A Virginia chocolatier and a privateering sea captain collide once more after a failed love affair a decade before. Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart? Or will a new shared vision reunite them?*****It is 1755, and the threat of war with France looms over colonial York, Virginia. Chocolatier Esmée Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Having reached her twenty-eighth birthday, she is reconciled to life alone after a decade-old failed love affair from which she’s never quite recovered. But she longs to find something worthwhile to do with her life.
Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esmée. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty.
Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past? Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz whisks you away to a time fraught with peril–on the sea and in the heart–in this redemptive, romantic story.
About Laura Frantz
Christy Award-winning author, Laura Frantz, is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. When not at home in Kentucky, she and her husband live in Washington State.
According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California. Foreign language editions include French, Dutch, Spanish, Slovakian, & Polish.
Readers can find Laura Frantz at http://www.laurafrantz.net
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‘Her fervent prayers went the way of her hopes and became floating wreckage. As the years passed, it hardly seemed to matter.’
Laura Frantz is a very particular favorite of mine and her books occupy serious real estate on my shelves. I love history and her historicals are the absolute best. Her research is impeccable, and she always gives me at least two words to research their meanings. I love it!
Reading one of Frantz’s books is like sitting down to a full, rich banquet. You love everything you see and you just can’t stop at the bounty before you. Her words flow over the page like water over a waterfall, so beautiful and refreshing. Her vivid descriptions take the reader far away into the story and we leave the world behind as we linger there indefinitely, saddened at the ending of such a treasure. She leaves me so enchanted that I want to meander the roads and forest in her magnificent tales. Reality fades away into the background as I read. Bravo! I can without reservation highly recommend not only this book, but this author.
My thanks to Revell Publishing for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion in this review is expressly my own.
ONTO the GIVEAWAY!
- Leave a blog post comment, including your full name and email in a non spam formula (example: susan (at) yahoo (dot) come.
- Giveaway will end on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. I will choose a winner at random and notify them via email. They will have 24 hours to respond. If they do not, I will choose another winner. Good luck to everyone!
Publication Date: January 4, 2022
Genre: Inspirational historical
Length: 416 pages
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B2MFJD5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
Simply Susan 
You are right! Laura F.’s writing is a banquet. Can’t wait to read A Heart Adrift!
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I have heard great things about this book. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
mrsmcafee17 (at)gmail (dot) com
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One of my favorite authors. Jmviss@msn.com
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I have read all of Laura standalone books except for this one. I have not read the one series she wrote but I have them on my shelf, so hope to get to them soon.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
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This is on my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win my own copy. Happy New Year!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
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I just discovered Laura Frantz, and then saw your post when joining the FB group. Thanks! Would love this!
Grace Donovan lifeatdaybreak(at)Gmail(dot)com
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Laura Frantz is one of my MUST read authors! Excellent review, Susan!
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Though I haven’t read some of Laura’s earliest books, I’ve read most of the last ones and really enjoy them A Heart Adrift is on my wish list.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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This looks so good. I just loved her book, A Bound Heart. Thank you for sharing. kclarkholly (at) toast2 (dot) net
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If this author says I need to read your books then I want in. sarahmom335 at yahoo dot com
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I would love to win!
joyofchrist777(at)gmail(dot)com
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I would love to win a copy! Tidewater Bride was on my top ten in ‘21!
Emilee Douglas
douglas( .)emilee(at)yahoo(.)com
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I’ve had several of Laura’s books on my TBR but haven’t yet had the pleasure. This one looks fabulous…thanks for sharing!
Terirose22 (at) Hotmail (dot) com
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Thanks for offering a Giveaway for this lovely book! I just love this cover! I’ve been waiting for the library copy I requested to come in, but winning a copy would be even better! 😍
alyssakamey11(at)gmail(dot)com
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You won! I emailed you at 8:45 Tuesday morning. You have 24 hours from that date to respond.
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Thank you!!! I just responded to your email. I’m so excited!
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I love Laura’s books! Thank you for offering a giveaway! I’ve been waiting for my library request to arrive but winning a copy would be lovely! This cover is stunning!
alyssakamey11(at)gmail(dot)com
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Good luck!
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Wow… I totally thought my first comment didn’t go through, so I reposted. Sorry for the double comment!
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No worries! Better safe than sorry. Your name is in the hat!
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I really enjoy reading Laura’s books. And this one? Reading about a chocolatier? It’s bound to be amazing! 😀
eclitton at gmail dot com
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Would love to read this book..!!!!!! And yes I love her books!!!!!
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I totally adore Laura’s work!! It’s next level!! She is one of my top five favorite authors!!
angiepool1606(at)gmail(dot)com
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I have been waiting for this book. Really excited about possibly winning.
Mary Mccauley. Pastormj1@hotmail.com
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Can’t wait to read this one!
Beth Wilkins
Bethrwilkins (at) gmail (dot) com
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Happy New Year. This sounds absolutely delightful. Thanks for chance to win a copy.
Toni Stevens
Tdstevens821(at)gmail(dot)com
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Appreciate your review and thankful for the giveaway!!
Ellie Beatty
le(dot)Beatty (at )yahoo (dot )com
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Can’t wait for this release, Laura’s books are on my top shelf of my most loved authors!
For those of you who have not read her books, please put on your tbr shelf
“The Ballantyne Legacy Series”, they will not disappoint !
Lynn Ocel
lynniemax@verizon.net
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I love Laura Frantz and anything that involves chocolate, you bet I’m in! I also agree that her writing could be considered a rich banquet. She really does have a way with words.
Perrianne Askew
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
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