I met Carrie Fancett Pagels from the place where many good things come…the internet! We both attended an online party celebrating books, and I happened to win one of her giveaways. After reading her Christmas novellas, I knew I’d found a well-written author.
So I’m thrilled to participating in a blog tour of her newest romance collection: Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands! Better yet, she’s agreed to answer a few of MY questions!
Genre: Christian, HistoricalPublisher: Barbour
Publication date: June 1, 2017
Number of pages: 448
Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels
When a British dime novel enthusiast finds himself flat broke in Kansas, he discovers what western life and true love are all about. Barden Granville IV grew up at Cheatham Hall, Kent, England, devouring cowboy stories and dreaming of the day he, with no prospects of inheriting estate nor title, could escape to the American frontier. Educated and ordained an Anglican priest, his trip to America is his “last hurrah” before accepting a vicarage in a small town far from his aristocratic family’s estate. When a series of misadventures leaves him without money and stranded, he must take up employment immediately.
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author. With a dozen Christian historical romances published, this former “Yooper” writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in the 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!Her short story, The Quilting Contest, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s “The Story” national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a 2016 Maggie Award published finalist for Romance Novellas. Grand Exposé was a 2014 Maggie Award honorable mention for a novel set on Mackinac Island (now entitled My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, Barbour, July 2017). All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist. Her novel, Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose/Pelican, June, 2016) received a Starred Review by RT Book Reviews.
Cordially Barbara: What do you love about this story?
Carrie Fancett Pagels: I love that Barden is getting his dreams coming true even though it is not exactly like he thought – it is the way God intended it to come out. I really love that! I enjoyed creating him. He’s a funny and little bit quirky kind of guy.
CB: Did something happen in your own life that inspired this story?
Carrie Fancett Pagels: Yes, Barden is inspired by my own grandfather, who was the son of British immigrants. He became a cowboy in the Dakotas after his first wife died. I’ve often wondered what led him to want to become a cowboy. I wondered if his own father had read those old dime novels from that time period (1860s).
CB: Which character do you relate to most?
Carrie Fancett Pagels: Caroline, because I have had custody of a younger sister and also of my nephew, when I was really young and I know how hard that is to assume that kind of responsibility at such a young age – it is super hard.
CB: On a rainy day, what would your protagonist be doing?
Carrie Fancett Pagels: Barden would be studying Bible commentary and also making repairs. I think poor Caroline should be taking a nap! Or reading a Jane Austen book!
CB: I love to compare books to food. What food would you compare your story to?
Carrie Fancett Pagels: Mashed potatoes and gravy – comfort food!
Cordially Barbara: Mmmmmmm, that’s my favorite…well, one of my many favorites!
Grand Prize Giveaway Prizes: Kindle Fire + Postcards of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order, bookmarks from upcoming release My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands, cowboy-themed earrings, and an ebook copy of Holt Medallion finalist “The Steeplechase.”Leave a comment for an EXTRA chance to win!
Individual Blog Giveaway: If 10+ unique commenters post on this blog, Carrie will select one commenter to receive a print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands!!!!!
If you could mail-order a husband/wife, what qualities would you specifically request (please keep your answers clean)?
May 30–Puddletown Reviews | Wishful Endings | Bookworm Lisa
May 31–Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Mel’s Shelves | Blossoms and Blessings
June 1–Singing Librarian Books | Heidi Reads… | Cordially Barbara
June 2–Cafinated Reads | Smiling Book Reviews | A Baker’s Perspective
June 3–aTransParentMom | Paulette’s Papers
Carrie’s book sounds like an interesting read. If I weren’t married and wanted to get a mail-order husband, I think I would have to start with where does he say that the Lord is in his life.
I’m going to try to share this on facebook to see if I can get some of my friends to leave you a reply.
I just love that you stopped by and commented! I wonder if it’s cheating if I comment and leave my own answer. Haha.
Also, I think you’re right. That’s an excellent quality to look for in a mail-order husband. 😉
Hi Nancy! Good question to ask a potential mate! Thanks for sharing about the visit on this lovely blog!
Devotion! (defined as love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.) Devotion to both God and our relationship is a highly desirable trait.
Oooooooo, Kate. I love how you expounded on the devotion! That’s an excellent trait to request in a mail-order! 😀
Well, that definition was googled (just to make sure the word was the one I wanted). So I can’t take credit for that. 😉
HAhahaha. You still have my admiration for double checking that was the word you wanted!
Great trait, KATE! That was something I looked for in my own hubs (now married 30 years!) because I’d dated too many guys devoted only to themselves!
Creative with a good work ethic and a strong will but one he knows when to reign in.
Also what’s a yooper?
ooooo, did you find a typo? Now I need to go reread until I find it. Thanks for coming over and commenting!
I love your creativity with a good work ethic. That’s a hard thing to find!
Nevermind, I don’t know what a “Yooper” is either…I just realized that this is in Carrie’s biography. Maybe she’ll stop by and tell us at some point.
A yooper is someone from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Yooper is for the sound of U for Upper and P for Peninsula. So if you hail from the Upper Peninsula that is abbreviated U.P.-er Yooper!
Interesting combo, Deborah! Did you find a hubs like that for yourself? Blessings!
Number one, a relationship with God. Where two or more are gathered in His name….
Secondly, a sense of intellectual humor. I love nerdy humor that requires me to flex my gray matter.
Lastly, the ability to just hold me when the world is swirling chaotically around me and make me feel that everything will all work out. Sometimes, I need something tangible to reach for to feel God’s peace.
Some people may list physical attributes, and that’s okay. Personally, give me inner beauty. Outward appearance only enhances the inner beauty.
YAaaaaaaaaaas, Denise. I love what you list. I’m with you. Inner beauty is absolutely key, and it’s a tall order. But hey, that’s what mail-order is all about, right? 😉
Intellectual humor is a hard one, too. I’ve got such a weird and childish sense of humor (hello, toilet humor) so smart humor is sometimes lost on me. Hehehe, but, hey, mail-order away. 🙂
Thanks for playing along and coming over to comment!
Hi DENISE! I’m married to an engineer. They personify nerdy/geekishness and are also smart and this one is funny so I’m with you on that! Hey being handsome doesn’t hurt, either lol! Blessings!
Besides loyal, I would ask for a husband who is missionally minded and wants to give “unwanted” children a home.
(As a bonus: it would be AWESOME if he could taller than me ?)
Also the movie “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” is my FAVORITE! So this title alone makes me curiously excited about this book and a chance for a copy ?
Jenifer, I’m with you on the name. That’s part of the reason that I wanted to host Carrie Fancett Pagels on my blog because I so enjoyed the movie. It’s a musical, right? Or am I remembering incorrectly?
Yes, I like that you want a mission minded man with a heart for children. That’s beautiful. And I second the tallness factor! Hehehe.
THank you thank you for coming over and commenting!
JENIFER I loved that movie too and want to watch it again. This book is about seven ladies looking to fill the void of the men who didn’t come back after the Civil War. It’s all about overcoming with help from God and since that is the name of my blog, http://www.OvercomingwithGod.com, I’m all for this collection! Blessings!
Hi JENIFER! I used to think I want a hubs like that. It is a good thing God didn’t give me my desire but what I needed. Had I been given all the kids I’d hoped to help with I believe my Rheumatoid Arthritis would have had an earlier onset and I’m not in a position to manage more than the 15 year old I have at home. As for taller, at 6’3″ my hubs met that one for sure! Blessings!
Hi Barbara & Carrie!
Great review & interview. I too enjoyed reading this fun book!
Trisha, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I also loved that you could correct us on what “yooper” means!
Hey TRISHA! Great seeing you here! I’m so glad you enjoyed your read! Blessings!
I’d probably ask for a well-muscled physique, wealth, adventurousness, and a good sense of humor to start. ?
Oh, hello, Amy. I love what you would mail order for a husband. I’m right there with you. #swooning
HAHA AMY that is quite a start there for your list!!! Love the icon, too! Blessings!
Any book that equates with mashed potatoes sounds good to me!
Right? Comfort food straight up! Jaci, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
And that’s what I had for supper tonight after doing the ACFW VA Facebook online party, JACI! I enjoy a read that has mashed potatoes and gravy quality to it! Blessings!
BARBARA, Thanks for having me on your lovely blog and thanks for all the great questions! Hugs!
Carrie, it was such a pleasure. I love supporting authors who have well-written and good books! And I’ve definitely enjoyed the books I’ve read by you!
I wasn’t looking for any husband – I wasn’t looking, I was happy being a single lady and mama… but God, oh ya, God just plopped mine in my path (almost nine years ago!). And we’ve had ourselves quite the adventure in those nine years! A prairie girl from SD that never went anywhere ended up moving to SC for 6 years, back to SD for 3 years, and now we have landed in Virginia.
Qualities? My hubby is a gentleman! He’s opens doors for me. He’s sweet and loving. Gentle and quiet. He’s fierce when he’s angry. He loves God with his whole heart. He loves animals like I do. We both love the same things. Whenever we say or think alike, we call each other Mr. P or Mrs. P. our daughter was Daughter P when she was living at home. I’ve probably missed a few things but it is the middle of the night! 😉
Awwwwwwww, Regina. This story makes me all swoony. I love that God showed up in a beautiful and surprising way for you and your husband. It sounds like God brought a man to you that had all the right qualities for you!
Thanks for stopping by to comment. But, really, I love that you shared your family with us in your comment. 🙂
That is so sweet, Regina, and I agree your hubs is such a nice gentleman! You two are precious together! Glad you got resettled in Virginia!
If I requested a mail order husband, the qualities I would look for are God-fearing, kindness, and intellect.
Ashley, I love your list of qualities! Those are so important in a man (and a woman)!
Hi Ashley! Those are great qualities! I’d have to add snuggly or cuddly to that list!
I would request a godly man with romantic tendencies. Fix it man would be nice. Sense of humor and a hard worker, but not a workaholic. ? Loved the story, interview, and especially Carrie.
Robin, thanks for answering my fun, little question. Something is so attractive about a man who can fix things! I’m thinking of Luke Danes from Gilmore Girls. HAHaha.
BARBARA — especially a guy who can fix the plumbing — that’s darned awesome!!!
Awwww, Robin, thanks for coming by! I had a very romantic first fiancé and I have to say that tendencies is fine but full blown is not! Hubs has some tendencies and that’s enough!
I always (jokingly) say that I married for love the first time so if I ever married again, the second time I’d marry for money. So, he must love God, be wealthy, love to travel, and have a sense of humour.
ARLETTA, That sounds like something my mom would have said haha! Thanks for visiting!
oh mannnnnn, this cracked me up so much! Thanks for joining the fun, Arletta, and commenting!