Thursday, September 3, 2015

Author Spotlight with Carrie Fancett Pagels! And A GIVEAWAY!

Today I have been blessed to have a very special lady do an author interview and share some of her thoughts with us!  Welcome to my blog, Carrie!  



Carrie, tell us a little about yourself.

I am a former psychologist (25+ years working with children and adolescents) but arthritis disabled me. I planned on working as a psychologist, in a Christian practice, until reaching retirement age—but God had other plans.
  
Can you share any stories that your readers could be looking forward to in the near future?

I have a brand new release, a short novel, Lilacs for Juliana, that just released! And I have an upcoming release, a novelette, entitled The Substitute Bride, that is part of a multi-author O’ Christmas Town collection.

How has being a writer impacted your relationship with Christ?

My relationship with Christ is what drew me to being a writer. I do this for the Lord. I pray that my work honors Him!

Do you feel that the Christian genre is making an important impact on people’s lives, and how?

I hear stories of people being drawn to Christ through reading Christian fiction. Personally, I have been a longtime reader of Christian fiction, starting back in the late 1980s. There is so much MORE in a true Christian fiction. There is a spiritual arc that ENCOURAGES the reader in their faith walk. I’ve read a couple of “clean” reads recently and walked away shaking my head—without the spiritual walk in Christ the story was no good to me.

Who is your favorite author?

Oh you are making this TOO hard, Sonja!!!  I love SO many. I have to say Julie Lessman. Her stories are filled with passion for the Lord as well as terrific romance! Her voice shines on every page—I love that!

How do you deal with the pressures of writing under a deadline?

I’m kind of a deadline person because of my RA. But life happens. I had unexpected emergency surgery in April. That set my current release behind.  In general, I try to write at least something every day. I ask God to help me. He is the reason I can be productive and meet deadlines.

When not writing what is your favorite way to unwind?

That would be hubs barbecuing for us, daughter over visiting us and with her dog, and our son being there. And then maybe doing a little bit of beading with our daughter and us all watching a movie together!

You seem like a very grounded person, Carrie, what would you feel helps you with this?

God. The Lord is the only reason I look that way. I am a mess without Him. I try to stay grounded in my faith. Staying in prayer and in the Word and being plugged in at church are some of those basic tenets of having any kind of chance of being grounded!

Thanks for interviewing me, Sonja! I’ve interviewed thousands of people over the years, in practice as a psychologist, so it is always interesting being on the other end of the questions!!!


Giveaway: A paperback (or ebook) copy of any one of the books in The Christy Lumber Camps Series – winner’s choice.

To enter the giveaway, please comment regarding the spotlight and mention which book you would prefer to receive, should you be the winner!  Don't forget to leave your email in a safe form so that we can contact you if you are the winner!  Contest ends September 10th!




19 comments:

  1. Great interview with Carrie! The Lumber Camp series is wonderful. I would love a print copy of LILACS FOR JULIANA.

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    1. TY for coming by and always being such an encourager, Caryl! Hugs and blessings!

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  2. Thanks so much for the feature, Sonja! Enjoyed answering your questions!

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  3. Really enjoyed the interview. I have enjoyed each of the books in the series. I would love to have a print copy of Lilacs for Juliana.

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    1. Thanks, Ann! There is a reason I read and write Christian fiction, and I imagine same for you, too! So GLAD you have enjoyed the series!!!

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  4. Wow Carrie
    The More I find out about you the more I Love You. You sound like a friend I would love to have. And health issues too makes it even easier to talk to you for I know that life, maybe not RA but you know my story! My husband is from Minnesota and your book has me wanting to know more. I would Also like the others a Printed copy of Lilacs for Juliana! Thanks!

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    1. Hey Tina! I've found that the people whose books I love the most are the authors who in person I like the best--it is in the voice, in the writing, you can pick up things about the author. Hugs!

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  5. Great interview! Congrats on your upcoming releases:)

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    1. TY Miamigirl--I LOVE that a FLORIDA gal is interested in a Yooper gals' books!!!

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  6. Great interview! Congrats on your upcoming releases:)

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    1. Thanks so much! It is exciting to have so many out at once!

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  7. What a fantastic interview, Carrie! My first choice would be the Lumberjack's Ball in the eBook format… I have been waiting to collect them all! My email is trdivincenzo at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks, Teri! I hope you will get to read them all! Watch for a sale when they are all easy to grab up! Right now, Lumberjacks' Ball is only 99 cents so you might want to get it soon! Blessings!

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  8. Thank you for a great interview! Carrie is a lovely lady and you certainly know that God, followed by family, are the top things in her life.

    I would love L for J if I am so lucky.
    mauback55 at gmail dot com


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    1. Thanks so much, Melanie! You are so sweet! You are blessed by having a daughter who is also a believer and loves her family and the Lord~! Watch for a pb copy sent to her (for you!) in the next week or two! Blessings!

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  9. Carrie is such a wonderful encourager in person in addition to her writing. Although I have read and enjoyed the last two books in the Lumber Camp series, I have never read the very first one, so that would be the one I would choose...

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    1. Hey Sandy! TY! That is so sweet! We miss you here in Virginia! Yikes! You have to read The Fruitcake Challenge! The best way to get that one is as part of the Christmas Traditions series which is only 99 cents for ALL of them, as published by Forget-Me-Not Press! It made the #1 spot on Amazon for Anthologies for many weeks in a row. I think it is at #2 now! Blessings!

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  10. Hello Sonja. Thanks for the interview with Carrie. She is one of my favorite ladies. So sweet and encouraging and loves the LORD. And, she writes good books. Hugs carrie and thanks to you both for a chance to win a paperback of Lilacs for Julianna. I have the other two. GOD bless you both. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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