The Historical Bookworm Show is delighted to once again welcome Laura Frantz for a chat about her inspiration to write historical fiction, a couple marriage tips, her writing process, and of course, her latest release, The Indigo Heiress. A proud mother to an American soldier and a career firefighter, she has authored seventeen novels to date, each intricately weaving historical research and compelling character journeys.
Indigo: Enduring Crop from the Past
The Indigo Heiress centers around the growth of the plant we still use today to dye one of our most common articles of clothing – blue jeans. Learn how indigo and tobacco tied Colonial Virginia to the economy of Scotland, and hear how Laura’s fascination with textiles started with her grandmother.
Why Historical Fiction?
From a young age, Laura was captivated by historical figures and their stories, which fueled her journey as a writer. Her childhood excitement for historical biographies and the scarcity of titles led her to write her own stories at the age of seven. This passion for history shapes her intention to keep history alive through her books, and she loves educating readers (and herself) through the entertainment of a historical novel.
Character Depth and Personal Growth
Laura’s characters often mirror the complexities of their era—strong women navigating their roles within society’s constraints. As she discusses her main character, Juliet Catesby, Laura emphasizes the strength drawn from her convictions, linking her to historical figures like Eliza Lucas Pinney. Juliet’s journey through her role in her arranged marriage with Leith Buchanan adds a rich layer to the narrative, along with Juliet’s relationship with her younger sister Loveday (who also gets a happily ever after).
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.
Connect with Laura Frantz through her .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}
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