#christianhistorical,  Author Interview,  BOOKS

Coming Soon from the Pen, Please Welcome Historical Author Laura Frantz!

What made you interested in writing Christian Historical Fiction? Do you write any other genres?

I wish I was one of those prolific people who wrote across genres but find myself mired in historicals, both writing them and reading them! Since I was small I’ve always loved visiting historical sites like Old Sturbridge Village and Colonial Williamsburg and places like that. Since my family came into Kentucky in the 18th century, all that history is close to home.

Are there any other Christian Historical Fiction authors that you think your readers would enjoy?

There are so many Christian authors out there who write well and the CBA is gaining a fine reputation. I’m discovering new authors all the time. Aside from Francine Rivers, one of the authors I enjoy most is Liz Curtis Higgs, particularly her last series, Here Burns My Candle and Mine is the Night. Stellar storytelling, rich characterization, and a real sense of regret when you reach the last page. Few authors reach me on that level but she does every time.

Are there bits and pieces that were cut in editing that you might ever share with your readers?

How about a whole book?! I actually wrote a sequel to The Frontiersman’s Daughter which was never published. Readers still write and ask me for more of that story. But my publisher never asked to see it so I wrote Courting Morrow Little instead. And I hope that one made up for the former!

What is your favorite scene from Love’s Reckoning?

Oh, love the question. That would have to be when Eden and Silas meet up again after time apart. Neither of them sees it coming and so there are some historical fireworks!
There are 4 books in The Ballantyne Legacy series. I’ve just finished book 2 as it’s due September 1st and have just started book 3 due this time next year.

How would you relate your writing experience and research to some Creative Madness?

I think writers are a little crazy creatively – a little madness, for sure! Especially where writing a book is concerned. Where do these characters come from? How do words ever get woven together to create a readable, enjoyable story? I know writing is a gift from above as I still can’t tell you how to write a book!

What is something that you have never told anyone in an author interview?

That I’d love to write for the general market, maybe even the Young Adult market. They need a light over there…

What is the one thing that you want to leave readers of Love’s Reckoning pondering over?

The power of the choices we make and the consequences that result from them. God is a God of second chances but oh, how we humans complicate things!

Please please tell us about your next planned project…

After this current series, I’m not sure but I’ve had readers ask for a historical series set in Washington State, the place I now live. It’s not quite as rich in history having only achieved statehood in 1889. But it does have some good story fodder!

Tell us about your blog and participation in other blogs…

I have an active blog or what I call “journal” at LauraFrantz.net via WordPress. I’m also part of a group blog called Colonial Quills with other authors and writers. I’m on Facebook at Laura Feagan Frantz and also on Pinterest. I don’t have a Twitter account anymore but love connecting with readers at the former sites. 🙂 I’d love to see you there!

 

If you’d like to be one of the first to read Eden’s story, leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Love’s Reckoning!

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The Creative Madness Mama also known as Margaret is a Christian Stay-at-home Mama, married to the Enginerd, quilter, cross stitcher, avid reader and book-a-holic. As book blogger for various publicists, she loves to share the latest and greatest about books coming out as well as her needle art and other crafty projects with some pictures of her fourteen-year-old AppleBlossom, twelve-year-old OrangeBlossom (the Princess), nine-year-old Almond Blossom (the Rascal boy!), six-year-old (red) Mermaid Warrior, the four-and-a-half-year-old Viking Dragon, and Huckleberry (due in June 2024!) in between. Homeschooling, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, babywearing, bone broth brewing, tea drinking, list making mama full of a little creative and a lot of madness.

81 Comments

  • Laura Frantz

    Margaret, You have such a great blog and lay out these PEN interviews so beautifully! It’s an honor to be here and I pray/hope Eden’s story blesses you and others. Thank you for ALL you do for Christian fiction. Your heart for Him and others – and good books – really shows:)

    • CherryBlossomMJ

      Laura you just made my day! I truly enjoy your writing and getting to know a bit more about you I really feel a kinship. My family through both sides has been state-side since the early 16th century (Virginia, Georgia and South Carolina through out the years primarily) and my original favorite author that started this whole love of Christian Historical Fiction is Liz Curtis Higgs. I love her Ruth and Boaz saga, but nothing will even compare to Jacob’s wives and Dinah’s story in her older Scottish Lowlands series for me. They made such an impression that will never leave me.

      As for formatting a pretty post, oh – do you have any idea how great that is to hear?! It’s easy to make it pretty with such great cover images and author photos, but I just do what is pleasing to my eye and hope that others have it work on their computer screens and browsers as well. (I realize some are all different.)

      I think the only historicals that I have read in Washington State revolved around loggers. I even remember a young adult one in the general market and loved that series as a younger person and still seek for the third in the series that was based there. I look forward to it!! AS WELL AS the rest of the Ballantyne series. 😉 <3

      • Laura Frantz

        Oh Margaret, We are kindred spirits indeed. Love that Liz:) All of her books are on my keeper shelf and I treasure every one so understand when you say you do, too. I’m going to Scotland with Liz this December and can hardly wait:) I’ll try to send you a postcard!!

        Love hearing your family history and where your roots are. Southern states like mine. Such rich history. And I’m chuckling at your logger comments – SO TRUE of the northwest! Think Paul Bunyan and Babe the big blue ox and things like that. I married a logger of sorts so better be careful, lol, of what I say;)

        • CherryBlossomMJ

          Oh! I’d love a postcard. If it weren’t for the girls, I’d love to jump on a plane with you ladies. 🙂 I’d get to see my sister too. *sigh* I’ve yet to be to Scotland to see where she calls home, but maybe one day.

          • Laura Frantz

            Margaret, I had no idea you have a sis in Scotland! Be still my heart:) Immediately another dear reader came to mind who’s from Texas and married a Scotsman and lives there, too. She’s expecting her 4th baby any day now and she’s been a wonderful reading friend to me. I do hope you can go some day. I think you will when your littles are bigger:)

  • Joanne Bischof

    Every time I see Laura’s book pop up I just get so excited for her and what I just know is a wonderful story! I already am thinking about the Christmas presents to buy and have a feeling this book just might make it’s way under the tree for someone. I’m so curious to see the next phase of the Ballantyne’s legacy!

    • Laura Frantz

      Joanne! Love seeing you here! I always smile when you appear:) I heard or remember you’re having edits and Eden and Silas must wait! I so know the feeling. I’m expecting them on book 2 Ballantyne soon as I just submitted the story last weekend. And I hope you like it just as much though I must say the 19th-century is oh so civilized! Have to search for things to stir the pot, so to speak…

      And I love that you think of books as gifts. Me, too. They’re really the gift that keeps on giving, especially when they’re passed on and shared. Thanks so much for being here. Praying for you as you write and edit and mother those precious little ones!

  • Marie Burton (@BurtonReview)

    I have been eyeing Laura Frantz’s work for quite awhile! I would love to snag a copy. I most especially loved her comment about needing a light over at the YA market, I have thought that myself. I think it would be fantastic if she would pursue that. I hadn’t heard of Liz Curtis Wiggs so I’ll have to check her out too. Thanks for the giveaway!!

    • CherryBlossomMJ

      Ooh! I forgot to comment on that! Most definitely could use some light over there from what I see on the sidelines. With all the paranormal and gothic it’s gotten a bit much.

      Liz Curtis Higgs is amazing. Click the name in the post and you can see my reviews of just about every single one of her books. 🙂

      • Laura Frantz

        Marie, Bless you for your gracious words:) And please do try Liz’s books! She’s such a gifted writer and speaker and more. A truly Godly woman who glorifies Him. Here’s hoping we can shed a little light on the ABA market if led that direction. I love YA myself in the ABA. Historical writers like Ann Rinaldi and others are really riveting. Thanks so much for being here – happy Friday!

  • Elyssa

    How exciting! I’ve been so looking forward to reading Laura’s latest, and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of it! Thanks for the chance to win it! =)

  • Amy C

    What a great site. It’s beautiful. Thank you for hosting a giveaway. I am looking forward to reading this book. I am a genealogy nut and love history. Looks like I need to look up Liz Curtis Higgs, too. I’ve never read anything by her.

    campbellamyd at gmail dot com

    • CherryBlossomMJ

      Thank you!!

      Liz writes some great Bible studies too on women of the Bible. But her historical series are awesome. She also has a new Christmas novella (I think it’s a novella) coming out this year that I’m looking forward to. She has two historical series bases in Scotland that are both retellings in a way of Bible stories in a different time and place. Be prepared to turn every page and laugh and cry.

  • Debbie Clark

    I have read The Frontiersmans Daughter and enjoyed every bit of it. I have not read any other of Laura Frantz books, but would love to win Loves Reckoning. Thanks for the chance to win.

    • Laura Frantz

      Debbie, So happy you’ve met Lael and read TFD:) And that you’d like to win Eden’s story. I pray you like that one, too, if you read it. It was such a joy to write! Thanks so much.

  • Laura Frantz

    Kaye, Glad you love Liz’s books, too:) Can’t say enough good about them except I wish we had one a month! Thanks for looking for mine. They’re at many libraries and often on sale at Amazon and other places. Barnes&Noble usually carries them, too. Thanks for entering the giveaway!

  • Paula Osborne

    Someone is being talked about over at Goodreads so here I am to check out what is happening, I too am a Ky gal and proud of it, I live in Ga now and miss my “Old Ky Home”. I am anxious to read this book everyone is talking about, thanks for sharing some comments today.
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

    • Laura Frantz

      Paula, Oh, Goodreads has some good book buzz, that’s for sure:) Love meeting another Ky gal. So happy you moved further south and not out of the south! I’m still trying to get back there. Bless you for being here and wanting to read Eden and Silas’s story!

  • Leigh Ann

    I can’t wait to get my hands on this one! I’ve been a major fan since I discovered The Frontiersman’s Daughter as a free Kindle ebook and immediately followed it with Courting Morrow Little and The Colonel’s Lady. Would love to score a copy of this one!

    • Laura Frantz

      Oh, Leigh Ann! So happy to meet you here and discover you found me via Kindle! Woohoo:) I was just wondering today if those free Kindle downloads are effective. You’ve just proven they are! Thanks so much for reading Morrow and Roxanna’s stories, too. Now you must meet Eden:) I pray you like her just as much. Thanks so much for being here and bringing a blessing!

  • Marissa E.

    Great interview! A series in Washington would be cool! How about a series in Colorado? 🙂

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

    • Laura Frantz

      Marissa, so glad you like the sound of a WA series:) But yep, Colorado is cool, too! I think that state has many popular historicals set there and for good reason as it’s so picturesque! Thanks for stopping today. Happy Friday!

  • Liz Riggs

    Thanks so much for the chance to win Laura’s latest, I can’t wait to read it! I think writing YA would be a great idea! I love reading YA novels (not so much into the vampires), Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time series are some of my favorite books! I definitely need to check out Liz Curtis Higgs, I’ve got a couple of her books in my TBR pile.

    • Laura Frantz

      Hi Liz, So happy you’re here:) Whenever I see you online I do a double take and think you might be Liz Higgs, lol! Glad you love YA, too, sans the vampire/paranormal stuff. YES, Lisa ROCKS! Happy weekend to you!

    • Laura Frantz

      Liz, Thanks for the thumbs up on the YA:) I love them, too, especially the historicals by Ann Rinaldi and authors like her. And yes, please check out Liz Higgs! You’re nearly twins, lol – I always do a doubletake when I see your name!

        • Laura Frantz

          Liz, Ann is just tops for YA historical fiction in the general market. All of her books are clean and have a very memorable theme and message. She is PROLIFIC. My favorites by her are her colonial novels such as THE SECRET OF SARAH REVERE and WOLF BY THE EARS, etc. Also THE COFFIN QUILT which is about the Hatfield and McCoy feud. She writes across eras and is known for her exceptional research and attention to detail. Though they’re YA, I find they’re a treasure trove for adults, too. Hope you like her if you read her. But she’s written so many it’s kind of like being a kid in a candy shop when it comes to selecting one!

  • Bluerose

    Well, I’m playing catch-up today, so this is the 3rd wonderful interview for you(Laura) that I’ve read today. 🙂 It’s been great getting to know you a bit better.

  • Cheyenne

    I think it is great that she wants to write for the general market. I am an aspiring writer and agree that a world needs a light, in a place that can often be so dark.

    • Laura Frantz

      Cheyenne, So glad you have a heart for the general market, too, and their need of a light in a dark place. God bless your writing as you pen stories for Him. Thanks so much for being here:)

  • Laura Frantz

    GWEN! YES, a big fat sequel! And thanks so much for the prayers. They’re needed and appreciated:) You have mine, too for your writing and all else. I know you have a heart for teens so maybe we’ll both be headed that direction in future. Fun to think about! Thanks for being such an encouragement and a light!

    • Laura Frantz

      Hi Leah, Seeing your lovely name reminds me I need to name a character that:) It’s also beautifully Biblical but you know that, of course. Thanks so much for wanting to read Eden’s story. I hope you enjoy every word!

  • Carol Gehringer

    Glad to hear of your interest in YA — love to read all genres, but I focus on YA because I’m a K-12 librarian. Dystopian is big in YA but good historical has its place: loved Cathy Golke’s WILLIAM HENRY IS A FINE NAME and Lisa Bergren’s RIVER OF TIME series. Go for it — I’ll be watching for your works!

    • Laura Frantz

      Carol, I always feel honored when a librarian shows up:) If I could change careers, I’d be one. You’re very savvy to keep up with the best YA writers in the CBA. Cathy is wonderful as is Lisa. There’s a new author, too, you may already be aware of – Melanie Dickerson. She crafts very interesting YA fairy talels and her covers are stunning! Interestingly enough, a leading library journal endorsed Love’s Reckoning for teen girls. I was a bit surprised but given how much teens face these days, they feel this novel will resonate. I hope so. It’s always been my desire to reach that age group. My sons are that age as well as my neices and nephews.

      Anyway, thanks so much for being here. I admire what you do so very much. You have a huge ministry all your own!

      • CherryBlossomMJ

        If I remember correctly, when Melanie’s first one The Healer’s Apprentice was labeled as a YA she was surprised but I think I can see how yours could be a fit for that as well. It is the same in the context of a young adult, on the edge of being ready for marriage. She is not quite grown in mental maturity and the course of the novel and her experiences bring her to that point. (As well as learning details of her past and parentage!) In both cases they are a book of hopes and dreams for a future and learning from someone else’s experiences as well as creating your own.

        http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/tag/melanie-dickerson/

      • Carol Gehringer

        Yes, I am familiar with Melanie D. — have read both her books and her latest is in my piles. I haven’t read Love’s Reckoning, so I’ll add that to my growing list. Thoroughly enjoyed TFD, so I expect I’ll like LR too. Thanks for the tip . . .

        • Laura Frantz

          Carol, I really appreciate your interest in LR if you have time for it in future. I forgot to mention another passion of mine – the Dear America books. I find them fascinating and they help round out my own research. I wish I had the entire collection. And then there’s Laurie Halse Anderson and Fever 1793… I could go on and on:) And I’m sure you could, too!

          • CherryBlossomMJ

            My local used bookstore has several of the Dear America books on their shelf. Are there any you want me to look for to help fill out your collection? — I love the Mandie series and I’m excited about Bethany House republishing in several mini-omnibus editions.

  • Julia

    With the pictures you have up on your blog a Washington book would be gorgeous! Seems like there are so many pretty spots where you live! You always bring your gracious spirit wherever you are on the web. Great seeing you at Margaret’s site!

    • Laura Frantz

      Julia, I LOVE visiting with you this way:) And as far as your very gracious comment, you bring that around yourself:) I love Margaret’s site – one of my favorites – and I’m thrilled you know each other! It’s been so fun doing giveaways on blogs other than my own. Always a pleasure and honor. If I remember correctly, you won a book some time ago and that’s how we connected. I’ve been thanking Him ever since!

        • Julia

          Margaret, You’re so sweet. I really enjoy your comments, too.

          Laura, Margaret and I share something else in common we use many of the same curriculum to homeschool our children and are on a curriculum board together for Sonlight. She has some of the neatest ideas for early childhood, very creative.

  • Audrey Grant

    I have LONG been fascinated with Scotland! My sisters always talked about Australia and Italy, but if I found a book about Scotland I was a happy girl!! I am on the hunt for all of your books! I intend to have the whole set eventually! You are a lady, Author and and person after my own heart!

  • Laura Frantz

    Margaret, You’re so thoughtful to help me round out my collection – a nice way of putting it! I’m embarrassed to say I have been buying good used copies of them for only 3 cents a piece! The price fluctuates somewhat but they’re so reasonable usually. It hurts somewhat to see a book sold for so little but guess that’s what happens with overstock or returns or whatever they’re called. But I really appreciate your kind thought!

  • Renee C.

    This was an AWESOME book but Laura’s are always stellar. I hope whoever wins this likes it as much as I did. 😀

    No need to enter me since I already have a copy on my keeper shelf.

  • Leah

    I am very excited to read Loves Reckoning, It looks and sound super good!!
    I read The Colonels Lady a few months ago and LOVED it!!
    So I’m looking forward to reading The Ballantyne Legacy series.

    • Laura Frantz

      Leah, SO happy you’ve met Roxie and Cass and want to meet Eden and Silas:) Hope you enjoy their story just as much. Fun to hear the book sounds and looks good. Thanks for that! And thanks, too, for being so thoughtful and coming here on what I’m sure is a busy Tuesday:) Bless you bunches!

  • Amyfishgirl

    Oh, CreativeMadness. you keep finding all these authors, and then I have to read them, cuz you read it, of course i will love it too.

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