The
Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz
Laura Frantz has done it again…whisked me away to
another time, another place where I do not hear the blast of car horns or
televisions rivaling with chirping crickets and twilling birdsong. Instead, my mind
engaged with these well-shown events and challenges that follow the American
Revolutionary War. Interesting
transitions took place with our new independent nation, as it tried to find its
footing. But, don’t get me wrong, this novel is not a history book. Everything
flows nicely with the plot making a deeper and richer story because the setting
is accurate and enhances the situations of the characters.
This novel called The Mistress of Tall Acre,
has earned my round of applause! It is important for me to like the characters
that I read about and spend time with. I very much like Sophie Menzies and
General Seamus Ogilvy who are the main characters of a story that has
surprising twists and turns! When I communicated with Laura about this book and
that I was in the process of reading it, she mentioned it had a twist to it….”A
TWIST” no no no no…there was more than one for sure! I loved the story and she
kept me turning the pages. (Sometimes it is so inconvenient to be employed! Ha
ha!)
I enjoyed other characters in this novel. Doesn’t
everyone want a Glynnis in their life? Oh, sweet Lilly Cate! I will tell you
nothing more about them and other characters for Laura is the inventor of their
story and I don’t want you to miss your first impressions and growing familiarity
with them.
I loved this visit to post American Revolutionary
times, where people dealt with prejudice, unfairness, and adjustments that were
not easily overcome. We can all identify with those challenges as our nation
groans with similar concerns though different situations. Williamsburg is
visited in this novel! Williamsburg, VA is a favorite vacation spot for my
sister and myself. Reading the references to that important location of course caused
me to smile and wish I were there!
This is a novel I highly approve of and will suggest
for anyone who wants to know what excellent books I’ve been reading lately. So
far my sister and I have read this copy and I’m sure that we will be fighting
over who gets to read it next many times over! {Okay, we don’t fight really, but we have decided to
read the same book about the same time in the past. That happens with our
favorites and well, this is one of our new favorites! I may not have told my
sister that I wanted to read certain books when she did. Or I may have just
told her no.}
If you buy this for a birthday gift, Christmas gift
or just because gift for a special person in your life— they will thank you for
the experience. My heart still hums with the pleasure of reading The
Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz and I’m sure if you give it a try,
then yours will also.
Don’t
be shy… if you’ve read this book tell us your thoughts!
Questions for Laura:
1) When
did you fall in love with American Revolutionary times?
As
soon as I learned to read those little biographies of historic figures like
Betsy Ross and Dolly Madison and Sacajawea, I was smitten!
2) Who
is your favorite person from those days?
Daniel
Boone. Thankfully, my next novel includes him and the entire plot revolves
around a little known incident in his life. Thanks to historical fans for
asking me to write another Kentucky novel and include my lifetime hero!
3) Who
are your hero and heroine fashioned after?
Wonderful
question! Seamus is a combination of George Rogers Clark and George Washington,
both heroes of the Colonial period. My heroine resembled the lovely Madeline
Stowe who portrayed Cora in the film, The
Last of the Mohicans.
4) Is
this a standalone novel, or will there be more stories that come from Tall
Acres?
Readers
are already asking for a sequel and I’m honored by that. If that happens I
think the heroine would be a grown-up Lily Cate J. And an adult baby Adam!
5) Now
that you have moved into a log cabin built by a writer what has sparked your
imagination for future novels?
I’m
still pinching myself that I’m living the log cabin dream of my childhood. I
really believe it’s time for me to return to my Appalachian roots. The area I’m
living in (and where I grew up) has tremendous story potential. I need only tap
into my family tree and the history of this incredible Kentucky county.
6) The
Mistress of Tall Acre’s cover is lovely. Did you have a
hand in its design or were you able to suggest what you would like?
I
had actually asked for the hero and his wee daughter to be on the cover but
Sophie, our heroine, won out! I was able to choose the dress she is wearing
from a portfolio of period gowns. I thought it was important for the house,
Tall Acre, to be on the cover as the estate is so key to the novel. And I have
to put in a plug for the back as the house in cameo is heavenly as is the back
of Sophie’s gown on the spine!
7) Getting
down and personal…what is your favorite food?
Is
this a trick question? I hate to say it but the only thing I DON’T like is
escargot and oysters, etc. A favorite would be regional – chicken and dumplings :).
8) What
is your favorite hobby not counting writing and reading? (Yes, I can be mean!)
I
love handwork like cross-stitch and knitting though I’m a terrible knitter! I
may try crochet soon. I’m wild about Pinterest, so much so that it counts as a
hobby. And I’m an avid walker/hiker who goes out every day.
9) Who
is a favorite actor that you would enjoy in a movie made from one of your
novels? (I can’t help but hope that some wise investor will contract your books
and make them memorable movies like Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.
Oh my! What a delicious question! I would have to pick Richard Armitage as a hero. He’s such a classy gentleman and full of smolder ;).
Oh my! What a delicious question! I would have to pick Richard Armitage as a hero. He’s such a classy gentleman and full of smolder ;).
10) What
else would you like to tell us about yourself or your novels or plans in the
future?
3
more novels coming through 2019. Can’t wait! (I agree! I can't wait either!)
11) How
do you wish your reading friends to contact you?
My
website is http://laurafrantz.net/
I
always answer email at lauran@tfon.com.
Huge thanks to you, Sue, for such a
fun interview!
Every novel by Laura Frantz has been a worth read in my opinion!
Every novel by Laura Frantz has been a worth read in my opinion!
Sue, You have a knack for this:) beautifully done. Love the pic too! Thank you for your heart for my stories!
ReplyDeleteThank you Laura! And you have a beautiful knack for story! :) I'm already looking forward to your next one! I'm so glad that I have "Love's Reckoning" on CD! :)
Delete