The Mistress of Tall Acre: A Novel

Once I picked up The Mistress of Tall Acre I was hooked and could barely put it down. Thus far, it is my favorite read this year. And it is my favorite Laura Frantz book. Laura is an exceptional writer who creates deep characters who live out well layered stories that keep readers turning pages. Every scene was tantalizing ... right to the last page.The Revolutionary War is finally over and General Seamus Ogilvie has returned to Tall Acres. His wife died during the war and his estate is in disrepair. His young daughter, whom he barely knows, is in need of a father, but Seamus is fresh from the war and fathering is not something he's adapted to.Nearly destitute, Sophie Menzies lives on a nearby estate. She may be exactly what Seamus needs for his daughter ... and for himself.In the difficult days following the Revolutionary War nothing comes easy. Life is hard, and this story carries the reader through the hardships and joys of life on the Tall Acre Estate.A beautiful love story, full of history. A must read.

I absolutely, loved, loved, loved this novel!!! Frantz is a very gifted writer, whose words flow smoothly, sweetly, capturing your heart and imagination; leaving you in awe and wonder. I have loved all of her novels, and this one only confirms her place as a top notch novelist and my eager desire to read her next piece of work.... I hope it will not be too long a wait!Frantz pens characters who come to life, in a setting that is all to real and becomes vivid in your mind. You will find yourself completely immersed within this novel's pages, and hard pressed to find a point in which to set it down (if you must). Your only regret will be that it is over when you conclude the last page, and at which point you may desire to return to page 1 and start anew!This novel is set during the American Revolution and just following it, bringing to life a time and setting not often revisited but of great interest. A time when loyalties are tested, betrayal is felt and hardships endured. However, through it all there is a shining light, a hope and for those who press on, victory.Oh, how I loved the characters and their interactions with one another. Both Sophie and Seamus will capture your heart, and you will be ever so eager to see their story unfold. Frantz gives us the foreknowledge of the impending trouble that is to come and as such you carefully watch and wait for it to unfold and then wonder how this will all work out. But never fear this is an ending you wouldn't want to miss!Absolutely top notch, fantastic, wonderful... I think you get the point! This could be the best read of the year!

Spoilers BelowI enjoyed The Mistress of Tall Acre for the most part, especially the development of characters and such. My main complaint is that some parts were just too drawn out through the book before they finally marry. I was glad when they finally were honest with each other and admitted their love for each other. I saw the twist of the presumed dead wife appearing coming. I was more than a little annoyed that that part drew out the way it did and that Sophie left during it. They had done nothing wrong. In fact at one point, she even says to Anne that they were “married in the eyes of heaven . . . “ but her leaving made it not seem so. Also found it absurd that a court would decide to uphold a marriage in which a woman had faked her death, abandoned her family, and then kidnapped her daughter and showed in many ways that she had no interest in actually being a mother to her daughter. I was also more than a little frustrated that Sophie withheld the info she knew about from the diary. Had she told Seamus of it when Anne appeared, the might have been able to do some productive digging about her time in London to know Anne’s connection to Tobias earlier. But instead, she never gave that information.

Laura Frantz never disappoints! The book,The Mistress of Tall Acre, is finished, but I am unwilling to leave the world she has so well re-created. It is a world of war, suspicions, Tory vs. Patriot sympathies that can make or break a family reputation. Laura Frantz ties into that well-drawn, taut world intrigue between family members, slaves vs. their owners, and neighbor vs. neighbor. This is certainly a wilderness Cinderella rags-to-riches story, but the happily ever after is in great jeopardy when a woman from General Seamus Olgivy's past appears out of the blue. What will happen to the tenuous future Seamus and Sophie are trying to build together?Realistic, lovable,but uncertain characters, great historical settings and love stories that cannot be forgotten easily make Laura Frantz one of my all-time favorite authors. I may have finished the book yesterday, but I could reread it today and enjoy it no less. Few books have that kind of pull in my reading world. Truly a treasure to have and to hold!!

Very interesting descriptions of a working American estate of the post period of the War of Independence. I read Elswyth Thanes novels 50 years ago and would read them again if they were all on a Kindle version. This book could be part of a family saga if the author had a mind for it.

I give this one 4 stars for 2 reasons, I enjoyed the story but it's not the page turner 'the reckoning' and 'the colonels lady' are. They are my 2 favourite novels by Laura frantz. I also found the ending unrealistic, the mysterious lady from the generals past who turned up was totally unbelievable to me, this is something I had not encountered in her other books. I enjoy her writings because they always involve a few twists before we get to the end which keep you turning the pages! Otherwise, I did enjoy this book

Many have said it, and I must echo them : Laura Frantz is quite simply one of the best Christian Fiction writers out there. There are several reasons why her books continue to be heartily acclaimed. Frantz's writing style conveys attentiveness, for one, and her latest offering is quite refined. Through the pages of The Mistress of Tall Acres flows a certain musicality that captured my attention right from the beginning as Frantz's well-drawn characters smoothly danced their way into my reader's heart. I loved Sophie. I loved Lilly Cate. I loved Seamus. Their warmth and chemistry, even now, long after finishing the book, has me re-reading passages from it. The Ogilvy's go through so many trials that ultimately bring out their resilience and strength. And the romance. Sigh. So charming. Drama is also surprisingly incorporated in The Mistress of Tall Acres. I do confess that toward the end of the story, I found all the action slightly overwhelming. This, along with a couple of loose ends in the storytelling - (small) things that weren't really given a reason for being there - led me to see some flaws in the book. Nonetheless, I can sincerely say that I absolutely enjoyed The Mistress of Tall Acres. A very delightful and well-told story. I'd recommend it.Rating : 4 out of 5 stars.

Subtle, smooth writing. Impeccable style and editing. Pure delight reading.Other reviewers have given you a synopsis of the book, so I will comment on what a pleasure it is to absorb this author's novels. I'm sucked in immediately and immersed into the story. She paints her world with details and descriptions engaging my emotions for a soul stirring story. I've read all of her novels and they have all consistently touched my heart.This book reminded me of the importance of strong family bonds - adult to adult and especially adult to child. Each person is meant to be cherished, treated with dignity and you do that by loving deeply.

I think the first Mistress of Tall Acre had a lot of gall trying to come back and take up the position (from being dead n taking off to England n her siblings had attitude as well) Must have been difficult times to be considered being on the English (tory) or/ and patriot new American if you during n after the War of Independence to have your home taken from you and that only through the male line, being a woman you didn't have status. Certainly a story to consider how much change has come from todays prospective looking back.