"The Lumberjacks' Ball"

(The Christy Lumber Camp Series #2)

by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Description

A decade after surviving a brutal attack, a mercantile owner’s daughter begins her life anew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A gifted craftsman wishes to leave the lumber camp and seeks employment at her new store. When his presence dredges up memories she wishes to suppress, the proprietress must learn to face her past and open her heart. When complications arise, will they overcome adversity in time for The Lumberjack's Ball?

Purchase Links:
The Lumberjacks' Ball (2015) on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.

About the author

Carrie Fancett Pagels, PhD, (www.carriefancettpagels.com) "Hearts Overcoming Through Time" is an Amazon Bestselling Christian historical romance author. Her novella, The Fruitcake Challenge, released as part of the Christmas Traditions series (and is Book One in The Christy Lumber Camp Series) and hit the #1 spot on Amazon's Christian Historical Romance list. The Lumberjacks' Ball, Book Two in The Christy Lumber Camp Series hit #1 on Hot New Releases in Christian Historical Romance in April 2015. 

Under contract with Pelican Book Group, Carrie's first full length novel will be published late in 2015. "Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter" is a European and Colonial American Christian romance.

In July, 2014, Carrie won in Historical Genre for Family Fiction's "The Story 2014" contest, with her short story, "The Quilting Contest." This story has now been published in Family Fiction's "The Story 2014 Anthology." Carrie received Honorable Mention in the Maggie Awards for Excellence for 2014.

Carrie's novella, "Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance", was an Amazon Civil War best seller for over six months and remained on the top-rated list for a year. Her short story "Snowed In" was published in Guidepost Books' "A Cup of Christmas Cheer" in 2013. Nonfiction chapter contribution to Selah Finalist, "God's Provision in Tough Times," by Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy (Lighthouse of the Carolinas, 2013). 

Represented by Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency. Founder of Colonial American Christian Writers group. Owner/administrator of the group blogs "Colonial Quills" and "Overcoming With God." 

Member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and FaithWriters. 

Dr. Pagels was a licensed psychologist for over twenty-five years. Has an adult daughter and a middle school aged son. Married the love of her life, Jeffrey D. Pagels, in 1987.

Carrie's Social Media
Facebook Author Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrie-Fancett-Pagels/317053071710640?fref=ts
Facebook Personal Page http://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels
Twitter https://twitter.com/cfpagels
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/carriefpagels/
GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5548131-carrie-pagels
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=131454255&trk=tab_pro

From the author

I've set this story in St. Ignace in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula with secondary settings outside Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island--all some of my favorite areas to visit. A former "Yooper" (from the Upper Peninsula) my grandfather and other family members really were lumberjacks. 

When I wrote the storyline, I'd planned for a sweet romance with a charming shop girl as the heroine. THEN I came across a lumberjack's song when I was researching The Fruitcake Challenge. The terrible song, about a lumberjack killing a childhood sweetheart, shocked me. It stuck with me. I ended up rewriting my story and had my heroine be a SURVIVOR of an attack. Since my tag line is Hearts Overcoming Though Time, the new storyline and characters fit more with what my writing is all about - people overcoming with God's help.

As a former psychologist (for over 25 years), I've worked with many people suffering from PTSD, like my heroine, Rebecca Jane.  She's built a wall around her heart and tried to "hide" behind a facade of dowdiness. Part of my "what if" for the story was what if we had that sweet shop girl but she'd survived that horrible attack? Such a thing changes you, but God can bring healing. I pray that those who read this book will be blessed by the story as I was to write it. 

My Thoughts ~

The second in The Lumber Camp Series, "The Lumberjacks' Ball is a charming tale of new beginnings. This sequel to "The Fruitcake Challenge" is a refreshing story of two young people looking for happiness in a new setting. St. Ignace is a growing community where the wealthy from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan come to spend summers. Mackinac Island is as close as a ferry boat crossing and the site of the world famous Mackinac Island Grand Hotel. 

In light of their faltering business in Lower Michigan Rebecca Hart's father has left her alone in St. Ignace to start up another mercantile in order to attract new business. Garrett Christy has moved to St. Ignace to distance himself from the lumber camp and personal tragedy, and to seek a career as a wood craftsman. As their paths cross recognition surfaces, and each reacts in a very different way. Rebecca wants to forget the past, but Garrett is interested in renewing his childhood friendship with her. Any hopes for a future together are sketchy.

I found this novella to be creative and refreshing, some sinister activities surfacing, adding an air of mystery. A story based on a lumber camp family who share strong bonds and love for one another crosses paths with a young woman who has literally been left to fend for herself. The characters throughout this story are likeable and have strong convictions, which adds flavor to their relationships with one another. Circumstances bring the characters in this story together for a mutual objective, and the blending of characters becomes very entertaining. 

A short book, this can easily be read in an evening. I found myself wanting more of the story, a deeper, longer version to fill in the gaps. Carrie Fancett Pagels has a passion and gift for creating a great story from the ground up. I would love to see her create a full-length novel of depth and substance as she has begun with her novellas. I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story of family, faith and fortitude! I'm looking forward to the next in this series!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All expressed opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.