Friday, November 22, 2013

BLOG HOP: A Cup of Christmas Cheer featuring Snowed In by Carrie Fancett Pagels


Please welcome my dear friend, Carrie Fancett Pagels, who I have the joy of sharing pages with in A Cup of Christmas Cheer from Guideposts Books!

Some of the authors of A Cup of Christmas Cheer are hopping around from blog to blog to share with you about a variety of the stories that you'll find in this Christmas treasury which will surely become a keepsake to enjoy year after year. Carrie is one of the greatest cheerleader's I know so it is such a pleasure to reciprocate with this opportunity to tell you about her story story, Snowed In: A Northwoods Christmas.



Snowed In -  Set in the upper peninsula of Michigan, 19-year-old Eliza’s (name changed to Elsie by the publisher) three younger sisters show up at her second job, seemingly abandoned by their father, after their mother’s death. Her wounded WWII veteran sweetheart takes the girls to his ailing grandmother’s log cabin near the lumber camp where they’d grown up. Although Henry promises to return for Christmas eve, the roads are quickly closed off by a blizzard. Can he make it back for Christmas when his car won’t start and his snowshoe straps break? And will a tender love bloom to a promise?

Carla's Review of Snowed In -

Imagine yourself inside a snow globe filled with fluffy white flakes swirling around a log cabin with a smoke filled chimney. Add to it pine trees, home-baked food, a Grandmother's love, Christmas carols, and horse-drawn sleighs, that's how I imagined Carrie Fancett Pagels heart-warming tale in volume one of A Cup of Christmas Cheer.

What happens when a trio of adorable younger siblings are left in the care of a young woman at Christmastime? Elsie's sisters come to the diner where she works with no other place to go. Henry, home just a year from WWII and struggling to get his life back to normal. Elsie is smitten by Henry, but encumbered by the youngsters. She is willing to put her own feelings and goals aside to provide a home for them, but is unable to reside at her employer's apartments with the children. Concerned for their welfare, Henry generously agrees to help them find a temporary home and his grandmother's log cabin seems just the place. When a harsh snow storm comes in on Christmas Eve it may separate Elsie and Henry from spending Christmas together. Will he be able to get through in time for them to all discover the miracle of Christmas?
I'm fascinated with family histories, so I enjoyed reading about Carrie's grandparent's Ruby and William Henry in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and how they were "Snowed In" in the Northwoods one very special Christmas. This charming tale, that comes right from the author's heart and is a treasure to be enjoyed for years to come.

    
About Carrie Fancett Pagels (www.carriefancettpagels.com) is author of an Amazon top-rated Civil War novella Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance. Carrie also contributed to God’s Provision in Tough Times, Lighthouse of the Carolinas (July, 2013). Her short story, Snowed In: A Northwoods Christmas, appears in Guidepost Books “A Cup of Christmas Cheer” (October, 2013). With a Ph.D. in School Psychology, Carrie served as a psychologist for twenty-five years. Carrie is the former ACFW Zone Mid-Atlantic Zone Director and Virginia/West Virginia Area Coordinator and continues to serve as co-hostess of the Tidewater Area Christian Writers group. Married for over 25 years to the love of her life, she resides in Virginia’s historic triangle. She has an 11-year-old son and a 24-year-old daughter.

Carrie has two popular group blogs: Overcoming with God (www.overcomingwithGod.com) and Colonial Quills (www.ColonialQuills.org).


GIVEAWAY:


Carrie will be giving this beautiful Snowy LOG CABIN Old World Christmas Ornament to one commenter (must leave email addy please). 






Continue on with the Blog Hop!
Stop by any time to learn about the stories and win prizes along the way. The hop will end with a grand prize at Colonial Quills on Friday, November 29th.Prize eligibility - please comment within one week of this post. Comment on all stops to for a chance at the grand prize

The grand prize (valued over $100) is a $70 tea set, $10 Amazon gift card, $10 Trader Joe's gift card, hot chocolate packets, and A Cup of Christmas Cheer from Guideposts Books!





BLOG HOP Schedule:



Friday, November 8th - visit Carla Olson Gade on Carrie Fancett Pagels' blog.
Saturday, November 9th - visit Ashley Clark is on Anita Mae Draper's blog.
Saturday, November 16th - visit Anita Mae Draper on Johnnie Alexander Donley's blog.
Sunday November 17th - visit Julie Carobini on Ashley Clark's blog.
Friday, November 22nd - visit Carrie Fancett Pagels  on Carla Olson Gade's blog.
Saturday, November 23rd - visit Johnnie Alexander Donley on Julie Carobini's blog.

Friday, November 29th
- visit Colonial Quills Blog to announce Grand Prize winner.



Order A Cup of Christmas Cheer at Guidepost Books online Store and read a sample chapter from one of the stories!

83 comments:

  1. Carla, Thanks SO much for having me on your blog and reviewing my story. I really LOVE your unique perspective and it is what I was aiming for. I love log cabin stories myself. I have fond memories of that cabin from visiting my great-Uncle Fred out there when we went out to work our huge garden, that was in a far field beyond the cabin. Love the graphics, too, especially the snow globe. Hugs!

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    1. It's a pleasure to have you, Carrie! I wanted to make this post extra special for you and our visitors. What wonderful memories and writing about it is such a great tribute to your family.

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    2. Well yes, it is extra special--thanks so very much!!! I even dreamed about my dad last night and the cabin. He was a man of great perseverance, a trait which I've truly needed to get me through life's trials!

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  2. What a sweet story and a wonderful recollection put down for generations to follow their rich heritage. I love the snow globe! As a visual reader, I can come right in and pull up before the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. What did they put in before Reddi-Wip®? ~ must have been the cream off the top! I like to sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon on top.
    Really enjoyed your review, Carla, and I would have stayed with "Eliza" adding "Jane," Carrie. I remember those maple syrup tins! Hope I win. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net Hope all of you have a nice day! k.

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    1. Thank you for coming by, Kathleen, and your always gracious comments. You are making me crave a nice cup of cocoa! Mmmm.

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    2. I had a cup before bed. Yum. Beautiful landscaping to look out on from the warm fire ~ that snow globe is so pretty. Definitely a story in the making.

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    3. Oh now you've made me want cocoa and I don't have any rice milk, which is the only kind of milk I can drink. Sounds SO yummy, Kathleen!

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  3. Carla, love the snow globe; what a great idea. And the review, too. Carrie, I really enjoyed your story. I'd like to see the character Eliza in a longer novel, as well.

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    1. Vicki, thank you so much for being my on-the-spot editor for this project! I think you saved my sanity when I had to cut 25% of my story! Thanks for your encouragement! Hugs!

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  4. I really enjoyed this heartwarming story by my dear friend. It will be comforting to read the rest of the stories by the fireplace, on those cold, dreary days that are coming up!

    Carla, the snow globe is so beautiful and it is extra special! What a warm, cozy post!

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    1. Diana, so I will be counting the days till I get to see you again!!! Wasn't this an AMAZING post? Hugs!!!

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    2. Beautiful post! Carla is so talented! I would mark the days off on the calendar, but you haven't given me a date yet for when you are coming! LOL

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  5. Carrie I haven't had the chance to read your book yet.
    I hope to do it in the next few days.
    Carla love the review of Carrie's book and the use of the snow globe!
    I had the privilage of meeting Carrie the other day!
    CherylB1987@Hotmail.com

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    1. CHERYL!!! I enjoyed meeting you so much! Isn't that cool with the snow globe? Big hugs!!!

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  6. Love your storyline, Carrie - SO looking forward to reading your story!

    Carla - your imaginative picture inside the snow globe is magical, & inviting!

    Thanks, ladies!

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Bonnie! Appreciate you coming by. Hope you will get to read and love the story!

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  7. Oh I know I am going to so love these books. Your story sounds so good Carrie and I am anticipating reading it and Carla's too... You girls are awesome ! I love the snow globe and the cabin pics and the ornament too. This year is all the more special with you ladies in my life, I am truely blessed !
    Hugs
    Linda Marie Finn
    faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com

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    1. They are so pretty, those covers! Carla is so creative, Linda--love the pics she put up on this post!!!

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  8. i LOVE snowed in stories. i think it's because the idea of being snowed in at a log cabin sounds so romantic. of course, reality wouldn't be near as much (unless there was plenty of firewood and food *heh*). each blog stop re-enforces the need for me to buy these books. i might put it on my Christmas list since current book budget will not allow purchase right now. oh, but I really, really want to get them because all the stories sound SO GOOD!

    thanks for the review and thanks to all the authors contributing on the blog tour. i know i like reading more about the authors. so neat!

    nm8r67 at hotmail dot com

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    1. DEB, here's wishing for a win for you. We're on MaryLu Tyndalls blog this week so you might want to run by there, too! Blessings!

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    2. So glad you are making the stops on the hop, Deb! Yes, being snowed in sounds so romantic! When we were kids and lost the electricity during a blizzard it was so much fun, for about 1 day!

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  9. Will 'A Cup of Christmas Cheer' be available through amazon for kindle!?! Please say yes :)

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    1. Great question, Megan. ACCC is available exclusively through Guideposts Books. At some point they may develop an ebook, but I think the plan was for these two volumes to be enjoyed as a hardcover set.

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  10. I'm so excited to see you all here. Got caught in the snow, so I'm a little late to my own party, although I did make an early appearance!

    What a pleasure to have the talented Carrie Fancett Pagels here today to talk about her lovely story, "Snowed In", in A Cup of Christmas Cheer!

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  11. Carrie, A cabin, snow and Christmas what could be more inviting to capture a reader except the perfect title and story line? This will be a great Christmas read and I look forward to doing that. Love the snow globe! The ornament is perfect fit for your book.
    Thank you
    mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. JACKIE, I just heard that the warehouse is out of books--is that amazing or what?!!!

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  12. This sounds like a wonderful story, Carla! I know which one I'm going to read next! :)

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  13. I am half way through volume one and I can't wait to read Carrie's and Carla's stories. What a delightful collection. No need to enter me for the ornament, though it is lovely. I just wanted to say hi and show my undying support! :D

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  14. These books look and sound so good I would love to read them.
    Blessings
    joeym11(at)frontier(dot)com

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  15. Sounds like a great book!
    God bless you Have a great Thanksgiving
    Chris Granville
    granville@frontiernet.net

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    1. They really are, Chris! Am loving all these stories! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  16. Your books sound good and uplifting.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    JWIsley(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. That is what Guideposts was going for, Joye! Blessings!

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  17. I do love the snow globe. Just wonderful thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  18. Great review, Carla! I loved this story! Carrie did a wonderful job. I can't wait to read the other stories in both books! Hugs and God bless.
    debsbunch5[at]jesusanswers[dot]com

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    1. Oh, thanks so much, Debbie! So glad you liked it! Blessings!

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    2. I'm enjoying reading each of these stories. Carrie's was the first one I read as I was so excited to see her special tale.

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    1. It is a wonderful set. All the ladies have great stories, Debbie!

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  20. The ornament is lovely!
    bookwormgal2011(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I love Michigan romances. I can't wait to read these! Lovely post.
    Lattebooks at hotmail dot com

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    1. Mine is one of the few romances in the collection, too, Susan! I hope you will get to read the stories! Blessings!

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  22. I really loved this Carla. Great job! Love the picture of the cabin and snow. I used to have snow every winter, before moving back way down here in Texas. Not anymore. Very rare getting any here in the Houston area.I will always remember one special night a few years ago when it snowed. I had gone to the Grocery store and when I came out it was snowing. The lights were on in the parking lot and made the snow show up so much with the dark sky. Just sparkled. I just stood there in awe at the beauty of it. Noticed a guy parked nearby leaning on his car looking at the snow also. The snow globe reminded me of that beautiful night. I would love to have like that with the snow sparkling. Carrie, good job on this sweet story. But, now I want the other 25% to see what else happened. Cheryl, you were so lucky to get to actually see our Carrie. Don't guess I ever will, but would be a memorable time for me. GOD bless both of you. Love, Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Thanks, Maxie! I know just what you mean with the lights illuminating flurries of snow ~ its almost magical!

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    2. Thanks so much, Maxie, you are such a sweetheart!

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  23. This sounds like a great book.I love the cover.

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  24. I forgot to add my email jackie_tessnair@yahoo.com

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    1. They really are, Jackie! So many lovely Christmas stories!

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  25. I would love to win. angelachesnut246(at)gmail(DOT)com

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  26. thanks for the chance to read this novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  27. All of the stories sound so heartwarming and I want to read them! pat at ptbradley dot com

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    1. They are really great, Patricia. It's a wonderful collection!

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  28. Thanks for all the visitors here and all the enthusiasm about A Cup of Christmas Cheer!

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  29. the old saying is "a day late and a dollar short" - well I'm a day late but I'm going to put my name in the hat anyway. I'd love to be a winner. Carrie's book sounds lovely

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    1. You're still on time,Vera! Glad you stopped by!

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    2. Thanks, Vera. My story is one of the dozen included in the two volumes. Carla's is so cool--set on a schooner and part of it in the U.P. of Michigan!

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  30. These books are going on my wish list. Have a wonderful Holiday season

    wwchildren at gmail dot com

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  31. Oh, these books sound so good thanks for the review of them. love the log cabin ornament too

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  32. I've enjoyed everything about this post...the graphics are awesome. I've added the books to my wish list!

    alekee02 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Carla does an amazing job with graphics and design!

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  33. How did I miss leaving a comment on here?! Carla sshhh...don't tell Carrie! lol I can't wait to read these beautiful Christmas stories!! Thank for the giveaway!

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    1. So glad to get to chat on the phone with you today, Teresa! Hope you enjoy the books!

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  34. CARLA, I LOVE the way you equated Carrie's story to a snow globe!!! I can't wait to read all the stories in A Cup of Christmas Cheer. Again, thanks so much for my copies.
    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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    1. I LOVED it , too!!! Hope you enjoy and praying for your complete healing, Anne!

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  35. I LOVE the pictures on this blog! How cozy - especially since it's so cold! Can't wait to read my books!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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    1. We got a cold snap here, too, Susan! But not that cold, lol! Blessings!

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  36. What a great turnout for this stop on the blog hop! Thank you all for coming and I hope you'll be sure visit the others if you haven't already. Get ready for that Grand Prize!

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  37. I was so glad to get to visit Carla's blog, and get to know her a little more. I have read several books by her, but I didn't know her very well. I had also read a little about Carrie, but again, did not know much. Thank you for the new insights, and the info.

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  38. Love snow globes. It is really nice to read about these wonderful books. Great job, ladies!

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  39. Never remember my email... so sorry Sonja(dot)nishimoto(at)gmail(dot)com

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