In the Writing Cave

Copyright:Hillebrand Steve, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In the Writing Cave

By Carrie Fancett Pagels

I'm down to the last twelve days before my novella, "In Dire Straits", in the Lessons on Love collection from Barbour is due to my editor, Rebecca Germany. This collection, a four-in-one with stories from my critique partner, Kathleen L. Maher, and wonderful authors Susie/Susanne Dietze and Rita Gerlach, will release in October, 2019.

That beautiful cave image, above, was downloaded from Google images (image credit notated), and looks to me like angels' wings! When I'm in my writing cave I really and truly feel the presence of God and His angels protecting and enveloping me. If you didn't know, I am disabled by Rheumatoid Arthritis and I have multiple other medical issues that God helps me cope with. I couldn't write anything without His help. So I always give the Lord credit in any book I've written, first and foremost. Being the weakened vessel that I am, I am well aware that anything I do has to come from Him and with God's provision. That builds even more gratitude into my heart and a humility with each project that He pulls me through, for I am well aware I can't do it alone.

Would you lift me and the other authors in this collection up in prayer as we finish our stories? And would you pray for the direction of this blog. God is leading me toward this being a monthly post about the ways God is working in my writing life. 

Giveaway: One commenter will receive a copy of their choice of any of my Barbour collections including this upcoming October release.

Character interview of Brooke Hollen of Desolate Paths by Erin Unger

Hi everyone! Brooke Hollen here! I’m the star of Desolate Paths.Thanks so much for having me today, Carrie! I’m excited to talk to you.

Hello, Brooke. Tell us about yourself. How did you get into Erin Unger’s novel?

Ha-ha, funny story—well really a scary one—I got into trouble and the best help I could get was in rehab. But, man, I didn’t expect all the drama there. And I should’ve read the website closer. I didn’t know what I was in for when I arrived. Erin knew I’d make some interesting choices and liven up her story once I got to the rehab center.

Why did you choose Carrick Living Museum and Rehabilitation Center to help you through your addiction?

I saw the promise of authentic help and rest and relaxation. I didn’t read all of the details because all I wanted was to rest my way through rehab. Little did I know relaxation only happened the first few days. I should’ve picked up on all the pictures of people wearing period clothing on the website. Authentic is an understatement about Carrick rehab. But God knew exactly where I needed to be.

Oh, dear. What’s different about the center?

It’s a center where all residents work throughout their rehab. Cory and Dara Carrick believe in the importance of learning how to be a valuable member of society while rehabilitating. All residents have to wear period clothing and must do all chores and cooking the way people would’ve in the early 1800s. 

What’s so scary about your stay at the center?

Who would’ve guessed I’d be in danger at the center when it’s supposed to be a safe environment? There is a serial killer living amongst us.

Oh, that’s terrible. How are you handling it?

I’m trying to stay out of trouble and rely on my new faith, but I’m really scared. Kyle Reston, the person I want to trust, could be responsible for all the women disappearing.

Maybe you should rethink hanging out with him. Do you have anyone else you can trust?

I have a new friend, Willa, who has been trying to keep me straight. She’s a lot further in her journey to recovery. Hopefully, together we’ll make it out of the center alive.

Well, I hope you stay safe. Thanks for talking to us.

With God, all things are possible. And because of my new faith, I’ll rely on Him to get me through this dangerous time. It was fun talking to you, Carrie.

Brooke is putting her trust in God through a very difficult time. What circumstance have you been in this year where you could only rely on God for the answer? Comment below to win an eBook of Desolate Paths or a paperback of Desolate Paths.

Thank you to Erin Unger

Social Media Links: Facebook Twitter Instagram

Short Bio: Erin Unger was raised in the hills of Virginia, exploring abandoned houses and reading the scariest books she could find. After marrying so young it would make a great romance novel, she has enjoyed an exciting life with her hubby.But her fast-paced life sometimes rivals the suspense in her books thanks to all her mostly grown children and a couple grandkids.

Review & Giveaway of My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge by Pepper Basham

My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge: Laurel's Dream by Pepper Basham

(Barbour, January 2019)

   Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains of 1918 where Laurel McAdams endures the challenges of a hard life while dreaming things can eventually improve. But trouble arrives in the form of an outsider. Having failed his British father again, Jonathan Taylor joins is uncle’s missionary endeavors as a teacher in a two-room schoolhouse. Laurel feels compelled to protect the tenderhearted teacher from the harsh realities of Appalachian life, even while his stories of life outside the mountains pull at Laurel’s imagination. Faced with angry parents over teaching methods, Laurel’s father’s drunken rages, and bad news from England, will Jonathan leave and never return, or will he stay and let love bloom?

 Andrea's thoughts.

This beautiful book wrapped itself around my heart and stayed there. From the first page to the last, I could not help loving Laurel McAdams and Jonathan Taylor. She has such a sweet, strong spirit despite the hardships of daily living in the rural Blue Ridge Mountains.  He has a special kindness about him.

Jonathan is set to prove he isn't the “useless invalid” his father believes him to be. He learns to see things in a different way, with a new idea of what happiness and beauty truly are.

They share a love of books too, as described while looking over the globe in the schoolroom; “The world is a fascinating place.”... “Well, I ain't seen a whole lot of it, but I sure like visiting through books.” “One of the best ways to travel.”  

The friendship that develops between Laurel and Jonathan is very memorable. I loved how protective Laurel was of “Teacher” as Jonathan is called. She knows he will be good for the children. I also loved how he came to care for and learn from the mountain people.

Pepper Basham has a wonderful way of describing her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains and the people that live there, I felt as if I was sitting on the hillside watching their lives unfold in front of me.  The message of trusting God's love is gently woven throughout the book, leaving a warm spot on this readers heart.

I hope everyone will pick up this book and visit 1918's Maple Springs. Jonathan's introduction to life in the mountains is not to be missed. You also don't want to miss the Autumn leaf rainbow or the corn shuckin'.  It's a whole lot of fun!

I have highlighted so many things in this book it has become its own rainbow.

 I'll leave you with these words of wisdom from Laurel's mama...

”Regret don't do nothin' but steal your joy and cloud your eyes from seein' the blessings.”

*I purchased a copy of this book after reading the first few pages of the e-book provided to me by Barbour Publishing through NetGalley. I was so excited the day it came, I sat and read it from cover to cover.

Check out ALL the My Heart Belongs series books from Barbour! (click here)

Giveaway: Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge  

Nine Year Blog Anniversary

Time sure does pass, doesn't it? We can't stop it. Some things seem to slow time down and others seem to speed it up. But regardless, it passes. Things change.

When I started the blog, I was a psychologist and I wanted to get posts out encouraging people to Overcome (With God's Help) -- Through Time AKA Overcoming Through Time or OTT. That part in parentheses needed to be brought to the forefront, though. I was on my own at first, with only a few people reading my posts. Well, believe it or not, I'm praying about going back to some of the original blog ministry that I intended.

So...after:
Nine years of posts.
1384 Posts counting this one!
668,100 Pageviews
And LOTS of giveaways!!!

I'll be moving Overcoming With God blog back toward a more advice and encouragement focused blog with posts once or twice a month. My writing ministry is about encouraging others to overcome with God's help. I pray that readers have been blessed by the blog posts over the past nine years! I sure was blessed to have some wonderful reader/reviewers come and spend some seasons on the blog: Diana Flowers, Noela Nancarrow, and Marian Baay as well as Bonnie Roof who has "graduated" to heaven. And kudos to our wonderful poetess, Teresa Mathews, who may yet bless us with some of her poems in the future!

Giveaway: I'll be giving away the winner's choice of my one of my seventeen published inspirational fiction books, released within the past six years, to celebrate the blog anniversary! 

Peace for Christmas

Peace plaque designed by Rev. Shawn Cartwright, Northside Christian Church

By Carrie Fancett Pagels
Wouldn't that be wonderful if we could have Peace in every heart this Christmas? My pastor, Rev. Larry Jones preached on Peace this past Sunday and he inspired me to write this post. Rev. Shawn Cartwright, our music minister, created that beautiful plaque, pictured above (the coloring is a little off in this image) for Northside Christian Church. I have permission to share the image. In the background are our Advent candles which have been lit every Sunday leading up to Christmas.

In one of my Facebook groups, someone asked "What is something you can't buy for Christmas but would be wonderful?" and I replied "Peace." Peace is such a wonderful gift from God, via His Holy Spirit. When we've experienced it after all else fails in our human attempts to achieve peace, then we know how His wonderful supernatural peace is so amazing and a fabulous gift to us.

This Christmas, as much as is possible, I wish you the gift of human peace and I ask all of us to remember that heavenly Holy Spirit peace is something God can give us when the human efforts fail. And we can count on that.

Colonial Quills Tea Party On Friday November 30th

Pegg Thomas and I are both members of Colonial Quills and we have our new release to celebrate at the Tea Party tomorrow on the Colonial Quills blog and at a Facebook party. Angela K. Couch will also be celebrating the release of her new novel. Hope to see you there!

One of my giveaways will be some delicious Christmas tea. No lattes, unlike the meme above!

Stop by Colonial Quills blog during the day and leave a comment to enter for giveaways.
Stop by the Colonial Quills New Releases Tea Party on Facebook from 1-3 to engage with the authors: Pegg Thomas 1:00, Carrie Fancett Pagels 1:30, Angela K. Couch 2:00, 2:30 Authors continue to respond to comments until 3:00 PM Eastern.

Hope to see you there!

Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin -- Audiobook Review

Legacy of Mercy
By: Lynn Austin
Narrated by: Rachel Botchan, Stina Nielsen, Suzanne Toren,Amanda Leigh Cobb, Laura Knight Keating, Andrea Gallo
Series: Waves of Mercy, Book 2
Length: 12 hrs and 27 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-02-18
Language: English
Publisher: Recorded Books

Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels 

I listened to this audiobook as a download from Audible.com. I have a membership. This is the sequel to Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin. That story disappointed me with the ending, as it was basically a cliff-hanger with no resolution. So I thought I'd listen to this audiobook. At first, when I heard that it was done in first person POV (Point of View) I almost didn't listen. I do not care for first person POV. At all. Or so I thought. Because with six narrators, all excellent, and a lot of the story told almost like letters and with many flashbacks, I was able to deal with the first person POV. In fact, here's a situation in which the author likely really did need to use this method to get the story told. I really enjoyed this audiobook, which is saying a lot for someone who does not listen to first person story telling. 

This story does somewhat defy subgenres. It is a Christian historical fiction but it also has a strong Women's Fiction feel and there is definitely romance. There were some bibliotherapy elements that were strong -- with depression, suicidal ideation, serious illness, and more. Lynn Austin did a beautiful job of weaving God's mercy into the story. Since this is the Legacy of Mercy in the Waves of Mercy collection, that makes sense!

If you've read the first book in the Waves of Mercy series you do need to read this book, too. It will take care of the cliff hangers and leave you satisfied with the story. The narration, story, and characters are all first rate.

Highly recommend if you've already read the first book!