by Laura Frantz
Publisher: Revell
ISBN: 9780800740696
As one who ADORES Laura Frantz and her stories, I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on her newest release, The Indigo Heiress! If you haven't grabbed your own copy, let me tell you that you're missing out! Revell sent me my copy of the book!
Summary:
Virginia plantation life is all she has ever known.
But could the life she was meant to live be waiting on a distant shore?
In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland.
When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family's crippling debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.
Despite her initial refusal, Juliet realizes that fleeing Virginia is her only choice after finding herself in the midst of a scandal. The ship just leaving the harbor for Glasgow is her only hope. But she will soon realize that being part of the complex and calculating Buchanan clan is not the sanctuary she imagined--and the man who saved her from ruin is the very one she must now save in return.
But could the life she was meant to live be waiting on a distant shore?
In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland.
When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family's crippling debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.
Despite her initial refusal, Juliet realizes that fleeing Virginia is her only choice after finding herself in the midst of a scandal. The ship just leaving the harbor for Glasgow is her only hope. But she will soon realize that being part of the complex and calculating Buchanan clan is not the sanctuary she imagined--and the man who saved her from ruin is the very one she must now save in return.
My Review:
I haven't met a Laura Frantz book that I haven't adored! Her stories always draw me in and are rich with relationships and strong characters. The Indigo Heiress captured me. It's different than her other books in some ways, while still the same in others. Her other stories always seem to have one really awful character who is easy to dislike. This one had a side character who isn't likable in the least, but doesn't have a presence throughout the whole story.
I always love the male main characters in her stories because they're so confident in who they are and are intensely protective of their loved ones. Leith is one such man, but throughout much of the story has a hard time showing affection. He's very business minded and oftentimes seems cold and distant. He just needs the right motivation to thaw his heart.
Juliet is a delight! She's forward thinking for such a time and has a head for business. She carries on her mother's work as an abolitionist. Her sister, Loveday, helps as well and also plays a large role in this story, which I loved. The two of them are a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, their "work" gets them into trouble, and their only means of saving themselves is joining Leith on his departing ship and marrying him!
Their start isn't an easy one and it continues to be difficult once they reach Scotland. What ensues there will keep everyone on their toes. Loveday needs to procure a husband. Leith's business is in jeopardy. Leith's scandal that began when he left is still waiting for him when he returns.
Juliet's compassion and care for those around her is palpable. Both sisters stay rooted in their faith and try to show Christ to any who will listen. While Leith has no real concern about faith, Juliet is determined to show God's love to him. There are sweet and tender moments that will have your heart aflutter.
I felt like there were a couple of loose ends that could've been tied up a bit better. One was Leith's brother's faith and where he stood in that. The other was the awful Virginian and where he ended up. Those are minor things that didn't affect the plot or story overall. Just stuck out to me.
It was incredibly fun to hear names and places mentioned in this story that we know from previous books. It gave a wonderful sense of familiarity and nostalgia for characters I've previously loved! I felt like with the author's writing, each location came to life in their unique ways and made me want to travel back in time!
I always love the male main characters in her stories because they're so confident in who they are and are intensely protective of their loved ones. Leith is one such man, but throughout much of the story has a hard time showing affection. He's very business minded and oftentimes seems cold and distant. He just needs the right motivation to thaw his heart.
Juliet is a delight! She's forward thinking for such a time and has a head for business. She carries on her mother's work as an abolitionist. Her sister, Loveday, helps as well and also plays a large role in this story, which I loved. The two of them are a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, their "work" gets them into trouble, and their only means of saving themselves is joining Leith on his departing ship and marrying him!
Their start isn't an easy one and it continues to be difficult once they reach Scotland. What ensues there will keep everyone on their toes. Loveday needs to procure a husband. Leith's business is in jeopardy. Leith's scandal that began when he left is still waiting for him when he returns.
Juliet's compassion and care for those around her is palpable. Both sisters stay rooted in their faith and try to show Christ to any who will listen. While Leith has no real concern about faith, Juliet is determined to show God's love to him. There are sweet and tender moments that will have your heart aflutter.
I felt like there were a couple of loose ends that could've been tied up a bit better. One was Leith's brother's faith and where he stood in that. The other was the awful Virginian and where he ended up. Those are minor things that didn't affect the plot or story overall. Just stuck out to me.
It was incredibly fun to hear names and places mentioned in this story that we know from previous books. It gave a wonderful sense of familiarity and nostalgia for characters I've previously loved! I felt like with the author's writing, each location came to life in their unique ways and made me want to travel back in time!
About the Author:
Laura Frantz is a two-time Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Seamstress of Acadie, The Rose and the Thistle, The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State. Learn more at LauraFrantz.net.
