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The Ballantyne Legacy #1
Love's Reckoning
On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in York. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege's daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other's jealousy destroy their love?
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. "Love's Reckoning" is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. "Love's Reckoning" is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
432 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2012
349 people are currently reading
4486 people want to read
About the author
Laura Frantz
21 books2,807 followersLaura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.According to Publishers Weekly, "Frantz has done her historical homework." With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net.
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July 9, 2020
Wheesht. One of the worst books I’ve read and the worst of this year. The gripe list is so long on this one! If you’re not in the mood for a rant, folks, move along. I don’t feel like discussing it. There are a lot of positive reviews out there if you like the book. Prior to this book I was recommending this author but I cannot. This is not historical fiction. This was a mess of historical time travel and grave historical inaccuracy. And then the huge shocker was tawdry and out of the blue and the effects weren’t even gone into with the character. Overall, not only am I stopping reading this author (and other than this book there were only three of her books as of 2019 that I hadn’t read, most of which were highly rated) but I’m also not going to be recommending others I had liked in the past. Because she captures the flavor of the period well, I never looked up the details until a few showed up in The Lacemaker which were clearly wrong but which didn’t “kill” the book enjoyment for me. In this one I got annoyed enough to look things up. But it was the plot twist that has me actively mad about the story.
Trigger warning:
Okay, long version below. Spoilers. Read at your risk.
First, the huge disconnect between what the characters had and what they didn’t have. Keep in mind that the country has just survived the Revolutionary War and is deep in a depression which would only get worse. Only 1/3 of the people supported the war in 1776 and by 1783 50% did. There would have been Tory neighbors but instead everyone’s universally happy about the new country. Also there’s lots of cash circulating. And people drinking tea. Nope. In the 1780s common folks aren’t drinking tea. It’s coffee or chocolate if it isn’t alcohol.
Second, the setting. It’s written like it’s a bit of a backwoods town with low population and only one important family and one Presbyterian church. Instead it was a vibrant community that would have numbered 25,000 within a decade after this story, temporary home to no other than Thomas Paine and visited by none other than Lafayette, Anthony Wayne, Baron von Steuben, Count Pulaski, and even a lot of English prisoners from Camp Security nearby. It also boasted of having hosted the Continental Congress during the war and was where a printing press was located, actively printing $10 million of worthless currency during this period. But paramount was the fact of 2/3 of the Articles of Confederation being drafted right there in York County and ratified only three years before the story. For nine months it was the Capitol of the new USA! This wouldn’t have been a non-issue in the story, and the dad would have absolutely not have been the only blacksmith in town. (more county facts at https://yorkcountypa.gov/about-york-c...) (Which also means the girls wouldn’t be picking from only a handful of suitors.) Also, while Pennsylvania outlawed slavery in 1780, a contemporary survey states the existence of no less than 471 slaves in York county in 1783 (the year before the story), so even with some wiggle room in that number, slavery was still present and real with about 2% of the population still owned by others. But this book is 100% white. (Slavery facts here https://yorkblog.com/universal/york-c...)
Bullet points for the signs of poverty in the blacksmith’s family:
-wearing castoff clothes
-unable to afford to buy a full suit for the indentured man
-doing all their own housework
-unable even to hire a boy to run the bellows for the forge, instead having the pampered daughter of the family do it
-begging necessary items from a friend (razor kit)
-not even able to have a kitchen girl to help with the heavy work
And for the top-notch luxuries they enjoy:
-Piles of sheet music: music was not commercially printed until the first music printer began in 1776 in Vienna. The publishing company took off between 1780-1800...in Austria. If they had the music in Pennsylvania that fast, it would cost a mint.
-Feeding a baby vanilla sugar: Yes, Thomas Jefferson first introduced vanilla in the Colonies, but it was a very rare spice because it’s so labor-intensive. Even now that we have commercially similar synthetic vanilla (for the last century or so), only 2% of the supply worldwide is real vanilla, and even today it’s the second most costly spice, second only to saffron.
Silas Ballantyne has even more discrepancies. For some reason (we aren’t specifically told why) he has to be indentured. He, however, has several books and a master violin (nope, that’s no fiddle, unless it’s a cheap copy). And he speaks of skipping the banns by using a special license. Those licenses cost more than a year’s earnings and also needed a male relative or close friend to “go bond” that the man was free to marry, with a huge fine if the man wasn’t fit to marry. He also speaks some Scots that isn’t defined in most cases and which in some cases is a more modern term entirely (a “smirr” of rain was first recorded in use in 1808.
Then at the 80% mark, Eden is raped. Without warning. The guy isn’t portrayed as bad, just a little shifty, and he was her closest childhood friend. There is no motivation for this act. Even worse, he turned out to be her biological half brother. WHAT! This is so gross. And did it do anything in the story development? No. It had no use except to part the hero and heroine. If you’re going to use gross in a story, make it relevant. Don’t throw it in with the force of a bomb and then walk away from the story for nine years. This was an outrage of plotting.
Various other historical misses and factual errors:
-Silas has an old and well-used Gaelic Bible (not just a Testament). While the Testament was translated in Scotland in the 1780s (geographically impossible for him to get one), the full Bible was not available until 1801. Scots of the time would have used an Irish-language Bible.
-“Very last of the Ballentynes”...uh, “Coral Island” author, anyone??
-Said his family had Sheltie dogs for herding sheep. Those were started in the late 1800s and recognized by the AKC in 1909 for the first time as a “promising new breed.”
-Silas plays a “fiddle” and then it turns out he’s playing his father’s expensive Guarneri violin. This is described as “having the phrase Soli Deo Gloria engraved within, a permanent branding mark burned into the wood inside.” Now do tell..that’s one way of spotting a fake “Guarneri.” First, no violin maker worth his salt would “brand into the wood” with a phrase of length because it would affect the final sound. Second, that’s not how Guarneri branded stuff. He used slips of paper, handwritten, pasted inside the body of his violins. They did not say “Soli Deo Gloria”—meaning “all glory to God”—but instead read “I.H.S.” which is a term referred to as the “nomina Sacra” and which means “Jesus alone.” That stamp/phrase is directly related to the modern sign of the fish or the IHOYE Greek term used by early Christians. It is not in any way related to the Soli Deo Gloria statement.
-Eden rattles off a cornbread recipe complete with “cups” for measurements. Cups were a part of an effort in the late 1800s to be able to standardize recipes, and were first introduced to the general public in a scientific recipe book in 1896.
-Heavy use of “headache powders” in a couple of chapters. In the mid-1800s, headaches were commonly treated with vinaigrette sniffing, but I couldn’t find an earlier treatment. What I did find is that headache powders were invented just before 1900 and patented in 1906.
-Women’s clothing: Eden feels the “heat of his hand” at her waist while wearing stays. Very unlikely, unless she’s the Princess and the Pea
-Men’s hairstyles: Silas cuts off his tied-back hairstyle in favor of the “shorter styles worn by gentlemen”....uh, you mean the gentlemen spending loads of money on the perfect tied-back wigs? That didn’t change until the young men in the early 1800s began to “wear their own hair” and even then it was supposed to be in the styles of the wigs. President Washington (not elected for a few years yet after this story’s first section) was considered “quite daring” to wear his own hair. David Greathouse, young buck, would absolutely not be “in the height of fashion” and wearing his hair like it’s described, hanging natural and loose above his collar.
-Men’s fashion: Silas goes to the dance “looking like a gentleman” in a linen shirt and cravat which “buckled at the back of his collar.” First, he’d be wearing at least some form of jacket. Shirt sleeves without jacket were considered an insult to polite parties and to the company of unrelated ladies for any gentleman before 1960. Tying a buckled cravat around one’s collar isn’t just ungentlemanly, it’s also historically impossible. First, the cravat was the collar; second, only shoes had buckles; third, a cravat is only and has always been defined as “a long, thin strip of white linen.” In fact, Silas and Leige and all the other guys would have used one as a daily piece of their dress during work.
-Quaker speech: Margaret speaks to Eden saying “Thee are...” instead of “Thee is...”
It’s just so half-baked. I skimmed over the 1790s part at the end because the plot twist had just made me SO mad and because it was completely out of the blue and did nothing for character development or anything. And yet somehow there’s still a vengeful sister lurking out there somewhere? Ugh.
Also, the continual feelings of blatant lust and the spine-tingly, heavy, deep kisses really wouldn’t have done any favors to Eden’s reputation. And Elspeth’s motherhood, if suspected by a single person, would have been trumpeted easily from the watchtowers by the town gossips. Speaking of which, how did Elspeth get her super-Scotch name if they were so ignorant of all things Scotch?
Anyway, I’ll stop ranting. Anyone want dibs on my mint-condition Ballantyne Legacy series? (*note: someone has now called dibs and the books are in a happier home.)
Trigger warning:
Okay, long version below. Spoilers. Read at your risk.
First, the huge disconnect between what the characters had and what they didn’t have. Keep in mind that the country has just survived the Revolutionary War and is deep in a depression which would only get worse. Only 1/3 of the people supported the war in 1776 and by 1783 50% did. There would have been Tory neighbors but instead everyone’s universally happy about the new country. Also there’s lots of cash circulating. And people drinking tea. Nope. In the 1780s common folks aren’t drinking tea. It’s coffee or chocolate if it isn’t alcohol.
Second, the setting. It’s written like it’s a bit of a backwoods town with low population and only one important family and one Presbyterian church. Instead it was a vibrant community that would have numbered 25,000 within a decade after this story, temporary home to no other than Thomas Paine and visited by none other than Lafayette, Anthony Wayne, Baron von Steuben, Count Pulaski, and even a lot of English prisoners from Camp Security nearby. It also boasted of having hosted the Continental Congress during the war and was where a printing press was located, actively printing $10 million of worthless currency during this period. But paramount was the fact of 2/3 of the Articles of Confederation being drafted right there in York County and ratified only three years before the story. For nine months it was the Capitol of the new USA! This wouldn’t have been a non-issue in the story, and the dad would have absolutely not have been the only blacksmith in town. (more county facts at https://yorkcountypa.gov/about-york-c...) (Which also means the girls wouldn’t be picking from only a handful of suitors.) Also, while Pennsylvania outlawed slavery in 1780, a contemporary survey states the existence of no less than 471 slaves in York county in 1783 (the year before the story), so even with some wiggle room in that number, slavery was still present and real with about 2% of the population still owned by others. But this book is 100% white. (Slavery facts here https://yorkblog.com/universal/york-c...)
Bullet points for the signs of poverty in the blacksmith’s family:
-wearing castoff clothes
-unable to afford to buy a full suit for the indentured man
-doing all their own housework
-unable even to hire a boy to run the bellows for the forge, instead having the pampered daughter of the family do it
-begging necessary items from a friend (razor kit)
-not even able to have a kitchen girl to help with the heavy work
And for the top-notch luxuries they enjoy:
-Piles of sheet music: music was not commercially printed until the first music printer began in 1776 in Vienna. The publishing company took off between 1780-1800...in Austria. If they had the music in Pennsylvania that fast, it would cost a mint.
-Feeding a baby vanilla sugar: Yes, Thomas Jefferson first introduced vanilla in the Colonies, but it was a very rare spice because it’s so labor-intensive. Even now that we have commercially similar synthetic vanilla (for the last century or so), only 2% of the supply worldwide is real vanilla, and even today it’s the second most costly spice, second only to saffron.
Silas Ballantyne has even more discrepancies. For some reason (we aren’t specifically told why) he has to be indentured. He, however, has several books and a master violin (nope, that’s no fiddle, unless it’s a cheap copy). And he speaks of skipping the banns by using a special license. Those licenses cost more than a year’s earnings and also needed a male relative or close friend to “go bond” that the man was free to marry, with a huge fine if the man wasn’t fit to marry. He also speaks some Scots that isn’t defined in most cases and which in some cases is a more modern term entirely (a “smirr” of rain was first recorded in use in 1808.
Then at the 80% mark, Eden is raped. Without warning. The guy isn’t portrayed as bad, just a little shifty, and he was her closest childhood friend. There is no motivation for this act. Even worse, he turned out to be her biological half brother. WHAT! This is so gross. And did it do anything in the story development? No. It had no use except to part the hero and heroine. If you’re going to use gross in a story, make it relevant. Don’t throw it in with the force of a bomb and then walk away from the story for nine years. This was an outrage of plotting.
Various other historical misses and factual errors:
-Silas has an old and well-used Gaelic Bible (not just a Testament). While the Testament was translated in Scotland in the 1780s (geographically impossible for him to get one), the full Bible was not available until 1801. Scots of the time would have used an Irish-language Bible.
-“Very last of the Ballentynes”...uh, “Coral Island” author, anyone??
-Said his family had Sheltie dogs for herding sheep. Those were started in the late 1800s and recognized by the AKC in 1909 for the first time as a “promising new breed.”
-Silas plays a “fiddle” and then it turns out he’s playing his father’s expensive Guarneri violin. This is described as “having the phrase Soli Deo Gloria engraved within, a permanent branding mark burned into the wood inside.” Now do tell..that’s one way of spotting a fake “Guarneri.” First, no violin maker worth his salt would “brand into the wood” with a phrase of length because it would affect the final sound. Second, that’s not how Guarneri branded stuff. He used slips of paper, handwritten, pasted inside the body of his violins. They did not say “Soli Deo Gloria”—meaning “all glory to God”—but instead read “I.H.S.” which is a term referred to as the “nomina Sacra” and which means “Jesus alone.” That stamp/phrase is directly related to the modern sign of the fish or the IHOYE Greek term used by early Christians. It is not in any way related to the Soli Deo Gloria statement.
-Eden rattles off a cornbread recipe complete with “cups” for measurements. Cups were a part of an effort in the late 1800s to be able to standardize recipes, and were first introduced to the general public in a scientific recipe book in 1896.
-Heavy use of “headache powders” in a couple of chapters. In the mid-1800s, headaches were commonly treated with vinaigrette sniffing, but I couldn’t find an earlier treatment. What I did find is that headache powders were invented just before 1900 and patented in 1906.
-Women’s clothing: Eden feels the “heat of his hand” at her waist while wearing stays. Very unlikely, unless she’s the Princess and the Pea
-Men’s hairstyles: Silas cuts off his tied-back hairstyle in favor of the “shorter styles worn by gentlemen”....uh, you mean the gentlemen spending loads of money on the perfect tied-back wigs? That didn’t change until the young men in the early 1800s began to “wear their own hair” and even then it was supposed to be in the styles of the wigs. President Washington (not elected for a few years yet after this story’s first section) was considered “quite daring” to wear his own hair. David Greathouse, young buck, would absolutely not be “in the height of fashion” and wearing his hair like it’s described, hanging natural and loose above his collar.
-Men’s fashion: Silas goes to the dance “looking like a gentleman” in a linen shirt and cravat which “buckled at the back of his collar.” First, he’d be wearing at least some form of jacket. Shirt sleeves without jacket were considered an insult to polite parties and to the company of unrelated ladies for any gentleman before 1960. Tying a buckled cravat around one’s collar isn’t just ungentlemanly, it’s also historically impossible. First, the cravat was the collar; second, only shoes had buckles; third, a cravat is only and has always been defined as “a long, thin strip of white linen.” In fact, Silas and Leige and all the other guys would have used one as a daily piece of their dress during work.
-Quaker speech: Margaret speaks to Eden saying “Thee are...” instead of “Thee is...”
It’s just so half-baked. I skimmed over the 1790s part at the end because the plot twist had just made me SO mad and because it was completely out of the blue and did nothing for character development or anything. And yet somehow there’s still a vengeful sister lurking out there somewhere? Ugh.
Also, the continual feelings of blatant lust and the spine-tingly, heavy, deep kisses really wouldn’t have done any favors to Eden’s reputation. And Elspeth’s motherhood, if suspected by a single person, would have been trumpeted easily from the watchtowers by the town gossips. Speaking of which, how did Elspeth get her super-Scotch name if they were so ignorant of all things Scotch?
Anyway, I’ll stop ranting. Anyone want dibs on my mint-condition Ballantyne Legacy series? (*note: someone has now called dibs and the books are in a happier home.)
December 30, 2012
This novel made me quite breathless and I had that aching feeling in my chest that rarely happens these days. I love it when I care so much that I can barely breath while reading perilous scenes. I didn't want to stop reading because the author's plot kept me turning the pages. The story was not at all predictable, which increased my anxiety over Eden's future as well as what would happen to Silas. The story can best be described as achingly beautiful. The last time I had this ache in my heart was while reading Courting Morrow Little, another novel by Laura Frantz. The plot was solid and the angst very believably written. The sweetest part of the story was how it was their faith that brought their hearts together in the beginning. What a beautiful expression of faith. The reader can see how a tender and sweet spirit if far more attractive to man that a comely appearance. It was hard not to love a man like Silas. He had me from the beginning because he was a man of honor.
There is something wonderful about sacrificial love that makes me think of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us all. True love does the right thing, and that's what is best for the loved one, not the person who has strong feelings for the person holding their affection. That always makes for a heart-wrenching love story. The prose of this book was beautiful, but the deep love of the story was what stole my heart. The romance was more about spiritual beauty and a giving spirit than about mere attraction. When Eden and Silas finally had a chance to be alone...wow. I was feeling Silas's pain myself. Eden was a treasure, thus hurting him all the more when things went south for them. Not wanting to post a spoiler here, I'd encourage historical fiction lovers to read this wonderful story for themselves and be inspired to be a more loving and humble person; for a good woman is more precious than rubies. A powerful story full of emotion that made my pulse race at times, Love's Reckoning is making my top fiction list for 2012. It's awesome!
There is something wonderful about sacrificial love that makes me think of Christ's ultimate sacrifice for us all. True love does the right thing, and that's what is best for the loved one, not the person who has strong feelings for the person holding their affection. That always makes for a heart-wrenching love story. The prose of this book was beautiful, but the deep love of the story was what stole my heart. The romance was more about spiritual beauty and a giving spirit than about mere attraction. When Eden and Silas finally had a chance to be alone...wow. I was feeling Silas's pain myself. Eden was a treasure, thus hurting him all the more when things went south for them. Not wanting to post a spoiler here, I'd encourage historical fiction lovers to read this wonderful story for themselves and be inspired to be a more loving and humble person; for a good woman is more precious than rubies. A powerful story full of emotion that made my pulse race at times, Love's Reckoning is making my top fiction list for 2012. It's awesome!
May 14, 2020
I am a Frantz Fan Forever. The depth of character, the spiritual insights, the glorious settings... the words! It's not just the story that I fall in love with every time, it's the very words she uses to tell the story.
As much as I love audiobooks, Laura Frantz is an author I need to savor at my own pace. Because when I read a line like: "Though midday, it was dusky dark, the mud already turnninng the hue and heft of molasses"-- I just have to sit back and say out loud: "The heft and hue of molasses! The heft and hue! Of molasses!" And shake my head because Laura is so amazing I can only aspire to her level of wordpainting.
On to the next in the series!
As much as I love audiobooks, Laura Frantz is an author I need to savor at my own pace. Because when I read a line like: "Though midday, it was dusky dark, the mud already turnninng the hue and heft of molasses"-- I just have to sit back and say out loud: "The heft and hue of molasses! The heft and hue! Of molasses!" And shake my head because Laura is so amazing I can only aspire to her level of wordpainting.
On to the next in the series!
June 7, 2019
.
This definitely took awhile for me to get interested in. But once I did, I was hooked! Love's Reckoning was laced with faith, but not at all preachy.
On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in York. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege's daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other's jealousy destroy their love?
There were dark difficult situations, which changed the path of the main couple's plans dramatically. The characters are very complex and the plotline shaded on the dark and morose side more times that I cared for. Times in Colonial America were definitely different they are today.
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. Love's Reckoning is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
Eventually, love conquers all, creating he H.E.A. readers strive to find throughout the saga.
This definitely took awhile for me to get interested in. But once I did, I was hooked! Love's Reckoning was laced with faith, but not at all preachy.
On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in York. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege's daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other's jealousy destroy their love?
There were dark difficult situations, which changed the path of the main couple's plans dramatically. The characters are very complex and the plotline shaded on the dark and morose side more times that I cared for. Times in Colonial America were definitely different they are today.
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. Love's Reckoning is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
Eventually, love conquers all, creating he H.E.A. readers strive to find throughout the saga.
June 28, 2012
Stunning. Heart-wrenching. Breathless. Not since Gone With the Wind have I read an epic novel that has stolen my heart, my breath, my sleep to such a jolting degree. Love’s Reckoning marks Laura Frantz not only as a shining star in Christian fiction today, but a shooting star who soars skyward to the glittering heights of Rivers and Higgs.
August 19, 2021
This book ripped my heart out. Ugh, it was brutal but THANKFULLY …. (Sort of *Spoiler*….) it ended well and my heart was put back in place.
I would’ve loved it more if the ending wasn’t wrapped up as quickly … that was a little dissatisfying after all the emotional drama we experienced as the reader. If I were Eden, I would’ve handled a lot of her life situations differently….her personality was a little frustrating to me—she was so timid and did not communicate or stand up for herself. I especially would’ve handled the relationship with Silas differently. But this didn’t make this not a good book! It was a beautiful romance…just stressful to me! I Loved Silas. Laura Frantz creates the most noble heroes who have such strong character and love their women so well. Anyway…very good book…very Laura Frantz. Maybe if I read the next in the series this ending will somehow redeem itself.
I would’ve loved it more if the ending wasn’t wrapped up as quickly … that was a little dissatisfying after all the emotional drama we experienced as the reader. If I were Eden, I would’ve handled a lot of her life situations differently….her personality was a little frustrating to me—she was so timid and did not communicate or stand up for herself. I especially would’ve handled the relationship with Silas differently. But this didn’t make this not a good book! It was a beautiful romance…just stressful to me! I Loved Silas. Laura Frantz creates the most noble heroes who have such strong character and love their women so well. Anyway…very good book…very Laura Frantz. Maybe if I read the next in the series this ending will somehow redeem itself.
September 15, 2012
Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1VGAS49...
Review on my blog (to be posted 9/3): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
Love's Reckoning is the second book I've read by Laura Frantz and I absolutely loved it! From the beginning on I was enthralled with the story and how things would turn out - I could hardly put it down once I was a couple chapters in (although I had to in order to get some sleep). I finished it in about two days (and this is a large book - over 400 pages!) so that says something as to how good it was.
Love's Reckoning was very gripping emotionally - there were times I was so upset and wanted to scream (I may have actually) and other times I wanted to cry. I didn't know how the book would end and, at one point, wanted to skip ahead to the end to find out, but didn't because I knew it would wreck the story. I don't think there was ever a dull moment to this novel. The only complaint I have is that the ending seemed a tad bit rushed (in my opinion), but it was still great and is now one of my favorite books.
The characters were fantastic and I loved all the little secrets that were throughout the book (that added a little mystery to the story) - some were really shocking!
I'm so glad that this is part of a series because I am very much looking forward to finding out what continues to happen in these characters' lives.
Overall, I loved Love's Reckoning and recommend it if you enjoy historical romances, but expect to be taken on a wild ride that'll keep you turning pages late into the night (at least it did with me).
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
Review on my blog (to be posted 9/3): http://christianbookshelfreviews.blog...
Love's Reckoning is the second book I've read by Laura Frantz and I absolutely loved it! From the beginning on I was enthralled with the story and how things would turn out - I could hardly put it down once I was a couple chapters in (although I had to in order to get some sleep). I finished it in about two days (and this is a large book - over 400 pages!) so that says something as to how good it was.
Love's Reckoning was very gripping emotionally - there were times I was so upset and wanted to scream (I may have actually) and other times I wanted to cry. I didn't know how the book would end and, at one point, wanted to skip ahead to the end to find out, but didn't because I knew it would wreck the story. I don't think there was ever a dull moment to this novel. The only complaint I have is that the ending seemed a tad bit rushed (in my opinion), but it was still great and is now one of my favorite books.
The characters were fantastic and I loved all the little secrets that were throughout the book (that added a little mystery to the story) - some were really shocking!
I'm so glad that this is part of a series because I am very much looking forward to finding out what continues to happen in these characters' lives.
Overall, I loved Love's Reckoning and recommend it if you enjoy historical romances, but expect to be taken on a wild ride that'll keep you turning pages late into the night (at least it did with me).
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
April 30, 2015
2 main reasons for giving it only two stars. The rape scene - besides being bad enough, it seemed really out of place - like the author threw it in to make it a climax and then could end the story. Next was the dark feeling that hung over the entire book. Maybe it was supposed to be suspenseful, but it really just made it dark, uncomfortable and not as fun to take in.
Why 2 stars? Because the main hero and heroine were wonderful characters, and the writing was okay.
Why 2 stars? Because the main hero and heroine were wonderful characters, and the writing was okay.
November 11, 2012
This review originally appeared on the Historical Novel Society website. Review copy received from publisher via HNS.
Eden Lee’s tyrannical father is determined that his new apprentice, Silas Ballantyne, will marry one of his daughters. The family assumes it will be bold, beautiful Elspeth, whose illegitimate child is being passed off as her mother’s son. Timid, quiet Eden deplores the deception but does not want to marry; she has other plans, and soon learns that Silas too has ambitions beyond a blacksmith’s trade.
Love’s Reckoning is the first of a series tracing the Ballantyne legacy down through several generations, and as such has quite a few storylines to set up. This is well done, with plenty of twists and threads to lead into future novels. The late 1700s Pennsylvania setting is convincingly rendered, although I personally prefer that the author not rely on “’twas,” “mayhap,” and other such ornamental flourishes to remind the reader that we are not in modern times.
Occasional writing quirks could have been picked up at the editing stage. The words “nearly” and “winced” are overused, generally in combination, and some phrases struck me as odd (“with a flurry of her hand”). There are some misplaced modifiers, and I struggled a little with the timeline, which at moments seems vaguely defined.
My biggest issue with this story, however, is that the good characters are too overwhelmingly wholesome, while the bad characters are unremittingly unpleasant. I would have liked to see more nuances, especially in the case of Elspeth, who would benefit from some vulnerability.
The Christian elements are handled with subtlety and grace, making this novel a good candidate to succeed with a secular readership. Love’s Reckoning has greater depth than a straightforward romance, and promises well for an interesting series.
Eden Lee’s tyrannical father is determined that his new apprentice, Silas Ballantyne, will marry one of his daughters. The family assumes it will be bold, beautiful Elspeth, whose illegitimate child is being passed off as her mother’s son. Timid, quiet Eden deplores the deception but does not want to marry; she has other plans, and soon learns that Silas too has ambitions beyond a blacksmith’s trade.
Love’s Reckoning is the first of a series tracing the Ballantyne legacy down through several generations, and as such has quite a few storylines to set up. This is well done, with plenty of twists and threads to lead into future novels. The late 1700s Pennsylvania setting is convincingly rendered, although I personally prefer that the author not rely on “’twas,” “mayhap,” and other such ornamental flourishes to remind the reader that we are not in modern times.
Occasional writing quirks could have been picked up at the editing stage. The words “nearly” and “winced” are overused, generally in combination, and some phrases struck me as odd (“with a flurry of her hand”). There are some misplaced modifiers, and I struggled a little with the timeline, which at moments seems vaguely defined.
My biggest issue with this story, however, is that the good characters are too overwhelmingly wholesome, while the bad characters are unremittingly unpleasant. I would have liked to see more nuances, especially in the case of Elspeth, who would benefit from some vulnerability.
The Christian elements are handled with subtlety and grace, making this novel a good candidate to succeed with a secular readership. Love’s Reckoning has greater depth than a straightforward romance, and promises well for an interesting series.
January 10, 2023
My First by Frantz!
4 Stars ✨
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Therefore any good work, kindness, or service I can render to any person or animal, let me do it now, for I will not pass this way again.”
1785
Eden Lee, longs to escape from her home and her tainted family reputation in York, Pennsylvania. She lives with her mother, father, older sister and younger brother. She hungers to have the freedom to draw near to God, something she is strictly forbidden to do by her father Liege Lee. She lives in a house full of secrets and is desperate for a way out. Liege devises a plan to hire a blacksmith apprentice and to force an arranged marriage with one of his two daughters. Although when Silas the Scottish apprentice shows up, Liege finds out quickly that this particular blacksmith has his own plans for the future and marriage is not one of them.
Loves Reckoning was my very first Laura Frantz novel. To say I was swept away by it’s historical atmosphere, is an understatement. I absolutely fell in love with this authors writing style and felt transported to York, Pennsylvania 1785. The characters had depth and kept me turning the pages. There were many times I didn’t know how this story would end up- as my heart was left beating on the floor - and trampled on several times. Im looking forward to continuing this series and checking out more books from this author.
4 Stars ✨
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Therefore any good work, kindness, or service I can render to any person or animal, let me do it now, for I will not pass this way again.”
1785
Eden Lee, longs to escape from her home and her tainted family reputation in York, Pennsylvania. She lives with her mother, father, older sister and younger brother. She hungers to have the freedom to draw near to God, something she is strictly forbidden to do by her father Liege Lee. She lives in a house full of secrets and is desperate for a way out. Liege devises a plan to hire a blacksmith apprentice and to force an arranged marriage with one of his two daughters. Although when Silas the Scottish apprentice shows up, Liege finds out quickly that this particular blacksmith has his own plans for the future and marriage is not one of them.
Loves Reckoning was my very first Laura Frantz novel. To say I was swept away by it’s historical atmosphere, is an understatement. I absolutely fell in love with this authors writing style and felt transported to York, Pennsylvania 1785. The characters had depth and kept me turning the pages. There were many times I didn’t know how this story would end up- as my heart was left beating on the floor - and trampled on several times. Im looking forward to continuing this series and checking out more books from this author.
July 21, 2013
I read this book in 7 hours..I was SO into it!...& I have never been soo Disappointed because I LOVED 'courting morrow little'. But as soon as it got to where david stole her away..(Really)....& raped her, EVERYThing about it became a cheap drama book!! (Which is getting so Popular it would seem..gggrr) I do not call a book filled with fake drama a christian book!. I call it bad writing. I would not Recommend it to any young person.
......So Disappointed....
......So Disappointed....
October 21, 2018
Excellent storytelling. I was captured on the first page and read it in one sitting. The ending (epilogue) was abrupt. I couldn't tell if my version got truncated, but otherwise a great story.
September 20, 2024
SUMMARY: On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in York. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege's daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other's jealousy destroy their love?
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. Love's Reckoning is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
REVIEW: Laura Frantz has once again written a historical romance that keeps your attention from start to finish. It contains an involved storyline with many of the characters hiding secrets from their past and a family who is as dysfunctional as many in present times. Eden is an almost invisible character who often reminded me of Cinderella. She is burdened with toil from morning til night while her older sister Elspeth plays the role of the "mean stepsister" while spending her days and nights chasing men. Eden's father obviously favors Elspeth because she takes more interest in his blacksmith shop and somewhat becomes the son he didn't have. What Elspeth wants Elspeth gets. Silas, Leige's new apprentice, becomes the "Prince Charming" in this somewhat Cinderella Story. A man of strong faith and definite goals, Silas sees "the pearl of great price" underneath Eden's quiet demeanor. He also sees her desire to know more of God and grow her faith. This story does a great job of depicting historical times and the early development of the Pennsylvania area. I also appreciated the opening quotes for each chapter. Frantz' tease with her closing line will keep everyone wanting to pursue the next adventures of Silas, Eden, and the Lee and Greathouse families.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "But loneliness, she knew, was an elusive notion. Wasn't she more lonesome in the midst of her busy house than anywhere else on earth?"
"Books, like friends, should be few and well-chosen." (Samuel Johnson as quoted)
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Therefore any good work, kiness, or service I can render to any person or animal, let me do it now, for I will not pass this way again.
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. Love's Reckoning is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
REVIEW: Laura Frantz has once again written a historical romance that keeps your attention from start to finish. It contains an involved storyline with many of the characters hiding secrets from their past and a family who is as dysfunctional as many in present times. Eden is an almost invisible character who often reminded me of Cinderella. She is burdened with toil from morning til night while her older sister Elspeth plays the role of the "mean stepsister" while spending her days and nights chasing men. Eden's father obviously favors Elspeth because she takes more interest in his blacksmith shop and somewhat becomes the son he didn't have. What Elspeth wants Elspeth gets. Silas, Leige's new apprentice, becomes the "Prince Charming" in this somewhat Cinderella Story. A man of strong faith and definite goals, Silas sees "the pearl of great price" underneath Eden's quiet demeanor. He also sees her desire to know more of God and grow her faith. This story does a great job of depicting historical times and the early development of the Pennsylvania area. I also appreciated the opening quotes for each chapter. Frantz' tease with her closing line will keep everyone wanting to pursue the next adventures of Silas, Eden, and the Lee and Greathouse families.
FAVORITE QUOTES: "But loneliness, she knew, was an elusive notion. Wasn't she more lonesome in the midst of her busy house than anywhere else on earth?"
"Books, like friends, should be few and well-chosen." (Samuel Johnson as quoted)
"I expect to pass through this world but once. Therefore any good work, kiness, or service I can render to any person or animal, let me do it now, for I will not pass this way again.
September 25, 2018
I couldn't even finish this book. I hung in for 80% of the book because I wanted to see the happy ending. And believe me.... it needed one, because the whole book was one big depressing OVER-INFLATED story. Boy does this author know how to drag a story out.
My biggest problem though with "Christian" books is the fact that the heroine is almost always written as this supposedly humble person, who is loving and cares for others. But sadly it usually comes across as them being the doormat for all the horrible people in the story. Never standing up for themselves, like that is what a Christian is supposed to do. Humility is essential, but that doesn't mean you never stand up for yourself or go against the grain of the people around you. And for me that is exactly what Eden comes across as, to me at least.
But like I said I stuck with it. I did like Eden and Silas, and I wanted them to get together. But the constant abuse and horrible treatment by those around them.... was exhausting, and felt unnecessary. Too much angst, not enough reward. The sister is horrible, the father was equally as bad, and even though the mother was supposed to be the loving one in the group, she made no sense to let her other daughter behave the way she did and do NOTHING.
***spoilers from here on out***
The book lost me when Eden was raped by David, which felt like it came out of nowhere, because he wasn't shown to be that kind of guy until that moment. It felt more like a desperate attempt to create more unnecessary drama. And the fact that she seemed content to marry that Giles guy her dad was trying to match her with after she was raped, but couldn't bring herself to marry Silas was the stupidest plot of the book. I was under the impression that Silas knew what David did... he saw her ripped clothes, and some bruising... but he never let her know he knew. Eden not being able to tell Silas what David has done was also ridiculous. She was so in love with him.... why she couldn't just say that is what the problem was made no sense. If she felt he was going to leave when he found out, then what was the problem... she was willing to lie to him to get him to leave, say she didn't love him. And from the girl who the WHOLE book just COULDN'T lie about anything, now felt that she could and it was all of a sudden something a Christian would do..... ugh
Silas would never have left. Even if he was unaware of her rape, he knew she was broken because baby John has JUST died... so he takes her outburst as the truth, when for MONTHS she has been professing her love for him???? NO! The Silas the author had written was loyal and loved her so much he was willing to stay, working for her horrible father, putting his dreams on hold, so he could marry her! He NEVER would have left. He would have stayed and tried to reason with her.
I stopped when she walked in the snow storm and collapsed in the snow... I almost thought she was dead.... but then it skips to.... nearly a DECADE later!? Give me a break! Enough of this stupidity...
I read these kind of books to be built up, enjoy a little romance, without all the graphic sex. I hated the rape, but I could have lived with it if the author had taken it as a way to show that even after being raped you are worthy of love, that a REAL man stays, doesn't quit so easily, that he will fight for you and be patient. But no.... it was just a device to keep them apart for drama. I hate those kinds of stories.... the time lost because of stupid lies and stupid actions. Use these books to show people how they should be. Broke my heart.
My biggest problem though with "Christian" books is the fact that the heroine is almost always written as this supposedly humble person, who is loving and cares for others. But sadly it usually comes across as them being the doormat for all the horrible people in the story. Never standing up for themselves, like that is what a Christian is supposed to do. Humility is essential, but that doesn't mean you never stand up for yourself or go against the grain of the people around you. And for me that is exactly what Eden comes across as, to me at least.
But like I said I stuck with it. I did like Eden and Silas, and I wanted them to get together. But the constant abuse and horrible treatment by those around them.... was exhausting, and felt unnecessary. Too much angst, not enough reward. The sister is horrible, the father was equally as bad, and even though the mother was supposed to be the loving one in the group, she made no sense to let her other daughter behave the way she did and do NOTHING.
***spoilers from here on out***
The book lost me when Eden was raped by David, which felt like it came out of nowhere, because he wasn't shown to be that kind of guy until that moment. It felt more like a desperate attempt to create more unnecessary drama. And the fact that she seemed content to marry that Giles guy her dad was trying to match her with after she was raped, but couldn't bring herself to marry Silas was the stupidest plot of the book. I was under the impression that Silas knew what David did... he saw her ripped clothes, and some bruising... but he never let her know he knew. Eden not being able to tell Silas what David has done was also ridiculous. She was so in love with him.... why she couldn't just say that is what the problem was made no sense. If she felt he was going to leave when he found out, then what was the problem... she was willing to lie to him to get him to leave, say she didn't love him. And from the girl who the WHOLE book just COULDN'T lie about anything, now felt that she could and it was all of a sudden something a Christian would do..... ugh
Silas would never have left. Even if he was unaware of her rape, he knew she was broken because baby John has JUST died... so he takes her outburst as the truth, when for MONTHS she has been professing her love for him???? NO! The Silas the author had written was loyal and loved her so much he was willing to stay, working for her horrible father, putting his dreams on hold, so he could marry her! He NEVER would have left. He would have stayed and tried to reason with her.
I stopped when she walked in the snow storm and collapsed in the snow... I almost thought she was dead.... but then it skips to.... nearly a DECADE later!? Give me a break! Enough of this stupidity...
I read these kind of books to be built up, enjoy a little romance, without all the graphic sex. I hated the rape, but I could have lived with it if the author had taken it as a way to show that even after being raped you are worthy of love, that a REAL man stays, doesn't quit so easily, that he will fight for you and be patient. But no.... it was just a device to keep them apart for drama. I hate those kinds of stories.... the time lost because of stupid lies and stupid actions. Use these books to show people how they should be. Broke my heart.
February 18, 2020
Coming into reading this book I already knew a handful of things. One, I already consider Laura's previous books to be on my keeper shelf and consider her a favorite author. Two, Courting Morrow Little was an incredible read and perhaps one of my ultimate favorites. Three, The Colonel's Lady has a palpable romance (like Julie Lessman good!) that keep me turning pages even soon after having a baby (and many distractions). Four, this is a new series and I love series beginnings! Five, have you seen the cover image?! Now, here's the problem (for one it is just after 2:30 in the morning!)... At about 125 pages in I did not have a clue where the story was going to go. Usually after reading so many novels I can take my little guess and then nicely see things unroll before my eyes as I turn the pages, but not here. I was tense, I was sad, I was elated, I was so angry, I was ridiculously giddy as if in on a secret myself, I was hopeless, and then I was so full of hope I was ready to scream outloud (but it's two am by this point and the little blossoms are sleeping...). The fact that there were so many possibilities kept me completely enraptured with pure (delightful!) agony that I just had to turn and see what might happen. What's coming next? -- This was just as engaging a read as Rita Gerlach's latest series is turning out to be!
Now seriously. Could you authors quit trying to keep vying for my favorite book position, I shouldn't have to keep changing! This is enchanting with a hint of Jacob's wives and Cinderella. My heart screams run runaway! Who needs sleep when you have novels such as this?! Eden is such a character and so real. She is seemingly a perfect good girl, but watching her grow through over the course of the two parts of this story is incredible. As a reader it is very easy to get behind her and cheer her on, and want to shake her silly at times. Silas Ballantyne is just wonderful as well. Already I have become very fond of Scottish heroes in my fiction through other authors and Silas is just, *sigh* fabulous.
This one is not a light read, not just something to waste time with, but this is a read that will enrapture your heart and hold on. It brings through a wealth of emotions and the characters and their lives come off the pages and into your imagination and their story unfolds. Reading the epilogue and then the sneak peek into book #2 in the end of the novel just leave me antsy. How in the world can my heart stand to wait for 2013?
“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
Now seriously. Could you authors quit trying to keep vying for my favorite book position, I shouldn't have to keep changing! This is enchanting with a hint of Jacob's wives and Cinderella. My heart screams run runaway! Who needs sleep when you have novels such as this?! Eden is such a character and so real. She is seemingly a perfect good girl, but watching her grow through over the course of the two parts of this story is incredible. As a reader it is very easy to get behind her and cheer her on, and want to shake her silly at times. Silas Ballantyne is just wonderful as well. Already I have become very fond of Scottish heroes in my fiction through other authors and Silas is just, *sigh* fabulous.
This one is not a light read, not just something to waste time with, but this is a read that will enrapture your heart and hold on. It brings through a wealth of emotions and the characters and their lives come off the pages and into your imagination and their story unfolds. Reading the epilogue and then the sneak peek into book #2 in the end of the novel just leave me antsy. How in the world can my heart stand to wait for 2013?
“Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*
posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
January 22, 2019
I can’t remember a book ever impacting my emotions like this book has. I almost wanted to give it 4 stars just because I was disappointed with how the author took the story, but that would be an injustice to the wonderful writing, depth of characters, and clearly impactful story.
I got swept into the story so fast and my heart bled for Eden, the heroine. Eden and Silas had such a sweet and pure love story that whenever she was violated it really upset me. I wasn’t expecting it and I was so hurt for her and for Silas. I had never been so upset for a character before! (Even Jocelyn Green’s The Mark of the King didn’t effect me so.) I think what really put it over the edge for me was that eight years passed before they got back together. That was just a little too long of a time frame for me. I wish they would have been apart for a much shorter time. They got together at last in the final chapter and I was left wanting to see more of them happily together cause it took so long for them to get a happy ending. ( I know this is a series so the author is probably leaving us wanting to see more.)
Overall this truly was an epic story of love and loss. I can’t wait to start the second book in this series and am trying to find comfort in that I will see Eden and Silas together more in the next book.
I got swept into the story so fast and my heart bled for Eden, the heroine. Eden and Silas had such a sweet and pure love story that whenever she was violated it really upset me. I wasn’t expecting it and I was so hurt for her and for Silas. I had never been so upset for a character before! (Even Jocelyn Green’s The Mark of the King didn’t effect me so.) I think what really put it over the edge for me was that eight years passed before they got back together. That was just a little too long of a time frame for me. I wish they would have been apart for a much shorter time. They got together at last in the final chapter and I was left wanting to see more of them happily together cause it took so long for them to get a happy ending. ( I know this is a series so the author is probably leaving us wanting to see more.)
Overall this truly was an epic story of love and loss. I can’t wait to start the second book in this series and am trying to find comfort in that I will see Eden and Silas together more in the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2017
Recommended for ages 18+
Laura Frantz writes in such a way that pulls you to the characters and story. This book was sweet and amazing. I didn't expect what happened toward the end, but the author dealt with it in a good way, not giving unnecessary details. I enjoyed the first half of the story the best... A profound book to read, although I'd like to read it again more recently to give a more thorough thought on it.
Laura Frantz writes in such a way that pulls you to the characters and story. This book was sweet and amazing. I didn't expect what happened toward the end, but the author dealt with it in a good way, not giving unnecessary details. I enjoyed the first half of the story the best... A profound book to read, although I'd like to read it again more recently to give a more thorough thought on it.
May 15, 2024
Nearly a decade after I first read this book, it still strikes my heart with the powerful skill of a mastercraftsman. Only this particular craft is storytelling, and the master is a lady. Frantz never disappoints, and I'm thankful to finally welcome the Ballantynes home to my favorites shelf. I highly recommend this story and look forward to revisiting the remaining installments at a future date.
April 16, 2024
Achingly beautiful. The type of book that stays with you. I very much look forward to the sequel!
April 29, 2025
It wasn't a gushing, swooning, screaming from the rooftops sort of 5 star read, but it was immensely satisfying and a great break from all the smut/language that other books have; a 5 star for how well it aligned with my values 🙌
August 5, 2015
Eden Lee longs to make a fresh start in Philadelphia, to escape her father Liege's temper and her sister Elspeth's selfish machinations. Her fiery hair and family reputation mask a quiet spirit that hungers after God, desiring nothing more than the freedom to exercise her fledgling faith freely. But before she can make good on her dream of escape, her blacksmith father's new apprentice arrives, setting into motion plans of marriage and familial expectations that threaten to derail Eden's closely guarded dreams.
Silas Ballantyne has plans of his own to head west once his apprenticeship is finished, dreams he is determined shall not be thwarted by his contentious master or his tempting daughters. However, Silas finds himself irresistibly drawn to Eden's sweet spirit in defiance of Liege and Elspeth's determination to ensnare the talented blacksmith in a web of deceit. As love blossoms between Silas and Eden, fostered by whispered stairwell meetings and exchanged scraps of scripture, the long-latent embers of jealousy between Liege's daughters ignite. When all they hold dear is threatened, Silas and Eden are forced to decide if their faith and love is enough to withstand the heartache that would see their hoped-for future destroyed,
It has been far too long since I've lost myself within the pages of a Laura Frantz novel. Reading Love's Reckoning was akin to water falling on dry land, a balm to my soul sorely in need of Frantz's craftsmanship and heart. The first installment in a multi-generational family epic, Love's Reckoning is replete with Frantz's trademarks: carefully-crafted characters, a heart-rending love story, and a nearly tactile sense of time and a nearly tactile sense of time and place. Within these pages, late 18th-century Pennsylvania springs to life with color and depth. If a novel is her canvas, Frantz paints with the skill of a master.
Here Frantz blends shades of the Cinderella story with a familial and romance dynamic reminiscent of the biblical saga of Jacob, Esau, Rachel, and Laban. Eden is a classic Cinderella figure, the family drudge who still maintains her sweet spirit. In less capable hands, seeing the abuse she endures at the hands of family members could have made her seem weak. But instead, Eden is an intricately wrought portrait of one who chooses again and again the sacrifice of kindness and belief with no expectation of reward (much like the recent live-action version of Cinderella).
While Silas is cast in the role of prince/redeemer, both he and Eden's character arcs are colored with shades of Jacob's story (with Elspeth cast alternately as Esau and Leah, in the most extreme forms of that character archetype). Their journey is a fight for an inheritance beyond what the eye can see -- a twin legacy of earthly and spiritual favor. Theirs is a story of lives the enemy to all believers would see destroyed (John 10:10), of potential unrealized and dreams unfulfilled. But in the pain of circumstance, those dreams, once surrendered and yielded to the God who first planted them within their hearts, blossom into a gorgeously wrought illustration of redemptive promise (Joel 2:25).
For those who crave realism in inspirational fiction or wonder if it even exists, they need look no further than here for one such example. While Love's Reckoning is everything I crave in historical romance -- research, depth, passion -- within these pages lies a tale of emotional abuse, a physical assault, and shattered dreams. Frantz never exploits the very real heartache her characters endure, but within the framework of their circumstances sketch a story of hope and redemption with compassion and sensitivity.
Authors like Frantz are why I believe so strongly in the possibility of inspirational fiction. This is a wildly entertaining tale, yes, epic in its scope and intimate in its emotional reckoning, a sweeping saga in every sense that term implies. But more than that, Silas and Eden's story is one of hope and a faith at times no bigger than a grain of mustard seed, and the ability of that faith in action to transform and redeem the most broken among us.
Silas Ballantyne has plans of his own to head west once his apprenticeship is finished, dreams he is determined shall not be thwarted by his contentious master or his tempting daughters. However, Silas finds himself irresistibly drawn to Eden's sweet spirit in defiance of Liege and Elspeth's determination to ensnare the talented blacksmith in a web of deceit. As love blossoms between Silas and Eden, fostered by whispered stairwell meetings and exchanged scraps of scripture, the long-latent embers of jealousy between Liege's daughters ignite. When all they hold dear is threatened, Silas and Eden are forced to decide if their faith and love is enough to withstand the heartache that would see their hoped-for future destroyed,
It has been far too long since I've lost myself within the pages of a Laura Frantz novel. Reading Love's Reckoning was akin to water falling on dry land, a balm to my soul sorely in need of Frantz's craftsmanship and heart. The first installment in a multi-generational family epic, Love's Reckoning is replete with Frantz's trademarks: carefully-crafted characters, a heart-rending love story, and a nearly tactile sense of time and a nearly tactile sense of time and place. Within these pages, late 18th-century Pennsylvania springs to life with color and depth. If a novel is her canvas, Frantz paints with the skill of a master.
Here Frantz blends shades of the Cinderella story with a familial and romance dynamic reminiscent of the biblical saga of Jacob, Esau, Rachel, and Laban. Eden is a classic Cinderella figure, the family drudge who still maintains her sweet spirit. In less capable hands, seeing the abuse she endures at the hands of family members could have made her seem weak. But instead, Eden is an intricately wrought portrait of one who chooses again and again the sacrifice of kindness and belief with no expectation of reward (much like the recent live-action version of Cinderella).
While Silas is cast in the role of prince/redeemer, both he and Eden's character arcs are colored with shades of Jacob's story (with Elspeth cast alternately as Esau and Leah, in the most extreme forms of that character archetype). Their journey is a fight for an inheritance beyond what the eye can see -- a twin legacy of earthly and spiritual favor. Theirs is a story of lives the enemy to all believers would see destroyed (John 10:10), of potential unrealized and dreams unfulfilled. But in the pain of circumstance, those dreams, once surrendered and yielded to the God who first planted them within their hearts, blossom into a gorgeously wrought illustration of redemptive promise (Joel 2:25).
For those who crave realism in inspirational fiction or wonder if it even exists, they need look no further than here for one such example. While Love's Reckoning is everything I crave in historical romance -- research, depth, passion -- within these pages lies a tale of emotional abuse, a physical assault, and shattered dreams. Frantz never exploits the very real heartache her characters endure, but within the framework of their circumstances sketch a story of hope and redemption with compassion and sensitivity.
Authors like Frantz are why I believe so strongly in the possibility of inspirational fiction. This is a wildly entertaining tale, yes, epic in its scope and intimate in its emotional reckoning, a sweeping saga in every sense that term implies. But more than that, Silas and Eden's story is one of hope and a faith at times no bigger than a grain of mustard seed, and the ability of that faith in action to transform and redeem the most broken among us.
September 28, 2016
Lots of problems with this one.
For starters, the writing could be confusing. A character would leave, or move across the room, but a few lines down, they were somewhere else with no accounting for it. I'd go back and reread, and it was still confusing.
This book is one of those with modern sensibilities wrapped up in watered down history. Just because they are wearing a corset, doesn't mean this is historical. When the virginal 19 year old introduces herself to an unknown man by her first name, you know the author wanted the flavor of a certain time period, but did not want to go to the trouble of researching and writing accurately.
As far as plot goes, this book was all about melodrama. As if the author sat down and said: "I want to write a love story, but make it as difficult as possible to bring the two lovers together. How many ridiculous obstacles can I throw at them??? And, can I possibly introduce extra, unnecessary plot lines and characters so that I can stretch this out into a trilogy??"
Events occur that in NO WAY would have been handled in the time period as they were.
I've found that far too often, in Christian Romances, the main character is a classic turn the other cheek type, to the point of being ludicrous. Usually they are made to be martyrs whose sole purpose is to move the plot. Or to show how truly noble the love interest is, because he will follow the said main character wherever her poor decision making skills allow as she falls victim to all manner of abuse and she can't seem to stop it until he comes and saves her. This one is no exception. And it's annoying.
It creates a main character that is unrelatable because she is too perfect. Her only flaw is that she isn't willing to stand up for herself, or to anyone, but she will bend over backwards to serve, and protect everyone, even the worst of the worst. That sends the message that the only type of woman that is truly worthy of A)God's Love, or B)True, passionate love from a worthy man is the woman who is a doormat and will keep coming back for more and more abuse. Because she's humble, see??
Nonsense.
All of it. Christian historical romances. Such a waste of paper and ink.
For starters, the writing could be confusing. A character would leave, or move across the room, but a few lines down, they were somewhere else with no accounting for it. I'd go back and reread, and it was still confusing.
This book is one of those with modern sensibilities wrapped up in watered down history. Just because they are wearing a corset, doesn't mean this is historical. When the virginal 19 year old introduces herself to an unknown man by her first name, you know the author wanted the flavor of a certain time period, but did not want to go to the trouble of researching and writing accurately.
As far as plot goes, this book was all about melodrama. As if the author sat down and said: "I want to write a love story, but make it as difficult as possible to bring the two lovers together. How many ridiculous obstacles can I throw at them??? And, can I possibly introduce extra, unnecessary plot lines and characters so that I can stretch this out into a trilogy??"
Events occur that in NO WAY would have been handled in the time period as they were.
I've found that far too often, in Christian Romances, the main character is a classic turn the other cheek type, to the point of being ludicrous. Usually they are made to be martyrs whose sole purpose is to move the plot. Or to show how truly noble the love interest is, because he will follow the said main character wherever her poor decision making skills allow as she falls victim to all manner of abuse and she can't seem to stop it until he comes and saves her. This one is no exception. And it's annoying.
It creates a main character that is unrelatable because she is too perfect. Her only flaw is that she isn't willing to stand up for herself, or to anyone, but she will bend over backwards to serve, and protect everyone, even the worst of the worst. That sends the message that the only type of woman that is truly worthy of A)God's Love, or B)True, passionate love from a worthy man is the woman who is a doormat and will keep coming back for more and more abuse. Because she's humble, see??
Nonsense.
All of it. Christian historical romances. Such a waste of paper and ink.
February 2, 2015
When I pick up a novel by Laura Frantz, I settle in to savor the story, and Love's Reckoning is definitely a story to savor. I enjoyed every minute that I spent reading it.
Eden Lee is a wonderful character. At times, I desperately wanted her to stand up for herself, to defend her self-worth, but with a domineering father and sister and a mother that didn't defend her, it was easily understandable that she didn't. The Lee home is a home of secrets and lies, and it was all Eden could do to rise above it. Eden has a gently spirit, and, Silas...well, let's just say, I could have swooned when I read his scenes. Frantz just knows how to amp of the tension and really build a swoon-worthy romance. The progression of their relationship was so natural. And, what can I say, there's just something about a man from Scotland :)
The story evoked a lot of my emotions, which is always a good sign for me (even if I was angry at some of the characters, haha!). There were some great, exciting plot twists that shocked without coming across as feeling contrived. The description of the setting was superb. The setting had a real tone, if that makes sense--I really felt like I was there on the iced-over pond or standing close to the fiery forge or dancing at a ball. The seamless flow of story had me from the first chapter. There was a jump in time, which sort of through me off, but it was realistic, and it was needed. The ending was strong and left me eagerly awaiting the second book in the Ballantyne Legacy.
I highly recommend for fans of historical and romantic tales.
Eden Lee is a wonderful character. At times, I desperately wanted her to stand up for herself, to defend her self-worth, but with a domineering father and sister and a mother that didn't defend her, it was easily understandable that she didn't. The Lee home is a home of secrets and lies, and it was all Eden could do to rise above it. Eden has a gently spirit, and, Silas...well, let's just say, I could have swooned when I read his scenes. Frantz just knows how to amp of the tension and really build a swoon-worthy romance. The progression of their relationship was so natural. And, what can I say, there's just something about a man from Scotland :)
The story evoked a lot of my emotions, which is always a good sign for me (even if I was angry at some of the characters, haha!). There were some great, exciting plot twists that shocked without coming across as feeling contrived. The description of the setting was superb. The setting had a real tone, if that makes sense--I really felt like I was there on the iced-over pond or standing close to the fiery forge or dancing at a ball. The seamless flow of story had me from the first chapter. There was a jump in time, which sort of through me off, but it was realistic, and it was needed. The ending was strong and left me eagerly awaiting the second book in the Ballantyne Legacy.
I highly recommend for fans of historical and romantic tales.
September 20, 2022
I have serious mixed feelings about this book! It was so well written in that it transported me into a solid historical era. I absolutely loved the Scottish brogue woven through.
The spiritual thread was so strong and I loved Eden’s thirst for Scripture.
But there was such a dark feeling about this book. The first half I absolutely loved with the difficult family, Eden’s Cinderella-like life, and the mysterious Silas.
Then the darkness struck. Elspeth is evil. There is no other word for her. Add to her actions the sudden dump of rape and marital infidelity and it was just a lot of darkness. I don’t recommend this for teen readers.
It did end happily, and totally on a cliffhanger that makes me so curious for book two, but I can’t emotionally handle book two yet, not knowing the depths of darkness it might go to.
The spiritual thread was so strong and I loved Eden’s thirst for Scripture.
But there was such a dark feeling about this book. The first half I absolutely loved with the difficult family, Eden’s Cinderella-like life, and the mysterious Silas.
Then the darkness struck. Elspeth is evil. There is no other word for her. Add to her actions the sudden dump of rape and marital infidelity and it was just a lot of darkness. I don’t recommend this for teen readers.
It did end happily, and totally on a cliffhanger that makes me so curious for book two, but I can’t emotionally handle book two yet, not knowing the depths of darkness it might go to.
July 11, 2017
This was heart wrenching and rather depressing. It was engagingly written, but I had a hard time enjoying it. The h was so weak, the villains were one-dimensional, the plan between the MCs was so idiotic, and the situation that drove the MCs apart was impossible. And not in a "I'm so curious how it's all going to work out" way, but rather an "oh, come on! Seriously?!"
I do have to mention that the H did somewhat redeem himself in the end. He stayed true to the h during their separation so my safety gang friends will like that about this story.
This story will stay with me for a long time and had true emotional impact. However, I can't honestly recommend this to anyone unless you enjoy some really heavy and unhappy reading.
I do have to mention that the H did somewhat redeem himself in the end. He stayed true to the h during their separation so my safety gang friends will like that about this story.
This story will stay with me for a long time and had true emotional impact. However, I can't honestly recommend this to anyone unless you enjoy some really heavy and unhappy reading.
September 3, 2012
Oh, how I love a Laura Frantz novel! This is her fourth novel, and the first in The Ballantyne Legacy series, which will span over four books, and four generations; an epic family saga, indeed! I only wish we didn't have to wait so long in between books.
Laura has a tremendous talent to craft beautiful novels, and create images in the reader's mind that truly leave a lasting impression. From unique characters, detailed descriptions, high tension moments of uncertainty, to sweet, tender encounters . . . I found myself savoring every word, not only for its depth, but its incredible richness.
Love's Reckoning is not your "run-of-the-mill" novel, and if you're like me, you'll find yourself captivated from beginning to end! And just when you think you know which direction the story is headed . . . you're in for a surprise that perhaps you weren't expecting! That was one of the things I appreciated most about the story . . . it took me places that I never saw coming.
I love how the spiritual thread is beautifully incorporated into the story, as we see Eden "thirst" for God and His word, and see her grow in her knowledge of Him. It's endearing how she keeps His word figuratively, and literally, close to her heart. In addition, I think it's important to note that the novel opens up with Psalm 23. Even through the dark times and trials, Eden and Silas experience comfort, protection, and leading from the great Shepherd. He's there with us, even in those dark valleys, and I love how Laura blends this into the story.
If you're an admirer of historical fiction, and you appreciate great literature, this is one you won't want to miss. It will charm and enchant you, and leave you with great anticipation for the next installment!
**Thank you to Revell, A Division of Baker Publishing Group, for a review copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.**
**Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.**
Laura has a tremendous talent to craft beautiful novels, and create images in the reader's mind that truly leave a lasting impression. From unique characters, detailed descriptions, high tension moments of uncertainty, to sweet, tender encounters . . . I found myself savoring every word, not only for its depth, but its incredible richness.
Love's Reckoning is not your "run-of-the-mill" novel, and if you're like me, you'll find yourself captivated from beginning to end! And just when you think you know which direction the story is headed . . . you're in for a surprise that perhaps you weren't expecting! That was one of the things I appreciated most about the story . . . it took me places that I never saw coming.
I love how the spiritual thread is beautifully incorporated into the story, as we see Eden "thirst" for God and His word, and see her grow in her knowledge of Him. It's endearing how she keeps His word figuratively, and literally, close to her heart. In addition, I think it's important to note that the novel opens up with Psalm 23. Even through the dark times and trials, Eden and Silas experience comfort, protection, and leading from the great Shepherd. He's there with us, even in those dark valleys, and I love how Laura blends this into the story.
If you're an admirer of historical fiction, and you appreciate great literature, this is one you won't want to miss. It will charm and enchant you, and leave you with great anticipation for the next installment!
**Thank you to Revell, A Division of Baker Publishing Group, for a review copy, in exchange for my honest opinion.**
**Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.**
September 19, 2012
There are few books anymore that I am wildly eager to read, but hand me a book with Laura Frantz's name on the cover, and I promise you, I will go into hiding until I've read that book from cover to cover. When I had no choice at times but to place my bookmark inside this haunting novel, my heart just ached to be back within its pages.
That was my journey with Love's Reckoning--a breathtakingly beautiful tale of a yearning love between two gentle souls. Eden's sweet spirit was always in danger of being squashed under her father's stern manner, and Silas's quiet strength was the rock in an otherwise tumultuous household. But their love prevailed in spite of dangerous ploys, hurtful lies, and long distances apart from one another.
I could feel the tension lurking within the walls of the Lee house because of the secret they were forced to keep or the alienation they would face in their small town. I could sense the jealousy Elspeth felt toward Eden, even though she oftentimes got what she wanted anyway. And I could imagine that, if Elspeth was standing right in front of me, I just might be tempted to slap her face. There were so many feelings and emotions for me here...many more than I'm used to experiencing in a typical novel.
That, my friends, is what makes Laura's books so exceptional. Her characters work their way into my heart and mind until their like my friends and family. I want to invite them over for some tea or hot chocolate and talk for hours and hours. And quite possibly, the characters from Love's Reckoning may just be my favorite. Granted, I have loved Lael, Morrow, and especially Roxanna, but Eden and her loving soul will always leave a lasting memory.
So...bravo, Laura. You continue to impress this reader with each and every novel you write, and I know I'm not the only one. Our next journey with the Ballentynes can't begin soon enough.
That was my journey with Love's Reckoning--a breathtakingly beautiful tale of a yearning love between two gentle souls. Eden's sweet spirit was always in danger of being squashed under her father's stern manner, and Silas's quiet strength was the rock in an otherwise tumultuous household. But their love prevailed in spite of dangerous ploys, hurtful lies, and long distances apart from one another.
I could feel the tension lurking within the walls of the Lee house because of the secret they were forced to keep or the alienation they would face in their small town. I could sense the jealousy Elspeth felt toward Eden, even though she oftentimes got what she wanted anyway. And I could imagine that, if Elspeth was standing right in front of me, I just might be tempted to slap her face. There were so many feelings and emotions for me here...many more than I'm used to experiencing in a typical novel.
That, my friends, is what makes Laura's books so exceptional. Her characters work their way into my heart and mind until their like my friends and family. I want to invite them over for some tea or hot chocolate and talk for hours and hours. And quite possibly, the characters from Love's Reckoning may just be my favorite. Granted, I have loved Lael, Morrow, and especially Roxanna, but Eden and her loving soul will always leave a lasting memory.
So...bravo, Laura. You continue to impress this reader with each and every novel you write, and I know I'm not the only one. Our next journey with the Ballentynes can't begin soon enough.
January 14, 2013
Who will arrive first? Silas Ballantyne, the new blacksmith apprentice, or Elspeth's baby? If the baby comes first, Liege Lee is determined that his daughter Elspeth will be given in marriage to Ballantyne, and the babe's true parentage kept a secret. If the apprentice comes first, then his daughter Eden will marry him. But Silas Ballantyne's plans have no room for marriage, regardless of tradition. He will finish out his required years of apprenticeship, and then head West.
Instead of the strong and feisty heroine celebrated in most novels today, "Love's Reckoning" introduces Eden, a lovely heroine with a gentle and quiet spirit. Eden's personality harmonizes realistically with 18th century culture, and I found it a refreshing change from novels that try to marry an 18th century setting with a heroine who thinks and acts like a modern woman. Silas was as smart and discerning as he was talented, and he instantly won my heart for being able to look past a woman's beauty and see her true character. The Scottish accent might've helped too.
I always enjoy Frantz' rich setting description and lyrical prose, but my favorite aspect of "Love's Reckoning" was watching two people fall deeply and hopelessly in love, despite different ambitions, unfair circumstances, and the schemes of evil people. The book is gently paced for a romance that develops over time, but there are places in the novel that are tense and suspenseful. A little over halfway through, I refused to put the book down, and when I came across an unsettling jump in years close to the end, I was tempted to skim, nearly biting my nails to know how everything would turn out.
It's not easy to write a story heavy with sorrow and longing without making it depressing, but Frantz not only pulls it off, she masterfully uses the story's events and tone to enrich the characters' love story, reminding me of Romans 8:28. A beautiful, haunting romance that has found a home on my favorites shelf.
Instead of the strong and feisty heroine celebrated in most novels today, "Love's Reckoning" introduces Eden, a lovely heroine with a gentle and quiet spirit. Eden's personality harmonizes realistically with 18th century culture, and I found it a refreshing change from novels that try to marry an 18th century setting with a heroine who thinks and acts like a modern woman. Silas was as smart and discerning as he was talented, and he instantly won my heart for being able to look past a woman's beauty and see her true character. The Scottish accent might've helped too.
I always enjoy Frantz' rich setting description and lyrical prose, but my favorite aspect of "Love's Reckoning" was watching two people fall deeply and hopelessly in love, despite different ambitions, unfair circumstances, and the schemes of evil people. The book is gently paced for a romance that develops over time, but there are places in the novel that are tense and suspenseful. A little over halfway through, I refused to put the book down, and when I came across an unsettling jump in years close to the end, I was tempted to skim, nearly biting my nails to know how everything would turn out.
It's not easy to write a story heavy with sorrow and longing without making it depressing, but Frantz not only pulls it off, she masterfully uses the story's events and tone to enrich the characters' love story, reminding me of Romans 8:28. A beautiful, haunting romance that has found a home on my favorites shelf.
September 8, 2012
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
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
August 27, 2012
I love novels that so completely fill my heart, overflowing story, characters and the romance of love…love of faith in Christ and the romantic love that promises more than just a happy ending for characters I’ve fallen in love with.
What’s the first word we think of when we want to describe a book we’ve adored? Love. It seems too simple, too cliché a description for when I think of Eden and Silas upon the page.
There is a rhythm, a cadence to their story, the words sweeping me into eighteenth century America. When I started reading their story, I thought the beginning a bit slow, but read much further than one hundred pages and you’ll find two well-crafted characters rise from the ashes of their circumstances. Circumstances that made me want to leap through the pages and fight for them together.
The novel takes a heart rending turn almost three quarters of the way through the story and I ached for the time lost in the romance between these two characters. There is a passion to their story, not romantically, but in their faith, in how they live life.
Eden and Silas are larger than life, filling the pages, my mind with glorious word-painted images and my heart with the purity of their romance. My only wish? The novel hadn’t ended with their beginning. But I can’t wait to see them together again in book two of the Ballantyne Legacy.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
**Available September 2012 from Revell, a division of Baker Publishers**
What’s the first word we think of when we want to describe a book we’ve adored? Love. It seems too simple, too cliché a description for when I think of Eden and Silas upon the page.
There is a rhythm, a cadence to their story, the words sweeping me into eighteenth century America. When I started reading their story, I thought the beginning a bit slow, but read much further than one hundred pages and you’ll find two well-crafted characters rise from the ashes of their circumstances. Circumstances that made me want to leap through the pages and fight for them together.
The novel takes a heart rending turn almost three quarters of the way through the story and I ached for the time lost in the romance between these two characters. There is a passion to their story, not romantically, but in their faith, in how they live life.
Eden and Silas are larger than life, filling the pages, my mind with glorious word-painted images and my heart with the purity of their romance. My only wish? The novel hadn’t ended with their beginning. But I can’t wait to see them together again in book two of the Ballantyne Legacy.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.
**Available September 2012 from Revell, a division of Baker Publishers**
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