The Fruitcake Challenge by Carrie Fancett Pagels
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.
Step back in time to 1890, in beautiful Northern Michigan, near the sapphire straits of Mackinac, when the white pines were “white gold” and lumber camps were a way of life. 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? When hope runs out, will God provide a way for Jo to achieve her dreams?
Thoughts:
I opened the pages of this novella and stepped into a lively lumber camp of 1890! Carrie Fancett Pagels brings to life a delightful cast of characters, as well as the sights and sounds of Northern Michigan.
There are so many things I adored about this delectable tale! Equal parts entertainment and encouragement, mixed with savory nuggets of history, dashes of sweet romance, and pinches of humor sprinkled throughout, make a perfect holiday treat!
I loved The Fruitcake Challenge and highly recommend this novella! Download your copy for only $0.99 from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
GIVEAWAY!
Carrie is giving away an ecopy of The Fruitcake Challenge to one lucky commenter on this post! Leave a comment, including your email address, to be entered. The giveaway ends October 8th at midnight CST.
More ways to win:
On Wednesday, I shared a wonderful interview with Carrie. She has generously offered ebook copies of The Fruitcake Challenge and Return to Shirley Plantation to one lucky reader on that post, so be sure and comment on Carrie’s interview to be entered! The giveaway ends October 8th.
Connect with Carrie:
Carrie Fancett Pagels Ph.D. is an award-winning, best-selling, and multi-published Christian historical romance author. Carrie was a psychologist for twenty-five years. Married for twenty-seven years with two children. Carrie resides in Virginia’s Historic Triangle and enjoys reading, traveling and researching. She’s a finalist for the 2014 Maggie Awards for Excellence.
Website: www.carriefancettpagels.com
Blogs: Overcoming With God and Colonial Quills
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Links to purchase:
The Fruitcake Challenge (2014) on Amazon
A Cup of Christmas Cheer, Guidepost Books (2013)
Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance (Helping Hands Press, 2013) on Amazon in ebook and in print
Return to Shirley Plantation on Barnes and Noble in ebook
God’s Provision in Tough Times Lighthouse of the Carolinas (2013) on Amazon in ebook and in print
Buzzing About Books 
Thank you Britney for a great review of The Fruitcake Challenge. It is a great novella!
Thanks so much, Britney! I am so glad you enjoyed the story! You’ve been such a blessing to me on the OWG blog and as a reader and promoter and encourager! Hugs!
I love fruitcake! It sounds like a great novella. Thanks for the chance.
boernerb at fuse (dot) net
Hi Becky! You will love The Fruitcake Challenge! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
This looks like such a great story. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
dkstevensne (at) outlook .com
It is a delightful story, D K! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I would love to read this book.