Tag Archive | Carrie Fancett Pagels

Tandem Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels

May4

So Beautiful

Tandem Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a most charming contemporary Christian novel that I adored. It is the third book in the Mackinac Cottages series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Carrie Fancett Pagels always writes fabulous stories that are close to the heart of God. We see that life can be hard but God is always good and God is always faithful. We can lean on Him and trust Him through all the seasons of life. “She might not be able, but God was.”

God gives us opportunities. “There are no coincidences just God incidents.” Nothing in life surprises God. Whatever we are going through, He is already there. He provides instances where we can lean on Him and trust His leading. When life is hard and makes no sense, press into God, recognise His hand on our lives. “Choices… God was providing.” God provides choices to help us. We can choose whether to accept or not.

We learn about the importance of music. “Good praise music…that’s something that helps get me through… life.” Music can lift us above our circumstances and draw us close to the heart of God.

Within the tale, a character is suffering from grief. “Grief… You could be laughing one moment and crying the next.” Grief brings a mixture of emotions. Guilt and grief go hand in hand. God wants us to live free. He wants to take our grief and guilt and pain, and exchange them for His care and love. “None of us is perfect. But God extends grace.” Grace. We don’t deserve it. We cannot earn it. Grace is a gift from God, paid in full by the blood of Jesus on the cross.

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Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Sep20

Delightful

Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a delightful contemporary Christian novel which I loved. It is the second book in the Mackinac Cottages series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The reader is treated to the beautiful scenery of Mackinac through the author’s descriptions.  Found it easy to picture the scene as I know that the Grand Hotel in Mackinac was used in the 1980’s film Somewhere In Time. The pace of life is relaxing but not without incident.

We see the importance of heritage and knowing our roots. Ultimately what matters most is that we are all sons and daughters of the King. As much as our earthly family loves us, God loves us even more. “Did she have the right to ask God for anything more?… God wasn’t limited in His blessings.” God loves us and delights to bless us.

Grief brings conflicting emotions. “When Gram had died, she’d been furious at God.” God can handle our emotions, what He doesn’t want is our silence. He knows just what we need to heal. He longs to comfort us. “Poured out her grief to God.” God has loving arms that will comfort His children.

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Behind Love’s Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Nov1

Revealing The Past

Behind Love’s Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a charming dual timeline Christian novel that will warm your heart. It is part of the Doors To The Past series but can be read as a stand-alone.

Carrie Fancett Pagels always writes the most delightful novels. My heart always leaps for joy at a new offering from her as I settle down for a few hours of pure hours of escapism into the most beautiful settings. As with previous novels Behind Love’s Wall is set on Mackinac Island surrounding the Grand Hotel. It was lovely to meet up with characters from previous books. As I found out in this book, the Grand Hotel was the setting for one of my favourite films, Somewhere In Time. This enabled me to perfectly picture the opulent setting and served to enhance my reading experience.

The action takes place in 1895 and present day in alternating chapters. The characters are linked by family lines.

Within both time periods there are parallel themes as characters search for the truth surrounding their family lines. We all need to know who we are and where we come from. Family is important. We all want to belong and be loved.

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Butterfly Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jun8

Perfectly Delightful

Butterfly Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is the most delightful contemporary Christian novel that will warm your heart as you follow one summer through the eyes of three generations of women.

There is a wonderful bond between grandmother, daughter and granddaughter. Their love radiates outwards to encompass the reader as they share life in the family cottage.

We witness the partnership and love of a fifty year old marriage. The couple bounce dialogue off each other and are as much in love as when they first got together.

In contrast we see a marriage explode and unravel, hurting the innocent party.

The reader sees the power of God to heal the hurts in mind and body. “There’s no problem too deep that God can’t fix.” We just need to let Him into our lives. God longs for us to draw close to Him. He is in the business of healing, working through both miracles and medicine. We see the importance of seeking medical help when needed.

God longs for us to commune with Him. He is always just a prayer away. “Dawn closed her eyes and asked God for help.”

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