Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Love's Reckoning

GIVEAWAY

FRANTZ, LAURA
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 Lancaster. 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 Review:

Bludgeoned. That's the way I feel after reading Love's Reckoning. Truly gutted. My heart has been skewered on the rapier point of Laura Frantz's pen. I even had to put the book down and leave it for a whole evening I was that upset! Only that backfired because then I dreamt about it which made for a very sorry excuse of a night's rest. And then, before I could continue I actually snuck a peek at the end in order to boost my morale!!! Only that backfired because I read the epilogue which was not comforting at all! Phew! Now that I've vented a bit, I'll admit that I LOVED this book even though it has left me a fragile emotional wreck of my former self.

Frantz knows how to grab a reader's interest and hold on tight from the get go. She also excels at weaving exquisite images with her words -- descriptive and hard-hitting, they'll pull you into the past until you'll swear you actually live in the late 1700's.

And the complexities of the relationships! The depth of the characters! The strength of their emotions! All makes for a thrilling read that will tempt you away from everything in your life until you finish this epic tale. Guaranteed that you'll stew over it for days afterward as well. Honestly, what more could a reader want? :-)

Historical fiction at it's best and then some. Don't pass this one up for any reason. It's not to be missed and would be a definite (and heated) addition to any book club. We should make September National Love's Reckoning Book Club Month. LOL.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Love's Reckoning, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 2 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

26 comments:

  1. Hi. Don't sign me up as I already have this book and am now in the middle of reading it. Yes my emotions are raw and I have been tempted to read the end. I love Laura Frantz's books though. I enjoyed your review as always.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm dying to read this one! I've never read any of Laura Frantz's and this would be a wonderful starting point. Please enter me in the giveaway!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a knockout review, Kav. I loved the Colonel's Lady, so I am almost afraid to say I would love to allow this read to emotionally wreck me, too. LOL

    Kathy Maher

    mahereenie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, an emotional ride, isn't that what you're looking for in all books? Put me in the hat please! rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am loving this COVER!! It's beautiful! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.... I would love to read this one!!

    ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've been seeing this book around for a while, and I can't wait to read it! Please enter me! It looks amazing!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win it- can't wait to read it!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's a great book --- if you like that kind of gut-wrenching, tissue dispensing read. :-) Good luck everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a great review! I've been wanting to get hold of a copy of this book, can't wait to read it.

    Patty
    pattymh2000(at)yaho(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm entering for a friend! She'd really like this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I just guest reviewed this for a blog and we are having a giveaway as well. So I'm right there with you, girl, with the tissues, and the gut wrenching. lol! All four of Laura's books are top notch, and she is absolutely one of my fave authors ever! Don't enter me...just wanted to come by and say "hello", Kav!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good luck Patty and Emily!

    Hello, Diana! I still can't believe Laura did what she did!!!! And that Elspeth-- whew -- and I used to like that name!!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. This sounds heart-wrenching. Kav, very brave of you to take a peek at the end. I like that the story takes place over many years because I'll get to see the characters grow.

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Kav,

    Just finished "Colonel's Lady" which I LOVED! Not too much heartache there. Sounds like this one is a heart-ripper!

    Laura's books are impossible to resist though! Count me in!

    Cheers,
    Sue
    sbmason at sympatico dot ca

    ReplyDelete
  15. Consider yourself counted Sue! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  16. would love to read laura's latest novel...thanks for the chance, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh I just love to read any book by Laura Frantz! I haven't read this one yet but I sure am looking forward to it!
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would love to win! Ms. Frantz has a very unique way of writing! martha(at)clink(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  19. That is martha(at)lclink(dot)com (Auto correct)

    ReplyDelete
  20. It's such a gooooood book, I'm kinda envious that y'all get to look forward to reading it! :-( Good luck Samantah, Karen and Martha!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Laura truly knows how to transport you to another time and place with characters who come to life. I can't wait to read Love's Reckoning, it sounds terrific. Please toss my name in the hat!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Consider yourself tossed Merry! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kav, i've been off the internet for over 2 weeks sitting with Mom in the ICU 360 miles from home after emergency colon surgery. What a nice surprise to see i didn't miss out on this giveaway. i love to read Laura's novels, and once i'm back home, will delve into reading and reviewing again. Actually, i'm sending my brother home soon to get those books i have at home so i can start here. Thanks, Kav for the chance to win

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, Marianne -- praying for your mom -- and you!!!!! Sending hugs and more prayers your way.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kav, I'm late here as I don't do Google Alerts anymore but really wanted to say THANK YOU for this beautiful review!! You have such a way with words and I'm truly honored you take time for my books. God bless you for your ministry here on this site - and everyone's kind comments. Prayers with Marianne and her Mom, too. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I pray the winner is blessed by the story!

    ReplyDelete