I have always wanted to go to Mackinac Island. Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels took me there without leaving my couch. Pagels vivid description of everything from the smell of the flowers to the feel of riding the ferry was excellent! Add in a dual timeline tied to the grand hotel on the island and this book is a must read. The only problem I had, and it's a small one, were the number of characters in the story. But this is a small problem. Don't let it stop you from enjoying Behind Love's Wall.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

A great dual novel. I love how Lily and Willa find themselves, can embrace their painful family history when they let their walls crumble and allow the healing to begin. While it hooked me at the start with its fast pace beginning, the tension in the story softened as romance took over, but it didn't bother me as I was eager to let them accept love. I like how mental illnesses is addressed and handled in this book. Also, Willa's story is post-pandemic, and while COVID is mentioned, it's in light of how it affected Willa's business and not the focus of the story or even mentioned a lot. The fact that people are wearing masks made it realistic. I also enjoyed seeing characters from other novels Carrie has written.
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This was a book that is part of a series (Doors of the past) that only links a historical story with a story set in the modern day. Both stories involve romance, mystery and a hotel on Mackinac Island. I found myself flipping back and forth over the course of the story to see if my theories lined up with what had happened as it was a story that required concentration.

I liked the ending as I wasn't expecting the twist. This added to my enjoyment of the story but felt that it left one string of a subplot untied (I overthought my theories far too much). The story references covid which I wasn't a huge fan of (because I like to escape when reading) but I do understand the author's choice.

I got this book free for an honest review. It was worth reading but it wasn't my favourite in the series. I do recommend reading the series in conjunction with this one.

Past and present meshed together through a newly found journal! I loved how it all came together. The characters were so real and I could feel their fears and victories. I do enjoy how this author has some of these characters show up in other books on Mackinac Island..

Pagel's work always finds a way to whisk the reader off to the past while keeping their feet firmly planted in the present. Behind Love's Wall is a lovely story that shows the history of the beautiful Mackinac Island and its storied hotel, as well as bringing characters from the present day into this time slip story.

Pagels books are uplifting and encouraging. I haven' t read one yet that has disappointed! Don't miss this charming story with connections to the long ago history of Mackinac and the present history of characters trying to rebound into regular life again post pandemic.

This would be a fun book to use for a book club or just for those who have an affinity for all things Victorian.

This is a great series and this is another wonderful story. This story features singers, murder and psychiatry. This bounces back and forth between 1895 and 2020. I was never confused as to what era we were in. I enjoyed the descriptions of Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. I really liked the characters in both time periods. It was interesting to read about how Lily and Willa were going to figure out what they were doing with their lives. I received a copy of this book from Barbour and Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I love Ms. Pagels' stories! This one is no exception!
I was delighted because the story is set in my most favorite place ever!
There were a few things that were thrown in there that I wasn't expecting.
But, I'm my opinion that will make the reader sit on the edge of their seat to see what happens next!
I thought the author did a beautiful job in describing Mackinac Island to a T making me feel as if were there.
I didn't find anything wrong with with characters. They were ok.
I think she did an alright job in weaving past and present together nicely though.
The cover is stunning.
The special thing about Mackinac Island is that it never really changes and I think that's what my favorite thing is about the Island.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Behind Love’s Wall is a dual time story on beautiful Mackinac Island spanning over 100 years. The characters are realistic with hidden secrets, disappointments and set to reach goals. This story is filled with secrets, mystery and history at the Grand Hotel with an intertwining of characters and their relationship with others. The multiple twists and turns with all the characters gave way to turning the pages quickly. Fans of Pagels and her Mackinac Island settings will enjoy this book.

I was disappointed that the Covid pandemic and issues we’ve faced in society today had to be mentioned in this book. Reading is an escape from reality not a reminded of present day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an advance e-copy of this book. I have expressed my own opinion.

Behind Love’s Walls is a split time novel that had me researching the The Grand Hotel to get a better picture in my mind of the construction as I followed the exploits of characters from two time periods. It really is a magnificent place.

The author handled the aspects of mental health with a caring clinical slant. She gave good insight into the struggles and fears of patient, family and physician that brought these characters to life in a relatable ways. There was no one in this novel that did not have some sort of true to life issue. I had to laugh as I thought, this could be my family!

At times I did find it difficult to follow the many characters for each era. It became an overwhelming family reunion to both Willa and me as she sorted out her heritage.

I learned about the butterfly rash that can accompany lupus which sent me on another search.
This was not only a good novel but also a good prompting for me to do some reach of my own.

Alice was the biggest surprise to me. I did appreciate that twist in the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Carrie Fancett Pagels never lets me down with her love for Mackinac Island and bringing it to life. The focus of the island this time is the famous Grand Hotel. New owners wants some refurbishing; so Willa, a successful interior decorator comes to see what she can do. In this split-time novel Willa finds a journal behind a wall in a room she is to reopen and decorate, and the journal is from an ancestor of a previous boyfriend of Willa.

Pagels does an incredible job of winding the two time periods together. She uses characters from some of her previous Mackinac Island books and connects them in seamless context. As always, her stories point the reader to Christ while fitting this into the story line in a natural way. Each time period had a mystery that in the end came together to solve both past and present pieces.

So happy that Carrie Fancett Pagels got to work her magic in this wonder series.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Behind Love’s Wall (Doors to the Past) by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Behind Love’s Wall is a dual-timeline story set within the grandeur of the Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island. It takes us to two different time-periods: the past of 1895—the story of Lily and Stephen, and the present of 2020—the story of Willa and Michael.

The characters of both time-periods have a connection of sorts. Singer, Lily seems to have had a dark secret and present-day Willa is determined to uncover those secrets—even while holding onto her own secrets. What follows takes the reader back and forth as the clues are uncovered and revealed. I found myself trying to figure out where the clues were leading as I read along. Sometimes I guessed correctly and other times I was way off.

I like having recurring characters show up in the stories; like the Christy family. Gotta love those Christy’s! I enjoyed the mysteries, intrigue, romance, joys, love, redemption theme and faith of each time-period and how they tie into each other. One of my favorite parts is the setting, Mackinac Island. I almost feel as if I have visited there (I haven’t yet) from the vivid descriptions of Mackinac and the Grand Hotel.

I have loved the previous “Door to the Past” books in this series. Carrie Fancett Pagels is a new author to me. I was intrigued from the start of this story. I love the location and the tie in to the movie “Somewhere in time”. (One of my alt time favorites). I enjoy a good time lapse involving historical and current times. Unfortunately I got lost quickly. Not really sure why the chapter in Yellowstone was necessary, too many characters to keep track of. and I didn’t feel any connection with the current characters. The historical characters, Lilly, Clem and Dr. DuBlanc were engaging and interesting. I think if it had just been a historical romance, I would have given it 5 stars. There was something that did not resonate with me in the contemporary storyline. I did find the subject of mental health interesting. I also wondered when I would read the first book involving Covid Now I’ve read it! I really wanted to love this book. I think I will try reading it at a later date. Maybe I will be in a different frame of mind. I encourage anyone that enjoys clean time-slip stories, to give it a read. There is a lot good about this book. But for me, I give it 3.5 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

WOW. There was a lot going on in this book. Two stories in two different times that were connected, with a mystery in each one. It took me a little bit to get into the book (my frame of mind, not the author’s fault), but once I did, I was hooked. Both Lily (1895) and Willa (2020) had vague memories of a parent that they never had a chance to really know. I liked the way the author brought those memories to life. There were times I had to stop reading and let my brain catch up because there was a lot to process. For a while, I couldn’t see how it would all come together, but it kept me turning the pages to see how it would wind up. I loved the way it all came together in the end, though. I would recommend this book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts are mine.

I enjoy the Doors to the Past novel series from Barbour Publishing because each plot is centered around a prominent historic landmark. Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels features The Grand Hotel on Michigan's beautiful Mackinac Island. This is a 'bucket list' destination for me so I was grateful to visit in the pages of this novel.

Like others in the series, this is a dual timeline romance. The historical plot centers around Lily in 1895. She's a singer who performs popular music of the times at resorts with her cousin Clem as accompanist, companion, and bodyguard. The contemporary plot features Willa in 2020 and includes COVID-19 protocols and consequences. Willa's a popular interior designer with her own HGTV show that's on hiatus due to the pandemic. Both women are haunted by secrets involving their parents and avoid relationships to avoid these 'skeletons' being exposed. Lily and Willa are each drawn to Mackinac Island for work but make important discoveries about their families while there. During current-time renovations at The Grand Hotel, Lily's diary is discovered, connecting the women over 125 years.

I appreciated that this novel included characters facing mental health issues in both timelines, and COVID-19 in the contemporary story. While Christian fiction is considered to be Pollyanna by many, most is not, and I prefer novels of all genres that reflect the real issues people face.

However, I really struggled with Behind Love's Wall because it includes an overwhelming number of characters. If I'd known there would be so many, I would have taken notes as I read. The similarities between Lily and Willa's lives and the (often secret) connections between characters in the two timelines confused me, and it all became impossible to understand when I wasn't interested enough to invest the time to puzzle it out.

I look forward to future novels in the Doors to the Past series and am grateful for the opportunity to read and review this title. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I am really enjoying the series, Doors to the Past Barbour Publishing has out.
This one is written by one of my favorite authors, Carrie Fancett Pagels.
Her love for Michigan and Mackinac Island is very apparent in her writing and thorough research she does for her books. Her enthusiasm really shines through.
Behind Love's Wall, as many of her other books are has most of it's setting on Mackinac Island from 1895 to 2020 in this dual time-line novella. I enjoyed reading this as it revisited many of her past books through characters that show up in this book.
This book kept me happily turning pages past my bed time as I was intrigued by the mysterious past that so perfectly meshed with the present. I loved all the historical details and be sure to read the author's notes at the back of the book for more information.
Highly recommended!

Pub Date 01 Nov 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Christian Historical. A timeslip novel where uncovering a buried past helps to heal the characters, past and present. Set on Michigan's Mackinac Island, it weaves people through and together who are related through generations. Emotional healing is difficult until the reasons behind the trouble are uncovered, and there are stigmas around it in both the past and present. Warm characters you get attached to, and you want to see them resolve their mysteries. Intricate.

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

1895, a hatchet, a Bible and revolver is Lily Swaine's best friends. She is known as the Kentucky Songbird.. Now because of what her Mother is accused of Lily and Cousin Clem Christy loose bookings and now find themselves at Mackinaw Island at the Grand Hotel. No one must know about her Mother. She is now going by the name Lily Swaine. Her most valuable possession is a cedar box, that hold several items, including a small watercolor painting. The artist last name was Swaine. She meets Dr. Stephen DuBlanco a psychiatrist, Alice is assigned to help her dress etc.

Willa Christy has a successful HGTV Show. She has come to Mackinaw Island hopefully be used to design a specific room at the Grand Hotel that has been locked up and not used since 1895. The room had been used by a singer named Lily Swaine. There had been a murder. COVID has slowed her business now....she needs this job. The landscaper is Michael DuBlanc.

You need to read the book to find how this two stories fit together.

Set in 1895 and 2021 this novel follows two women in a search for their roots. Interesting storyline and characters. I did feel that the book drug in places but the final chapters felt rushed - the resolution was not all we had been led to think it would be.

Behind Love's Wall, by one of my favorite authors, Carrie Fancett Pagels, is part of the Doors to the Past series which I have been enjoying. Pagels blends two of my favorite genres, historical fiction and mystery, and sets this dual timeline story on the wonderfully beautiful (I might be a bit biased, being a Michigander!) Mackinac Island. The author does a great job of portraying the essence of both eras and the beauty and dignity of the Grand Hotel. One can picture in the mind's eye the setting and the activities going on. The characters, especially Willa and Lily, two young women from a century apart, are realistic and likable. Mystery, danger, and long-held secrets are woven together to bring some pretty tangled webs that kept this reader guessing as to what is happening. "Who would have known that we have so much detective work going on at the Grand?" Readers who enjoy charming and entertaining stories will not want to miss Behind Love's Wall.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Carrie Pagels continues to outdo herself! Behind Love’s Wall is part of the Barbour’s Doors to the Past series but each book can be read as a stand alone. If you’re a fan of Christian historical fiction and/or dual timeline stories buy this book today. You will devour it. This is a wonderful story that is so interesting and keeps you wanting to turn the pages. Yet it’s one of those books that you want to read it slowly to savor it. I loved the way it went back and forth between the past and present day. I loved that it was a mystery and love story combined. The characters and scenes are so well developed that you feel like you personally know the everyone and are part of their family. Through the author's words you can easily imagine that you live on Mackinac Island. Behind Love’s Wall is filled with faith, family, mystery, and intrigue.