Monday, April 22, 2013

It's book launch time: Return to Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels, plus giveaways!

This month, Carrie Fancett Pagels and I both have novellas releasing in the Civil War collection Cry of Freedom, Murray Pura's brainchild with Helping Hands Press. The series includes 15 unique short stories and novellas covering 1863.
I had the privilege of being a beta reader/crit partner for Return to Shirley Plantation. It was a pleasure having a first-hand look at this historical romance as well as receiving Debbie Lynne Costello's and Carrie's help on mine.

Carrie is visiting this week to celebrate! Shh, don't tell her, but this is a pink party stop! We are featuring the launch of her first novella, Return to Shirley Plantation with a giveaway copy to one lucky winner, plus a basket of pinkness delight! To make the celebration even more amazing, Carrie just learned that she will have a short story in the Guideposts Christmas collection as well! And she also has a nonfiction releasing which she contributed to. In the Bible, three is a number of completion. I feel God is speaking, don't you?  He is saying "Carrie girl, you are a published writer, you are a published writer, you are a published writer!" I am tickled pink for her!


I loved Return to Shirley Plantation for so many reasons, I can't begin to count them. This delightful and insightful romance is set in the oldest plantation in Virginia, this year celebrating its 400 anniversary. Chocked with factual information gleaned by many hours of research and personal tours with resident historian Julian Charity, this story will transport you.

Carrie Fancett Pagels has spun gold in her tale about a real and beautiful place and time, with elements of romance and fiction told by a master story teller. This debut novella, part of the Civil War collection by Murray Pura, depicts the story of a Copperhead senator's son from Ohio who is conscripted by the Confederate army. Matthew Scott is a thespian whose theater troupe makes loose ties to John Wilkes Booth. Before he knows it, Matthew finds himself serving on the front lines in Virginia, and among the wounded transported to Shirley Plantation near Harrison's Landing.

Angelina Rose is a 1/8 black former slave woman who would have gone North except for two things, her commitment to her niece and nephew still in slavery's grip, and a strong impression from the Lord to wait. When Matthew arrives as one of the wounded, they catch one another's eye.
How will a Union man escape forced conscription into an army he does not sympathize with? Matthew faces this dilemma and others, wondering why the Lord has led him here. Could it be that God's leading could bring love, answers to long-standing questions of his past, and a new family he never imagined?


This novella is a big story wrapped in a short package. A heart stealing cast of characters and a lovely, authentic, and well researched setting will delight every fan of historical fiction, and the sweet and satisfying romance will make you wish this book could go on forever.
A great new voice from debut author Carrie Fancett Pagels will surely make you put her on your watch list of new talent.

You can purchase your very own copy for only $2.99 by clicking here

Carrie is offering a copy of her novella to one lucky commenter. I am offering a basket of pink delights, to another winner.
Here are the rules: Leave a comment below if you can guess Carrie's favorite color. Gain extra entries if you follow any of her blogs or social media:
http://www.cfpagels.blogspot.com/
http://colonialquills.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/cfpagels
and more extra points if you share this post on any of the buttons top right of this page--facebook, twitter or Google+. Let me know what you did and I will credit you with up to 7 entries~
winners drawn Friday April 26 at 10 PM eastern by random.org
GOOD LUCK!



77 comments:

  1. Stopping by to wish you a wonderful and fun time Carrie at your PINK party and to say a big CONGRATS again on all of your successes - I'll say it along with God, 'you are now a published writer!!' :)
    Kathleen, wow, what a beautiful review of Carrie's book!! You'll have her crying if she hasn't already seen that! ;)

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    1. Noela, I know you follow all of Carrie's media, so that's at least four entries for you. Did you share the links?

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  2. Hey Kathy and Carrie! I'm so happy for both of your debut stories. Have a wonderful Party ladies! Beautiful basket, Kathy. But don't enter me. :o)

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    1. so i have you down for five entries, Debbie Lynne :D

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    2. six, because i see you shared on twitter, too

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    3. ack! seven, because yo google +'d it, too :D Thank you!

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  3. Thank you, Ladies. I am entering you, DL, And if you truly don't want it, you can donate it to someone who might. (hint: a certain party girl who loves pink) LOL Thanks for being such a great friend and support,as well as your eagle eye on my work, always. You are ever gracious.

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    1. Lauretta! so nice to see you come by. you are CORRECT! :D
      And did you follow any of Carrie's sites or share for extra points? Be sure to let me know

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    2. oh, and don't forget to leave your email address in case you win

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  5. WOW!!! You really surprised me, KATHY!!! Yes, I have tears in my eyes and I laughed out loud at the question!!! Bless you Kathy for helping me and for featuring me this week for this lovely pink party week. I feel like a pretty pink princess!!! HUGS!!! Love the quote about the THREE! And God does speak to me with numbers sometimes! Love those three coming in Autism month for a Terrific Overcoming Mom!!!

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    1. what a great point, about how the Lord used Autism Awareness month to bless you. I love that! you really are a Terrific Overcoming Mom, and a published writer. squee!

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  6. Well now, I think the answer is pink.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

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    1. you are correct, Marjorie! That gives you one entry, but you can shoot for more if you follow Carrie's media and share on the buttons above right. Let me know! :D

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  7. Congrats, Carrie,

    the story sounds interesting. Call me crazy, but I have the feeling that pink is your favorite color. Don't know where that came from. :-) Must be I have ESPN (intended) or something.


    tina_pinson@yahoo.com

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    1. heehee--ESPN--the ability to predict sportcasters' bad hair and garrulous verb usage. LOL
      you are correct! Pink is the color of the day, and pink is the color that wins an entry.
      thanks, Tina. Blessings! and good luck

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  8. Congrats Carrie on your accomplishments! I am going to guess your favorite color is "Pink." It is one of my faves too! I pray you continue to have success in your writing!

    Blessings,
    Lori

    triplel(at)evertek(dot)net

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    1. Lori, it is a delight to have you here at our pink soiree. Thank you for coming, and best of luck to you on the giveaways. :)

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  9. What a fun giveaway! I'd guess pink to be the favorite color!!! Know what - it is mine too!

    I follow Colonial Quills on GFC.

    I follow Overcoming with God on GFC.

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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    1. Hey, how r u doing? Great to see u here! Really solidified as my fave after my two BFFs beat breast cancer! Hugs!!!

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    2. hey, ruby
      thanks for coming to the pink party :) I didn't know pink was your favorite, too. You get three entries. Good luck!

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  10. Congratulations, oh lover of pink, on a great accomplishment! I so enjoy reading history accurately portrayed as the background of a great romance. This sounds like a book to enjoy more than once.
    davalynnspencer at hotmail dot com

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    1. DAVALYN, Lots of people are saying exactly that! And I have to be honest, I love this story and the characters so much that I want to go back and re-read it myself, lol! I may do a sequel. We will see! Blessings!

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    2. Oh, Davalyn, are you in for a terrific surprise when you read this wonderful novella. It has all of that and more. A beautiful and encouraging faith message about trusting God's leading and timing, and the value of a godly heritage, and speaking, of which, a wise Grannie, as well as a full cast of well-defined and distinct characters. How you get a chance to read this.

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  11. I'd have to guess pink!! This is my first time to this blog, I found the link from Facebook on the Christian Fiction Gathering page. I couldn't help but to follow the link, the picture was too enticing. The book sounds very interesting. I started following the colonial quills blog because I love the colonial American era. I used to be in a fife and drum corps. We traveled around playing colonial music and teaching information about that time. I also started following on twitter.

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    1. STEPHANIE, hi!!! Please be sure to follow Kathy's lovely blog! Kathy's novella releases SOON!! Kathy is also a CQ contributor. I LOVE fife and drum!!! My son used to be a groupie lol! Blessings!

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    2. Stephanie, it is an honor to have you here--a fellow appreciator of the Colonial era. How awesome that you were involved in teaching about it! I think we should recruit you to guest post on Colonial Quills!
      I have you down for three entries. Best of luck to you on the goodies and the novella.

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  12. The story sounds excellent and I love the connection to Shirley Plantation, which is an awesome site. Congrats!

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    1. hey, Kate--thank you for coming to the party and wishing our guest of honor well. I learned so much about Shirley Plantation and the Peninsula campaign during the Civil War in this story. Carrie is a superb researcher and writer.
      I have you down for one entry. Good luck!

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  13. Enjoyed the post.I am looking forward to reading Return To Shirley Plantation.Sounds very interesting.Thanks for sharing.jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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  14. Shared on facebook.Thanks...jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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    1. Thank you, Jackie! It's a delight to have you here at the pink party. I have you down for two entries. Best of luck to you

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  15. KATHY what a great pink party you are having for our Sweet CARRIE.Your review is fantastic and of course we know Return to Shirley Plantation is marvelous. I love the pink goodies, I bet you had fun finding all those things, I especially like the pink mouse! :D Thanks for having Carrie on your blog and I cannot WAIT to read your book in this series! I know it's going to be great!! HUGS to you and Carrie!

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    1. Thank you so much, Teresa! you are so sweet. I know--I saw the pink mouse and those pink earbuds, and I knew someone was going to have a lot of fun with those. :D
      It wouldn't be a party without you--thanks again for coming by!

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    2. T!!! We have to get you a copy of K's novella!!! u will love it!!!

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    3. I would be honored to send Teresa a copy. :)

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  16. I think Carrie's favorite color is PINK!

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    1. you are correct, my friend. Good sleuthing skills! :D Thanks so much for coming by today and I wish you luck on winning this stellar novella and the basket.

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    2. Guess what, Quilting Grannie? My mom made my hubby n me a PINK quilt when we got married!!!! Don't be jealous now... Thanks for coming by!

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  17. WHOO-HOO ... ANOTHER PARTY FOR ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE ... AND NOW ... AUTHORS!!!

    LOVED the review, Kath, and, of course, LOVED the book!! Looking forward to reading yours too, my friend, so you go, girls!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. Thank you, Julie. You make the party even more fun by your sunny presence! I know you follow Carrie on all the blogs and media sites, so you get four entries. Blessings!

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    2. OHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! Thanks so much JULIE!!! K's book ROCKS!!!

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    3. Julie
      Its nice to see you over here .... I am loving this pink party theme... Its getting catchy....
      Linda Finn

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  18. I'm guessing Carrie's fave color is PINK which is also MY fave color :D

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    1. hi, Louis--so nice to have you here today. What a coincidence that you also like PINK! :D Good guess by the way. Wasn't too obvious. heehee
      Best of luck on the giveaways, and I have you down for three entries.

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    2. d'oh, I meant to say LOUISE, not Louis. :) Sorry

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    3. Which only proves why I think u r awesome n smart LOUISE!!!!

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  19. I'm going to take a wild guess and say....PINK!

    I'm a follower of Colonial Quills, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    1. Karen! Hey, girl, nice to see you at Carrie's pink cotillion. You are correct--she is one southern belle that looks divine in pink. thanks for following CQ. you have two entries. Good luck!

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    2. TY KAREN! K--my ace bandage clashes with my pink :(

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  20. Kathleen, I will try this once more. I answered all of the questions and tried to submit and it never did enter it. I don't understand why, but hoping for better results this time. I watch Carrie on Overcoming With God, Colonial Quills, and Carriefpagels/Facebook. And of course anywhere I can find her. She is such a sweet person and encourager.Her favorite color is PINK. Please put my name in for a chance to win. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. I would say exactly the same about you MAXIE!!! I am SO glad God put us together!!! Hugs!!!

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  21. Hey, Maxie! Great to have you join us for the party. Sorry you had trouble submitting your comment. Sometimes it filters out the anonymous posts. Thanks for having perseverance. :)Looks like you have five entries. And yes, PINK is the answer vwe were looking for. good job! heehee

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  22. I love easy questions, lol, Carrie loves PINK.
    I follow Carrie's blog, Colonial Quills blog (wfnren) and on twitter (WendyNewcomb).
    I posted on FB: https://www.facebook.com/wendy.newcomb.92
    tweeted: https://twitter.com/WendyNewcomb/status/326487319798489088
    and blogged: http://wrensthoughts.blogspot.com/p/contests-and-giveaways-good-luck.html

    Thank you for hosting this contest.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. wow, Wendy, you get all seven entries! Great job. Thanks so much for helping us spread the word!
      Good luck, and hope you get to read this fantastic novella.

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    2. WENDY, u r a hoppin gal! I love easy Q's too! Hugs!!!

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  23. Would the color by any chance be pink? I do follow her blog and site. Thanks for having such a delightful giveaway.

    harnessrose(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. ROSE, Welcome to the party! Hmmm, I think u r right!!! blessings!

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    2. Pink like a rose, yes! :) I have you down for three giveaways, Rose. Thank you for playing. Good luck!

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  24. Carrie, good thing you reminded me to come on over here....
    I see some of my favorite peoples and authors... and who can resist pink...
    Love in Jesus
    Linda Marie Finn
    faithfulacres7@gmail.com

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    1. Kathleen, I cannot wait to read your book also... I grew up and lived in Ny all my life, but there is nothing like a good story to bring it to life for you... The Lord bless thee.
      Linda Marie Finn
      Red Creek, NY

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    2. Linda, I am so blessed to have you here! Thank you so much. Red Creek. . .hmm, going to have to look that one up. I live in the Southern Tier near Corning/Ithaca. Beautiful country, and lots of history! I <3 NY.
      Do you follow any of Carrie's blogs or social media? Right now you have one entry. Good luck!

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  25. Congratulations Carrie!

    I have no clue what your favorite color is, but....hmmmm... on a whim, I'll just say PINK! :)

    God bless your writing, and I hope this is the first of many to come.

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    1. Amen, Pam. The first of many indeed. The world needs more artists who will tell the Truth through story. Thanks for coming by, and VERY GOOD GUESS! LOL pink it is. (uh-oh, I hope no one reads the comments and cheats! heehee)
      Good luck on the giveaway.

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  26. Hmmm....this is really, really hard....thinking, thinking....well, it's ONLY a guess, but perhaps her favorite color is PINK? LOL

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    1. Hi, Debbie--so nice of you to come join the pink party :) How did you ever guess Carrie's favorite color? heehee

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  27. What a perfectly pink post! Congratulations, Carrie!

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  28. My email filtered this one out:

    :-) good morning !! I think Carrie's favorite color is pink, not sure though !! lol beautiful prizes, I bought Return to Shirley Plantation and so enjoyed it !!!!!!!!!!!!! will read it again !!!!! Carrie did a wonderful job, need more !! Rosemary rfoley@salemstate.edu

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  29. And by random.org drawing, the winner of our big pink basket and novella is: Quilting Grannie! Congratulations, Quilting Grannie! I will be emailing you for your contact information in the morning.

    Thank you to everyone who came by both days and wished Carrie well. Blessings to you all!

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