Carrie Fancett Pagels

Present day on Mackinac Island, in an area of exclusive mansion style homes, wealthy families. When Rachel's Gram dies, her mother takes everything away from her. This is in some ways a Cinderella story but with her own mother instead of a stepmother. Lots of detail, and a murder mystery. You thoroughly get to know Rachel and Jack. Intricate story, long emotional damage and healing. Holds your attention for sure. Christian beliefs.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#LilacCottage #CarrieFancettPagels #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel #CelebrateLit… (más)

I have to start my review by saying how gorgeous the cover is. It definitely will grab readers attention. Once they start the book they will see how gifted the author is. Her ability to guide readers into the story with a feeling of being a part of it is something I admire. I like that the story includes real life issues like the recent virus and how the characters are all new Christians. Something the author wrote really woke me up. New Christians are on fire for God but sometimes those who have been a Christian for awhile seem to be lackluster at times. I want to get that fire again and be excited every day because Jesus is with me.

Now let’s move on to the characters. There were quite a few of them in the story so at times I was a little lost. I quickly caught on who everyone was and the story flowed easily for me. Rachel has found herself homeless and without a job. She needs to find a solution fast. I loved how we travel to Mackinac Island . The beautiful surroundings are peaceful and I’m so glad she decided to stay at a place that is special to her.

The author highlights three families in the book and I loved that we discovered secrets, friendships that needed to be mended and family that held each other together as they walked through difficult issues. I could mention more about the different characters but I think I want readers to get acquainted with them as they unravel the story that brings healing, hope and faith to our characters.

I love the twists in the story and unexpected surprises that kept me glued to the book. I was shocked at one particular secret that comes out. It was never something I picked up on in the story. What a oh my moment this was, I loved how faith was at the center of the story and there is a good illustration of second chances and forgiveness.

“Forgiveness wasn’t for the person you forgave. It was for yourself. To let it go. To get right with God.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (más)

“I can’t. God can. I think I’ll let God.”
( from Co-Dependents Anonymous’s Twelve Steps.)

Location, location, location! While those may be the three most important words in real estate, they certainly can be important to a reader!
I love this newest book, Lilac Cottage, by Carrie Fancett Pagels for many reasons, but foremost is its setting on Mackinac Island, a tourist place we are somewhat familiar with. I loved remembering the feel of the mist on our faces as we sat on top of the ferry, seeing the Grand Hotel come into view as Rachel Dunmarra and Kareen Parker do. I loved envisioning the crowded streets with people, horses and carriages, and bicycles swerving between the first two. Pagels describes the island so well. And mentioning the iconic Pink Pony? What a treat that place is! And the island bookstore is really there, with its manager, and even Pagels’s books on the shelf!

Wow, when our novel starts, there are so many people and so many threads involved. It was like having a giant skein of yarn that was tangled impossibly. As we meet Rachel, we begin to see her search for significance and family. We see Jack’s need to grieve a sister who died years before. Then we see the Parkers, with their matriarch’s issues and the family’s odd exclusion. And the the characters and their situations seem to multiply. Kudos to Pagels for eventually unraveling that very tangled yarn and producing a masterpiece in the end!

When we visit the island, it is a peaceful time. Yet, Mackinac Island is home to real people, past and present, with real problems. I am amazed at how many skeletons are itching to escape their closets in Lilac Cottage! The mystery, broken relationships, and danger mixed with romance continue until the very end.

Pagels tackles topics like parental rejection, grief denied, narcissism, dependency, COVID, ancestry, fresh faith, and not to be ignored, coffee!😊

If none of this excites you about the book, look at its beautiful cover. That alone would entice me in! So pull up a chair and travel to Mackinac Island. And don’t forget the fudge!

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

The truth could destroy her family. But it had to be shared.

“it’s far worse to have a breaking heart and no one to share that with.”… (más)

Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels is a work of Historical Romance and Christian Fiction. Secrets from the past fill the pages of this book. Set on Mackinac Island, this book chronicles the lives of Rachel Dunmara and Jack Welling. She comes to the island to hide at her grandmother’s cottage – Lilac Cottage, to figure out a plan for her future. Meanwhile, Jack – Rachel’s childhood nemesis, also arrives on the island to oversee the renovations of his family’s island home.

I loved getting to know Rachel and Jack and their family and friends. The people surrounding Rachel pour out love and demonstrate the power of God’s faithfulness and mercy. I loved the setting of the island and the way the author developed the stories of Rachel, Jack, and Kareen. As the secrets get revealed, I found myself unable to put the book down. I had to find out how the story would end.

So if you enjoy the works of Historical Romance and Christian Romance, check out Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels. I definitely recommend it. I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (más)