I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find this book via audio version through my local library.
I don't know... I saw that this book had really good reviews I guess I am just the odd one who just couldn't get into this novel. I am hours in and just absolutely nothing has happened? I don't connect with any of the characters and the dialogue is boring and bland. Just not my cup of tea.

This was a beautifully written story. The characters were so thoroughly written, I felt like they were an actual part of my life. You can tell the author really put so much work and research into writing this book!

I enjoyed the plot of this book set in the early days of Jamestown. It's 100-200 years earlier than most of Frantz's other books, and one thing I didn't enjoy, was the very archaic dialogue she used for this earlier setting. It felt stilted. Selah and Xander were both interesting characters and their love story was unique.

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

I had a hard time getting into the first half of the story, but the last half of the story captured my interest. I was born in Virginia, so I love the setting, the town of 1860’s James Towne and how the author respectively portrays the Native Americans and sensitively describes difficult subjects of that time period. Historical details are woven within the fictional storyline with vivid descriptions. There are some surprising historical activities in the lives of the community of James Towne that I had not been aware of, such as the tobacco brides. Selah Hopewell and Xander Renick soon become my favorite characters. I especially enjoy the spiritual elements of the storyline and in the characters lives. An intriguing story full of conflicts, dangers, loss, love and faith.

~I received a paperback copy from the author/publisher and an e-book copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

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.

This is my first book by Laura Frantz but it wont be my last. I really enjoyed the slow building style of her writing. It was such a easy read, and that doesn’t mean boring, it just means it was a joy to read a book so well written.

1634 Christian Historical. Jamestown, Virginia area, during a highly volatile, dangerous period in American early history. As usual Laura Frantz weaves a story that is completely spellbinding and very real. Selah is the daughter of a Cape Merchant, helping him to run his store. The relationship they have with the Native Indians is still at a delicate balance, where it could tip into war easily. At this time an Indian chief suggests a temporary exchange of children to learn each other's ways and promote better relationships. Xander had been married to the Chief's daughter, now widowed and raising her son. A deep telling of this time, where problems within the English settlement are as dangerous as the Indian situation, and tensions run high. There is also a deep appreciation of the beauty, bounty and possibilities of the area. Thoroughly engrossing!

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TidewaterBride #NetGalley.

Laura Frantz is an author I couldn't recommend highly enough. And the beauty of her stories is in the build-up, the tension and potential, and then the culmination of everything you knew it was growing to be. I do not mean that it gets good only in the end. Not at all. Frantz reminds us of the beauty in the mundane, the journey, the common. And the middle. where growth happens.

Set in James Towne and Hopewell, in the Virginia colonies, this story takes the reader to the 1630s in the region. As a big fan of Williamsburg and Jamestown history centers, I was glad to dive into this story. Selah Hopewell assist her father with the mercantile business and her 12 year-old brother looks forward to a youth exchange with the nearby Naturals (Native Americans). The life is hard, the community sounds judgmental and somewhat unsafe for unmarried women. Their widowed neighbor, Xander Renick, sets his sites on Selah.
There is good description of the colonies, the tension with the Native Americans, the huge politics of the colonies, and the reliance on Great Britain for supplies.
Although I enjoyed the story, I did not like the abrupt wrap-up at the end.

The Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz is my first by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story takes you back to the early sixteen hundreds, when America was still and group of English colonies. The story is centered near James Towne, the oldest of all the colonies and full of a rich history. I particularly enjoyed learning more about this time period through the story. In the book, Selah is the daughter of the town merchant. A nearby neighbor, Xander, was once married to her good friend, an Indian princess, whose English name was Rebekah. When Rebekah passes away while in England, her and Xander's small son is left with family of his because he is too ill to return. Selah harbors much hurt over the loss of her friend and her son and is wont to judge Xander poorly. However, as they get to know each other more, she discovers a man she hardly expected. Full of faith and hope for the future, Xander is drawn to Selah and wishes for more. However, there are secrets between them that must be revealed first. And, when his son is returned from overseas, there is yet more to be learned and told and adjusted to. On top of all this, the Naturals, as the Indians were called, want to have a peace trade, swapping some children of theirs for some English children in the hopes of bringing peace to their nations. An exciting book, filled with unexpected moments and scripture to warm the heart. I fully enjoyed it and will look forward to more by this author. Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read this book. All opinions are my own. #Bookstagram #TidewaterBride #all_the_pages

I really enjoyed this book. Laura Frantz is one of my favorite authors and I have yet to find a book of hers I didn’t like. They are ALWAYS well written, edited and researched. The story is a perfect balance of history, mystery and romance and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys these types of stories.

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz is fascinating historical fiction. This book is particularly interesting because it deals with a part of American history that is not included in historical fiction very much. Ms Frantz does a remarkable job of bringing the time period to life. The story was easy to read and fully engrossing. I really enjoyed it. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own

Selah Hopewell and Widower Xander Rennick live in James Towne in the 1630's. They've caught each others eye but the romance is slow in coming. Selah is busy with family responsibilities and he has his tobacco fields and a young son, Oceanus, who is coming home soon on a ship. In Tidewater Bride, we get so much more than just a love story though, we get the story of Selah's whole family. Her parents who are very much still in love are dealing with her father's sickness. And then there's her younger brother, Shay, who goes to live with the Powhatans while Wetseka comes to live with them. Although, there is conflict and disaster they must deal with, there is always hope and faith in God.

You can never go wrong with a historical Christian Fiction by Laura Frantz! She's one of my go-to authors every time she releases a new book.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Tidewater Bride is a historical fiction clean romance that has several plot twists that all turns out well but keep the reader's attention until the end.

4.5 stars

The author wisks you away to the humid and dangerous new world that is James Town and Virginia in the 1600s. You're immersed into the land and society of the bustling city of James Town and the untamed wilderness beyond it.

The characters were all fleshed out and all had three dimensional personalities. I loved Selah and Xanders road to love. Romantic and natural.
The tension between them and Laurent was palpable and made for a page turner.

The author never fails to give us an exciting story, obviously well researched, with heart and good faith content.

1634 Virginia is a dangerous place, but the colonists in James Towne are determined to make a life in the New World. Selah Hopewell and her family work as merchants, providing goods for those in and around the town. Though she is well past the marrying age, she has preferred to help her father, rather than take a husband. Alexander Renick is a widow who has strong ties to the nearby Powhatan people, his late wife being a Powhatan princess. He is also the wealthiest tobacco baron in the colony and quite married to his work. As Selah and Xander, separately and together, deal with the treachery of both man and nature, they begin to feel a pull toward each other.

There are some books that are billed as romance and that's clearly all the story is meant to be about. And then there are some books that are billed as romance, but have so much more depth to the story than just how the two main characters end up together. I much prefer the latter, and fortunately, this is just that type of story. Yes, the romance is there, and it's sweet and innocent, just how I like it. But it's not the main focus of the book, and even the main climax of the book doesn't revolve around it. There's so much more going on--the tenuous peace between the colonists and the Powhatans, the duplicity of some of the less-than-moral colonists, and the turmoil that both Selah's and Xander's families are in at different times during the story. And during all of that, a blooming relationship.

The other side to this, though, is that I'm not sure there was a very solid, clear main plot throughout the book. Even now that I've finished the story, the only real main thread I can identify is the question of what, if anything, is the shady Helion Laurent up to? It's not that the story is lacking in conflict--far from it. But no main conflict rises to the surface until at least halfway through the story (unless I just missed it). This doesn't mean the story was bad by any means, but it does lend to the narrative feeling a bit slow for a while, I think. Fortunately, the characters and the different things that are going on are interesting enough that "slow" never became "plodding" or "boring." I really appreciated the way that Selah recognized her shortcomings, not because someone pointed them out to her, but because a timely Bible verse shed light on her inner being, and she repented of those things, providing inspirational character growth.

This was a departure from me, a time and location in history I've not read much about, and the description of life in the early Virginia colony was fascinating. In the author's note, Frantz admitted to a few things she bent timelines on, but I'm definitely ignorant enough that I would never have known the difference. I looked up a few words that I wasn't certain I was understanding from context, but for the most part, the story was easy to read and really took me back in time. I recommend this book for all fans of Christian historical fiction, whether or not you would specifically seek out the addition of romance.

Another intriguing book by Laura Franz. She gets the historical details just right, even down to the smaller details that add so much to the story. The reader will feel caught up in this time and place.. Everything about the two main characters draws you deeper to their story. It is a pleasure to read such a well-written, beautiful story that flows so well and carries such feeling of faith and love.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This was a beautiful historical account of early colony life, the hardships that formed America, and the trials our forefathers faced in settling a new land and a new country. I enjoyed the story immensely, and was delighted to read an historical fiction novel about this period of history.

Selah Hopewell was an admirable heroine, and I appreciated her strength, while still adhering to the role a woman during this century would have filled -- too often in fiction I see women usurping their historical roles, and it irks me. But that was NOT the case with this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed her character!

Xander Renick was a character in and of himself. I mean . . .wow! He was everything -- strong and gentle, caring and protective, daring and cautious . . . and still totally human with plenty of flaws.

The romance between the two blossomed well, although I felt it was a bit touchy-feely and feelings oriented at times. Not too much so, but still . . .

There was plenty of drama and action, and a mystery to boot. A ton of historical facts, and a wonderful, engaging story. A strong heroine, a strong hero, a precious child, and plenty of gut-wrenching scenes that kept me, for one, on the edge of my seat!

I enjoyed this book, and would recommend it for older readers (18+) simply because of the prejudices towards the Indians and the romance aspect.

#BookReview: TIDEWATER BRIDE by Laura Frantz 4 stars

I haven't read many books set in colonial times specifically in the Virginia colony. The details are amazing and it's really well researched. The story is weaved with so much history in this book set in the early 1600’s. It was interesting to read these following pieces of history in the book:

Tobacco brides in Jamestown
Life of the English people in the New World
Dispute between the American Indians and the English people
Indentures working on plantations
The arrival of African slaves

The love story between Selah and Xander blossomed but it’s never the focal point.
It’s a slow burn story and you just have to be patient as things will get more interesting. Much more interesting with an added mystery. Life was hard then and it’s all outlined in this book. They were all resilient and had the will to survive. Selah’s faith wavered but she had to learn to trust in God.

Thank you Revell books for my complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Classic Laura Frantz. Beautifully written. Historical.. Excellent character development. A very satisfying story line. Five stars.