Welcome to the FIRST month of the Unlocking the Past 2021 Reading Challenge. This month focused on the COLONIAL Period, and my choice of story was Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz. Once you read my review, don’t forget to comment with what you read to be entered for your chance to win a copy.
THE WINNER OF THIS MONTH’S GIVE AWAY IS: Kathy Anderson! Check your email, or email me at Crystal (at) Crystal Caudill (dot) com to tell me where to ship it!
*Want more interaction and/or suggestions each month? Join the Facebook Group. Want a bookmark with the monthly themes? Fill out this Google Form.*
Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz
I had the wonderful chance to meet and listen to Laura Frantz speak to my writing group several years ago, and her sweet personality and personal writing journey story drove me to pick up one of her books. I’ve not been disappointed since. She has a way of transporting readers into deeply developed and painted worlds that bring history to life in ways few authors have mastered. The research is impeccable, the story realistic and sweet, and the characters fascinating. You can actually learn a ton about the true history of the story by listening to Alison Treat’s Podcast, Historical Fiction Unpacked where she did an interview with Laura Frantz. You can check that out here: http://alisontreat.com/2020/12/23/the-faith-and-grit-that-founded-our-nation-with-laura-frantz/. I’ve recently discovered the podcast and have fallen in love with it.
As far as Tidewater Bride goes specifically, I loved the look at early Jamestown life and the reality of the day-to-day life they faced without relief. There were so many facets of struggle I hadn’t realized, and Laura brought them onto the page in meaningful and poignant ways. Her heart for both the Jamestown colonists and the Powhatans were evident throughout the story. Completely respectful and enlightening. Knowing exactly how much research went into this really gave me a new respect for both groups.
Genre: Historical Romance, 1634, “James Towne, Virginia Colony”
Plot Overview:
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?
What I loved: The historical picture this story brought to life. I really felt like I had a deeper understanding of Jamestown’s struggles and the fortitude it took for the colonists to live and thrive. It also helped me to understand how some of the pull away from England began just because the absolute difference in how lives were lived. I adored getting a glimpse of the Powhatan culture as well. The only way to understand someone else’s perspective is to walk in their shoes for a while, even if only mentally.
Favorite Character and Why: Watseka was a fun, adventurous child who brought a lot of levity to the story. She is quite the little scamp, too. 😉
Who would like this? Anyone interested in learning about colonial history, especially Jamestown and a touch of the Powhatan culture. Those who like stories that comprise of political and social struggle, and those who lived through it.
Rating and Why: 4.5 Stars. I adored the way she brought history to life, but while I’ll likely read it again, I felt more engaged with learning the history than the romance line of the story. Not a terrible thing, but just something that knocked it down from being a five star.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon Baker Bookhouse Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Book Depository Bookshop.org Christianbook.com Get It Local Indiebound.org
GIVEAWAY:
For your chance to win a copy of Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz and have an entry added to the grande-prize finale at the end of the year, comment below with what book you read for the reading challenge this month. The winner will be randomly selected and emailed on February 8 and announced on February 9th.
This will be open to international winners, but if the book is unavailable to ship to you through Book Depository you will receive a $10 (USD) Amazon gift card. You must have commented on the blog post or have emailed me to be eligible for the extra entries.
To earn extra entries, use the Rafflecopter link below. I decided I didn’t like how KingSumo sent you guys a ton of emails. That is not what I want for you. We all already get a ton of emails. Happy reading!
I also read Tidewater Bride. This was my first Laura Frantz book, and I really enjoyed it.
I am so glad you enjoyed it! Laura Frantz is an amazing author. I’ve added your entries to my database.
I have not read the book, but after reading the review, I find that this book would be more interesting due to the fact that it does not concentrate on romance, but on historical perspective with a little romance added to make it more realistic!
I hope you enjoy it if you get the chance to read it, Barbara!
Hehehehe, I read the same book for the challenge!!!
That is fantastic. I’ve got you written down from my email into my database for the January and end of the year challenge! It’s so exciting to see all the participants!
I also read Tidewater bride for the challenge.
🙂 And I think I asked you in the email, but did you enjoy it as well? I’ve got you written down in my database. 🙂
I already read Tidewater Bride at the end of the of the year, so I read A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist. I loved both books!
Laura Frantz is one of my favorite authors. I love historicals.
Yay! I hope you enjoyed the Tidewater Bride when you read it. I think I own a Bride Most Begrudging, but I’m not sure I’ve read it. I’ll have to check that out! I’ve got you written down in my database for the January giveaway.
I also read the Tidewater Bride by Frantz for this challenge. It was a delightful read. I LOVED the historical depth of the story. I was struck by the ethnic struggles and overtures between the naturals (Native Americans) and the colonists. We still have ethnic divisions and struggles in America today!
I totally agree. I think that was probably one of my favorite parts to learn about in the story. Reading fiction really does help us to open our eyes to the struggles of the past which still echo into the present. I’ve got you entered into my database, Deb! I’m so glad you’re joining us for the journey.
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse was my January choice! I have never read any of her books before now, but I have a few and look forward to reading the rest!
I read The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep in January. I’m going to read Laura Frantz’s The Lacemaker in February. Can’t wait! 😁
I absolutely adore Michelle Griep! And I LOVED The Lacemaker, so I think you’ll really enjoy it. I think I am going to do The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse because I’ve never read her books but she wins tons of awards, she is an amazing woman in and of herself, and because lots of friends keep telling me I have to read her. I’ve got you entries recorded!
For this month challenge I read Mayflower Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse
Yay! I hope you enjoyed it! I’ve not yet read Kimberley Woodhouse, but I’m looking forward to picking up her Patriot Bride for the February challenge. Oh, and I’ve got your entries recorded!
I read The Honorable Imposter by Gilbert Morris. I always enjoy his books. The Tidewater Bride looks really interesting I’m going to have get it.
I have heard so much about Gilbert Morris, and I even have a few of his books, but I’ve STILL not read him. I am going to have to move him closer to the top of my pile. I’ve got your entries down, and I totally think you should check out Laura’s book. I really did enjoy it.
I read The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton. *Please do not enter me in the giveaway for Tidewater Bride as I already own this wonderful book!*
I keep toying with the King’s Mercy. I’m really going to have to can and dive in! And I’m so glad you have a copy of the book. I did put your name in for the end of the year entries. 🙂
I read Roanoke:The Lost Colony by Angela Hunt. I have read the Mayflower Bride before. I have already read The Lacemaker too. I am really looking forward to seeing what books are suggested for February.
Ohhhh!!! I hadn’t heard of Angela Hunt’s book! I’ve heard of her, but I thought she was contemporary. I’ll have to check it out. Did you enjoy it? It sounds like you’ve hit a lot of great books. The Mayflower Bride is still on my TBR, but I’m thinking of trying the Patriot Bride. The new suggestions will go up tomorrow. They are solely the ones I already own, so I’m excited to see what other people recommend as well.
I can’t wait to read this one.
For the challenge, I’ve been reading Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green. But, ahhhhh, I’m about 60 pages away from finishing it. Lol
That’s close enough for me. 😉 I’ve got your entries put in. I hope you get to finish it tonight!
And Anita! You were one of my gift card winners, but you never responded to my email! Check your Spam folder to see if it’s there. If not, email me at crystal (at) crystalcaudill (dot) com!
I read this one last month too and it was amazing!
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I’ve got your name added to my entries database!
I also read The Tidewater Bride. It’s fantastic!
I am so glad you enjoyed it! I’ve got your entries in my database!
I forgot all about the reading challenge! I didn’t read any Colonial set books, but this one is on my wishlist. Thanks for sharing your review.
If you can get it read and commented on by the end of the day the 7th, I’ll still count it. 😉 If not you always have the American Revolution challenge. Missing a month doesn’t hurt you for the rest of the year. I hope you get to read Tidewater Bride. It really was delightful.
I read The Shenandoah Road by Lynne Basham Tagawa
I hope you enjoyed it, Cindy! I’ve got your entries entered into my database. 🙂
I just realized that I accidentally commented under someone else’s comment, instead of on the post, itself.
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse was my January choice! I have never read any of her books before now, but I have a few and look forward to reading the rest!
The January Reading Challenge Winner is: Kathy Anderson! Check your email, or email me at Crystal (at) Crystal Caudill (dot) com to tell me where to ship it!
(And don’t worry, if you participated and let me know what you read, but didn’t fill out the Rafflecopter thing. I manually added all entries into Rafflecopter so that the computer could randomly pick out the winner for me.)
I had an ancestor at Jamestown. We don’t know much about him besides his name, but I love the idea of it anyway.