Review of The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

Rating: 5 Stars

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Synopsis from Revell: Roxanna Rowan may be a genteel Virginia woman, but she is determined to brave the wilds of the untamed frontier to reach a remote Kentucky fort. Eager to reunite with her father, who serves under Colonel Cassius McLinn, Roxanna is devastated to find that her father has been killed on a campaign.

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Penniless and out of options, Roxanna is forced to remain at the fort. As she spends more and more time with the fiery Colonel McLinn, the fort is abuzz with intrigue and innuendo. Can Roxanna truly know who the colonel is--and what he's done?

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Immerse yourself in this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness set in the tumultuous world of the frontier in 1779.

Review: Autumn has chased away the lingering summer and cloaked my area in an early chill. It has been the ideal weather for nestling in a cocoon of blankets and immersing oneself in the pages of an engaging novel.  I have been anticipating my opportunity to read Laura Frantz's latest release, The Colonel's Lady, and I savored the beautiful novel from the cover to the very last word.

Sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. The design of The Colonel's Lady is elegant and intriguing, capturing the essence of the book to perfection.  It is the plot that truly shines, however.  I enjoyed the danger of the new frontier and witnessing the experiences of life in a remote fort. The untamed lifestyles and ruggedness that defined America's wilderness provide an exciting setting, conducive to unexpected twists and turns.  The pace of the novel is steady throughout, but gains even more momentum towards the end.

Of course, I adore a novel with a timeless love story to balance the action.  The romantic tension between Roxanna and Cass is evident throughout the plot.  In many ways Cass reminded me of Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre.  Roxanna was a bit spunkier and outspoken than Jane; but I saw similarities in the growth of their relationships. The addition of sweet little Abby added some lightness to the thread of danger woven in the plot. With her quiet presence, she provided a common ground between Roxanna and Cass when their relationship was on delicate ground.  Frantz's blend of characters is seamless with the right proportions of love and conflict.  The Colonel's Lady is the type of novel that you close with a contented sigh.

Laura Frantz has become synonymous with fluid descriptions and dialogue, compelling plots and characters, and interesting historical detail.  The Colonel's Lady is no exception to the high standard set by The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little.  Each of these novels can be relished again and again.

Revisiting a Favorite Novel

I love finding a book that is truly a timeless treasure.  This weekend, I revisited Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz.  I first read this novel last year on a 10 hour plus train ride home from vacation.  From the first page, maybe even the first sentence, I was completely captivated.  What better way to spend one's confinement on a swaying train than engrossed in the pages of an amazing novel by a favorite author? I finished the book in one sitting and still had time to enjoy the passing scenery outside of my train window after I read the last page.

This weekend, despite having a list of new books to read, I was once again drawn to the story of Morrow Little.  Although it has only been a year since I read the novel, I was as engrossed in the plot as the first time I opened the book. In fact, I stayed up well past midnight lost in Courting Morrow Little. That is a strong testament to the power of a 5 plus star book from the pen of a skilled author.  Needless to say, I am anxiously awaiting the release of The Colonel's Lady, as I have no doubt that it will be another treasure!