The Frontiersman's Daughter

Wow--if you like James Thom, this is another greatly detailed historical frontier book!

As a Kentuckian, I am proud of my heritage and Daniel Boone is close to my heart. I am very hesitant when historical fiction has an agenda--and because this has been tagged as "religious" fiction or "Christian romance" I was concerned--but didn't need to be.

The author has written not only in great detail regarding life on the frontier but has done so with a real mastery of word-play. The characters were original, seemingly real, and while there is a very obvious spiritual theme, the book is not overcome by this.

What a great surprise to find in this day and age of "easy reads". Especially surprising to find this was a first-time author. I have no doubt that we will hear more from her in the future.

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Great historical epic!

Ahhh, sweet peace in my soul... that is what I'm experiencing in the wake of closing the back cover of "The Frontiersman's Daughter" after finishing the last page. A sense that all is right with the world because Lael Click is going to be alright. How is it that in just a day I can care about Lael so much that it matters to me that she is going to be okay? It is possible because Laura Frantz has penned a beautiful historical epic that sent me back in time to get familiar with Lael as she is growing up in the wilds of Kentucky (Kentucke) starting at age 13. The book ends with her a mere 21, but she has lived and loved a lifetime by then. I can't begin to explain the story without spilling more than I should and I don't dare say something that would take any joy out of you delving into this precious story yourself. If you like historical fiction with some romance, then this book needs to join your keep shelf at home so you can enjoy this book again and again.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Amazing Novel- I Couldn't Put it Down!

I had heard wonderful things about this book, but really wasn't prepared for how blown away I was going to be!
THE FRONTIERSMAN'S DAUGHTER has it all. Adventure, romance, grudges, war, a gutsy heroine and not one, but two awesome heros!
From the first page where Lael let down her hair in the presence in a war party of Shawnee I was hooked. Usually in a romance I can ultimately tell who will be the heroine's choice- I had no idea in this novel! It kept me completely entranced in the story. The waterfall scene was gripping and had me gulping air like a fish out of water. At another point in the novel, I was so shocked I couldn't believe what I was reading and was turning pages until they were warm beneath my fingers.
Lael is an amazing heroine. Her strength and determination in life make her seem invincible in the world of Kentucky of the 18th century. But it's the grudges she has buried deep that make her human. And her gentle discovery of Christ's love make this story touching and real.
This isn't a novel to blaze through. It is meant to be savored, each page read thoroughly and enjoyed to its fullest potential. Because each page holds a treasure, a key to unlocking the tapestry of Lael's life. I would whole heartedly read this book again and again and highly recommend it!
This debut novel by Laura Frantz is incredible and she can only get better from here. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of her second novel, Courting Morrow Little. Laura Frantz has found herself a new fan!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Kentucky in the spotlight

I was honored to receive a review copy of Laura Frantz's first novel, The Frontiersman's Daughter. I first discovered Frantz's wonderful prose on her blog, Imagination, and was pleased to learn her first book was being released in August. We have become "bloggy" cyber friends and I look forward to meeting her in real-life at the Kentucky Book Fair in November.

The Frontiersman's Daughter is the story of Lael Click, a strong frontierswoman who battles life while dealing with many family secrets. Her father, a celebrated frontiersman - think Daniel Boone - is a former captive of the Shawnee Indians, a fact that haunts Lael throughout her childhood. She grows into a young woman while battling the hostile settlement her father founded in "Ken-tucke" - think Old Fort Harrod in Harrodsburg, Kentucky - the demons of family secrets and the destruction caused by a family feud.

Ma Horn is a great role model for Lael, teaching her how to heal with medicinal herbs. Simon, Doctor Ian Justus and Captain Jack make excellent heroes because they are all multi-dimensional characters, although I would have like to have seen more of Capt. Jack. Maybe there is a sequel in the near future? Lael finds it hard to decide between the three possible love interests.

The main focus of the book is Lael sometimes wavering faith in God. We watch her grow in her religious beliefs to become a strong Christian woman.

Frantz did an excellent job researching Kentucky history for this fictional biography; and of course, she is a Kentucky native, so the interest was natural. I think her details of the white man vs. Indian conflict were spot-on and she was able to give us both sides of the issue. Her writing prose is beautiful and flows from page to page and she has created a book you want to read from cover to cover without putting it down.

**In full disclosure, I live in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, so I am very familiar with The Old Fort Harrod - the oldest settlement in Kentucky. Growing up in Harrodsburg, I've had a natural love for all things related to Daniel Boone and James Harrod. I have read many non-fiction books on Kentucky history, but there are very few creative non-fiction books on the market. The Frontiersman's Daughter is one of those books. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - to my family and friends, and to people who have a natural curiosity about Kentucky, or just want to learn a little more. You will not be disappointed.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Inspiring Frontier Romance

In her soaring debut, THE FRONTIERSMAN'S DAUGHTER, Laura Frantz sets a high standard for others to follow. With enviable skill as a story teller, Ms. Frantz draws us into the tumultuous, inspiring life of Lael Click. We are privileged to follow Lael from age thirteen to age twenty-one. A span of just eight years, but an eventful and amazing time in the rawness of Colonial America. Lael is the daughter of a legendary frontiersman, who parents her with love and influences her thoughts and actions throughout her life. At times Lael cannot understand her father's ways, and it takes the maturity of years and her own life experiences for her love for her father to come full circle. Lael cannot fully adapt to "civilized life", for she loves to wander her Kentucky woods barefoot and free of heart. Taught the skill of herbal medicine by her wise old great-aunt, Lael becomes sought after as a medicine woman. For her safety, her father sends Lael to Virginia to a well-respected ladies school where she remains for five years. Lael's father dies in a tragic accident, and her mother remarries and leaves their home place, taking along Lael's younger brother. Lael returns to Kentucky and begins her life alone at her family home. Two men had loved Lael all of her life. The russet-haired, larger than life Simon was a neighbor and successful land owner. Enigmatic Captain Jack was raised by the Shawnee and lived among them as a chief. Both men had a place in Lael's heart. It is the arrival of a handsome Scottish doctor which forever changes the course of Lael's life. Ian Justus is a man of great healing ability and also of great faith. He wants Lael in his life as his helpmate in his medical practice, combining her folk medicine with his traditional methods as a physician. He also wants Lael's love, but she does not easily accept and understand his deep, abiding faith. Lael and Ian overcome many obstacles on their way to forming a lasting bond of great love, hope and belief.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Powerfully moving historical romance

The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz is a haunting western romance readers won't soon forget. Lael Click lives in the shadow of her father's captivity with the Shawnee Indians as well as several family secrets. While living in bondage to the past, she has to somehow make a way for her future. Frantz' writing is lyrical and beautiful, every page is a pleasure to read. She creates an atmosphere of dread that follows Lael throughout much of her life, making it difficult for her to trust. I loved Lael; she was fully realized, and I ached for her losses and desire for love. Full of rich historical detail and realistic characters, this novel will leave readers wanting more from Frantz!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An Epic Tale of Life and Love in Early Kentucke

Debut author Laura Franz writes like a seasoned professional. The Frontiersman's Daughter melds powerful characters, artistic description and a captivating storyline into a feast sure to satisfy readers who crave stories with heart. Told through the eyes of the strong, determined, courageous daughter of one of the first white men to settle in Kentucke, the story follows Lael Click's journey from a girl of thirteen to a woman of twenty as she deals with loss, love and the need of the Lord in her life.

The tale takes place during the time of the American Revolution when tensions between the settlers and Indians were high. Lael's past is stained by the sins of her pioneer parents, and she must overcome bitterness and vengeful longings as she seeks to find her own place in the world. Her biggest choice concerns matters of the heart. Three men have laid claim to her affections: her childhood sweetheart, a mysterious white man captured and raised by the Shawnee, and a Scottish doctor whose firm faith forces her to face her past and choose the course for her future. Through her friendships with Simon, Captain Jack and Doctor Ian Justus, Lael learns of life, love and the saving grace of the Lord. But which man will ultimately capture her heart?

As I began The Frontiersman's Daughter, it became clear this story wasn't exactly what I expected. It's so much more. While there is a satisfying romance with a hero I fell hard for, the epic tale is deeper and richer than many stories I've read. The reader is taken on a journey as Lael lives life in a period rarely featured in a romance. Because of Frantz's meticulous research, I learned a great deal about what life was like for those brave souls who ventured into the frontier. With words as her medium, she paints pictures so vivid I felt I was right there with Lael. If you like emotional depth to your stories, you'll be rewarded as you laugh, cry and sigh with the rich cast of characters. And the romance is as sweet as the bee gum honey Lael loves. I highly recommend this book and look forward to Frantz's next release, Courting Morrow Little.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

WANT a historical romance? WANT a story you can get lost in? Well here it is. EXCELLENT READ from a first time author.

The characters in Mrs. Frantz's debut novel captured my heart and imagination from the very beginning. Her story took me back to a time past and I felt that I was right there with each and every one of her characters, experiencing their joys and their sorrows. Now I can not wait until her next book comes out. I'll be the first in line to buy it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!

This was one of the best books I have ever read. I found myself saying "just one more chapter". This lead to some very late nights for me. I have already recommended this book to several friends.

Great book!!! I have read it several times and love it!

Wonderful book. I feel like i am living in the time and story. Will read it again and again. Put together very well.

Good Christian Read!

There is so much to this book...it is one u cant put down... Just when u think she will do one thing she does another..

Amazing!

This book is just as many of the other reviewers have described - amazing! The descriptions of the characters, the location, the emotions are enough to immerse you in the book without being overdone. The characters are well fleshed out and believable. The history seems very well done and it is nice to read a good story in addition to the love interests. Well don!

Best Book Ever

one of the best books I have read in a long time. I couldn't put it down.

Love it!

I love books about the early days. A great, clean read! Wish there were more like this on the free book list.

Highly recommend

This would be an adult book. This was my first book by this author. It was one of those books that you just didn't want to put down. Not to long yet not to short 407 pages. The story line was very good.

Highly Recommended

I could hardly put this book down. It is a great book. Every detail was historically correct. I am sure I will have to read other books by this author.

Truly Enjoyable!

This is a wonderful book. I enjoyed it so much that I could not put it down. 4 1/2 Stars!!

Great read!

It was hard to put this book down even though it started out a bit slow. I fell in love with all of the characters, but was disappointed that one of the characters that seemed to be an important part of the story seemed to just disappear. I would have loved for this character to have been more developed into the storyline otherwise it was a bit confusing.........unless there is going to be a book two!

Really enjoyed...

Well written with very likable characters.

Highly recommended

One of the best books i have read lately!
The only down side is some characters storys were left hanging.I hope there is another book to finish out their story.