Garden Cottage (Mackinac Cottages Series) By Carrie Fancett Pagels

The author has a love for this place, Mackinac Island, Michigan, and it shows in her writings as she writes about the beautiful surroundings and the events that take place in her books.  The book gave me a relaxed and peaceful feeling. It is a story about Paula and Gennaro and a second chance at love. The story is about family, romance and is a very sweet story.  It is great to see a romance of an "older" couple.  And that life and love can continue. The book shows a trust in God and I love how that is woven into the story. There is humor and all kinds of themes to read about.  There is also some intrigue that I always enjoy!

It was a good book and I recommend it.  I received an ARC copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tandem Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels (A Mackinac Island Women's Fiction Novel)

I was totally immersed in this book!  I enjoyed the characters, which all were believable and the story line of a single mother with a special needs son. I found it to be a moving and heartwarming story.  The story takes place on Mackinac Island, which the author has embraced and caused me to feel right at home.  I have read several of her books from this wonderful place. As a single mother, Alyssa has to tackle a lot and there are many times of challenges in her path.  I love how the travel on the island is by bicycle, giving the story a peaceful feeling to me.  I love the cover!  That alone gives me a peaceful and restful feeling. It was a very engaging storyline and contained some characters from previous books which is always fun to read about as they continue to become "friends" to readers. I received a copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mackinac Island Beacon by Carrie Fancett Pagels

I found this to be a sweet Christian story of hope and love.  The author tells of a young woman, Valerie whose nightmares continue to haunt her and Susan whose own experiences are difficult and yet she works diligently at the orphanage.  There are mysterious  happenings occuring and they become good friends.  This is a heartwarming story with a little bit of everything for you to discover. There are engaging characters in the story and the location and storylines bring back characters from previous books making you feel like you know them personally.  It's a very good book and filled with lots of great reading.  I recommend this title.

Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels (Mackinac Cottages Series Book 2)

As Rachel is at a loss for her living arrangements, she opts Mackinac Island where her late grandmother lived and she had spent time visiting.  Having been mistreated by her mother and loved by her grandmother, Rachel hopes to find refuge there and in her faith. 

The book grabbed me from the very beginning and it was hard to put down and continue later.  There is romance, betrayal and also some intrigue to keep you wondering.  I loved the "genealogy" references as that is my occupation, so family relationships and connections are always of great interest to me.  As the 3 families of Mackinac's secrets are revealed there are many unexpected surprises, some hard to deal with and to overcome.  I really enjoyed this Christian book and am sure others will also find it a wonderful read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to give a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Anchored at Mackinac by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This is a story set in the beautiful setting of Mackinac Island.  Although I have not been there personally, the author describes it so well, you can truly visualize it in your mind. The story takes us to the year 1895 and we find Sadie Duvall who is serving as a maid.  She needs to make important decisions in her life.  

There are twists and turns in the story and there are characters in this book that I recognized from earlier books by this author, making it especially enjoyable to those who have read earlier books by this author.  Sadie and her sisters have gone through lots of trials and things to overcome.  It is a great read and you will really enjoy it! There is romance, some mystery and hopes for future tales from some of the newer characters in the book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to review.  All thoughts are my own.

The Steeplechase by Carrie Fancett Pagels (Audio Version)

 

I enjoyed this Audio book written by Carrie Fancett Pagels.  Her vivid descriptions of places and events can stir the imagination and make you feel as though you too were witnessing and living in the events of the books.  Her choice of narrators was excellent.  Vicki Henderson did a great interpretation of the characters making it very enjoyable to listen to.

The 1810 time period shows a still somewhat fledgling young country and the events and feelings that still existed from a time recently passed when feelings of old wounds perhaps were not completely healed.  How will this affect Martha Osbourne and a family whose father remarries an English woman who spends much of her time in England?

The Steeplechase has many twists and you will enjoy this book very much.  The author is a very talented writer of historical fiction, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite genres.


Disclosure: I received an Audio version of this book from the author for my honest review.  

Love's Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels James River Romance Series

 This was a really touching book.  It takes us back to slavery days and the Underground Railroad.  You really become attached to the wonderful characters.  The story is so engaging it is hard to put it down.  This book has all the emotions of this time period and the situations of the slaves and their difficult lives.  It totally moved me as I read it.  I loved the romance and the struggles that ensued.  

This book was excellent.  If you love historical fiction, you will not want to miss this one.  I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Mercy in a Red Cloak (Audible Version) by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Narrator Bill Anciaux

 

This is a sweet novella length book with action, faith and history all rolled in.  The story takes place in Michigan at the time of the ending of the French and Indian War in the 1700's.  It has some mystery as we contemplate where Mercy's father and good friend and scout, Shad, suddenly disappear and Mercy sets out to find them.  She's a very brave women during some very trying and difficult times.

It was a fun and even educational read.  I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the narrator's voice, although I must say that most Audible books I have listened to were female voices so this was a surprise.  His voice, was easy to listen to and I enjoyed his interpretation of the story.

I received an Audible copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels (Audible Version) The Christy Lumberjack Series, Book 1

I recently finished listening to this novella written by Carrie Fancett Pagels. This is the first book in the Christy Lumberjack Series. I really enjoyed the voice of the narrator, Virginia Gray whose voice was expressive and easy to listen to.  She was very expressive and it was clear when someone was speaking, who it was.  She did an excellent job.

I loved the story.  Carrie's writing style really appealed to me and as I got to know her characters, they became very interesting people to me.  This cozy romance is a pleasure to listen to.

Jo is a cook at the lumber camp but would like to move on into a bakery in a different setting.  She meets the new lumberjack to their camp, Tom.  He is a very interesting young man trying to earn his living as a lumberjack, although he is actually a teacher.  As he is trying to help his mother financially, he takes this job, as the money he earned teaching does not stretch far enough.

He makes a challenge that he will marry whoever can make a fruitcake that is as good as his mother's.  That's when the fun begins and fruitcake of every imaginable recipe is baked and served to the workers at the camp.  So does he find a bride and does anyone make a good enough fruitcake to please his palette?  This you will discover as you read this delightful book!

I received a copy of this Audible book from the author and was not required to give a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This was a romantic and intriguing story that takes place on Mackinac Island, a place that I know the author is very familiar with.  It's  a split-time book that gives you both a historic and a contemporary mosaic of many twists and turns as the story continues.  It is truly a charming story and I found it very enjoyable to read.  The Grand Hotel sounds like a wonderful place both then and now and a perfect setting for this book.

I received an ebook copy from the Barbour Publishing and NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.

 

Requilted With Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels

 This is a sweet novella by Carrie Fancett Pagels.  It is a historic view of life in 1889 Michigan.  Sarah is hoping to win a blue ribbon at the state fair and there are lots of other quilts that will be in the competition.  She requilted a wedding quilt when that marriage to her fiance was not to be.  

It is a very enjoyable book.  I love the time period when it seems life was much simpler and yet still full of excitement and challenges and new things to explore.  I am sure you will enjoy reading this story.

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Butterfly Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This is a contemporary fiction set in a beautiful surrounding as the picture depicts.  It is a story of family issues that deal with the heart.  Family relationships and situations that can cause feelings of loss as the family comes together from different places and converge to the family cottage at the Straits of Mackinac.

This is a different story for this author that was very enjoyable and I love the author's beautiful descriptions of this special place.  The author has a wonderful way with words and this book will keep you reading.  You will want to know how all things turn out! The characters are very interesting and will capture your heart.  I recommend this heartwarming book.

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

The Dogwood Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels Audible Version

I enjoyed listening to the Audible version of this book.  A very talented narrator, Aletha Duncan did a wonderful job telling this excellent tale.  She included a cute southern accent which was very fun to hear.  The very nice voice made for a very entertaining listening time as she effortlessly changed voices among the various characters she portrayed.

The author has quite a way with words and the descriptions of the scenes you are reading about.  Makes you feel as though you were there experiencing everything personally.  This story of this southern plantation was an excellent read.  Cornelia was a fun and lively character who deals with many trials and sadness as the story develops.

The story has suspense and lots of trials and has many twists and turns. It is an excellently written historical fiction. There are sensitive parts to this book but carefully developed.  There are Christian themes in this book.  I enjoyed it very much.

I received a complimentary copy of this Audible book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Dogwood Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The author has quite a way with words and the descriptions of the scenes you are reading about.  Makes you feel as though you were there experiencing everything personally.  This story of this southern plantation was an excellent read.  Cornelia was a fun and lively character who deals with many trials and sadness as the story develops.

The story has suspense and lots of trials and has many twists and turns. It is an excellently written historical fiction. There are sensitive parts to this book but carefully developed.  There are Christian themes in this book.  I enjoyed it very much.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Dogwood Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Welcome Carrie Fancett Pagels 

Special Author Post and Giveaway!

Dogwood Plantation: Why I Chose the Tough Topics

By Carrie Fancett Pagels

My tagline, “Overcoming Through Time”, was inspired both by my background as a psychologist and as a believer. Most of my twenty published Christian fiction stories could be considered “sweet romances” but this full-length novel tackles tough topics.

When I first began writing this story, about a decade ago, I had just stepped back from work as a psychologist. When developing the characters for the novel, I asked “what would make (character) act that way?” I teach on backstory, and why it matters, and in this novel, those answers are critical to explain the behaviors on the page.

A few of my secondary characters have experienced sexual abuse, and one was the victim of incest. These aren’t necessarily topics covered in Christian fiction. I wasn’t heavy-handed in my writing of what had happened. (Spoiler alert!) One of the female characters, Mariah, suffered at the hands of her father, with devastating results that impacted many other people (mostly male characters) in my story. One person’s evil behavior impacted so many and down to the next generation. One of the unsympathetic male characters in my story, Daniel, really experienced “sexual misuse” at the hands of Mariah, which ended up being visited upon others. During the course of my career as a psychologist, I saw this kind of thing over and over.

So if you’re expecting a nice light read, maybe try one of my other stories. In Dogwood Plantation, I exposed some behaviors often kept under wraps. But I pray that readers will see Christ’s redemption though what happens to them eventually!

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Author

Dogwood Plantation (Hearts Overcoming Press, 2020)

"In Desperate Straits" in Lessons on Love collection, (Barbour, October 2019)

Mercy in a Red Cloak (Hearts Overcoming Press, 2019)

My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring  (Barbour, 2017) -- Large Print (Thorndike 2018) A RT Book Reviews Top Pick, MAGGIE AWARD WINNER 2018 

"Love's Anchor" in The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection (Barbour, 2018)

"The Sugarplum Ladies" in The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection (Barbour, 2018)

"Shenandoah Hearts" in The Backcountry Brides Collection (Barbour, 2018)

"His Anchor" in First Love Forever Romance Collection (Barbour, 2018)

Giveaway: A copy of Dogwood Plantation in ebook or paperback.

Click here for the Rafflecopter

Link to purchase:
Amazon https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FNPMD6K/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 

Return to Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels Audible Version

This was a charming Civil War romance in novella length. Carrie Fancett Pagels apparently did some extensive research to get the details of this time period and setting.  The story is set at Shirley Plantation in Virginia.  The author has a very pleasant writing style which I enjoyed listening to.

The Story has some unexpected surprises making for a most fascinating tale.  This is a clean Christian romance and I highly recommend it.  It gives you a real taste of life during The Civil War time.  This was a truly enjoyable read!

The narrator Cecily White added charming southern accents and was very enjoyable to listen to!  I think you will enjoy listening to this southern historical fiction.

I received an Audible version from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Lessons on Love by Susanne Dietze, Rita Gerlach, Kathleen L. Maher, and Carrie Fancett Pagels

This was such a good book.  It's 440 pages so I thought it would take some time for me to read, but the stories were so engaging that I couldn't put it down.  It was really a great read.  There are four stories written by some very talented authors.

The four stories cover four different time periods, 1840, 1870, 1894, and 1904.  So you get a little different perspective of those years in the different stories about school teachers and their responsibilities and rules, etc.

Having been an immigrant myself, the story of the Swede's  called "Love in any Language" really hit home as I remember learning the English language and then trying to help my mom to understand, which took much longer.  It is a challenge. 

I loved "In Desperate Straits", the title being a cute play on words, and how Maggie dresses as a man to work the job that is a job that would otherwise go to one of her brothers.  Such a great story by a very talented writer.

The book was so nice to read.  I can only say I am glad not to have been a teacher back in the day.  The rules! 

I received an ARC copy from one of the authors.  All thoughts are my own.

Mercy in a Red Cloak by Carrie Fancett Pagels

This is a sweet novella length book with action, faith and history all rolled in.  The story takes place in Michigan at the time of the ending of the French and Indian War in the 1700's.  It has some mystery as we contemplate where Mercy's father and good friend and scout, Shad, suddenly disappear and Mercy sets out to find them.  She's a very brave women during some very trying and difficult times.

It was a fun and even educational read.  I really enjoyed it!

I received an ebook copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection by Various Authors

I have always been drawn to lighthouses.  There is something very romantic just because of the light they share.  When I saw this title and some of my favorite authors participating, I couldn't resist.  I had to read this book.

I learned a lot about what goes on in the lighthouse, and came to the awareness of what an important role they played. 

There were seven wonderful stories here, unique and captivating.  I loved this book.  It's a beautiful collection.  So glad that I was able to read this well-written compilation.

I received a book from one of the authors.  All thoughts are my own.

The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Erica Vetsch, Suzanne Dietze, Rita Gerlach. Kathleen L. Maher, Gabrielle Meyer, Vanessa Riley, Lorna Seilstad, C. J. Chase

Love reading these novella collections  Which I seem to be happily collecting btw!  There are 9 stories set in the 1800 time frame and nice Christmas stories.  But great even for warm summer days!  There were several new authors for me.  And I enjoyed their style, their stories making for a wonderful reading collection.  It would be nice to see some of these stories developed into a full length book.  Great stories!

These were happy stories that leave you happy that you were able to read them.  Because of the time period involved, I am sure much research time was involved in the writings so that they would be true to the time.  And they were.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.