Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz - MY REVIEW


“Just remember, won’t nothing ever befall you that the good Lord don’t allow.” (p. 97)


I am so pleased that the Lord allowed the time for me to read Laura Frantz’ novel, The Frontiersman’s Daughter! Oh reader, when is the last time you read a book that left you breathless? When have the characters’ hearts ached so deeply, that you felt your own heart squeeze tightly with longing? Laura Frantz has written a tale that will carry you away to the wilds of the Kentucky frontier, and will then carry your heart on the most amazing journey of heartfelt adventure, romance, hardship, friendship and faith. The Frontiersman’s Daughter is a story to be savored with a glass of cold cider…and a story to dream about and enjoy!


Lael Click (pronounced Lay-elle) is a woman as exotic as her name. Born to a man who spent several years as a Shawnee captive, Lael has a restless spirit and a longing to be as wild and free as her father. Lael is a passionate, brilliant young lady who matures into an even more brilliant and hearty woman as the story unfolds. In the beginning, she is frustrated by her longing for a rather unsavory man in the settlement, and because of this Lael remains unsettled and unsure of anything. When her father takes her back east for an education, her frustration and longing for freedom seem only to be heightened by her perceived confinement.


Lael’s return to the frontier brings with it sure direction and blessed freedom from societal constraints even though her heart is almost broken by the circumstances that allow her to return. Re-established in the Kentucky wilderness, Lael discovers the joy of serving others and faces new and even more troubling challenges as Captain Jack, Simon and Ian begin to play significant roles in her life. As Lael grows and matures, she finds her heart torn in one contrary direction after another. And when the Lord continues to place believers in her path, she must discover for herself what it means to serve a risen Savior.


Lael’s journey is arduous, delightful, exciting and breathless! There are scenes that will cause your heart to leap with joy and weep with sorrow. There are romantic scenes that will leave your heart racing, and there are also scenes where the soul is laid bare by the unfathomable depths of human suffering. The Frontiersman’s Daughter is everything an historical novel should be, and I am pleased to recommend it to everyone!


Please visit Revell's website to read an excerpt from the novel, learn more about the author and find out how to order your own copy of this fabulous book!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I was born and raised in Kentucky and my love of history goes deep - way back to the 18th-century when my family first came into the Bluegrass State. It will always be home to me, even though I now live with my husband, Randy, and my sons, Wyatt and Paul, in the misty woods of northwest Washington. I go back as often as I can to visit family and all the old haunts that I love.

I grew up playing on the original site of Fort Boonesborough and swimming in the Kentucky River and climbing the Pinnacle near Berea and watching the great outdoor dramas of the early settlers. Often my cousins and brother and I would play in my Granny's attic and dress up in the pioneer costumes she made us and pretend to be Daniel Boone, Rebecca, Jemima, or the Shawnee.

As I grew up I began to write stories and they were always historical, filled with the lore I had heard or read about. It's no accident that my first book (which is actually my fifth book - the others were practice!) is about those first Kentucky pioneers.

I feel blessed beyond measure to write books. My prayer is that you are doubly blessed reading them.

Note: Laura Frantz credits her 100-year-old grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Madison County where her family still resides. Frantz is a former schoolteacher and social worker who currently lives in the misty woods of Washington state with her husband and two sons, whom she homeschools.

1 comment:

Laura Frantz said...

Kim,
Your review just delighted me in so many ways! Thank you for taking time to read my book and for sharing your joy and enthusiasm with others. It has certainly blessed me:)