Description:
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 York. 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.
(Description from goodreads.com)
My Opinion:
Where to begin! This book, at least for me, was a whirlwind of emotions: Happy, sad, frustrated, hurt, joyful, depressed, and infuriated just to name a few...The beginning of the book went slow for me, but then all of a sudden it picked up pace and ran. The situation with the two sisters was very interesting even though that was the cause of most of my frustration. I could never treat, or for that fact see myself, treating my sister the same way Elspeth treated Eden. Around the middle of the book was where I was so happy, everything was going the way I wanted it to. Until all the sudden everything comes crashing down because of one person's actions. Something unexpected occurs and makes everything take a U-Turn for the worst. By that time I didn't know what to think, I just couldn't get to the end of the book fast enough.
Of course their was a happy ending to the story! And it was a really good/romantic ending. However, I feel like it could of been lengthened a little bit more. I felt like everything had just wrapped up within a chapter or two.
Overall, good book and I would encourage people to read it. But if you're sensitive like me be warned that you might want to tear the pages at some points and cry at others.
Rating out of 5 (5 being the highest): 4
I loved this book! I know what you mean about it being a whirlwind of emotions! So agree! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! This definetly had me going! Lol
ReplyDeleteWaving at Melanie - bless you so much for reading - and enjoying despite the bumps:) The new cover for the next Ballantyne book will go live soon and I hope you like! That and the story, too!
ReplyDeleteSalyna, What a wonderful, heartfelt review! You really experienced the heart of the book and all its emotions. I try not to sugarcoat history and sometimes that can get a bit messy. I hope you enjoy the next in the series, Love's Awakening. It's a wee bit gentler and maybe not quite as emotional. But others may disagree;) Thanks so much for taking time for my work and caring enough to post so thoughtfully about it. You're a gem!
LOL, didn't realize Melanie is THAT Melanie:) Guess I'm getting a little redundant here but you get the gist of my thanks, anyway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! What you said makes me feel so good! I can't wait for the next book and I'm glad that you try not to sugarcoat things in your stories. If everything goes as planned and their is nothing heart wrenching I think the stories are just not realistic and lame. I want authors to be able to get me to experience more than just one emotion while reading their books, which you do a great job at! Again thanks for commenting and I hope to have my next review up hopefully tomorrow or the day after. (My parents have kinda banned me from reading so much for a little while because it's about all I do now days). Lol
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