Books & such!

Laura Frantzat my desk, Authors, Book Covers, Books, Georgian, Historical Fiction, Inspiration, Newsletter, Novel News, Patriots, Uncategorized

We’re now well into 2025 & this is my busiest – & hopefully best – writing year yet. Not much time for relaxing though I’m dreaming of a bookish picnic reminiscent of my childhood Kentucky days. My current chilly, damp Pacific Northwest life keeps me near the fireplace till June. Such is the fate of a sun-loving, southern expat! Since …

Novel news!

Laura FrantzBooks, Gorgeous Georgians, Historical Fiction, History, Inspiration, Newsletter, Reading Friends, Scotland, Travel, Uncategorized, Writing News

Time for a writing update! Good news should be shared! ✍️ I signed a new contract yesterday! The plan is to bring you a winter novel & a summer novella in future. Two books a year for several years to come! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Cover art & titling are underway for this finished January 2025 novel about a 1774 colonial American heiress …

Nicia’s Summer Salad

Laura FrantzMy Kentucky Kitchen, Newsletter, Reading Friends, Recipes, Uncategorized

When I was traveling in the south the month of May, my sister-in-love, Nicia, served this salad & it’s so good I must share! Just combine fresh spinach, fresh blueberries & or strawberries, chèvre or feta cheese, pecans or sliced almonds, as much or as little as you like. For dressing, we use organic poppyseed, specifically Brianna’s. Some even add …

A Love Story in Time Giveaway

Laura FrantzAuthors, Giveaways, Heroes and Heroines, Historical Fiction, History, Newsletter, Novel News, Reading, Reading Friends, Uncategorized

April is one of my favorite months & here’s just another wonderful reason! I’ve been so excited to join these other beloved authors who are dedicated to quality historical fiction. Win a signed copy of our 4 latest releases as well as a generous $100 Amazon gift card! Mimi, Elizabeth, & Julie are always five star reads for me as …

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 …

Pre-release bling!

Laura FrantzBook Covers, Books, Historical Fiction, History, Newsletter, Novel News, Reading, Uncategorized

Before a new book releases there’s always a flurry of activity, including bookmarks & other bling unique to that particular novel. I’m always amazed at how clever my publisher’s marketing team is in making each novel’s debut special. These bookmarks are especially nice… This time, Revell & I have created a book club box for book clubs, full of things …

An Uncommon Woman

Laura FrantzAuthors, Books, Frontier, Heroes and Heroines, History, how readers help, Inspiration, Newsletter, Novel News, Reading, Uncategorized, Writing News

SO happy to share novel eleven with you! Here are my cover thoughts from my newsletter… I love the up-close image of Tessa Swan, our heroine. She has a simple beauty and strength. I asked that her hair be messy and those dangling strings of her cap be left untied. In the novel, our hero says her pale cap is …

Best Banana Muffins

Laura FrantzMy Kentucky Kitchen, Newsletter, Recipes, Uncategorized

I’ve posted banana bread recipes before but not this clean-eating version. I’ve always been health conscious but these healthy ingredients take a simple recipe to another level. Hope you enjoy this as much as we do! I often freeze a batch then take them out to thaw as needed for breakfast so they always taste fresh. Here’s to healthy eating! …

Spring Risotto

Laura FrantzMy Kentucky Kitchen, Newsletter, Recipes

INGREDIENTS 4 cups chicken stock (I use gluten-free stock) 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided 1/2 cup chopped shallots 1 cup Arborio rice 1 Tbsp lemon juice and 3 Tbsp water 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed, tips cut off, tough skins of the spears peeled, and the spears cut into thin rounds 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Salt and pepper DIRECTIONS: …

Christmas Punch

Laura Frantzchristmas, Home, My Kentucky Kitchen, Newsletter, Recipes, Uncategorized

A family favorite! 2 (2 quart) bottles chilled Cran*Raspberry juice (no-sugar-added but sweetened with fruit juice), 1 (1 liter) bottle of chilled club soda, 6 cups orange juice (we like fresh squeezed but that’s a lot of oranges!) Fresh oranges {thinly sliced}, raspberries or cranberries for garnish In a large punch bowl, mix together Cran*Raspberry juice, soda and orange juice. …