Lumberjacks and Ladies

This fictional story begins in a Michigan logging camp, similar to those in other northwoods states with timber needed to build mushrooming towns and villages after the Civil War. Jake Flareau, the market hunter’s son from a pioneer village, goes north each winter to cut white pine. "Lumberjacks and Ladies" includes vivid tales about life in logging camp, whitewater river drives, and wild times when shanty boys hit town with their winter stakes.

Readers will appreciate the tasteful romance, as well as adventure, in the book. Jake’s childhood sweetheart is Sally Wilton, the blacksmith’s daughter. She makes friends with an old Potawatomi woman, left behind when her tribe was relocated, and learns herbal cures for various ailments. Sally leaves home after hard times but returns as a heroine to treat the sick when an ague epidemic strikes the village.

Jake and Sally then rekindle their love at a secret cove and seal their commitment in marriage. Their relationship matures as Jake builds a sawmill and becomes a wealthy timber baron.