Seven Brides for Seven Mail Order Husbands Blog Hop!

Posted by abakersp in Historical / 36 Comments

I am so excited to have author Carrie Fancett Pagels on the blog today. She really is a sweetheart and I love reading her stories. She is not afraid to show her characters struggle, find happiness, redemption, and give God the glory. Recently Carrie contributed to the Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection. Please welcome her today to talk about her novella!

About the Book

Genre: Christian, Historical
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: June 1, 2017
Number of pages: 448

Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels
When a British dime novel enthusiast finds himself flat broke in Kansas, he discovers what western life and true love are all about. Barden Granville IV grew up at Cheatham Hall, Kent, England, devouring cowboy stories and dreaming of the day he, with no prospects of inheriting estate nor title, could escape to the American frontier. Educated and ordained an Anglican priest, his trip to America is his “last hurrah” before accepting a vicarage in a small town far from his aristocratic family’s estate. When a series of misadventures leaves him without money and stranded, he must take up employment immediately.
​After her father dies, widow Caroline Kane becomes the owner and proprietor of a restaurant and inn. She also assumes responsibility for her five teenaged siblings. Caroline’s busybody married sister insists that an Englishman who purports to answer an ad for help, is the perfect candidate for Caroline’s next husband. While she’s relieved to have help, Caroline finds Barden’s primary asset to be his silver tongue. When his efforts finally bring fruit, Barden receives word from England that could leave Caroline worse off than before, for her heart will leave with him. Will Barden answer his heart and God’s call in Kansas, or will his family responsibilities compel him to leave his dreams behind?

GOODREADS | AMAZON | B&N | CBD | TARGET 

About Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author. With a dozen Christian historical romances published, this former “Yooper” writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading-but not all at the same time!

Her short story, The Quilting Contest, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s “The Story” national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a 2016 Maggie Award published finalist for Romance Novellas. Grand Exposé was a 2014 Maggie Award honorable mention for a novel set on Mackinac Island (now entitled My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, Barbour, July 2017). All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist. Her novel, Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose/Pelican, June, 2016) received a Starred Review by RT Book Reviews.

Interview With Carrie

Hi Carrie and welcome to the blog! What do you want readers to take away from reading “Dime Novel Suitor” in Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order?
God is in every situation and He works all things together for our good. SPOILER We might not realize it at the time, like in Barden’s case, where he is attacked and left in an alley, but God uses His earthly angels to pick us up and put us on the course He has planned for us. Ironically, I’m going through a difficult situation like this right now, myself, but I trust God.

What kind of research did you do for the historical part of “Dime Novel Suitor” in Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order?
I especially spent time looking at Dime Novel history and I also ordered and read one of the books and looked at others online. There’s a reason they are also called Penny Dreadfuls! Also, our entire team worked together to share research about the area in Kansas where we set the story. We especially had to check to be sure what things were and were not in that area at the time, e.g., no railroad. Also, I was doing other research, on Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island, and I found out about the troops who came from out west and had been injured in some way during the Civil War. That was fascinating. I was privileged to have a phone conference with Phil Porter!!! Why the exclamation points? I am a history geek and Mr. Porter is the esteemed author of some of the best books about Mackinac Island history AND he is Mackinac Historic Parks Director!!! Yes, I am a fan girl.

When you are not writing, what hobbies do you enjoy?
I like to do bead work and I prefer easy beading projects like earrings and simple necklaces. You’d think with my poor eyesight and having Rheuamatoid Arthritis that has never gone into remission that I’d not be doing beadwork. But it’s so fun to have a finished project ready so quickly.

How long does it typically take you to write a novella vs how long does it take you to write a full length novel?
Oh boy! That’s a loaded question! A novel typically takes way more time. But it depends upon a few things. Like whether it is a shorter novel or a long one. Also, how recently have I been in that story world. For instance, on Lilacs for Juliana, I’d been in Northern Michigan story world for months already when I wrote that novel and I believe I completed in in two to three months. But I’ve had a longer historical (which got cut) that took me a few years to write (Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter). I’d say that ideally, I’d have a minimum of six months to write a novel, preferably nine to ten months. A novella “can” be done in a month. I prefer to have two to three months just to have some breathing room.

Thank you Carrie for stopping by today to talk to us. It was such a pleasure to have you here!

Giveaway

Grand Prize Giveaway: Kindle Fire + Postcards of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order, bookmarks from upcoming release My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands, cowboy-themed earrings, and an ebook copy of Holt Medallion finalist “The Steeplechase.”
And yet another chance to win…….
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Make sure you comment below for another chance to win. Tell your friends – I need at least ten unique commenters in oder to chose a winner!!
Tour Schedule

Make sure you check out these stops on the tour too and see what Carrie is discussing with them!

May 29–Reading Is My SuperPower | Soulfully Romantic | Zerina Blossom’s Books
May 30–Puddletown Reviews | Wishful Endings | Bookworm Lisa
May 31–Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Mel’s Shelves  | Blossoms and Blessings
June 1–Singing Librarian Books | Heidi Reads… | Cordially Barbara ​
June 2–Cafinated Reads | Smiling Book Reviews | A Baker’s Perspective
June 3–aTransParentMom | Paulette’s Papers

36 responses to “Seven Brides for Seven Mail Order Husbands Blog Hop!

  1. Elizabeth

    I’ve never seen a book about mail order HUSBANDS before but I’ve read several about mail order brides. This book has such a pretty cover.

  2. I have only read two series about mail order husbands and loved them, so looking forward to reading this collection of novellas. Plus, I have loved all Carrie’s books I’ve read (which has been most of them).

  3. Andrea Stephens

    I love this book! The connected story collections are my favorite.
    (Don’t enter me)

  4. Regina Fujitani

    What a fun review! This was the first that I’ve read about mail order husbands it was such fun to read this book! I loved Carrie’s novella! She is a marvelous writer and a lovely lady inside and out!!

  5. Mail order husbands are a subject that I have never read about yet. Book sounds like an interesting read and I’m looking forward to reading the book.

  6. Trixi

    Please excuse my post if it shows up twice. I don’t know if it got eaten or just waiting for approval. Anyway am repostng in hopes it will show!

    Carrie I have to 100% agree with this statement because I’ve seen it happen in my own life! “God is in every situation and He works all things together for our good.” Romans 8:28 attests to that. It’s also my Pastors favorite scripture and he quotes it a lot! Even in the middle of our trial, I know He’ll be there whether it feels like it or not, He’s also promised to never leave or forsake us. Don’t you love how we can always rely and lean on His promises? 🙂

    I’m loving hopping along! Discovering new-to-me blogs or visiting ones I already follow along on. Thanks for participating Jessica. I hope we get enough people commenting to have the drawing. I really love the Barbour set of novellas and Carrie’s sounds so good 🙂

    • Hey TRIXI, by the time you’ve reached my age you hopefully have learned how true that scripture is. It is such a comfort. I don’t know why God is using this current situation or how but I know He will use it for our good. We’re fixing up our house to try to get it ready to possibly sell it and move. A lot of work and difficult with my medical problems, but God is good and He is giving me strength!

  7. Brenda Murphree

    This has been such a fun book to read! I had never read a book about mail-order husbands before. Each book has been wonderful!

  8. Elma Brooks

    Would love to win this book …mail order husbands what a twist.

    • We struggled with this one a little bit, ELMA, because the man has to still be, well, manly!!! And so we had to be really careful with our stories to not emasculate the mail-order husbands. Of course in Dime Novel Suitor, Barden isn’t there to be a husband he’s in America on a lark!

      • JESSICA, this was a huge point of discussion by our group before we ever started working up our storylines. We didn’t want our women to seem “too” bold. But frankly, they were desperate. Our lead, Cindy Hickey, walked us through the situation for our fictional town, where her heroine would be the mayor. We also looked at the types of men who might answer the ads. That was interesting, too!!!

    • Thanks Heidi! This was a tricky collection for all of us to work on as a team and to write. A lot of extra hard work had to be put in by the authors so we’d get it “right.”