11/28/2016
Frantz’s (The Mistress of Tall Acre) atmospheric historical romance lovingly explores American history circa 1777 with grace. After being forced to leave Virginia and take to the trail in one of the first pushes westward, Temperance, also known as Tempe, and her family settle along the Shawnee River on the cusp where Virginia becomes Kentucky. While her outlaw father is forced to keep a low profile, Tempe, her mother, and brother operate the Moonbow Inn just off the Warrior’s Path located deep in Indian country. Sion is a surveyor for the British Loyal Land Company sent out with a small coterie of men, dogs, and horses to mark the wild land for the crown. Both Sion and Tempe are haunted by past tragedy and drawn together by the drive to survive and protect what pieces of comfort they have left—whether it’s family, work, or career status. At times, the sheer scope of the intricate detail and the illuminating details of Daniel Boone lore can become overwhelming. But the story rewards patience, unfolding with precision and action, showcasing the triumph of the human heart and spirit in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. Agent: Janet Kobobel Grant, Books & Such (Jan.)