Hello Bookworms!
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mackinac Island by Carrie Fancett Pagels hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Mackinac Island
Series: Mackinac Island Romances #3
Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels
Publisher: Hearts Overcoming Press
Release Date: May 12, 2024
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Plans hatched in 1897 bring friends and family from far distances toward Mackinac Island’s new twin beacons—the Round Island Lighthouse and the Social Affirmation Society’s training/retreat center. A missing daughter, a missing godchild—two young women’s lives have intertwined in ways they could never have known. The solution to both of their mysteries is revealed when all hope has been lost by those seeking them.
Is romance out of the question for Val and Susan, when their hearts begin to heal? Will Paul and Lawrence, friends from their childhoods, brought to the island for work, be their beacons of hope? Can God bring all their paths together or will too many obstacles stand in their way?
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub
My Review
I’m always apprehensive jumping into a series midway through as I don’t like feeling lost when I start a novel. There is a list of characters at the beginning of the novel, which is helpful, but I was not prepared for the whiplash of back and forth, switching from character to character, place to place, and I’ll admit it took me a lot longer than I expected to get my bearings. There is a lot going on in this novel and you’re getting multiple perspectives with multiple heroes and heroines, and being someone that I hasn’t read any of the other novels in this series, I was completely lost in the beginning and almost gave up several times, but once I was able to sit and devote time to reading, I started feeling connected to this world. I believe this can be read as a standalone but if you’re like me and jumping into the series with this installment then I would make sure that you’re prepared for the myriads of viewpoints and scenarios, but if you stick it out it will eventually all make sense.
The world building in Mackinac Island Beacon is truly wonderful. Though there are a ton of characters, they are all great plus there are interesting plot lines seasoned with mystery and intrigue, which is always a plus. Since I jumped into the series in the middle, I’m curious to see if there was build up to these mysteries and discoveries in other novels and hope to get the opportunity to go back and read the rest of the series soon to find out.
One thing I really appreciated was the love stories and love matches weren’t what you would normally expect, which I found quite refreshing and endearing. The couples are just too perfect for one another, and complement each other in the most charming way, and I was living for it. I also enjoyed the reconnections and seeing a happily-ever-after that didn’t just involve a man.
Truth be told, I would’ve liked the narration to be the two main heroes and heroines and no one else. I feel like the added viewpoints muddied the waters, so to speak, which is what I believe made me struggle the most. Despite this, I don’t regret reading it one bit, as it does have a sweet storyline, is busy and brimming with characters, and it has made me curious to read the rest of the series. Honestly, I’m really glad I stuck it out.
Other Books in the Series
About the Author
Carrie Fancett Pagels is an ECPA bestselling and 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!
Connect with Carrie at carriefancettpagels.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.
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