An Uncommon Woman ~ Review

An Uncommon Woman
By Laura Frantz

Tessa Swan has had a life of toil and work yet she dreams about what a life overmountain would be like? A life where she would live the life of a lady rather than one in constant worry over Indian attacks and hard daily work. She has no overriding concern that she is not yet married. Though her mother and Aunt Hester are concerned about the sad lack of marital bliss among the Swan offspring but women are few in the western Virginia frontier, Tessa isn't moved to encourage any man to seek her hand.

Clay Tygart is a most unusual man, he is the new colonel of Fort Tygart and his younger years were spent raised by the Lenape Indians so that when he was "ransomed" he was considered half red. But the skills he learned while living as a son among the Lenape make him a perfect choice to be on the Virginian frontier to stand against them. But as Clay makes his way to his new posting he takes possession of a young woman who, like him, spent years among the Indians and is believed to have originally been from the area of Fort Tygart.

When Clay brings his redeemed captive to Swan Station (the home of the Swan family) she is immediately recognized as Keturah Braam - Tessa's friend who was more of a sister to her until the day she was stolen away. Keturah has forgotten who she once was - speaking as Tessa phrases it  "Indian". But not all among the Swan's are happy to see Keturah - eldest brother Jasper has deep-seated hostility towards any with Indian ties.

Tessa has never had her head turned by any man but for some reason, Colonel Tygart has at the very least caught her eye. Why this should be she isn't sure. And she is unsure of the Colonel's feelings as he seems to at times ignore and others give her special attention. But when the ever-increasing signs of danger come to pass and the Swans are caught up in it Clay must confront his past and do what he can to rescue Tessa.

This book is set in 1770 a few years before the American Revolution when the wilds of this land were not far beyond the eastern coastline. Treaties were made promising to not further encroach upon Indian lands but were so phrased so that the treaties could easily be broken while not technically breaking them. Unrest is their neighbor and unfortunately, it is with good reason. Both sides have exasperated the already strained relations that has all too easily boiled over into violence and bloodshed. This is the world Tessa wants to escape from - a world that has cost her her father and her friend.

Those who love Early American / Colonial American historical fiction will enjoy this newest offering from Laura Frantz. The characters are easily connected with and one is given a view from multiple viewpoints though Tessa and Clay's are the most drawn upon. The pacing isn't rushed but neither does it drag so one can quite easily be drawn in for a long weekend of reading. I would recommend this book as an excellent option if you are in a book club and are in search of clean-reading historical romance.

I was provided a  complimentary copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.


About the Book:
Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical eighteenth-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical eighteenth-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the Seven Years' War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.

Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.