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    Tidewater Bride
    Tidewater Bride
    Tidewater Bride
    Audiobook12 hours

    Tidewater Bride

    Written by Laura Frantz

    Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

    4.5/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    They're both too busy for love … but love is not too busy for them

    Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in 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.

    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?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateJan 5, 2021
    ISBN9781705017203
    Tidewater Bride
    Author

    Laura Frantz

    Laura Frantz is an award-winning bestselling author who is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th century. She writes her manuscripts in longhand, and her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. A direct descendant of George Hume, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying, she lives in the heart of Kentucky. For more information, visit www.laurafrantz.net.

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    Reviews for Tidewater Bride

    4.5/5

    89 ratings25 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This is a very engaging story with a bit of suspense. The romance is charming and set in the history of Jamestown and their interactions with Native Peoples. It was an enjoyable read.
    • 4/5
      "Tidewater Bride" tells the story of a woman who is tasked with matchmaking for young ladies in the tidewater locations of the USA in colonial times. This is a historical novel and it is set in Jamestown and the surrounding areas in the 1600's. Although it took some time to get into it, I liked the historical details and aspects of the lives of the characters. Since I have visited historic Jamestown, it was especially interesting to me to read about the characters living there at that time. I appreciated the author notes at the end that described how she did her research and how she based the characters on real people.
    • 4/5
      Laura Frantz writes nicely plotted stories and complex characters. She is definitely an auto buy author for me. I enjoyed the theme, the complexities she wove into this story, and it’s time period. Another great read!
    • 4/5
      Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz is a fascinating historical novel. It is well-written with developed characters. The pace starts off a little slow, but it soon picks up. I soon found myself engrossed in the story. It is rich with historical details. It is obvious that the author did her research. I found myself wanting to know more about the time-period and area after reading Tidewater Bride. It was interesting learning about the Powhatan people. The romance between Selah Hopewell and Xander Renick developed slowly which I appreciated. I enjoyed the interactions between Selah and Xander. Tidewater Bride is more than a historical romance. The story has the tobacco brides searching for husbands, illness in the area, merchandise being arriving and being sold, Powhatan nations concerns, a man determined to win Selah’s hand, and much more. I thought it was interesting when colonist children and Powhatan children were exchanged (a peace gesture). The Hopewell family took in an adorable girl named Watseka while Selah’s brother went to life with the Powhatan’s. One little incident could have caused an uprising. The descriptive writing brought the story to life. Christian elements are beautifully woven into the story. Laura Frantz crafted a multifaceted, engaging story. The story has history, romance, suspense, and intrigue. I look forward to reading her next enriching novel. Tidewater Bride is a fascinating historical tale with a bevy of brides, Indian injustices, swamp sickness, a missing moppet, and a rare romance.
    • 3/5
      Tidewater Bride by Laura FrantzMailorder brides is a very favorite genre of mine, so I thought I would love this new book by Laura Frantz. But this was not the case, I could not get into the book, let alone love it. I have read other books by Laura Frantz, and love them, but this book did not work for me. I will read again in a few months and see if my opinions change, if so, I will amend this review.I received a complimentary copy from #netgalley and #revell with no obligation to post a review.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed reading the book and seeing it in the historical context. Selah has gone against convention not wanting to marry but instead wants to continue working with her father. She also decides instead of finding a suitor for herself, she will work with the incoming brides to help them match up suitable. Along the ways she begins to interact with Xander and the soon become more committed to each other than either though was possible.I received a copy to read, the review is mine.
    • 5/5
      Selah Hopewell is in charge of organizing the newly arrived tobacco brides for the bachelors of James Towne. While she fosters a prospective young bride in her family's home, she begins to discover that the bride's eye has landed on Master Xander Renick...and Selah discovers that she just might not approve of that particular match.This book was also very good and was a great insight into the early life of James Towne, tobacco farming, and the hard & dangerous life faced by the early colonials and natives. Another very engrossing novel from Ms. Frantz! Thank you LibraryThing for the Early Reviewers copy!!!
    • 5/5
      Tidewater Bride is another example of Laura Frantz's amazing ability to weave a tale with engaging characters and an exciting plot. It also proves her commitment to fully research the time period that she is writing about. This fascinating story is set in James Towne, Virginia Colony, in 1634, and the opening sentence immediately grabbed my interest because of the tobacco crops that my husband and I raised for over thirty years! 'Alas, she was not a tobacco bride, but she had been given charge of them.' Twenty-six year old Selah Hopewell is in charge of helping young English women choose a husband from the eager colonists of James Towne but she herself has no desire to marry until....an acquaintance turns to friendship and progresses to something more. I enjoyed seeing this capable woman intent on keeping her independence change into someone who yearns to be a wife and mother. I also loved the character of Alexander Renick, one of the founders of James Towne. Still grieving for his dead wife Mattachanna, a Powhatan princess, Xander is consumed with work and feels no need for companionship until...he begins to recognize just how special Selah is.Frantz transports readers back to the Virginia colony and vividly illustrates all that these colonists endured. She shares the story of men who were willing to pay one hundred fifty pounds of good leaf tobacco for a bride, the young women willing to be claimed, and the efforts to find a peaceful co-existence with the Powhatan Indians. Hard work is the norm and danger is ever present but she also shows the strong faith that helped them through their trials. As the relationship between Selah and Xander progresses, and we see Xander's character change for the better, we are reminded of the universal need for love and the absolute need to fully trust in God.Tidewater Bride is a thrilling story of love and hope and I was pleased to learn the identity of the real-life people who inspired this story. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction. I received this book courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.
    • 4/5
      Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz is set in the early days of American history. The Virginia Colony is still new enough for those who survived the first years to remember all of the hardships. But things always progress, and men’s pride and arrogance often blur lessons of the past. That’s what I found in this recommended historical romance.James Towne and the upriver Hundreds are prospering, but there is a lack of women to help maintain and grow the Colony. Selah Hopewell is tasked with making the transition easier for the English women who are to become tobacco brides. I loved Selah’s perspective and her faith. Her admiration for tobacco lord, Xander Renick increases after her family moves upriver and closer to his farm. There’s a good bit of chemistry between the two and the obstacles to their relationship are soon removed. That’s not to say that the road to happily-ever-after is smooth. Tidewater Bride has an especially distasteful villain who seeks to undercut all that Xander and Selah hope to build. Frantz is deft at weaving historical details throughout the narrative. I especially liked the insight into a woman’s role and place in that time. A differing opinion by a woman could send her to the stocks! It was definitely a white man’s world in those days. Frantz does not sugarcoat the treatment of Native Americans, or Naturals as the colonists termed them. She also explores the beginnings of slavery in the New World. The faith of many of the founding colonists is related as well. Both Selah and Xander depend on God, even as they experience doubts in difficult situations. I found their reliance on scripture to be especially inspirational.For fans of Frantz, Tidewater Bride will be a must read. For others new to her writing, I say give this one a try. Historical background, complex characters, and a great story make it a recommended read.Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz is a stand-alone novel set in the Virginia colony of James Towne in the year 1634. Selah Hopewell is in charge of the Tidewater Brides along with all her other duties. Xander Renick is a tobacco lord. Both are very independent and not looking for love. But will it find them anyway? I really enjoyed this book; it is the first I’ve read by this author. Selah was so independent yet always willing to help others. The give and take between Selah and Xander was a delight. I liked getting a glimpse of early colony days. There was so much struggle to survive, yet there was a joy and peace in creating a new way of life. The story moved along very quickly and smoothly. I will definitely be reading more of Ms. Frantz’s books. I received this book from the publisher for my honest review.
    • 5/5
      Tidewater Bride is another captivating historical fiction story from Laura Frantz. She somehow magically set this reader right down into the setting of the 1634 James Towne, Virginia Colony. Historical detail, authentic setting, strong and vibrant characters--people who struggled for survival in a new land--people I'd like to have known in real life--and, of course, a romance that had its ups and downs, but finally came to a more than satisfactory conclusion, all are blended so well together that I could hardly put the book down. One historical tidbit that I found quite interesting was the information regarding the exchange of children between the colonists and the Powhatan nation with the intent of keeping the peace. I thoroughly enjoyed Tidewater Bride, and readers who like historical romance will not want to miss it. I read a complimentary copy of the book and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.
    • 5/5
      For those who know the story of Jamestown, John Rolfe, and Pocahontas; comes this amazing reimagining from the pen of historical fiction maestro Laura Frantz. In Tidewater Bride, we reconnect with bits and pieces of the past lives of three friends, to find out what keeps two of them from being romantically involved after the death of the beloved third. Frantz paints beautiful Virginia scenery, two, make that many, cultures at odds with each other, striving for survival and supremacy in a wild and untamed land. Romance beckons but struggles to stay aflame amidst the winds of distrust and treachery which threaten. When you finish with this novel, you will be amazed at what you have learned about the political climate of the times, the way people groups treated each other, and the strength that some individuals showed in standing true to honest principles. “True Word” is a name given Alexander Renick because he was one of very few the “Naturals” ( I love that designation) could trust. The premise for peace among the settlers and the Naturals is amazing, and my heart broke and cheered for those brave souls involved. I loved the growth we see in Selah, Renick, and Shay. May there be more parents like Selah’s and Shay’s, who taught their children to be colorblind to skin tone, but to examine the mettle of another’s soul. And may we be careful not to assume and judge that which we don’t know for fact about another.So much history woven into fiction from Laura Frantz, and so much romance, suspense, and intrigue that you’ll be spellbound.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and the publisher and through Netgalley and Library Thing. I also bought copies as prized gifts. All opinions are my own. No positive review was required.
    • 3/5
      I liked this book. I was instantly transported back in time. It has been a long while since I have read a book about mail order brides. It was refreshing that Selah was in charge of the brides and the main character. Seeing things from a female perspective when the whole reason the brides were needed is due to men is nice. Plus, I did really like Selah.Xander is the other main character. I like that he was not easily taken by all of the mail order brides. The romance between him and Selah is sweet and real. It felt even more real because it was slow to grow. I thought that they were equals. While, I enjoyed this book; I felt like it moved at a slow pace. There were times that it seemed like the story was just kind of repeating itself in the beginning. The half way point for me is where the story changed pacing and did pick up. From there it was easier to read and keep my interest.
    • 4/5
      Set in early American life, this historical romance shows just how complicated life in the new world could be. Selah is considered an old spinster by James Town Standards - she's pushing 30! With her parent's blessing she is more content to help with the bustling store, she could have her pick of any man (there are too few women still) but she refuses to marry for anything less than true love. When her family decides to host a tobacco bride (English women promised a dowry and marriage to a land owning man) Selah discovers that the woman they are hosting might have her eye on a promising man indeed. Xander is one of the wealthiest tobacco farmers in America but Selah has always struggled with the death of his former wife, the Indian "princess." Might she have misjudged him? Could he be the answer to her prayers? This novel deals with hard topics like rape, slavery, and indigenous injustice although it still paints a much rosier picture then it probably should on some of those topics. A slow burn romance full of intrigue and adventure.
    • 5/5
      "I will not give you what you are yet unsure of, thus forming a bond between us that might well break."What an incredible historical romance! Laura Frantz is a masterful storyteller, weaving history and fiction into a touchable and absorbing world that captivates, enraptures, and inspires. I wasn't expecting a novel inspired by Pocahontas when I picked up the book but I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in 1634 James Towne, learning about the colony and its trade as well as the Powhatan nation. There is sweet and slowly building romance, shocking betrayal and twists in the plot, deeply layered characters who tug at the heart, and profound spiritual truths that guide the characters even in their trials, tribulations, grief, and sorrow. It's a must-read historical romance that will definitely start your 2021 right.Selah, an intelligent, witty, and outspoken daughter of the head merchant of James Towne, is almost a spinster and an unlikely match to Xander, the reticent and driven owner of the largest tobacco plantation and a widower of his beloved Powhatan princess. Yet as different as their personalities may be, they are drawn to each other by a desire to see justice, peace, and fair treatment among all men prevail in their new land. Their respective families are endearing, especially Selah's younger brother Shay. This book....it will stay with you a long time after finishing the last page. I received a copy of the book from Revell and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
    • 5/5
      While she is busy finding husbands for tobacco brides, Selah Hopewell says she herself has not time for romance – she is also busy helping her father in his shop. But she can’t help but notice Xander Renick. Xander also notices Selah but he is busy with his tobacco crops and the loss of his wife who was the daughter of the Powhatan Chief and left behind a young son. Will these two ever admit their feelings for each other and are they destined to remain single?Set in Virginia in 1634, “Tidewater Bride” is a nicely done historical romance. Author Laura Frantz does an excellent job with the time period and setting – she takes her time with the story, letting readers get to know the characters and the setting and she does an excellent job with both. Selah is a particularly strong character – devoted to her family, a hard worker, filled with hopes and dreams regarding Xander even if she is afraid they will never come to fruition. Her resiliency, especially after tragic events, is inspiring. Xander is also a great character – rich but never acting like it, a hard worker, a believer in freedom for all not matter what the color of their skin, devoted to his son. The romance between the two is slow to build but well done and ultimately rewarding. Mixed in with all this is Xander’s relationship with Powhatans, a particularly nasty villain, and some very real danger. All of this makes for a rewarding read.“Tidewater Bride” is a nicely done historical romance.
    • 5/5
      Set in the colony of Virginia in 1634, this work of historical fiction contains a wealth of information about the lives of the colonists at that time, including farmers who raise tobacco and the merchants who sell goods. Also featured prominently in the story are the Powhatans, a Native American tribe. Selah and her family are merchants; Alexander has a successful tobacco farm. He is a widower, having married a Powhatan princess who died of a fever, leaving him with a son. Selah remains unmarried at age 26, and although they have a attraction for each other, neither one expresses a desire to be more than friends. The tale is rich with descriptions of the time period. Indeed, the prose is nearly poetic in its flow and in its dialogue. The characters are well defined and come alive on the page, even the scoundrels. Though there is a romance in the story, as well as a side storyline about “tobacco brides,” this novel is so much more. It deals with unscrupulous but powerful people, the mistreatment of slaves, the uneasy truce with Native Americans, and the lack of rights for women, as well as the problems of just trying to live in such an environment. This well-written novel is highly recommend for readers who like historical fiction.
    • 4/5
      Title: Tidewater BrideAuthor: Laura FrantzPages: 416Year: 2021Publisher: RevellMy rating is 4 out of 5 stars.The time period for this novel from Laura Frantz is about 100-125 years earlier in history than when she normally creates her historic fictional stories. The year is 1634, and the setting is the growing Virginia Colony in the area of James Towne. The two main characters are Selah Hopewell and Alexander “Xander” Renick. Selah is the unmarried daughter of the local merchantman, and Xander is a successful tobacco farmer. He is wealthy and the most eligible bachelor around as Selah’s mother keeps reminding her.Selah is in charge of a group of young women who have arrived by ship from England as “tobacco” brides. They are in the Virginia Colony to marry the local tobacco farmers. When Selah is not overseeing these women, she works in her father’s general store. Xander keeps busy farming tobacco as his main crop, but he is building extensions on his home, as well as farming other crops. He is also the intermediary between the colony and the local Native Americans. There is tension between the two groups as the colony expands, taking more and more Native American land. The colonists must always be on the alert for a potential attack. As a young boy, Xander spent some time living with the Native Americans, so he is uniquely qualified to act as go-between. An exchange between the two people groups is proposed, but will this help the situation or cause more harm?A French man on the town council has been paired with Selah to check in on the new brides by making personal visits. He is a greedy, evil man who wants Selah for his own. Xander has begun to realize he likes Selah’s prickly personality, compassion and courage, and he wants to protect her from Laurent. Selah also comes to understand that Xander is more than a farmer looking to grow his wealth; he just might be the one to capture her heart.Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
    • 4/5
      I dearly loved this book. Is you love historical, you will love it. An insight into settlement of Jamestown. Tobacco brides brought over to chose a husband. Delay helps get them settled and check on them. Indians and settlers not always friendly. A Indian child is kidnapped. She is granddaughter of chief. So much evil in one man. He refused to surrender and preferred to die. Great story. Highly recommend.
    • 5/5
      Author Laura Frantz is a superb storyteller, blending historical fact and real lives with her inspired wordsmithery, compelling characters, and involving story lines--all of which are shaped by her great love of subject. Throughout all of her stories, there is the resonance of abiding faith. With "Tidewater Bride", readers are transported back to the earliest days of America, to the Virginia Colony of the near mid-17th century--turbulent times, yet faith, courage, and the spirit of adventure prevailed. Selah Hopewell is the daughter of the cape merchant--the head merchant-of James Towne. Unmarried at the age of twenty-six, she busied herself with assisting her father in the store, and now she had the added responsibility of overseeing the care and situating of a highly-anticipated shipload of English "tobacco brides". Virginia's prized tobacco crop became a currency all its own, and indeed, it enabled marriageable women sent by the Virginia Company to be matched with prospective husbands who could afford the bride price. Xander Renick, the most prosperous and progressive planter in the area, was himself a widower and father of a young son. Xander's home could surely use a woman's presence--his heart could love once more. However, it was not the possibility of a tobacco bride which held his interest, it was the woman in charge of those brides who had caught his eye. Selah was well aware of Xander--how could she not be? Tall and handsome, bold, but fair in his dealings, Xander was an imposing figure. His late wife had been a Powhatan princess, daughter of a chieftain, and Xander's connection to her people had made him a natural mediator between them and the colony of James Towne. As settlers moved ever further in their homesteading, so did the struggle for power and dominance expand in the colonial territories. Who to trust, and who to fear? Selah and Xander are both independent. but once united, two hearts together are a mighty bond. Where there is love, there is hope. Where there is faith, there is courage. As the friendship becomes care, and care deepens to love, will Selah and Xander find a bright and joyful future with one another? As a native Virginian, I am very proud of my beautiful home state. I remain fascinated by our complex and diverse history. Laura Frantz is unmatched in her eye for historical detail and her adeptness at immersing herself and her readers in the lives of those that came before us. Highly recommended for lovers of beautifully written inspirational historical romance.Book Copy Gratis Revell Books
    • 4/5
      This novel, set in colonial Virginia, was definitely a page turner that held my interest. Selah and Xander were appealing characters, and the background of colonial life and relations with the Powatan tribe felt authentic. Although the reasons presented for their initial distrust of each other felt a bit muddled at times, it was reasonably resolved fairly early in the story, and from them on the tale flowed quite smoothly. I’d be happy to read more of Ms. Frantz’s work.I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      I have read every book by Laura Frantz and have enjoyed every single one. She continues her excellent tradition with her next book, Tidewater Bride. Like its predecessors, the author highlights the primitive conditions and harsh environments the early colonists endured. It fascinates me how they survived to build this country. Tidewater Bride is set in a time when men severely outnumbered women. To help combat the problem, potential brides are brought over from England and the men pay in tobacco for a chance at wooing a young woman. The women are allowed to choose their husbands from among the men and so ensure the future of the colony. The main character, Selah Hopewell, is a young woman of good standing in the community, and is very pretty. The townspeople and even the new brides can't understand why Selah isn't married. But Selah is happy living at home with her family and helping her father in their store. As time progresses, Selah admits to herself that she has feelings for local tobacco grower, Xander Renick. He is widowed with a young son and totally committed to his plantation. He is an upstanding citizen who refuses to buy slaves to run his property. I don't want to spoil the book for others, but many things happen in this small community of James Towne. There is tension with Native Americans, dangerous characters in the town, and tragedy that strikes this brave band trying to carve a life in the New World.I recommend fans of Laura Frantz or Historical Fiction to read this book!
    • 5/5
      I like this author, and this book doesn’t disappoint, and loved the historical aspect. This is how our country began with these brave souls. Our country at this time belonged to England, people their put up money for the settlements, and in return they earned on their investment, in the form of crops. We are with the people that are sending the crops back to the mother country, namely her tobacco. Thus we have farmers requiring brides paying with tobacco.How we get from the beginning of this book to the end will keep you page turning. There is some sweet romance, kidnapping, and perhaps murder. We see this all pulled together, and when the story concludes I actually wanted more!I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 4/5
      A shipload of would-be brides arrives in Virginia Colony in 1634. Selah, the most eligible woman in James Towne, is too busy matchmaking to think about a groom for herself until Alexander Renick attracts her attention. Xander, as he is better known, is a widower and the father of a young son. His first wife was a Native American, and his familiarity with the language and customs of her tribe enable him to be a go-between the Indians and the English. As an attempt to allow the colonists and natives to learn more about each other's cultures (and thereby promote peace) he has arranged for Selah's brother to go live with the tribe and the Chief's granddaughter to stay with Selah's parents.This book, which is based upon the author's research into the lives of Pocahontas and John Rolphe, starts slowly. The pace picks up in the last half of the story with Selah's and Xander's romance, various disasters, and a kidnapping. This is an interesting look at early colonial life and some of its challenges for readers who do not require total accuracy in their historical fiction.
    • 5/5
      It's a wonderful book! I really admire the people of this time period for their faith. They were certainly more devout about their beliefs and took pains to do the right thing as much as possible. Life with the Native Americans was a time of uncertainty. While peace treaties may have been in place, you did have to worry about troublemakers on both sides.The story of Selah and Xander is unique. Selah is in charge of the tobacco brides who have recently arrived to America. She is also a dutiful daughter who helps in her father's store. Xander is a landowner, farmer, and is involved in local politics. He also has an interest in keeping peace with the local tribes. From where I sit, I think Xander's job is difficult. Two different people of different faiths and cultures and they need to co-exist...peacefully, if possible.It's a lovely story, but it's not all rosy. Life in these times was hard. The seasoning, the harvest, the weather, and the unpredictable behaviors of their fellow men and tribesmen. But with faith, prayer, and a hefty dose of courage and common sense, they plodded on.I look fowardt to Laura Frantz's next book!