 
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?   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.  Check out the interview with the author HERE.  Behind the Scenes Facts from “Dime Novel Suitor” in Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands (Barbour, June 2017) By Carrie Fancett Pagels First off, thanks for having me on your blog, Sydney, and thanks for hosting me on a Blog Hop Tour with The Singing Librarian Book Tours! It’s nice hanging out with another like-minded person who loves Christian Historical Romance!  Facts: 1. Rebecca Germany, the publisher and editor at Barbour Publishing is the one who came up with the idea of mail-order spouses who were MALE! Here’s my not so funny pun – they are all male-order husbands haha! The Mail Order Brides (abbreviated MOB) are incredibly popular as a romance trope. Becky wanted to see a collection where they were the grooms and not the brides! 2. Cynthia Hickey, the lead on this collection, sent me a Facebook personal message (it might have been a text but I think a personal message) right as I was commencing to begin our Tidewater Area Christian Writers meeting at a restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia. I did a quick exchange with her to see what was going on and then asked the members if they would allow me to continue my text messages as this was something important. So within a few short minutes, when I could have turned off my cell phone, I ended up becoming part of this great group of authors. I also suggested a couple who I’m a fangirl over, such as Susie Dietze, whose writing I love! It’s amazing how fast that thing went because Cindy FILLED all of her seven slots by the time my meeting was over! 3. I’d been carrying around a cowboy idea in my head for about a decade. I even offered the use of my British-background grandfather’s cowboy story to a couple of other writer friends, Melissa Jagears is one I mentioned it to, as I never thought I’d end up writing a cowboy story myself or anything out west. It just hit at such a time and in God’s perfect timing so that I ended up doing it. My grandfather was a real live cowboy out west and the son of English immigrant parents. My dad always said his father had eyes so light, so silver grey that it was like seeing through them. What color eyes do you think Barden might have in my story? 4. I borrowed real-life neighborhood friend, Joel Martinchek’s name for my heroine’s brother-in-law. Joel went to my same elementary school and all though school with me and is just a very nice person. I asked permission of course. Joel and some other kids were in a neighborhood play that I put together, as an older elementary kid, inspired by a book I had read. We charged admission and everything! What a hoot!!!  5. I came across Dime Novels a while back when I was researching something else. These cheesy western-set stories had highly melodramatic cowboy heroes in many cases. I wondered if my great-grandfather had read these stories before he and my great-grandmother immigrated. Did he pass along a love for those cowboy and Indian stories? So that inspired my title and the backstory for my hero, Barden Granville IV.  6. While Barden enjoyed Dime Novels, my heroine, Caroline Kane is a Jane Austen fan! I was thinking, since Caroline was NOT a fan of the whole mail-order groom scheme, what was something, a WHAT IF, that might have helped her overcome her resistance. AHA moment – she’s a Jane Austen fan! And when she hears Barden’s mellifluous British accent, well. . . Let’s just say it helps her reconsider her resistance.   Question: Have you ever had a situation where the window of opportunity was so narrow that you nearly missed out? If so, what happened? Giveaway: A signed and personalized (if desired) copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands  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 
Connie Lee
6/13/2017 05:03:53 pm
I would love to answer your question with a great story, but I can't think of a time I have been in that situation.
Elly
6/14/2017 12:21:22 am
Well, I have (on multiple occasions) been so tired in the morning that I've said no when asked if I wanted to do something or go somewhere. Fortunately for me, my sister is so AWAKE in the mornings, making all kinds of noise, flipping on lights, turning on music, almost choking me with her perfume, etc., that I'm usually awake enough by the time people are actually leaving to realize that I'd be missing out and regret it later if I didn't get up and go.
Patty
6/14/2017 09:53:20 pm
Yes I have had so many opportunities that had been presented to me . Just the other day I was at the store and decided to buy a lottery ticket there was about ten people in line , I was running late for work , I waited and bought a $3.00 ticket and I won $100 dollars. If I didn't the opportunity would of passed me by !
Connie Scruggs
6/16/2017 08:25:38 pm
I have not been in that situation. I'm sure it makes you grateful for acting quickly if you are faced with the need. Comments are closed.
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