Aberrant creatures and the disappearance of her father lead Joy to discover that two of the people she cares about most hold a dangerous secret, one she is soon caught up in. An adventure at the border of two worlds leads Joy to discover first love, true friendship, and the bitterness of betrayal.

Missy Mouse is determined to build a rocket ship to take her to the moon. Not just for the adventure of it all, but so she can bring back a ship-full of green cheese for her family-Aunt Selina, and Grandpa, and all her cousins. But the adventure begins quite suddenly when her rocket ship seems to take flight. She crashes, nearly drowns, is chased by fearsome water rats and discovers an unexpected friendship. Meanwhile, back home, her cousins are having a scary adventure all their own! Missy Mouse and the Rocket Ship is a fable for children 6 to 10. A story about family, true friends, and never giving up on your dreams!

Marvin is a shy young boy who becomes curiously interested in the art of magic and dreams of becoming a real magician someday. Marvin takes his classmates on a magical odyssey, develops self-confidence and discovers the meaning of true friendship. Marvelous Marvin's Magical Moment will leave readers with a sense of joy and encouragement to "dream, believe and reach for the stars!"

When home no longer feels like home - where can you go? When your best friend won’t listen - who can you turn to? When love makes you feel weak - how do you protect your heart?With constant fighting at home, Emma decides working at High Street Books and practicing avoidance is the best method to save her from more heartache. She doesn’t expect to meet Jake, the shop owner’s nephew, who makes her stomach do crazy things. But Jake is intent on pushing her away, and Emma must ask herself: Is he scared? Or is he hiding something?Tastes Like Winter is a story of love, family, and friendship and, when everything is uncertain, trying to figure out where you fit in.

Old Dumpling is an inventor, who lives on a Universe where it has never rained, but he knows the signs. He tries to warn the neighbors, but they laugh at him and won't listen anymore. He befriends Little Girl, and Young Boy, and discovers a surprising secret from another Universe. A "Noah and the Ark" type of story set in another world, it is also about friendship between Olders and Youngers, and why you shouldn't steal other people's ideas or throw rocks at glass houses. Old Dumpling is one of a series of books called "Imagine That!" If reading this story to a child, encourage him or her to draw their own illustrations.