I am absolutely thrilled to host a particular favorite author of mine on my blog today. Laura Frantz’s latest novel, An Uncommon Woman, is some of her very best work and she has graciously consented to be a guest on my blog and give away a signed copy of her book, along with a bookmark. (Find out the details at the end of the blog post.) Now, let’s meet Laura.
Laura, thanks so much for being with me today and for the gift of a book to one blessed reader. I’m sure whoever wins will love the book as much as I did.
1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer? And did you always want to write Christian fiction?
From age 7, I sensed words were special and I loved them. Math was a different story! I even wrote in an old childhood diary that I wanted to grow up and be an author one day. So, I think the seeds were or are planted very early—rather the Lord gives us all unique gifts and writing is just one of them. I honestly can’t imagine writing anything other than Christian fiction as my faith affects my entire world view.
2. Did you being a Kentuckian and a Daniel Boone fan influence your decision to write historical?
It did! I have a lifelong fascination with pioneers and first families in Kentucky. Fort Boonesborough was the site where I grew up spending a lot of time as it wasn’t far from our home. Of all the historical figures I’ve researched and learned about, Boone is my favorite and seems to have been beyond reproach. He had loads of integrity in addition to being a first class frontiersman.
3. Did you know you wanted to write this genre from the beginning?
Yes, mainly because historicals line my bookshelves and I rarely read contemporary novels though I do enjoy them. That was my clue that I’m so tied to the historical genre that I can’t or shouldn’t write anything else. I’m completely clueless about modern-day anything, from phones to kitchen appliances. Even my Cuisinart, a gift from my foodie son, is gathering dust in the pantry.
4. Does prayer play a big part in your writing?
I always begin a novel with prayer and pray my way through till the end. I recently discovered the book, ‘Every Moment Holy’ by Douglas McElvey, which has a truly amazing word for fiction writers. Here’s a sample, “Lord, let me love the reader, ever writing for their good, writing words that might, in the employ of your Spirit, bring life and hope and conviction.’
5. How do ideas come to you and how do you plan a book?
Ideas come to me in snatches. I’ll find a character name and land on a setting that’s appealing. Then scenes and bits of dialogue come to mind like I’m watching a movie. It’s quite odd and it works well for me, gathering all these odds and ends and piecing them together like a crazy quilt. God gets all the credit for anything that makes sense, any beauty. Sometimes I know the end of the book from the beginning.
6. What was your favorite story as a child?
My uncle gifted me with first edition copies of Winnie The Pooh books when I was born. I still have them though they’re very worn and faded. Maybe my old uncle knew I would grow up and be an author. I love them and grew up reading them.
7. Where do you write your books?
Sitting by the fire in winter and at my desk by an open door in summer. Sometimes on a porch. I’d rather write outside than in.
8. What thing, if any, has most impacted your writing?
My love of history and wanting to preserve it in even a small way through my books. So much is lost and is underappreciated today, as far as our country’s founding, how our ancestors got here, the struggle, etc. I lament we have so few letters and diaries and accounts from days past, but our forefathers were so busy trying to stay alive, that it explains the lack, I guess.
9. Do you want readers to take anything away from this story?
I kept thinking of the old hymn, Be Thou My Vision, as I was writing An Uncommon Woman, which I placed at the front of the novel. ‘Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.’ This is or would come to be Tessa and Clay’s stance in their beautiful but dark and very dangerous surroundings. I think the wisdom of those words applies to us today. We can’t control our circumstances or what life hands us for the most part. But we always need to remember God rules and is our vision or should be our vision, no matter what. Nothing else matters eternally. He is our light and we are here to shine a light in the time given to us.
Thanks again, Laura, for being with us today. It was such a blessing to get to know you better.
My Rating: 5 Stars!!!
‘Fear was never far away. She’d felt its cold clutch since childhood.’
Sometimes, you read the last word in a book and you just sit there, unable to think properly because your heart is so incredibly full. Such is the emotion that a book by Laura Frantz evokes in this reader.
”Everyone on the frontier had a chair that sat empty, a place unoccupied. Who would be next?’
Tessa Swan has lived on the Buckhannon River on the Virginia frontier all her life, plainspoken in her ways and a force to be reckoned with. Clay Tygart was raised by Lenape Indians and has returned home a hero in the French and Indian War to the fort named for him. He brings with him a white woman named Keturah by the Indians who kidnapped her nearly twelve years earlier; Tessa’s best friend, she was. Clay Tygart is a courageous man, but quiet and prefers not to be entangled in relationships. However, he is soon taken with the outspoken Tessa and when she is taken by the Lenape, he will do everything in his power to bring her back home.
I am a forever fan of Laura Frantz’s books and have been since I read her very first novel. When I sit down to begin one of her books, I sink way down deep into its words, settling in for a wonderful time. I find myself torn between not wanting to finish and thus prolonging the pleasure of the read and reading swiftly to get to the end! Frantz is especially gifted at drawing the reader into her stories with her intoxicating prose, her words flowing like water over a waterfall, refreshing the reader with their crispness. Her vivid descriptions bring the American frontier vibrantly to life. She manages to pull the characters’ lives right into this reader’s heart, which simply sighs with contentment.
Frantz brings history to life in the pages of her books, something this history buff thoroughly enjoys. In fact, she so captivates me with her accurate historical research that it puts in me a desire to do some research into her stories myself! And I have done that very thing with each book.
Her powerful and vivid descriptions of everything are so amazing that I find myself stopping and reading certain passages over and over again before being able to press on with the book. Truly, my heart sings reading a Laura Frantz book. These characters, Clay and Tessa, will take up space in my heart for a very long time to come. I cherished every moment of this book . I highly recommend this author and this book.
*My thanks to Revell for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Rules and Information for Giveaway:
Giveaway ends on January 14th. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Open to residents of the 48 contiguous states due to postage rates. To enter, I need the following from you:
Your full name
Your email in a non-spam formula, ex: susan (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Simply Susan 
Oh I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!!
alander87(at)allcom(dot)net
LikeLike
Sounds like an intriguing book.
Scottishphilly7689 (at) gmail (dot) com.
LikeLike
Abby, I’m over the moon you want to read this one! Thanks for being here. I’d love to send a book your way!
LikeLike
I am off work on January 20 and spending the whole day reading/absorbing this book! Gmc225(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Susan, This blog home of yours is just beautiful! Love the format and succulents at the top! Nature/the natural world is as meaningful to you as is it is to me, probably why my books resonate with you. I’m honored to be here and can’t thank you enough for hosting!
LikeLike
It is my great pleasure!!
LikeLike
Loved the book and loved your comments. Laura at her best!!!!!
LikeLike
Need your email
LikeLike
So appreciate your taking time here, Izella. Your reading novel 11 ahead of date blesses me so much!
LikeLike
Thank you for the interview and the chance…I really want to read this book! joanne384(at)live(dot)com
LikeLike
Good luck!
LikeLike
Joanne, Love meeting you through Susan. I’m so happy to hear you want to read this frontier tale!
LikeLike
What a wonderful review. I share many of your thoughts on the experience of reading Laura’s books.
jeanne(dot)bishop(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Laura is one of the best when it comes to historical fiction! I always await her new releases eagerly.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
LikeLike
Patty, Really appreciate your gracious words about my historicals. Thank you so much for stopping here!
LikeLike
Thank you for the interview! sjn2u2 (at) yahoo(dot) com
LikeLike
Sondra, Thank you for being here & celebrating this release. And for wanting to read An Uncommon Woman!
LikeLike
Oh, my, Susan ~ your enthusiasm for Laura’s stories is infectious ~ though I need no encouragement. I, too, am captured by her work and when her books arrive in my home, they shoot to the very top of the TBR stack.
And, Laura, Be Thou My Vision is my favorite hymn (tied, I guess, with Amazing Grace!). Tessa’s story will be doubly dear to my heart.
Thank you both for the great interview and giveaway opportunity.
mary [at] marykaymoody [dot] com
Mary Kay
LikeLike
So happy you’re here, Mary Kay! I’ve wished for years that Susan had a blog/web home :). I’m thrilled to be her guest! Thank you for your gracious comments.
LikeLike
This is a book I’ve really been looking forward to reading. Laura Frntz is a wonderful author and I have enjoyed many of her stories.
Lovely author interview& review, thanks for the giveaway chance Susan!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
LikeLike
Good luck, Trixi!
LikeLike
Trixi, So happy to see you here and learn you’re ready to read this one. Thank you for taking time for my other books as well. That sure blesses me!
LikeLike
Oh, this looks like such a great book! Now I’m going to go looking and see what others I can find from you!
I love historical romance and rarely read anything contemporary, it just doesn’t interest me.
Heather jhkreider at Yahoo dot com
LikeLike
Heather, So happy you’re here! And I’m very glad, too, that this new release appeals to you. Revell did a beautiful job on the cover. Like you, it’s hard for me to read contemporary novels as I enjoy historicals so much. Thank you for being here!
LikeLike
Love all of Laura’s books. Joycegodsoutreach(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Thank you, Joyce! I hope those one is your very favorite!
LikeLike
Really looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
Mindy Houng
mindyhoung at msn dot com
LikeLike
So happy you’re here, Mindy. Hope this story delights your historical heart!
LikeLike
What a wonderful interview! I now have a better knowledge of the how and whys of her writing. This latest one sounds like something I would definitely enjoy. Thank you for the interview and review!
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
Perrianne Askew
LikeLike
Perrianne, So appreciate your comments about the writing process! It really does give insight into the book. Thank you for being here & celebrating this release!
LikeLike
I love Laura Frantz’s books. You seldom see such a talent for word craft as she has. I thank you for bringing out Laura’s love for history in your interview. Her background draws me in even further.
conniegnly(at)aol(dot)com
Connie Shaffer
LikeLike
Connie, You are the very reader I’m writing for. So appreciate your insightful comments. Thank you for your presence here – your gracious spirit means so much!
LikeLike
Laura Frantz is my favorite author! No other writer can transcend time and send me back into a place in history that speaks to my heart and soul! For a short period, in my busy, modern life filled with responsibilities, I am able to become part of these unique character’s stories. I live, feel and breathe another magical time that I can only dream about! Her books are a little piece of heaven to me!
LikeLike
Can you send your email to get in the drawing?
LikeLike
Deborah, can you send me your email please?
LikeLike
Dear Deborah, You say that so beautifully. Thank you! Just what I hope for as an author you sum up so well here. I’m inspired to keep going. Thank you for taking time for my novels!
LikeLike
This sounds so good! Laknermegan(at)yahoo(dot)com.
LikeLike
Megan, Thank you for stopping by! So happy this new novel appeals to you:)
LikeLike
Can’t wait to read Laura’s latest! Sure to be good! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
Cheryl Barker
LikeLike
Bless you, Cheryl. Love giveaways like these!
LikeLike
Laura – I cant wait to read this! I love all of your books. Although,Silas still holds a special place in my heart!
Jessica Lewis
jarp1002(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Dear Jessica, I’m SO happy Silas is still top Scot 🙂 I understand that completely! Your comments mean so much. Thank you, thank you!
LikeLike
Laura Frantz is one of my must read authors! 🙂
LikeLike
Love that, Caryl. Thank you very much!
LikeLike
I have just started my copy and have already marked a passage showing the poignancy of life in the frontier. It was so fragile…
Everyone on the frontier had a chair that sat empty, a place unoccupied. Who would be next?
LikeLike
I created a graphic with that very quote.
LikeLike
A very poignant line. Thank you, Roberta – & Susan. So happy you’re reading and marking passages that holds meaning to you. You are the very reader I write for!
LikeLike
I haven’t read Laura’s earliest books (but I hope to) but have greatly enjoyed the five novels I read. Her books are now always on my “must read” list.Thanks for the interview with Laura and the chance to win An Uncommon Woman.
LikeLike
I need your email to enter.
LikeLike
Pam, So appreciate your kind words about my books. I hope you enjoy this one just as much. Thank you for being here!
LikeLike
Hello. Thanks for this great review and giveaway.
Shadowblossom222@comcast.net
LikeLike
Gina, Bless you for being here. I’d love for you to meet the Swan clan through this frontier novel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have read some of Laura’s books and loved them! I know this one will be wonderful as well.
Melissa Romine
mjromine (at) knology (dot) net
LikeLike
Hi Melissa, So happy you’ve read some of my books & enjoyed them! Thanks for stopping by and entering the giveaway!
LikeLike
Great interview and review! I have loved Laura’s books ever since The Frontiersman’s Daughter! Thanks for the giveaway!
cyndilou83(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Dear Cyndi. So happy to see you here! Love your mention of Lael. Glad she’s not forgotten in that very first book. Thank you for entering the giveaway!
LikeLike
What a cool period in history to write about! This looks amazing, and I’ve been reading such excellent reviews about it. Congratulations on the book birthday Laura !
Terirose22 (at) Hotmail (dot) com
LikeLike
My full name didn’t show in my post, sorry!
– Teri DiVincenzo
LikeLike
So happy you’ve been reading good reviews, Terirose. You’ve made my day. Love your gracious spirit. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love her books, can’t wait to read this one! Pandamanda02(at)yahoo(dot)com
LikeLike
Amanda, So happy you’re ready to read! Hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it!
LikeLike
I am waiting until a day off work on January 20 to read so I can be completely free to read it straight through from beginning to end! Gmc225(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Gina, Oh, so happy to hear that! I believe reading a book at one sitting makes it come alive for you in the best way, a bit like immersing yourself in a movie. So hope you enjoy every word of AUW!
LikeLike
This is a must read for me, jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com
LikeLike
Love that you’re a must-read reader, Deana! Thanks so much for entering the giveaway!
LikeLike
I have read all of Laura Frantz’s books and cannot wait to read this one! It would be so wonderful to win! This interview was such a joy to read. I love learning more about my favorite authors!
Casey Kohlman
casey(dot)elaine(at)hotmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Dear Casey, Overjoyed you’ve read my books and want to meet these Swans on the western Virginia frontier! Thank you for taking time here!
LikeLike
Thanx for the interview and giveaway!!! I am looking forward to reading this! My family, also, has ancestors exiled to Virginia after the Jacobite Rebellion. Love history and genealogy.
LikeLike
I need name and email please.
LikeLike
Fascinating about your own family roots! History & genealogy are a perfect pairing!
LikeLike
It was love at first sight when I saw this cover!.Thanks for your thoughtful review.
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
So happy you think the cover is a keeper, Connie. It fits the novel so well!
LikeLike
Connie, I agree about that cover! My publisher does a beautiful job with cover art. Thanks for taking time at Susan’s site today!
LikeLike
Tami le Roux
Posbus4me at gmail dot com
Can’t wait to read this book!!
LikeLike
Tami le Roux
Posbus4me at gmail dot com
Can’t wait to read this book!!
LikeLike
Bless you for being here, Tami!
LikeLike
Tami, Hope you love this story when you do. Thank you!
LikeLike
Would love to win a print copy of this book. I really like historical fiction. Vivian Furbay jtandviv (at) q (dot) com
LikeLike
Thank you, Vivian. Thanks for entering!
LikeLike
Vivian, Bless you for being here. Historical fiction is my cup of tea, too!
LikeLike
I’ve read all of Laura’s books except this newest one. I can’t wait to read it. I’m sure it won’t disappoint.
terimetts(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Dear Teri, Heartfelt thanks for reading all 10 of my previous novels! I’m delighted. Hope you enjoy this new one very much!
LikeLike
Sounds like an awesome book! Thanks for the chance!
sethdezAThotmailDOTcom
LikeLike
Thanks for entering the giveaway. Love meeting new readers this way!
LikeLike
I get most of my books from the library. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom
LikeLike
Could I get your name please?
LikeLike
I’m a big fan of libraries, too. And readers who ask their libraries to order the books as that benefits so many. Thank you for being here!
LikeLike
I’m looking forward to reading this book so thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
LikeLike
Hi Wendy, Wonderful to see you here! Thank you so much for wanting to read this new frontier story and entering the giveaway!
LikeLike