By Laura Frantz

One of the few things that made the end of my vacation tolerable was the knowledge that this novella was waiting for me back home. I binge read almost all of it in one afternoon!

Gabrielle Farrow has two years left on her indenture when Indians attack the frontier tavern where she works. She and a little indentured boy are the only survivors. When frontiersman Bleu Galant happens upon the aftermath, he stays to help – and because he has quickly fallen for Brielle. But while it’s easy for Bleu to be the hero and save the day, stating his growing love of Brielle is another matter entirely – especially when he finds out that she’s French royalty! How can he ask her to marry a frontiersman when she rightly belongs in a castle?

Pros: This was a delightful book! While you know the guy always gets the girl in the end, the journey to the happily ever after was pure confection. If you’ve read The Seamstress of Acadie, you’ll recognize Bleu Galant as Sylvia’s older brother. I was so pleased that he got his own story and it was nice to catch up with Sylvia to see how her story turned out. (No worries if you haven’t read The Seamstress of Acadie, though this might spoil it for you because the guy gets the girl in the end of that book, too.)

Like all Laura Frantz books, this one was rich with historical detail and you’ll feel like you stepped back in time.

Cons: It was too short. I wish it was a novel instead of a novella.

Bottom Line: A short but beautiful rags-to-riches styled romance set at the end of the French and Indian War.