Wednesday, October 7, 2015

The Mistress of Tall Acre

GIVEAWAY

FRANTZ, LAURA
THE MISTRESS OF TALL ACRE

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--readers find it all in the rich pages of this newest historical novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz. Her careful historical details immerse the reader in the story world, and her emotional writing and finely tuned characters never cease to enchant fans both old and new.


My Review:

I am still languishing on my fainting couch as I try to pen this review. I'm blaming Seamus for my discombobulated state. I fear I swooned my way through The Mistress of Tall Acre. Yes, I fell fast and hard for Tall Acre's hero. In fact, I was pretty much a goner by page fifteen. Melted into a puddle on the floor and haven't been quite the same since.

Frantz is an exceptional storyteller with a distinctive cadence to her writing. Her words seem to flow through my mind like the sweetest piece of music. I'm carried away to a different time and place and begin living someone else's story. And what an absorbing read this one was!

From Sophie's desperate attempts to salvage what is left of her ancestral home and family honor after the Revolutionary War to Seamus's return to Tall Acre with a daughter he barely knows, there's plenty of fodder for drama and romance and even a bit of suspense. Theirs is a story of heart and hope amidst nearly insurmountable odds. I couldn't read fast enough even though I wanted to slow things down so I could savor every word.

Riveting. Captivating. Breathtaking. Achingly sweet. The Mistress of Tall Acre is the kind of book you want to live in forever. And now that it's over? Well, it's official. I'm in mourning. You know those I-can't-believe-it's-over-already blues that wash over a reader when she reaches the end of a particularly scrumptious read? I need some quiet time, perhaps a few condolence cards and chocolate. Yes. Definitely chocolate. Much preferable to smelling salts. I might recover. Eventually.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Mistress of Tall Acre please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 11 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

65 comments:

  1. Great review! Sounds like a good one - although all of hers usually are.
    lattebooksAThotmailDOTcom

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    1. Exactly, Susan, you can't go wrong with a Laura Frantz original! Good luck.

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  2. Please don't enter me. I just wanted to send my condolences and a hug -- sorry no chocolate. :( I also had those I can't believe it's over blues with this one. I kinda looked around me like what's next?...as the gloom settled about me & I realized I didn't have it to read anymore...
    We're pitiful, Kav. lol

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    1. What? No chocolate?! Sigh, I'll settle for a hug, I guess. LOL. We're kindred reading spirits, Diana!

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  3. I heard she is a good author.kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom.

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  4. I think I'm going to swoon just reading the description of this book along with your review. Love her books, MUST read this one ! I sympathize with ya there as well, Kav. I felt that way when I finished Lady Maybe. Noooooo, it can't be over !!!!!
    Book1lovingmomma at gmail dot com

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  5. I'll be sure to send you a card. :) This book was wonderful and I felt rather depressed after it ended. I think the storyline could have continued...This isn't an entry I'm just commenting. : )

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    1. I agree -- I 'd have been a happy camper if it went on and on! Thanks for stopping by, Michelle!

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  6. I love these books that you want to live in.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  7. Oh my! From your review, this sounds like a book not to be missed! Thank you, Kav!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. Definitely not to be missed. Can't emphasize that enough. Good luck, Melanie.

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  8. hahaha! I tried to warn you about Seamus :) By the end of the first chapter/prologue/whatever, I was completely smitten!!! In fact, now after your review, I have retired to my own fainting couch for the foreseeable future.

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    1. Seamus....sigh! He will be solely responsible for the renewed popularity of fainting couches world wide. LOL

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  9. Hey Kav, Thank you for the wonderful review! THE MISTRESS OF TALL ACRE is on my must read list....

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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    1. Right where it belongs. Good luck, Caryl.

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  10. Oh my! This book has been on my "want to read" list since I first heard of it. After reading your review, I'd think it would be on everyone's list! I'm grateful for the opportunity to perhaps win THE MISTRESS OF TALL ACRE.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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  11. Sounds like a great book. Enjoyed the review.
    susanlulu(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Throws virtual condolence chocolate at Kav, you poor destitute thing! I can understand being in mourning after a particularly good book, I just got done with one myself. So let's sit on our swooning couches, eating chocolate & wallowing in our misery, shall we?
    "Mistress of Tall Acre" sounds like it belongs in my hands and savoring every scrumptious word :-) Thank you for the chance!

    teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. LOL -- thanks for the virtual chocolate, Trixi. Doesn't taste quite the same but then I hear it's calorie free so I won't complain. :-) Good luck!

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    2. Oh, and I should add.....Laura Frantz is a fantastic writer! Love anything by her :-)

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    3. Totally agree with you, Trixi!

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  13. I've only ever read one book by Laura Frantz, but I really liked it. This one sounds really good too. Thanks for the opportunity :D

    samanthabis23 at gmail dot com

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  14. Loved your review, Kav, & Diana's comment - they gave me a laugh, at the same time - I'm agreeing. Laura's books always affect me the same way. Even though I haven't had the opportunity to read 'The Mistress of Tall Acre' - it's here waiting for me, can't wait!! I'd love to win a copy for my church library.

    bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Lucky you to have a church library that offers fiction. Good luck, Bonnie.

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  15. Wow. That's a stunning review and makes my mouth water just reading it. :) The Mistress of Tall Acre sounds like a definite must read!

    duhpaynes[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I think it's a must read. Good luck, Anne.

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  16. I'be been wanting this book, thank you for the chance to win a copy of it!

    wfnren at aol dot com

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  17. You've made me fall in love with the hero, for sure!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. He's a loveable hero!!!! Good luck, Melody.

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  18. I have a copy on the way to me as we speak, but would love to win a copy for my Aunt! She is my kindred spirit when it comes to books.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Sharing books is always a good thing. Good luck, Patty.

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  19. This book sounds captivating and a real page turner for sure. I haven't read anything by Laura but she sounds like a must read author.Sending you some virtual dark chocolate Kav!
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Oh, Maryann, she definitely is a must read author. And thanks for the virtual dark chocolate! Good luck.

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  20. Yes, yes, yes! Totally agree with all you said, Kav. As for Seamus . . . oh my! He had my heart with his words close to the beginning when he held his newborn daughter. He's on my list of favorite male leads . . . Three of Laura's are actually on that list.

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    1. I think he captured all our hearts in that same scene. I'm all aflutter just thinking about it again. Laura does write some amazing heroes, doesn't she?

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    2. She certainly has a gift with leading men, Kav. I don't think I'll ever forget Silas from The Ballantyne Legacy and was so glad he lived through all three books. Then there was The Frontiersman's Daughter, the first of Laura's books that I read. Ian with his Scottish accent and dry humor - oh my! It ended with he and Lael leaving for Scotland and I longed for a sequel so much!

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    3. Yes, yes and yes!!! I have a fondness for The Frontierman's Daughter because it was the very first book I bought at a Christian bookstore. I became a regular visitor until the store closed last winter.

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  21. Thanks Kav! I stumbled upon your blog searching for new book suggestions. This is great. I really appreciate the suggestion! Your review has swayed me. I’ll have to check out The Mistress of Tall Acre.

    I wanted to pass along one my pastor recommended to me. It’s the #1 bestseller on religious fiction, so maybe you’ve already heard of it. But I can’t stop thinking about. It’s a fantastic collection of short stories. It’s called Pieces Like Pottery. I really can’t recommend it enough. I would love to see your review of it at some point!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Mike. I'll check into Pieces Like Pottery. Haven't read a collection of short stories in quite awhile.

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    2. Of course. I plan to stop by much more regularly. I really enjoyed this review! And I would certainly check it out. Short stories aren't usually my thing, but Pieces Like Pottery has really stuck with me. I'm not sure what it is about it.

      Thanks Kav!

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  22. I've been wanting to read this title! Your review makes me want to read it even more!!! Would love to be entered in the giveaway! :) nataliedmonkATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Consider yourself entered, Nathalie. Good luck.

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  23. Haven't read any of hers yet. Sounds really good!
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    amylsmith AT bledsoe DOT net

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    1. Oh -- you must, you must, you must! Good luck, Amy.

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    2. You have left me in total captivation after reading your review of The Mistress of Tall Acre. Who is this man, Seamus, who has stolen the hearts of so many? What will happen to Sophie? You have once again spun a web of intrigue, Kav. I can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the the chance to win it!

      nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    3. I dare you not to fall in love with him by the end of page fifteen. LOL Good luck, agboss.

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  24. I love Laura Frantz! I ordered this from the library, but by everything I am hearing, I will probably want it for my keeper shelf. Kav, have you read The Frontiersman Daughter? I've had it on my tbr for the longest time and have really wanted to read it, but haven't made the time. I'm curious for your opinion. - Terrill

    tlhcoupon (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    1. Yes!!!!! Loved The Frontersman Daughter. I guess I read it before I was doing reviews. It's Laura Frantz's first novel. Astonishingly good. The way she captures both settting and character. Not to mention historical details. Lael's story is definitely worth the read. And good luck with this one, Terrill.

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    2. Can she not write a bad book?! Thank you for your enthusiastic recommendation. It came out in 2009 when I was home-schooling. I wasn't reading any fiction at that time, so I completely missed it.

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  25. Love your review, Kav! Did you ever get any chocolate to help you recover? :) I've never read a Frantz, and would love to be entered.
    pocoauthorATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes -- an Aero orange chocolate bar eased some of my reader blues. LOL Good luck, Nicole.

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  26. If you needed chocolate after this read, Kav, I'd love to give it a try! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  27. Sounds like a cat fight for Seamus. Interesting.
    melissa(d0t)snoopy(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. Love Laura Frantz!!!! Enough said.

    Count me in, please.

    janka(dot)halcinova(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. Kav, You amaze me. Astonishingly good blog. Obviously i am not here to win a copy of my own book ~ it's November anyway, but these comments & your heart for my books mean more than I can say. 💛📚 You turn book reviewing into ministry!

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