Tag Archive | Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jan6

God Watching Over

The Substitute BrideThe Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a perfectly delightful novella set in 1890’s Shepherd, Michigan. It is a wonderful read for a cold winter’s day.

Sonja is the last remaining unmarried daughter, whom her father has threatened to turn out by Christmas if she remains unwed. Sonja has no intention of marrying just anyone and is seeking employment elsewhere when an unusual opportunity arises.

Louis Penwell spent a miserable year in his young life in the poor farm in Shepherd. He has no intention of ever returning there again. However his railroad employers have other plans. The novella shows how important it is to remain obedient to God and to listen for His voice in life. Louis’s father was saved at the church in Shepherd so there are good and bad memories associated with the town. The story shows how our earthly fathers may disappoint us and let us down but God never will.

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Lilacs For Juliana by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jan6

Delightful

Lilacs Foir JulianaLilacs For Juliana by Carrie Fancett Pagels is the third book in the Christy Lumber Camp series but can be read as a stand-alone. It begins part of the way through the second book with the action being seen from Juliana and Richard’s viewpoints.

As with the previous novels, a major theme is taking care of the widows and orphans. Juliana’s four brothers and father have died. She feels it is her responsibility to provide for her mother and younger sister Claudette, both of whom suffer from rheumatism, meaning they are unable to work. Juliana is the librarian with a heart for the local orphans, employing Gracie an older orphan as her assistant. She also tells the orphans stories, hoping not only to expand their knowledge but to encourage a love of reading. Juliana has an open heart and an open hand, helping others whenever she can. Richard also has a heart for orphans. God’s heart can be seen to be working through them both.

Lilacs For Juliana also deals with the theme of faith in God. God’s will and direction for life cannot always be seen but the reader is reminded of Jeremiah 29:11 that God has plans to prosper us and for our future. Juliana steps out in trust for God’s direction over her life.

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The Lumberjack’s Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Jan4

Living Through The Narrative

The Lumberjack's BallThe Lumberjack’s Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels is the second book in the Christy Lumber Camp series but can be read as a stand-alone. I love Carrie Fancett Pagels books as I don’t just read them page by page, I live through them.

Ten years before the novel begins seventeen year old Janie suffered a horrendous attack. Since then she has hidden away from the world. As the novel opens, Janie has changed her name to Rebecca and her father has set her up to manage a new store in St Ignace, Michigan. Rebecca wants a new beginning but is still fearful. She hides herself behind drab clothes and a severe hairstyle. The reader is reminded that in God we can have new names and new beginnings. However Rebecca will need to let go of her past in order to move forward into the future that God has planned for her.

Garrett Christy and his brother Richard also had their lives changed ten years earlier when they rescued Janie. They too have new names. Garrett began to exclude God from his life ten years earlier, as well as trying to take on God’s job as protector of the females in his life. Garrett needs to “forgive himself and let God back in his life.” Too often we take on roles that only God can fill. We need to let go and let God.

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The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Nov26

Delightful and Heartwarming

The Fruitcake ChallengeThe Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a delightful novella and the first in the Christy Lumber Camp series. It is set in 1890. As soon as I began reading, I could tell that this was going to be one of those stories that I am going to have to read every Christmas. Warmth and love just oozes throughout the novel.

The moment new lumberjack Tom sees Jo Christy, he knows that she is the woman for him. He will however have to get past her two burly and protective brothers to stand any chance of earning a place in Jo’s heart.

The theme of family runs throughout the novel. There are different types of family… actual blood families, the lumber camp family unit and God’s family. Mr Christy heads up two of those families. He is a wonderful father figure as he tries to protect and love all those who fall under his care.

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