Giveaway: Andrea Stephens' review of "Shenandoah Hearts" by Carrie Fancett Pagels

"Shenandoah Hearts" by Carrie Fancett Pagels novella in The Backcountry Brides Collection (Barbour, May 2018)

Andrea Stephens' review of "Shenandoah Hearts"
First, I have to say I had the distinct pleasure of being a beta reader for this novella. I loved the story when I read it the first time. It was fun to see the subtle changes and final edits when I read this published version, making me love it even more. Carrie Fancett Pagels does not disappoint with this fictional telling of the beginnings of the French-Indian war.

The main story is about Magdalene and Jacob. They worked together in a shop in Philadelphia, each
having unspoken feelings for the other. Magda moved with her family to the Shenandoah Valley where three of her brothers have built a cabin for the entire family. Jacob is enticed by his brothers to join the same wagon train and move himself, ending up close to where Magda and her family have settled. I loved the back and forth flirting between Magda and Jacob. The family banter and teasing by both of their families. Magda's ailing mother even says to her “You and that Jacob are just alike in keeping your feelings too...too close...”

Magdalene was all to aware of their different stations in Philadelphia but “out here in the valley, by these blue mountains, those differences in status seemed to disappear.” No spoilers but just when I thought they would get together, the war begins and everyone from the surrounding settlements move within the walls of the fort. Despite the tension and all the hard work war brings, the romance develops and feelings grow. There are also some surprises for other family members as well.

I loved this story and was very satisfied with the epilogue. Honestly, a tear escaped my eye and fell onto the last page.

I highly recommend it to all.

Bio and links for The Backcountry Brides Collection:

You can read a clip of the collection by clicking here!

Blurb: Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels
1754 - Great Wagon Road, into the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia)
As the French-Indian War commences, Magda Sehler wonders if Jacob Owens lost his mind to have abandoned his Philadelphia business and moved to the Shenandoah Valley. Or has he lost his heart?

Check out the Christmas Anthology associated with Carrie's story on the Colonial Quills group blog (Click Here).

Links

goodreads

Amazon author page

Bookbub

Purchase at Christian Book Distributors  

Walmart  

Barnes & Noble  

Amazon 

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away a copy of The Backcountry Brides Collection this week -- leave a comment on today's review and on Carrie's post on having branches trimmed for two entries.

Debra E. Marvin -- Heroine Susannah Kimbell & Giveaway!

Miss Susannah Kimball’s story, "A Heart So Tender", in The Backcountry Brides collection is story set in July, 1764 at Fort Niagara. This great historical landmark lies at the mouth of the Niagara River where it flows into Lake Ontario. While Susannah lives a rather unusual frontier life as the daughter of the music and literature teacher at Sir William Johnson’s Mohawk School, she is not prepared for the cultural tensions rising at what Sir William, Indian Agent for the Crown, is calling “The Great Gathering”.

Blockhouse at Fort Niagara

Susannah lives in the settlement of Johnstown (NY). There, Sir William has built a community of white settlers and Mohawk families. And he’s succeeding. Johnson is unusually accepting of people of all colors and faiths and has great hopes for peace along the frontier.

Susannah has the same hope.

French Castle at Fort Niagara

It is her dream to open her own school for girls, primarily native girls, but it’s not entirely unselfish. Her adopted brother Benjamin, an Iroquois orphan, straddles two worlds. Teaching would give him a place of respect that he might not otherwise find in the white world, nor among the Haudenosaunee. To celebrate and promote what Susannah believes in, she sings duets with her brother. The Mohawk call her Yonterennothiyo, (She who sings beautifully) or “Songbird”, and in my story, Sir William uses this gift to his advantage as well.

But Susannah has another reason to desire a life of service as a single teacher, a secret she can’t share and one that requires she never fall in love.

I hope you find yourself reading The Backcountry Brides Collection and enjoy my novella, A Heart So Tender for more of Susannah’s story!

CFP: Thanks for visiting with us, Deb!  Readers, you can purchase a copy of Backcountry Brides at:

Christian Book Distributors  

Walmart 

Barnes & Noble  

Amazon 

Check at your local Christian bookstores, e.g., Lifeway, to see if they have copies, too! 

GIVEAWAY:  Tell Deb what Native American history is found in your area for a chance to win a paperback copy!

Independent Miss Mabel Walker -- Character Interview with Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor

The inspiration for Mabel Walker is actress Tracy Spiridakos

Character Interview with Jennifer Hudson Taylor for her heroine, Mabel Walker

In: The Backcountry Brides Collection (Barbour Books, May 2018)

It’s 1757 and Mabel Walker is grieving over the death of her older brother in the Heart of Nantahalanovella in the Backcountry Bridescollection. He lost his life in a logging accident a month ago, and with the loss of their parents three years ago, Mabel and her fifteen-year-old sister, Bethany, are now alone.

With the inheritance of her brother's logging business and several acres of rich timber land, suitors are lining up, eager to take possession of her newfound property. There is only one problem. Mabel doesn't intend to give up her brother's gift through marriage, especially a loveless marriage. She defies all the unsolicited advice from her friends and neighbors at church, ignores the spiteful comments from her brother's employees who dislike working for a woman, and begins the process of learning all about the logging business.

It isn't until attempts are made on her life and someone tries to sabotage the lumber mill that she realizes how much danger she and her sister could be in. Unsure of who she can trust, Mabel becomes more determined and less dependant on her brother's best friend and foreman. Her faith is seriously tested and several men quit because they refuse to work for a woman. 

Out of the midst of chaos and betrayal, an unlikely ally emerges through a business partnership with Joseph Gregory, a man who clearly wants to purchase her property and business. Mabel finds his rare honesty and loyal support to be of more value than any of the relationships she has formed in Nantahala over the last three years after arriving to the North Carolina colonies.

With medium brown hair often swept up in pearl pins, and intense blue eyes that draw people toward her, Mabel’s appeal even encourages suitors beyond wealth seekers. Think of Miss Mabel Walker as modern-day Canadian actress Tracy Spiridakos in 18th century clothing, hairstyle and hat or colonial cap. I’ve included a photo of Tracy from Wikimedia Creative Commons. 

Mabel is loyal and always dependable. She hates the thought of letting someone down and so it is important for her to carry on the legacy of what her brother built. She’s determined to take care of her sister and the hired help, a Cherokee mom and son who have become like family and also depend on her. Mabel must find a way to overcome her enemies and convince her brother’s former employees that she is a worthy business woman and capable of providing their jobs just as he did. God answers her prayers in a most unexpected way.

CFP: Thanks for visiting with us Jennifer (and Mabel!) 

You can contact Jennifer at:
Author's website: ​
Author Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Amazon Author Page:
Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Jennifer's Twitter:
Jennifer H Taylor (@jt4novels) | Twitter

Jennifer's Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/jt4novels/


Don't forget we also have a Backcountry Brides collection Rafflecopter with lots of giveaways including a Kindle Paperwhite!

Here's the link:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway: We're giving away a paperback copy of The Backcountry Brides collection this week on the blog. Leave a comment on this post to enter!