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25 August 2015

Diana's Review Of LILACS FOR JULIANA By Carrie Fancett Pagels


Hearts Overcoming Press, Aug. 15, 2015

Reviewed By Diana Flowers
5 stars~

Love, Lilacs, and Lumberjacks!

In Lilacs for Juliana the reader is swept away to 1891, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—replete with the sparkling sapphire waters of the Great Lakes, gargantuan virgin white pines, and massive lumberjacks guaranteed to take one's breath away!

While reading to her children's group about a popular legend of the giant lumberjack, Paul Bon Jean aka Paul Bunyan, sweet Juliana Beauchamps – St. Ignace's new librarian – is shocked to see the man of her dreams listening to her storytelling. Paul Bunyan's lookalike, Richard "Moose" Christy, the new lumber camp boss outside of town is instantly besotted with the petite librarian. However, when the dashing beer baron from Milwaukee, James Yost, comes to town, Richard has plenty of competition for her affections. A male library trustee is determined to drive out all female librarians and if successful how will Juliana help support her mother and sister? And will Juliana's love for lilacs come between her and the handsome lumberjack?

Lilacs for Juliana is Book Three in The Christy Lumber Camp Series and what a story it is! I don't know how the author packs so many descriptive details and subplots into a short novel, but she manages it quite nicely indeed! The aroma of freshly cut pines, flapjacks, and lilacs permeate the readers' senses in this heartwarming tale of a young woman's sacrifices, hopes, and dreams–and an unpretentious lumberjack who sets those dreams in motion! Be sure to grab your copy today!


Lilacs for Juliana is available on Amazon in e-book format and available soon in print!

GIVEAWAY: In celebration of Carrie's new release I am giving away a choice of an e-book copy OR a paperback (when it comes out soon) to one blessed commenter! To be eligible please leave your email address with (at) and (dot) to protect yourself against spammers.


39 comments:

  1. Diana, I was also amazed at how many details and plot the author packed into this short novel too!! It really made you feel right in the moment at another place and time! Well done Carrie!! Awesome review btw Diana... A perfect summary! Although your title made me laugh, because I just realized that I've used exactly the SAME words for my review title but in a different order!! :D Funny how our minds work the same sometimes!

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    1. Thanks so much, NOELA! That is so funny about the title! You know what they say about great minds... lol
      When I read this book it didn't feel like a short novel...but rather a full length one. Carrie did do a wonderful job! "Did do?" is that proper grammar? haha

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  2. Where did you find that picture of me? ;-)
    Luke

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    1. haha, LUKE! I thought, when did Luke turn into a pretty, dark haired librarian? Forgot about my hunky lumberjack up there. Thx for letting me use your pic...although it was hard fitting those muscles on the post. ;)

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    2. Hmmm must be these "great minds" but I thought the same thing Diana, when I read Luke's comment! :) Those arms are like tree trunks themselves, Luke! ;)

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    3. Arms like tree trunks is very accurate. :-D
      Luke

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    4. Then I think Carrie must write a book with YOU as the hero, and be sure to include much toe curling romance as that seems to be your favorite phrase from my reviews! ;)

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    5. Not only my favorite phrase. My favorite part of life. Haha!

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  3. God bless you, Diana, for this GREAT review!!! You gave my story line far better than I did myself in my blurb! So glad you enjoyed this book and I know how hard it is for you to read and review with those dizzy spells, so I appreciate it more than you know! Hugs!!!

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    1. You're so welcome, CARRIE! I count it a privilege to review good books and THIS is a good book!

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  4. Great review, Diana! I loved Carrie's second book (haven't had a chance to read the first one yet), and wining a copy of Lilacs for Julianna would make my day - make that my week! My email is kf1928(at)telus(dot)net. Thank you.

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    1. Hi, KATHLEEN! I loved the whole series and it's hard to pick a favorite. This one might just be it, however! Good luck in the drawing and thanks for coming by OWG!

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  5. Such a beautiful review, Diana - thank you!! Carrie does pack a lot into her stories, doesn't she?? I loved Juliana and Richard's story!!

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    1. Yes, indeed she does, BONNIE. If I was a writer I would lose track and would surely leave some loose ends untied. Which is why I'm reviewing HER book and not vise versa. lol Thank you for your kind words, BONNIE!

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  6. Lovely review Diana! I loved the picture of Paul too. I am looking forward to reading Julian and Richard's story.

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    1. Thanks so much, Caryl! Actually that was supposed to be a caricature of "Moose" our giant lumberjack hero, but my daughter said it looked like her dad as well. Lol He's my hero so that'll work, too. :)

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    2. Oh, Caryl! Did you mean Paul Bunyan? Hubby's name is Paul, too, and since my daughter said it looked like him my mind was in another direction! hehe I did initially post pic as Paul Bunyan and then thought guy in pic wasn't quite as tall as him, so I used the pic for Moose instead. But with our active imaginations, he can be anyone we want him to be, right?

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  7. I've really enjoyed the first two books in this series and am looking forward to reading this one.Thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren at aol dot com

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    1. This was a wonderful way to end the series, WENDY! I know you'll enjoy "Moose's" and Juliana's story!

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  8. Wouldn't it be shocking to see the very man you are reading to the kids about sitting right there in the same room.....I'd look like a fish out of water gasping for breath at that sight!!! Haha...can you just imagine!!
    Sounds like another great book by Carrie!!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. TRIXI, you have me laughing out loud with that one! No, I can't imagine! What if you were reading about knights!? (gasp!) It is a wonderful book and I'm sure you will love it. Thx for the laugh!

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  9. Great review, Diana! I've been so B*U*S*Y with a new release, I haven't had time to read it yet, and your review makes me want to put everything else aside and just get to it! :) I can't wait to read it. I LOVED Carrie's Lumberjack setting from the start :) Blessings!

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    1. Thanks for your blog post, Caryl! I didn't realize you hadn't read the book yet! Hope you

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    2. Thank you, CARYL! You have been one busy lady for sure! I love the lumberjack setting as well, and this book is so heartwarming I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

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  10. What a charming review. Makes me even more excited to read this novel. :) Looking forward to reading this novel, as well as the others in the series!!

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    1. And you, SYDNEY, have a charming name! It would make an excellent name for a heroine! Thank you for your kind words and I hope you get the chance to read the whole series!

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  11. A wonderful review thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  12. What a great review! I love the cover. It is as if you can smell the lilacs and what a glorious scent that is. Thank you for the opportunity.

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. I don't think I have ever smelled them, MELANIE! I have never lived in a region where they grew abundantly. I have smelled the scent in perfumes, air fresheners, etc. but I'm sure those things can't capture the essence of a real lilac! They're beautiful, I do know that. Thank you for sharing and good luck in the drawing!

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  13. Nice cover. I would be curious if I saw a paul bunyan look alike. kamundsen44(at)yahoo(dot)com.

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    1. Indeed it is, KIM! Juliana is wearing her librarian's uniform which they had to wear in those days. I would be a little leery if I was reading a story and the hero showed up. lol Thx for coming by OWG, Kim!

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  14. Diana - thank you for this great review of Carrie's book! You immediately swept me back to those days, to the scent of lilacs and the allure of the woods and lumber camps. I will definitely add Carrie to my list of authors to read and this book and the lumber camp series to my "must" read list. Joyce Graves - Heart"wings"

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    1. Thank you, dear JOYCE! I was totally delighted by all three books and actually learned a lot and had fun doing it! I hope you get the chance to read them in sequence so that you will know more about the returning characters. All 3 may be read as stand alones, but a lot more fun to read them one after another!

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  15. You're welcome, KATE! We all love Carrie and her delightful books! Good luck in the drawing!

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  16. Love the interview Diana. The cover picture is so pretty. I like the lavender color, Lilacs and a beautiful girl. Will be happy when I can read this newest book by Carrie. You girls are all so good with reviews. Thanks for a chance to win. Anxious to have a print to go with my other two. GOD bleedings to you OWG girls. Love this bunch.
    Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Thank you, dear MAXIE! It has to be God that helps me write them b/c I wrote this one when I was really sick with tummy troubles! Aren't those lilacs on the cover breathtaking? Lotsa love AND luck to you, MAXIE!

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  17. Congrats to JOYCE GRAVES who won a copy of Lilacs for Juliana per random number.org! I'll message you, Joyce!

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