A Log Cabin Christmas Collection [Paperback]

Margaret Brownley (Author), Wanda E. Brunstetter (Author), Jane Kirkpatrick (Author), Kelly Eileen Hake (Author), Liz Johnson (Author), Liz Tolsma (Author), Michelle Ule (Author), Debra Ullrick (Author), Erica Vetsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2011

Experience Christmas through the eyes of adventuresome settlers who relied on log cabins built from trees on their own land to see them through the cruel forces of winter. Discover how rough-hewed shelters become a home in which faith, hope, and love can flourish. Marvel in the blessings of Christmas celebrations without the trappings of modern commercialism where the true meaning of the day shines through. And treasure this exclusive collection of nine Christmas romances penned by some of Christian fiction’s best-selling authors.

(20110831)

Editorial Reviews

Review

The authors do a good job of showing the complex relationships between men and women.  There are misunderstandings, fearing to accept or declare love, trying to deal with the children in the family, and then living in a one or two bedroom log cabin is enough to get on anyone nerves.  There are different nationalities, odd family units, dangers from animals and Indians, and more.  The authors are very factual about living back in the 1800’s.  It wasn’t easy, but a well-built cabin and someone to love makes it a lot better.



This book would make a nice Christmas gift.  It’s a book that would be fun to read each Christmas season, just pack it away with your Christmas ornaments.  The stories are short enough they would work for reading aloud, too.  I really enjoyed reading it.

(Marianne Arkins Long and Short Reviews )

Although they are all set in the pioneer days, each of these stories is truly timeless.  Love, faith and redemption are consistent themes throughout the collection, with each set of characters struggling to find their way through physical and emotional trials.  Faith and trust in God is the overriding theme, connecting the stories in the collection as strongly as the holiday setting itself.  A wonderful introduction to the work of nine talented authors, A Log Cabin Christmas is a collection you will return to time after time.

(Joyce Greenfield Eye on Romance )

Book Description

Penned by an exclusive selection of Christian fiction authors—including Margaret Brownley, Wanda E. Brunstetter, and Jane Kirkpatrick—this collection of nine romances will become an instant treasure. The American pioneer history comes to life within rough-hewn walls where faith, hope, and love flourish, especially at Christmastime.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616264780
• ISBN-13: 978-1616264789
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,792 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiction as Christmas as Frankincense, September 30, 2011

By 

Harold Wolf "Doc" (Wells, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Log Cabin Christmas Collection (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 ½ 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?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars bad and good, September 19, 2011

By 

Baqash - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Log Cabin Christmas Collection (Paperback)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reading!, December 16, 2011

By 

Susan K. Edwards "SusieKE" (Vancouver, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Log Cabin Christmas Collection (Paperback)

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.