Commence happy fangirl clapping! I’m incredibly thrilled to have Laura Frantz as my guest on the blog today. Laura has been one of my very favorite authors since I returned to my love of reading, and over the last year she has also become a dear friend.
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. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.
You can connect with Laura at her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Her newest release, A Moonbow Night, released January 3 from Revell.
After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It’s a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke–men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew looking for an experienced guide.
When his guide appears, Sion balks. He certainly didn’t expect a woman. But it is not long before he must admit that Tempe’s skill in the wilderness rivals his own. Still, the tenuous tie they are forming is put to the test as they encounter danger after danger and must rely on each other.
With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons readers to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.
Laura! My sweet friend!! Welcome to the blog! Thank you so much for chatting with me! It is such an honor for me to host you here.
Laura: I’ve long admired your amazing blog, Carrie, and remember when I first visited and how blown away I was by your love of books and your heart for authors. Thank you for the gracious invite!
Carrie: You are such a kind encouragement to me! Thank you 🙂
Laura: Oranges! Recently I read research that says peeling and eating an orange is an instant stress reliever. We love those small, fresh mandarin oranges especially in the winter months.
Carrie: I always find peeling oranges to be quite stressful! LOL. But then again … I find hand-type crafts stressful too. Maybe there’s a link…
Laura: Both have a special beauty but since I’m a sun-lover, summer wins 🙂
Carrie: And every season in Kentucky is beautiful so you really can’t go wrong with any of them!
Laura: Dogs. They have such a loving, faithful spirit. Truly man’s best friend.
Carrie: Yay! Zuzu highly approves of your answer!
Laura: Love both but coffee wins out, especially dark coffee with creamer. Salted toffee creamer especially!
Carrie: My husband would love that salted toffee creamer!
Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?
Laura: Time travel – teleporting through time. I’d jump back to the 18th-century and hang out with Daniel Boone for a bit, then return to the 21st-century for a hot bath ;). Reading IS definitely your superpower, Carrie. I’ve never seen anything quite like it!
Carrie: The line between a reading superpower and insanity is a fine one … LOL.
If you knew you were only going to be allowed FIVE books for the rest of your life, besides the Bible, which five would make the cut?
Laura: Christy by Catherine Marshall, The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, anything by George MacDonald starting with Sir Gibbie, and one of the frontier novels by Alan Eckert and James Alexander Thom.
Carrie: Oh I’m so glad to see Christy on your list! One of my faves too…
If I asked your characters to describe YOU as an author, what would they say?
Laura: Laura may have gotten published but she puts us in impossibly heart-rending situations that only the staunchest readers can endure when the ‘feels’ attack! In reality, she’s said to be kind and prefers everything calm. An odd combo!
Carrie: hahaha! For someone as kind and gracious as you are, you do tend to torture your characters a bit, don’t you? lol!
Your newest book, A Moonbow Night, is set in frontier Kentucky, joining The Colonel’s Lady, The Frontiersman’s Daughter, and Courting Morrow Little. What are some of your favorite things about your home state?
Laura: Kentucky is truly a dark and bloody ground history-wise, providing endless storyworlds. And the rich Appalachian landscape has produced so many wonderful literary writers like Janice Holt Giles and Wendell Berry, etc.
Carrie: I never really studied Kentucky history, since I moved here in high school and thus missed the 4th grade KY history curriculum. So that’s one of the many things I love about reading your books – getting that glimpse into the wildness of the frontier and the rich history our state has.
You are one of the queens of Pinterest! Your boards and pins are just gorgeous and I could spend all day perusing them. Can you give us a little pictorial peek into Tempe’s and Sion’s world?
Laura: Thank you for reminding me to unveil that secret board for A Moonbow Night on Pinterest 🙂 . In the holiday crush I’d forgotten it! And heartfelt thanks for calling me a Pinterest Queen. Love that! Of all forms of social media, Pinterest is my favorite with Instagram to follow. And I believe loving what you do is the secret ingredient to writing and pinning and blogging like you do, Carrie, etc.
Carrie: Yes! That’s so true! Loving what you do is key. And seriously, guys, if you aren’t following Laura on Pinterest, you need to be. Her boards are breathtaking!
What do you most want readers to take away from A Moonbow Night?
Laura: I like what Publishers Weekly said best, “Frantz’s atmospheric romance lovingly explores American history circa 1777 with grace… The story rewards patience, unfolding with precision and action, showcasing the triumph of the human heart and spirit in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds.” I hope readers take heart in this, that no matter what we face, we are overcomers in Christ. And that this hard life is not all there is when we have a heavenly hope, a heavenly home. One day this temporal life won’t even be a memory.
Carrie: Oh that’s so encouraging. Amen.
Again, Laura, thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 I am so grateful for you!
Laura: You’re such a HUGE joy and blessing, Carrie. I’m very thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to intersect not only on a reading level but one of friendship and fellowship in Him. <3
Carrie: He is so sweet in the friendships He provides, isn’t He? Yours is one of His great surprises for me, and I just love you! <3
Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.
Laura: I switch gears again, jumping from the frontier to genteel Williamsburg, Virginia at the start of the American Revolution, a story with a spy theme. And I just began a Scottish novel based on one of the islands in the Hebrides I love personally and have spent time exploring. It includes a kilted laird, a crumbling castle, and a heroine with a very interesting profession. Happy reading!
Carrie: You had me at ‘American Revolution’ and ‘spy’…. and then again at ‘kilted laird’ and ‘crumbling castle’ 😀 Can’t wait!!
I am giving away a copy of A Moonbow Night to one of my readers – your choice of paperback (US only) or kindle book (open internationally, except where prohibited by law). Enter via the Rafflecopter form below . Giveawayis subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies.
What about you? Peeling oranges – stressful or relaxing? How do YOU feel? 😉
Stressful. I’d rather peel glue off my fingers. Now that is relaxing!!! (o:
hahaha! YES! I have no idea why but it is!
Neither relaxing or stressful, just a necessity if you really want to eat an orange.
lol this is true 🙂
I go for the clementines. Easier to peel. Thanks for the giveaway. Love Laura’s books.
Clementines are much easier! Yes!
I make my husband peel my oranges. I have Laura’s book. She is an absolute very favorite of mine. When I tramp through the woods on our property with my dog, I always think of her books .
Husbands are good for that 😀
Another great interview Carrie! Love the fast four but miss the “what’s in your purse?” I know, I’m nosey like that!
Can I confess something? I’ve never…um…read a Laura Frantz book. (Ducking)
Anyway, it depends on the orange! Some peel super easy and relieve a bit of stress while others are so hard to peel they make you stressed!
LOL! the purse question IS fun 😉 And girl! You must correct this oversight! Read a Laura book!! 😀
Okay. I must correct this soon! Now, my question for you is which one should I read?
oh goobers, KIM!!! that’s such a tough question because of course I want to say – ALL OF THEM. The first one I ever read was The Colonel’s Lady and I fell in love with Laura’s books right then. Another fave is Courting Morrow Little. Her most romantic book is The Mistress of Tall Acre. And her newest – the one I’m giving away – is just gorgeous!
I have The Mistress of Tall Acre on my kindle!! I am moving this up to the top of my TBR. Thanks Carrie. ?
yay!
Kim, Honored to meet you through Carrie! What’s in my purse? Love the question:) Lipstick. Kleenex. Scripture cards. Receipts & recipes (I love to cook). Cell phone. Writing pad & pen. Loose change for drive thru sweet tea. Always a bulging bag! ??
haha! love this!
Laura, honored to meet you through the wonderful Carrie too! Thanks for the peek in your purse! Love the scripture cards in the purse! Great idea. I love cooking too so, of course, the recipes intrigue me.
Looking forward to reading The Mistress of Tall Acre soon.
Yes, that would be my first pick, too. Thank you!
Great interview! I can see how you and Laura have become friends. Both are sweet ladies who love God and love books! ??
awww thanks Mom! Love you ?
Love you, too, Sweetie! ??
Dear Linda, Bless you for being here & creating such a beautiful, book loving daughter!
Love this blog and love Laura Frantz! You ladies are the best!
isn’t Laura fantastic! 🙂
SO happy to start the weekend on such a creative, edifying site with book loving spirits! I’ve read each comment & taken them all to heart. ?God is so good to give us the gift of stories from the writer who pens one through His inspiration to the readers He inspires to open the book. Thank you, thank you!
Beautifully said, sweet friend! Thank you for joining me today!
More interesting and not as stressful as my life right now.
awww <3 sending hugs and prayers your way Anne
I love me some Laura and Carrie. 🙂 And I love that I learned more about one of my very favorite authors and writer friends. This is the first I’ve heard about your upcoming books, Laura. I have long hoped for your Scottish story!!!
doesn’t it sound amazing?!? I love me some Gabe, too, by the way 🙂
I love oranges so I don’t mind peeling them.
that’s good!
I’ve been eating a lot of oranges lately and find peeling the orange to be a little stressful. Some oranges are a breeze while others are a lot more difficult. lol!
haha! Yes, some do seem to be particularly obstinate.
I love an orage or in a pinch orage essential oils in my diffuser. I would love to win a hard copy of this precious book!
isn’t it fantastic?!?
Stressful but relaxing when I finally get to eat it! ?
lol yes!
I like the smell when an orange is peeled, but I hate the stuff on my hands. I like to eat them sometimes, but not when I’m having my coffee. So I’d say stressful. I know they’re healthy for me but I’d take a fruit I don’t need to peel over them.
i prefer that too!
I love to peel an orange. The smell as I begin to peel it fills me with anticipation for that first sweet taste. I loved this interview with Laura and I am so happy that we Kentuckians can claim her. As a former library cataloger I was always thrilled to add a K (for Kentucky) above FRAN (for Frantz) on the spine labels of her books!
Thanks Carrie for another great interview and giveaway.
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
yes indeed – we love our Laura here in KY 🙂
Oh, Connie, love libraries & your gracious comments! I had no idea about that little library insider detail:) Thriils my big blue heart. Thank you! ?
Oranges – honestly, I really don’t eat them. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and glimpse into this story and future books. Also it was interesting to see one of my favorite books, Christy, mentioned!
i love Christy too!
Usually stressful! Once in a while you happen upon one that will come off in just three or four chunks, but it’s not to common.
this is very true!
I don’t like oranges so I would think it would be stressful!
I don’t particularly like them either but I do so love their aroma!
Great interview with one of my favorite authors! I can’t wait to read this new book and the ones she has coming up sound intriguing.
I find peeling oranges is relaxing….and the smell of freshly peeled oranges reminds me of Christmas.
It is such a Christmasy smell isn’t it?
Bless you for saying the ‘fav’ word! I’m so honored, Amy. I think I’ll be staying with standalone novels though I did love those Ballantynes:) Hope you enjoy The Lacemaker (working title) and then the Scottish one about that kilted laird!
Reading this lovely story now! Fun interview!
Thanks! 🙂
I like peeling oranges. I have a great 50 cent orange peeler that you slip on your finger and it slices through the peel so you can peel the skin off in a matter of seconds.
Oh now see? That would be fun!
If it’s the little Cuties I’m peeling, it isn’t stressful and they smell so good. Peeling a full sized orange can be rather stressful because I have to get all that white stuff off and my fingers get cold, which causes problems for me.
Thanks for this interview with Laura and the giveaway of A Moonbow Night. I had to go check out her Pinterest board; it is very interesting.
Isn’t it gorgeous!!?
I rarely eat oranges. I don’t like the messiness of peeling them.
Carrie and Laura, thank you for the fun interview and giveaway!
Laura, your stories are elegant! I can’t wait to read A Moonbow Night!
Dear Caryl, You have one of the most enthusiastic hearts I know! ? So thankful you’re a reading friend. Moonbow is SO historical I fretted some romance lovers will squirm but I tried to make those kisses count lol;) I think you’re one of those wonderful readers who like all types of stories & genres. A true blessing!
Elegant is such a great word to describe her books! Yes!
Loved this interview with sweet writer extraordinaire friend, Laura – such a reading treat/gift she is. Thank you!! Can’t wait to meet Tempe and immerse myself in the history of my beloved Kentucke. I’m beyond excited there are another 2 novels in progress already. Each novel she writes will always be at the top of my reading list, she writes with such eloquence. I am so blessed by, and grateful for, her writing and friendship!! And overjoyed she has “come home” to Kentucke!!
I love organic orange juice and canned mandarin oranges – peeling oranges, uh, not so much (even though I know they’re more healthy when fresh) and usually just omit having to do it, LOL.
Shared post!!
LOL I like the way you think, my dear 🙂
Carrie and Laura, what a delightful interview! It’s always fun to know more about amazing authors, and Carrie can always bring out interestingtidbits. I’m so excited to read A Moonbow Night, Laura. I’ve heard so many great things about it.
I don’t often buy oranges, but I love the little clementines that are easy to peel and so sweet and yummy this time of year. Sorry, Carrie (my BFFF), but I do love me some clementines. However, I love apples, too, especially when they’re sliced and dipped in caramel, which probably cancels out the health benefits.
I forgot to add that I’m looking forward to the “kilted laird” and “crumbling castle”, too, because. . . Scotland! Love, love, love!
Winnie, Love talking future books with you! ? Need a kilted laird emoji;) Once I make it through these edits on this colonial spy novel I’ll return to that crumbling castle I left hanging 1/4 way into the story. I do miss it!
I’ll be looking forward to it. Scotland definitely has a lot of crumbling castles. I’m not sure how many kilted lairds are still around. 😀 We have some friends from Scotland who came over to visit a few years ago. We had an impromptu bagpipe concert in our backyard! So much fun!
Yes!!! Me too!! Love love love
LOL perhaps a bit but they’re so yummy that way!
Can I follow Laura on Pinterest? I see where I can follow her boards individually, but there are like a million and six of them (all gorgeous). Is there a way to follow her so I’d be following all the boards?
These books look great!
Ah, never mind. The “follow” button suddenly popped up. Got it. 😀
DeAnna, So happy you found me over there, no easy feat! I’ll go & look for you too:) I just learned Pinterest only allows 200k pins per pinner & so I’m more pin-conscientious now. Guess I’ll just open another account when that happens. Thanks so much for being here & connecting over there too!
Yay!!
I like peeling oranges except when they are very thick and hard to separate from the meat.
Then it’s just more trouble than it’s worth lol
So excited to hear about the two books Laura is working on! I finished A Moonbow Night late last night and so wish we could learn more about Sion and Tempe and the other characters in the book. Any chance, Laura?
Such a wonderful interview! A Moonbow Night is expected to show up in my mailbox today! I’m so excited! I love Laura’s books, I have all the kindle books listed on her amazon page except Love’s Fortune. I don’t know how I missed it. I’m adding it to my wishlist.
Oh Linda, How you tempt me to spin a sequel! Bless you for wanting more of Moonbow:) Somebody asked for Raven’s story just yesterday. He was kind of a shadowy character who would be fun to fill out. Thrilled you’ve yet to meet Wren in Love’s Fortune. I actually attended the cover shoot video in Seattle for that one and will try to post the link here. Very thankful for you and each reading friend here!
Ooooooo yes please! Raven’s story!
Ooo you’ll love that one too!
Here’s the cover shoot video with myself and Brandon Hill. Hope you enjoy!
Fun!!!
Stressful. Laura Frantz’s books are always clean and enjoyable. Thanks for this giveaway.
Marilyn
You’re so welcome!
I think peeling an orange is usually stressful. I have a hard time getting all of the white inside part off of the meat. I am not much of a fruit eater but do enjoy an apple or orange once in a while. Thanks for this great interview and giveaway.
Apples are my personal fav
Relaxing…..I suppose
Lol
I find peeling oranges slightly stressful too, although I love to eat them once they are peeled. I have read all of Laura’s books and can’t wait to read this one too!
It’s amazing! Just a gorgeous book
I have peeled so few oranges in my life, I’ve never thought about it. Other than lemons, which I don’t bother peeling, I don’t really care for citrus. What I really like are members of the rosaceae family–apples, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, chokecherries, that sort of fruit. I can’t wait to read Moonbow Night!
mmm yes – those are my faves too!
I find peeling oranges sort of relaxing but there are lots of other things that I prefer.
lol
I like the little oranges (Halos or Cuties) – so easy to peel, it all comes off in one piece. The bigger oranges bug me, though, because I smell like oranges for hours. We used to have a couple of those Pampered Chef orange peelers but they seem to be playing with the missing socks.
LOL!
I don’t eat them so I don’t peel them though My Hubby does and I don’t think it looks stressful
I was privileged to read an author’s advance copy of this newest book and absolutely loved it. I had not read Frantz before but am correcting that immediately. I was so pleased and inspired by the skilled craftsmanship, characterization, and sheer beauty! i didn’t want this book to end.
I adore her books! Such gorgeous writing!
I almost never peel oranges. Probably stressful because I’m not wanting to tear the fruit.
i hadn’t thought about that but you’re right!
Hello Carrie and Laura, I am a fan of this author and read every chance I get. She is a kentuckian like me, so we have a bond. I am surprised to hear that peeling oranges is a stress relief. I am an apple gal.
thanks for sharing Laura with us today…
I’m an apple gal and a Kentuckian too, Pauline! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
WOW Carrie an apple gal and a Kentuckian too, you are my next best friend….good to meet ya.
so delighted to meet you too, Pauline! 🙂
If I have an orange peeler, it is actually quite fun. But if not, it is a little stressful… LOL.
LOL true
Such an odd question Carrie…lol!! I’ve long LOVED oranges and LOVED peeling them (I have a handy-dandy orange peeler implement in my kitchen drawer). The smell of a freshly peeled orange is divine…well, except if it squirts you in the eye, then it’s not so pleasant…hahaha! I’ve also discovered little mandarin oranges (Halos or Cuties brand) that practically peel themselves…seriously, they are so easy and so sweet….yummy! You’ve made me seriously crave an orange now!
I just read a Love Inspired Suspense book (I believe it was Jessica Patch?) where the heroine ate an orange when she was stressed. I loved her from that point on..lol!
Thanks for the fun interview & giveaway chance!
haha! I try to keep it interesting around here, Trixi 😉
Peeling oranges can be tough, but I love the smell and the taste, so it’s worth the effort for a good orange!
the smell is so good! I agree
Hi Laura! Hahahh. I love what your characters say about you!
I am a little stressed at the moment, since I just found out I didn’t get on the tour for Moonbow Night!! But I will survive. Either this giveaway or on my to be purchased list!
perhaps you should peel an orange? 😉 lol
We buy Cuties. No stress.
I remember my mom putting an orange peeling tool in my lunch box (I think it was made by Tupperware), it made peeling fun. ?
that would help!! yes 🙂
I have an orange peeler cutter thing. 🙂 That helps. Tupperware.
I love oranges.
Becky B.
Tupperware is awesome.
Depends upon the orange. Some just don’t want to be peeled. But I love the smell, so invigorating!
LOL that’s true – some are quite stubborn!
It can be stressful to me unless they are the little kind that you can peel really quickly 🙂
yes, me too!
Peeling oranges is definitely not relaxing for me. I seem to make quite a mess of it, and truly I have shot myself in the eye more than once! BUT I do love minneola tangelos. They are fairly easy to peel with that little nubbin on top and they taste AMAZING! Those keep me stress free as I can peel them in one large coil and feel quite accomplished when done. 😉
Great interview by the way. I’m hooked not to mention intrigued by the upcoming novels!
right?!? I want to read those upcoming ones NOW!! lol