Reviews

A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz

rosannelortz's review

Go to review page

4.0

This book tells a little-seen side of the Revolutionary War, the fate of the frontier families in the wilds of Kentucke surrounded by hostile Indians goaded onto the warpath by King George.

At the remote Moonbow Inn, Temperance Tucker and her family work to feed travelers and stay clear of trouble. They have had enough encounters with, and heartbreak from, the Indians in the past. When Sion Morgan, a broad-shouldered surveyor, comes through the territory, Tempe finds herself intrigued by his gruff but dependable presence. With the tribes on the warpath, she signs on as a scout to help Sion and his men reach their destination. But the trip through Kentucke contains more pitfalls than anyone has foreseen, leading the reader to wonder whether either of them will make it back to the Moonbow Inn alive.

The setting of the book is as lushly drawn as any of the characters. The Moonbow Inn and nearby waterfall glow like a beacon in the wilderness. The historical tie-in with Daniel Boone was interesting and added a richness to the plot.

I had trouble at first connecting with the characters, particularly with Sion. His motivations and past, which unfolded gradually with the story, were never fully fleshed out. Tempe came alive sooner for me, although I still wished to know more about the characters in her family.

The Christian themes in the book were handled deftly, and the theme of love and loss explored in some depth. I didn't enjoy this book as much of some of Frantz's other titles, but still, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys American historical novels.

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

tt_reads123's review against another edition

Go to review page

DNF. Just can't get into it

digitlchic's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

4.5

meezcarrie's review

Go to review page

5.0

When you pick up a book by Laura Frantz, you are immediately swept away by the exquisite lilt of the narrative, by the vibrancy of the setting, and by the life in the characters. A Moonbow Night is no exception.

I especially love reading her Kentucke books, the name given by various Indian tribes to the hunting ground that would become the state in which I now live. The rich history comes alive in ways I would have not predicted, and I must confess to a squeal of history geek delight when Daniel Boone swaggered across a scene or two. In many ways, the Kentucke wilderness in A Moonbow Night becomes a character all its own, and with each Kentucke book I read by Laura Frantz I develop a greater appreciation for the men and women who bravely lived and died and fought and sacrificed to settle the state I find so beautiful. (As a side note, the snippets and snatches from historical accounts included at the beginning of each chapter were another highlight of the book for me!)

Tempe and Sion are wonderfully layered protagonists, each possessing rich emotions and poignant depth. Both of them have suffered greatly at the hands of the frontier, and both have left parts of their hearts behind in graves dug in the aftermath of Indian raids. While one has rejected God nearly completely, save the wisdom of his most trusted friend, the other clings to Him with one hand while holding Him at a wary distance with the other. And considering the example she has in her father, it’s really no wonder (If ever a character needed to be purse whomped, it is Tempe’s father.)

And let’s not forget to mention the romance, aye? (Side note…. There’s something so swoony about these frontiersmen and their ‘ayes’. Blissful twitterpated sigh.) While A Moonbow Night isn’t drowning in romance, a certain kissing tree … and a certain cave scene … and a … well, you get the idea. It’s not lacking in romance by any stretch of the imagination. And since Laura Frantz has a distinct gift for making every word count, trust me when I say to make sure you read this from the comfort of your favorite fainting couch or facsimile thereof

Bottom Line: A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz is a book you’ll want to devour in one sitting, yet somehow simultaneously find a way to savor each word so it lingers as long as possible. The beauty of the landscape, the richness of the history, the heart of the characters – all of these will beckon you to settle amongst the pages and immerse yourself in a world of wilderness and courage and discovery. And above all, steady and true, shines the moonbow with its promise of hope and restoration after a season of despair. A promise we could all use a little of today, aye?

See my review at Reading Is My SuperPower

rachel_loves_2_read's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Very history rich. I learned several things and was inspired to search out the history of others. The author’s research clearly shows in her writing.

betherin02's review

Go to review page

5.0

Full review on Faithfully Bookish http://www.faithfullybookish.com/review/a-moonbow-night-by-laura-frantz/

Temperance is every backwoodsman’s dream come true. She can cook, garden, track, and hunt. Tempe is a beautiful young woman who has embraced life in the Cumberland region wholeheartedly.

Sion is a skilled and intelligent outdoorsman. Although he is a man of few words, Sion is a natural leader and trailblazer. His courage level is somewhere between daring and dangerous.

A Moonbow Night is a beautiful tribute to the blood, sweat, and tears shed by Kentucke’s earliest settlers and the majesty of the untamed Cumberland region.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through Revell Reads and Net Galley. The opinions expressed are my own.

denisemcf7's review

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

3.5

shammons's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

A book I was able to obtain during my trial membership of Kindle Unlimited. I've read a couple of books by Laura Frantz and always enjoy the setting of the wild untamed American frontier of the 1700's. I enjoy books during this time period, because I rarely find them. This one was no exception, I enjoyed the characters, the story and the expected outcome. It was a difficult time for anyone, women in particular, and I enjoy reading about this time frame. I also learned a bit of history about Daniel Boone, added bonus :)

ttaa's review against another edition

Go to review page

DNF. Just can't get into it

belovedbrat's review

Go to review page

5.0

First reviewed here: http://belovedgraceful-carissasbookshelf.blogspot.com/

Title: A Moonbow Night

Author: Laura Frantz

Chapters: 32

Pages: 378

Genre: Christian Historical fiction Christian Historical Romance

Rating: 5 stars

Moonbow Night is Laura Frantz's 2017 novel. A novel that takes fans back to the Kentucky Frontier. Temperance Tucker's family came to the frontier with Daniel Boone when tragedy struck. But they press on to Kentucky because due to other events her has father has a price on his head or so he thinks.

They start the Moonbow Inn in which everyone around thinks is run by the widow Tucker and her children. Her father stays hidden for the majority of the year. In order to protect his family. Tempe's claim to frame is she's a good shot and an even better guide, though she's a petite thing. When Scion Morgan's surveying company needs a guide they hire Tem Tucker not realizing that they guide isn't a boy but a young woman.

A Moonbow Night is different in many ways from Laura's previous novels. The heroines cut from a rougher cloth than her previous heroines. In many ways Scion Morgan is even rougher around the edges than even Red Shirt. Who just happened to be my favorite hero until Seamus came along in Mistress of Tall Acre. Scion has since become my second favorite hero with Seamus being number one Red shirt rounds out the top three.

Temperance Tucker doesn't really fit with Laura's other heroines and that's not a bad thing. Tempe is a young woman shaped by events of her past as well as the Kentucky frontier. With a brother unable to hunt and run the woods and an absentee father Tempe learned to shoot not only for protection but to put food on the table. Tempe's a tomboy in time period that it wasn't a thing.

Tempe and Scion surprisingly bring out the best in each other. Her more so if they can both let go of the past and learn to trust God.

Reading A Moonbow Night was slightly bittersweet. That had nothing to do with the book or the writing style. Just the fact that this was the first Laura Frantz book that I was able to enjoy reading without my mother. But all in all I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Laura's previous novels. Readers who love historical fiction and novels set in the Bluegrass state.