Publication Date: January 21, 2025
In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland. When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has secretly arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family’s debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.
Despite her initial refusal of him, an ensuing altercation forces Juliet to flee Virginia. Agreeing to marry, she sails with Leith to Scotland, hopeful of a better match for her sister, who accompanies her. But once in Glasgow and faced with the contentious, powerful Buchanan clan, she realizes that the man who saved her from financial ruin and scandal is the very one she must now save in return.
Set against the backdrop of the late 18th century, tensions are mounting in America. The southern plantations rely heavily on exports to survive.
Author Laura Frantz takes readers on a historical journey highlighting a young woman trying to make business decisions about the large indigo crop. The Indigo Heiress focuses on this unusual crop and the challenges faced by Juliet Catesby. Having a female in a male-dominated role proves to be interesting.
Unbeknownst to Juliet, her absentee father makes a match with the Scottish clan controlling the exports. Leith Buchanan is a troubled character who focuses on duty. When Leith selects Juliet over her younger, more attractive sister, Juliet refuses his suit.
Their biting conversations illustrate that Juliet isn’t some simpering miss. She has opinions about trade. Even though a marriage to Leith would wipe out all of the debt, she still can’t make herself leave Virginia. However, an event occurs that changes everything, uniting her with a seemingly taciturn husband.
From the familiar landscape of Virginia to the new world of Scotland, Juliet must navigate a new set of challenges. She handles each with grace and empathy.
With plenty of historical detail, the author brings this unlikely couple to life in a beautiful story. The Indigo Heiress delivers a clean, slow-burn romance with memorable characters.
Laura Frantz is a two-time Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of 15 novels, including The Seamstress of Acadie, The Rose and the Thistle, The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Lacemaker, and A Heart Adrift. She is the proud mom of an American soldier and a career firefighter. Though she will always call Kentucky home, Laura lives with her husband in Washington State.
