LILAC COTTAGE - Carrie Fancett Pagels - One Free Book

Welcome back to my blog, Carrie. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about? I like to write about grace, forgiveness, and overcoming with God’s help.

What other books of yours are coming out soon? I have another James River Romances series book, a novella, releasing in the fall. Shenandoah Hearts was originally published by Barbour in a collection but the rights reverted back to the authors. I am expanding my story a bit.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why? Oh Lena, with my RA and other health issues I don’t care to spend an evening with anyone but my immediate family most of the time! And I believe God brings people into my life for a reason, for His purposes, so I don’t think about people I’d like to be with I let the Lord bring them in His own timing—and preferably not at night!

I so understand. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why? I think it would be amazing to meet Mary, Jesus’s mother, because of what she did in obedience to God.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers? Prayerfully consider Indy publishing. Enter contests. If God has asked you to write, be obedient to His call. Trust in His perfect timing.

That is so true. Tell us about the featured book. Lilac Cottage is about coping with losses and dealing with toxic people. It’s also about the joy of friendships and how someone who seemed like an adversary in childhood might become someone you could love. My heroine, Rachel, has a narcissist for a mother and her grandmother ended up stepping into the gap to help. The story takes place in Chicago and in Michigan—on beautiful Mackinac Island. My hero, Jack, is a merchant mariner who is taking a break after Covid literally shut ships down in harbors. He’s renovating the “cottage” next door to where Rachel is camping out in her grandmother’s place, after Gram’s death. If you love playful verbal sparring, overcoming with God’s help, and a delicious suspense woven into a story—then this one is for you!

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chicago, January 2022

She’s stopped speaking.” Not the words Rachel wanted to hear from the nightshift nurse, who always gave Rachel the straight scoop on her grandmother. The RN’s words slit Rachel’s heart like a surgical scalpel.

Talking with Gram had kept Rachel going. Oh God, now that I’ve found You, Abba Father, don’t take her away from me.

“Are you alright?” Nurse Nancee gently touched Rachel’s shoulder.

Rachel compressed her lips. If Gram never spoke again then how could her world be all right? This failing woman had been her best friend and a better mother than her own mom. Gram had been her rock. Rachel drew in a slow, shuddering breath.

“Why don’t you come sit down by her and hold her hand?” Nancee pointed to the upholstered chair adjacent to the bed, at a spot Rachel knew well.

She dipped her chin. The confusion and loneliness swirling in her head were worse than when the Admiral had left her and Mom. Her third stepfather, the Admiral, as she called him, had been her favorite. Then he’d left them, promising Rachel he’d keep in touch—but he hadn’t. She sniffed.

How can I do this? How could she manage without Gram’s practical advice? Without the kindly woman’s laughter that grounded her to the moment, keeping her from trailing off into her frequent reviews of choices and outcomes that left her feeling helpless and confused?

“Gram? It’s Rachel. I’m here.”

No response. Gram lay curled on her side, away from her. Her grandmother normally woke when Rachel visited, almost daily, depending on her work and online college schedules.

No. This can’t be happening. Not now. “I need you, Gram.” Rachel scooched the chair closer to the bed.

Still nothing.

What would she do if Gram never came back? Never spoke again? She’d been warned when Gram stopped eating, that would be the end.

She clasped her hands together hard. Still, she should be grateful Gram was being well cared for in a beautiful facility. She had to take comfort in that fact.

Rachel bowed her head. Lord, help Gram and her caretakers. Be with the nurses and doctors and guide them. Amen. The scent of roses and gardenias carried from the nearby table. Rachel had splurged with her bonus from work. At least Gram had her favorite flowers nearby.

The door creaked open, allowing soft laughter and voices in conversation to carry through.

“Hi again.” Nurse Nancee moved toward the bed. “I wanted to ask you about something.”

Nancee’s serious tone put her on notice.

“Sure.” Rachel straightened.

“I was wondering about your mother.” She gave a little shrug. “I’ve never met her.”

“Yeah, I don’t think she’s ever visited.” No surprise there.

“That’s what the records show.” Nancee’s soft features bunched together.

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Thank you for sharing Lilac Cottage with my blog readers and me. I love your books.

Readers, here’s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Cottage-Mackinac-Cottages-Carrie-Fancett/dp/1736687565/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1690496897&sr=1-1

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