Book Review: An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz
Happy New Year, Friends! I’m so excited for a brand new year of reading and sharing book recommendations with you. I started the year out the year reading An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz. It was a great read that I think you’ll enjoy, too.
I have seen Laura’s name floating around for a while now. I’ve seen rave reviews of her book The Lacemaker, but I’ve never gotten around to reading anything she’s written.
When I had an opportunity for an early copy of An Uncommon Woman I jumped at the chance.
Summary
An Uncommon Woman is the story of Tessa Swan, a woman who lives in the backwoods of western Virginia. Her family has a farm there (called a “station”) as well as a business ferrying people across the Buchannon River.
Tessa knows how to survive on the frontier. She is strong and capable. She can take care of a household, plant and harvest crops and help her brothers with the ferry. But deep inside she longs for a life away from the rugged frontier. She dreams of a life of ease in the city.
The frontier families live in constant wariness and fear of Indian attacks. When Tessa was a young girl her best friend, Keturah, was kidnapped by the Indians, and never seen again. More recently, her father was killed by a warring tribe.
When attacks happen, all the frontiersmen escape to the fort. The fort is named Fort Tygart, in honor of its new commander, Colonel Clay Tygart.
Clay was himself taken by the Indians when he was a boy. His family was murdered, and he was raised as part of a Lenape tribe. He was later returned to some Quaker kinfolk who lived in Philadelphia.
Clay is an interesting mixture of gentleman and savage, but he’s more at home in the wild than in the city. Clay has never met a woman like Tessa, and they are drawn to one another. But Clay is afraid of loving someone, so he pushes her away.
When Tessa herself is kidnapped by the Indians, Clay must do everything he can to save her. But saving Tessa will come at a cost, and it’s one neither of them wants to pay.
My opinion
I really loved reading this book for several reasons. Being from West Virginia, I always like to read stories set in that area.
I also like reading about strong women. There’s something special about a woman who breaks the mold. I love love and marriage, but I also love women who know how to make it on their own. Although things certainly get better when the right man comes along!
I don’t want to give any spoilers, but I was a bit disappointed in Tessa’s behavior at the end of the book. However, the more I think about it, I realize it is in total keeping with her independent personality.
I love reading historical fiction that gives me a glimpse into a part of history I wasn’t familiar with. I didn’t realize all of the danger the settlers faced from the Indians. But I was also sad to read how terribly the Indians were treated by some white people, also.
Recommendation
An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz is a great book for lovers of historical fiction. It’s beautifully researched and written.
You’re sure to love the gruff, less-than-perfect characters. I know you’ll be drawn to Tessa’s frontier charm, and Clay’s quiet strength. You’ll love Ross and Cyrus, and probably dislike Jasper. You’ll laugh at Hester, and hope for the best for Maddie and Jude.
And when you get to the final page, you’re going to look forward to the next book in this series. (There’s an excerpt and it’s amazing!)
I will definitely be reading more from Laura Frantz in the future. If you love any of her books, drop a comment and let me know so I can add them to my list!
I received a galley of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my little blog!
