The Indigo Heiress features a strong female protagonist, a marriage of convenience, complicated family drama, and slow-burn romance.

The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical fiction (1774), Complicated Family Drama, Family Life, Sweet Romance, Virginia and Scotland

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My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @RevellBooks for a complimentary eARC of #TheIndigoHeiress upon my request. All opinions are my own.

IN 1774, Juliet lives with her father and sister on their Virginia plantation. Indigo production and the exportation of it to the powerful Buchanan family in Scotland is their primary concern. One day, Juliet learns that her father has promised one of his daughters to (widower) Leith Buchanan to cancel out his huge debt. Leith chooses Juliet. Because of circumstances and pressures, she agrees and takes her sister along in hopes of finding a match for her. Once in Scotland, Juliet is faced with caring for Leith’s children as her own and dealing with his powerful family. In this arrangement, Juliet has saved her own family from financial ruin, but will she be able to help Leith with his own family? Will their marriage of convenience blossom into love?

My Thoughts:

Marriage of Convenience

Juliet agrees to marry Leith to pay off her father’s debt, and Leith needs a mother for his young children after the recent death of his wife. They begin to work more closely together as a result of family drama and some intrigue.

In modern times, we have little concept about marrying for reasons other than true love. These histfic marriages of convenience that blossom into love are some of my favorite stories. Maybe I’ll collect my favorite titles for a future blog post.

Slow-burn Romance

I prefer slow-burn romance over insta-love (insta-lust). As Leith begins to appreciate Juliet in multiple ways, she grows in her understanding of his family situation. They begin to trust one another and depend on each other. Over time, their love grows.

Strong Female Protagonist

Juliet is a strong protagonist throughout the story. Even though her family’s indigo plantation uses slaves, she works with the Underground Railroad to do her part in helping them escape. Daring, dangerous, and secretive work. In Scotland, Juliet faces difficult situations with grace and determination. She wins the hearts of her young step-children, deals with Leith’s complicated family, and stands by his side on multiple occasions. Juliet is a woman of faith and never wavers in her moral convictions.

Settings

The author uses vivid descriptive details to establish a strong sense of time and place in Colonial Virginia and Scotland. She transports us through history and enables us to imagine ourselves growing indigo, bartering deals, and starting a new life..

Content Consideration: slavery

Recommending The Indigo Heiress:

Fans of marriage of convenience and slow-burn romance might enjoy this new historical fiction release. It’s a lovely read and a well-written story; albeit, a bit slower-paced and less dramatic than Seamstress of Acadie (if you’ve read it).

Related: You might also enjoy The Seamstress of Acadie by the same author.

My Rating: 4 Stars

More Information Here.

Meet the Author of The Indigo Heiress, Laura Frantz

Bestselling, award-winning author, Laura Frantz, has been writing stories since age seven. She is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century and her novels often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. Though she will always consider Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State.

According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California. Foreign language editions include French, Dutch, Spanish, Slovakian, German & Polish.

Readers can find Laura Frantz at http://www.laurafrantz.net

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QOTD:

Do you love a marriage of convenience trope?

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