Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz

Ellie Ballantyne and Jack Turlock descend from rival families, but a terrible storm brings them together temporarily until Jack can return Ellie home. Once home, Ellie feels strangely out of place, as if things are not what they seem. Determined to use her finishing school training to benefit others, she opens a day school for young ladies. Chloe Turlock, Jack's younger sister, is especially in need of Ellie's instruction. As Ellie attempts to mold Chloe into a lady, Ellie finds herself increasingly drawn to Jack. A public, social rivalry isn't the only thing standing between Ellie and Jack. Both of their families have secrets of life and death importance. Although loyalty constrains Ellie to her family, will love find a way to flourish between her and Jack? Find out in Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz.

Love's Awakening is the second installment in The Ballantyne Legacy series by Laura Frantz. I do recommend reading them in order. Some general background information from the first novel in the series, Love's Reckoning, is provided. However, there were some vague references to events in Love's Reckoning that I couldn't completely recall even though I read it just last year.

I was pretty much hooked by Love's Awakening from Jack's first glimpse of Ellie in chapter one. The chemistry between the two characters and the adverse circumstances surrounding them made for a captivating story. As usual, Frantz's writing style was both beautiful and admirable. The story pace never dragged and Frantz added unique twists that kept the story fresh. I highly recommend Love's Awakening to fans of Christian historical romance. It's in my top three favorite books I've read this year and I know I'll reread it again in the future. Definitely a keeper!

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller, from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Read an excerpt from Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz on Revell's website.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar

After nearly a year of marriage to Darius, Sarah has gained Darius' respect, desire, and perhaps even his trust. Her love for him, though, is unrequited. When they discover a plot to assassinate the king, they begin an unexpected journey that will lead them from the king's palace to Jerusalem, a city of broken walls and broken spirits. While Darius investigates the plot behind the thwarted assassination attempt, Sarah serves as a scribe to Nehemiah, her cousin and Jerusalem's new governor. When tragedy strikes Sarah and Darius, their relationship unravels and their only hope lies with the One who can heal all. Once before, God redeemed Sarah's missteps and turned it for her good. Will He do so again? Or is her hope for Darius' heart lost forever?


Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar is the sequel to Harvest of Rubies. Although Harvest of Gold probably could work as a stand alone novel, I highly recommend reading Harvest of Rubies first for greater enhancement of Sarah and Darius' complete story. Like Tessa Afshar's previous novels, her writing style was lovely and the settings were realistic, but somehow enchanting at the same time. I enjoyed reading about the Persian and Jewish civilizations. The plot's pace as well as a few unexpected elements kept me interested throughout the story.


My only complaint about this book was that somehow Sarah and Darius of Harvest of Gold didn't feel quite like the same Sarah and Darius of Harvest of Rubies. Some of this could have been the switch from first person point-of-view (in Harvest of Rubies) to third person point-of-view (in Harvest of Gold). However, I think it was more of an unprecedented character shift that was not derived from normal character development and its subsequent progress. I don't say this to discourage anyone from reading the books, I say it as a simple word of caution. I LOVED Harvest of Rubies, so when Harvest of Gold wasn't quite what I expected, I was initially a little put off. Obviously, that feeling passed and I went on to enjoy Harvest of Gold. I do recommend both of these books to anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction.


Don't forget!  The first three chapters of Harvest of Gold are available for free on Tessa Afshar's blog.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."