Dear readers,

I invite you to step back in time with me and explore the drama and danger of the 18th-century when George III became the last king of America. The Belle of Chatham began with my own ancestry and those Patriots and Loyalists in my family line who fought against each other. What must it have been like to choose sides and watch the world as you knew it implode?

This story takes you to three unique settings—New Jersey, New York, and then the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, all rife with conflicted loyalties, intrigue, and romance.

Family, friendships, and freedom are in play when the Bohannon family is fractured as the American Revolution begins. Maebel finds herself at odds with her only sister, Coralie, a situation made more tenuous with their very different romantic ties. Mae’s determination to keep the peace while still choosing sides backfires badly, nearly costing her a future with the man she loves.

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I offer a novel of divided loyalties, patriotism, sacrifice, sisterhood, and love—born from a time when every choice carried a consequence. The Belle of Chatham is historical romance that explores the true nature of freedom, and what that freedom means to us today.

Your support and preorders mean so much ahead of release day in January!

Thank you,
Laura Frantz

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Thank you to PW for your review of

The Belle of Chatham! 

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If I ever wanted to be a heroine in a book this would be the one. The romantic 18th-century cover echoes the story beautifully right down to her silk gown. Though Bleu Galant’s happily ever after is 220+ pages, I found myself wanting to make it a full length novel. It’s one of my favorites of the 18 I’ve written. The epilogue after his grand gesture is one I return to again & again. Here’s hoping he wins your heart & not just our heroine’s.

Happy reading!

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Ever so often you meet a secondary character in a novel that steals your heart & you need to write a novella to give him his own happy ending. I have a special love for Bleu Galant from The Seamstress of Acadie & this new title reflects the gist of his 220 plus page story. I always wondered who would steal Bleu’s heart. Here’s hoping A Fierce Devotion wins yours!

Available on Amazon

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I’m so honored when my work is noted by the Christy Award. So much goes on behind the scenes to make this award special right down to a gala & awards ceremony for books of many genres. This year I happen to be a finalist – rather The Seamstress of Acadie – is one of the chosen books. For those who enjoyed that story, look for the 232 page novella of Bleu Galant coming next July 2025.

My first experience for the Christy Award was as a finalist for Love’s Reckoning in 2013 & then a winner for The Lacemaker in 2018 & The Rose & the Thistle last year. To be a finalist again this year is a dream come true. Heartfelt thanks to my publisher, Revell, for believing in my writing enough to enter me for such an esteemed award, & Christy judges for selecting it. This year I’m sharing the historical romance category with Julie Klassen, a Regency-era author & debut author, Jamie Ogle. I actually endorsed Jamie’s novel set in Rome AD 270!

I’m excited to attend the Christy Award celebration outside of Chicago this fall on Thursday, November 14th, 2024. The Art of Writing Conference beforehand is something I really enjoy & learn from every time I attend. Then, the next day I’ll be joining authors & readers for the JustRead Rendezvous – a sweet time of fellowship & fun to celebrate Christian fiction. So thankful!

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I’m thrilled to learn The Seamstress of Acadie has been chosen for the Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution reading list for 2024. As a DAR member, this is meaningful to me on so many levels. I’m also a huge devotee of DAR’s American Spirit magazine which is beautifully done & award winning.

Many Americans have Patriots in their lineage which opens the DAR door. To find out more & discover a chapter in your area, please visit the Daughters of the American Revolution website. We’re a million strong as we work to preserve history, promote patriotism, and educate future generations of children. A beautiful, noble work!

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Spring has sprung & Easter is early this year. I’ve just returned from traveling down south, my forever home & happy place. I’m about to become a Gigi x2 any day now. Here’s a recent pic of my lil namesake, Sophie Louise, on the left with her bookish bestie on the right. Never too young to love books – or too old either! After a looonng winter, it’s wonderful to see things blooming. On my recent trip to visit my dear mom, I was blessed to cross middle Tennessee with the redbuds in bloom. A bit too early for dogwood, my personal favorite, but such a joy to see that burst of color. Redbud winter, actually, as the temps were so cold. But it was wonderful to feast at Cracker Barrel again, experience Buc-ee’s for the first time, & a hundred other delightful & challenging things.

Now that I’m home & back to work, I have much happening on the bookish front. My first novella is rolling out this summer. I’ve recently seen the cover & it’s a dream! I’m about to get galleys for my next full-length novel, another Scottish tale. I’ll be sharing the title & cover for both novella & novel in my newsletter soon. I’ve also been pondering my next novella & am at 38k on the Revolutionary War tale releasing in 2026.

For now, wishing you a wonderful start to spring!

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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 & a Scots merchant. Can’t wait to share!

🧳 Traveling this week so your prayers are appreciated. One-handed travel is interesting! A few weeks ago our dogs took me on a walk & my wrist broke/emergency surgery. Healing is slower than I like but I’m learning all kinds of spiritual lessons. God is patient w/ this traveler!

📬 I usually save updates for my seasonal newsletter. If you’d like to subscribe, please sign up on my homepage.  Thank you!

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Recently it came to my attention that the best way for an author to connect with reading friends is through a private group… So, Gorgeous Georgians it is! Isn’t the image lovely? I have the amazingly gifted Hannah Linder to thank who is a fellow author as well as a stellar designer! Here’s both her lovely sites: Hannah Linder Designs   Hannah Linder Books.

You may be thinking what I did – “Oh no, not another group!” But I’ve realized that YOU can post on this new page, unlike my Facebook Author account which doesn’t allow for that. This new endeavor will be more of a conversation than a monologue. I think dedicated readers may like it & I’ll be sharing creative things there like videos & giveaways unlike my other social media accounts.

Please join me if you’d like!

Gorgeous Georgians

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Till next time, happy reading!

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