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?
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.
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.
The Story Behind the Names
Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels
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.
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 on this blog post from different readers for the giveaway, so please share with your friends and on social media!
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 e-book copy of Holt Medallion
finalist “The Steeplechase.”
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 29
