Love's Fortune

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! IT CAN'T BE OVER!!!!!

I need a bag to breathe into.... This series is OVER?! WHAT?!?!?!!?


Book Rating: Best of the Best

I'm gonna tell it straight. I had a hard time getting into this book. No explanation for it. For some reason it took me quite a while to warm to it--the plot, the characters...

BUT THEN!......

Then all of a sudden Laura goes all Emeril Lagasse on me, "BAM!" And I was hooked. In one crazy moment everything came together and I couldn't put it down.

If you have read the first two books in this series you KNOW you will be swept away by this one and will be balling like a baby when it's over. These people are REAL, ok, don't try and tell me that they're not!!! *growling breath*

It's ok, I'm ok... I'll get through this.

Wren, granddaughter of Silas and Eden ('member them? oh yeah!), has come to New Hope, and as lovely as it is, she yearns for her simple life in Kentucky. Society sucks her into its frothing swells, drowning her with its lust for money and formality. She cares nothing for it. If not for the charming and courageous James Sackett she might have returned home long before. (Hey, if I were her I would have stayed around for sure!!) Wren is a wonderfully beautiful heroine. She's strong, yet quiet--she knows what she wants and yet she wants other to be happy and is willing to do what it takes to make that happen. I loved her. And wow. I love her name!

Let's talk about James real quick. He's an AMAZING hero. Really unassuming. I LOVED that. Just a kind, charming, regular kind of guy--and then--you get to know him more, and you see his depth, his courage and his willingness to sacrifice his life for others in a way that... GAH! And, not only that, he is super romantic and pretty much the perfect guy. So there you go. Want more? Oh there is more--READ THE BOOK!!!

This book has everything you have come to love from Laura. Drama, amazing historical details, poetic prose and a plot that is both beautifully simple and intricate at the same time. You will be flipping pages like mad. Believe me.

The end.... OH! THE END will kill you--it's absolutely perfect!!!

I can't wait to hear what you think of it!! Bless you, Laura, for a marvelous conclusion to a magnificent series! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

~Thank you to Revell for my free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review~


Happy Reading!
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Love's Awakening

Remember when you went to that really expensive French restaurant and had real creme brulee for the first time? Heaven! Remember that other time you watched ROMAN HOLIDAY and were pretty sure it was the best movie ever made? Yea, I remember that too.

Well, this book is like that! Only better, because there are no calories--and let's face it any book is always better than a movie.

Book Rating: Best of the Best

Oh, be still my heart. This book is like the creme brulee of fiction--so exceedingly delectable you won't be the same after reading it. Laura's writing is incomparable. I was transported back in time by her prose. The way she puts together a scene and the words she uses to describe people, settings and emotions will seep into your bones, making the story come magically alive.

Ellie is the daughter of Silas (take a moment to catch your breath, ladies) and Eden Ballantyne and she is SUCH a breath of fresh air. I enjoy most heroines I read about, but Ellie was so sweet and strong without being over-the-top. She seemed real. And I LOVE that.

Now as for Jack, you'll have to excuse me if I blush a bit. *eh hem*  He is SO rugged and there is something about a reformed rogue that is just so appealing, isn't there?!

These two characters have known each other since childhood, and their families are anything but friends. So when Ellie decides to teach Jack's younger sister, a firestorm hinging around the families' rivalry and their need to hide something vital and desperate, begins to rain down!! Its all so marvelous, you will be sucked in and won't be able to stop! . . .  Kind of like creme brulee. *teehee* (OK, I'll stop with the food analogy)

There you have it, my friends. I can't say more though I COULD say more, I just don't want to give too much away. So go read it. And enjoy every delicious, mouth-watering word, knowing that you won't gain a single ounce. *wink*

~~Thank you to Revell for my free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review~~

Happy Reading!
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Love's Reckoning

The Amber Perry before LOVE’S RECKONING, and the Amber Perry after, are two different people. Still lovable and charming, mind you *wink *—but different. 

Book Rating: Best of the Best

I’m a big fan of Laura Frantz--her writing is exquisite! The world she creates with her words is purely enchanting. Julie Lessman has a quote on the back of the book, stating that LOVE’S RECKONING is truly epic and I could not agree more! 

This novel reads like a Dickens (amazing prose!) with the heart-wrenching power of JANE EYRE. It reminded me a bit of WUTHERING HEIGHTS as well, only with a much happier ending...and a way better leading man and lady. *teehee*

If you are not familiar with “old” language you might find this book a bit difficult at first. Personally, I like it, so it didn’t bother me. However, there’s a lot of “tis” and “twas” and such throughout the story, so if you are unfamiliar with that kind of thing it may take you a while to get used to it. But, I plead with you, do not let that sway you away from enjoying this book--because there really is so much to enjoy.

I want to start off with talking about Silas Ballantyne. Wow. Wow, wow, wow. He is 100% towel-worthy. (Meaning you’ll be drooling severely over him. Just like you did with Red Shirt in COURTING MORROW LITTLE.) This is my opinion, but Silas is Frantz's best leading man so far!  Who can’t like a Scot! Hello—romantic!

A blacksmith by trade, Silas comes to York County to work for Leige Lee. Lee happens to have two lovely daughters, Elspeth and Eden. I don’t want to give too much away, but Elspeth is pure evil, and as my little brother use to say, she's in "big trouble spanking". Excuse my language, but likely you'll want to wring her pretty little neck by the end of the book. Eden on the other hand is sweet, kind and innocent.

Eden Rose Lee (beautiful name!) is a great leading woman. She’s unique in that she’s not the fiery, strong-willed, out-spoken leading lady that we see so often in these stories. (Those ladies are great, don’t get me wrong.) Eden’s quiet nature was endearing--I truly loved her. Did I mention she’s also amazingly gorgeous? She and Silas make a great pair!!

The love affair between Silas and Eden is heart-wrenching and heart-warming all at the same time. I am sure I will be reading this book again. Probably starting tonight...

I don’t want to forget the spiritual message! It’s wonderful, and Frantz's use of scripture is beautiful!

Be prepared for the twists and turns. You’ll lose sleep, because you’ll read it all night, so just be ready. *teehee *

Congratulations, Laura on another winner!!!

Happy Reading!

Buy it!

*Thank you to Revell for the free review copy*

August's Author of the Month: Laura Frantz

It was a real treat to feature Regina and Keli last month.  Didn't you love it?!  I hope you enjoyed their books, and getting to know them as much as I did.  They are wonderful ladies!

This month I’m tickled to be spotlighting a fellow Washington state resident!  Laura Frantz is a magnificent author.  When I started reading HCR’s last year, hers were some of the very first I feasted upon.  And what a feast they were!  Her writing is beautiful, the stories compelling, and the characters real. Laura has three published titles and I’m so excited that her fourth book, LOVE’S RECKONING will be released next month on September 1st!!  You’ve pre-ordered it, right?!?!  Good.

Her published titles are:  THE COLONEL’S LADY, COURTING MORROW LITTLE and THE FRONTIERSMAN’S DAUGHTER…in no particular order.  *wink * Haven't read them?!   Shame, shame, shame…  *just teasing *  You will really love them!!  I have reviews for all of her books, so just click on the title to read the review.  (If you have a hankerin' for some serious male-deliciousness, Frantz's books will never disappoint!  Her leading men are out of this world!)

I’ve had a wonderful time communicating with Laura.  It’s very clear that she has a strong love for the Savior, and she believes that He has called her to share her gift with the world—and I’m so glad that she has!

As with the other authors, I’ve asked Laura a few questions, so here are her answers!


First, tell us about yourself!

I'm a Kentuckian living in the woods of Washington State with my husband, Randy, and our two sons, Wyatt and Paul. I've written stories since age 7 but never thought much about publishing them. My brother, a pastor/missionary living in Spain, convinced me . He believes each of us have gifts that are meant to be shared. So my books are the result. When I'm not writing, I love to read, take walks, bike, garden, cook and write snail mail letters. Oh, and I've just learned to knit!



Where did you get the inspiration for your story Love's Reckoning?

Most of my story inspiration comes from real history like letters and newspapers, diaries and biographies. For Love's Reckoning, I came across a bit of research concerning Kentucky gunsmiths. The apprentices back then often married into the master gunsmith's family, sort of a custom or tradition. I found this very intriguing and wondered... What if there wasn't only one daughter but two? What if both those sisters fell in love with the apprentice and wanted to marry him? So this new story was born. I think it might be my most heart-tugging yet!



What is your "go-to" Historical Christian Romance book?

There are many fine authors in both the CBA and general market. But my absolute "go-to" for historical romance is Liz Curtis Higgs, partly because she writes in my favorite time period, the 18th-century, and partly because she writes so beautifully and richly. I can't read anything for days after devouring one of her books. They're that remarkable. My favorites are her latest duo, Here Burns My Candle and Mine is the Night. I'm going to Scotland with her soon on a tour and can't wait!



What is your favorite scripture or scriptures and why!?

I've always loved Psalm 139 which my mom memorized with me when I was a child. But my favorite verse at the moment (I change favorites often!) is Colossians 3:23:
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
I love this verse because it applies to anything you do - not only writing but being a wife and mother and so many other things. If we do it out of love for Jesus then it's a beautiful thing.



Is anyone interested in WINNING her new book in this month's give-away?!  I figured you were!  If you would like to be entered to win LOVE'S RECKONING, please comment on this post, and tell us if you are a long-standing fan of Laura's (and which of her book's is your favorite!) or if you are just getting familiar with her and which book of hers you are planning on reading first!  Laura says the actual copy of the book won't be available until the end of the month, so if you win you will have to wait a few weeks to get it...just FYI.  But who cares, right?!  The drawing will be one week from today--August 8th!!  Yay!!

Thank you, Laura for sharing your gift with us!  It's a joy to get to know you better!

God bless you!!

Courting Morrow Little

Courting Morrow Little was so deliciously romantic, I needed to keep a towel with me to mop up my drool.  (Keep in mind, all these books, though deeply romantic are also very clean.  No hanky-panky.)

Book Rating:  Best of the Best

All of Frantz’s books are dark.  No doubt about that.  But, they really do make up for it in other areas such as…romance.  Hello?!  I mean, isn’t that one of the main reasons we all read these?! 

Morrow is a young woman who, in this untamed land of 18^th century Kentucky, is about the most eligible lady around.  She is attracting numerous suitors, but only one captures her heart.  He (and I’m not going to divulge anything about this particular leading man.  I will only tell you, be prepared to L-OVE-AH him to death!  That’s where the towel will come in handy…) happens to be a part of her heartbreaking past.  Can she learn to forgive and move on?

There’s a lot of action in this book.  Read it when you have done all your chores like a good little mommy—you’ll want to focus.  Also ideally, read it when everyone else is asleep so you can enjoy it unfettered. 

Happy Reading!

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The Frontiersman's Daughter

After reading both of Frantz’s other books I was pretty eager to read this one.  The ratings were high so I figured that I would like it a lot too.  Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would.

Book rating: Here a little, there a little

You aren't going to love every single book that you read.  And this particular book was one of those for me.  First of all I found this book to be dark.   The story is interesting, but the main character Lael Click was too independent for me—I couldn’t relate to her.  It made me feel lonely and sad, so it wasn’t something that I really enjoyed.  In my crazy-hectic life as a mom, I prefer to read things that are more uplifting and joyful.  These types of books have their place to be sure, but this one wasn't for me.  I love Frantz as an author, though, so I know I will read anything she writes!

Also, there were two love interests for Lael, if I remember right—I am feeling inadequate due to some skimming I did, since I found it tough to give it my full attention at times—(go easy on me, ladies...) and I couldn’t figure out why in the world she took forever to make up her mind about who she liked more!  I know who I would have picked right away!  Teehee...But, I'm impatient that way.  I know, I know...patience is a virtue...

So, anyway, I just found myself feeling melancholy reading it.

This book takes place in Kentucky (as do the rest of Frantz's books, which I think is pretty cool!) and has the potential to be very captivating--a pretty girl with lots of beaus, and lots of excitement.  

Again, give it the old college try if you think you are interested—there are lots of people who really like it, and that could be you too!

Happy Reading!

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The Colonel's Lady

What is it about a guy with an foreign accent?  Why are they so appealing?!

 

Book rating: Best of the Best

I was immediately interested in reading this book when I learned it takes place during the Revolutionary War.  Go, America! The lovely leading lady, Roxanna goes to find her father in a remote fort in Kentucky and learns that he has been killed.  She has no other choice but to stay on at the fort, where her relationship with the Colonel, a rugged foreigner named Cassius McLinn, begins.  *Sigh *

There is a lot of mystery in this book and a whole lot of drama.  I loved the intrigue—the who-done-its and such, and it really keeps you coming back for more.

The overall story is truly wonderful.  At times I felt it was almost too dark—but that's just me.  There is some really fantastic romance though, and that always gets me to keep reading!  However I have to say that I was sad to see it end so quickly.  I really felt that I wanted more in the climax at the end….read it and tell me if you think so too.   I was left wanting.  If I hadn’t been so attached to the characters and such I don’t think I would have minded.  Although there is a nice little epilogue which soothed my drooping spirits a bit.

Overall?  A really good story!!  I would certainly read it again.

Happy Reading!

Buy it!