The author of over twenty-five novels, Kathleen Fuller lives in northeastern Ohio, which is the setting for her new novella, “The Calling,” part of Barbour Publishing’s September 1 release, A Pioneer Christmas Collection.
For Kathleen, the local Unionville Tavern, a currently unused historical spot, provided the germ for her story idea. “Once I found out the tavern was a stagecoach shop [in the early 19th century], I immediately came up with the idea of a traveler stopping at the tavern on a regular basis.”
“I’ve always been fascinated with history, and in researching Unionville Tavern, I realized 
what a rich past it had. I chose the early 19th century primarily because it marked the beginning of the expansion westward. Northeast Ohio and Western PA/NY were popular destinations for New England pioneers.”
The tavern not only hosted a stagecoach, but it also served as a stop for the Underground Railroad during the Civil War.
The hero of “The Calling” is a young man struggling with his destiny. Is he called to be a minister in his home town, or to the burgeoning populations of the then-far west? His father wants him home, but his heart yearns to the frontier and he regularly stops at the tavern on his way west–during basically “short term” mission projects. It’s the tavern keeper’s daughter who recognizes the desires of his heart even as she falls in love with him.
For Kathleen, the spiritual theme of the story includes dealing with doubt. Her hero, like Jonah, questions not only himself, but also God.
“My characters struggle with doubt, something I also struggle with. I also wonder if I’m following God’s lead in the choices I make in my life. I was able to confront some of those issues as I wrote this story.”
She laughed. “I was surprised how the theme is threaded through the story from beginning to end. I rarely know the theme of my books until I’ve finished them, and that was the same with this story. It’s always cool to see how everything comes together.”
All the novellas in A Pioneer Christmas Collection include Christmas celebrations.
Kathleen recognized the celebration at that time period, however, was simple and family oriented, just like that of her own family. “The people who were stranded [at the tavern] on Christmas Eve came together as a family to celebrate Christ’s birth.”
As to the likelihood of Kathleen being a good pioneer during this time period?
“I’d like to think so, but then again, I like my comfort zone. Being a pioneer takes a lot of courage and an adventurous spirit. I do enjoy traveling, so I think I would have been one of those people who went west once it got too crowded in the cities.”
For more information about Kathleen Fuller, visit her website: and find her on Pinterest
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Loved hearing about how this story took form.
I do believe doubt is common in all people at all times. For those who break out of the familiar they question what were they thinking and did I hear God correctly. Others who hang back in the familiar question is that all there is and how they must have not listened intently enough for God’s further instruction.