Synopsis:~
Her wilderness survival skills are without rival.
But her greatest talent is keeping other people’s secrets.
After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It’s a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke–men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew, looking for an experienced guide.
Though he balks when Tempe is appointed to lead his team through the wilderness, it isn’t long before Sion must admit that her abilities may outmatch his own. But can the tenuous tie they are forming survive the dangers waiting just around the bend?
With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons you to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.
My take:~
Laura Frantz’s talent with word weaving is nothing short of a gift. Her ability to evoke emotion, paint imagery with words, and bring characters to life on a page is second to none. A Moonbow Night is testament to all those facts as I became immersed in the story of Sion, Tempe, her family, and the danger that stalks them all. It pains me to say, however, that I struggled in the first half of the story. The prose was beautiful, the characters intriguing, but the pacing bothered me. For the first time in a Laura Frantz story, I found myself itching for something to happen, and worrying how I could possibly be feeling this in a novel written by such a wonderful writer (and a most gorgeous person, I might add!). Sion and Tempe are a perfect foil for each other, both independent and loyal, brimming with intelligence and courage, yet cautious, understated, and often surprising. I approached every interaction and dialogue between them with joyful anticipation, and wanted more. Around the halfway mark, the pacing picks up, the danger increases, the connection between the capable outdoorsman and his unexpected wilderness guide blossoms, and my reading world was set to rights again! Laura’s historicity shines in every aspect of this story, and is one of the many reasons I will read each and every story she pens. The setting is a fascinating one for me, as it is not an era or location I know much about. A Moonbow Night is a beautiful story and ultimately, even with my early glitch, a most satisfying and captivating tale.
With thanks to the publisher for my review copy. Be sure to drop by next week as I’ll be featuring Laura and giving away a copy of A Moonbow Night.
Relz Reviewz Extras
All Things Frantz @ Relz Reviewz
Visit Laura’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: A Moonbow Night or Koorong
January 3, 2017 at 1:06 am
Rel, I truly appreciate the honesty & care with which you craft reviews, Tempe’s story, especially. Its my most historical book yet & not a quick, easy, or light read as your thoughts convey. I’d even thought about encouraging readers to read the first chapter twice;) Thank you for making time for MOONBOW as I know your reading stack is huge! Here’s to all those good reads in 2017!
January 3, 2017 at 9:09 am
I adore the historical nature of your stories, Laura, A Moonbow Night included, and the fact it isn’t a quick or light read. You write exactly the kind of historical novel I long for – rich in historical detail and character authenticity. I think this was a “It’s not you, it’s me!” experience!
Thank you for taking time to drop by and to respond with the graciousness that is such a part of who you are, lovely Laura xo
January 3, 2017 at 2:13 am
I am also a huge fan of both Laura and her books. I’m currently reading a Moonbow Night, and Laura had told me it’s more historical, so I expected a lot of detail (which I love), but it is a bit slow-going. I know what Sion and Tempe’s jobs are, but I’m not quite sure what their story goals are yet. I have a feeling when those are revealed with more clarity, the pace will pick up. I’m about 1/4 of the way through and Sion has just asked Tempe to be his wilderness guide (and so far she’s refused), but when she finally agrees, I’m expecting things to heat up quickly. 🙂 I love the danger of the Indian setting, and I’m completely in love with the landscape (I don’t think I’ve ever read a story that has so captivated my imagination where the setting is concerned). I also love the distinct personalities of each character and the intriguing Raven. So very much to love on this story, even if the pacing is slow at the beginning.
January 3, 2017 at 9:11 am
It is worth persevering, Gabrielle, as you would well know! And the persevering isn’t difficult, there’s just the desire to know the characters and their journey more 🙂 I agree there is SO much to love about the story, and when it gets going you will be holding your breath!
Thanks for taking the time to comment – I appreciate you!
January 3, 2017 at 8:32 am
Thanks for the review, Rel! Laura is a gifted writer. That is good to know about the pacing at first. So tricky to get that just right. Blessings!
January 3, 2017 at 9:12 am
She is truly gifted, Carrie 🙂 I think PW or RT wrote an editorial review along the lines of the reader will be rewarded for taking the journey and they were spot on!
January 3, 2017 at 8:38 pm
I’ve pre-ordered Laura’s book and after reading this review, I have a feeling it’s going to be the perfect novel for me. When I read reviews (not yours, Rel) that comment on not liking all of the details, length etc, those are the stories I end up loving. I don’t always have to have excitement, angst, drama, etc. to simply enjoy a well told story. For me, it’s always about the journey. Thanks, Rel and congrats to Laura Frantz and her new release.