Book Review: The Seamstress of Acadie by Laura Frantz

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS

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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.

WEBSITE | X (Formerly Twitter) | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Book Review: The Lexicologist’s Handbook by Dane Cobain

About the Book:

Lexicologist

Pronunciation: Lec-sic-ol-oh-jist        Type: Noun

Definition: A student of language, particularly the components of language such as the nature or meaning of words. Also, a compiler or writer of a dictionary.

Example: The lexicologist was overjoyed to discover that lugubrious† is a word.

Whether you’re an author, a poet, a songwriter or a student, The Lexicologist’s Handbook will introduce you to words that you’ve never heard before and change the way that you look at language.

Like a traditional dictionary but with the boring words left out, The Lexicologist’s Handbook will help you to broaden your vocabulary and impress your friends while entertaining you along the way. It’s the perfect book for all lexophiles.

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My Thoughts:

I’m not one to sit and read the dictionary, but The Lexicologist’s Handbook by Dane Cobain intrigued me with its subtitle: A Dictionary of Unusual Words. Of course, what makes a word “unusual” is entirely subjective. Dane Cobain chose these words, and he considered them unusual. Some of the words were unusual to me (interlard), and some were not (lint). I found it fun to see how many words I already knew in each section. Chapter “F” contained sixty-two entries, and I knew 39 of them.

In The Lexicologist’s Handbook, the author would give a word entry which was followed by the pronunciation, grammatical part of speech, definition, and an example sentence. The pronunciation guide appeared to be Canadian or British English – similar to, but not the same as American English. The author noted that some words may act as more than one part of speech, depending on the sentence. In such situations, multiple sentences demonstrated the different uses. As for definition accuracy, I looked up some of the words in the Oxford English Dictionary, and Cobain’s definitions were in line. The example sentences were adequate, not particularly witty or entertaining. Learning new words and their definitions was what held my attention.

Content-wise, I must note that this book is intended for the adult general market. I noticed a tendency toward unnecessary sexuality in the example sentences.  For example, leitmotif (p. 184) – a theme that recurs throughout a musical composition or a literary piece. The example sentence: “The main leitmotif in Jeremy’s short story was his desire for animalistic sex.” Is animalistic sex something I want to read about? No. Could a non-sexual sentence have been used? Yes. Will other readers feel the same way as me? Maybe, or maybe not, but I am mentioning such content for readers who may have feelings one way or the other.

When I finished The Lexicologist’s Handbook: A Dictionary of Unusual Words by Dane Cobain I felt like a bit of a word-nerd, or a lexicologist, if you will. I marked many entries in the book as interesting words. Some of my favorites: flapdoodle, googlewhack, jeremiad, knurl, marmoreal, skald, and spondulicks.

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.

Book Spotlight: The Missing Link by Natasha D. Frazier

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Missing Link by Natasha D. Frazier, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Missing Link
Series: The Langston Sisters #3
Author: Natasha D. Frazier
Publisher: Encouraging Works
Release Date: November 28, 2023
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Now that her sisters, Crystal and Ava, are moving on with their lives, it's time for Layla Langston to do the same. 

Experiencing burnout and lack of purpose, Layla is ready for a change and leaves Langston Brands to live life on her own terms. 

She dares to pursue her own dreams--dreams that lead her to start a new career as a journalist and thrust her in the middle of a murder investigation that just may put her life in danger. 

Mason Sterling's goal is twofold -- to get the best story possible and make Houston's local congresswoman pay for her crimes. What he doesn't want or need is anyone to tag along in the process. But when his boss hires Layla, and Mason is tasked with being her mentor, fighting their growing emotional bond is the least of his problems. 

He'll have to keep her safe to make a future with her a possibility.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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Excerpt

Mason paced the vinyl flooring for far too many minutes. He’d never understood why hospitals even had emergency rooms because he’d never seen anyone acting with enough urgency—and his father being injured was an urgent matter.

Mason approached the nurse again. “Ma’am, I’m here to see Walter Sterling. Where’s the doctor?”

Another nurse walked into the area, and the desk nurse seemed relieved. She approached Mason. “May I have your name?”

“Mason Sterling. Walter Sterling is my father. I need to see him.”

She tapped the screen on an electronic tablet. “The doctor will be out to see you shortly. Please follow me.”

The nurse led him to a more private area and disappeared. How many more times did he have to hear the doctor would be out before he actually saw him or her?

Mason huffed and paced for another twenty minutes in the small space. He stopped short when an older Black woman wearing a white coat entered the room. When they locked eyes, his feet couldn’t move fast enough to get to her.

“I’m Mason Sterling. Is my father okay? When can I see him?”

He searched her eyes for any sign of his father’s health status, but her face was as emotionless as the nurse who led him into the room minutes ago.

“Hi, Mason. I’m Dr. Riley.” She gestured toward a nearby chair. “Please have a seat.”

“I’d rather stand. When can I see him?”

“I’m sorry, Mason. Your father didn’t make it.”

Mason stood paralyzed.

Unable to move.

Unable to speak.

Unable to think.

She continued talking, but the words tumbled out of her mouth like puzzle pieces of the same color. He couldn’t decipher a single word. Blood rushed to his brain. His heart raced fast enough for him to believe he’d need a hospital bed.

A knot formed in Mason’s throat that he couldn’t swallow. If he did, tears would overtake him. Pain settled there. His stomach taut. All of his muscles tightened.

Mason belted out, “No.” Air barely escaped his lungs as he had to force himself to breathe.

The pain in his chest was just as real physically as it was emotionally. His heart ripped into pieces. That was the only explanation for the stabbing sensation in his chest. His eyes stung as tears spilled down his cheeks soaking his collar.

He finally sat in that chair Dr. Riley suggested he take. She’d mentioned something about whether there was someone else she could call for him. Usually, his father would be that person, and now he had no one.

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More Books In This Series

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About the Author

Natasha D. Frazier fell in love with love around the age of twelve because of artists like Babyface, Boys II Men, Whitney Houston, and New Edition. Around sixteen when her mother purchased a romance novel and left it lying around the house untouched, Natasha read it and a spark for the written word had been ignited.

Natasha believes that writing is one of her purposes and contributions to the world. She feels accomplished when she can get a few words written and like blah when life gets in the way. Her hope is that at the end of every novel, readers will feel like they’ve been wrapped in a cozy blanket with a mug of their favorite coffee/tea/warm drink. 

When she isn’t reading or writing, she is likely watching movies with her family. Natasha resides in Richmond, TX with her husband, Eddie Frazier, Jr. and their three children, Eden, Ethan, and Emilyn. Her greatest joy and commitment is to her family who she hopes to inspire above all else. One of her many mottos in life is: Faith removes limitations. Natasha and her family attend Parkway Fellowship in Richmond, TX, where she volunteers as a small group leader for elementary students. Natasha is also a member of the Houston Area Alumni Chapter of Jackson State University and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 

Connect with Natasha by visiting natashafrazier.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a book box which includes book-related swag & a signed print copy of The Missing Link

(1) winner will win a $10 Amazon gift card

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight January 8, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on January 15, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Review: The Evangelical Imagination by Karen Swallow Prior

About the Book:

Contemporary American evangelicalism is suffering from an identity crisis--and a lot of bad press.

In this book, acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior examines evangelical history, both good and bad. By analyzing the literature, art, and popular culture that has surrounded evangelicalism, she unpacks some of the movement's most deeply held concepts, ideas, values, and practices to consider what is Christian rather than merely cultural. The result is a clearer path forward for evangelicals amid their current identity crisis--and insight for others who want a deeper understanding of what the term "evangelical" means today.

Brought to life with color illustrations, images, and paintings, this book explores ideas including conversion, domesticity, empire, sentimentality, and more. In the end, it goes beyond evangelicalism to show us how we might be influenced by images, stories, and metaphors in ways we cannot always see.

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My Thoughts:

The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images & Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis by Karen Swallow Prior (KSP) carries a balanced, academic tone that conveys the author’s knowledge and professionalism. This book is not KSP railing madly at evangelicals. Rather, it is a book written by an informed evangelical who is concerned about current church culture issues. I actually expected far more censure and calls to action by the author.

The text of The Evangelical Imagination should be read with care. Occasionally, I had to reread a section to completely grasp the ideas presented. Concepts such as imagination, sentimentality, and materiality are presented at a college-level understanding. Still, KSP keeps the book accessible by giving detailed explanations that readers, including those without a religious background, would understand. There is a large notes section at the end for curious people like me.

In The Evangelical Imagination, KSP keeps mostly to history and literature as she addresses her topics. Surprisingly, she mostly bypassed examining Biblical narratives that contribute to church culture. She did address certain teachings and lines of thought/expectation that swirl in today's evangelical culture.

The Evangelical Imagination by Karen Swallow Prior gave me much to think about and made me want to read several of her works cited. Even though I grew up in the evangelical church, I still learned a lot from this book and the “Empire” chapter was especially enlightening. The book is best suited for those interested in the topic of evangelical church culture but who also enjoy historical art and literature.

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.

Book Review: Suing Cinderella by Stephanie Mack

About the Book:

All’s fair in love and lawsuits...

With equal parts gavel and magic wand, Suing Cinderella explores the laws of love, the meaning of fairy tales, and the hope of imagination. Don't miss this romantic, redemptive, and magical second novel from Stephanie Mack, author of When We Blinked.

Jilted at the altar, heartbroken Scotland "Scottie" Holiday feels utterly conned by her supposed Prince Charming. In reflecting on her ethos of love, however, Scottie determines the real villain is the Kingston Company: the children's entertainment and amusement park conglomerate responsible for all those glittery fairy tales she watched on a loop growing up. With her best friend and ruthless corporate litigator Peyton by her side, Scottie decides to sue Kingston for false advertising and emotional distress, claiming she has been duped by their magical, misleading stories of happily-never-after.

Enter Harrison Hayes, Kingston's dashing defense attorney. A Kingston loyalist and brilliant mind, Harrison proves to be a formidable adversary, with his deep knowledge of the law (and even deeper brown eyes). Soon, there are more sparks flying in Scottie's case of a lifetime than in Kingston's nightly fireworks show—and staying away from each other proves a trial in more ways than one. As the gavel comes down, and their connection heats up, Scottie is forced to face the evidence and the truth. She must summon her past, cross-examine her heart, and reach her verdict on one final question: do fairy tales exist after all?

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My Thoughts:

Smart and fun, Suing Cinderella by Stephanie Mack held my attention from start to finish. Scottie Holiday’s emotional distress and subsequent legal claim lands her opposite defense attorney Harrison Hayes. Though at odds with each other, Scottie and Harrison have bubbling romantic chemistry that complicates efforts on both sides of the lawsuit. These characters (and us readers) must examine all sides of the issue/claim. As a reader and as a former legal assistant, I thought the legal content was well done. I won’t disclose which side won the big lawsuit, but I will reassure potential readers that Scottie and Harrison get their expected happily-ever-after (which pleased my romance-loving heart). I also enjoyed the friendship and humor between Scottie and Peyton – we all need a BFF! 

To my knowledge, there aren’t many legal romances in the Christian Fiction genre, so Suing Cinderella by Stephanie Mack holds a certain level of uniqueness even as it utilizes the enemies-to-lovers trope. This novel could almost be placed in the clean romance realm, but there is spiritual content toward the end. I like both categories, so I wasn’t offended by the minimal spirituality in the beginning. Overall, Suing Cinderella is a clean, fun read that entertained and made me laugh. Four 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.

Favorite Fiction Reads of 2023

The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy

In 1911, Mabel MacGinnis is Europe's strongest woman and has performed beside her father in the Manzo Brothers Circus her entire life. When he dies unexpectedly, she loses everything she's ever known and sets off in the company of acrobat Jake Cunningham in hope of finding the mother she thought was dead.

Learn more about the book and read my review.

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The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

When the Germans march into Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt exchanges his nobility for anonymity, assuming a new identity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden. American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to leave Copenhagen and abandon her research--her life's dream--and makes the dangerous decision to print resistance newspapers.

Learn more about the book and read my review.

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The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese

As a senior acquisitions editor for Fog Harbor Books in San Francisco, Ingrid Erikson has rejected many a manuscript for lack of defined conflict and dramatic irony--two elements her current life possesses in spades. In the months following the death of her childhood best friend and international bestselling author Cecelia Campbell, Ingrid has not only lost her ability to escape into fiction due to a rare trauma response, but she's also desperate to find the closure she's convinced will come with Cecelia's missing final manuscript.

Learn more about the book and read my review.

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The Art of Victory by Martha Keyes

Diana Donovan was raised aboard a naval ship on a steady diet of war strategy, so when her orphaned friend, Lucy, is denied a perfectly respectable love match by her controlling guardian, Diana sees an opportunity to put her battle knowledge to use in service of a deserving friend.

But Marmaduke Russell is not the middle-aged curmudgeon Diana is expecting. He is a maddeningly cool, unmarried gentleman who seems uniquely able to parry her tactics—and infuse her with even more determination to win. As battle ensues, though, it becomes clear that there may be more hearts in the balance than just Lucy's.

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The Peasant King by Tessa Afshar 

Jemmah has always thought of herself as perfectly ordinary . . . until she faces extraordinary circumstances. When her mother, the Persian king’s famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. Their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher.

Learn more about the book and read my review.

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The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want—money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist—an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Learn more about the book and read my review.

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Yesterday's Tides by Roseanna M. White

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same--until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie's inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling's injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he's tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie.

Learn more about the book and read my review.

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A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond the band of former urchins that helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they concentrate on stealing high-value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. But when Rosemary must determine whether Peter Holstein, a wealthy gentleman, is loyal to Britain or to Germany, she is in for the challenge of a lifetime. How does one steal a family's history, their very name? When Rosemary sees Peter's gracious reaction to his neighbors' scornful attacks, she wonders if it is too late to help him prove that he's more than his name?

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An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White

Once London's top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war. But not until he rescues a clockmaker's daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.

Evelina Manning has constantly fought for independence, but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end the engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clockwork repair with her father, she can't help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.