Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

I have enjoyed every Laura Frantz book I have read so far. This series is probably one of my favorites, even though I can't put my finger on why I like it so much. It could be that I like the era and she does a great job of making her books fit the historical time period.

Oh how I liked Wren with her simple desires. Not that she's a simple person, by any means. She just prefers the more simple lifestyle verses the one she's now being thrown into. Wren was someone who was easy to relate to. I know I've had situations where I didn't feel comfortable being myself in certain environments and even of not being accepted. I think that's why this book will resonate with so many people.

The other part of Wren that I could relate to is her love for music. Being a musician, I can't imagine having to set it aside and stifle my love for it some.

A relationship between James and Wren would be most difficult. They both have to guard their hearts because they are not in each other's class of society. Wren ultimately has to decide if she wants her life to reflect the wishes of others and their long list of rules or if she wants to pave her own path and follow her heart.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz

True to the title of this book, love can be awakened whether it's arranged by families or whether there's a rivalry going on between families.  Love isn't always convenient and there are always challenges to overcome...some more difficult than others.

This book is the second book in the Ballantyne Legacy series.  Set in 1822, Ellie Ballantyne finds herself in a lonely place.  Since she's heading out to make some choices on her own, she now decides to follow a passion.  That passion leads her to a man and that man leads her straight into a rivalry between their families.  I did think a little of Romeo and Juliet, just because of the whole no family wanted them together and they had to overcome that.

Laura Frantz is an excellent storyteller.  She takes you through the historical times of the 1800s and I almost felt like I had escaped back to that time period.  It was interesting to watch the slavery and abolitionists come into play.  I knew slavery existed back then, but I didn't think that abolition didn't come around until much later.  That was an interesting fact I learned from this book, along with more things.  I love how she made history fun to read and definitely not boring.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series.  I'm curious as to how life will continue to guide the Ballantyne family and see if all of the loose ends are tied up in the next book!  Oh, and don't be swayed by the genre of historical fiction.  I think any fiction lover would like this book.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.