Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from Revell Publishing)

On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Liege Lee in York County, Pennsylvania. Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship quickly and move west. But because he is a fast worker and a superb craftsman, Liege endeavors to keep him in York by appealing to an old tradition: the apprentice shall marry one of his master's beautiful daughters.

Eden is as gentle and fresh as Elspeth is high-spirited and cunning. But are they truly who they appear to be? In a house laced with secrets, each sister seeks to secure her future. Which one will claim Silas's heart--and will he agree to Liege's arrangement?

In this sweeping family saga, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. This is the Ballantyne Legacy.

My Thoughts:

“My God with His lovigkindness shall come to meet me at every corner.

Even in a stairwell.”  (p.80)

God not only met with Silas and Eden in the stairwell, He remained faithful by their sides through trials of epic proportions!  God is so tenderly faithful to the characters in Laura Frantz' new novel, Love’s Reckoning.”   However, you better guard your heart as you read this epic tale!  I promise you, there is breathless romance, heartbreaking loss,  the darkest evil and the gentleness of God’s mercy….all within the pages of this phenomenal tale!  Seriously, DON’T MISS THIS STORY!

When I dream about the characters in a novel – and I did as I was reading Laura Frantz’ book – my heart has been completely captured by story.  Within the span of the first five chapters, there were characters I completely despised.  I mean completely!  There were characters that made my heart swell with tenderness as I observed their faith in the Lord and their complete trust of His goodness despite very difficult circumstances.  And there are very, very difficult circumstances in the course of this novel.  I daresay you will shed some tears as you read.

But, this is a story that is rich in redemption, mercy and grace.  There were times I completely despaired of any hope as I read the novel.  However, my faith was constantly challenged by the way Laura used specific Scripture verses in the lives of the characters to guide and strengthen their faith.  She does this so naturally, so effortlessly, that the words will cause your heart to leap with hope!  You will cling to that hope as the story takes very alarming and surprising twists and turns!  May we never, ever, ever keep secrets! (you’ll understand this fully as you read the book) The price for dishonesty is far too great!

I came away from this story deeply moved.  Well, and to be totally honest, I was well satisfied until I read the epilogue.  Seems like I’m going to have to face my worst character enemy in future books of this series!  It’s a good thing I have time to pray about that cursed person before I read the next book! I’m just sayin’!  The fact that Frantz can create a character that elicits such a response from me is kind of scary! She is a brilliant writer!

About the Author:

Laura Frantz is a lover of history, is the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter,Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel's Lady, and currently lives in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.