An Uncommon Woman

Reading a Laura Frantz novel pretty much guarantees the discovery of a new kindred spirit friend. In Tessa Swan readers will encounter a determined, fiercely protective, devout, and genuine-hearted frontier lady. Tessa embraces contentment and chooses joy regardless of the dangers her family faces by living beyond the nearby fort’s protective walls. While she loves tiny feminine touches like a lace-edged petticoat or delicate hand fan, readers shouldn’t expect a frail hothouse flower in this darling and daring heroine. Tessa proves to be as sturdy and dependable as a meadow wildflower, delighting everyone with her honest, humble charm. Resourceful even when her life is threatened, Tessa’s pioneer spirit provides a glimpse into an untamed but exhilarating time in our country’s history. Of course you can also count on a sigh-worthy hero in Laura’s stories. Dashingly different than the overdone Hollywood handsome, Clay Taggart is a man of substance and strength but also a one who dares to feel even though he believes love is a luxury he cannot afford. Torn between two worlds but determined to follow the Lord to the best of his ability, Clay’s authenticity and audacious bravery absolutely won my heart. Those counted on features that make Laura’s stories so fabulous were, of course, also present. Her reliable research and writing style weave such vivid details into the story that you linger rather than rushing because you want the adventure to last as long as possible. A cast of loveable and genuine characters, each possessing their own flaws and struggles, add delicious ambiance. Then there’s that beautiful redemption thread Laura never fails to include. Before finding Laura Frantz, author extraordinaire, I rarely re-read any book. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to revisit such beloved characters while anxiously awaiting my next excursion with Laura. Don't miss the free epilogue available on Laura's website!

In my opinion, three things set Laura Frantz’ writing apart from and above that of all others currently writing for the historical Christian market. Firstly, her meticulous and exhaustive research of the period and place. Writing primarily (but not exclusively) in the late 1700’s (and again, not exclusively) in areas of Virginia and Kentucky, she thoroughly employs the entire ethos of her characters’ language, mannerisms, food, farming, and moral and religious values; many of them inherited from European sources, most notably Scotland. Add to that a well-researched grasp of the geo-political climate of the period and you have the makings of a wonderful story. Thirdly, Laura Frantz’ mellifluous narration of the storyline is eloquent and patient. Many a love story is ruined by an author’s awkward rushing of the love angle in an otherwise good story. Ms. Frantz richly deserves the Christy award she won for her 2018 novel, “The Lacemaker,” and this novel may well be a contender for the Christy and other honors as well. Each of the principle characters – Tessa, Clay, and Keturah - is uniquely interesting. Tessa - guileless, unpretentious, yet plucky - demonstrates extraordinary courage – some might suggest foolhardiness - in the face of danger and hardship. Keturah, taken captive at an early age and held for years by Lenapes, has suffered much with repeated dislocation, much in her life having gone awry, though none of her own doing. He entire existence might have devolved into a swirl of life’s most basic questions; “Who am I?” “Where do I belong?” “Who are my people – both the natives and settlers, though they war against each other?” In spite of all she endured she is eminently Christlike and selfless. A proverb says, “there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Such a friend was Keturah. Clay too had been taken by Indians at an early age. He knew the Indians’ ways well, having lived them in his formative years. His character, thoughts, and values bring into sharp relief the moral paradox of the settlers and the Indians. Clay has had more time than Keturah to adjust to the jarring effects of returning to what remained of his former life. But still he harbored powerful mental and emotional ties to both heritages. Tamanen is not a principal character, and we have less exposure to his thoughts, personality, and actions; but his part is critical to the understanding of the tension between himself and Clay, which in turn is a microcosm of the overall conflict faced by the natives and the settlers. Did the aboriginal peoples, by virtue of their nativity, have exclusive claim to the land with an accompanying right to expel others who sought a place to live in peace and freedom? Did any rights at all accrue to the settlers who fled oppression and strictures on their practice of religion seeking freedom and opportunity? Indians had a different perception about the land – based more on communal rights to use the land on which they lived for residency, hunting and burial grounds - rights that must be protected against encroachers. The settlers held the European concept of exclusive ownership and a person’s or family’s total control of land so owned, along with the perception that any land unclaimed under those terms was for the taking. Clay clearly understood both sets of beliefs, setting up conflict not only between himself and Tamanen, but within Clay's own mind and heart. Probably only a person who had lived in both worlds could grasp the ramifications of the inevitable clash, as Clay and Keturah surely did. So the stories of Clay and Keturah and the Swans – and to an extent Tamanen – transport those nettlesome questions from the abstract to a personal framework. Several passages in “An Uncommon Woman” are relatable to people living today…the excruciating melancholy of parting with a loved one, possibly never to meet again…the vicissitudes of a developing relationship as it ripens from infatuation to deep love…the nocuous effect of alienation from a loved one on health and well-being. “An Uncommon Woman” is a thoroughly interesting and entertaining story. More formal accolades will likely be coming Laura Frantz’ way.

After reading Laura Frantz's The Frontier's Daughter, I had to read An Uncommon Woman. It came up to all my expectations of being taken to another time and place with so many hardships, yet triumphs. A good book to read in today's challenges. I loved it.

This is another captivating story by Laura Frantz. The American western Virginia frontier in the eighteenth century comes to life as she unfolds the story of a young woman, Tessa Swan who was born and bred on the frontier and a man named Clay Tygart, a white man who was raised by Lenape Indians. As always in a story by Frantz, I learned so much about that time and place in history in general and about the pioneers in particular. I became immersed in their daily lives, and by the time I finished the book, I felt I knew all the people in the story personally. Frantz is a great writer, drawing in the reader with exceptional gifting in descriptive writing and in-depth character development. Reading one of her stories is like sitting down to a feast.

Laura Frantz continues to be my favourite author, and has been since I first picked up The Colonel’s Lady years ago. I cannot wait for each new novel. As I read this newest contribution, I kept dreading that I was nearing the end the further I read, but I didn’t want to put it down. Her characters feel genuine, the detail and history worked into the story are captivating and refreshing, and I yet again was sad that the story came to an end. I count this among my favourite novels of hers, along with The Colonel’s Lady and the Frontiersman’s Daughter, but honestly, I find it difficult to choose favourites.

This one ripped my heart out of my chest and did a little victory dance over top as I lay sobbing (heartless) in a corner. Okay, so maybe that's putting it a bit dramatically, but whoa. This book was intense. INTENSE frontier life, yo. However, it was beautifully written. Frantz did a great job with vivid wording, creating an immersive landscape and setting--as I said, it was intense. The pace was pretty slow, but I didn't find myself minding, until the 50-75% mark when I was expecting certain big plot things to happen, and then they didn't, until like three chapters until the end, and then I kind of felt like certain things were sprung, not explained properly (considering how methodic the plot pacing was until that point) & just rushed through. Yes, I read the epilogue on Frantz's website, but...I've never been a huge epilogue fan. So, I wished that the pacing could've changed about halfway through to accommodate some of the big plot changes/arcs that took place at the end--when I felt they should've taken place half-ish way through so we had longer for the people to sort out the fallout of these major events. Some key moments definitely felt rushed to me. However, those matters aside--I really enjoyed Clay & Tessa as characters. They went so well together. Both such sweet, genuine people--and I love to see a good couple like them come together! They were a slow burn couple, and boy was it hard to not see them come together sooner--but as far as slow-burn romances go--theirs was pretty fantastic, I'll admit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An engaging history lesson on frontier life that I didn’t want to end. I was not ready to say goodbye to Clay and Tessa when I finished the book. I wish there was a part 2! Thank you Laura for another deeply satisfying read.