Tuesday, October 27, 2015

"The Mistress of Tall Acre" by Laura Frantz






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 ;).

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?

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!  


2 comments:

  1. Sue, You have a knack for this:) beautifully done. Love the pic too! Thank you for your heart for my stories!

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    1. Thank 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! :)

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