The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

About the book: American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--you will find it all in the rich pages of this newest novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.

My thoughts: Author Laura Frantz writes a compelling historical novel and The Mistress of Tall Acres is especially dear to her as it is set in her home state of Virginia. Her work is well-research and the characters fit the mores and social restrictions of the period. In The Mistress of Tall Acres,  the story has two basic story lines that captured my interest. One is the turmoil, distrust, and hostility between two factions politically during the Revolutionary War – The Colonists and The Patriots. Families are torn asunder as sides have been chosen and the consequences come to bear upon those left remaining after war’s end. The other is the toll taken on families by the long absence of the father (or other military family member) who had to be away for this long, long war that won America’s independence from England.

This story embraces the emotions and near-destitution of deserted (or left behind) family, danger afoot by scoundrels bent on having their own way, and slow to heal hearts made heart-sore by time and events.

But there is a sweet tale of love story as a little girl’s needs bring together the male and female protagonists in the story. The story follows somewhat predictable lines, but was thoroughly enjoyable to read in spite of the predictability. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters – especially young Lily, and traveling in my mind back to post-Revolutionary War Virginia was a real plus.

Author, Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, and the Ballantyne Legacy series. She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky. Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Revell a division of Baker Publishing Group to facilitate this review. Opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.