The Measure of Katie Calloway - Serena Miller

THE BOOK:

Her heart seeks sanctuary in the deep woods. 

But will trouble find her even here?

The Civil War has ended, but in Katie Calloway's Georgia home, conflict still rages. To protect herself and her young brother from her violent and unstable husband, she flees north, finding anonymity and sanctuary as the cook in a north woods lumber camp. The camp owner, Robert Foster, wonders if the lovely woman he's hired has the grit to survive the never-ending work and harsh conditions of a remote pine forest in winter. Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from a man she is slowly growing to love.

With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the rowdy shanty boys to the warm cookstove and mouth-watering apple pie, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting you to a time of danger and romance.

MY REVIEW:

Star Rating: *****

I am ready to admit that the first thing that drew me to this book was the title. (It’s just kinda neat reading a book where the main character has your name. ;-) After spying my name on the book cover and checking out the back cover, I had a very strong feeling that I was going to enjoy this book. And I did—fully and completely! One of the things I think that this historical appealed to me so much was the unique setting—a logging camp in Michigan right after the War Between the States.

Katie’s character was really complex and interesting. Beginning as a naïve young girl taken in my the charms of a southern gentleman who, she soon learned was anything but a gentleman, I loved watching her grow into a strong and independent woman determined to protect her brother. Robert, a former doctor turned log-camp owner plagued by what he witnessed during the war, also made for a strong hero. The other lumberjacks also made for interesting, but great, characters. Rough and rugged on the outside, over the winter that Katie spent in the camp, cooking for them, the readers were able to see the softer, more gentlemanly side of them. What an experience!

Set in the wilds of the Michigan forest, readers are transported back in time to experience what it would be like to have the job of camp-cook for dozens of rugged lumberjacks with monstrous appetites. It didn’t take me long to being cheering for Katie has she fought and overcame ever obstacle—especially when dealing with a jealous Jigger! (haha!)

From beginning to end, Measure of Katie Calloway was a wonderful read to become lost in. This is my first book by Serena Miller, but I can promise you it won’t be my last. She has found a new fan in me with this wonderfully special, unique, and touching story of an abused wife who overcomes her fears and builds a new life for herself and her younger brother. A beautiful story that I am sure to reread in the near future.

I reviewed this book for Revell.  It was not required that I give a positive review, but solely to express my own thoughts and opinions of this book, which I have done. 

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