Saturday, February 17, 2018

Book Boyfriends: Carrie's hero

Interview with Ben Steffans from My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Carrie: Ben, what got you interested in journalism as a career?


Ben: Growing up in Deutschland, in Germany, and then moving on to Chicago, I was interested in truth—in the truth being told.

Carrie: That’s interesting because you’re not exactly being honest with Maude, are you?

Ben: Nein, I wish I could tell her the whole truth. But, trust me, I will when my undercover assignment is over.

Carrie: What has been surprising to you about Mackinac Island?

Ben: The beauty of this place has amazed me. And the Friedlichkeit – the peacefulness.

Carrie: You’re a journalist, but anyone who has heard you play piano has described you as a virtuoso. Do you care to comment on this?

Ben: Nein. No comment. Music has caused much harm in my family. It is not my profession. Nein.

Carrie: Hmm, I don’t think I asked if music was your profession, but since you don’t care to discuss your talent, let’s move on. What did you think when you first met Maude Welling?

Ben: Ja, let’s talk about her. When I met Miss Welling, I thought she’d been hurt badly. And when I saw who she was with, I understood. I wanted to protect her. I still do.

Carrie: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Ben: (Ben laughs.) Who can say? I want to be editor of the paper, but something tells me I’d have to give up much to hold that title. I turn to God and trust Him in His plans for me.

Carrie: You’re investigating a story about young men posing as coming from wealth and influence. But some are saying you, yourself, are pursuing an heiress. Is there any truth in this?

Ben: Who would say such a thing? Is it one of the journalists coming to the island for Mark Twain’s speech? It must be one of my competitors.

~*~
Author Bio: 
Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of fifteen Christian historical romances, including ECPA bestsellers. 

Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a “Yooper.” 

Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time! 

~*~
Blurb for Carrie's book:

Journey now to Mackinac Island where...A Tangled Gilded Age Love Story Unfolds.

Although the Winds of Mackinac Inn has been in her mother’s family for generations, Maude Welling’s father refuses to let her run it without the guidance of a husband. So she seeks to prove her worth and independence by working incognito as a maid at the Grand Hotel.


Undercover journalist Ben Steffans, posing as a wealthy industrialist, pursues a story about impoverished men chasing heiresses at the famed hotel. While undercover, he becomes attracted to an intriguing maid. By an act of heroism Ben endears himself to the closed-mouthed islanders—including Maude—and he digs deep for his story.

But when scandal threatens, will the growing love between Maude and Ben be scuttled when truths are revealed?

~*~
Buy Carrie's book:

~*~
Connect with Carrie:
Website - www.carriefancettpagels.com
Blogs - Overcoming With God and Colonial Quills
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below: SaveSave

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21 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting Ben on your blog today, Alexis! We're happy to visit with you! Blessings!

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  2. Haha that was cool! He speaks like a true journalist too. lol

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    1. Hi Sabrina! Ben is a journalist during the time of muckrakers but he is not one PTL! Thanks for visiting!

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  3. Great interview Carrie! I loved My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring.
    Blessings, Tina

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    1. Hi Tina! You have been such a blessing to me! So glad we got to hang out again in September and hope to see you this summer!

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  4. Ben, you need to share your gift of music. Especially with Maude.
    Carrie, this was a lovely interview. You were very sensitive to not force Ben to discuss his true gift.

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    1. That’s funny Andrea! Ben needs to stop hiding his true gift doesn’t he? Blessings!

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  5. I can’t wait to meet Ben one day if I get a chance to read this book!

    - Kailey Bechtel

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    1. Hi Katie! I am sure Ben and Maude would keep good company! Blessings!

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  6. She sounds very intriguing & I can't wait to read this book!!

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  7. I'd love to know his back story a little more, I love a guy of mystery!

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    1. Ben has a very intriguing back story, Abby! He's from an aristocratic German family but they had to leave when he was young.

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  8. The short description makes me want to read more about him.

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    1. Thanks, Arletta! I'd love for you to read more about Ben! He's just made a cameo appearance in the novella I'm writing for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Romances collection (Barbour, Nov. 2018). My story is "Love's Beacon"

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  9. Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Karen! My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island, Maude's Mooring was a "problem child" book to write but Maude's story came out good in the end! Blessings!

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  10. Ben sounds like a very intriguing person. I would love to know more of his back story as well. This book sounds so good! This post just makes me want to read this book even more! I like how the setting of the book is on Mackinac Island as I am from MI. My grandfather and his father helped build the addition on the Grand Hotel so it has a special place in my heart :) Thanks for this fun interview and the opportunity of this giveaway!
    ~Alison Boss

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  11. Ha! I enjoyed this interview with Ben. And of course I loved the book!

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