Carrie Fancett Pagels Interviews Character Sarah Richmond
CFP: Sarah, I am so excited your story, "Requilted with Love", has released in Barbour Publishing's new release -- The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection! It is out ahead of its November 1st release date! How do you feel about that?
Sarah: How thrilling to be out in society!!! I can't wait for readers to "meet" me. Ladies -- please watch out for those two fair workers, Grant and Lee, there is something just a little suspicious about them!
CFP: Speaking of Grant and Lee. How did they get their names?
Sarah: (Rolls eyes.) I am guessing Grant was named for the famous Union General and Lee for the Confederate general. As you can guess, they aren't from the same part of the country!
CFP: Well what brings you to the fair, Miss Richmond?
Sarah: I have lost my two fiancés. And I'd made a wedding ring quilt that I had requilted with appliqués on top. I want to win the Blue Ribbon Prize and have the opportunity to tell folks how our hospitals in the Upper Peninsula need to be better supported by our state.
CFP: That's certainly admirable, Sarah. Are you enjoying your time at the fair?
Sarah: The 1889 Michigan State Fair is a superb one. I'm so excited because this gorgeous fairgrounds in Lansing is meant to give the fair a permanent home. No more moving around from city to city! Everything is so new and beautiful.
CFP: That sounds amazing, Sarah! I wish I could be there to see it! Is Grant as gorgeous as the grounds are?
Sarah: (Cheeks turn red.) The ladies at the fair seem to think so. I'm more impressed by the help he's given me, although I could do without him fussing at me about my choices. And his and Lee's hovering is interfering with me and Denise, my friend, being able to go freely about the grounds by ourselves. We are grown women, for goodness sake!
CFP: Hmmmm, sounds like Grant and Lee might be protective of you and Miss Drefs.
Sarah: Time will tell. I believe their jobs as groundskeepers has put them in our paths a great deal. But they sure don't speak or act like the other fair employees I've met.
CFP: Thank you, Sarah, for the interview!
You can purchase copies of The Blue Ribbon Brides collection at
Barnes & Noble
Christian Book Distributors
Kobo
Amazon
And at your local Christian bookstores and Walmarts.
Giveaway: Do you have a question to ask Sarah? One commenter will win an autographed copy of The Blue Ribbon Brides collection.
I have a question for Sarah- What makes Grant and Lee different from the other fair employees?
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your quilt and encouraging support for hospitals!
colorvibrant at gmail dot com
Sarah: Hello, Heidi! I have to say they are very articulate and intelligent for one thing. I mean, these men are laborers and most don't engage in lengthy conversations with me. Thanks for your kind words!
DeleteSure sounds like a great book. Will there be sequels to these stories? Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletegrandmama_brenda(at)yahoo(dot)com
CFP: Brenda, each author would have to make that decision. I'd love to give Denise Drefs and Lee another story of their own.
DeleteThis book sounds wonderful ! What colors are your wedding ring quilt ? I have been thinking to make one in the near future ! I have enjoyed going to many county fairs in my lifetime but never entered. Also went to the NY state fair and enjoyed it but never entered there either. fairs are a wonderful place to display your works of art , quilting, sewing, cooking canning ect.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Linda Marie Finn
faithfulacresbodysoulspirit@gmail.com
Sarah: The wedding ring quilt is mainly calico prints taken from my own childhood dresses and the background to the rings is a creamy white. The back is a light turquoise blue with tiny flowers. The appliqué's on top of the ring pattern, tulips, are made with rather sheer organza in light colors. I have found the 1889 Michigan State Fair is an excellent venue for displaying one's work. However, there is an impostor among us, Mrs. Finn! There is a woman passing herself as a quilter who is not!
DeleteCarrie, thank you for the fun interview! Congrats on having your story published in this beautiful book by Barbour!!...with so many other talented authors!
ReplyDeleteCFP: This is so fun having my "Barbour debut" Diana!!! Thanks so much!
DeleteDo you enjoy writing stories to go in the 'collection' books as much as you do stand alone books/series? I love these books and this one has been on my wish list since I first saw it!
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
CFP: Wendy, the nice thing about writing in a collection is the camaraderie you have. I'm not so much a fan of writing alone so this works nicely for me! Blessings!
DeleteWhat inspired the wedding ring quilt? I love the novellas!
ReplyDeleteTyner dot Amy at gmail dot com
Sarah: My wedding ring quilt was for my first engagement. But he died.
DeleteCFP: My real life wedding ring quilt was for my first engagement, too. My fiancé did not pass away. And my mother made that and also an appliquéd quilt (with tulips and flowers) for my husband's and my wedding.
Why did you set your story in Michigan and do you happen to be from the UP? Also how did you research the 1889 Michigan State Fair, did the people in 1889 travel from all over the state go to Lansing for the State Fair?
ReplyDeleteMy email: diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteCFP: Dianne, I am indeed a Yooper woman, having been born in the U.P. One of the reasons I went with the 1889 State Fair was because there was information about that specific fair year because it was a huge deal -- it was supposed to be the beginning of a permanent home for the fair in Lansing, but that was not to be! Yes, people did travel from all over to get to the fair. To get there from the U.P., though, would have been an arduous task - which is was for my heroine. Thanks for asking!
DeleteThanks for the info. I'm also from Michigan, my sister and I have a townhouse in Holland. We love visiting the UP, especially Mackinac City and the Island, Fayette and the Soo. Fayette is so beautiful that I want to live in the ghost town and I could spend hours watching the boats go through the locks at the Soo. Lots of great vacations in the UP.
DeleteThanks for the info. I'm also from Michigan, my sister and I have a townhouse in Holland. We love visiting the UP, especially Mackinac City and the Island, Fayette and the Soo. Fayette is so beautiful that I want to live in the ghost town and I could spend hours watching the boats go through the locks at the Soo. Lots of great vacations in the UP.
DeleteLovely to meet you Sarah.
ReplyDeleteDo you enjoy adventures or would you prefer a quiet life?
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Sarah: A quiet life is my preference but not that of the men I attract.
DeleteSarah, it was a pleasure meeting you. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. What scripture(s) did you hold onto during that difficult time in your life?
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138 at gmail dot com
Sarah: the Psalms were a comfort to me and also the book of Isaiah.
DeleteSarah is there anything special about the appliques you put on your quilt? Looking forward to reading your story Sarah.
ReplyDeleteCherylB1987 AT hotmail DOT com
Sarah: Yes, tulips are a sign of renewal. However I still lost my second fiancé. No more men for me! Except Grant seems so interesting!
DeleteI'd like to know what Sarah's aspirations are after winning the blue ribbon. :)
ReplyDeleteTracy
Sarah: I plan to speak to reporters about the need for better medical care in upper Michigan. And I will go home to my parents' farm. But God may have other plans.
DeleteSarah, did you lose your fiancees through death or was there another reason? I think it is very admirable that you are wanting to call attention to the need for finding of the hospitals and I look forward to reading more about your efforts!
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Funding of the hospital
DeleteSarah: Yes both died tragically. I wish my last fiancé had better medical care.
DeleteHow long have you ben quilting Sarah?
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
SARAH: Hi PATTY. I have been quilting since I was old enough to help my mother cut squares. Granted, mine looked more like diamonds at first! Actually sewing, I was 7 when I was allowed to do some stitches on a quilt!
DeleteCongratulations on your book Carrie! I so enjoyed Sarah and Grants story. I too would like to read Denise Drefs and Lee's story....I do love a southern drawl....
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tina
I loved the interview with Sarah.
DeleteBlessings, Tina
How did you get the idea to write about the fair? Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteSHELIA, Gina Welborn is the author who came up with this idea for the fairs. I got the idea for the Michigan state fair for my setting because I'm from Michigan originally.
DeleteHow long did it take to make your quilt? jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt took many months to make the original quilt. And more months to appliqué on top of it. I don't recommend requilting a quilt as it is almost as hard as making one new.
DeleteSarah, I loved your interview! And I'd love to know what are some of your favorite things at the fair?
ReplyDeleteCarrie: This looks like an awesome set of novellas, I do so adore the Barbour collections. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
SARAH: I love being at the Pavillion with all the beautiful quilts hanging!!! And I love that my friend, Denise, is here!
DeleteI remember going to the county fair and spending time looking through the 4-H building at all the blue ribbon winners. This brings back lots of memories.
ReplyDeleteCFP: I loved being in 4-H and I won Blue Ribbon one year for my wrapping of a Father's Day gift box. And my 4-H leader's name -- Lila Swanson! I used Lila's name for the little girl in this story, my heroine's young cousin!
DeleteThanks for the chance to win. What do you love most about these characters Carrie?
ReplyDeleteHi Debra! What I love most about these characters is that they became so real to me. I always try to write in character and I feel I really connected with them!
DeleteThis is a great collection! Loved the interview.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chappy! you are a sweetie!
DeleteWhat a fun method of doing an interview! Sarah, were your losses due to epidemics or accidents? Very disheartening..... but it is a positive sign she is moving forward with the related quilt and participating at the fair. I have read a number of the Barbour collections and always find them excellent reads! dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteSARAH: My last fiancé took a notion to participate in a Wild West show. That ended very badly indeed. If only he had received better care. . .
DeleteCongrats, Cathy! You're our winner! Will be emailing you!
DeleteSarah, you spoke of the hospitals in the area and the need for better support. Do you volunteer at one of the hospitals?
ReplyDeleteCarrie -- what a great idea for sharing! It definitely brings the character 'to life' :-)
cmcfaithingod@gmail.com
SARAH: Well, Christine, I'm not sure they'd welcome me volunteering as I raised so much ruckus after my fiancé died from their negligence.
DeleteSarah, if you hadn't had a quilt you wanted to requilt, would you have entered anything else at the fair (whether quilt or another option)? Would you have gone to the fair just to observe and see other entries?
ReplyDeleteSARAH: I would never have undertaken this arduous journey to only see the fair! I'm a practical young woman, my father always says! I would have agreed to have accompanied my family's dairy products down if only there were cars that could keep the products cold enough, long enough. Grant confided in me that in a few years, engineers may have made such ice box cars a good option.
DeleteCarrie and Sarah--love the intriguing interview! I'll hold my questions until after I read the story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by, Kay!
DeleteLove the interview and I love these types of books! I'm really looking forward to reading The Blue Ribbon Brides Collection. It is definitely on my To Be Read list.
ReplyDeletekmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
KAREN, there are 9 distinct stories. I think you'll enjoy them!
DeleteThank you Carrie for this fun post and interview! After reading this I'm really looking forward to this book! My question for Sarah is does she plan to make any other quilts? Thanks again! lynnefeuerstein(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSarah: I have a feeling that my mother will make the next quilt with me and that this winter will be filled with quilting fun -- but God may have other ideas! Thanks, Lynne!
DeleteWhat a great book! A treasure, for sure!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Thanks Melanie! I hope your book club might pick this up and read some of the novellas! Blessings!
DeleteThanks for the interview with Sarah. And glad to meet you Saeah. How long have you been writing? Love to win your book. Carrie, I would love prayers for my family. My oldest Great granddaughter just lost the twins we were looking forward to added to our family. But when she went to her doctor yesterday she was told they were no longer viable. A sad day. Was looking forward too start my great-great line with twins. She was 3 months. You might have seen the Ultra sound I had posted. Love you all. Maxie.
ReplyDeleteI am SO sorry to hear this, MAXIE! Praying for you and for your great-granddaughter. What a sad day indeed, to lose her twins. Hugs and love!!!
DeletePleased to meet you, Sarah. How old were you when you learned to quilt? Did your mother teach you? Did you include any fabrics in your quilt that held special memories of your fiancée's?
ReplyDeleteHi ANNE! I was 7 before I could stitch a little. Yes, my mother taught me. Maybe it was good that I didn't have my fiancé's fabrics included. The first wedding ring quilt was from fabrics from my childhood. The appliqué was new fabric, that was placed over top the original.
DeleteWhat a fun post! This book sounds wonderful and I love that it has 9 stories in one book. I am putting this on my wish list for sure because I just love the fair and reading stories of them.
ReplyDeletemsbookwormlady (at) aol (dot) com
Hi KayLee! Yes 9 distinct stories which is really fun!!! I think you will love this collection!~
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