Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: June 1, 2017
Number of pages: 448
Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas, finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn t return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved?
The Story Behind the Names -- Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancet Pagels
Blurb:
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?
Caroline Kane, my heroine, had her name borrowed from Pagels’ Pals member Caryl Kane. Caryl is a sweetheart who supports and promotes many Christian fiction writers’ work. Caryl brings (virtual of course!) food and flowers to our online Facebook parties. Her last name has a nice strong-sounding quality to it, don’t you think? Her maiden name was borrowed from a business in Charleston, South Carolina, where I used to live. Tumbleston was used because I wanted the inn, that Caroline’s family owned, to be named after the Tumble Inn, a hotel near where I grew up. My mom always loved to tease that you would “Tumble Inn and roll out.” So I had fun using that.
My hero, Barden Granville IV, is got his moniker from two of my friends. Libbie (Barden) Cornett is one of my best friends and is the one who got me interested in Christian fiction almost three decades ago. Chris Granville is one of my Pagels’ Pals group members and has been such a support, doing Beta reading and advance reading of my books. Doesn’t Chris’s married name sound posh? And no, I didn’t “borrow” from Lord Granville on Downton Abbey!
I like to use friends’ names in my story. So my readers Deanna, Lorraine, and Virginia had their names used for my heroine’s sisters. And I use family names. My husband’s uncle Alvin passed away the previous year as had my cousin Leonard. I used their names as Carolyn’s brothers, in a nod to their memories. Henry was my father’s middle name and I really like that name. He’s Caroline’s third brother.
I sometimes use the names of real life people from an era. When I came upon research showing that the soldiers at Mackinac Island, in this era, had been injured Army veterans of the Civil War, and that they’d come from out west to the fort in Michigan (no evidence they went through Kansas so I took fictional liberties), I decided to use some of their real names, documented in a book.
Giveaway: An autographed paperback copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Brides. There must be ten unique comments from different readers for the giveaway.
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?
Caroline Kane, my heroine, had her name borrowed from Pagels’ Pals member Caryl Kane. Caryl is a sweetheart who supports and promotes many Christian fiction writers’ work. Caryl brings (virtual of course!) food and flowers to our online Facebook parties. Her last name has a nice strong-sounding quality to it, don’t you think? Her maiden name was borrowed from a business in Charleston, South Carolina, where I used to live. Tumbleston was used because I wanted the inn, that Caroline’s family owned, to be named after the Tumble Inn, a hotel near where I grew up. My mom always loved to tease that you would “Tumble Inn and roll out.” So I had fun using that.
My hero, Barden Granville IV, is got his moniker from two of my friends. Libbie (Barden) Cornett is one of my best friends and is the one who got me interested in Christian fiction almost three decades ago. Chris Granville is one of my Pagels’ Pals group members and has been such a support, doing Beta reading and advance reading of my books. Doesn’t Chris’s married name sound posh? And no, I didn’t “borrow” from Lord Granville on Downton Abbey!
I like to use friends’ names in my story. So my readers Deanna, Lorraine, and Virginia had their names used for my heroine’s sisters. And I use family names. My husband’s uncle Alvin passed away the previous year as had my cousin Leonard. I used their names as Carolyn’s brothers, in a nod to their memories. Henry was my father’s middle name and I really like that name. He’s Caroline’s third brother.
I sometimes use the names of real life people from an era. When I came upon research showing that the soldiers at Mackinac Island, in this era, had been injured Army veterans of the Civil War, and that they’d come from out west to the fort in Michigan (no evidence they went through Kansas so I took fictional liberties), I decided to use some of their real names, documented in a book.
Giveaway: An autographed paperback copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Brides. There must be ten unique comments from different readers for the giveaway.
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.
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.”
Other Giveaway: If 10+ unique commenters post on this blog, one commenter will be selected to receive a print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands (US only).
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... | Bookworm Lisa
June 2--Cafinated Reads | Smiling Book Reviews | A Baker's Perspective
June 3--aTransParentMom | Paulette's Papers
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... | Bookworm Lisa
June 2--Cafinated Reads | Smiling Book Reviews | A Baker's Perspective
June 3--aTransParentMom | Paulette's Papers
Good morning, Lisa! Thanks for hosting me on your blog for the blog hop for 7 Brides for 7 Mail-Order Husbands!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Carrie, on this wonderful collection's release! Looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks BECKY! It is fun seeing you on the hop! I hope you'll love the book!
Deletecongratulations. I love the cover of this book. and the review looks like such a fun book. I look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, LORI! Barbour has done such beautiful covers for the collections I've been in and for my upcoming release "My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring."
DeleteI thought that your heroine was named after Caryl as I know her via FB. We have many of the same authors we influence for & help promote their books. That's so awesome that you feature some real life people for your characters! How fun to learn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in the blog hop & giveaway chance!
Yes indeed, TRIXI!!! I named Caroline Kane after Caryl Kane, who is a member of my Pals group! Is Trixi short for Beatrix? I love borrowing names it is so fun! Thanks for coming by! Blessings!
DeleteCarrie, I know that Beatrix or Beatrice is a variation of my name. I think it could work in a historical novel :-) Trixi is my real name & not a nickname and I love it's uniqueness! I never used to as a kid growing up as I always got made fun of. But as an adult, I love it. I've only met one other gal with my name but she spelled it with an "e" at the end. Fun to learn how authors get characters names :-) Thanks for sharing it!
DeleteI enjoyed reading the guest post.
ReplyDeleteThanks, RITA! I wanted to come up with some fun posts! Thanks for coming by!
DeleteThis book sounds like something I would really enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll enjoy all the stories. They are all fun. I sure enjoyed writing Caroline and Garden into existence!!!
DeleteI think the key to this plan is a sensible returns policy.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, Richard, do you mean that in the book stores they can return unsold copies???
DeleteLovely sharing re the names. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, MARY! It's fun coming up with names for characters!
DeleteThank you for such an interesting post Carrie. You're a new Author for me and I'm so happy to meet you here. I love how you choose the names in your stories and where they come from. I'm also looking forward to reading this story.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Hi CAROL! It is fun "meeting" you and I pray you'll get to read some of my other books, too!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am truly excited about these stories and giveaway,, my favorite genre is mail-order brides, thanks for the opportunity. Blessings to All!
ReplyDeletesilhouettesinscale@yahoo.com
I'm enjoying your blog hop. Thanks for the chance to win a print copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteI think it's so fun that you used Caryl's name in your story! That's got to be an avid reader's dream come true ;)
ReplyDeleteCaryl is the perfect person to portray the character in this novella! :D I also love how you used the other names. It makes the story more true to form and not so fictitious.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated being able to read about how you chose the names for the characters. I often read books and wonder "Hmm, I wonder why the author decided to use those names for people, places, etc...."
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like it will be a fun read! :D
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun read! :D
ReplyDeleteThe giveaway is closed on this blog tour. The winner selected for this post is Carol L. I have email the information to Singing Librarian Book Tours. Thanks everyone for commenting. You all rock. :)
ReplyDelete