Laura Frantz – Colonial Romance

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award winner and best-selling author of more than a dozen historical novels, with a special affection for 18th century America. Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler, and today on Binge Reading Laura talks about her latest romance called A Heart Adrift, an American historical about a Virginia chocolatier and a privateering sea captain who collide again after a failed love affair a decade before. We've got our usual free book offer, this time a joint author promo called Relax and Read, a selection of all genres for you to choose from. You'll find the links for how to access these books plus any other information about this episode in the show notes on www.thejoysofbingereading.com. RELAX AND READ FREE BOOKS A wide range of genres to choose from, including Books 1 and 4 of Jenny Wheeler's Of Gold & Blood Old California mystery series. There's an easy way to make sure you don't miss out. Join our newsletter so you get a weekly reminder of when the show is posted and what's coming next, with links all in one place. Links to this episode: George Hume and Wedderburn Castle:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedderburn_CastleDaniel Boone daughter:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capture_and_rescue_of_Jemima_BooneAn Uncommon Woman:  https://laurafrantz.net/books/an-uncommon-womanA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34066798-a-gentleman-in-moscowRun Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson: https://www.amazon.com/Run-Rose-Novel-James-Patterson/dp/075955434XLiz Curtis Higgs:  https://www.lizcurtishiggs.comKristen Heitzmann:  http://kristenheitzmannbooks.com Where to find Laura Frantz: Website: https://laurafrantz.netInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurafrantzauthor/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFrantzAuthor/Twitter: @LFrantzauthorPinterest: @laurafrantz What follows is a "near as" transcript of our conversation, not word for word but pretty close to it, with links to the show notes in The Joys of Binge Reading.com for important mentions. Introducing romance author Laura Frantz But now, here's Laura. Laura Frantz - best selling inspirational fiction Jenny Wheeler: Hello there Laura, and welcome to the show. It's so good to have you with us. Laura Frantz: I’m so delighted to be here. I'm a fan and I'm always enjoy talking books. Thank you. Jenny Wheeler: You are a bestselling author and an award-winning one with thirteen historical novels to your credit. The most recent one, and the one we'll be focusing on for part of our time today, is A Heart Adrift. It’s set in 1755 when the prospect of war with France is looming over colonial Virginia. You have said that you are a real fan of the 18th century. What draws you to that time period? Laura Frantz: Oh my, I could probably spend the whole show talking about that, but in a nutshell, the 18th century was a complete historical rollercoaster ride. There was so much going on in that century. You have, as you already mentioned, the French and Indian war, also two revolutions, both French and American, the flintlock musket and Indian warfare came to the forefront during that very tumultuous era. On a more personal note, the bedbug epidemic was out of control and personal hygiene was at a low. On every level of the 18th century, it’s kind of a hot, roiling, historical mess. But there were good things that came out of that too. People began reading for pleasure. Books became more accessible. One of the things I have included in some of my novels is another invention by Ben Franklin – the Franklin stove. People began to warm up in a century that had been quite cold. A love of the eighteenth century You have a lot to draw from when you write in the 18th century, not only the United States but overseas. Your own history in your own country was quite tumultuous too if I understand it. Jenny Wheeler: We hardly existed in the 18th century.