4.9 Stars Out Of 5
4.9 out of 5
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4.9 out Of 5
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4.8 out Of 5
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97%
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Displaying items 1-5 of 35
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  1. Julie Lessman
    St. Louis
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    AN ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT SEQUEL!!!
    July 8, 2013
    Julie Lessman
    St. Louis
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Love's Awakening, Ballantyne Legacy Series #2.
    With every sweep of her pen, Laura Frantz possesses the remarkable gift of embedding story and characters deep into a reader's heart and soul. Love's Awakening is yet another example of her skill and artistry as one of the best in Christian fiction today.

    From the moment I turned the last page of Love's Reckoning, book 1 in The Ballantyne Legacy series, I craved the sequel, an addiction to this author's prose that ranks her at the top of my must-read list. From its heart-wrenching historical depth and breathtaking literary beauty, to its compelling plot and unforgettable characters, Love's Awakening has once again awakened a deep longing in this reader for more of the spellbinding Ballantyne Legacy. And as quickly as possible, please!!
  2. Julia Reffner
    Fairport, NY
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Lyrical, Rich in Historical Detail
    November 21, 2013
    Julia Reffner
    Fairport, NY
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Love's Awakening, Ballantyne Legacy Series #2.
    Lyrical, breathlessly romantic, and flawless in historical detail are a few of the descriptives that match Laura Frantz's wonderful novels. She has mastered a unique style of writing that is both beautiful, old-fashioned and full of enough conflict to keep the plot moving. Ellie Ballantyne's family are dyed-in-the-wool abolitionists who live out their faith by helping runaways escape in industrial Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania. Jack Turlock's father is a philanderer who makes his living selling liquor and will do anything in his pursuit of the almighty dollar. When Jack's sister becomes a student at Ellie's day school, Ellie finds herself falling hard for Jack, yet can she side with someone whose values and beliefs seem to conflict with all her family holds dear? It is easy to see why Laura Frantz has been a contender for several recent awards and I have no doubt many are in her future. With strong messages of faith and characters I grow to love, I will continue to pick up her novels again and again.
  3. Janna Ryan
    North Platte, NE
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Great sequel!
    September 20, 2013
    Janna Ryan
    North Platte, NE
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    This review was written for Love's Awakening, Ballantyne Legacy Series #2.
    Is blood thicker than water? Can someone overcome what they are born into? Is who we are a product of who we are born to or is it who we make of ourselves? What sacrifices will we truly make for love? These are the kind of questions that are explored in Love's Awakening and it is a beautiful exploration. Laura Frantz became one of my favorite historical authors the day I picked up her debut novel The Frontiersman's Daughter. She has won me over again and again everytime I pick up her new books. This is the first time that she has penned a book #2... all of her first books were stand alone books. I was curious how a series would work in her style. After reading Love's Reckoning with Eden as the central character and her sister Elspeth as the bad girl, I expected book #2 to be about Elspeth and to somehow find her some redemption. I was wrong. Instead of staying in the same time with basically the same characters, Laura takes us to a new generation. When we come back to New Hope we find that Silas and Eden now have 4 grown children, none of which are married, and we actually take refuge in the thoughts and actions of the youngest, Ellie.

    Ellie is trying to figure out who she really is when she comes back to Pittsburgh from Philadelphia and the finishing school she was at. She comes home to find Silas and Eden on a trip and her brothers and sister holding down the home at New Hope... with some unexpected visitors. Her family has been helping fugitives on the Underground Railroad the whole time she has been away from home. Her family struggles with sheltering Ellie or allowing her to grow up and help out. In the meantime she has become reacquainted with her family's nemesis - the Turlocks and their whiskey making, slave owning ways. There is just one problem, she can't stop thinking about Jack, the second son. But a Turlock and a Ballantyne could never be anything more than enemies, could they?

    Elspeth does make an appearance in this book and it really made me want to go back and read the first book again! It was great to meet up with Silas and Eden again, but I truly loved some of the new characters, Jack and Chloe Turlock and of course Ellie and her brother Ansel. I am looking forward to the next book, but not the fact that we will skip another generation and join up with Ansel's daughter... I want to spend more time with these characters!!!
  4. Susan
    Clover, SC
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Outstanding Sequel!
    August 27, 2013
    Susan
    Clover, SC
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Love's Awakening, Ballantyne Legacy Series #2.
    This book, second in the Laura Frantz's 'Ballantyne Legacy', is just wonderful.

    I was provided with an early copy and decided to re-read the first in the series, "Love's Reckoning", which brought it all back in wonderous beauty.

    Love's Awakening takes up when Silas and Eden Ballantyne's youngest daughter, Ellie, is 20 years old and back home from finishing school. She feels that she is definitely in the way at home, her parents off on a trip, and her siblings are busy, so she decides to start a day school for young women. Chloe Turlock wants to be her student, but the Turlocks have always been mortal enemies of the Ballantynes and will stop at nearly nothing to ruin any of the Ballantynes.

    Chloe's older brother Jack tells Chloe this is a bad idea but Chloe has ideas of her own to bring Ellie and Jack together. Will this bring further heartache and torment to both families? Is there even a slim chance that peace, even a small peace, can be achieved between these families?

    Laura Frantz has the unique ability among writers to plop the reader smack dab right into her story, setting and all. They way she described the lilacs blooming at Ellie's house made me nearly smell their fragrance. She describes the interior of houses so well, I feel as if I could walk into them and be at home.

    I have read every one of Laura's books and this never changes. She is a supremely gifted author, a talent given by God, in my opinion, and her books have pride of place on my bookshelves. I give them as gifts, too.

    It doesn't take long after opening the pages of a Laura Frantz book to be drawn in completely. I was in tears, gasping in disbelief and sighing in peace during this book.

    She brings back Silas and Ellie from the first book and they are as in love as ever, still putting God first in everything. They have grown into remarkable parents and seasoned in grace with God's love.

    This book also goes into detail about the Underground Railroad during the early 1800s in the Pittsburgh history. Laura always goes on research trips and her historical research is impeccable. Reading her books makes you want to go back and delve into the history yourself, which I have indeed done. She doesn't embellish with the facts, either, but presents them as they actually happened. I was amazed at her research. As I was at the history of my country.

    The Ballantyne Legacy is a sweeping saga, rich and full as any you'd ever want to read. These books would make a wonderful mini series! They are full of love, happiness, heartbreaking misery, the love of God to pull His children toward Him in their despair and redemption when no hope of redemption was found.

    I loved this book and now I am bereft as I must wait another year for the next one. I just don't know how I'm going to stand the wait! If you miss these books, you are indeed denying yourself a wonderful experience. This is not just a book. It is an event that you will remember long after you turn the last page. I carry these characters around with me and think of them often. They're not like characters on a written page, but friends I know well and love.
  5. Dolly
    New Mexico
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Another Breathtaking Masterpiece!
    January 4, 2014
    Dolly
    New Mexico
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Love's Awakening, Ballantyne Legacy Series #2.
    As with the first in this series, I waited until I had sufficient time to indulge without interruption. However, reading went differently than anticipated. The deeply resonant beauty of this story demands lingering rather than rushing. Yes, I wanted to know what would happen to Ellie & Jack, who jump off the page & into your heart immediately, but Laura's oh-so satisfying conclusions are trustworthy. Thus, I enjoyed several chapters at a time then took a break to allow this gloriously rich story to seep deeper into my soul. With every section, my adoration of Ellie grew. Her unspoiled heart proved a beloved & privileged daughter does not always equal a self-centered brat. Ellie wanted to please her parents, but it took a while for her to comprehend exactly what that might entail, especially with them out of town while she wrestled with several grown up decisions. Yet, they were obviously with her. The risks Ellie took for Chloe & the runaway slaves were reminiscent of her mother's kind & generous nature. While her blossoming into a brave & loving young woman with the courage to stand up for & then inspire those who didn't have the strength to believe in themselves marked her as a daughter of the Lord & of Silas Ballantyne. Then there's Jack, an absolutely sigh-worthy hero. Instead of taking advantage of Ellie's naive & reckless affections, Jack laid his desires aside to protect her. The odds stacked against him were staggering, & Jack couldn't see any way around them. Yet, he kept stepping up & out of the typical selfish, greedy, vile Turlock nature with no regard for what it might cost him. The reader's reunion with Silas & Eden came later than expected, but getting acquainted with Ellie & her three older siblings first rendered a detailed & authentic family portrait. Laura timed their much anticipated entry into the story perfectly, & I delighted in the culmination of their united hearts. Together they became not just amazing parents, bust also leaders in the community & lifelines for the down & out. Much like an unforgettable melody that captures your attention & weaves itself into the very essence of your being, Laura's treasured Ballantyne legacy will forever endear readers' hearts to her divine storytelling. As predicted, my desire for a finale bursting with hope & promise was completely fulfilled. I can hardly wait for the next installment in this wonderful series.
Displaying items 1-5 of 35
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