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27 August 2010

Historical/Bibliotherapy Review


 


 

Courting Morrow Little

By Laura Frantz, Revell, 2010


 

This is Ms. Frantz's second book, her debut being the spectacular "The Frontiersman's Daughter". Laura did an interview about CML on this blog in early June. Laura says maybe this books needs to be called the hospital book, because so many of us have read it during very difficult times, sometimes toting it to the hospital.


 

The best review out there is Michelle Sutton's posted at: www.edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com.


 

I am going to admit that I read this book during one of the most difficult times in my life. My mother had just returned to Michigan and was to begin chemotherapy, after having a horrendous surgery (whipple) in early winter. She died within 19 days of returning home. So, unfortunately, I will always associate this lovely book with that time. However, a bibliotherapy factor in this book was helpful to me:

SPOILER ALERT There were several deaths, one being very significant but was hinted at early on and throughout so that it was expected. And Laura was kind enough to warn me about the deaths since I had just finished another book where the bibliotherapy factor was grief/mourning issues (wonderful book by fellow Virginian Gina Holmes, reviewed here last week). The main loss was handled very well and in a meaningful and realistic manner.


 

My own WIP is frontier colonial set in Virginia and Kentucky but my characters are patriots whereas CML presents a lesser-explored side of the American Revolution – those people who were more sympathetic to the British and to those native Americans who chose to side with them. It takes one talented writer to make this 18th century story world patriot feel sympathetic to the characters' plights in CML, but Laura Frantz accomplished that!


 

This had an extremely satisfying ending – probably the best I have read over the past year since The Frontiersman's Daughter came out. All the loose ends were tied up in a way that made sense. Ms. Frantz kept this story moving through the middle all the way to the end. There was no sagging middle here yet she did give breaks from the action, also.


 

I expect this book will be nominated for awards as The Frontiersman's Daughter was, also. Congrats Laura!


 

CONTEST:

Leave a comment on this blog or on any of my blogs since I posted the interview with Laura and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of both Courting Morrow Long and also Rita Gerlach's Surrender the Wind, which I will be reviewing in September. A late happy birthday to Rita (yesterday was her birthday)!!


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

30 comments:

  1. I read Courting Morrow Little right after losing my mom and it was such a great diversion for me. So interesting I could hardly put it down! I already told Laura I feel she should win an award for both of her spectacular books. Can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

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  2. Diana, Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother. It is so difficult to go through this. Laura did a great job of portraying just how awful it is to lose a beloved parent, but how God provides.

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  3. Dear Diana and Carrie,
    I can't believe how this book was with both of you (and dear Carla) at such a time of loss. My heart goes out to you all in such a huge way. Thank you for stopping here and sharing that. That truly blesses me.
    It's an honor to be mentioned with Rita Gerlach. I have her debut novel sitting here waiting to be read. Her upcoming books sound wonderful also as they are set in the 18th-century.
    Thanks so much for this!

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  4. I wanted to say that I think this book would also be excellent for anyone who struggles with foregiveness, too, as for me that seemed to be a major theme of the book.

    Diana, I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mother.

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  5. Thank you Julia,Carrie,and Laura for your kind words. I am so sorry for your loss as well,Carrie. God bless you.

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  6. Julia,
    Thanks so much for pointing the forgiveness theme out here. It's been such a huge factor in my own life. I'm surprised that all 3 of my books focus on this so exclusively, especially CML and then The Colonel's Lady. Bless you!

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  7. Yes, absolutely, the forgiveness was amazing and Laura did such a fantastic job with that spiritual arc in this story. I wondered early on in the story if what I thought might be so, but Laura really did a super job of putting just enough of a thread in there to keep you guessing.

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  8. I have read alot about these two books, but have yet to get my hands on one of them! I'd love a chance to win them - thanks for offering them, Carrie!! The books sound like they carry powerful messages inside their pages!!

    Katie M

    legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I would love to be a part of your giveaway! Thanks for offering up such great books.
    I'm looking forward to reading both of them.

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  10. Katie and Lisa,
    So happy to see you here! Love that you both are so enthusiastic about books. I do hope they carry powerful messages between the pages. Bless you both!

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  11. I read Laura's first book and loved it! I would love the chance to read Courting Morrow Little. Thanks for the opportunity!
    Andinewberry@yahoo.com
    Andi

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  12. Hi Andi,
    Thanks so much for coming over!! So happy you are a reader of mine:) I always smile when I see your name pop up. Bless u today!

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  13. Carrie, thank you for sharing about your mother and how this book helped you during your difficult time. As Laura said, it was also a wonderful thing for me as well to be swept away into Morrow's world during my Dad's illness. My Mom read The Frontiersmans Daughter and then Courting Morrow Little which helped her through difficult days caring for my Dad. He passed away 11 days ago. I think it is such a ministry to us readers that a well written book (and Laura is so very talented) can touch us so.

    Blessings to you Carrie and many thanks to our dear friend and favorite author, Laura!

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  14. Courting Morrow Little sounds wonderful, I'd love a chance to be changed and encouraged by it. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

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  15. Katie, Lisa, Andi, and Merry thanks for leaving a comment! Carla, will continue to keep you in prayer. Laura is such a talented writer and such a sweetheart. We are back from the beach and praying we are spared from the hurricane. God bless you all!

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  16. I'd love to win!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  17. I would love to win these books. I have been reading reviews about Courting Morrow Little and it sounds great!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Sheri

    hspruitt {at} juno [dot] com

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  18. Sounds like a good book. Too bad it is tied to tough memories for you.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  19. I just wanted to say to any visitors here,even if you don't win,please make it a point to buy The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little.You will not regret it I can assure you. I have read so many great books but I can honestly say these two top the list. You will not know 'til the end who the heroine is going to be with or if she's going to be with anyone. Lots of surprise twists and turns. You will love these books as well as Laura who I have come to treasure as a wonderful friend. Happing book buying everyone!

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  20. oops excuse the typo...that's happy book buying!

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  21. Ann and HS, with all the writers out there it is amazing to find someone with the talent that Laura has. You are right, Wendy, and I almost did not post this review. Will clean it up for Amazon and CBD! I agree, Diana, and these make great gift books.

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  22. That really makes me want to read this book! I have gone through such a hard year and to hear how this book was such a good read in spite of the hard times, is amazing!
    martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  23. Diana and Carrie,
    Wpw ~ what gracious words for me this Sunday morning. I've had a hard week myself so this is like manna from heaven:) Bless you both so much for thinking my books have any merit at all. It really is humbling that the Lord is comforting and encouraging people through the written word.

    Martha, So sorry to hear you've had hard times this year. Praying things are better for you and you feel His hand at all times.

    Thanks to everyone here for their precious comments!

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  24. Oh my, can you tell it's early? I meant to say "WOW" and ended up with "Wpw" - whatever that means:)!

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  25. This sounds like a wonderful book filled with life
    lessons. Please enter me.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

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  26. Don't feel bad,Laura. Somehow,I put happy and buying together and it ended up happing. The sad part is I even proofread it! haha Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day!

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  27. Diana, You are the winner per the random number generator! Please send your email to me at cfpwriter@aol.com. Oh, and let me know if you prefer CML as an e-book or a regular book. Congratulations and God bless!

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  28. Excellent interview. I have just added this book to the top of my "To read list" it looks and sounds so wonderful.

    ~Steph
    soklad@hotmail.com

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  29. Steph, I have this posted at the top of my blog in the "Most Popular" postings for this past year. This book just got named to one of the top 10 on the Christian Historical Fiction website.

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