4.5

I really enjoyed this book. As a native of Pittsburgh, I found the historical information very interesting. I can imagine it was just as beautiful as it is today.

I tend to avoid period stories that center so strongly on the issue of slavery, just because it's so overdone. While an important and interesting part of history, many novels that center on it seem to only show one opinion, one kind of protagonist and a flat and predictable storyline. To me, it's interesting to read a multitude of viewpoints and a main character can be be fascinating without being progressive.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised with this book. The Ballantyne's involvement is a little extreme and it does appear to paint slave holders as being singularly evil people. But as I mentioned, these elements are typical, so I was able to look past it because the rest of the book was so good.

I enjoyed the imperfect portrayals of the various family members and relationships. The romance was predictable, but fairly well done. I didn't realize this was a sequel when I requested it, but it read just fine as a standalone novel. That being said, I will definitely be reading the first book, which I've since heard is even better, as well as looking for the 3rd book when it gets released next year! ( )

In Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz, book 2 of The Ballantyne Legacy, we are reunited with Silas and Eden from Love's Reckoning and also introduced to new characters. Laura continues her tradition of masterful storytelling and, as with her other novels that I've read, has created a moving epic that will long linger in my thoughts.

Laura Frantz has a natural gift when it comes to creating characters and narratives that engage the emotions, set against a historical backdrop so rich in details so that you get a realistic feel of time and place. I never want to miss one of her novels.

Love's Awakening is set in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania during the pre-Civil War years of 1822-1823. Silas and Eden from the first novel don't appear until almost halfway through, and I couldn't believe how eager I was to see them again - and that's a mark of great storytelling. In the same way that I was drawn to Ballantyne patriarch Silas, I was also drawn to his son, Ansel, and youngest daughter, Ellie.

Ansel is an easygoing, unpretentious young man with great inner strength, and the musical tradition that began with Silas in Love's Reckoning continues through the talents of Ansel and Ellie. "Between running fugitives and seeking solace in music, Ansel led a strange double life." With all the Scottish/Irish jigs and folk tunes mentioned, combined with the classical duets of Ellie and Ansel, I almost think a soundtrack should be released with this novel!

And then there's the Turlock family! Jack is the younger son in a family that had come to America in the early 1700s, rich from illicit whiskey refining and smuggling in Ireland. The Turlocks were "poisonous distillers and slave owners in dire need of God's saving grace, and having none of it."

Although Pennsylvania had enacted legislation for slavery's gradual abolition, its grip on the state lingered. Pro-abolition vs. pro-slavery forces take center stage in this novel as the Ballantyne family provide safety as part of the Underground Railroad. The times were heartbreaking for slaves and dangerous for those who were willing to help them. A cupola atop the Ballantyne's New Hope estate, often lit by Ansel when it was safe for runaways to cross the river, symbolizes the hope of freedom to all.

Laura does a great job at blending spiritual themes throughout the story, such as the characters' strong faith in God's Word and a reliance on prayer. But one message that shines through is that we don't have to be defined by our family's actions. As Ellie once asked, "Doesn't Scripture also say the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father if he turns from his sins?" It is a joy to watch Jack's spiritual awakening and the love between he and Ellie grow. In Jack's words, "As the old saint Whitefield said, we are immortal until our work is done."

The romance between Jack and Ellie is tender, sweet and emotional - another trademark of Laura's writing. Her use of quotations at the beginning of each chapter adds so much depth and meaning, as with this Leo Tolstoy quote that relates to Jack's feelings: "He felt now that he was not simply close to her but that he did not know where he ended and she began."

I don't think I've ever seen anyone more creative than Laura when it comes to Pinterest! With her Love's Awakening board, she has pinned much scenery, as well as period clothing and furniture. Referring to this board while reading will make the story come even more alive.

I think the appeal of Love's Awakening goes far beyond fans of inspirational historical romance, so I don't hesitate to highly recommend it to all readers.

Love's Awakening is available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Book 3 in The Ballantyne Legacy releases August 2014.

This book was provided by Revell as part of their blog tour in exchange for my honest review. ( )

Title: Love’s Awakening (The Ballantyne Legacy #2)
Author: Laura Frantz
Pages: 396
Year: 2013
Publisher: Revell
This is the second book in the series with the first book titled, Love’s Reckoning. Readers return to the setting of Pennsylvania in the year 1793. This romance of the story focuses on Silas and Eden’s youngest daughter, Elinor. Also as a concurrent plot is the issue of proslavery versus abolitionists with events coming to a drastic peak.
Elinor Ballantyne is finished with Philadelphia and its’ matrimonial society. She wants to come home and arrives on the heels of a devastating tornado. Her older sister has the household under control while her mother is vacationing in New Orleans. Ellie feels at loose ends and has nothing to occupy her time. She decides to open a school for young ladies to teach them the finer things of society. One of her pupils is Chloe Turlock. The Turlocks are enemies of the Ballantynes and have been for as long as Ellie can remember. Ellie wants to help young Chloe so she agrees to teach her. As Ellie spends more time with Chloe, she also ends up spending some time with Chloe’s brother, Jack. Ellie loves Jack and is willing to be his wife no matter who Jack’s family is. Ellie is heartbroken when Jack leaves and then something entirely worse happens and Ellie can’t seem to recover emotionally.
Jack Turlock is everything his family isn’t. He isn’t a slaveholder; he doesn’t like whiskey, which is the family business and he doesn’t hate the Ballantynes. Jack has loved Ellie since they were kids, but she doesn’t know it. As she begins to spend time at his home tutoring his sister, Jack realizes he can never marry Ellie and tarnish her with his families’ bad reputation. Jack decides that since he can’t marry Ellie, he will leave so he doesn’t have to watch her marry someone else, have children and live a life without him as her husband. He leaves and tragedy strikes.
There is so much more to the story, but I can’t share everything in this limited space. Please read the book! This is one series where the second book outshines the first in my opinion. There were great moments of tension, angst, heart-rending sorrow, soaring joy and much more. There were a couple of scenes where I was brought to tears I was so wrapped up in the story. The characters have depth and seem so real that I was feeling their emotions right along with them as they experienced them. This story ends with a cliffhanger and I can’t wait for the third book in the series due to be released in the fall of 2014. This is definitely one for my “keeper” shelf.
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

Ellie Ballantyne and Jack Turlock descend from rival families, but a terrible storm brings them together temporarily until Jack can return Ellie home. Once home, Ellie feels strangely out of place, as if things are not what they seem. Determined to use her finishing school training to benefit others, she opens a day school for young ladies. Chloe Turlock, Jack's younger sister, is especially in need of Ellie's instruction. As Ellie attempts to mold Chloe into a lady, Ellie finds herself increasingly drawn to Jack. A public, social rivalry isn't the only thing standing between Ellie and Jack. Both of their families have secrets of life and death importance. Although loyalty constrains Ellie to her family, will love find a way to flourish between her and Jack? Find out in Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz.

Love's Awakening is the second installment in The Ballantyne Legacy series by Laura Frantz. I do recommend reading them in order. Some general background information from the first novel in the series, Love's Reckoning, is provided. However, there were some vague references to events in Love's Reckoning that I couldn't completely recall even though I read it just last year.

I was pretty much hooked by Love's Awakening from Jack's first glimpse of Ellie in chapter one. The chemistry between the two characters and the adverse circumstances surrounding them made for a captivating story. As usual, Frantz's writing style was both beautiful and admirable. The story pace never dragged and Frantz added unique twists that kept the story fresh. I highly recommend Love's Awakening to fans of Christian historical romance. It's in my top three favorite books I've read this year and I know I'll reread it again in the future. Definitely a keeper!

Available August 2013 at your favorite bookseller, from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." ( )

LOVE’S AWAKENING by Laura Frantz Inspirational Historical Romance (American Frontier) set in 1822 Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. #2 in “The Ballantyne Legacy”,but can be read as a stand alone. See,”Love’s Reckoning”. Another hit for this author and one not to miss! Fast paced and filled with faith,healing,forgiveness,passion,two feuding families and love. Join Ellie Ballantyne and Jack Turlock on their journey to love and loyalty. The Ballantyne Legacy is one of abolitionist,and power. The Turlock’s on the other hand are whiskey magnates,and slaveholders or so it would seem. What happens when two feuding families find more than mistrust,feuding and hate? You will have to read “Love’s Awakening” to find the answer!

Move over the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s the Ballantyne’s and Turlock’s are here!

What a gripping love story and one that will have you turning pages well into the night. A must read for any historical romance reader,and readers of American history. Ms. Frantz is a masterful storyteller who holds her readers in awe as they follow her characters on a journey of faith and love. Please do not be held off by the genre of inspirational for it is not a “preachy” story, but one of faith,hope,feuding,forgiveness,healing and the power of love. Ms. Frantz has not disappointed me in one of her stories so far, she is a masterful storyteller! “Love’s Awakening” is a gripping tale from the first page to the last page! A not to miss read!! Received for an honest review from the publisher.

*Available September 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.*

RATING:4.5

HEAT RATING:Sweet

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More ( )