The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Christmas Carol meets It’s A Wonderful Life 

A letter for Sonja’s deceased friend arrives at the post office in Michigan, and with it a proposal. With her father threatening to kick her out of his home, Sonja impulsively responds, offering to travel west to be a substitute bride. At the same time, Louis’s railroad promotion sends him back to Michigan, the one place on earth he’d hoped to never return—where Christmas past was full of pain. A mysterious stranger leaves him marked copies of “A Christmas Carol” as he considers romancing Sonja in Christmas present. Will Louis discern the best choices for Christmas future? Does it include the Poor House, again? Even so—will God bring healing and love to him this year? 

Carrie Fancett Pagels

I knew I wanted to write a story set near the area where my Victorian-era, British-born great-grandparents immigrated to in Michigan. We kept stories in this collection in towns with Christmas names. Shepherd, Michigan, is very close to the small central Michigan town where my great-grandparents raised their American-born children, including my grandfather.  

The turn-of-the-century was such an exciting time! But women still struggled to find their place in the world. Although Sonja's father may seem like an ogre, I envisioned an older man who feels very unwell (diabetes) and just wants peace and quiet but still has an unmarried daughter at home and his erratic behavior pushes her to do the unthinkable--offer herself as a substitute bride!

I love stories of restoration, love A Christmas Carol, and love It's A Wonderful Life--so combining all three aspects was a blessing to me--and I hope will bless the readers, too!

Former "Yooper" Carrie Fancett Pagels writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn't "cured" by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia's Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading--but not all at the same time!

Contact https://www.facebook.com/carriefancettpagels?fref=ts

Purchase http://www.amazon.com/Substitute-Bride-Novella-Little-Christmas-ebook/dp/B016HHRYIK/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

My Review
Substitute Bride
Carrie Fancett Pagel's

Substitute Bride is Novella in the O' Little Town of Christmas Collection.  I really felt for Sonja left with a father who wanted her married off. Her one friend dies and she finds these letters to be a mail order bride. Could she pull it off and take her friends place? Her friends have tried to set her up with Louis.  But he was leaving on a promotion to where a place he doesn't want to ever return too. A place that held nothing but pain. Can these two find what God has for them? Great novella!! I loved the characters. Just right size of book to sit down with a cup of tea.  5 Star