Love's Fortune - A Review

Published - September 2014, Revell Books a division of Baker Publishing Group
Series - Ballantyne Legacy Book 3
Author - Laura Frantz
Title - Love's Fortune
Format - ebook, paper
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Rowena Ballantyne has lived a sheltered life in her Kentucky home. When a rare letter from her Pittsburgh family summons her father back to the city, Wren has no idea that her life is about to change drastically. When she meets her wealthy family members and enters their world, Wren feels more like a country girl than the beautiful debutante they want her to be. James Sackett has been a pilot for the line of Ballantyne streamers. With danger following him closely, he's asked to winter in Pittsburgh. James and Wren soon strike up a friendship, and when he's asked to be her escort for the upcoming social season, he agrees. Wren's duty is to make a match. A wealthy match. Yet her heart is pulled to James. Will James be a gentleman and let her do her duty, or will he follow his heart and claim this songbird as his own?

I have loved both of the other two books in this series, so I had extremely high expectations for this one. I am thrilled to say that it met and exceeded my high expectations. I think that this book is my favorite in the series. Once again, Laura has crafted a novel rich in historical detail. The story itself is beautiful as well.

I adored James. I thought that his struggle was so well written. He loved Wren, yet he knew that they couldn't be together and that it was his job to see her engaged to someone suitable. Yet still he struggled. He struggled with his feelings. He struggled with what would be best for Wren. He struggled with knowing that by loving her, he would could very well be tying her to a marked man.

I also enjoyed Wren. I loved how she was so honest. Even when her family tried to change her, she still was so true. But she was also the good girl and wanted to please. In some ways, I'd say that was her biggest flaw.

Of the secondary characters, Izannah was my favorite. I thought that she was one character who could easily have stolen the show. I would love to have read more about her and her family of brothers. But I loved how she was so supportive of Wren.

I kept turning page after page just engrossed in this book. I really didn't want the book to end. I think it took me just a little over a week to read this as I was reading at work. I've yet to discover a Laura Frantz book I haven't enjoyed, though I've not yet read all of hers. I do own some on my Kindle that are waiting for that someday to come when I can read them.

While this is book 3 in the series, it stands alone and could be read out of order. I personally recommend reading them in order as the experience is very rich.

I received a copy of this book for free from the author and another copy from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own. I've already shared one copy with a friend. :)

Recommended to fans of Gone With the Wind, historical fiction, Cathy Gohlke, Laura Frantz, family dramas, Julie Lessman, JoAnne Bischof

Rating - 5 stars

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Love's Awakening - A Review

Ellie Ballantyne comes home suddenly to find her parents on a trip and her siblings busy with other things. To keep herself from being bored, Ellie decides to start tutoring the young ladies of Pittsburg in the social graces. When one of her students is discovered to be a Turlock, tension already high between the two families escalates even higher. As Ellie finds herself drawn more and more to the secrets her family is hiding and to one of the Turlock men, Jack, she soon finds herself torn in two directions. What price will she pay for falling in love with the enemy?

When I read the first book in this series last year, Love's Reckoning, I was amazed at how beautifully written and engrossing it was. I had high hopes for this book. I was not disappointed. It was just as beautiful and emotionally gripping as the first. I loved how Jack wanted to be his own man and not live under the stigma of his family's misdeeds. I didn't like Ellie at first. I thought that she was, for lack of a better word, a wimp. But as her story progressed and I began to see the layers to her character, she grew on me.

I really loved this book. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy for free to review from Revell Books. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of JoAnne Bischof, Laura Frantz, drama, Julie Lessman

Rating - 5 stars - well deserving for a beautiful story

Available September 2014 at your local bookstore from Revell Books, a divisihon of Baker Publishing Group.

Love's Reckoning - A Review

Silas Ballantyne arrives in rural Pennsylvania to finish his blacksmith's apprenticeship. As he gets to know Eden Lee, the younger daughter of his master, he finds himself falling in love with her. Eden longs to be free of her father's house and her older sister's scheming. When her sister sets her sights on Silas, Eden steps back, though she has fallen in love with the young blacksmith. Against all obstacles, a betrothal is created between Silas and Eden. Yet something happens that forces them apart. When their paths cross years later, will Silas finally get the answers he seeks and will Eden be able to find the strength to let go of the pain in her past?

This is the first book I've ever read by Laura Frantz. It was beautifully written. I loved how the author showed how the Savior drew Eden to Him when she'd had no formal religious upbringing. Silas's strong character gave Eden the strength that she needed. I hated to see them part the way that they did and when they were brought back together, I felt that there was hope for a happy ending between them. There was once scene, a rape scene, and while no detail was given, it was written beautifully and as I as a reader could feel the anguish of the main characters when Silas demands answers that Eden couldn't give him. There was a sneak peak of the next book in the series at the end of this book, and I look forward to reading it as well next year.

I received this book for free from the publisher, Revell books, for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Look for Love's Reckoning in September 2012 at your local bookstore from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Recommended to fans of family dramas, Gone With the Wind fans, and historical fiction lovers.

Rating - 4 stars