Diana's Review Of The Lumberjacks' Ball By Carrie Fancett Pagels & Bachelors in Springtime Event!!

The Lumberjacks' Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Hearts Overcoming Press, Apr. 2015

Reviewed by Diana Flowers

~5 stars~
 

Romance Among The Pines!
 

From the massive pines of the Michigan lumber camps to the seagulls gathering crumbs near the docks in Mackinaw City, comes another endearing romance from the pen of author Carrie Fancett Pagels.
 

Rebecca Hart has taken on a new identity and a dowdy appearance as she endeavors to run her father's mercantile in St. Ignace, Michigan, vowing never to marry or even get close to any man - ever. However, the devastating trauma that occurred to her many years prior, draws her to the handsome lumberjack turned cabinet maker when they surprisingly realize the incident connects them. Garrett aka Ox, feels the need to protect Rebecca and rightfully so, as a sinister force seeks to wind its way around her once again. Can Rebecca ever learn to trust Garrett and God's plans for her life in time for the Lumberjacks' Ball?
 

In this wonderful sequel to The Fruitcake Challenge, Ms. Pagels has artfully written a lovely story of overcoming tragedy and learning to trust again. With an utterly charming cast of characters, a bit of suspense, and a whole lot of romantic tension, readers everywhere will be enchanted by The Lumberjacks' Ball! In my mind's eye I could hear the squawking of the seagulls, and see the majestic beauty of the pine forests and the quaint town of St. Ignace, as the author's research permeated my senses. With a lump in my throat and tears beginning to form at the satisfying conclusion, I sighed...and knew once again I had read a powerfully anointed story by Carrie Fancett Pagels. 

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This book may be purchased through Amazon for a meager 99 cents so order your copy today!
 

*GIVEAWAY: An ebook copy of The Lumberjacks' Ball  (from Diana) to one blessed commenter!*  Be sure and click onto Spring Event below to see how you can win both books in The Christy Lumber Camp series!

Join the Bachelors in Springtime!!! A Multi-Author Event! today from 10-6 featuring our own Carrie Fancett Pagels and other talented authors! MEET the authors and hear about their new books! Giveaways! Games! Recipes! Pictures related to stories! Sample scenes from books!



Bonnie Roof reviews 'THE LUMBERJACKS' BALL' by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Lumberjacks' Ball

The Lumberjacks' Ball
by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Hearts Overcoming Press (April 4, 2015)

Reviewed by Bonnie Roof
5 Stars *****

"The Lumberjacks' Ball", book 2 in The Christy Lumber Camp series by Carrie Fancett Pagels, is a beautiful story of forgiveness, hope, and inspiration - wrought through faith in a loving God.

In this continuation of the 1891 story of Garrett "Ox" Christy from book 1, "The Fruitcake Challenge" - readers also have the pleasure of revisiting his sister Jo and fiance' Tom Jeffries, and brother Richard "Moose" Christy. When Garrett ventures from working in his father's lumber camp - into the town of St. Ignace, Michigan - in favor of work focusing on his woodworking talents, he is reconnected with a friend from his past, when he applies for a job at her fathers' newly opened mercantile store, at which she is the proprietress. He is later surprised to find his friend is also a new boarder of the same hotel - owned by Tom's mother, Cordelia - as he.

Rebecca Jane "Janie" Daggenhart, now using the name, Rebecca Hart, was rescued 10 years prior, from a brutal assault, by Garrett and Richard. Garrett is a reminder of the past she is unwilling to face, bringing up unwelcome memories, and discouraging the opening of her heart to a friendship with any male. Hiding behind drab clothing and a severe hairstyle, since her attack, she has recently relocated to Michigan's Upper Peninsula to escape the hold of her money-hungry, controlling father. Garrett has been attracted to Janie since he was a child, tagging along with his brother and father to shop at her fathers' other mercantile store. As Janie slowly starts to warm to Garrett's protective, gentle nature - ominous events point to the possibility of the re-emergence of Janie's attacker.

"The Lumberjacks' Ball" has enjoyable elements for every reader: romance, suspense, humor, lovable characters, inspiration, and an engaging plot. You'll fall in love with kind, sensitive Garrett, lumber camp driver - Frenchie Brevort - will put a smile on your face and young Amy will steal your heart. So much to love about "The Lumberjacks' Ball", I'm looking forward to book 3 in the series - "Lilacs For the Lumber Camp"!!

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You can pick up a copy of this fabulous story from Amazon!

GIVEAWAY: A ebook copy of 'The Lumberjacks' Ball' (from Bonnie) to one blessed commenter!

Noela Nancarrow reviews HIS BELOVED BRIDE by Ruth Logan Herne

With This Kiss Historical Collection

His Beloved Bride

(With This Kiss Historical Collection)

by Ruth Logan Herne

April 10, 2015

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

A truly beautiful love story..

This incredibly charming story is dedicated to the courageous pioneers who helped settle and shape America, perhaps never realizing the great cost that would often be debited from their lives. ‘His Beloved Bride’ poignantly portrays the laudable bravery found in these folk, but then also shows the crushing heartbreak that’s just as much a part of this challenging time in history.

The likable, straight-talking, no-nonsense Phillip Dickerson needs a wife and child so he’s able to claim his inheritance. What with working so hard on his large land claim, he’s had no time to even think about courting. So when he overhears that Grace Hawthorne is widowed and alone with an infant and is lacking proper shelter, food, and fuel, Phillip naturally sees marriage as a solution to both their dilemmas. Can love grow out of practicality and if so, will it be robust enough to withstand tragedy?

I don’t know that I've ever smiled so often or for so long while reading before! Those smiles were provoked by the entertaining story-telling, the sigh-worthy devotion and love... Then moments later, I was in tears! Author Ruth Logan Herne has truly done a masterful job of evoking emotions for her characters. She also effortlessly inspires and uplifts the reader with this deeply beautiful and heart-warming tale, reminding us to always trust in God’s goodness and grace. Highly recommended!!

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You can find this beautiful collection of stories here on Amazon!

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment to enter for a chance to win a copy of one of Ruth's books! We'll be giving away TWO this week and Ruthy will be giving away ONE, too!

Carrie's review of Ruth Logan Herne's Novella All Dressed Up in Love, A March Wedding



All Dressed Up in Love by Ruth Logan Herne
Zondervan Publishing, Feb. 2015

This was such a sweet read! I completed it in an evening. The setting is Elena's Bridal shop in Old City Philadelphia. (BTW, I have an upcoming release set partially in colonial Philly!) Tara Simonetti strides into the store and takes attorney Greg Elizondo by surprise when she proposes to work in the shop. She's an answer to prayer, but he doesn't understand that at first!  His mother has owned the exclusive Elena's Bridal for decades but when his mother passes away he realizes the store hasn't been keeping up with changes in the industry in order to keep competitive.

The bibliotherapy element I got out of this novella was how to face up to the fact that God has other plans for your life even when you think you've invested too much time and money to change. In this case, the heroine is a third year law student but clearly is best-suited for running a bridal shop. Lucky for her, the hero owns one. He has to realize that his plans for a big city job in NYC might not be best. But will they realize these things in time? Do they really have a chance together?

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Find this beautiful book at any of these places - Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble 

And here is the link to Ruthy's website: ruthloganherne.com 

GIVEAWAY: An ebook copy of this darling novella to one of our commenters. We'll be giving away two of Ruthy's books this week and Ruthy will be giving away one, too!

Ruth Logan Herne Interview by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Author Ruth Logan Herne

Ruthy, welcome to Overcoming With God.  We appreciate your willingness to share your testimony of overcoming with our readers. 

Would you tell us about the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

Hmm… well I’m never big into degrees of difficulty! Life issues chances and challenges and I’ve always believed that using everything God gave me to the best of my ability was the expectation, you know? I’ve got a great story about dealing with my parents’ alcoholism in “The Power of Forgiveness”, in December’s “Chicken Soup for the Soul”. I love that they grabbed that story and featured it because forgiveness is the key to so much. We weigh ourselves down with a lot of baggage when we hold onto grudges and angers. Resentment anchors us in darkness and I’ve always preferred the light of joy for that very reason! My faith sustained me as a child, I was blessed by the kindness and high expectations of a great Catholic school, and I knew that if I could hang on… become an adult… I could carve my own paths, my own way, with God’s help. And I did!

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times?

Ecclesiastes 3 is my mainstay for everyday living. I believe that for everything there is a season, and God wants us to identify those seasons/times and live peacefully while benefitting others. Pope Francis recently tweeted (I love that the Pope tweets!!!) that charity is the best way to evangelize. Simple words, a great truth. Actions speak louder than words. Have you guys ever heard the beautiful hymn “Make My Life an Alleluia”?

I love it, here’s a link to a quartet of girls from the Philippines who do an amazingly sweet version of this beautiful song. These words are how I want to live my life, being the best example I can be in everyday things. We all know that old saying “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” I love that! I’m smiling, just thinking of those sage words! I’m a Martha type, and we like to act first, beg forgiveness later! J

I have two favorite New Testament verses, both rally around forgiveness. When Jesus challenges the crowd to throw the first stone and no one dares lift a hand to curse the accused woman… How powerful is that image? To have the mirror held to our own faces? And then the command to forgive seventy times seven. Oh my stars, we get so up in arms over perceived slights. Little things. We’re kind of ridiculous really, from time to time, so I love keeping that image of warmth and forgiveness front and center.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print? 

This is an interesting question! All of my Love Inspired books are available in large print version when they’re on the sale shelves of stores, or for a few months online, but once those are gone… They’re gone! Which is why I’m so blessed to have e-copies of all of my work now. It’s so easy to increase the font size, enjoy the story with little or no eye strain, and the new generation e-readers are just plain fun. None of my books have been brought out in audio as yet!

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  

It’s hard for me to specify a “latest work” right now, and I’ll happily tell you why! We had two delightful holiday collections release in November (Hope for the Holidays Contemporary and Hope for the Holidays Historical collections on Amazon) and I had a 4-Star reviewed Love Inspired release in December and I’m part of a historical novella collection that just released from Barbour Publishing “Homestead Brides”… Just delightful!

I have a charming Zondervan novella releasing in three weeks, set in Old City, Philadelphia, a place I love. I love the rich history of Philadelphia, the image of how many people fought and sacrificed for our freedom. 

“All Dressed Up in Love” is funny, charming and heart-warming and shows the difficulties of obeying two masters, God and money…. But also that we need to keep our hearts and souls open to God’s direction!

In “Her Holiday Family” Tina Martinelli is part of an angry, dysfunctional family. Estranged from the few local members of her family, and with her parents deceased and her popular café burned to the ground by arsonists, Tina is ready to wipe the dust of her hometown off her sassy boots. But timing is everything in God’s world, and when her dear friends need her to help run their family hardware business while the owner fights cancer, she agrees. And when their son realizes it’s time to lay the guilt of the past to rest and come home to help his parents, they realize they’re meant for each other… but Tina doesn’t think she can stay and Max knows he can’t leave…. Resentment, guilt, anger and assumptions played a big role in messing up Tina’s family, but can she be strong enough to break the cycle?

Of course she can!

Question you’d like to ask readers:

Do you have a to-die-for recipe you should be sharing with me? Because I love to cook and bake and when you’re the mother of six and grandmother of thirteen, you love to try new things!

GIVEAWAY: Leave an answer to Ruthy's question to enter for a chance to win a copy of one of her books. We'll be giving away two this week and Ruthy will be giving away one, too!

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Five Star Reviews for The Lumberjacks' Ball - Angi Griffis, Ann Ellison,and Britney Adams

Love Those Christy's
Angi Griffis
Another sweet story from Carrie Fancett Pagels! Book Two in The Christy Lumber Camp Series, The Lumberjacks’ Ball follows the budding romance between Garrett Christy and Rebecca Daggenhart and takes us beyond the lumber camp and into the town of St Ignace, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Garrett and Rebecca have something in common…a terrible event from Rebecca’s past. Garrett wants to court her, but trust doesn’t come easy for Rebecca, especially when her past threatens to haunt her again. In each of their circumstances, Rebecca and Garrett must learn how to place their trust in God. If you enjoy sweet Christian romance stories, you won’t want to miss this!

Captivating!
Britney Adams

The Lumberjacks’ Ball is a wonderful short novel! Carrie Fancett Pagels is a terrific wordsmith, evoking imagery and emotion from the first words until the last. She skillfully brings her beautiful setting, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to life, as well as her endearing characters. Brimming with drama, intrigue, and romance, Rebecca and Garrett’s story is captivating!

Loved It!
Ann Ellison

I loved the first book in this series (The Fruitcake Challenge) and I loved this one every bit as much. It is a wonderful combination of faith and romance combined with some suspense that makes for a very enjoyable read.. I was caught up in the lives of Rebecca and Garrett from the first pages as they tried to overcome the tragic events of the past to find their future together. I certainly recommend this to anyone who enjoys good Christian historical fiction. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series (Lilacs for the Lumber Camp).

CFP:  Thanks so much Ann, Angi, and Britney!!!

Guess what, The Fruitcake Challenge cover is getting a makeover! It will look more like The Lumberjacks’ Ball's cover. What do you think of the new cover? Right now, due to a glitch, The Fruitcake Challenge is on sale for only 99 cents and also made its way back onto the Bestselling list this past week, Praise the Lord! Although the books are stand alones, I think you'll enjoy The Lumberjacks’ Ball better if you first read book one, The Fruitcake Challenge.

Giveaway: An ebook copy of The Lumberjacks’ Ball, available now, or wait on the paperback copy. Or winner's choice of The Fruitcake Challenge in either format. International winners, ebook only.

New upcoming cover for The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Book One in The Christy Lumber Camp Series

They Call Her Mrs. Sheriff by Cynthia Hickey - Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

They Call Her Mrs. Sheriff by Cynthia Hickey

My Review

When a part-native American sheriff's widow sees the opportunity to restart her life, she hauls her two small children and her mother to a small town known for driving off their lawmen. And I do mean, lawMEN. Because they were not expecting a lady. But a woman is what they got. I love how Cynthia sets up the story so you can see exactly why there is the potential for a "Mrs. Sheriff," as they call her, to her chagrin.

Wilhemina was a delightful heroine full of spunk and the hero was her match! I love spunky heroines and I think they are kind of hard to write so I admire what Cynthia did in developing Willie.

I really enjoyed this ebook! I kept reading this engaging story every night to see what would happen. It was hard to stop reading because there was action in every chapter and great hooks. I kept carving time from my evenings so I could return to the story. So when you buy this book make sure you set aside time to read it through that next week!

Highly recommend!! This book will be on my Best of 2015 List!!!

Blurb

Wilhemina Jackson, widowed mother of two, answers an advertisement in the newspaper for a sheriff in Wild Horse Pass, Montana. She uses the name Willie Jack in order to disguise her identity as a woman and soon receives a telegram saying she’s hired for the job. Along with her children, mother, and a giant of a dog, she loads up the wagon and makes the long ride from Kansas.

Wild Horse Pass is a picturesque town in the mountains with high standards and no law. The people are surprised to see a woman arrive as their sheriff, but are so desperate for someone to enforce the law, they decide to let her stay after she proves to them what a good shot she is with a rifle. All the former male sheriffs have always moved on to bigger and better pastures: especially since the town’s people consider the sheriff’s business their own and have no qualms about saying so.

Thomas Miller, livery owner and blacksmith, is ready for a sheriff to step in and take over law enforcement for the vigilantes, but he’s not excited about the arrival of a leather-wearing, split-skirt, woman sheriff. Especially one pretty enough to grace a tea room back east.

No matter how quaint the town looks, Wild Horse Pass is a wild and dangerous place with many secrets. The folks may seem quirky, eccentric, and God-fearing, but their nosiness causes plenty of problems and feuds, despite the local pastor’s and Tom’s attempts to lead them down the right path.

Can Willie and Tom lay aside their differences to find out what really matters?

Cynthia Hickey made The Lumberjacks' Ball cover  

By the way, Cynthia created the covers for my books The Fruitcake Challenge and The Lumberjacks' Ball (just released, praise God!) and did a great job!

Cynthia is a busy lady with lots of other great books to check out, too, like her Christmas Traditions novella, Handcarved Christmas, which I also loved. I'm looking forward to reading more of Cynthia's books on Amazon! Also check out her website.



GIVEAWAYS: An e-book copy of They Call Her Mrs. Sheriff  PLUS a copy of The Lumberjacks' Ball.