The Rose & the Thistle releases!

Laura Frantzat my desk, Book Covers, Books, Harlaxton, Heroes and Heroines, Historical Fiction, History, Inspiration, Reading, Reading Friends, Scotland, The Armchair Traveler, Uncategorized

Nay, it never gets old! Releasing a novel remains a unique experience even for someone who’s been writing stories since age 7. I’m always felt so at home with my writing & it’s always been a joy, a bit like the best friend I never had. Releasing it for public consumption has been a learning curve as it does feel …

Love under siege

Laura FrantzBooks, Historical Fiction, History, Reading, Uncategorized, Writing News

The weeks or months leading up to a new release is often fraught with questions & concerns for an author. Will the book be well received? Will readers enjoy the story? Or, will they even find the story? So, when a starred review rolls in from Booklist I breathe a sigh of relief & shout for JOY! This reviewer has …

SWOON

Laura FrantzBooks, Historical Fiction, History, Scotland, Uncategorized

A few final comments from my editorial team as this novel of my heart – The Rose & the Thistle – went to print. Hopefully you’ll be saying the same when it’s in your hands! Not too much longer now… Happy reading!

Novel news!

Laura FrantzBooks, Foreign editions, Heroes and Heroines, Historical Fiction, Novel News, Reading, Scotland

I am always so pleased & surprised when my novels are translated for foreign language editions. Today I received three pieces of good news from my publisher. First, a backlist book – Courting Morrow Little – is being translated into Slovakian. Thanks to author friend, Grace Hitchcock, for the lovely photo! Also, my upcoming Scottish release – The Rose & the …

Mississippi River Readers Retreat!

Laura FrantzAuthors, Books, Historical Fiction, Reading, Reading Friends, Travel, Uncategorized

So, I’m getting excited about 2023 travel already! If you’re in the area or want to be, please join me & these wonderful other authors at the Mississippi River Readers Retreat! I’ve never been to Minnesota before, land of 10,ooo lakes. I’ve only heard and read about it. We’ll be at historic Linden Hill, a beautiful estate built by timber …

Preorder sale ~ The Rose & the Thistle!

Laura FrantzBook Covers, Historical Fiction, History, Novel News, Reading Friends, Scotland, Uncategorized

There’s no better buy than books from Baker Book House! They’re having a preorder sale right now for 40% off & free shipping. Since they’re tied to my publisher, they get the freshly printed books straight from the warehouse so are usually first to ship, often ahead of the January 3rd, 2023 release date. I’m signing some beautiful, custom bookplates …

The Rose & the Thistle cover reveal!

Laura FrantzBook Covers, Books, Heroes and Heroines, Historical Fiction, History, Scotland, Uncategorized, Writing News

This past spring my publisher, Revell, gave me the delightful but very challenging choice of picking from two different designs. A first for all the novels I’ve written. Usually I have just one cover to admire, not two! There were elements of each cover that I loved as both are very striking and fit the story well.  That said, I …

Scotland in May!

Laura FrantzBook Covers, Historical Fiction, Home, Inspiration, Newsletter, Novel News, Travel, Uncategorized, Writing News

What a whirlwind of a trip! Reading friends who traveled with author Pepper Basham & I in May to Scotland were the most wonderful, fun, edifying group! We ate & fellowshipped & laughed our way through the Lowlands, Highlands, & Islands, beginning & ending in Edinburgh, my favorite city. Some of us even got sick together which required an extended …

My new online home!

Laura FrantzHistorical Fiction, Uncategorized

Last winter I debated whether to invest in a new author website. My former site which I loved was five years old and it seemed time to get a fresh look. My husband teases me about never leaving the furniture in one place for very long due to my love of rearranging & redecorating so maybe an online home is …