Showing posts with label Carrie Fancett Pagels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carrie Fancett Pagels. Show all posts

Thursday, July 27, 2023

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.

How can readers find you on the Internet? Thanks for asking!!!

Website: www.carriefancettpagels.com

Facebook Author Page

Facebook Personal Page

Twitter

Pinterest

goodreads

LinkedIn

Amazon author page

Bookbub

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

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 2 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

BUTTERFLY COTTAGE - Carrie Fancett Pagels - One Free Book

Bio: Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of over twenty Christian fiction books, including ECPA and Amazon bestsellers. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't cure her overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a “Yooper.” Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time! You can connect with her at www.CarrieFancettPagels.com

Welcome back, Carrie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon? I’m so excited about getting Butterfly Cottage out there into the world. I pray women will be blessed by its message! Alcoholism is addressed, making choices about retirement, life-threatening illnesses, and making life choices! I also have a dual timeline story, Behind Love’s Wall, in Barbour’s Doors to the Past series. That story includes a subplot about why keeping secrets can impact people well into the future. I also have a subplot with an issue near to my heart—how Lupus when not diagnosed properly can impact behavior and emotions.

Tell us a little about your family. We have a late teen son at home who is also a write. He’s a blessing to me on so many levels. My hubs is working from home. He’s an amazing engineer and a manager, but he’s such a humble guy—he’s also really funny. We have an adult daughter who works in a top-secret field, which is kind of cool, and a new SIL who is an amazing cook!

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how? I have gotten much choosier in what I read because I don’t have as much time. I see that changing when I stop writing.

What are you working on right now? I have edits from Behind Love’s Wall to finish up. I have an audiobook of my Holt Medallion finalist The Steeplechase which will be releasing soon. And I have rights back to two Barbour novellas which will be releasing over the summer!

The only thing I had published last year was a 4-novella collection I published. Four Seasons of Love. They had all appeared in collections that were ebooks, so my readers who don’t have Kindles hadn’t read them. What outside interests do you have? I enjoy walking our dog with my son. I do some beadwork. Hubs and I watch English mysteries together!

How do you choose your settings for each book? Only on the very rare occasion have I written about any place I don’t know and love.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why? Besides Jesus, of course, that would be Lucy Maude Montgomery who inspired my writing.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels? Every new novelist needs to understand the time commitment and have mastered their craft first.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now? He only gives me strength enough to do what He wants me to do and I need to be content with that.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful? Learn your craft, write daily, ask God to show you what you specifically need to do or not do.

All very good advice. Tell us about the featured book. Although this book has a lot of serious topics in it, it is also infused with humor! Life-changing journeys begin when three generations of women unexpectedly spend a summer at the family’s Straits of Mackinac cottage.
Blurb: Three generations of women unexpectedly head out to the family’s cottage at the Straits of Mackinac for a small-town Michigan summer together. Jaycie begins an Archeology internship on Mackinac Island. Her mother, Tamara, takes a break from teaching kindergarteners. And her grandmother, Dawn, struggles with a decision to sell her successful travel agency and possibly retire.
Each has her own journey to pursue during this short respite time from normal life. One of them has a secret that will change all of their lives. Can she make this one special summer to remember or will all be devastated? Faith for family and friends will be tested, with some finally able to put the past behind them and begin anew. (Set in 2018, pre-Pandemic.)

Please give us the first page of the book. (Lena, there are three POVs in this book and each generation of the women has her own first page.)

Dawn

Chicago, Winter 2018

Are you sure you’re really ready to retire?

Dawn Charbonneau crinkled her nose at the first line of the email from the potential buyer of her travel agency. “Oh, boy.” Hadn’t she already answered that question? After all, Barb had been managing the place for the past few years—and she was well suited to buy Dawn out and assume full responsibility.

“What’s up?” Jim, her husband of almost fifty years called from his recliner.

“Aw, nothing.” She closed Barb’s email and opened the next one, a long message from her last high-profile client. “Oh, boy.”

Jim lowered the volume on his Bulls game. “What are you ‘oh boying’ about?”

Dawn hadn’t booked any travel plans for her former clients since easing toward retirement after Jim’s knee surgery—except this one. Barb hadn’t wanted to touch the high-strung woman’s travel plans but Dawn had a soft spot in her heart for this customer. “Do you remember Kay-Leigh?”

“Yup, that supermodel from Europe, right?”

“Yup.” The young woman had been with Dawn since before Kay-Leigh became famous. Separated from her husband, Kay-Leigh had Dawn book a flight from Switzerland, where she was living, to Michigan in July. “It’s my very last booking and I want to make sure things go well for this young woman. I made hotel arrangements on Mackinac Island.”

“Hard to mess that up. Hampy will take good care of her.”

Dawn cringed. “Nope. I put her at the Grand Hotel.” Their friends, the Parkers, owned a resort on the opposite side of the island. They wouldn’t be happy if they got wind of this. “Don’t say anything to Hampy about it.”

“Hampy Parker won’t hear a word from me, but why not put her up over there? More privacy.”

Sounds wonderful. How can readers find you on the Internet?

Website: www.carriefancettpagels.com

Blogs: Overcoming With God and Colonial Quills

Facebook Author Page

Facebook Personal Page

Twitter

Pinterest

goodreads

LinkedIn

Amazon author page

Bookbub

Newsletter sign up

Thank you, Carrie, for sharing this new book with us. I’m eager to read it, and I will after I meet my contracted book deadline next week.

Readers, here are links to the book.

https://amzn.to/3kdkuWG - Paperback

https://amzn.to/2VzvWBL - Kindle

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link: Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

LOVE'S BEACON (The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides) - Carrie Fancett Pagels - One Free Book.

Dear Readers, here’s another author of one of the novellas in The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides novella collection. Her novella is Love’s Beacon.

Bio: Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of fifteen Christian historical romances, including ECPA bestsellers. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't “cure” her overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a “Yooper,” in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time! You can connect with her at www.CarrieFancettPagels.com.

Welcome back, Carrie. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
Yes, God had kept me busy working on some stories. Although I am disabled from my Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease, I’m grateful for the chance to do something for the Lord. I received a contract for another novella collection with Barbour Books. This one is a school teachers romance four-in-one with slightly longer novellas (25,000 to 30,000 words each). My story is set on Mackinac Island, where many of my stories are set, including my Maggie Award 2018 novel My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring.

Congratulations. I’m expecting another contract from them, too. Tell us a little about your family.
We have a 29-year-old electrical engineer daughter who lives the next town over and we’re so grateful to see her regularly. We also have a 16-year-old son who is a high school student taking advanced classes and who shares my love of writing. My husband is a marine mechanical engineer and he is also my “Handsome Chauffeur” for my writing events, driving me and my “Beast of Burden” carrying my stuff in and out! We have two grand-dogs, a 120 pound Black lab-Shepherd mix lap dog who lives with our daughter and a 50 pound two-year-old Aussie Kelpie who lives here with us and his master, Clark.

My husband is my chauffeur, and he also brings in my stuff and sets it up for me. It’s such a blessing to have a husband who completely supports the plans God has for us. Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes. I used to read more like a typical Christian-fiction reader – as I found an author I’d get their books and read from the back list on. Now I read new releases that are “comparables” usually – books that are comparable to my own subgenre.

What are you working on right now?
I have a Women’s Fiction novel proposal that I’ve sort of set aside to begin work on the novella, which has a deadline of March 1st.  My story is set in 1894 on Mackinac Island and is in the same time frame and story world of a bunch of my other publications, which is super fun. Characters who have appeared in my other stories may show up in this one, particularly little Jack Welling, who was a fan favorite. The school teacher in my story is male and my heroine, Maggie Hadley, named after my college roommate, is posing as one of her brothers as a dray driver on the island. Because of my physical limitations I will need to continue to work on it as I feel well enough, a little at a time. I have wonderful critique partners, authors Kathleen L. Maher and Debbie Lynne Costello.

What outside interests do you have?
I bead, but mostly simple things now because of my hand pain. We attend church regularly and I enjoy reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. My husband and I enjoy watching mysteries, especially British shows. I like to bake, bead, read, and travel. We take dance classes (when my foot is cooperating.) I’m very grateful to be walking again after a five year period of time when I could barely walk without extreme pain. So my son and I walk our dog regularly now.

I’m so glad you’re back on your feet again. How do you choose your settings for each book?
Because I write in character, I like to place my stories somewhere that I would enjoy being and in a time frame in which I am interested. Since I love the Straits of Mackinac area in Michigan, that’s often my go-to choice. I live in Virginia and have a number of stories set here, too, such as my Holt medallion finalist The Steeplechase.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
I think you mean besides Jesus. Who wouldn’t want an evening with Him? So besides the Lord, I’d say James Madison. https://www.montpelier.org We’ve visited at Montpelier and from what we heard and what I’ve read about him, I believe he also suffered with arthritis yet he overcame so much. Hopefully I’d also get to meet his fascinating man servant and also Dolly!

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
Hmm, I was fortunate to have been given a lot of good advice from numerous authors as I began my career. But since I actually started writing novels decades earlier, but set them aside, I’d say probably that the craft work has to be done. Most writers can’t simply write a novel. Most of us need lots of craft work and that’s fine!

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
His timing. His writing ministry through me. His way.

We all need to remember that. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Listen to the Lord and stay anchored in your faith.

Tell us about the featured book.
In The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides my novella, Love’s Beacon is set at the Round Island lighthouse, which marks the entrance into Mackinac Island and is in the Straits of Mackinac. This lighthouse opened in 1895 and a huge restoration project was initiated when I was working on the island as a dessert maker at Little Bob’s Restaurant in 1974. I actually contributed to that cause (I think $1.00!) and there have been subsequent restorations since that time. In my story, Valerie Fillman is the daughter of the lighthouse keepers – or is she? When Valerie’s entire family perishes at the lighthouse due to illness, her whole life takes a dramatic turn. I write in character and so I wanted this story to have a more positive “feel” to it than it could have had. So there is a strong mystery component as well as romance. The new lighthouse keeper, Paul Sholtus, has longed to leave his farming roots. But with a young daughter to raise, managing a lighthouse becomes a tricky proposition. I had a lot of fun writing this story and my readers will also see characters from my novella The Sugarplum Ladies in The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection (Barbour, 2018) and from some of my other Michigan-set stories!

Please give us the first page of the book for my blog readers.
Prologue
Mackinac Island September 1897
Standing alone in the Island Pharmacy, Valerie’s hands shook as she removed the scrap of paper from her reticule. How strange to be here alone. If Ma and Pa weren’t so desperately ill, they’d never have allowed her to travel by herself from Round Island. She’d pleaded with them only days earlier to allow her to get medicine, fearing the worst for Mary and Tim. They’d refused.

“May I help you, miss?” The young man behind the counter gazed at her, concern reflecting from his dark eyes.

Niggling anxiety nipped at her as she thrust out the list. The scent of camphor mingled with beeswax and a hint of bay rum. Alone here, her senses seemed heightened. The jingling of the doorbells startled her. She pressed a hand over her hammering heart as the clerk turned and went to the back to have the pharmacist fill her order.

A pretty blond woman entered, holding tight to a toddler’s arm. The child looked up, hazel eyes shining. Attired in a fashionable bonnet and matching coat, the young mother smiled at Val, and she realized she’d been staring. Val averted her gaze.

The clerk returned. “Mrs. Swaine, good to see you. I’ve got something for little Robbie’s sniffle.” After pushing his black sleeve garters higher, the young man bent and retrieved a paper-wrapped parcel from behind the counter.

“Thank you.” No payment was exchanged, which seemed odd. Perhaps the woman had an account.

The mother turned and faced Val, her blue eyes darkening. “Don’t I know you?”

“My father is the lighthouse keeper, ma’am.” Val cast her eyes downward, as her mother had drilled into her.

The toddler looked up at Val and held out his hands. Something in her longed to have someone reach for her like this. Just as Val was about to pick him up, the child’s mother lifted him onto her hip.

“I have never met Mr. Fillman. But I know I’ve seen your face somewhere.” For a brief instant, Val again met the beautiful young mother’s gaze. “We do come on occasion to the island.” The very rare occasion, and never unaccompanied.

The toddler sneezed. “Oh my!” His mother leaned away. “Bless you.” Val pulled a handkerchief from her reticule. “This is clean.” She wiped the child’s nose.

“Thank you.” Arms full, the young mother headed out as a tall man entered, holding the door ajar for her.

The pharmacist stepped to the back again and returned with several brown bottles. He quickly wrapped them in paper and then placed them gently in a bag before tying the parcel with twine.
Val accepted the medications and headed out to the docks for her return to Round Island. A stiff chill wind swirled her wool skirts even higher than their already short length. She swiped at the coarse fabric, pushing it down toward her ankles.

As she reached the mooring place for the lighthouse boat, she spied the light-house inspector, Mr. Dardanes, arguing with Jimmy, the boy who’d promised to help her sail back to the island.
As she neared them, she caught his words. “Miss Fillman can’t return and that’s settled.”

She took several steps closer, clutching the medications to her chest. “What’s going on?”

Thank you, Carrie, for sharing some of your life and your novella with my blog readers.

How can readers find you on the internet?

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Monday, December 22, 2014

THE FRUITCAKE CHALLENGE - Carrie Fancett Pagels - One Free Book or Ebook

Bio: Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D. “Hearts Overcoming Through Time,” is an award-winning Christian historical romance author. In 2015, Carrie’s novel Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter will release with Pelican Book Group. Carrie’s Amazon Christian Historical Romance #1 bestselling novella, The Fruitcake Challenge, released September, 2014. Her short story, “Snowed In,” appears in Guidepost Books’ A Christmas Cup of Cheer (2013). She’s the Amazon best-selling and top-rated author of Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance (2013). Her short story, “The Quilting Contest,” appears in Family Fiction’s The Story 2014 anthology. Carrie received Honorable Mention for the 2014 Maggie Awards for Excellence for her unpublished novel Grand Exposé. Former psychologist (25 years) and mother of two.

Welcome back, Carrie. Why do you write the kind of books you do?
For Christ. My message is because of Him. My tagline is “Hearts Overcoming Through Time” and intrinsic in that is—with God’s help.  I write Christian historical romances because that is what I like to read, too.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Giving birth to my first child, my daughter, Cassandra Rose, in 1989. God showed me how love can just keep growing in your heart, more than I ever thought possible.

How has being published changed your life?
I think the main thing it does is give some credibility to my writing. There are so many amazing writers out there. Many of whom aren’t yet published. People don’t take your writing as seriously until you have something out in print.

What are you reading right now?
I’m finishing a two-part Christmas novella by Angela Breidenbach and Valerie Comer, entitled The Snowflake Tiara. http://www.amazon.com/Snowflake-Tiara-Angela-Breidenbach-ebook/dp/B00N70PXZW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1418773274&sr=1-1&keywords=breidenbach

I featured that book on my blog. I loved it. What is your current work in progress?
The Lumberjack’s Ball is the sequel to The Fruitcake Challenge. One of my heroine’s (Josephine Christy) brothers wants to be a master cabinet maker and furniture designer. He takes a side job from his lumberjacking to create stunning built-in cabinetry at a local mercantile. And the store owner’s daughter catches his eye! I also have a book due out in 2015 from Pelican Book Group that you’ve previously critiqued a section of, Lena. It is currently entitled Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter, so I’ll have edits due this winter.

What would be your dream vacation?
I’d love to stay on Mackinac Island for the entire season, staying in a gorgeous Victorian up on the bluffs.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
Usually it is someplace I love. With Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter, however, I set it in France, Germany, and Philadelphia because of the history behind the story. So the second part of my answer is the history of the story does determine where I normally will set it as I’m often inspired by real life stories.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
Joyce Meyer. I’d love to “pick her brain” and hear about her vision for her ministry into the future. She’s been an inspiration to me.

My husband and I love to listen to Joyce. We also have read several of her books. We’ve seen her in person when we were in the studio audience for James Robison’s show when she was there. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Beadwork and travel, as my health permits for both. And of course snuggling with my 12-year-old son!

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
I have multiple forms of arthritis. But I’ve found that when God wants me to be writing then He makes a way for me to do so. I believe I’m firmly in His will that way.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Don’t skip learning the craft. I’ve seen too many who have. Read, read, read all the comparable authors in your genre. Like Lena and I were told some eight years ago or so, blog. It has many benefits.

Your advice is very good. Tell us about the featured book.    
Here’s the blurb:
The Fruitcake Challenge
When new lumberjack, Tom Jeffries, tells the camp cook, Jo Christy, that he’ll marry her if she can make a fruitcake, “as good as the one my mother makes,” she rises to the occasion. After all, he’s the handsomest, smartest, and strongest axman her camp-boss father has ever had in his camp—and the cockiest. And she intends to bring this lumberjack down a notch or three by refusing his proposal. The fruitcake wars are on! All the shanty boys and Jo’s cooking helpers chip in with their recipes but Jo finds she’ll have to enlist more help—and begins corresponding with Tom’s mother.

Step back in time to 1890, in beautiful Northern Michigan, near the sapphire straits of Mackinac, when the white pines were “white gold” and lumber camps were a way of life. Jo is ready to find another life outside of the camps and plans that don’t include any shanty boys. But will a lumberjack keep her in the very place she’s sworn to leave?

Please give us the first page of the book.
Prologue
Near Mackinaw City, Michigan 1890
Vast evergreens crowded the roadway on both sides of the wagon, towering over a hundred feet to the sky, almost obscuring the sunlight. Every time the dray hit a bump in the mucky road, Tom Jeffries grasped his crate of books in one arm and his boxy leather suitcase in the other. After the last spine-jolting rut had been crossed, he pulled out his father’s gold pocket watch.

Shouldn’t be too much longer now.

He swatted at the mosquitoes that swarmed the deep woods. No wonder the men at the mercantile had laughed when Tom had asked about purchasing arm garters to go with his new work shirts. He’d need to leave his shirt sleeves unrolled, even for summer, to keep the pests off him. Even that wasn’t working now, though. Tom draped his Hudson Bay blanket around his shoulders and pulled it up over his neck and then squashed his felt slouch hat down further to cover his forehead.

The vehicle slowed. Sitting in the bed of the flat dray, Tom swiveled so he could see the reason for their halt.

The drayman turned to him, as did his son beside him. “Here’s yer camp.”

Nothing but woods surrounded them. Tom hesitated. He wasn’t about to be dropped off in the middle of nowhere.

The barrel-chested man pointed straight ahead. “That there’s Boss Christy’s office and the cook shack is beyond.”

Tom hopped down, but left his belongings on the wagon bed.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

Purchase Links:
The Fruitcake Challenge (2014) on Amazon and on Barnes and Noble

Giveaway: 
A copy of the book–choice of paperback or ebook (Kindle or Nook) USA only for paperback choice.

Carrie, thank you for sharing it and some of your life with us today.

Readers, this would be a good book for all of you who get a Kindle or a Nook for Christmas.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

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Thursday, June 27, 2013

RETURN TO SHIRLEY PLANTATION: A CIVIL WAR ROMANCE - Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D - One Free Ebook

Bio – Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D. 

Carrie Fancett Pagels (www.carriefancettpagels.com) debut release Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance, is a Kindle Civil War best seller and a top rated Civil War Book on Amazon. She contributed to God’s Provision in Tough Times by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy (July, 2013.) Her short story Snowed In: A Northwoods Christmas will appear in Guidepost Books “A Cup of Christmas Cheer” in October, 2013.

I cot to know Carrie very well after she booked an appointment with me at one of the ACFW national conferences. I'm thrilled to feature her here. Welcome, Carrie. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Because I was a psychologist for 25 years I have heard a lot of people’s “stories” and a lot of that goes into my characterization. In my author’s voice you will hear a strong and deep chord of hope, determination, and overcoming. In this published novella, my character Angelina wants to obey God and do as He directs her and that is very much stemming from my own beliefs. In the manuscript I am writing now, my heroine has to overcome shame and the belief that she is responsible for something that has happened. I have to dig deep to draw on experiences of my own but I’m more reliant on what I’ve heard from people over the years as far as their own shame. Because the hero helps her, I have some of my psychologist self and spiritual self in him. But he is a man so I have to be careful—men don’t usually “help” the way women do! They want to solve things. But he can’t just solve her problems, which is frustrating to him. But God can, with their cooperation.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Lena, I am a Yooper woman—someone from the upper peninsula of Michigan. If you look under quirky in the dictionary you will see a Yooper. I wear a hot pink t-shirt to bed that says “Yooper Girl” on it—maybe that will answer your question. But my daughter and hubby would say the time I dressed in Yooper clothes and went to our suburban Virginia Kohls dressed in flood-water sweats, gray wool socks, and short hiking boots. I mean—it was winter after all, eh?

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
As a child—I wrote a prologue for my favorite book Anne of Green Gables! But I had to “re-discover” that I was a writer as an adult and that came when I realized I’d have to write the books I wanted to read since I was having trouble finding them.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Depends on the phase I am in. I’ve sometimes been into contemporary suspense but for years now I’ve been reading Christian historical romance, with an emphasis on the history part! But I like nonfiction Bible study books, too, and an occasional fantasy book such as a time travel book.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I have to stay close to God and that is a constant battle. I love to listen to Joyce Meyer in the morning. It’s important to stay in the Word and to pray.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Many times I use family names and friends’ names. I make sure they match the time period. I like the names to fit the characters, too. If possible, I like to include the names of wonderful people who have assisted me on my writing journey. For instance, I have a lovely character named Lena in one of my colonial manuscripts.

That’s cool, Carrie. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Sometimes I think it is when I earned my Ph.D., because that was so hard! Other times I think it was giving birth at 44 to our second child! The thing I am most grateful for isn’t an accomplishment per se—returning to Christ and asking Him to be my Lord and Savior when I was an adult, after years of doing things on my own.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A doe. I am from Michigan’s upper peninsula where we have many deer. I love the woods, and I also enjoy the lakes.

When my father retired in West Texas, he fed deer in his back yard. If they started coming when they were fawns with their mother, they would often eat corn out of his hands. They continued as adults. One time, we all hid in the house and watched a large buck with an enormous rack eating corn out of his hand as he sat still as a statue. Amazing. What is your favorite food?
Now, Lena, that is a silly question. I write, thus I must have chocolate!!! Preferably dark chocolate, in my case!

And you know mine is dark-chocolate-covered dried cherries. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest problem was wanting to edit, re-edit, edit some more, and try to get each of my chapters perfectly polished. The problem with that method is that you never end up with a completed manuscript, then. Thankfully I had an editor friend who helped me get past this perfectionism.

Tell us about the featured book.
To me Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War romance gives testimony to how God can use an arthritic Tired Old Mommy like me and bring about a published novella in about six weeks and now it is a top rated Civil War book on Amazon! That is God’s doing, Lena. Julian Charity, historian at Shirley Plantation and Kathleen Maher, author of Bachelor Buttons both gave me incredible support and assistance with this book. Murray Pura is the mind behind the Cry of Freedom Civil War series through Helping Hands Press—there are over a dozen authors writing short stories or novellas for this exciting project and I am honored to have been the first author published in this series!

Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance is a story about obedience. Obedience to God is a big theme for me and one I’ve blogged about for years. Angelina is a free woman who is a seamstress. She’s one-eighth African American and can pass for white. She refused the offer of a position in Ohio with a theatrical troupe so that she could remain behind and earn the freedom of her orphaned niece and nephew. Meanwhile thespian and theater manager Matthew Scott, son of a Copperhead senator, has been conscripted into the Confederate army. He ends up at Shirley Plantation (I love this place—it is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year!!!) where there is a field hospital. Matthew doesn’t realize it but he has a connection to the plantation. I tried to take a balanced approach in characterization. I didn’t write all the good guys as Union and all the bad as Confederate, etc. I tried to show the human side of the war and tried very hard to be even-handed. Bad stuff was done on either side. One of the saddest things I discovered while writing this book was that the gentleman who inspired one of my not-yet-published novels, a Shirley Plantation relative, had been killed by Union soldiers when they were looking for another young Carter family member (who was NOT at the elderly man’s home!) That was very sad.

I can only imagine how my great-great grandfather from Kentucky might have felt—the Danners of Kentucky mostly found on the Confederate side and my ancestors fought for the Union. I’d love to do a story about the grandmother of some of those young men fighting against each other. Then again, I write happily-ever-after endings so I don’t think I will…

Please give us the first page of the book.
Chapter 1
Southern Ohio, 1862

Matthew Scott basked in accomplishment’s warmth as the theater emptied. Every seat had been filled, save one—Father’s. A congressman for their locale, Theodore Scott departed earlier to an emergency meeting with a colleague in Dayton.

Having toiled unceasingly for his troupe to remain together despite the war, Matthew complained only of difficulty with wardrobe. Two gowns already had side seam tears. His face tightened—the seamstress who’d contracted to sew the clothing had failed to arrive the previous year. They’d farmed the work out to a tailor already over-burdened.

Scott’s Theatrical Troupe was booked through the next three months for stops in cities and some to entertain the Northern troops. He grinned. Nearby, thespian J. W. Booth pulled on gloves, tipped his top hat at Matthew and exited the building. Matthew retrieved his beaver hat from its peg and followed suit.

Outside, the last of the carriages clustering the circle departed.

“Mr. Scott?” Cigar smoke accompanied the deep Southern-accented voice.

Matthew waited for his eyes to adjust from the interior light to night’s velvet blackness.

“Yes?”

“You’re coming with us.”

***
Shirley Plantation, Charles City Virginia June 1862


Angelina Rose carried the heavy tray of hot tea, biscuits, honey, porcelain cups and saucers, and silver spoons to a cherry sideboard. The Carter women gathered in the parlor for Bible study.

“Lou, will you read first, dear?” Mary Braxton Carter, matron of Shirley Plantation directed her request to her daughter-in-law.

Louisa, the wife of Robert Randolph Carter, off serving in the Navy, sat up straight. “Matthew 25, verse 34 to begin. ‘Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a…

How can readers find you on the Internet?
Contact info
Carrie Fancett Pagels

Links to purchase Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance

God’s Provision in Tough Times, releasing in July 2013

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.