To Whisper Her Name Tamera AlexanderLove’s Awakening
Author: Laura Frantz
Publication date: September 2013
Series: The Ballantyne Legacy #2
Pages: 416
Genre: Historical, Romance , Christian
Synopsis:
In the spring of 1822, Ellie Ballantyne leaves finishing school and returns to the family home in Pittsburg only to find that her parents are away on a long journey and her siblings don’t seem to want her to stay. Determined to stand her ground and find her place in the world, Ellie fills her time by opening a day school for young ladies.But when one of her students turns out to be an incorrigible young member of the Turlock family, Ellie knows she must walk a fine line. Slaveholders and whiskey magnates, the Turlocks are envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly entangled with the rival clan–particularly the handsome Jack Turlock–she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future. Will she betray her family and side with the enemy?
Masterful storyteller Laura Frantz continues to unfold the stirring saga of the Ballantyne family in this majestic tale of love and loyalty. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.
My Opinion
After finishing the first book in this series – Love’s Reckoning, I plunged ahead into Love’s Awakening which I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Thank heavens there isn’t any major anguish in it like the first book had – I don’t handle anguish well as it makes me nervous. I will say that I liked and felt the first book was better than Love’s Awakening – perhaps that is due to Eden and Silas, why yes I will blame them since they were such memorable characters. But I’m not saying this one was bad or not as good, because it was good, I loved it just as well, it was just that Eden and Silas held a special place in my heart is all.
I enjoyed Jack and Ellie very much plus Chloe (she was a great secondary character, a shame things didn’t turn out better for her) and the entire Ballantyne family. Both Eden and Silas turned out to be great parents to their children, especially Silas, he was such a kind and patient father with them.
I thought it was cute and sweet how Jack had been smitten with Ellie since he was a young boy even though their family has been enemies for years. I was extremely happy that Jack and Ellie finally put their family feuding behind them and let their love for each other blossom into their own happy ending.
Since Laura is one of my favorite Christian authors, an as expected, I enjoyed this book as always. She has a way with her writing that makes you get lost in her stories. Her characters are memorable, unlikely that you will ever forget them or the trials they go through. If you haven’t read any of Laura’s books or this series, I commend you to do so as you are sorely missing out on something amazing.
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Final Thoughts
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Love’s Reckoning
Author: Laura Frantz
Publication date: September 1, 2012
Series: The Ballantyne Legacy #1
Pages: 432
Genre: Historical, Romance , Christian
Synopsis:
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.
My Opinion
I had this book sitting innocently on my kindle for months, which I found for free on amazon at the time, never read nor touched. Then one day I decided, I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna take the plunge and read it, but as a physical paperback copy – yes I bought it plus the other 2 in this trilogy – as I have so far enjoyed Laura’s other books so I figured I would this as well.
As I began, I will admit it was slow to start for me but it soon turned good soon as our hero entered the picture, I mean who doesn’t enjoy a strapping Scotsmen? Me that’s who! I loved Eden and Silas’s interactions all throughout the book. They were such sweet characters – so good for each other.
Near the mid end there was some anguish that had me in a fit – Don’t scare me like that Laura. Shame on you, but I still love you – but all ended well as the hero and heroine both got their HEA which made me extremely giddy an happy. As the saying goes, true love never dies, like a fire, the flames may slowly die down, it just needs it’s kindling’s to be re-sparked again to see that it has always been there – that’s what Eden and Silas’s was, a love that never dies nor goes away even when they are separated for a time.
One person, that I did not like nor I could I stand is Elspleth, Eden’s sister. She was just a horrid jealous person that did dire things to get her way. When you read this book, I will guarantee, that you will probably most likely despise her as well.
Since Laura is one of my favorite Christian authors, an as expected, I enjoyed this book as always. She has a way with her writing that makes you get lost in her stories. She characters are memorable, unlikely that you will ever forget them or the trials they go through. If you haven’t read any of Laura’s books or this series, I commend you to do so as you are sorely missing out on something amazing.
Favorite Quotes
N/A
Final Thoughts
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