Today I am pleased to introduce Carrie Fancett Pagels.
Welcome, Carrie! Thanks for visiting and letting us get to know you better.
Former “Yooper” Carrie Fancett Pagels writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn't "cured" by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading—but not all at the same time!
Now for our question/answer time:
1. What was your inspiration for this story?
The original book in the series, The Fruitcake Challenge, was inspired by my mother having grown up in a lumber camp run by my grandfather. I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where there were tons of lumber camps. As I grew up, I got to meet many “retired” lumberjacks. But I’d say a big inspiration was growing up on the Paul Bunyan stories! My what if was – what if you had this tiny little librarian who met this huge lumberjack and brought her Paul Bon Jean (original stories were of this character!) to life!
2. What is its take-away message?
Unforgiveness has consequences and also some differences between people, such as age and education, aren’t most important in a relationship. God looks deeper than those things.
3. Tell us a bit about your writing routine. Do you have set hours? Do you get dressed first? Do you travel for research? Where and when do you do your best work?
I’ve been super busy this past year with a bunch of releases but I’d describe myself as a focused but flexible writer. I’m most productive, when working on a new manuscript, by working in solitude. Sometimes that means I have to get up before my son has risen. Or when he has gone somewhere. I find I’m distracted by others when I’m doing new writes. I do my best work on my deck in back of the house. I type at the picnic table, overlooking my back yard, which is full of pretty trees. As far as getting dressed, this may sound a little crazy but because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteo-arthritis I’m usually dressed—I sleep in knit clothing such as a t-shirt and capris, because I’m often too stiff in late evening and early morning, and so that means I only have to change after my shower. But if I am under pressure for a deadline I will sometimes change into “work” clothes such as a nice pair of pants and a blouse. I was a psychologist for twenty-five years, I know the impact that dressing up can make on work production. But normally I don’t need to do that. I prefer to work with a critique partner but currently both of my partners are out of the loop. That means my freelance editor will likely be pretty busy. Normally, I’d complete several chapters and send them to my critique partner. Then I move on and write the next section. When the critiques come back, I then try to edit that section. However, if I am on a roll with my writing—I don’t do that. I wait until I have a pause. Then I do the corrections and send that on to my editor. After corrections from the editor are accepted then I send those to the Beta readers for review. As far as travel—I travel a lot for writing as I find it both inspires me and makes my scene writing more accurate.
4. What’s your next writing project?
I’m completing The Substitute Bride, a novelette in the O’ Christmas Town Series which releases in October. I’m also writing a horse race story, this fall, for a novella in The Sporting Chance Collection from Forget-Me-Not Books. And I’ve been offered a contract with Barbour Publishing for The Wedding Quilt, in The Blue Ribbon Brides collection! That is due to the publisher in April.
Just for fun:
1. Coffee or Tea? Tea for sure!
2. Snacks: Sweet or Salty? Both!!
3. Dream vacation – I LOVE going to Mackinac Island and my hubs isn’t all that keen on it. A dream vacation would include very happy husband and son with me on Mackinac Island and around the Straits of Mackinac. We’d have a boat at our disposal, too! And an unlimited vacation fund!!!
4. #1 on your Bucket List: We want to go to the National Parks out west in 2017 BUT a river trip in Europe would also be on my bucket list!
Who wants to win a prize? One commenter will!
Carrie Fancett Pagels has graciously offered a free book to a commenter: In print (one of The Christy Lumber Camp Series Books: The Fruitcake Challenge, The Lumberjacks’ Ball, or Lilacs for Juliana) OR choose all three in Kindle format.
And now, gentle readers, here is the blurb for Carrie Fancett Pagels’ latest book, Lilacs for Juliana, book three of the Christy Lumber Camp series.
When a new lumber camp boss comes to town, will the librarian find her lumberjack dreams come to life? Or will a wealthy beer baron sweep her away in a quest to organize his personal library?
Petite Juliana Beauchamps possesses a vivid imagination, which comes in handy as a librarian. When a handsome giant of a lumberjack comes to town and rescues her from possible tragedy, she’s shaken by the event. A dashing beer baron, James Yost, from Milwaukee, also pursues Juliana’s attention. Meanwhile, a library trustee determines to push out the female librarians.
Set in 1891, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Book Three in The Christy Lumber Camp Series focuses on Richard “Moose” Christy, the youngest of the sons, as he prepares to manage his first lumber camp. When Yost hires Juliana to organize his personal library, and her letters from Wisconsin suggest foul play, will Richard need to save her once again? And will his secret need to be revealed to win her heart?
Lilacs for Juliana is a delightful tale set in St. Ignace, Michigan, in 1891. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a rugged land of rocks, towering pines, vast water, and in 1891, strong, handsome lumberjacks.
Mix one of these handsome fellows, Richard Christy, and a dainty librarian, Juliana Beauchamps, with some misunderstandings, potent attraction, crossed lines of communication, and unsettling secrets, and you’ve got a wonderful love story.
Ms. Pagels uses historic details to add great drama and paint a realistic picture of life in rustic St. Ignace and the lively city of Milwaukee.
I enjoyed Lilacs for Juliana, and give it four and a half stars.
By commenting, you get a chance to win a copy (see above).
In case your name isn’t the one drawn, here are the links to purchase this sweet romance:
Purchase link for this book: Kindle - http://www.amazon.com/Lilacs-Juliana-Christy-Lumber-Camp-ebook/dp/B013ZB47AY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1441240883&sr=8-1
Paperback - http://www.amazon.com/Lilacs-Juliana-Christy-Lumber-Camp/dp/0692521577/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1441240883&sr=8-1