"Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter" by Carrie Fancett Pagels

In celebration of her latest release, Carrie has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (paperback or e-book). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends July 15, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

A Word  from Carrie…

Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter was inspired by genealogical research on my mother’s side of the family. I discovered an interesting ancestor, Johan Adam Rousch, who had nine of his ten sons fight in the American Revolution! Johan was given a monument by the Sons of the American Revolution. I think his wife, Susannah, deserved one, too!

Q & A with Carrie…

Q:  What would you be doing if you were not an author?

 A:  I was a psychologist for 25 years, working with young people. I trained hard and long and have a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of South Carolina, one of the top-rated doctoral programs in School Psychology in the country. But my arthritis worsened to the point that I could no longer work as a psychologist.

Q:  What is your favorite writing-related book?

A:  For writing Christian historical romance, I’d recommend anything by Susie Mary Warren and also Julie Lessman’s workbook.

Q:  Who are some of your favorite authors to read?

A:  I love so many! Right now I’m listening to Karen Witemeyer’s new romance. I’m waiting on Tamera Alexander’s next novel and on Julie Lessman’s next historical romance. The Christy finalists in historical romance were amazing this year! I loved Roseanna White’s book of her heart and Elizabeth Camden’s, too!  Julie Klassen’s Regencies. Melanie Dickerson’s Fairy Tale Retellings. I’d have to fill up the page if I add more authors whose work I love, so I better stop!

Q:  How did you decide to write historical romance?

A:  I started out thinking I wanted to write historical then realized I didn’t care for books that didn’t have a romance in them. I definitely wanted romance in my stories because that is what I love to read. But I do appreciate historical detail. So I’ve tried to balance both in my writing.

Q:  What are your thoughts on the publishing industry in general? In relation to self-publishing/Indie Publishing? 

A:  These are amazing times right now! Authors who were waiting forever to get their big break now have the option of indie publishing and selling right to their readers.  It is so difficult to break into the bigger CBA publishing houses. If an author wants to build a following, it seems to me indie publishing is the way to go. I consider myself a hybrid author. I have indie published books, including my novella The Fruitcake Challenge” which was a Selah Award finalist, a Family Fiction Book of the Year finalist, and which earned me RWA PAN status (Professional Author Network) and has almost 100 Reviews on Amazon! I have told my agent, Joyce Hart, and others that I believe every author should do at least one indie book to get a better feel for all that is involved with getting a book out there. On the other hand, it is a ton of work and I am very grateful to have contracts with traditional publishers such as White Rose/Pelican, who published Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter, and Barbour Publishing, who will be publishing two of my novellas in collections and also a novel. 

Another thing about traditional publishers, something that surprised me with Guidepost Books, who published my short story “Snowed In” in A Cup of Christmas Cheer collection, was just the sheer number of readers they could reach so easily. I guess I should not have been surprised, since I’m also a Guideposts reader! And with Barbour, they have placement in so many stores and with (I’ve heard) Walmart, which is something that the vast majority of indies just don’t have—that placement. I feel very blessed to have contracts with traditional CBA publishers and appreciate all they do for authors. I also think there is a place for indies.

Q:  What can you tell me about your next project?

A:  I am so excited to be part of a fun collection from Barbour!  Gina Welborn spearheaded “The Blue Ribbon Bride Collection” with nine authors. We all have stories set at state fairs, and all of the other authors’ stories sound amazing!!! Mine is called “Requilted with Love” and is about a quilter who has lost two fiancés and now finds herself falling for a balloonist—a really risky profession! It’s set at the Lansing, Michigan 1889 state fair, which was a really special one because they created an amazing fairground, hoping it would become permanent. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog. I'm sure my readers will enjoy getting to know you a bit better!

Link to my review...

http://rtbookreviews.com/book-review/saving-marquises-granddaughter%20

(I rated it 4/5 stars.)

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2957uNQ

About Carrie...

Carrie Fancett Pagels is a multi-published award-winning author of Christian historical romance. All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination! She resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which is perfect for her love of history. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time!

Readers can find Carrie online at:

http://carriefancettpagels.blogspot.com/
http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/
http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/cfpagels

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