Posts Tagged "Laura Frantz"

A Long Journey

Posted by Cynthia Howerter on Oct 9, 2012 in Encouragement | 21 comments

The journey through life is never a straight line.  We start at birth and then over the course of many years, our life takes twists and turns we could never have imagined or predicted.  Along the way, we experience rapturous highs, agonizing lows and sometimes we just hit the wall and stay in a state of bewilderment for a while.

When I was little, my family owned a business that sold beer.  Whenever I accompanied my mother to work, she would give me a pencil and paper and sit me in a chair in front of a row of alphabetized beer boxes where I copied the names of every brand of beer my parents sold.  I learned the alphabet and how to read this way.  Yes, you read that correctly.

I started with Ballantyne and ended with Yuengling, and between those two end boxes were 26 letters, many repeated.  I was the only kid in my first grade class to know and correctly spell the names of 14 brands of beer.  A person just had to know right then that I was destined for something.

I had a great desire to go to college.  My mother always thought that I should be a writer.  Instead, I disappointed her and became a teacher.

When my first child was born, I gave up my teaching career and became a stay-at-home mom.  House cleaning and diaper changing did nothing to stimulate my mind, so I turned to books, particularly biographies that allowed me to live vicariously through other people’s lives.  As such, one of the best trips I ever took was with General George Patton and his Third Army when they fought their way from Sicily to Germany in WW II.  No dusty room provided such excitement.

After my second child’s birth, I had the opportunity to attend a court case.  A lightning bolt ripped through the courtroom ceiling and sparked a desire within me to become an attorney.  My ever-supportive husband encouraged me to interview lawyers as a way of determining whether the field of law was right for me.  It was so right that I interviewed at the Villanova University School of Law where the dean asked me to apply because I was “the kind of person they were looking for.”  Rarely have I felt that kind of delirious joy.

Arriving home from Villanova, my five- and two-year old children wrapped their arms tightly around my legs, looked into my eyes and begged me not to stay away so long the next time I left the house.  Call my dream dead-on-arrival.  All I could think of was that my sweet little children did not ask to be born and they deserved my full attention.  I went to my bedroom, closed the door and sobbed.

Instead of an attorney, I became the best mother I was capable of being.  Sometimes I excelled, other times I didn’t.  But I gave motherhood my very best effort.

I was both blessed and cursed with a mind that required near-constant intellectual stimulation, and as much as I loved helping my children grow and learn and did my best to keep the house reasonably disease-free, I was often bored.  Until we bought a computer.

After my husband and children left for work and school each morning, I worked hard to master the beast from hell.  Ugh, make that Dell.  Numerous times a day I hit Word Perfect roadblocks and, not wanting to wait until my family arrived home to help, I pestered, no, asked, yes, pestered my brilliant friend, chemist Debbie Kapp, and my husband’s secretary, MaryAnn, for instruction.  God bless Debbie’s patient soul.  MaryAnn had no choice; I was the boss’s wife.

Armed with word processing, I wrote humorous short stories.  Mostly to amuse myself.  Did I mention that I was bored?  Thinking the tales clever, after numerous rewrites, I emailed them to select friends, some of whom wrote back telling me they enjoyed the stories and that I should write more.  Their encouragement was all I needed to take an everyday occurrence, find the humor in it and use all those letters that I learned from the beer boxes.

My friend Caroline Lyon saw a hint of promise in my writing and after doing a Google search for writers conferences, selected one and made my husband take me to it.

Gifted writer Debra Traverso has been a faithful encourager, the kind of friend who makes you work hard because they believe you’ve got what it takes.

Keiki Hendrix, writer and web-designer extraordinaire, encouraged me to set up a website and SOAR WITH EAGLES was born.

Website readers’ comments encouraged me to continue writing, especially during those times when I thought my writing was terrible and I felt like quitting.

My wonderfully devoted husband and children were forced into reading rough drafts.  Their thumbs-down on an article was met with grueling cross-examinations by a would-be attorney turned mom turned crazy-woman writer.

My critique partner, talented suspense writer Pamela Snowden, gave sage advice that improved my writing.

Multi-talented author Carrie Fancett Pagels took me under her wing and became an incredible mentor who expected me to put BIC (butt in chair) and produce quality writing.  She asked, I said no, and then she ignored me and appointed me president of the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Richmond Chapter.  Sometimes I need a good KITB (kick in the butt).  How did Carrie know?

In addition to her beautiful writing, historical fiction author Laura Frantz deserves an award for patience.  No matter how many times I emailed her multiple questions about her novels, she never once failed to write back with answers and encouragement.

Last week, my co-author LaTan Murphy and I signed our first book contract for a non-fiction anthology.  GOD’S PROVISION IN TOUGH TIMES should be released in 2013.  I’m bruised from pinching myself and if LaTan doesn’t stop her joyful crying, she’ll be dehydrated.

The truth is this:  there would be no short stories, no website, no book and no contract without every single person who took the time to encourage me throughout my entire life.  If you’re reading this, this includes you.  I don’t know how to adequately express my gratitude to each of you except to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mom, look!  God provided your heart’s desire:  I’m finally a writer.

Never underestimate the power of encouragement.

Please visit my friends’ websites:

Carrie Fancett Pagels has two:  http://colonialquills.blogspot.com  and http://cfpagels.blogspot.com

Debra Traverso:  http://dlkoontz.com

Keiki Hendrix has two:  http://keikihendrix.com  and http://vesselproject.com

LaTan Murphy:  http://latanmurphy.com

Laura Frantz:  http://laurafrantz.net

Cynthia’s photograph is by Mary Denman:  http://marydenman.blogspot.com

Gratefully, Cynthia

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Laura Frantz Book Giveaway Winner

Posted by Cynthia Howerter on Oct 3, 2012 in Book Review and Giveaway | 2 comments

Thanks to everyone who entered the Soar With Eagles book giveaway contest!

The winner of Laura Frantz’s newest novel, Love’s Reckoning: A Novel, is Pam S.  Congratulations, Pam!  Please send me an email with your address so I can mail a copy of the book to you.

Laura Frantz and I are wishing you many pleasureable hours of reading!  Remember to visit Laura’s beautiful website:  http://laurafrantz.net

Cynthia

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Laura Frantz Book Giveaway Ends Wednesday

Posted by Cynthia Howerter on Oct 1, 2012 in Book Review and Giveaway | 0 comments

Last two days to enter the Laura Frantz book giveaway contest!

For those readers who have been following Soar With Eagles for a while, you know that periodically, I write a review of a book I’ve read and then have a contest for readers to enter a chance to win that book.

Author Laura Frantz has recently published another page-turner, Love’s Reckoning: A Novel.  Allowing dishes to pile up in my sink and dust bunnies to multiply throughout the house, this book took me on a journey to York County, Pennsylvania in 1784 where I stayed in a beautiful stone house, the unknown guest of the Lee family, and watched a fascinating story unfold.

Unpredictable sparks fly when blacksmith Liege Lee hires an apprentice with the plan of marrying the unsuspecting man to one of his daughters.  Mr. Lee, a man with a formidable personality, never foresaw the strength of character in Silas Ballantyne, a Scottish immigrant whose will is as strong as the iron he molds in Mr. Lee’s shop.  Rounding out the drama and mystery are Lee daughters Eden and Elspeth, both too beautiful for words and as different as dark and light.

Laura Frantz has perfected the craft of drawing a reader into her stories and grabbing their emotions so firmly that they risk the ire of their own family when supper and laundry must wait until the chapter, nay, the entire book is finished!

Be sure to stop by Laura’s gorgeous website at:  http://laurafrantz.net

For your chance to win a copy of Love’s Reckoning: A Novel by Laura Frantz, all you have to do is:

1)  Be a subscriber to SOAR WITH EAGLES.

2)  Leave a comment.

One winner will be chosen randomly when the book giveaway contest ends on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.  The winner will be announced on SOAR WITH EAGLES shortly after the contest ends on October 3rd.  At that time, the winner will need to provide their address so I can mail their copy of Love’s Reckoning: A Novel to them.

Cynthia

Disclaimer: The review copy of Love’s Reckoning: A Novel was provided free of charge by the author in exchange for my honest review.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Laura Frantz Book Review and Giveaway

Posted by Cynthia Howerter on Sep 24, 2012 in Book Review and Giveaway | 10 comments

For those readers who have been following Soar With Eagles for a while, you know that periodically, I write a review of a book I’ve read and then have a contest for readers to enter a chance to win that book.

Author Laura Frantz has recently published another page-turner, Love’s Reckoning: A Novel.  Allowing dishes to pile up in my sink and dust bunnies to multiply throughout the house, this book took me on a journey to York County, Pennsylvania in 1784 where I stayed in a beautiful stone house, the unknown guest of the Lee family, and watched a fascinating story unfold.

Unpredictable sparks fly when blacksmith Liege Lee hires an apprentice with the plan of marrying the unsuspecting man to one of his daughters.  Mr. Lee, a man with a formidable personality, never foresaw the strength of character in Silas Ballantyne, a Scottish immigrant whose will is as strong as the iron he molds in Mr. Lee’s shop.  Rounding out the drama and mystery are Lee daughters Eden and Elspeth, both too beautiful for words and as different as dark and light.

Laura Frantz has perfected the craft of drawing a reader into her stories and grabbing their emotions so firmly that they risk the ire of their own family when supper and laundry must wait until the chapter, nay, the entire book is finished!

I invite you to read my interview with Laura Frantz below.  Details of the Book Giveaway Contest follow it.

Cynthia:  How did you come up with the story line for Love’s Reckoning?

LAURA:  I stumbled on a bit of research about colonial gunsmiths being expected to marry into the master gunsmith’s family.  I thought this would make a great story premise, especially if there were two eligible daughters and both fell in love with the hero.  Historical fireworks!

Cynthia:  What is your favorite scene in the Love’s Reckoning?

LAURA:  The moment Silas and Eden meet up again in that crowded ballroom after years apart.  They’d both given up on ever having any happiness with each other – but the Lord had other plans.  I love the tension of that moment and the high emotion.  While writing, I could see it play out so clearly in my mind.   I hope readers will, too.

Cynthia:  What do you hope Love’s Reckoning readers will take away from the story?

LAURA:  That God’s delays are never God’s denials.  Our view of life and eternity is so limited.  We operate so much in the here and now and often grow weary or fainthearted because we’re so shortsighted.  I also hope readers will understand that God is truly our shepherd and will lead us through the valleys and redeem anything we face.  No situation or circumstance is beyond His power.

Cynthia:  Is Love’s Reckoning to be part of a series?

LAURA:  Love’s Reckoning is the first book in a 4-book series involving 4 generations in the Ballantyne family spanning from the 18th-century to the Civil War.

Cynthia:  When can we expect Book 2 to be available?

LAURA:  Book 2, Love’s Awakening, will release August 2013.

Cynthia:  Having set your previous three books in Kentucky, why did you choose Pennsylvania for Love’s Reckoning?

LAURA:  Pennsylvania is so rich in history and is also very beautiful.  It’s not unlike Kentucky in many respects.  And it doesn’t hurt that my hero, Daniel Boone, hails from Pennsylvania and had Quaker roots.

Cynthia:  I know you went to both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to research Love’s Reckoning, but did you also go to York County?

LAURA:  Yes, I did spend time in York and York County.  The Golden Plough Tavern and the history there is of great interest to me.  Few people realize the role York played in the Revolutionary WAr.  It was a beehive of activity!  The surrounding countryside is incredibly picturesque.  Somehow they’ve been able to retain their history and the feel of the past.  I think it would be a wonderful place to live and it was a privilege to set my story there.  I also fell in love with Philadelphia, the old city especially, and also Pittsburgh.  Both very different but again, such rich history!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this interview with Laura Frantz.  Be sure to stop by Laura’s gorgeous website at:  http://laurafrantz.net

For your chance to win a copy of Love’s Reckoning: A Novel by Laura Frantz, all you have to do is:

1)  Be a subscriber to SOAR WITH EAGLES.

2)  Leave a comment.

One winner will be chosen randomly when the book giveaway contest ends on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.  The winner will be announced on SOAR WITH EAGLES shortly after the contest ends on October 3rd.  At that time, the winner will need to provide their address so I can mail their copy of Love’s Reckoning: A Novel to them.

Cynthia

Disclaimer:  The review copy of Love’s Reckoning: A Novel was provided free of charge by the author in exchange for my honest review.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY 

Book Giveaway Winner

Posted by Cynthia Howerter on May 1, 2012 in Book Review and Giveaway | 2 comments

Congratulations to Caroline, the winner of our SOAR WITH EAGLES Book Giveaway!

Please contact me so I can send you a copy of Laura Frantz’s THE FRONTIERSMAN’S DAUGHTER! 

Thank you everyone for entering the contest!  I’m so grateful for your support, and I wish you the best of God’s blessings.

Cynthia

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

 Cynthia Howerter © 2012