Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

If given her own choice, Rowena “Wren” Ballantyne would have stayed in Kentucky instead of journeying to her grandparent's manor, New Hope, in Pennsylvania. James Sackett, the Ballantynes' most valued steamship pilot, transports Wren to Pennsylvania and then thwarts her attempt to leave. In spite of a rocky start, Wren and James find common ground and a solid friendship as Wren navigates the changes of her life. As romance blooms, James is convinced their relationship can never be more than friendship as he's been targeted by a pro-slavery group for his abolitionist efforts. Can Wren convince James that their love is worth the danger? Will they both survive when the danger arises? Read more in Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz.

Love's Fortune is the third and final installment of The Ballantyne Legacy series by Laura Frantz. While Love's Awakening (the second novel) remains my favorite of the series, I did enjoy Love's Fortune and I think it would be fine as a stand-alone story if you haven't read the others. Each character was so well-developed that I liked them all, including the less popular ones: the selfish heir, the cranky great aunt, the wild in-law. As usual, Frantz's writing is lovely and the story moved at a good pace. Overall, I recommend Love's Fortune to fans of Christian romance who are looking for an entertaining book that has depth, but is not too heavy of a read.

Click here to read an except from Love's Fortune on the publisher's website.

And here's a video about the making of the beautiful book cover:




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."

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."

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Silas Ballantyne needs only to complete his blacksmith apprenticeship before he can finally embark on his journey to the west. Eden Lee dreams of escaping her dysfunctional family and joining the Quaker hospital. Liege Lee, Eden's father and Silas' employer, appeals to the tradition of the apprentice marrying one of the master's daughters. Liege decides that Elspeth, Eden's sister, should wed Silas, but will Silas agree to such a plan? The developing kinship between Eden and Silas threatens to ruin Liege's plan and Silas' choice will determine the course of far more than simply his own destiny.

Love's Reckoning is the first installment of The Ballantyne Legacy Series by Laura Frantz. I did enjoy reading this book, but it isn't a piece of light fluff. There's more suspense in this historical romance than I expected. The foreshadowing at times left me with a sense of impending dread – literarily, of course. However, Frantz's writing is flawless and it was hard to put this book down at times. The characters are vibrant, yet authentic. I especially enjoyed Silas' character. He was imperfect and human; yet, he rose above his circumstances to be the hero. I also appreciated Frantz's originality in her choices of scenes and plot development. Far too many Christian fiction novels lack that spark of originality to set them apart. If there was not a sequel on the way, I would have been disappointed by the ending. Fortunately, the next installment in the series appears to be slated for publication next year and I intend to continue reading this family saga.

I definitely recommend Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz to fans of historical romances.

Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.  Click here to visit Revell's website and read an excerpt from Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. 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."