Thursday, May 26, 2016

Review + GIVEAWAY: Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter




Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter
By Carrie Fancett Pagels
Pelican Book Group, 2016


Summary

In a land fraught with religious strife, they must break the barriers between status and faith to forge a fresh future in a new world…

After her Huguenot father is arrested, aristocrat Suzanne Richelieu escapes Versailles. Handsome German peasant, Johan Rousch, risks his life to bring her to the safety of his family’s farm in the Palatinate duchy, but when Suzanne’s brother and the French army arrive with a warning that they plan to burn the area, she and Johan are forced to flee.

With no money or options, both become indentured servants in exchange for safe passage to Philadelphia. Suzanne falls gravely ill aboard ship and marries Johan, only to survive with no memory of the wedding—a reality made worse when Johan spots the “priest” who married them working as a surveyor and later in Quaker cleric garb. Are their wedding vows valid? When Suzanne’s former fiancĂ© arrives in port, planning to abduct her, Johan must save her again—but can he do so before Suzanne is lost to him forever?


My thoughts

Beginning in the year 1742, Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter gives us a glimpse into a turbulent time in history, one that I’m not all that familiar with, and that is one of this novel’s strengths for me. Hidden faith, persecution, betrayal, indentured servitude, and class distinction are just a few elements readers will find – as well as courage, friendship, romance, and intrigue.

Aachen Cathedral, Germany
The story is extremely well researched and rich with historical detail that vividly conveys settings and scenes from France, Germany, and colonial America. There’s good character depth, and gradually getting to know more about Suzanne and Johan – a couple who couldn’t be more different on the surface – was very enjoyable. I loved the unfolding of their friendship, attraction, and spiritual growth.

Carrie did a great job in conveying the realism of something I’ve never understood, and that’s intolerance and persecution in the name of religion. The courage of both the Huguenots and those who helped them at personal risk was moving.

I recommend Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter to all who enjoy historical fiction.

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Carrie Fancett Pagels is a multi-published award-winning author of Christian historical romance. 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!


Thank you to Carrie Fancett Pagels and Celebrate Lit for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Tour landing page

Link to purchase book: http://amzn.to/1TeU3h9

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TWO GIVEAWAYS!!

Carrie has graciously offered an ebook copy of Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter to one of you. To enter, please click on this link to share my Facebook post, then leave a comment and also mention that you’d like the ebook. In addition . . .

To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away a Kindle Fire 7, one signed copy of Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter along with Postcard & bookmark and Fleur de Lis Earrings.




52 comments:

  1. I am looking forward to reading Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter
    By Carrie Fancett Pagels

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    1. I hope you'll love this story, Emma! Like Carole said, there is a ton of history in this story, stuff you won't normally read about. I love all that fun research stuff!!! Blessings!

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  2. I'm not familiar with that time period either, sounds like a great read! Thanks for sharing your thoughtful review!

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    1. This was my first complete Christian fiction novel, Heidi, and so I had the luxury of time, then to completely throw myself into the research and writing of this story. I hope you'll enjoy the story and learn a lot!

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  3. Wonderful review Carole! I love how Carrie makes the past come alive. :)

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    1. Thank you, Caryl! After reading this book, I'm eager to do a little online research into this era.

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  4. This is a wonderful book - not to be missed!

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  5. Thank you for the nice review. Congratulations, Carrie.

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    1. Thanks, Lucy! This is a fun blog hop! Carole did a great job!

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  6. Yay! So happy to see Carrie here. :)

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  7. Congratulations Carrie! Love the book!
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Thanks, Tina! I'm so excited about Marquise getting a Four Star review from Romantic Times magazine!!!

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  8. Being a French major in college and being a Protestant of European ancestry, I've long been interested in French Huguenot history and literature about French Huguenots. I'm looking forward to reading Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter.

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    1. I would love to hear your feedback, Susie Q, on this book! Let me know what you think! RT just gave it a 4 Star review out of possible 4.5 PTL!

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  9. This is a great interview. I enjoy when history comes to life in a book. I look forward to reading Saving The Marques's Granddaughter

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    1. Those are the kinds of books I love, too, Kathy! I hope you will enjoy this story!

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  10. Looking forward to reading.
    Carol Smith
    penelope223@yahoo.com

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  11. This sounds like my kind of story and as I was reading Carole's comments I was thinking of the Ancestry work I am doing on my family and other family members who come from the Palatinate region of Germany and if they lived this history too. I can't wait to read this story. I love the cover too. Covers make a big difference in whether or not I even pick up a book to read the back blurb. Thank you for sharing your gift with us. Kim

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    1. Kim, there are SO MANY of us in the USA who are descendants of the Palatinaters!!! Elvis Presley was one, too! Nicola Martinez did a fab job on that cover!!!

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    2. Kim, I think this is a story you would enjoy. And Carrie, I didn't know that about Elvis Presley!

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  12. Id' love to read this! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hey Joan, I hope you'll enjoy this story! If you don't win on the blog hops, I believe on the first day of release, which is next Friday, that Pelican sets the book at half off on Day 1 of release! Blessings!

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  13. Carole, love your review! I recently read Carrie's book and I think it's excellent. I especially love the history.

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    1. Thanks so much, Kay! Still happy dancing over the RT review, which I got to read today! I love Carole's review and she really gets at what this story is all about! Blessings!

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    2. Thank you, Miss Kay! I'm glad God put this story on Carrie's heart.

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  14. Great new book, great contest! Thank you Carrie.

    Gpk1946 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  15. Loving this book so far. It is so good. Name's Jenn Davis, made me post anonymously. Email is moseylion@aol.com

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    1. I see you Jenn!!! You're not anonymous to me! Blessings!

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  16. History is so important and fascinating to learn about good or bad. Hi Carrie! Jenny

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    1. You're exactly right, Jenny. If only we can learn from history . . .

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  17. Replies
    1. Sarah are you ready to be a heroine!!! Your name is in my November release!

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    2. Sarah will be thrilled, Carrie. I've always loved that name.

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  18. Loved this book and all of your books, CARRIE Fancett Pagels

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  19. Beautiful review, Carole. Carrie is a wonderful writer and I've enjoyed every story that I've read. *waving to Carrie* :)

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    1. Waving back, Angi!!! Thanks so much!

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    2. Thank you so much, Angi! I definitely want to read more of Carrie's work.

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  20. I am in love with the cover of Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter. And the story is wonderful!

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    1. Me too! I love this cover Chappy Debbie! Thanks so much!

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    2. The cover really draws me to Carrie's book, Debbie. Thanks for visiting.

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  21. sounds interesting

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  22. This is one book I want to read! It is on my to buy list!

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