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29 November 2015

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews Carrie Turansky's Audiobook A Refuge at Highland Hall



A Refuge at Highland Hall Audiobook Cover

A Refuge at Highland Hall
by Carrie Turansky

Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Five Stars *****
A Delight!!!

Blurb: In this third and final book in the Edwardian Brides series, listeners are swept away to England and France in 1915. At this time the Ramsey family, their staff, and their friends face the dramatic challenges and losses of World War One, yet they also experience the hope and triumph that comes as they put their trust in God to carry them through. Penny Ramsey helps the family welcome a group of orphaned children to Highland Hall, but she soon discovers that caring for them is more difficult than she'd expected. She writes to Alex Goodwin, a daring British pilot who chases German Zeppelins across the sky over the front line in France, and longs for the day she will see him again.


CFP: I listened to this audiobook as an audible.com download. Because of the sheer number of characters and subplots, I'd recommend listening to the book in small doses.  The reader may find it better to read with their eyes. I really enjoyed the book and I found I could follow the plot if I kept my listening times short and if I listened while cleaning. I wouldn't recommend this as a book to listen to if you are driving because you won't want to miss out on all the excitement in the book, particularly as you get halfway through and on because so much is happening you don't want to possibly skip any threads.

This is an Edwardian era book, set in Great Britain. The hero is an Air Force pilot and the heroine one of the daughters of Highland Hall.  There are other romances afoot, too, which makes for double the fun in the listen!

I have recently been through a dry season in my reading and it was so wonderful to get Carrie's book on audio. The downside is I kept wanting to sit down to listen to it while I was trying to clean and listen at the same time!

You can find Carrie Turansky's books at Christian Book Distributors, Barnes & Noble,  Amazon, and at other bookstores.  It is available in multiple formats including ebook, paperback, audio download and MP3 disc audiobook.

Giveaway: A copy of the bound ARC of this book. Are you an Avid Christian Audiobook Listener like me? If so, you can opt for an audible.com download as your prize! To be eligible please leave your email addy written (at) and (dot) to prevent spammers.
 
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80 comments:

  1. Mrs TinaNovember 29, 2015 at 2:50 PM

    Agree with you Carrie, this is a fantastic book that is hard to put down once you start reading it. I can imagine it would be the same while listening to it.
    Blessings,Tina

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 7:09 PM

      I may need to listen again to get all the details, but it was a great listen!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:18 PM

      Thank you, Mrs. Tina! So glad you enjoyed reading Refuge!

      Delete
  2. SonjaNovember 29, 2015 at 3:27 PM

    She is an amazing author. It looks great. The cover is beautiful.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 7:10 PM

      Isn't that cool how there are two different covers, Sonja?

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:19 PM

      Hi Sonja, thanks for your kind words. I am very thankful for the lovely covers on my books. I was an art major in college, so the covers are very important to me. I'm blessed to be able to have some input, and that makes it even more fun.

      Delete
  3. Bonnie RoofNovember 29, 2015 at 3:46 PM

    Thanks for your review of 'A Refuge At Highland Hall', Carrie - I love the storyline, and especially enjoy stories portraying the difficult situations characters experience during a war era. And who doesn't enjoy a story containing children and romance?? Both covers are beautiful, the audio copy is striking!!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 7:10 PM

      It was a great listen! I may go back and add the bibliotherapy elements! I got so caught up in the story I forgot to include my signature bibliotherapy review section!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:21 PM

      Hi Bonnie, I never thought I'd want to write a story set during war time, but when I researched WW1 in England and read the diary of a woman who lived through it, that really grabbed my heart and helped me see how it impacted people personally. I am sad to say goodbye to these characters . . . maybe I will write Millie and Andrews story some day.

      Delete
    3. Mrs TinaDecember 6, 2015 at 7:30 AM

      That would be great Carrie, I would like to read Mollie & Andrew's story.
      Blessings, Tina

      Delete
    4. Mrs TinaDecember 6, 2015 at 7:32 AM

      Oops, that should be Millie. (Auto correct at it again)
      Blessings, Tina

      Delete
    5. Mrs TinaDecember 6, 2015 at 7:40 AM

      Oops, that should be Millie. (Auto correct at it again)
      Blessings, Tina

      Delete
    6. Mrs TinaDecember 6, 2015 at 7:41 AM

      That would be great Carrie, I would like to read Mollie & Andrew's story.
      Blessings, Tina

      Delete
  4. Nikki YatesNovember 29, 2015 at 3:58 PM

    I love this series!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 7:53 PM

      Yes, this has been a great series, Nikki!

      Delete
    2. UnknownNovember 29, 2015 at 7:55 PM

      Oops, forgot to leave my email address. ;) catsandbeetles@hotmail.com

      Delete
    3. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:23 PM

      Hi Nikki, thanks for stopping by. So glad to hear you are enjoying this series. I loved traveling to England to research the setting and learn more about WW1 in England.

      Delete
    4. UnknownNovember 29, 2015 at 10:43 PM

      I bet that was a blast! I find that time period so interesting and love how modest everyone was, wish we had more of that now a days.

      Delete
  5. Jan HNovember 29, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to read it.

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    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 7:53 PM

      Have you read the other ones, Jan? So good!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:24 PM

      Hi Jan, If you enjoy English historical novels set in the same time period as Downton Abbey, then I think you'll enjoy the Highland Hall novels.

      Delete
  6. Melanie BackusNovember 29, 2015 at 5:06 PM

    I am a book lover, love to hold them in my hands. This one sounds wonderful!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 9:10 PM

      Have you read the first two in this Highland Hall series, Melanie? You want to be sure to read them first! Lovely series!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:34 PM

      Hi Melanie, I like to hold a book in my hands too, but lately with my busy writing schedule, I've started listening to audio books, and now I do both.

      Delete
  7. Deanna StevensNovember 29, 2015 at 5:34 PM

    I haven't read this one yet! Thanks for the interesting review, I would enjoy reading this one too :)
    dkstevensneAT outlookD otCom

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 9:11 PM

      Hi, Dee, did you read the others? They are all on audiobook, I believe, which is my preference but I read on Kindle, too, and some paperback.

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:34 PM

      Hi Deanna, thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoy reading the series.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousNovember 29, 2015 at 5:42 PM

    Sounds like a very good book. Would love to win it in print. Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 9:12 PM

      Maxie, you need to have read the first two books to really enjoy this. Did you read those already? I think you would really love this collection!

      Delete
  9. justcommonlyNovember 29, 2015 at 7:01 PM

    How lovely! I can't wait to read this book. I already have a copy and on my TBR pile, so I'll be looking forward to it (and no need to add me to the giveaway). Sure sounds like the audio version is not to be missed too! Carrie, I know what you mean. I've been listening to audiobooks recently and they definitely can be a distraction (in a good way) if your plan was to do some chores while listening!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 9:12 PM

      Hi Annie! Aren't the two covers nice? I love listening to audiobooks while I am doing my housekeeping.

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:26 PM

      Hi Annie, I have my iPad set up in the kitchen so I can listen to audio books while I cook and clean up. Sometimes I listen when I drive too. The narrator makes all the difference.

      Delete
  10. UnknownNovember 29, 2015 at 7:24 PM

    Thank you for your interesting review Carrie! I love the sound of this book, and who could complain about more than the one romance! ;) Oh for more time to read though... I still haven't made it to The Governess of Highland Hall yet which sits ever so patiently on my Kindle! I am a purely book reader though, and not a fan of audio anything, lol.

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 9:13 PM

      You'll have to get to them Aussie Angel! I do think you would relish these reads!!!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:32 PM

      Hi Noela, I hope you can squeeze in some time to read the series. It is good to start with Governess, then Daughter, and then Refuge. Each story is complete and stands alone, but the setting and family continue on through the series, so it's fun to read them in order.

      Delete
  11. Amy & Travis ParkerNovember 29, 2015 at 7:25 PM

    Throughout the last 2 Highland Hall books, I liked Penny, and knew that she would grow to be a benevolent character. Both of the previous books were set apart to me as well written historical romance story lines, rich and deep, impossible to put down. This is a series that you just can't miss!

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 29, 2015 at 9:14 PM

      Righto! Don't miss out! I was just tickled that so many of my family's names are in this collection. My great-grandparents were British, which may account for some of that, though!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:30 PM

      Hi Amy, I'm glad I could tell Penny and Alex's story . . . and I wanted to give Lydia a happy ever after too. Thank you for your kind words about my books. I appreciate the encouragement!

      Delete
  12. UnknownNovember 29, 2015 at 7:25 PM

    I love the review on a great sounding book. Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to win this great book. I would really like to have the book if I did win. mommystuck1(at)optonline(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. J'nell CiesielskiNovember 29, 2015 at 7:28 PM

    I haven't had the chance to read Carrie's book yet, but I hope to soon. More of a hard copy person myself.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Carrie TuranskyNovember 29, 2015 at 9:28 PM

      Hi J'nell, you might like to start with the first book in the series, The Governess of Highland Hall. Each of the three books in the series have different heroes and heroines, but the family and setting continue on in each story, so it's fun to read them in order. The Daughter of Highland Hall is book 2.

      Delete
    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2015 at 10:00 AM

      I agree with Carrie, you want to read the fist two great books in this series, J'Nell!

      Delete
  14. Mary PrestonNovember 29, 2015 at 8:13 PM

    I have just begun to listen to audio books.

    Such a beautiful cover too.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Caryl KaneNovember 29, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    CARRIE, thank you for this exquisite review! This series sounds wonderful. Carrie, the covers are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2015 at 10:01 AM

      I think you'd love Carrie's series, Caryl!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 30, 2015 at 5:11 PM

      Hi Caryl, Thanks for your kind words about the covers. I hope you have a chance to read all three books in the series!

      Delete
  16. Donna BNovember 29, 2015 at 9:42 PM

    I haven't read any of this series yet but hope to soon! I enjoy reading the print version.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2015 at 10:01 AM

      Sounds like a great Christmas to yourself, Donna! Get the whole set!

      Delete
  17. UnknownNovember 29, 2015 at 10:41 PM

    Wow! It sounds like a great book. God bless you both
    Chris Granville

    ReplyDelete
  18. Abby BNovember 30, 2015 at 8:22 AM

    What an absolutely gorgeous cover!!

    alander87 at allcom dot net

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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2015 at 9:59 AM

      I agree, Abby, both are beautiful!!!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 30, 2015 at 5:10 PM

      Hi Abby, I am so grateful for the designers at Tantor Audio and at WaterBrook for the lovely covers for this series. The colors really make it stand out.

      Delete
  19. Diana FlowersNovember 30, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    Thanks for the wonderful review, CARRIE! This series is so wonderful! I have certainly enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2015 at 10:03 AM

      Isn't that cool how they have the two different beautiful covers, Diana! TY for your kind words!

      Delete
    2. Carrie TuranskyNovember 30, 2015 at 5:09 PM

      Hi Diana, Thanks for your kind words about this series! I'm wishing you a Merry Christmas!

      Delete
    3. Diana FlowersNovember 30, 2015 at 6:54 PM

      Normally I love the original cover so much better, but you're right, Carrie. These are equally lovely!
      Merry Christmas, CARRIE!

      Delete
  20. AnonymousNovember 30, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    I love Carrie's books! Love to win this one! sheliarha64(at)yahoo(dot)com Shelia Hall

    ReplyDelete
  21. KayMNovember 30, 2015 at 1:08 PM

    I enjoyed your review, Carrie. This series has been in the back of my mind, since the first book came out, but I've yet to begin the series. I laughed at the picture in my mind of you attempting to clean, but finding yourself sitting down to listen. That happens to me all the time! Thank you for offering a copy of Refuge at Highland Hall.
    may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie TuranskyNovember 30, 2015 at 5:08 PM

      Hi Kay, I hope you enjoy reading the series. Start with The Governess of Highland Hall, then The Daughter, and finally A Refuge at Highland Hall. They're all available as ebooks, paperback, and audio. Happy Reading!

      Delete
    2. Carrie Fancett PagelsNovember 30, 2015 at 9:25 PM

      Yes, be sure to listen to the first two books, first, Kay! You will love them all!

      Delete
  22. Amy PutneyDecember 1, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    Great review! I haven't had a chance to read this one yet! But I do think I would absolutely love it! :)
    I don't listen to audiobooks too often. I'm not usually doing something where I can just sit and listen for long periods of time.

    amyputney89 [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsDecember 5, 2015 at 11:36 PM

      Thanks, Amy! I don't sit and listen--I work and listen. I do housework and play the audiobooks while doing boring chores!!! Great way to make the time go faster! Blessings!

      Delete
    2. Amy PutneyDecember 6, 2015 at 1:35 PM

      Now I HAVE done that. :) I have an audiobook that I'm slowly working through when I have time (I've already read the book). It's still challenging even when I'm doing housework though because I always have to stop and pause it when I need to leave the room to do something somewhere else!

      Delete
  23. Daily ReaderDecember 1, 2015 at 10:30 AM

    Sure hope to get to read this book soon!

    Gpk1946(at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousDecember 1, 2015 at 9:55 PM

    No Carrie, I haven't read the other two books so if need to just leave my name out of the drawing. Okay? Maxie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsDecember 5, 2015 at 11:38 PM

      If you win, Maxie, we'll get you the first book in the series, ok? We never want to leave such a special lady out!!! Hugs!

      Delete
  25. Mr. FrankDecember 2, 2015 at 7:58 AM

    My preference for fiction books nowadays is listening thru audiobooks. There's just so much more that can be communicated through a person's voice that the words on the page sometimes missed, especially when I'm reading fast. An audiobook forces me to slow down and stay with the author's pace. So definitely would enjoy a great audiobook.

    franktan (at) iwon (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsDecember 5, 2015 at 11:39 PM

      Mr. Frank I agree! If the narrator is a real pro, they can communicate so many things in an audiobook! I love that I can turn the speed up or down on my audiobooks, too! Blessings!

      Delete
  26. kvwriterDecember 5, 2015 at 11:57 PM

    Thank you for the chance! :-) sounds great!! Kdanisk (at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. UnknownDecember 6, 2015 at 12:14 AM

    I have the first two of the series (have not read yet) and would love a to add this one to my collection.

    annby at centurylink dot net

    ReplyDelete
  28. Vera GodleyDecember 6, 2015 at 1:45 PM

    Carrie Turansky writes delightful books. I read/review #2 in the series. Would love a print copy of #3. :)

    godleyv [at] yahoo }dot} com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsDecember 6, 2015 at 7:58 PM

      You will get your wish, Vera!!! I've got an ARC for you. Congrats! This speaks volumes about Carrie's writing that other authors like you and I enjoy her books!

      Delete

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