Having read Laura Frantz' stellar previous two offerings, The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little, I knew The Colonel's Lady would be good.
But how good?
Well, to say I loved it would be an understatement. The word stunning comes to mind, but even that seems a bland description. How about exquisite?
All right, enough with the adjectives and on with the story.
Here's a brief synopsis from the back cover:
Can love survive the secrets kept buried within a tormented heart?
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.
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?
Immerse yourself in this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness set in the tumultuous world of the frontier in 1779.
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.
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?
Immerse yourself in this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness set in the tumultuous world of the frontier in 1779.
Laura Frantz is simply an amazing wordsmith, and The Colonel's Lady is probably her finest creation to date. The vivid imagery she breaths to life so convincingly, has a certain gracefulness about it, managing to strike a perfect mood balance somewhere between realism and wonder. Rather like that moment just before sunset when you're caught in the middle of two worlds; one about to end and the other just beginning.
Each detail that unfolds feels like a piece of fine chocolate; meant to be savored and digested slowly so as to get the full impact. I love that instead of cramming a lot of dialogue in to propel the plot, the author allows the character's actions to speak for themselves.
Aside from gorgeous writing, the plot structure moves along at just the right pace, keeping readers invested in the story. Cassius and Roxanna also share some great moments of romantic tension that, while dramatic, never feel forced or contrived.
Everything simply fits, like puzzle pieces coming together in a gradually cohesive tapestry.
The Colonel's Lady is one such masterpiece I won't soon forget.
2 comments:
Oh Christina, It's YOU! The other day I was looking at reviews, something I don't often do, and came across yours and SO WANTED to thank the one who wrote this! And now I find it's you!! Bless you so much for crafting such a wonderful review - the way you word things is simply amazing and I'm so thankful you like the book. And are a chocolate lover like me;) TCL was a joy to write and I miss those characters even now.
You've given me a precious gift and I'll not forget it or you. Thank you.
Laura
Oh my, it was such a delight to review TCL as I just loved it so much! Thank YOU for writing something so worthy of five star ratings and unanimous critical praise. Opening one of your books is such a treat for me, I can't even tell you. They completely transport me to another time and I don't want to come back...I can't wait till the start of your new series next year. I'll be counting down the days! And speaking of chocolate, I have a batch of almond joys cooling in the fridge that are supposed to be for Christmas. We'll see if they last that long! :) God bless, Laura, and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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