Frontiersman's Daughter, The: A Novel [Kindle Edition]

Laura Frantz (Author)

Book Description

Lovely but tough as nails, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's former captivity with the Shawnee Indians, as well as the secret sins of her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. Though she faces the loss of a childhood love, a dangerous family feud, and the affection of a Shawnee warrior, Lael draws strength from the rugged land she calls home, and from Ma Horn, a distant relative who shows her the healing ways of herbs and roots found in the hills. But the arrival of an outlander doctor threatens her view of the world, God, and herself--and the power of grace and redemption.

This epic novel gives readers a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman. Laura Frantz's debut novel offers a feast for readers of historical fiction and romance lovers alike.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

One woman searches for love--and herself--in a wild land.

Lovely and high-spirited, Lael Click is the daughter of a celebrated frontiersman. Haunted by her father's ties to the Shawnee Indians and her family's past, Lael comes of age in the fragile Kentucky settlement her father founded. As she faces the many trials of life on the frontier, Lael draws strength from the rugged land. But the arrival of a handsome doctor threatens her view of her world, her God, and herself. Can the power of grace and redemption break through in this tumultuous place?

This epic novel gives you a glimpse into the simple yet daring lives of the pioneers who first crossed the Appalachians, all through the courageous eyes of a determined young woman who would not be defeated.


"The Frontiersman's Daughter takes readers along for quite a ride with high-spirited Lael as she searches for love during a time when the world is more savage than civilized, when medicine comes from roots, and when a woman alone needs to keep a gun within reach. Laura Frantz portrays the wild beauty of frontier life, along with its dangers and hardships, in vivid detail."--Ann H. Gabhart, author of The Outsider


Laura Frantz is a former schoolteacher and social worker who credits her 100-year-old grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's ancestors followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Madison County, where her family still resides. Frantz currently lives in the misty woods of Port Angeles, Washington, with her husband and two sons.

About the Author

Laura Frantz credits her 100-year-old grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in 1792 and settled in Madison County where her family still resides. Frantz is a former schoolteacher and social worker who currently lives in the misty woods of Port Angeles, Washington, with her husband and two sons, whom she homeschools.

Product Details

• File Size: 2554 KB
• Print Length: 416 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Original edition (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002HWRKCA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #247,274 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Debut Novel August 3, 2009

By Carrie F. Pagels

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Frontiersman's Daughter, by Laura Frantz, 2007, Revell, 412 pages.
This historical Christian fiction book is set in Kentucky (as well as partially in Virginia) during the American Revolution. Frantz's protagonist, Lael, is the daughter of a well (and widely) known frontiersman who had been a captive of the Shawnees. A nearby fort is named after her father and Lael and her family take refuge there as the need arises, which is often. During her father's captivity, she was left in the care of another family at the fort and grows to care for their oldest son. This young man fails to win her father's approval. Lael finds her heart struggling when a Shawnee adopted warrior pursues her.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed, believable, and each had a distinct voice. Ms. Frantz seamlessly weaves a treasure trove of historical information into the story. Frantz doesn't shy away from the extreme difficulties in living on the frontier but she also doesn't dwell on horrifying violent details, as some recent historical fiction books have done. Lael's journey to become a Christian is also believable.
This book appeals to so many types of readers that to categorize it as historical Christian fiction with romantic elements would leave out other big chunks of the reader market. For instance, this is really a coming of age novel; granted the young woman is coming of age on the frontier in colonial times. Another recent historical (secular) novel was of a young doctor at school during the Civil war. That coming of age novel was about a very self-absorbed shallow young man who seems to change very little despite all of the differences going on all around him. In contrast, Leil is a likeable, deep, independent (while being connected to others) young woman who grows more so over the course of the novel.
The male characters are so strong that a man with an interest in frontier history should be satisfied. This is not a cookie-cutter stereotypical interpretation of women and men of the colonial frontier. Ms. Frantz also does a good job of giving a more rounded picture of Native Americans during that time.
I dreaded reaching the end of this book because then it would be over. It is my new favorite book and I intend to re-read it and to also get it an audio version when it becomes available. My friends and family members will be receiving copies of this book for Christmas!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Debut Novel August 22, 2009

By Susan Snodgrass

Format:Paperback

This book took my interest just from the title and I bought it immediately. I love history and this book is a very well researched novel dealing with early American history. Lael Click is the daughter of a well known frontiersman in Kentucky, sort of like Daniel Boone, when we first meet her at age 13. Her father has been a captive of the Shawnee Indian tribe, one of whom would like to make Lael his own. Her father sends her away to a Virginia finishing school to remove her from this Indian's attentions. When she receives words several years later that her father has drowned, she decides she is going to live as a frontier woman because she is happier here than anywhere else. This novel is rich with historial detail of the daily lives of settlers on the American frontier. She also develops her characters so well that you feel you know them. I felt as if I could hear the creek singing and smell the flowers as Lael rode along the hollows and valleys with her herbal remedies for the settlers' ailments. She relationship between Lael and the new doctor, Ian Justus, is absolutely amazingly told and just exceptional. The small pox scare is so well written, I could feel the heat of the block house and smell the odor of death, as she describes the pain and anguish of the settlers who lost their lives and loved ones. Lael's journey to acceptance of Christ is also well described in this book.
The book is shelved with Christian fiction but it also deserves a place in literature and history as well.
Do not pass this one up. You will not regret it. I am eagerly looking forward to another book by Laura Frantz

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant debut! August 12, 2009

By Rel Mollet

Format:Paperback

With her first book, Laura Frantz has carved herself a spot alongside the likes of Julie Lessman, Jamie Carie and Tamera Alexander.

Captivated immediately by the resolute young Lael, struggling with her father's hidden past with the Shawnee Indians and her mother's indiscretion, I was entranced as the story of her fractious journey to womanhood is revealed with beautiful prose and heartfelt emotion. Lael, Captain Jack, Ian Justus and Ma Horn are multi faceted, intriguing characters as are each of the inhabitants of the small Kentucky settlement. As they face the trials and fears living on the frontier engenders, tragedies strike, feuds erupt and hearts are torn, your own emotions will run the gamut with them. Laura's attention to historical detail is excellent and sets this book apart from many in the genre. Yet it is Lael, and the man who pursues her so tenderly as she cautiously ventures towards faith and love, that truly make this a book to savour.

The Frontiersman's Daughter has guaranteed Laura Frantz's future stories a place on my bookshelves!

More About the Author

Award-winning historical novelist, Laura Frantz, was born into a family who followed the legendary frontiersman, Daniel Boone, to Kentucky during the turbulent 18th-century and still resides there today. Passionate about all things historical, she writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Celtic themes. Her family lineage is Scottish, English, and Irish.

According to Publishers Weekly, "Frantz has done her historical homework." She is known for the depth of her characterization and research. The author is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.

Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net