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Michigan Northwoods #1
The Measure of Katie Calloway
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 Northwoods 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 warm cook-stove to the rowdy shanty boys and the jagged edges of the saw, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting the reader back to the time when pine was king, men were made of iron, and rivers were choked with logs on the way to the sawmills. Readers will have a hard time leaving the Northwoods when they turn the last page.
With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the warm cook-stove to the rowdy shanty boys and the jagged edges of the saw, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting the reader back to the time when pine was king, men were made of iron, and rivers were choked with logs on the way to the sawmills. Readers will have a hard time leaving the Northwoods when they turn the last page.
311 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
346 people are currently reading
4283 people want to read
About the author
Serena B. Miller
41 books331 followersI live only a few miles from a flourishing Amish community and am blessed to count many Old Order Amish as friends. Love Finds You In Sugarcreek, Ohio is a natural outgrowth of my on-going fascination with these valiant, flawed people who struggle to live their lives according to their interpretation of the Bible. Once, when I apologized for asking so many questions while researching this book, an Amish father told me that I could ask anything I wanted. “Nothing is forbidden,” he said. He told me that he wanted my book to be accurate. I was thrilled when his family read it and gave me their enthusiastic nod of approval.
Our family, however, also lived for many years in Michigan. My father, a sawyer, told me stories he had heard from old timber men who had cut the fabled giant pine in the Saginaw Valley. Visiting museums and reading about the years directly after the Civil War, when Michigan became the lumber capitol of the world, became a hobby. I was delighted when Revell Publishing allowed me to revisit that era by writing The Measure Of Katie Calloway.
There are many other books on their way—both Amish and historical. Please know that each one is a labor of love from me to you.
To God be all the glory, forever.
Serena
Our family, however, also lived for many years in Michigan. My father, a sawyer, told me stories he had heard from old timber men who had cut the fabled giant pine in the Saginaw Valley. Visiting museums and reading about the years directly after the Civil War, when Michigan became the lumber capitol of the world, became a hobby. I was delighted when Revell Publishing allowed me to revisit that era by writing The Measure Of Katie Calloway.
There are many other books on their way—both Amish and historical. Please know that each one is a labor of love from me to you.
To God be all the glory, forever.
Serena
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 530 reviews
September 22, 2023
I’ve done things backwards with this book, having read the third book in this series last. However doing so didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this at all. It’s not often that I rate a historical romance novel with five stars, but I loved this book. I was hooked by both the story and characters from the first page and the book didn’t let me go until the final satisfying sentences.
The numerous descriptions of Katie’s wonderful cooking were an extra pleasure for me. It’s not often that a novel includes so much yummy food.
The numerous descriptions of Katie’s wonderful cooking were an extra pleasure for me. It’s not often that a novel includes so much yummy food.
July 4, 2022
This is a captivating story. While the characters and plot were excellent, what really captured my attention was the history. The author clearly did her research, as the in-depth explanation and knowledge regarding Michigan's logging history is well conveyed and quite intriguing. There was so much more besides swinging axes and yelling, "Timber", that went into historical logging. I was fascinated and now I want to go do some research on my own, it's that interesting.
The characters were well-developed, the plot always leaving you on the edge of your seat, and the faith element was beautifully woven in. There are passages in this book that discuss the Civil War and the atrocities and bloodshed that occurred, and a murder does take place (not the action itself, but a body is found), and logging casualties are discussed, so I recommend this book for readers fourteen and up.
My only complaint is that there are a few too many exclamation marks (yes, I'm almost one hundred percent anti exclamation mark), but that certainly does not detract from the story. Just know if you're not fond of that type of endmark that there are a plenitude of them.
The Measure of Katie Calloway is filled with faith and gentle romance conveyed in well-written prose. I definitely recommend it.
The characters were well-developed, the plot always leaving you on the edge of your seat, and the faith element was beautifully woven in. There are passages in this book that discuss the Civil War and the atrocities and bloodshed that occurred, and a murder does take place (not the action itself, but a body is found), and logging casualties are discussed, so I recommend this book for readers fourteen and up.
My only complaint is that there are a few too many exclamation marks (yes, I'm almost one hundred percent anti exclamation mark), but that certainly does not detract from the story. Just know if you're not fond of that type of endmark that there are a plenitude of them.
The Measure of Katie Calloway is filled with faith and gentle romance conveyed in well-written prose. I definitely recommend it.
October 16, 2011
I never knew spending time with a ornery old cook, a group of dirty loggers, and a frightened Indian who could barely speak would make for one of the best historical books I've read all year! Serena Miller successfully transported me to the cold forests of Michigan with this charming tale, and I absolutely hated to leave. While I enjoyed the ebb and flow of camp life, as well as the subtle romance that steadily built between Katie and Robert, what I really loved to read about was the food. Oh, the food! Juicy apple pie, warm peach cobbler, and mouth-watering flapjacks had me itching to jump into the kitchen to cook up a mess of yummy food! The one thing that would have made the book complete would've been some recipes at the end. :o) Oh, well... It was still a delightful book.
Serena Miller's realistic tale of life after the Civil War was one that deserves a permanent place on the keeper shelf. I'm anxious to recommend it to my friends and family, and as far as I'm concerned, her next book can't get here soon enough!
Serena Miller's realistic tale of life after the Civil War was one that deserves a permanent place on the keeper shelf. I'm anxious to recommend it to my friends and family, and as far as I'm concerned, her next book can't get here soon enough!
December 29, 2014
The Measure of Katie Calloway is an engaging story that offers a little bit of everything – romance, history, adventure, as well as touches on some heavy subjects, particularly spousal abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder, or “soldier’s heart” as it was called during that time.
In order to make a living for herself & her younger brother, after escaping an abusive husband, Katie takes a position as a cook in a lumber camp. The historical details about cooking, the lumber camp and its inhabitants really grabbed my attention. I loved the rivalry between Katie & the crotchety old camp cook. His childish behavior had me both laughing and exasperated at the same time. The descriptions of the camp & the kitchen, especially the food, were really well-done. I loved how the story didn’t depend on romance to keep the plot going, but rather had a compelling pull on its own to continue reading.
With that said, I never felt like I got to really know the characters, especially Katie & Robert. They had many endearing qualities, but I felt like they were held at arm’s length throughout the story. I wanted more emotion, more tension, more true conflict between them and more story in general. Despite touching on heavy topics like I mentioned above, some aspects of the story were very on-the-surface. I also felt that the ending was a bit of a letdown. After a couple of tension-filled scenes between Katie and her estranged husband, the conclusion felt somewhat anti-climactic.
I still enjoyed the story overall and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a sweet, historical story.
In order to make a living for herself & her younger brother, after escaping an abusive husband, Katie takes a position as a cook in a lumber camp. The historical details about cooking, the lumber camp and its inhabitants really grabbed my attention. I loved the rivalry between Katie & the crotchety old camp cook. His childish behavior had me both laughing and exasperated at the same time. The descriptions of the camp & the kitchen, especially the food, were really well-done. I loved how the story didn’t depend on romance to keep the plot going, but rather had a compelling pull on its own to continue reading.
With that said, I never felt like I got to really know the characters, especially Katie & Robert. They had many endearing qualities, but I felt like they were held at arm’s length throughout the story. I wanted more emotion, more tension, more true conflict between them and more story in general. Despite touching on heavy topics like I mentioned above, some aspects of the story were very on-the-surface. I also felt that the ending was a bit of a letdown. After a couple of tension-filled scenes between Katie and her estranged husband, the conclusion felt somewhat anti-climactic.
I still enjoyed the story overall and would recommend it if you’re in the mood for a sweet, historical story.
November 11, 2022
This book truly blessed my heart. At first when I began I was struggling to get into the book. I usually read suspense. However my cousin lent me this book and at the end I was crying like a baby. I don't want to give any spoilers. I highly recommend this book.
May 10, 2014
To save her life and protect her young brother from her violent husband, Katie Calloway leaves her house in Georgia, arrives to Michigan with little money and a few clothes and accepts a job as a cook in the lumber camp owned by Robert Foster. To protect herself she lies to him by saying she is a widow, but the most important challenge she has to face is a demanding job in a pine forest away from everything, surrounded only by men. Will she be able to survive? And, most of all, will she understand that there are other kinds of men, aside from that vile man she is still married to?
After reading this book I definitely see things in a different way about lumbering. Cutting trees is not a thing I am in favour of, but these men deserve my respect. They had a difficult life and death was a highly probable option. If they survived the falling of majestic trees, they had good chances to die because of the cold winters or dangerous fires in the woods. All of this, just to support their families and have some money in their pockets for their needs. I came to like all of these men whom Ms. Miller talked about, they were all very endearing to me. Cletus, with his beautiful wood carvings, Ernie and his love for his scarred brother, Skypilot and his courage and beliefs (oh my! What a man!), Henri with his fiddle always ready to play music, and all the others. Everyone gave me something I really liked.
Besides the minor characters, I loved the protagonists, Katie and Robert. How a woman can endure years of suffering, both physical and emotional, and have the strength to survive and live again is one of the things I appreciated a lot. Katie does everything both for her own happiness and for his little brother’s. Her fears which slowly turn into courage and determination are very interesting to witness, and her joy and faith (even in the most dreadful situations) are reassuring. Thanks to God, she understands that not all the men are despicable as her husband Harlan, and she learns to trust them. One in particular, Robert Foster, who trusts her at first. He is loyal, kind, affectionate, all that Harlan never was. Therefore, she is particularly drawn to him (who can blame her?).
If you want to spend some days in a lumber camp with tough, dirty men with a big heart and a well-defined ethical code, you will surely enjoy “The measure of Katie Calloway”. A touching and interesting story that will bring you right at the centre of a pine forest where you can smell the trees and witness the bad and good days of a special group of people.
After reading this book I definitely see things in a different way about lumbering. Cutting trees is not a thing I am in favour of, but these men deserve my respect. They had a difficult life and death was a highly probable option. If they survived the falling of majestic trees, they had good chances to die because of the cold winters or dangerous fires in the woods. All of this, just to support their families and have some money in their pockets for their needs. I came to like all of these men whom Ms. Miller talked about, they were all very endearing to me. Cletus, with his beautiful wood carvings, Ernie and his love for his scarred brother, Skypilot and his courage and beliefs (oh my! What a man!), Henri with his fiddle always ready to play music, and all the others. Everyone gave me something I really liked.
Besides the minor characters, I loved the protagonists, Katie and Robert. How a woman can endure years of suffering, both physical and emotional, and have the strength to survive and live again is one of the things I appreciated a lot. Katie does everything both for her own happiness and for his little brother’s. Her fears which slowly turn into courage and determination are very interesting to witness, and her joy and faith (even in the most dreadful situations) are reassuring. Thanks to God, she understands that not all the men are despicable as her husband Harlan, and she learns to trust them. One in particular, Robert Foster, who trusts her at first. He is loyal, kind, affectionate, all that Harlan never was. Therefore, she is particularly drawn to him (who can blame her?).
If you want to spend some days in a lumber camp with tough, dirty men with a big heart and a well-defined ethical code, you will surely enjoy “The measure of Katie Calloway”. A touching and interesting story that will bring you right at the centre of a pine forest where you can smell the trees and witness the bad and good days of a special group of people.
January 1, 2015
The Civil War has ended, but there is still conflict raging in Katie Calloway's home in Georgia. When she finds out that her abusive husband plans to kill her so that he can marry a wealthy war widow to rebuild his ruined plantation, Katie and her little brother Ned flee as far north as the train can take them, which is Bay City, Michigan. There she meets Robert Foster, who is looking for a cook for his logging camp.
Katie takes the job, and she and Ned find sanctuary in the camp. Robert wonders if the young woman has the grit to survive the harsh conditions and never ending work, and Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from the man she slowly growing to love.
I really enjoyed this story, it was so much more in depth than I had expected. I felt like I was experiencing life in a logging camp right along with Katie. The characters were richly drawn; I enjoyed getting to know all of the logging men and their different personalities.
I have lived in Michigan my whole life, and I knew the state had a rich logging history, but I had not read much about it until I picked up this book. The author did very well with her research, and it gave me a new appreciation for all the work, and the danger involved in what it takes to get wood to the consumers who will use it, something I think a lot of take for granted.
I don't know if there is a sequel planned for this book, but I would love to read one, not only to find out what happens next to main characters, but all the other characters as well.
Katie takes the job, and she and Ned find sanctuary in the camp. Robert wonders if the young woman has the grit to survive the harsh conditions and never ending work, and Katie wonders if she can keep her past a secret from the man she slowly growing to love.
I really enjoyed this story, it was so much more in depth than I had expected. I felt like I was experiencing life in a logging camp right along with Katie. The characters were richly drawn; I enjoyed getting to know all of the logging men and their different personalities.
I have lived in Michigan my whole life, and I knew the state had a rich logging history, but I had not read much about it until I picked up this book. The author did very well with her research, and it gave me a new appreciation for all the work, and the danger involved in what it takes to get wood to the consumers who will use it, something I think a lot of take for granted.
I don't know if there is a sequel planned for this book, but I would love to read one, not only to find out what happens next to main characters, but all the other characters as well.
November 10, 2014
This was such an enjoyable read! I love historical romances. Serena B. Miller did an exceptional job on the time period and kept true to how people lived then. The lumber camp was fascinating and the characters were well fleshed out and believable. Loved getting to know them and feeling as though I knew what they would do in a situation...that is the mark of a great author!!
This was the first book I have read by Serena B. Miller, but it will definitely not be the last!
Reminder...Add Serana B. Miller to my "Favorite Authors" list.
This was the first book I have read by Serena B. Miller, but it will definitely not be the last!
Reminder...Add Serana B. Miller to my "Favorite Authors" list.
December 10, 2015
An enjoyable read by a new-to-me author. Katie runs from her wrecked Southern home when her abusive husband attempts to kill her in cold blood, taking her young brother with her. She goes as far to the end of the rail line as her money will take her and ends up with a job as camp cook for a lumber camp. I enjoyed the tales of life in the north woods and look forward to more of this series.
January 1, 2015
SUMMARY: 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 Northwoods 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 warm cookstove to the rowdy shanty boys and the jagged edges of the saw, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting the reader back to the time when pine was king, men were made of iron, and rivers were choked with logs on the way to the sawmills. Readers will have a hard time leaving the Northwoods when they turn the last page.
REVIEW: This was a great historical fiction novel and I found the storyline based on the logging in Michigan very interesting. Miller's research into the logging industry during the time after the Civil War was well done. The characters were well-developed and very realistic. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses. The interaction between the loggers, Katie, and the camp owner Robert Foster all had depth and realism. My favorite part was the Christmas Eve gathering and how each character contributed in some way to make it special for the children and the whole group.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "It was the root of his greatest spiritual battle--trying to reconcile a loving God, the Creator of such an intricately crafted world--with all the suffering he had seen."
"Marriage, her father had advised her, wasn't like choosing a dress pattern that could be discarded when she tired of it. Marriage was forever. Marriage was for life."
With grace and skill, Serena Miller brings to life a bygone era. From the ethereal, snowy forest and the warm cookstove to the rowdy shanty boys and the jagged edges of the saw, every detail is perfectly rendered, transporting the reader back to the time when pine was king, men were made of iron, and rivers were choked with logs on the way to the sawmills. Readers will have a hard time leaving the Northwoods when they turn the last page.
REVIEW: This was a great historical fiction novel and I found the storyline based on the logging in Michigan very interesting. Miller's research into the logging industry during the time after the Civil War was well done. The characters were well-developed and very realistic. They each had their own strengths and weaknesses. The interaction between the loggers, Katie, and the camp owner Robert Foster all had depth and realism. My favorite part was the Christmas Eve gathering and how each character contributed in some way to make it special for the children and the whole group.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "It was the root of his greatest spiritual battle--trying to reconcile a loving God, the Creator of such an intricately crafted world--with all the suffering he had seen."
"Marriage, her father had advised her, wasn't like choosing a dress pattern that could be discarded when she tired of it. Marriage was forever. Marriage was for life."
October 10, 2011
From the very first page I was hooked. And it just kept getting better and better as I read on. I couldn't ask for more, this book had me utterly charmed. And I will most certainly be reading more books from Ms. Miller as soon as I possibly can!
Katie Calloway and her younger brother Ned, run from her husband's Georgia Plantation, up North to the lumber camps of Michigan. Will Katie's faith and determination keep them safe from their past? And what about the honorable owner of the lumber camp whose kind words give Katie reason to hope again?
The characters were charming and believable, each having their own special charm about them. The lumber men were each distinct and wonderful, I think my favorites were Skypilot (the ex-preacher), and Jigger (the cook). There were so many memorable characters, and non of them particularly stood out for me as better, even with the secondary characters lined up next to the main characters. And I mean that as a good thing. The story and the characters were well-rounded.
I could tell that this book was also well researched, and I enjoyed learning little facts about lumber camps as I read. This is now one of my favorites that I've read this year :)
Ms. Miller is a wonderful writer and she has a huge future in writing. I will most definitely be reading her next book!
Overall, this is a historical love story that will charm your heart away. I have already highly recommended this book many times, just by word of mouth. In my opinion, this is exactly how Christian Historical Fiction is done. The Measure of Katie Calloway was a pleasure to read; an absolute delight! That will be enjoyed :) Thank you.
“Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Katie Calloway and her younger brother Ned, run from her husband's Georgia Plantation, up North to the lumber camps of Michigan. Will Katie's faith and determination keep them safe from their past? And what about the honorable owner of the lumber camp whose kind words give Katie reason to hope again?
The characters were charming and believable, each having their own special charm about them. The lumber men were each distinct and wonderful, I think my favorites were Skypilot (the ex-preacher), and Jigger (the cook). There were so many memorable characters, and non of them particularly stood out for me as better, even with the secondary characters lined up next to the main characters. And I mean that as a good thing. The story and the characters were well-rounded.
I could tell that this book was also well researched, and I enjoyed learning little facts about lumber camps as I read. This is now one of my favorites that I've read this year :)
Ms. Miller is a wonderful writer and she has a huge future in writing. I will most definitely be reading her next book!
Overall, this is a historical love story that will charm your heart away. I have already highly recommended this book many times, just by word of mouth. In my opinion, this is exactly how Christian Historical Fiction is done. The Measure of Katie Calloway was a pleasure to read; an absolute delight! That will be enjoyed :) Thank you.
“Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
February 28, 2014
This was a nice little book. It's fairly formulaic -- you know from the first 50 pages the basics of what will happen by the end -- but it's well written with compelling characters. And it's a step above other Christian fiction novels in that it doesn't slam you in the face with THE CHRISTIAN LESSON.
There are a couple of serious continuity issues that drove me crazy, but I blame that more on the editor than on the author -- it's the JOB of the editor to pick up on this stuff. (My plan in high school was to become a book editor -- who fantasizes about that in high school?)
Anyway, I'll go ahead and read the next ones in the series.
There are a couple of serious continuity issues that drove me crazy, but I blame that more on the editor than on the author -- it's the JOB of the editor to pick up on this stuff. (My plan in high school was to become a book editor -- who fantasizes about that in high school?)
Anyway, I'll go ahead and read the next ones in the series.
August 12, 2025
Great read. Tons of historical accuracy, some suspense and danger, pretty light on romance (clean) but enough to keep it interesting. Kudos to the author for all the research into post civil war logging in the Michigan Northwoods. Definitely my style of fiction. Appreciated the character development. Touched on many aspects of civil war survival-both north and south- as well as ‘soldier’s heart’ and even some medical-surgical stuff.
October 10, 2011
“The Measure of Katie Calloway” is a novel that spans land and emotions, filled with colorful descriptions and finger-nibbling moments of unease.
When you have an abused character it can be a challenge to make her likeable and not weak. Katie Calloway is no weak heroine. She knew what she wanted and she went after what she needed – to protect her life and that of her brother. I have tremendous respect for her in that role.
The setting of the novel was one so well described I could smell the donuts frying on the wood cook stove and hear the whine of chainsaws. Such was the imaginary through the entire novel. The occupation of camp cook for Katie in a setting such as a logging camp was well done.
However, there were several things about the novel that didn’t move me in my particular reader “needs”. I didn’t feel emotionally attached to the novel. There was a separation between reader and character and I wanted to get closer to Katie. Find out what she was all about and dig within her problems. I wanted there to be a bigger climax to the ending. The story line felt like it deserved something more dramatic between Katie and her estranged husband.
Though the novel hasn’t been my favorite, the love story ending did make me “ahh” and the historical descriptions were good.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
**Available October 2011 from Revell, a division of Baker publishers**
When you have an abused character it can be a challenge to make her likeable and not weak. Katie Calloway is no weak heroine. She knew what she wanted and she went after what she needed – to protect her life and that of her brother. I have tremendous respect for her in that role.
The setting of the novel was one so well described I could smell the donuts frying on the wood cook stove and hear the whine of chainsaws. Such was the imaginary through the entire novel. The occupation of camp cook for Katie in a setting such as a logging camp was well done.
However, there were several things about the novel that didn’t move me in my particular reader “needs”. I didn’t feel emotionally attached to the novel. There was a separation between reader and character and I wanted to get closer to Katie. Find out what she was all about and dig within her problems. I wanted there to be a bigger climax to the ending. The story line felt like it deserved something more dramatic between Katie and her estranged husband.
Though the novel hasn’t been my favorite, the love story ending did make me “ahh” and the historical descriptions were good.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
**Available October 2011 from Revell, a division of Baker publishers**
October 13, 2011
'The Measure of Katie Calloway' is the first book that I've read by Serena Miller and I very much enjoyed it!
I found Katie's story very sad and heartbreaking. She was married to an abusive husband who (in the first chapter) tried to kill her. Katie, upon learning this, hurriedly left Georgia and her violent husband behind, traveling North with her brother. She ends up in Michigan where she secures a job as a lumber camp cook.
Her heart seeks sanctuary in the deep woods. But will trouble find her even here?
I liked Katie's, Robert's, Mose's, and Skypilot's characters. The story was entertaining, suspenseful, romantic, and interesting. I read 'The Measure of Katie Calloway' relatively quick and would enjoy reading a sequel - just to see how the character's stories develop.
The whole aspect of the lumber camp, wildfires, and shanty boys made me enjoy 'The Measure of Katie Calloway' all the more!
I think if you enjoy a good story with romance and a little suspense, then you would enjoy 'The Measure of Katie Calloway'! Recommended!
*I received a complimentary copy for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, just my honest opinion.*
Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I found Katie's story very sad and heartbreaking. She was married to an abusive husband who (in the first chapter) tried to kill her. Katie, upon learning this, hurriedly left Georgia and her violent husband behind, traveling North with her brother. She ends up in Michigan where she secures a job as a lumber camp cook.
Her heart seeks sanctuary in the deep woods. But will trouble find her even here?
I liked Katie's, Robert's, Mose's, and Skypilot's characters. The story was entertaining, suspenseful, romantic, and interesting. I read 'The Measure of Katie Calloway' relatively quick and would enjoy reading a sequel - just to see how the character's stories develop.
The whole aspect of the lumber camp, wildfires, and shanty boys made me enjoy 'The Measure of Katie Calloway' all the more!
I think if you enjoy a good story with romance and a little suspense, then you would enjoy 'The Measure of Katie Calloway'! Recommended!
*I received a complimentary copy for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, just my honest opinion.*
Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
December 31, 2015
This was my first book by Serena B. Miller and I enjoyed the book. Historical fiction is not my favourite genre but I really enjoyed reading a bit about the Civil War which I don't know a lot about.
The way the writer writes makes you really feel like you are there with the characters and various number of times I felt tears in my eyes reading Katie's story. There was some funny bits as well as well as some suspenseful parts. I can't believe that there is guys like Harlan, but I guess there is a lot of women who has to deal with a Harlan. And I loved to see how Katie grew from a scared fragile women to a strong confident women.
Even though this is not my favourite genre, I will read more of Serena B. Miller's books and will read the next book in this series.
The way the writer writes makes you really feel like you are there with the characters and various number of times I felt tears in my eyes reading Katie's story. There was some funny bits as well as well as some suspenseful parts. I can't believe that there is guys like Harlan, but I guess there is a lot of women who has to deal with a Harlan. And I loved to see how Katie grew from a scared fragile women to a strong confident women.
Even though this is not my favourite genre, I will read more of Serena B. Miller's books and will read the next book in this series.
July 18, 2016
This book was entertaining, fast paced, and spiritually uplifting, and yet ultimately forgettable. It left me not really wanting to continuing with the series.
I admired Katie's spirit in getting away from her abuser and her willingness to find love again in Robert. Robert was a good hero, a bit tortured, but ultimately a decent man. I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting, as it made it very easy to visualize!
Thing of it is, I can't really put my finger on what was wrong with the book to make me not want to keep going with the series. I guess I just wasn't impressed with it enough to want to continue.
I admired Katie's spirit in getting away from her abuser and her willingness to find love again in Robert. Robert was a good hero, a bit tortured, but ultimately a decent man. I enjoyed the descriptions of the setting, as it made it very easy to visualize!
Thing of it is, I can't really put my finger on what was wrong with the book to make me not want to keep going with the series. I guess I just wasn't impressed with it enough to want to continue.
September 7, 2014
This is the first book I've read by Serena Miller and I doubt it will be my last. I rarely read Christian books mainly because I believe religion is a very personal thing and I don't like how some Christian books are written. This book was beautifully written the characters faith in God was strong, but subtlely written. A much more powerful message in my mind.
The story fascinated me from start to finish. This book was obviously well researched and I was totally absorbed in following the lives of the lumberjacks and the hardships they endured. I plan to look for book two very soon.
The story fascinated me from start to finish. This book was obviously well researched and I was totally absorbed in following the lives of the lumberjacks and the hardships they endured. I plan to look for book two very soon.
April 5, 2015
This is the story of a young girl from Pennsylvania, who married a Southern plantation owner prior to the Civil War. Katie Calloway didn't realize the evil in her husband's heart until it was to late, and she was trapped, post Civil War, living on a burned out plantation, courtesy of General Sherman, with a mean and vile husband. This story is one of survival, strength, hard work, and love. I absolutely adored it. It is a book that I will certainly read more than once. A favorite, for sure.
February 4, 2022
A really cute romance novel that's a lot of fun to read.
March 31, 2021
This was a lovely, well written, easy read book. While it was predictable, I really appreciated that it was a very clean, feel good read.
July 11, 2022
The ending was a little too convenient, but otherwise, the characters were developed well and provides an interesting read about a time long forgotten.
October 15, 2011
I was pleasantly surprised and delighted by the depth of this story. Not only did I learn a lot about the logging business post Civil-war, but more about Michigan as well. I loved the anecdotal sayings and songs about the shanty boys and the dangers inherent in that business. It was amazing what our ancestors went through in both logging and mining, which are both fascinating subjects to me.
The plot was well developed and the characters were complex. I loved that the author didn't have a predictable ending and things twisted and turned a little bit from the standard story structure. Robert was a great hero and very easy to fall for. I hurt for him and his history as a surgeon during the war. I was moved to tears when he needed to perform surgery and Katie prayed for him. It reminded me of Aaron holding up Moses's hands in the Old Testament. His children were realistically portrayed as well. The cook Jigger was something. His transformation in the story over time was heart warming.
The heroine, Katie, was a hard worker and it was impossible to not admire her pluck. I think that was one of the things that Robert liked most about her. She wasn't a typical women. She worked hard and didn't nag or complain. That was good to see in a book. Her cooking was so well described I often imagined myself eating what Katie was creating in the kitchen. Those meals sounded yummy.
The camaraderie of the camp employees really made this novel special to me. The many characters were distinct and the author included just enough male vulgarity (if you will) to make it really feel like a camp full of men without being gross. In my mind I could smell their BO and I experienced other sensations like the rough pine and scratchy wool because they was so well described. I did find myself scratching my head every time lice and bed bugs were mentioned. Ick.
Probably the best part of the story to me was the realistic portrayal of how an abused woman would react when threatened. Even a strong one. I loved how Robert noticed that she was almost too compliant and didn't want to make waves. She was also afraid of male anger. That was well done. I loved how Katie nurtured everyone around her including her brother and Moon Song. The spiritual thread in Sky Pilot's story was also good. I felt like I knew the characters personally. That's good writing.
The plot was well developed and the characters were complex. I loved that the author didn't have a predictable ending and things twisted and turned a little bit from the standard story structure. Robert was a great hero and very easy to fall for. I hurt for him and his history as a surgeon during the war. I was moved to tears when he needed to perform surgery and Katie prayed for him. It reminded me of Aaron holding up Moses's hands in the Old Testament. His children were realistically portrayed as well. The cook Jigger was something. His transformation in the story over time was heart warming.
The heroine, Katie, was a hard worker and it was impossible to not admire her pluck. I think that was one of the things that Robert liked most about her. She wasn't a typical women. She worked hard and didn't nag or complain. That was good to see in a book. Her cooking was so well described I often imagined myself eating what Katie was creating in the kitchen. Those meals sounded yummy.
The camaraderie of the camp employees really made this novel special to me. The many characters were distinct and the author included just enough male vulgarity (if you will) to make it really feel like a camp full of men without being gross. In my mind I could smell their BO and I experienced other sensations like the rough pine and scratchy wool because they was so well described. I did find myself scratching my head every time lice and bed bugs were mentioned. Ick.
Probably the best part of the story to me was the realistic portrayal of how an abused woman would react when threatened. Even a strong one. I loved how Robert noticed that she was almost too compliant and didn't want to make waves. She was also afraid of male anger. That was well done. I loved how Katie nurtured everyone around her including her brother and Moon Song. The spiritual thread in Sky Pilot's story was also good. I felt like I knew the characters personally. That's good writing.
October 10, 2011
Miller’s story about an antebellum abused wife fleeing north to Michigan timber country and winds up as a cook in a rough and tumble lumber camp is a satisfying step back in time.
Katie Calloway, young and naïve Pennsylvania minister’s daughter, marries her brother’s West Point friend and moves south to become mistress of a slave-run plantation. Not only does she enter the strange and confusing world of ownership of other humans, the War Between the States becomes a reality and she is left alone when her husband goes to fight. The story begins a couple of years after the conclusion of the war, when all that’s left to Katie and her young orphaned brother is her pride. Realizing that her husband does more than just despise her, she takes Ned and runs.
Blessed with jumping into the right place at the right time, Katie meets Robert Foster, owner of a lumber camp, who is in need of a cook. At the camp filled with rough lumbermen for a winter of work, Katie is thrust into an experience that will either make her stronger or break her spirit for good. Getting along with the wounded camp cook who is supposed to help her is only the first bump in the road. Falling in love with the wounded widower, Robert, and his children, and keeping her secret, is compounded when a former slave of her husband’s shows up to work at the camp. And when her brutal husband eventually tracks her down, will anyone come to her rescue?
Miller’s use of shanty song refrains to open each chapter is a delight, and adds just the right nuance to each section. I could hear the singing and fiddle playing, smell the pine trees and the flapjacks during her wonderfully smooth narrative. Characters that capture your heart, from the surly trickster Jigger, to the gentle carver Cletus, to Moon Song and her baby, to Skypilot, the once-upon-a-time preacher, readers of historical romantic inspirational fiction will escape to the years immediately following the Civil War in the boom time of Michigan with this lovely read. Reminiscent of other great reads, like Naomi Musch’s Empire in Pine series.
Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Katie Calloway, young and naïve Pennsylvania minister’s daughter, marries her brother’s West Point friend and moves south to become mistress of a slave-run plantation. Not only does she enter the strange and confusing world of ownership of other humans, the War Between the States becomes a reality and she is left alone when her husband goes to fight. The story begins a couple of years after the conclusion of the war, when all that’s left to Katie and her young orphaned brother is her pride. Realizing that her husband does more than just despise her, she takes Ned and runs.
Blessed with jumping into the right place at the right time, Katie meets Robert Foster, owner of a lumber camp, who is in need of a cook. At the camp filled with rough lumbermen for a winter of work, Katie is thrust into an experience that will either make her stronger or break her spirit for good. Getting along with the wounded camp cook who is supposed to help her is only the first bump in the road. Falling in love with the wounded widower, Robert, and his children, and keeping her secret, is compounded when a former slave of her husband’s shows up to work at the camp. And when her brutal husband eventually tracks her down, will anyone come to her rescue?
Miller’s use of shanty song refrains to open each chapter is a delight, and adds just the right nuance to each section. I could hear the singing and fiddle playing, smell the pine trees and the flapjacks during her wonderfully smooth narrative. Characters that capture your heart, from the surly trickster Jigger, to the gentle carver Cletus, to Moon Song and her baby, to Skypilot, the once-upon-a-time preacher, readers of historical romantic inspirational fiction will escape to the years immediately following the Civil War in the boom time of Michigan with this lovely read. Reminiscent of other great reads, like Naomi Musch’s Empire in Pine series.
Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
January 5, 2015
I chose to read this book simply because the era intrigues me, and I wanted to see how the story compared to my own Empire in Pine series of novels set during the rise of the logging era in Wisconsin rather than Michiga. The story was vastly different (much to my relief as an author) and I greatly enjoyed the telling of the tale of Katie, who in flight from an abusive husband who,once a southern gentleman, has clearly lost his mind during the civil war, winds up taking her little brother from a Georgia plantation to the far northern pine lands of Michigan where she becomes a cook in a logging camp.
The love story that follows between Katie and the camp owner is gently and realistically woven, with her own struggles to remain aloof while trying to keep her marriage a secret. The peril of pursuit by her husband remains a constant, ominous threat in the background. Ms. Miller spent a good deal of effort creating a richly developed surrounding cast of characters that also tugs on the heart strings.
The only criticism I would have of the book is that while the story was carefully immersed in historical detail, there were a few occasions now and then when the detail felt just a tiny bit like historical trivia information dumping -- for it's own sake. Nevertheless, the story is a winning one, and I highly recommend it as a great break from other frontier or Edwardian fiction. If you like it as well as I did, you might also enjoy my books, starting with The Green Veil (if I may be so bold).
The love story that follows between Katie and the camp owner is gently and realistically woven, with her own struggles to remain aloof while trying to keep her marriage a secret. The peril of pursuit by her husband remains a constant, ominous threat in the background. Ms. Miller spent a good deal of effort creating a richly developed surrounding cast of characters that also tugs on the heart strings.
The only criticism I would have of the book is that while the story was carefully immersed in historical detail, there were a few occasions now and then when the detail felt just a tiny bit like historical trivia information dumping -- for it's own sake. Nevertheless, the story is a winning one, and I highly recommend it as a great break from other frontier or Edwardian fiction. If you like it as well as I did, you might also enjoy my books, starting with The Green Veil (if I may be so bold).
December 3, 2011
Utterly captivating! Miller has gone to great effort to get her historical facts right and it certainly shows in this sweeping saga. I loved the unique setting and the author used it to the best advantage in this gripping plot. Miller's vivid details made each scene jump off the page and it was very easy to lose myself in the wealth of this story. In fact, I was very reluctant to give it up when I reached the conclusion.
Stunning passages, endearing characters and a stellar plot will engage any reader's emotions. Katie's struggles with an abusive past are particularly poignant and just when everything seems hopeless...well...Miller doesn't leave it there. She crafted an incredible, page-turning conclusion that left me breathless. This one should definitely have a place on your Keeper shelf.
Stunning passages, endearing characters and a stellar plot will engage any reader's emotions. Katie's struggles with an abusive past are particularly poignant and just when everything seems hopeless...well...Miller doesn't leave it there. She crafted an incredible, page-turning conclusion that left me breathless. This one should definitely have a place on your Keeper shelf.
October 18, 2014
What a interesting book this was. With the vivid characters and the gorgeous scenery you will fill just like you are in the lumber camp with all the shanty-boys. When I started this book I was hoping for something not too typical and I was pleasantly surprised. I found this read to be a eager page turner for me. It had well-balanced humor and slight moments of sadness and a abundance of warmth in times of hardship. It has a beautiful cover and a sensible title that makes you want to read it. I enjoyed this book long after the last page was turned.
March 22, 2016
This is quite a nice story, the characters were likable but not too perfect. All the men in the lumber camp had distinctive personalities and I wished I could get to know them better. But the best part really was the great sense of place this book had. I felt as if I'd lived through a winter in the camp, and I understood so much better than before how a logging operation worked in the 1880's. But it never dragged the story down; I felt the details were quite well done. I just love a book that makes me feel I've really been there, so this one gets 4 stars.
September 21, 2015
This was a wonderful read. The author, Serena Miller, visited Hartwick Pines in Michigan and saw a picture in the museum featuring a woman cook at a lumber camp. That picture captured her imagination and became the seed for this story. Katie Calloway was an abused wife of a Confederate soldier. She flees Georgia with her young brother and becomes a cook in a lumber camp in Michigan. She grows to love her boss but can't reveal information about her marital status. The plot twists in the story are enough to keep you interested and anxious to see what happens next.
April 11, 2025
I am totally surprised by how much I liked this book. I'm a sucker for historical romance and love reading about people struggling in the wild frontiers trying to eek out a living. Add onto that a story with a heroine running from an abusive husband, and I'm hooked. But more than that, the story worked well. I have no idea if the portrayal of logging back then is accurate, but it was a fun story and a sweet romance.
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