gud morning sms: 2-Year Blogoversary Celebration: Day Five ~ Laura Frantz!!

Welcome back, Laura, and thank you for celebrating Christian Bookshelf Reviews' 2-Year Blogoversary with us! For those who aren't familiar with you and your books, will you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm just a simple Kentucky gal with a passion for history and romance. Right now I live in the woods of Washington state with my husband and 2 teenage sons so stay busy writing and being a wife and mom. Recently I traveled to Scotland where I hope to set a new series in the Highlands or Hebrides. I also love to knit, cook, garden, and do that crazy thing called aqua zumba

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What are your current projects?

Right now I'm working on the third book in The Ballantyne Legacy and expecting a new cover from the art team/designer for book 2, titled Love's Awakening. And I'm researching book 4 which will wrap up the series. Then, hopefully, I'll begin another...

What was the hardest part of writing your book, Love's Reckoning?

Oh, love the question. That would be the scene with David Greathouse and Eden Lee at the tavern. Silas is riding hard after them to avert disaster but... So often the hero arrives in the nick of time but not in this book. I didn't plan to make life so hard for poor Eden but the story seemed to call for it and I think it made the happy ending sweeter. Though some readers may disagree!

What books have influenced your life the most?

The Bible foremost and just recently the amazing devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. As for fiction, I love The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery (Ann of Green Gables author) and anything by Francine Rivers and Liz Curtis Higgs, both masters of the writing craft.

What's your favorite party food?

Artichoke cream cheese dip! And Perrier with a splash of cranberry and a twist of lime. Together they're divine

Do you have a favorite birthday/party memory you'd like to share?

On my 18th birthday, my dad threw open the front door of our house and an entire fraternity stood in our front yard singing me happy birthday. Being shy, I was mortified! I don't know how he coerced those college kids to come over and do that but they sure could sing

. My favorite memory though is of my 7th birthday. I don't remember much except how happy I felt all day so this has always been my favorite memory.

What are your top three favorite songs?

Northbound Train from the soundtrack of North&South, Song for a Winter's Night by Sarah MacLachlan, and anything on the fiddle.

What's your favorite comfort food?

My granny's cornbread drenched in butter. Nothing like it!

A few this-or-that questions:

Cake or Cupcakes? Cakes - specifically German Chocolate Cake.

Facebook or Twitter? I killed my Twitter account a couple of years ago so guess I'll say Facebook.

Vanilla or Chocolate? Vanilla. So clean and fresh tasting and smelling.

Sneakers or Sandals? Sandals. I sort of collect them and love the really pretty, feminine ones.

Print or eBook? Print without a doubt. Love the smell and feel of an in hand book! I can't do without the covers either.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web?

My journal or blog is where I spend most of my time on the web. Please visit me at www.laurafrantz.net for giveaways, book buzz, and all things historical. I really appreciate my readers and enjoy connecting with them wherever they happen to be. I also have links to Pinterest and Facebook on my website, so please stop by and say hi.

Thanks so much to you, Melanie, for your dedication to good books and for hosting such a stellar review site. You're an inspiration and I'm honored to call you a reading friend!

Giveaway!