 |
| The Fruitcake Challenge |
The Fruitcake Challenge -- Christmas Traditions Book 3
By Carrie Fancett Pagels
Hearts Overcoming Press, Sept. 2014
Reviewed By Diana Flowers
~5 stars~*****
Heartwarming Yuletide Novella!
In The Fruitcake Challenge, author Carrie Fancett Pagels sweeps the reader away
to 1800s Michigan, where the scent of freshly cut massive white pines and the
tantalizing aroma of baked fruitcakes and sugar cookies permeate the reader's
senses!
Jo Christy is the spunky cook at a lumber camp owned by her father, but has dreams of being on her own and running her own bakery. Although Jo is 25 yrs old, she is carefully guarded against the likes of the cocky, handsome new lumberjack, Tom Jeffries, by her two bulldog brothers -- Ox and Moose. Not that she needs to be babysat, however, as she finds the know-it-all Tom totally insufferable, and is quite capable of fighting off his advances herself. But when Tom puts forth a challenge that he will marry any woman who can bake a fruitcake as good as his mother's, Jo attempts to rise to the occasion for a joke...or is it?
The Fruitcake Challenge is a heartwarming Yuletide novella guaranteed to awaken the reader's senses with its descriptive imagery and the distinctive, tangible aromas of Christmas wafting through the air! With a deep spiritual thread of hope throughout, and lovable, fleshed out characters -- readers will find themselves totally immersed in the lives of Tom and Jo. When I finish a story with tears in my eyes, I know that not only have I just concluded a satisfying read, but an anointed one as well! This would make an excellent Christmas gift for family and friends! Nicely done, Ms. Pagels!
Jo Christy is the spunky cook at a lumber camp owned by her father, but has dreams of being on her own and running her own bakery. Although Jo is 25 yrs old, she is carefully guarded against the likes of the cocky, handsome new lumberjack, Tom Jeffries, by her two bulldog brothers -- Ox and Moose. Not that she needs to be babysat, however, as she finds the know-it-all Tom totally insufferable, and is quite capable of fighting off his advances herself. But when Tom puts forth a challenge that he will marry any woman who can bake a fruitcake as good as his mother's, Jo attempts to rise to the occasion for a joke...or is it?
The Fruitcake Challenge is a heartwarming Yuletide novella guaranteed to awaken the reader's senses with its descriptive imagery and the distinctive, tangible aromas of Christmas wafting through the air! With a deep spiritual thread of hope throughout, and lovable, fleshed out characters -- readers will find themselves totally immersed in the lives of Tom and Jo. When I finish a story with tears in my eyes, I know that not only have I just concluded a satisfying read, but an anointed one as well! This would make an excellent Christmas gift for family and friends! Nicely done, Ms. Pagels!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
This novella may be purchased through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
GIVEAWAY: We are giving away an e-book copy of this wonderful book to one blessed winner! Leave a comment to be entered.
I have just finished this novella and would agree. I also enjoyed learning about the different kinds of fruitcake - different cultures, different delights! The best fruitcake recipe I every found was chock full of fruit and notes with only enough batter to bind the together.
ReplyDeleteI agree, DARLENE! Some people don't like much candied fruit in theirs, but I say it isn't a fruitcake without it!
DeleteThanks Darline! I am more on the cake side! So glad u liked the story!
DeleteSuch a fun read! I'm so ready for some fruitcake after reading it also! Nice review.
ReplyDeleteMe, as well, MARY! I could just smell it -- warm from the oven. mmm... I'm so glad you got to read Carrie's wonderful story. Thx so much!
DeleteI would love to win. Thanks for the giveaway. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteDEBRA, you're in for a delightful read! Throwing your name in my cyber hat!
Delete~Blessings~
Best wishes, Debra!
DeleteBeing from Michigan, it would be fun to read The Fruitcake Challenge!
ReplyDeleteThis book is right up your alley then, BECKY! Good luck!
DeleteThanks Becky! I hope you will love the story!
DeleteThanks for your beautiful review about a beautiful novella, Diana!! I'm enjoying the red and green Christmas decor/letters, also!!
ReplyDeleteI loved "The Fruitcake Challenge!! I can mentally picture feisty Jo and those two brothers: Ox and Moose - I laugh at their names and see them as over-bearing, hulks of men - yet "bumbling" (LOL). I know little about logging camps and enjoyed learning more - while appreciating their connection with Carrie, and would love to visit the museum located in her family's cabin. I love the lake areas and beauty of Michigan - having lived on a bank, overlooking Lake Michigan, and enjoy return visits whenever possible.
I loved the twist at the end of "The Fruitcake Challenge" and the heart-warming, inspiring ending - and yes, my appetite is whet for a wonderful home-made fruitcake now!!
Thx so much, BONNIE! The red and green was my feeble attempt to be creative; which I'm afraid to say my blog sisters have cornered the market on that. lol They are all so much more talented and can do just about anything! I just loved the visuals as well in this story...the aromatic pines, the protective brothers (their names were perfect, weren't they?), the smell of Christmas cookies, and of course, fruitcake!
DeleteVery cute, Diana! Love your creativity!!! I am going to admit that because Paul Bunyan and his big Ox, Blue, are part of our lore. So Ox was easy. And I borrowed Moose from a wonderful young man who was killed in a hunting accident and this is a little nod to that tall basketball player they called Moose. A gentle soul gone too soon.
DeleteSo very sad about Moose, but what perfect names for those big-hearted guys in the story!
DeleteI am looking forward to reading "The Fruitcake Challenge". I have read Carries work before, and she is the type of writer who will have you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next.She is able to weave the plot together with human emotions, suspense and the wonderful love of our Heavenly Father and his gracious forgiveness!
ReplyDeleteThank you on behalf of Carrie, GRACE! She will be encouraged to read your kind words, and you will be thrilled to read her delightful ones in The Fruitcake Challenge!
DeleteWow, Grace, I am so humbled by your kind words. Wowee. I'm big on all that so I am GLAD it comes through! Bless you for your encouragement!
DeleteSounds delicious!!! In every respect.
ReplyDeleteAmen, MARY! It was...in every respect! ;) Blessings~
DeleteAnother great review, Diana!
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I loved about this novella is how Carrie sweeps the reader into the 1800's with very descriptive words.
I have never had any fruitcake but the story sure left me wanting to bake a cake. LOL
-Janella
JANELLA, I quite agree! lol You have NEVER tried fruitcake? There's one for your bucket list then -- try fruitcake. :) Thank you so much for your support of Carrie's lovely story!
DeleteTY, Janella! You are so sweet! I'm dying to start baking fruitcakes! Have been ever since I finished the story!
DeleteI like lumber camp stories.....but not fruitcake!
ReplyDeleteLol, JOAN. You can pretend it's a 24 layer chocolate cake, how's that!? Our fellow blogger, Teresa, actually bakes those! You'll enjoy the setting, I'm sure!
DeleteBlessings~
Wonderful review DIANA!! I loved this story of Carrie's, it was delicious and heartwarming, and smelling of fruitcake and Christmas!! :) I like more cake than the candied fruit, but of course it has to have some. I'd like a thin spread of butter on my slice too thanks! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, NOELA! I love lotsa nuts and fruit in mine, and yes, a little bit of butter and warmed in the microwave for a few seconds. yum So good it'll have your tongue slapping your brains out, as some say here in the deep South! LOL
DeleteThanks so much, Noela. I've enjoyed it with butter, too! Yum!!! I've been craving fruitcake and I'm going to start gathering gluten free recipes!
Delete