Love's Reckoning Book Review

The Ballantyne Legacy

Book One

SUMMARY:  On a bitter December day in 1784, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of blacksmith Leige 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 Lancaster 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 Leige'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.

REVIEW:  Silas wants to finish his apprenticeship and head west with no delay.  But, if Leige has his way, Silas will marry one of his daughters and continue to build his blacksmith business.  Elspeth, the oldest daughter is manipulative, conniving, loose with her morals and lies.  Eden is like her name: a little piece of heaven in the chaos of her household but abused by her father and sister and left to manage the house and help their mom take care of her younger brother and Elspeth's illegitimate son.  Silas and Eden fall in love and decide to leave to start a new life together in western Pennsylvania, but they are forced to face even more problems and revelations which changes everything. 

     This is an awesome book!!!  It is the first in a series with many possible storylines to tie into future volumes.  My heart went out to Eden and Silas and the many difficulties they had to face and soared when they finally find each other again.  I can't wait for the rest of the series to be completed and published!

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 Available September 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Laura Frantz is the author of The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel's Lady.  A two-time Carol Award finalist, she is a Kentuckian living in the misty woods of Washington with her husband and two sons.  She enjoys connecting with readers on Facebook and at LauraFrantz.net.