Today, Tuesday, March 18th, Courting Morrow Little is available for free international download via e-readers!
When I was writing Morrow’s story I was inspired by this painting by Mitchell Tolle, a Kentucky artist. His gallery is just down the road from my granny in Berea, Kentucky. He captured the look of Morrow’s cabin so perfectly with the exception of the dogtrot down the middle. So I just imagined it there:) It’s hanging in our home now and always reminds me of the years spent writing Morrow’s story.
Readers often ask where the inspiration for a character comes from. Here is the real Red Shirt below. Born along Nebraska’s Platte River in the 1830’s to an Indian mother and white, trapper father, he is something of an enigma. I discovered him 20 years ago while researching the Oglala/Lakota (Sioux) Indians for a Dances With Wolves type novel. He identified with the Lakota and lived free till his people were placed on reservations. He and his wife, Pretty Woman, had several children. This cropped photo shows him accompanying the famous chief, Red Cloud, in a delegation to Washington DC. Later, he joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
I carried him around in my head and heart for a long time before he found his own story. Of course, I had to alter him a bit for Morrow’s world. He had to leave the Sioux and become Shawnee. And Pretty Woman was a thing of the past! I also had to tweak his name to fit into the historical context of the 18th-century. Most importantly, my Red Shirt found freedom in Christ as well as freedom to exist where he pleased. Literary license is a fine thing. Every reader will have a different picture of him in their head and heart, too.
What is life? If is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. ~Crowfoot
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Hope you enjoy Morrow’s story! And thanks for the reviews if you care to leave one!
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Courting Morrow Little was the first book I ever read by you. I almost did not read it. I was on a roll of reading books with great reviews, but I ended up not liking them. I figured Courting Morrow Little would turn out to be the same for me. I was wrong! It is still probably my favorite of your books…maybe a tie for favorite along with Love’s Reckoning! I own a copy of the it, and now I have a copy added to my Kindle! I love getting Kindle books for free! 🙂
Emma, I love hearing how Morrow came into your hands :). And the fact she almost didn’t!! Whew. I’m really glad she and Eden share a special place in your heart and on your shelf. I, too, love getting free books on my Kindle and there are so many good ones out there lately. Every day it seems a whole new smorgasboard appears, however that’s spelled. Hope your week is going great!!
Oh, Laura – I love the painting of the cabin, and the history behind “Courting Morrow Little”!!
It has always been a dream of mine to have a log cabin. My grandfather’s sister lived in a 2 story house that looks very much like the one in the painting. The wood was later covered over with brick and siding – however, new owners tore it off, and left the exposed wood sides – several years ago.
I don’t know if I’ve related to you – the story of my grandfather’s ancestor, Marmaduke van Swearingen, who was reportedly kidnapped by the Shawnee, re-named “Blue Jacket”, and made a war chief because of his bravery?? There was an outdoor drama, relating his story, that played in Lima, Oh. for about 25 years. There has been much controversy (more so in the last 10) as to whether Marmaduke actually was Blue Jacket, and reportedly – DNA has proven that he isn’t – guess I will probably never know, for sure.
Another relative is Garrett van Swearingen – who was an inn owner, instrumental in city government and the settlement of historic St. Mary’s City in Maryland. Excavations, uncovering buildings, have been going on at this historic landmark for years now – it was settled by those coming to America to escape religious persecution.
My grandmother’s ancestors are the MacGregors of Scotland.
I know you must have some interesting family history, also, and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to discuss our family histories – in person!!
Thank YOU and the “powers-that-be” for the free download of “Courting Morrow Little”!! Although I purchased a paperbook copy of each of your novels (for keeping) a few days ago, I love having the e-copies for reading when I’m “out and about”. I, reluctantly, finished the reading of the last of Julie’s 10 books yesterday, trying to get a review written today – and then will start your wonderful novels tomorrow. I shared the post on the free download on my Facebook page, and also on Julie’s!!
Bless you for the ways in which you bless us, Laura!!
Bonnie! I am beyond thrilled about your Marmaduke!! I have studied/researched the van Swearingens for years! Yes, indeed, he was kidnapped and he adapted very well and rose to power within the Shawnee. Personally I have always thought of him as Blue Jacket. Alan Eckert’s fine book by that name in which he delves into Wehyehpihehrsehnwah — Blue Jacket — who was the greatest war chief of the Shawnee. Amazing! You have such a rich history! Love the name Garrett, too, and the history behind that. So interesting that we Kentuckians, so man of us, hail from Scotland. I just updated my bio on Amazon to reflect more of my own family history in light of my coming books set in Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Talking about our heritage inspires me beyond belief :).
I’ve been to the Blue Jacket outdoor drama in Lima you mention years ago. Was wonderful – riveting. I also grew up on the Wilderness Road outdoor drama at Indian Fort in Berea near the Pinnacle where Boone crossed into Madison County. Spent my childhood there, in fact. Saw that drama many times and even played on the stage when it was off-season. I am sad those outdoor dramas are a think of the past. I’ll always be grateful for my Kentucky heritage – am sure you and Carissa feel the same, too!
And again, I can’t thank you enough for buying my books and even downloading Morrow yesterday. Readers are hard to come by and I’m so grateful to you and others here. Without you I couldn’t keep writing. Actually, I would go back to writing for my self, I guess! But for now I’d much rather write for you!
You are amazing that you finished all 10 of Julie’s novels! I imagine you have an in-depth view of the wonderful families in her books! And I’m thrilled you two were able to meet. I hope we can meet up, too, next spring. I’m praying about that :).
Bless you for being there, Bonnie. I couldn’t do this without you!!
Hi, Laura!!
I find it interesting, and exiting, that you have studied the van Swearingens for years!! My brother has done an extensive amount of work, over the years, tracing our genealogy of the van Swearingens (the van has been dropped, my grandfather’s last name was Swearingen). They have some illustrious characters, to say the least!!
Have you read “The Life and Confession of George Swearingen”?? He was executed in 1829 for the murder of his wife. Quite interesting – about 80 pages long!!
There were some feisty Swearingen women also!! My grandfather’s mother’s maiden name was Swearingen – she was so proud of her name that she refused to change it, and therefore married a Swearingen – her second cousin. She was also kicked out of the Baptist church (in which I grew up and am now, once again, attending) because of her square-dancing. It was later renounced, but she was too proud to ever go back.
P.S. Forgot another funny story: my grandfather Swearingen’s grandmother smoked a corn cob pipe. My grandfather started smoking at the age of four when his grandmother would have him light her pipe with some live coals from the fireplace (during her quilting parties) – he would take a couple of draws on it to get it started. He smoked a pipe until the day he died – at the age of 100+ years – even though he developed heart and lung problems in his later years. Guess you’ve figured out by now that stubbornness is a Swearing family trait, and don’t even get me started on the OCD tendencies (LOL)!!
Correction: SWEARINGEN family trait. (Sorry!!)
Oh, love these family stories, Bonnie! They are the stuff of my dreams as they’re rooted in fact! Amazing he smoked from age 4 to 100 plus. Sounds like my grandpa! And I try to include those corn cob and also clay pipes as often as I can, especially lighting with live coals like they did. Wonderful history there – all the little nitty gritty details.
Chuckling about those stubborn tendencies and those OCD ones, too. Maybe we are kin, lol?! We seem to have our share in this family…
I am now so, so curious about George S. and his poor wife! I have not read that but would love to and will look it up. I find a lot of great things on Google books.
I’ve thought for some time how wonderful it is to live in the very area your ancestors settled and made famous :). I’m Baptist, too, and love square-dancing! But those oldtimers did not, my great grandparents’ being among them and also the founders of Berea Baptist Church. Times sure have changed – and not always for the better…
I am sure you, your brother, and I could talk family history into the wee small hours – I never get tired of it. And I treaure that you are a van S even without the van :)!!
I too found Morrow on a free download! She laid low on my Kindle until one snowy day we were without power and I was bored. Everything else is history! And now I play a game to see how long I can go in between rereads of all your books. I’m borderlining an addiction.
I love hearing about your inspiration for your novels. Especially CML as RS is my favorite hero.
Have a good week.
C
Cindy, So, so glad Red Shirt is your fav hero in my novels :). Move over Silas and Jack and such! I don’t mind a bit! And you restore my faith in these free downloads as we wouldn’t have found each other otherwise! The Lord is so creative in how He places books in readers’ hands. I’m always so grateful when anyone finds mine as there are such a HUGE number of them now. Truly a sea of them!
It means a lot that you reread my books. I can’t even do that, lol! Though I am getting ready to read TFD and CML as part of my return to Kentucky and the frontier. I’ve begun researching that next novel and will be able to start it this fall. Till then I have a lot of dreaming to do – and putting Love’s Fortune and this Virginia story next up to bed! 🙂
I was thinking of you and praying for you and your full household yesterday and hope things are going well. You come to mind so often. BTW, our Virginia trip is on for next April/May. We’ll be driving crosscountry, hubs and I, and hope we can see you at some point once we land in Virginia! Lord willing :)!
While Courting Morrow Litte was the second book I read by you it happens to be my favorite. While it is fictional the story reminds me of my own family history. Of 4 great grandmother who also had the faith and courage to marry the man she loved despite their racial and ethnic backgrounds.
But unlike Morrow she was a spite fire scotch-Irish red head name Grace who married her own Red Shirt who instead of part Shawnee was a half Cherokee and half white named Running Bear after becoming a Christian he changed his name to Benjamin.
Your book reminded me to be proud of my heritage, and I wish there were more historical fiction out there that talked about interracial marriage.
Carissa, I love, love, love your family history! And I think your Grace was fiery because she needed to be to deal with all the challenges and hardships that came her way. I imagine that was one happy, enduring marriage that stood the test of time – and you’re proof :)!
It is especially meaningful to me to hear you say that it made you proud of your own heritage. Wow. I’m really honored by that. I will always be grateful for my own Shawnee tie which led me to write Morrow’s story in a way that meant something to you.
Thanks for being so faithful here, always :).
I have a picture in my head of Red Shirt.
Coughs…a lot.
Fans self.
AHEM…moving on…
Courting Morrow Little is one of the BEST books ever written. And I’m completely serious. From the first page, to the last, it’s like I can feel you cranking up the tension. Morrow goes from a broken, weary, skittery bird, to a woman who can survive just about anything. Except the sight of blood.
Red Shirt lets her be angry, because she has the right to be. He woes her with tenderness, and helps her break free of the chains that bind her.
I love that you gave them serious problems. Like, travelling hardships, illness, and that wee little “Oh, riiiiiiiiht, my dad killed your mother…” thing.
And I love, love, love that you let them go through that, and come out stronger. But not before like, whoa, oh wait…no spoilers!!
I just shot my MC, because he hadn’t suffered enough. And because if I get stuck, I think, “how would Laura ruin their day?”
Then I draw blood.
Jennifer, You are priceless. Just priceless! You have a heart for CML and a perfect understanding of the story. That book was written in my pre-publishing days which accounts for it being out of the box, so to speak. That dark beginning isn’t for the fainthearted. I was aware many people wouldn’t make it past the prologue but wanted to be true to history. Actually, the prologue is kind, in light of the frontier archives I’m reading right now. Love your thoughts into the story – his letting her be angry, the gritty reality of “Oh, riiiiiiiiht, my dad killed your mother…” So well said! SO thankful Morrow found you and you found Morrow.
And I am smiling at your rule of thumb – “how would Laura ruin their day.” LOL :). I know your MC and ms is full of angst and passion and all the things that make a story sing and resonate. Your readers are in for such a treat. I like to think of the Lord preparing reader’s heart for our books and then bringing them to print in His perfect timing.
I thought of you when I was working on this post and came across this review of CML. Thought it might give you a chuckle 😉 Not everyone is so kind of course but it made my day…
I have read a lot of historical romances by different authors and I must admit this one is spellbinding. I was enthralled by the setting and the character development was superb. The love story developed over time and rang true. This book made me cry and it deepened my belief in the power of God. Laura Frantz is a master story teller. I give this book 100 stars. It made me want to run to the nearest reservation and get married. I love Red Shirt. ~Barnes & Noble Reviewer
Yep, still one of my favorites after all the books I’ve read! Actually, it probably is my favorite, I can remember every detail! I need to read it again, need a visit with Red Shirt again lol
Eva, I still remember your post/review of Morrow in vivid detail, too :). For a long time I bookmarked it to go back and reread. You really have a way with words. And I could sense your spiritual heartbeat behind everything you said. Personally, I’m in need of a reread of CML, too, as I begin my trek back into the wilderness. If you can think of any good titles for this next Kentucky book I’d love to hear them!
My dream is to repackage Morrow someday with a different title and cover. Not sure that will happen but I pray/hope it does.
So happy you’re here! I wish I could magically blink myself your way for a spot o’ tea :)! And some scones and lemon curd or whatnot!! Hope your littles and hero are all well and ready for spring!
I still remember how CML made me feel! A book hasn’t done that since. You truly do have a gift of writing and I thank you for blessing us with that gift!
I think spring is well on it’s way here in northeast Scotland. The dandelions are up, the sun has been shining and we’ve had some warm days for March lately. The geese are flying back up here for the spring/summer, what a racket they make in the middle of the night! All great signs that spring might indeed be upon us, but this is Scotland so I’m hesitant to state that LOL. I’ve seen it be summer hot in March and then snowing in April haha.
LOL about that Scottish weather ;). Love the saying that “Wait five minutes and it will change!” So true! I wonder if you ever want to visit home? I wouldn’t, lol, not even Ky if I was in Scotland. But I was Scottish first, I guess, till my grands were dumped on Virginia’s shore!
Thanks for remembering Morrow with me. The gift of writing an enduring story is truly a mysterious work of God. I still don’t know where Red Shirt came from!