A Log Cabin Christmas: 9 Historical Romances during American Pioneer Christmases [Paperback]

The cover words "LOG CABIN" & "AMERICAN PIONEER CHRISTMASES" sold me on trying this book. I love historic fiction, my wife and I both relish Christmas reads, and I recognized a few of the authors listed as being successful writers. Being a man, the stated Romance aspect did not defer me from the purchase. What a wise buy. With 9 good stories included in this Christmas anthology, it's a bit over a buck per tale. That's old-fashioned value. As much history as romance, if not more.

9 novellas liberally use terms such as puncheon floors, buckboards, out houses, guns, forests, circuit riders, butter churns, crosscut or axe, and other words and descriptions of articles long lost to 21st century living. The stories require one to 1  hour of time to read and pack suspense, adventure, mystery and romance into each novella. This is invigorating historical fiction. And of course, each has a dapple of romance. Suitors and "suitees" are quickly established and of course, in the Christmas tradition of peace and love......eventually......find joy. Stories are each about 50 pages, just right for holiday reading. And it give readers a quick look at 9 different, perhaps first time read, authors. You might be rewarded with another "favorite" author.

One fault found was three of the stories have mistaken information written in the short synopsis' of each story. The Softcover fold inward on the front and back, like a dust jacketed hardcover. Synopsis for story one states a mother's diary was read; not that of an aunt's. Story 2 cover fold synopsis has 5 children, not the true 3, inside the schoolhouse. The last story synopsis refers to a nonexistent blizzard...snow yes, blizzard no. Fortunately this takes nothing away from the inside authors' enchantments.

SNOW ANGEL - Margaret Brownley
1885 Maverick TX
A blizzard forces the teacher, sheriff, and 3 school kids to spend Christmas Eve in the log schoolhouse. They overcome cold, a bear, fear, lack of food, and 5 personal struggles.

THE CHRISTMAS SECRET - Wanda E. Brunstetter
1880 Allentown Coopersburg PA
Log cabin Christmas Eve wedding (also the brides 20th birthday) plans end due to secret history recorded in an aunt's diary. Bride runs to hide the shame.

CHRISTMAS TRAPS AND TRIMMINGS - Kelly Eileen Hake
1811 London & Appalachian Mts KY
When a London heiress and nurse arrive at a KY mountain trapper's shack unannounced, the relationship is off to as shaky a start as what the quaking earth also decides to provide. The "traditional KY pioneer" breakfast" p127 was a word-photo experience.

A STAR IN THE NIGHT - Liz Johnson
1864 Franklin TN
A tale where a southern gal and gramps nurse a wounded Civil War soldier--this one a Yank. A story of living through an unwanted conflict.

THE COURTING QUILT - Jane Kirkpatrick
1867 Oregon
Both farmer and a salesman are eager to "partner" with a widow selling thread. Who wins, after this guilt tale is pieced together?

UNDER HIS WINGS - Liz Tolsma
1875 Logging Camp 12, Wisconsin
Will a tragedy force an unwanted marriage for an orphan lumber camp gal? Will matrimony cancel seminary for lumberjack Preacher Man? Unusual Christmas gifts will decide all.

THE DOGTROT CHRISTMAS - Michelle Ule
1836 East TX
It's homesteading in Texas and families struggle with death. What will a TEX-MEX Christmas look like? Accomplish? Dogtrot is a type of duel log house.

A GRAND COUNTY CHRISTMAS - Debra Ullrick
Colorado
Irish lass meets Austrian widower in rocky Mountain snow and it takes only 5 pages to get hormones as hot as summer. But the bliss turns to Christmas Eve mystery--secrets--& fraud. Will Christmas be "gut"? Unique log house used here.

CHRISTMAS SERVICE - Erica Vetsch
1875 Minnesota
Called to be a preacher's wife, Beth scorns all other men, including a deacon blacksmith, of all things. Todd accepts the rebuke as challenge. Will a Christmas Eve pageant disaster enlighten any or all?

Others have described in excellent manner the themes of this collection. Quality of the individual stories runs from insipid to very well done. Don't let the poorer ones keep you from the gems. Of particular enjoyment is Michelle Ule's debut novella Dogtrot Christmas. Michelle has well researched the cultural of her setting, included well thought out intrigues, and writes in such a manner to hold your interest and leave you wanting more.

This book is filled with darling heartwarming Christian stories set during Christmastime ... I have found them all very entertaining and have truly enjoyed reading them. While I am an avid reader of Christian novels I found this a great book for many reasons one of which was a great way to visit some of authors I am very familiar with and enjoy such as Margaret Brownley, Kelley Eileen Hake, & Debra Ullrick ... and to get to know others such as Jane Kirkpatrick, Liz Johnson, Liz Tolsma, Michelle Ule, & Erica Vetsch are new to me. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to passing it on to my daughter and reading some of the new (to me) author's other books in the near future.

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