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Love's Fortune

(The Ballantyne Legacy #3)

Laura Frantz (Goodreads Author)

4.31 · Rating details · 1,764 ratings · 272 reviews

Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's nev ...more

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Paperback, 398 pages

Published September 16th 2014 by Fleming H. Revell Company (first published September 9th 2014)

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Oct 21, 2020 Jocelyn Green rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, christian-fiction

The only problem with an expertly crafted series is that now I'm sad to say goodbye to these beloved characters. (Mission accomplished, dear author!) Wren is a wholly lovable heroine. I think we can all relate to her as she is thrust into unfamiliar circumstances beyond her control. She is vulernable, yet displays a satisfying strength and moxie when it counts most.

I loved the lush settings for this novel, deftly painted by Laura Frantz. I also enjoyed so much that we got to know three generati ...more

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Oct 08, 2013 Beth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-it, christian-fiction, tbr-pile-challenges, 2014, historical-fiction, favorites-2014

Inspirational historical fiction doesn't get any better than a Laura Frantz novel, and Love’s Fortune is no exception. Frantz’s novels are my favorite for two important reasons – the rich historical details and the gradually-built, tension-filled romance. Her characters are always memorable and their motivations realistic. After getting to know the Ballantyne’s over the course of their three novels, I was sad to say goodbye to them, but utterly satisfied with the conclusion of their story.

With Inspirational historical fiction doesn't get any better than a Laura Frantz novel, and Love’s Fortune is no exception. Frantz’s novels are my favorite for two important reasons – the rich historical details and the gradually-built, tension-filled romance. Her characters are always memorable and their motivations realistic. After getting to know the Ballantyne’s over the course of their three novels, I was sad to say goodbye to them, but utterly satisfied with the conclusion of their story.

With Wren Ballantyne, Frantz seemed to take the things I most loved about Eden and Ellie, and place them realistically into Wren’s character. Wren was raised in Kentucky, so her southern speech and unpretentious manner set her apart from her Pennsylvania family. Though sheltered and naïve, much like her grandmother Eden was as a girl, she still has a spark of defiance, but also desire to make her father proud and be worthy of the Ballantyne legacy. Though matter of fact about her duties as a Ballantyne, Wren can’t help but yearn for something more for her life, and yet, she knows that isn’t to be found in wealth and excess.

The plot in this story isn’t filled with action, but rather focuses on the family dynamics and issues of the time. Frantz is particular about what details she chooses to impart, but for me, it is the perfect amount of setting description and historical detail. I loved the atmosphere that she created in the novel, and it’s clear that she does extensive research into the time period and setting. Wherever I “was” in the story, I was truly immersed. I loved the details about steamships as a mode of transport, and felt the sting of the rapidly increasing progress of the railroad predicted to overtake it. I never would have thought that I would find a noble steamship captain within these pages, but Captain James Sackett was the epitome of understated gentleman. Though I don’t think any Frantz hero will top Silas Ballantyne (sigh!), James certainly held his own.

Obviously a historical romance wouldn’t be complete without that romantic element, and Love’s Fortune happens to have one of the most tension-filled kiss scenes I’ve read in a long time. Laura Frantz just proves once again that longing and desire can be communicated in such a beautiful way. She also focused a bit on some of the side characters, and since their story was tied up with Wren’s, it added a lot to the story. The ending was spot-on for the story and so fitting to Wren’s character. The Ballantyne Legacy is a wonderful trilogy and is on my keeper shelf. I will definitely be re-reading them and am eagerly waiting for whatever story Laura’s pens next.

I loved Wren Ballantyne’s simple, heartfelt prayer: “For all that Thy love has yet in store for me, O God, I give Thee gracious thanks.”

5 stars!
...more

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Oct 09, 2013 Renee rated it it was amazing

Guys, you know if you've visited my blog at any given time, you can find a post about romance. Be it in book form or a movie or TV miniseries, I'm pretty much addicted to a good love story. There's a reason why Laura Frantz is one of my favorite writers. It's not because she pens good romances, it's because she pens epic, unforgettable, heart-tugging, amaaaazing romances.

Since I first read The Frontiersman's Daughter way back when, I'm beginning to think that nobody knows the frontier better tha ...more

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Dec 29, 2018 Leona rated it did not like it

Shelves: romance, christian, dnf

I just could not finish this one. A disappointing end to an otherwise great series. Everything felt forced and the main characters were disappointing.

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Mar 05, 2015 Loraine rated it really liked it

Shelves: romance, historical-fiction

SUMMARY: Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay SUMMARY: Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Rowena feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?

With her signature attention to historical detail, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty. Fans will cheer for this final installment of the Ballatyne saga.

REVIEW: First and foremost I must say I hate to see this series end and definitely could see how it could be continued from where the author ended it. Once again with finesse and great attention to historical detail, Frantz has penned a historical romance that bring the time period to life. From rich heiresses who must ply the social scene (including all the proper rules and constrictions) to find a husband before they are considered placed on the shelf to the tension between the pro-slavery people and the abolitionists, each page is filled with history come to life.

There are characters to love and watch grow, develop and strengthen in their faith (Rowena, James, Silas) and there are characters who will fill you with dislike (Audra, Bennett, Elspeth) But their disparities are what makes this tale come alive and feel so real.

The detail in the plot regarding the society of the that period makes the reader appreciate the good changes time has brought to the role of women in society.

I did feel the ending was wrapped up rather abruptly after all the tension and build up. It almost could have been written to leave the reader hanging and continued on to one more book to conclude some of the story lines.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"For all that Thy love has yet in store for me, O God, I give Thee gracious thanks.

"Love was a chancy endeavor, best left to two hearts and the Lord."

"Somehow amid the pressures and protocols of business and society, he'd stop listening. stopped responding, stopped taking the gospel to heart." ...more

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May 03, 2019 Sarita rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks

Rating 3.5 stars.

In this final installment of the Ballantyne legacy, we meet up with Eden and Silas' grandchildren. The author had me in some roller-coaster moments, where I found myself liking and loving some characters (Wren, Izannah and James), to getting irritated with some of them (Malachi) and disliking others. It was so clear again that "the fathers" do not make the children. You can do your best but at the end each person is responsible for their own decisions and actions.

James was such ...more

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May 14, 2014 Staci rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2014

Wren's story was an enjoyable journey. It was also rewarding to get updated on characters from the prior Ballantyne novels.

...more

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Sep 08, 2017 Joleen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance-fraught-with-struggles, underground-railroad, family-obligations, inheritance, family-rivalry, steamboats

Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz
Time Frame: 1823-1850
Location: Kentucky and Pittsburgh, PA
Main Characters:
Wren Ballantyne aka Rowena
Ansel Ballantyne: Wren's father
James Sackett: Single, handsome steamboat captain, close friend to Ballantynes
Silas Ballantyne: Grandfather, patriarch
Benett Ballantyne: Grandson to Silas, and heir
Izannah Turlock: Wren's cousin, and now best friend
Andra Ballantyne: Aunt who attempts to make her over for the Pittsburgh "season"

Synopsis

(view spoiler) ...more

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Oct 17, 2013 Shantelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: on-my-bookshelf, read-in-2014, reviewed, christian-fiction, romance, five-star, historical, adult

Exquisite. Enthralling. Laura Frantz pens yet another novel rich with emotion, beauty, and historical depth.

Book three in the Ballantyne Legacy series, Love's Fortune delves into the life of Rowena (Wren) Ballantyne, who lives a simple existence in Kentucky with her father, Ansel. Though missing her mother, she loves her home. Then everything changes with a letter from her father's family... family she scarcely remembers. Grandfather Silas and Grandmother Eden Ballantyne. Uncle Jack and Aunt El ...more

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Aug 27, 2017 Jennifer rated it it was ok

Shelves: adult, borrowed-library, christian-fiction, clean, historical-american-west, sad, part-of-a-series, takes-their-time, 2017, safe

I'm sad to say that this book was disappointing. While I enjoyed the historical backdrop, the dual povs, seeing characters from previous books again, and the engaging writing, the MCs failed to compel me in any way. There was also a big grey cloud of melancholy hanging over this entire book and it was definitely a downer. The h spends more than half of the book being ungrateful and feeling sorry for herself. Her father, Ansel, a favourite character of mine from the previous book, was frustrating I'm sad to say that this book was disappointing. While I enjoyed the historical backdrop, the dual povs, seeing characters from previous books again, and the engaging writing, the MCs failed to compel me in any way. There was also a big grey cloud of melancholy hanging over this entire book and it was definitely a downer. The h spends more than half of the book being ungrateful and feeling sorry for herself. Her father, Ansel, a favourite character of mine from the previous book, was frustratingly absent, and the H's inner monologue was just depressing. And all of his issues were confusing to me as the author couldn't pick one to focus on. He wasn't the same class as the h. He was a man with a target on his back. His vocation was dangerous and he could be blown up to bits at any time. Any of those reasons would have been compelling had the author merely made one of them the H's main concern. As it was written, his hang ups were a little schizophrenic. Add to that the villains of this story (not true villains, but merely selfish/tunnel visioned people) were too single faceted to be believable. Bennett and Aunt Andra didn't seem to have any redeeming qualities and therefore read like caricatures.

The angst was annoying, due to lack of communication or the mantra of society at that time: people of good breeding don't talk about anything important such as politics, religion, money, or feelings. That, unfortunately, lead to a lot of misunderstandings and relationships that had to be saved by eleventh hour declarations. The h's ill treatment of one of her suitors was also wrong. It rubbed me the wrong way that the author let the situation with him go as far as it did. I didn't love that character, but he deserved better than what she did to him. The endings that the author wrote to tie up the various story lines were rushed and a bit inelegant. I appreciate that she wanted us to know what ultimately happened with all the characters, but it was almost better not knowing. I know...it's weird that I don't want to know every thing.

Overall, I'm glad this series is over. If this had not been the last book, I would have been bothered by the fact that there was more story to read but I had chosen not to. I will be more careful in choosing to read this author's books in the future. It seems like most of her books have a sad bent to them without a sufficient counterbalance of encouraging times. ...more

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Aug 07, 2014 Brittany rated it it was amazing

Love’s Fortune is the third book in the Ballantyne Legacy series. If you have not read the previous books, I encourage you to do so simply because Love’s Reckoning and Love’s Awakening are beautifully written and contain characters who have stayed with me, long after I returned the books to my bookshelf. Love’s Fortune can now be placed in that same category…with characters who were able to burrow into my heart for keeps.

Rowena “Wren” Ballantyne is a character that I could not help but love. Her ...more

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Dec 01, 2013 Brooke Barenfanger rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-christian-romance

Breathtaking and intoxicating. Surely there are other words to describe Laura’s writings, but I can think of no others at the moment. The moment I met Wren Ballantyne—Silas and Eden Ballantyne’s granddaughter—I knew I would love her. Her personality, I felt, was similar to Eden’s. Wren was sweet, innocent, and unpretentious.

Wren’s love interest was James Sackett, an old friend of her father’s. I could not help but admire and like James from the very beginning. He had a certain aura of authority ...more

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Nov 22, 2013 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-it

I have read all of the books in this series but this one might just be my favorite. While you could read the books apart from each others, since it is a family, I recommend starting at the first book.

This book grabbed me and sucked me in until the end, I don't think I ever set it down. Rowena or Wren is a great character and I loved reading about her life. Her attitude with life and simple ways make this book so much better. James is also a great lead male character. He is smart and not an over ...more

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Jan 01, 2014 Jamie rated it liked it

(It really needs to be 3.5, but Goodreads hates away at .5 ratings)

Guess what? It’s release day for Laura Frantz’ latest and final installment of the The Ballantyne Legacy series! Happy release day Laura! Now let’s dive right in shall we?

As Frantz has the ability to do, she paints a story that flows with each page. As with the previous installments in the story, besides the romance of the main characters, it’s a story of family. I think that’s one thing I appreciated most about this novel. With ...more

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Aug 30, 2014 Joy W. Doering rated it it was amazing

This book is everything I hoped it would be and more. What better way to end the Ballantyne Legacy series than with a sweet story that covers three generations, giving you a connection to the characters you knew and loved before, while not diminishing the individual journey of Rowena "Wren" Ballantyne and braw James Sackett. I will confess I am a "Frantz-natic" but all that aside, I simply loved this book. Who can't relate to having their world turned upside down? What happens when home and ever ...more

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Jul 28, 2014 Alyssa rated it liked it

Shelves: christian, 2014, christian-romance, historical, clean-romance, chick-lit, blog-tour

{About the Book}

Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extend ...more

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Sep 16, 2014 Charity Andrews rated it it was amazing

Shelves: us-history-fiction

There are only a handful of authors that I adore enough to pre-order their books and read them right away. Laura Frantz is absolutely one of those. Her knowledge of American history is astounding and beautiful. She is so passionate about history and authenticity that she writes her manuscripts in longhand first.

Love's Fortune is the last book in a The Ballantyne Legacy Trilogy. This book revolves around Wren Ballantyne. Raised in the wilds of Kentucky during the early 1800's, she is wild, free a ...more

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Sep 04, 2015 Christy rated it liked it

Shelves: historical

This was not a favorite; but still a very well written Laura Frantz read. I think I would have enjoyed Wren's story more had she been in Kentucky. The square going on around Izannah and Wren and James and Malachi did annoy me. I don't much care for that type of story-line. Frantz does create moments of whimsy and creativity in her writing that will keep me returning for more. I also would have loved to have finally read that Andra was keeping company with something other than bitterness and disd ...more

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Feb 02, 2016 Rachel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a really good historical Christian romance novel. I liked the main woman a lot, and I thought her character was developed well throughout the story, but I thought the main man was not developed nearly as well. However, I still enjoyed the plot and found it entertaining, and I still look to reading more by this author, as I've thoroughly enjoyed all the books I've read by her so far. ...more

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Nov 03, 2013 Irene rated it really liked it

Shelves: dare-to-read, to-read-in-2015

As always, Laura Frantz's storytelling is nothing short of fantastic! Book 3 in the series The Ballantyne Legacy, Love's Fortune not only allows readers to experience the grander of days gone by, but gives a most satisfying ending. I'm glad to have had the chance to finally read this! ...more

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Feb 13, 2019 Gretchen rated it it was amazing

This book was the perfect way to end the series. It was a delight to read and I enjoyed every chapter.

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Jul 20, 2018 Carolyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-historical-romance, pittsburgh, christian-historical-fiction

The final book in The Ballantyne Legacy nicely brings the family full circle, and I enjoyed revisiting characters featured in the first two books of the series. Wren and James are featured in Love's Fortune, and I rooted for them to finally find a way clear to each other.

Admittedly, at times I had a hard time understanding James' obstacles, which I think were delineated better later in the book. Most of the time, I just wanted to hug Wren and take her back to Kentucky.

As a native Pittsburgher, I ...more

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Mar 30, 2019 Julie Kamphaus rated it really liked it

Good, but not as good as the other 2.

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Mar 09, 2017 Kerstin rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, christian-fiction

Laura Frantz's historical novels are always a treat and her rich historical details satisfying. I was a little disappointed, however, with the last twists and turns of the story. They seemed to be rushed and out of character. ...more

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Oct 25, 2013 Dawn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copies, read-in-2014, historical-fiction, christian-historical-fiction

Rowena Ballantyne has lived a sheltered life in her Kentucky home. When a rare letter from her Pittsburgh family summons her father back to the city, Wren has no idea that her life is about to change drastically. When she meets her wealthy family members and enters their world, Wren feels more like a country girl than the beautiful debutante they want her to be. James Sackett has been a pilot for the line of Ballantyne streamers. With danger following him closely, he's asked to winter in Pittsbu Rowena Ballantyne has lived a sheltered life in her Kentucky home. When a rare letter from her Pittsburgh family summons her father back to the city, Wren has no idea that her life is about to change drastically. When she meets her wealthy family members and enters their world, Wren feels more like a country girl than the beautiful debutante they want her to be. James Sackett has been a pilot for the line of Ballantyne streamers. With danger following him closely, he's asked to winter in Pittsburgh. James and Wren soon strike up a friendship, and when he's asked to be her escort for the upcoming social season, he agrees. Wren's duty is to make a match. A wealthy match. Yet her heart is pulled to James. Will James be a gentleman and let her do her duty, or will he follow his heart and claim this songbird as his own?

I have loved both of the other two books in this series, so I had extremely high expectations for this one. I am thrilled to say that it met and exceeded my high expectations. I think that this book is my favorite in the series. Once again, Laura has crafted a novel rich in historical detail. The story itself is beautiful as well.

I adored James. I thought that his struggle was so well written. He loved Wren, yet he knew that they couldn't be together and that it was his job to see her engaged to someone suitable. Yet still he struggled. He struggled with his feelings. He struggled with what would be best for Wren. He struggled with knowing that by loving her, he would could very well be tying her to a marked man.

I also enjoyed Wren. I loved how she was so honest. Even when her family tried to change her, she still was so true. But she was also the good girl and wanted to please. In some ways, I'd say that was her biggest flaw.

Of the secondary characters, Izannah was my favorite. I thought that she was one character who could easily have stolen the show. I would love to have read more about her and her family of brothers. But I loved how she was so supportive of Wren.

I kept turning page after page just engrossed in this book. I really didn't want the book to end. I think it took me just a little over a week to read this as I was reading at work. I've yet to discover a Laura Frantz book I haven't enjoyed, though I've not yet read all of hers. I do own some on my Kindle that are waiting for that someday to come when I can read them.

While this is book 3 in the series, it stands alone and could be read out of order. I personally recommend reading them in order as the experience is very rich.

I received a copy of this book for free from the author and another copy from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own. I've already shared one copy with a friend. :)

Recommended to fans of Gone With the Wind, historical fiction, Cathy Gohlke, Laura Frantz, family dramas, Julie Lessman, JoAnne Bischof

Rating - 5 stars ...more

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Aug 07, 2014 Dana Kamstra rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-reviews, christian-historical-fiction

This is a book that kept me up all night. Laura Frantz’s writing is so polished and she always chooses the right words to tell a story. In this case, it is a story about an honest and simple heroine thrust in an artificial and complicated city. In some senses, a love square even develops.

Love’s Fortune continues the Ballantyne Legacy by introducing readers to Wren Ballantyne, grand-daughter of Silas Ballantyne. The setting is against a time of change. Tension is rising due to abolitionists and t This is a book that kept me up all night. Laura Frantz’s writing is so polished and she always chooses the right words to tell a story. In this case, it is a story about an honest and simple heroine thrust in an artificial and complicated city. In some senses, a love square even develops.

Love’s Fortune continues the Ballantyne Legacy by introducing readers to Wren Ballantyne, grand-daughter of Silas Ballantyne. The setting is against a time of change. Tension is rising due to abolitionists and the Fugitive Slave act while talk of war is beginning. Steam boat travel is becoming eclipsed by the locomotive. For Wren, her simple life alongside her father in Kentucky has changed to the wealth and stature claimed by the successful Ballantyne family.

The main characters in this novel are fabulous! Wren is so simple and often described as “homespun” in the novel. The term fits her perfectly. She is honest and forthright, and wears her emotions on her sleeve. I couldn’t help but like her. Izannah is also quite interesting. She is also a granddaughter of Silas Ballantyne. She is a bit more composed although a bit of scandal follows her due to her father and her own uncompleted society. Malachi Carmen feels like a failure. Without a wife and children, he feels that his father’s one regret before passing away unexpectedly is to have never seen his grandchildren. Finally, James Sackett. The Ballantynes have a lot of trust in him, and he enjoys feeling a part of their family. He is quite respected as a captain of steamboats, but many would threaten him because of his abolitionist leanings. It is through these character’s that Love’s Fortune is told. The novel also brings back characters from the past two novels: Elspeth, Ansel, Andra, Ellie, Jack and even Wade Turlock.

I adored this novel. It was filled with unexpected turns in the story. Tensions kept running quite high in the background pushing me through the story. The characters were authentic, with a realness to their faith and lives. The thread of a love story that was woven into this novel was complicated with misunderstandings and choosing between one’s heart and the expectations others have of a person.

My only disappointment is that this is the final novel of the Ballantyne Legacy series, and it can be hard to say goodbye to a family whose story you’ve enjoyed so much.

**I received a free copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review** ...more

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Nov 18, 2013 Rachelle Cobb rated it it was amazing

Shame on me for never having reviewed any of Laura Frantz's books before. I've read and enjoyed each and every one and couldn't believe, when it came time to write this review, that I've never devoted a blog review to her before!

Time to fix that--and what better time to do it than with the book that quickly became my favorite of Laura's.

With a heroine I could well relate to and a sweeping love story that beckoned me to read it slowly (when usually I devour books in a few days), Love's Fortune ha Shame on me for never having reviewed any of Laura Frantz's books before. I've read and enjoyed each and every one and couldn't believe, when it came time to write this review, that I've never devoted a blog review to her before!

Time to fix that--and what better time to do it than with the book that quickly became my favorite of Laura's.

With a heroine I could well relate to and a sweeping love story that beckoned me to read it slowly (when usually I devour books in a few days), Love's Fortune has become one of my favorite books of the year.

I love Wren. Rowena Ballantyne is her birth name, but that is almost too royal-sounding for the girl raised in Cane Run, Kentucky, where she wore simple dresses and made violins. But Wren must become Rowena Ballantyne when her father forsakes Cane Run for Pittsburgh, the home of all the other Ballantynes, who are as good as royalty in Pennsylvania.

There Wren is pulled between society and who she really is, what is expected of her and what she really wants.

And what she really wants? Well, that is really James Sackett, who is an honorable man from less-than-honorable circumstances, who is hated by some for his abolitionist work. Wren and James both see through the trappings others place on them--and see they are the same. But near-tragedy and danger and duty threaten to pull them apart.

Complete with the attention to historical detail that I love about Laura's work (did you know Pittsburgh was so dark with soot during the Industrial Revolution that they wrapped white-clad brides in sheets to protect them from the blackening?), this book sings. Wren is the type of heroine you want to remain loyal to, even with her flaws. And James is not so bad himself.

Couple that with the danger and intrigue subtly swinging its way behind the scenes. I loved how I wasn't sure until the last page how it would all turn out.

Treat yourself with this book. If you're at all a fan of history, grand love stories, or family sagas, this one will put you squarely in Laura Frantz's corner. ...more

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Jan 30, 2014 Hallie Szott rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-for-review, owned-books

This review is also posted on Book by Book.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to pick up one of Laura Frantz’s Ballantyne Legacy novels, since these novels have been sitting on my TBR list for a while now (and with such beautiful, eye-catching covers, too). But I’m definitely glad I finally had time for Love’s Fortune. Admittedly, as the third and concluding novel for the series, it may not have been the best choice for me to read first, but as I read, I didn’t feel like anything went entirel ...more

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Sep 17, 2014 Tamara Tilley rated it liked it

LOVE’S FORTUNE, the third installment in the Ballantyne Legacy was good, but not necessarily great.

Rowena “Wren” Ballantyne is something of a lame duck. Though she is an heir to the Ballantyne fortune, she has lived in relative obscurity in Kentucky. All that changes when her father is summoned to Pennsylvania and Wren must accompany him. Thrown into a world of formality, ball gowns, etiquette, and suitors; she must maneuver the upper crust with the propriety expected of a Ballantyne. When she i ...more

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Oct 11, 2013 Cassie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-for-review, signed-copies

4.5 stars

The final installment of The Ballantyne Legacy series follows Wren Ballantyne, a lovely heroine. Raised in Kentucky, Wren has a different way of life than her Ballantyne family. A simpler, quieter way of life. One filled with more freedom to express emotions rather than the constraints of rules and the obligations of society.

When Wren is thrust into the world of Pennsylvania, her life is turned upside-down. Meeting family members she’s never known, seeing a different side of her father, ...more

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¿Por qué no una traducción al Español?	1	2	Oct 24, 2014 09:45PM
Christian Book Gi...: Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz, ends 10/16/14.	1	15	Sep 29, 2014 07:52PM

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About Laura Frantz

Laura Frantz

1,711 followers

Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Vi ...more