Sword of Trust FINALLY Releases!

Welcome to Sword of Trust Blog Hop!

Have you ever wondered why we've always heard that men are taller than our predecessors? I've read and heard that our ancestors were short and just assumed that meant every generation before us, but that just isn't the case.

According to the book, The Year 1000 by Robert Lacey & Danny Danziger, one of the first things noticed about people living in or around the year 1000 is they were tall--very much like we are today. 

The truth is we are taller than most of our more recent ancestors (1700-1900). Georgian and Victorian England residents, who were malnourished and overcrowded, did not have the good health nor the stature by the end of the twentieth century that we share today with our access to food and medicine.

So when we picture those knights in shining armor as tall and muscular, good news, you are correct! According to Lacy & Danzinger, nine out of ten people lived in the country. A lush green and unpolluted land that provided plentiful food and nourishment, allowing the medieval man to grow strong limbs and very healthy teeth. So that knight who is the hero, guess what? He really does have a full set of white teeth!

If these people were so healthy one would think they'd live as long as we do, but here the differences are drastic. Life was short. A simple cut or wound could take a person's life. In the medieval time period, an illness or childhood disease that today we can stop with a visit to the doctor could spread like a fire and wipe out a whole village.

Because of this, a boy of twelve years of age was considered old enough to swear an oath to the king. Young girls were married off in their early teens to much older men. Life expectancy was almost half of what it is today. Most people died in their forties, and for a person to reach into their fifties was quite impressive and they were revered.

Goodness, no wonder the population has exploded. As the centuries passed, people began living longer and longer. Today it is not unusual to see people reach 100 years of age or close to it.

GIVEAWAY:

Thank you for helping me celebrate Sword of Trust! I'm giving away choice of my books! Leave a comment about what you learned here, about the book or ask me a question to be entered!

Deirdre Mackenzie has spent her life hiding from her father and hating the English. However, when she is caught stealing from an English laird, his unexpected kindness begins to melt away her hatred and strums lonely heartstrings longing for love. Bryce Warwick discovers the “boy” caught with his livestock is actually a young woman. After several attempts to lure the truth from her, he determines she is as deceitful as his late fiancée who nearly cost him his life. But the woman is the least of his worries with the turbulence brought on by threats of another border war and by King Richard's distrust of the nobles.
With old wounds in need of healing and adversaries who would ruin their chances at true love, both must learn to trust in a way they never knew possible.
The stakes are high, secrets prevail, and treason is just a kiss away.

A broken heart, a controlling father, and an intrusive Scot leave Charlotte Jackson reeling. Accused of stealing an heirloom pin, she must choose between an unwanted marriage and the ruin of her family name. With the futures of her three younger sisters at stake, as well as her own reputation, Charlotte must navigate through injustice to find forgiveness and true happiness. Eager to find the traitor that caused the death of his brother, Duncan Mackenzie comes to America and attempts to fit in with Charleston society. But when the headstrong Charlotte catches his eye, Duncan takes on a second mission—acquiring the lass's hand. After being spurned several times, he uses unconventional ways of winning her heart.

 

Dogwood Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels, ends 10/14

When Hard Truths Surface in Fiction 

Dogwood Plantation 

By 

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D. 

Please welcome one of my crit partners, Carrie Pagels to my blog. Congratulations, Carrie on your new release! Thanks for coming by. Carrie is giving away a signed copy of her book, Dogwood Plantation so be sure to read on down on how to enter. And as a special treat I will be giving away a copy as well!

When I first began to write Dogwood Plantation, almost a decade ago, I had been a psychologist for twenty-five years. Although I had to leave my trained vocation because of my disability due to Rheumatoid Arthritis, I found that some of the “sins of the fathers” that I’d seen over the years came to manifest themselves in my story. Although the main storyline has to do with Cornelia Gill and her childhood sweetheart, Carter Williams, there is a secondary plotline between her second cousin, Hayes Davis and Carter’s deceased sister-in-law’s sister, Mariah.

Mariah is a fairly self-centered woman who manipulates and tries to control others yet she also neglects the nephews supposedly in her care. Hayes is a devout man, ardent for the Lord and for his country, who sees the War of 1812 as something that could destroy liberty. Hayes doesn’t usually work at anything in the foreground—rather he’s there working out deals with mariners to assist in the war effort and he helps others without getting in their face about it. Mariah is intrigued by the wealthy horse farm owner. Her reality, some of which was brought on by childhood sexual abuse, has now erupted into an unmanageable situation. Hayes feels convicted that he must minister to Mariah, even as he is beginning to fall in love with her.

There are many behaviors we observe in life that aren’t what they seem to be. Victims of childhood sexual abuse, for instance, often end up sexually acting out and some end up involving others in sexual “misuse”—people who are near their same age.

I won’t do a “spoiler” as to exactly how Mariah’s background affects the ending of this story, but I will say this—even I, the author, am not exactly sure about some specifics. But in the story, like in real life, God knows and He works things out according to His purpose.

Giveaway: An autographed copy of my new release Dogwood Plantation. USA only—an unsigned copy can be won through Book Depository for those outside of the USA.

ABOUT CARRIE:
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is a Christian fiction bestselling and award-winning author of over twenty books—tagline, “Hearts Overcoming Through Time”. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie enjoys American history, listening to audiobooks, walking the family’s adopted Kelpie, and visiting beautiful places surrounded by water.

Carrie’s novel, My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island, won the Maggie Award, and was a Romantic Times Top Pick. Her romance novella, The Steeplechase, was a finalist in the prestigious Holt Medallion Awards. Her short story, “The Quilting Contest”, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s The Story national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a Maggie Award finalist. All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist.


Back Cover:
When a deadly yellow fever outbreak draws Cornelia Gill back home, her new independent life must be abandoned. Injured veteran, Carter Williams, likewise must return to Dogwood Plantation when he suffers grievous family losses. Both become caretakers to younger family members. As the War of 1812 heats up, two wounded hearts begin to heal. But can they manage all that life has handed them?



Connect with Carrie online:
Facebook Author Page
See images related to Carrie’s books on her Pinterest Boards
Contact Carrie through her website www.carriefancettpagels
& sign up for Carrie’s newsletter
Twitter https://twitter.com/cfpagels
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carriefancettpagels/
BookBub


Links to purchase:
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Kobo
On goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54975504-dogwood-plantation#_=_