Reviewer's Bookshelf: "Tidewater Bride" by Laura Frantz

 

Book Summary (Amazon): Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in the Virginia colony who has no wish to wed. True, there are too many men and far too few women in James Towne. But Selah already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop. And now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors.

Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife, daughter of the Powhatan chief.

Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?

My thoughts...Two independent people making their way in a wild, untamed land. They've survived near starvation, Indian raids and attacks, and demonstrated the fierce determination it takes to thrive. Laura Frantz weaves a vivid tale of these two, Selah and Xander, and the way their lives, and the lives of their families, intertwine in seventeenth century Virginia. I don't really know how Laura Frantz does it, but when you read one of her books it's like you've stepped right into the pages, listening to the sounds of life in whatever time period she chooses to take you. Not only will you hear the sounds, but you'll smell, touch, and taste all that she offers....it's a feast for the senses. The historical accuracy is also unlike any other author I've read. Then set in the middle of all of that goodness is a compelling story with tension, both physical and emotional. Survival always hangs in the balance, whether it be the success of Xander's tobacco crop, Seleh's father's trading company, good relationships with neighboring Indian tribes, or any number of things. The tension builds as Selah and Xander's relationship shifts, and various plot twists occur. 

    This is one of my new favorite books by Frantz. When I think back on the journey I took through this novel, all I can think about is how much I enjoyed it (and couldn't go to sleep one night because I HAD to finish). I highly recommend "Tidewater Bride."

**I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in order to share my honest opinion, which I did.**