“Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.” ― G.K. Chesterton
Showing posts with label Laura Frantz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laura Frantz. Show all posts

Friday, January 30, 2026

A Lovely Revolutionary War Romance--"The Belle of Chatham" by Laura Frantz—Review


 My Review: "The Belle of Chatham" by Laura Frantz is a lovely Revolutionary War historical romance by one of my favorite authors! It certainly lived up to my expectations! This was such a perfect story for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It takes place in war-torn early America and features a family with divided loyalties. Ms. Frantz infuses her story with rich history and impeccable research. The romance between Mae and Rhys is sweet and filled with yearning and longing. It is gentle, with a slow burn. I also love that this book shows us what a disagreement between a married couple looks like and the struggles a married couple might face during this period. Throughout their journeys, Mae and Rhys face heartaches and setbacks. Mae goes on her own harrowing journey of escape and Rhys goes off to war. Will they make it back to one another safely amid dangers, betrayal, spies, and war? The faith content in "The Belle of Chatham" is wonderful! The characters grow in their faith and learn that they are not in control of their lives or the outcome. I love the message about praying without ceasing. The ending had me sighing with contentment and feeling joy for the characters. I highly recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: mention of alcohol; mention of a fortune teller; mention of a scalping; mention of lovemaking between a married couple; war (violence, some blood and gore).

TW: orphan; estrangement in marriage.

Spice: vague/brief fade to black scene of wedding night (couple starts to undress each other but no farther).

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

 


Friday, August 8, 2025

A Sweet, Lush Historical Novella! --"A Fierce Devotion” by Laura Frantz—Review


 

My Review:

"A Fierce Devotion” by Laura Frantz is a sweet, lush historical novella. It is a companion novella to Ms. Frantz’s “The Seamstress of Acadie,” but can easily be read as a standalone. Bleu Galant was a minor character in that novel and now gets his own story in "A Fierce Devotion.”  Laura’s prose is so lush and descriptive. I was immediately drawn into this world and fell in love with the wonderful characters and their story. I appreciate the attention to historical details. I love that the characters pray and that so much faith content was incorporated into the story. The love story between Bleu and Brielle was so tender. Bleu’s heart towards Brielle and Titus was really inspiring and beautiful. Brielle, our heroine, learns about faith and dwelling on the good. It was neat to follow these characters on their journey, starting in Virgina and ending all the way across the ocean. It was also interesting to learn more about the mid-1700s following the French and Indian War and the Acadian refugees. I highly recommend this book to lovers of Christian historical fiction!

Content: I give this book a low PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: mention of alcohol, being drunk, smoking, and gambling; blood and gore, descriptions of a massacre; someone curses, but the words are not actually written; a scene of childbirth.

TW: child abuse; a man tries to get in a woman’s room to possibly r*pe her (not successful).

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.


Friday, January 10, 2025

A Beautiful Love Story! --"The Indigo Heiress" by Laura Frantz--Review


 My Review:

"The Indigo Heiress" by Laura Frantz is a lovely historical romance that takes place in 1774. It is set partly in Virginia and the second half of the book takes place in Scotland (which I love to read about). Ms. Frantz always pens novels that are full of fascinating history and expertly woven prose. This book is well researched, and I learned so many new things while being completely engrossed in the story. The love story is a slow burn that will leave readers swooning, especially over the gruff, Scottish lead character, Leith. Leith also has twins who are just adorable! There is a scene that takes place at the ruins of a Scottish castle and is so romantic! It is one I won’t easily forget. The main characters also read and recite poetry to one another! Many readers will love our heroine, Juliet Catesby. I appreciated that she struggled with chronic migraines, and I loved her relationship with her sister. She has a strong faith and prays often. Juliet and her sister help slaves escape and help those less fortunate, no matter what side of the ocean they find themselves on. The faith threads in this story were beautiful! The settings of Virigina and Scotland are so well done. I could especially feel myself in the rainy streets of Scotland and hear the Scottish accents. This book is a must read for fans of clean Scottish romance and historical fiction!

Content: I give this story a PG rating. Some examples of the content: part of the story takes place on a plantation and there are slaves; characters drink alcohol and someone is drunk; mention of gambling; characters smoke cigars; someone curses, but the words aren’t actually written, mention of the mistreatment of slaves; a woman wanted to harm herself in the past; opium and laudanum used for medical purposes; a woman wonders if someone has a mistress; someone struggled with mental health in the past (possibly post-partum depression);  su*cide; mention of gambling; speculation of infidelity; very brief insinuation that a married couple slept together.
TW: brief mention of possible self-harm; mental health; su*cide in the past.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

"A Bound Heart" is Sure to Warm Your Soul--"A Bound Heart" by Laura Frantz--Review




My Review:

“A Bound Heart” by Laura Frantz was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019.  Christian historical fiction that is partly set in Scotland?  Sign me up!  From the settings to the characters, I fell in love with this book!

Ms. Frantz’s descriptions of the scenery are lyrical and breathtaking (certainly doing Scotland justice).  The first part of the book that is set in Scotland reminds me of Poldark with the smuggling and the rugged coastlines.  Ms. Frantz also has an amazing grasp of the Scottish culture. 

The two main characters, Lark and Magnus, are so likable and well written.  Lark instantly became a favorite for me.  She is so sweet, innocent and Godly.  I love watching Lark’s struggle with her faith when her life is turned upside down.  She asks some frank and honest questions of God.  I especially love seeing that despite their troubles, both main characters praise God and count their blessings when going through suffering and loss.  What a wonderful encouragement and reminder to Christians! 

I loved this book and highly recommend it!  You won’t be disappointed!


Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating.  Some examples of the content are: mention of brandy and smuggling; a man has a reputation for wenching; a man swears but the word isn’t actually written; a person is possibly addicted to opium and may have committed suicide; men smoke; a baby is born out of wedlock; men take women as lovers on a ship; a man attempts to rape a woman but does not get far.
 
Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian fiction; Historical fiction; Romance; Scotland

I want to thank Revell and Laura Frantz for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.


About the Author:

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the ECPA bestselling author of several books, including The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel’s Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, A Moonbow Night, and The Ballantyne Legacy series. She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.

To visit the author's website click here
To purchase the book click here

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

A Stunning Historical Saga--"The Lacemaker" by Laura Frantz Review

 
 


Wow, what a beautiful story!  I just recently read my first Laura Frantz books and loved them (the first two books in the Ballantyne Legacy).  So I had a feeling I would love this one as well, and I did—so very much!

Ms. Frantz has such a way of writing and describing detail that transports the reader to colonial Williamsburg.  Her setting is so well written that it takes on a life of its own and almost becomes as important a part of the story as the characters.  I don't typically prefer the setting of colonial Williamsburg, but I love it when Ms. Frantz writes about it!  I could feel the tension of a Williamsburg that is on the dawn of Revolution.  She has a way of writing about history so that you learn a lot and still enjoy an amazing story! 

"The Lacemaker" also has characters that the reader will fall in love with.  The two main characters are on opposite sides of the political spectrum when the story begins.  It is fascinating reading from the two different political viewpoints.  I never thought I'd feel sympathy for a Tory, yet I came to see that there are bad guys both among the Patriots and the Loyalists/Tories.  Elizabeth (also called Liberty), is our heroine, who has a strong faith.  Her example of continuing to pray and seek God, even when her world falls apart, is an inspiration to me.  She is even able to find something to be thankful for and thanks God, when everyone has deserted her and she has lost her home.  I also like the cameo appearances and references to men like Patrick Henry and George Washington. 

Ms. Frantz writes an incredible story, one I wish I had had when I was first learning American history.  She makes history come alive.  I came to love the setting and the characters!  This is a must read for lovers of historical fiction, American history and romance!

Content: I would give this book a PG rating for some minor content.  Some examples of the content are: reference to a woman’s daring décolletage, talk of drinking and gambling, a man is drunk, there are almost naked slaves and a brief description of the brutal way they are treated when being auctioned, a reference to the pleasures of marriage as opposed to being celibate and men smoke tobacco.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian Fiction; Historical; Romance.

I want to thank Laura Frantz, LibraryThing Early Reviewers and Revell for the complimentary copy of this book for review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255. 

 

 
About the Author:


I was born and raised in Kentucky, living first in Ashland, Mammoth Cave, Bowling Green, and then Lexington. But my heart has always been in Berea, Madison County, the place my family has resided since the 18th-century. I came to know Christ there at the age of 12, was baptized, and spent my childhood roaming through the woods and swimming in the rivers of my books.

My earliest memories are of the public library, standing in front of shelves filled with those little biographies of famous historical figures like Daniel Boone and George Washington and Sacajawea. I began scribbling stories at age 7 and thankfully never stopped. My passion then and now is history and all the wonders of past centuries.

I attended college at Denison University in Ohio and also in England, living in a manor/castle and studying the American Revolution from the British perspective. Shakespeare and 18th-century literature form the backbone of my English degree. Strangely enough, I only took one creative writing class.

It was never a desire of mine to be published. I simply love to write for the sheer joy of writing – and that was enough. But as Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

I hope my books bless you.

To visit the author's website click here

To purchase the book click here