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Love's Fortune
(The Ballantyne Legacy #3)
by
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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Start your review of Love's Fortune (The Ballantyne Legacy, #3)

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
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

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 ...more
With ...more

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

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
...more

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
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

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

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
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

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

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
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

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

(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
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

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
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{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
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

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
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

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

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.
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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!
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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
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

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.
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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
...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

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 ...more
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 ...more

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
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

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
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

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
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 |
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
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The Ballantyne Legacy
(3 books)
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“You pierce my soul, I am half agony, half hope . . . I have loved none but you. JANE AUSTEN Ice”
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