So I’m about to begin another novel. Years ago, when the publishing door opened, I felt I’d be blessed to publish one book. Now, ten years later, I thought it might be fun to revisit those first lines of past novels if for no other reason than I don’t want to repeat an opening but start fresh. Here goes… The …
My Kentucky Kitchen Chili
Some chili recipes are just ho~hum. This isn’t one of them. Plus you can spice it up or down as you wish. I like to add a couple cans of drained hominy, white & yellow. Sometimes I even add a bit of dark chocolate and cinnamon. Just have fun with it. Great for potlucks or parties. And if you don’t …
Favorite Fall Cookies
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened 2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup canned pumpkin 2 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder ½-1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional FROSTING: ¼ cup butter, softened 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 cups …
The Pages
I’m always in the garden when the pages arrive hence the floral décor! This is the first time I’ve seen the manuscript soon to become a real book, the last step before the novel goes to print. I carefully read through all 377 pages to make sure there are no flaws, nothing that is out of place, to the best …
Peach Pecan Bread
This quick bread is so rich and dense it tastes more like old-fashioned pound cake to me. I especially like the instructions to stir peaches in with a wooden spoon:) Though banana bread has long been a favorite, my husband prefers this every time… BATTER: 3 cups organic all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon …
Celebrate Summer Giveaways!
This summer I’m celebrating readers by hosting several bookish giveaways on my Facebook Author Page. Please join us if you can! LAURA FRANTZ AUTHOR FACEBOOK
An Uncommon Woman
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 …
Cover Shoot
I’ve been mostly offline lately working on novel 12 before galleys of An Uncommon Woman {#11} land on my desk any minute now. Here are a few elements from the recent cover shoot including Lindsey, the model. Love the strength and character in her features. Revell is known for their cover art & so the cover countdown begins:) Hope you’re …
Novel Eleven Has A Name!
My favorite time of year in the publishing world is titling and cover art. The best book titles should be intriguing and true to the novel. For novel 11, An Uncommon Woman even has a poetic ring and works well for historical fiction. I hope you like it, too! Next comes cover art. I’ve ‘met’ the striking model from her portfolio …