Home of the week and a book review.........

This week's home of the week is a stunner.  I could never afford it in a million years, but I love it.  There are a couple of negatives though about it.  That butler sink in the kitchen is a no, no.  I have a similar thing going on in our kitchen and the water goes cold very fast in it, plus with it being white it marks like crazy.  Same with the cast iron bath in the master ensuite.  By the time you fill that bath tub and get in the water will be luke warm.  Also do you know how long it will take to lay all those ruddy fires in a morning and clean out all the ashes?  Ages, and ages; also how many bush cords of wood would you have to order in, each year?

Oh, wait, you would have hired help to do all that wouldn't you!!!  One thing for sure, me and dh wouldn't need to see one another that often in a house that size........but it would be nice to own though.......

"The Measure of Katie Calloway," by Serena Miller

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.

I loved this book.  The characters were easy to relate too.  Katie was a super lead character and you just wanted her to succeed in all she did.  I also learned a lot about the lumber camps in Northern Michigan.   

The way the author describes everything in the book, makes it all seem real.  She certainly has a talent for drawing you into each scene, making it feel as though you are actually there with the other characters of the book.  Enjoyed the character "Jigger," and knew deep down he had a heart of gold.

Stars out of 5: 5 great book, couldn't put it down.  Loved the cover of the book, Katie looks how I imagined she would.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.


Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".