QUICK FACTS
Title: The Seamstress of Acadie
Author: Laura Frantz
Genre: Historical Fiction, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Revell (January 9, 2024)
Length: (416) pages
Format: Hardcover, Trade Paperback, eBook, & Audiobook
ISBN: 978-0800740689
Book Tour Dates: January 8 – 22, 2024
BOOK DESCRIPTION
As 1754 is drawing to a close, tensions between the French and the British on Canada's Acadian shore are reaching a fever pitch. Seamstress Sylvie Galant and her family--French-speaking Acadians wishing to remain neutral--are caught in the middle, their land positioned between two forts flying rival flags. Amid preparations for the celebration of Noël, the talk is of unrest, coming war, and William Blackburn, the British Army Ranger raising havoc across North America's borderlands.
As summer takes hold in 1755 and British ships appear on the horizon, Sylvie encounters Blackburn, who warns her of the coming invasion. Rather than participate in the forced removal of the Acadians from their land, he resigns his commission. But that cannot save Sylvie or her kin. Relocated on a ramshackle ship to Virginia, Sylvie struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. When her path crosses once more with William's, they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.
PRAISE FOR THE SEAMSTRESS OF ACADIE
“Frantz’s atmospheric writing is easy to sink into, from the grimness of the disease-riddled voyage to the ethereal Acadian landscape. While William and Sylvie’s romance is a slow burn, there’s a rewarding payoff to this tale of second chances born from tragedy. Frantz’s fans won’t be disappointed.”— Publisher’s Weekly
“This book is undoubtably one of the best books I've ever read. I loved the faith thread, I loved the light in the darkness theme, I loved the characters, I loved the hope brimming from almost every page. I loved the growth (through every struggle and triumph), and I loved the history embedded into each detail.”— Tasha, The Clean Read Book Club
“Fantastic story! The beautiful writing engages the reader from the beginning... Laura Frantz's books are exceptional because they evoke an abundance of emotions beyond the typical novel. I highly recommend this book to all historical fiction readers.”— Milena Bookish, Goodreads
MY THOUGHTS
There are so many things to love about The Seamstress of
Acadie by Laura Frantz. In this novel, I learned a bit of history as I knew
nothing about the forced removal of the Acadians from their land (now Nova
Scotia). The author did an excellent job
of representing external and internal conflicts of the time. Frantz handled
Sylvie’s emotional trauma with enough weight to feel authentic, but not so much
that it became a heavy read. I loved the weaving of Psalm 23 into Sylvie’s pain
as it served to express Sylvie’s raw, honest emotion, yet it pointed her toward
healing.
Though The Seamstress of Acadie hosted a lovely romance,
the settings, historical events, and Sylvie’s character drove the plot until
the romance with Will began later in the novel. Even then, life events demanded
slow growth for their relationship. In true slow-burn style, Will and Sylvie
had instant chemistry and lingering romantic tension, but it took time for them
to work through their shared past and truly connect. I loved the fruition of
their romance.
The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz reads fine
as a standalone novel, but characters from A Heart Adrift appear in the
latter half as the stories run concurrent of each other. For the best
experience, I recommend reading A Heart Adrift prior to The
Seamstress of Acadie and having a physical copy of the latter novel. The
Seamstress of Acadie includes an abundance of French words and flipping to
the glossary in a physical book is easier than navigating back and forth on the
kindle (at least for me). 4.5 Stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of
this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.
PURCHASE LINKS
AUTHOR BIO
Bestselling, award-winning author, Laura Frantz, has been writing stories since age seven. She is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century and her novels often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. Though she will always consider Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State.
According to Publishers Weekly, "Frantz has done her historical homework." With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California. Foreign language editions include French, Dutch, Spanish, Slovakian, German & Polish.
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