The Fruitcake Challenge

When new lumberjack, Tom Jeffries, tells the camp cook, Jo Christy, that he’ll marry her if she can make a fruitcake, “as good as the one my mother makes,” she rises to the occasion. After all, he’s the handsomest, smartest, and strongest axman her camp-boss father has ever had in his camp—and the cockiest. And she intends to bring this lumberjack down a notch or three by refusing his proposal. The fruitcake wars are on! All the shanty boys and Jo’s cooking helpers chip in with their recipes but Jo finds she’ll have to enlist more help—and begins corresponding with Tom’s mother.

Jo is ready to find another life outside of the camps and plans that don’t include any shanty boys. But will a lumberjack keep her in the very place she’s sworn to leave?

The Lumberjacks’ BallA decade after surviving a brutal attack, a mercantile owner’s daughter begins her life anew in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A gifted craftsman wishes to leave the lumber camp and seeks employment at her new store. When his presence dredges up memories she wishes to suppress, the proprietress must learn to face her past and open her heart. When complications arise, will they overcome adversity in time for The Lumberjacks’ Ball?

Carrie runs the Overcoming with God blog

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Lots of Book Reviews and Giveaways there!

What other Christian Historical Novels are similar to yours in setting or storyline?

Serena B. Miller’s series set in Michigan, in particular The Measure of Katie Calloway

Deanne Gist’s lumberjack story A Bride in the Bargain

And Jody Hedlund’s lumberjack stories, but I’m coming at it from a softer and gentler approach than Jody did.

Which books got you hooked on reading Christian Historicals?

Bodie Thoene’s books, particularly the Zion series, from over 25 years ago.  My best friend, Libbie Cornett, suggested Bodie’s books to me when I was recovering from C-section with my daughter. I got hooked and I also suggested them to my mother-in-law, who loved their stories and writing. I tell Libbie and Bodie that it is their “fault” I gave up being a psychologist and became an author 😉 (There were other reasons, like RA, but I like to tease!) I DID think—wow I would LOVE to write like her!!! Some day, maybe…. We’ll see if God can get me anywhere in the same stratosphere with Bodie Thoene!

What Christian Historical Novel taught you something about the craft of writing because it was so well done? And tell us a bit about what it taught you.

Ohmygoodnessgraciousmeohmy – I read a novel by Michelle Griep this winter that made me want to STOP writing because it was so good. I will be honest, it was so beyond me that I couldn’t really grasp how or why is was so different from mine because I was so immersed plus I was constantly thinking, wow, how did she do that.  Maybe I’ll read it again and see.

Tamera Alexander’s stories have taught me about telling your story, the unique story that must be told.

Julie Lessman’s stories have taught me about romance and characterization.

Julie Klassen’s are about making your story a little quirky and writing outside of the box.

MaryLu Tyndall has an inclusive approach that I love—she includes characters who are different and sometimes difficult.

Serena B. Miller has it all and some set in the great North woods where I grew up!

Jen Turano has taught me that spunky isn’t totally out of my realm—The Fruitcake Challenge was a spunky story, and I think it went well!

Which was the last Christian Historical Novel you read, and what was your favorite thing about it?

I just read a novella by Melissa Jagears that is part of a collection from Barbour. What I liked about it was that the characters were “mature”! I’d heard over and over you can’t have a hero and heroine over 35, and that is just ridiculous. So I was so thrilled with Melissa and Barbour for publishing a mature romance!

(Melissa says, Okay, I just have to say, if my next birthday throws me into the too mature to fall in love category…..stick a fork in me, I’m done!)