2-Year Blogoversary Celebration: Day Five ~ Laura Frantz!!

Welcome back, Laura, and thank you for celebrating Christian Bookshelf Reviews' 2-Year Blogoversary with us! For those who aren't familiar with you and your books, will you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm just a simple Kentucky gal with a passion for history and romance. Right now I live in the woods of Washington state with my husband and 2 teenage sons so stay busy writing and being a wife and mom. Recently I traveled to Scotland where I hope to set a new series in the Highlands or Hebrides. I also love to knit, cook, garden, and do that crazy thing called aqua zumba.

What are your current projects? 

Right now I'm working on the third book in The Ballantyne Legacy and expecting a new cover from the art team/designer for book 2, titled Love's Awakening. And I'm researching book 4 which will wrap up the series. Then, hopefully, I'll begin another...

What was the hardest part of writing your book, Love's Reckoning?

Oh, love the question. That would be the scene with David Greathouse and Eden Lee at the tavern. Silas is riding hard after them to avert disaster but... So often the hero arrives in the nick of time but not in this book. I didn't plan to make life so hard for poor Eden but the story seemed to call for it and I think it made the happy ending sweeter. Though some readers may disagree!

What books have influenced your life the most?

The Bible foremost and just recently the amazing devotional, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. As for fiction, I love The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery (Ann of Green Gables author) and anything by Francine Rivers and Liz Curtis Higgs, both masters of the writing craft.

What's your favorite party food?

Artichoke cream cheese dip! And Perrier with a splash of cranberry and a twist of lime. Together they're divine!

Do you have a favorite birthday/party memory you'd like to share? 

On my 18th birthday, my dad threw open the front door of our house and an entire fraternity stood in our front yard singing me happy birthday. Being shy, I was mortified! I don't know how he coerced those college kids to come over and do that but they sure could sing. My favorite memory though is of my 7th birthday. I don't remember much except how happy I felt all day so this has always been my favorite memory.

What are your top three favorite songs? 

Northbound Train from the soundtrack of North&South, Song for a Winter's Night by Sarah MacLachlan, and anything on the fiddle.

What's your favorite comfort food? 

My granny's cornbread drenched in butter. Nothing like it!

A few this-or-that questions:

Cake or Cupcakes? Cakes - specifically German Chocolate Cake.

Facebook or Twitter? I killed my Twitter account a couple of years ago so guess I'll say Facebook.

Vanilla or Chocolate? Vanilla. So clean and fresh tasting and smelling.

Sneakers or Sandals? Sandals. I sort of collect them and love the really pretty, feminine ones.

Print or eBook? Print without a doubt. Love the smell and feel of an in hand book! I can't do without the covers either.

Thank you so much for being here! Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers and where can we find you on the web? 

My journal or blog is where I spend most of my time on the web. Please visit me at www.laurafrantz.net for giveaways, book buzz, and all things historical. I really appreciate my readers and enjoy connecting with them wherever they happen to be. I also have links to Pinterest and Facebook on my website, so please stop by and say hi.

Thanks so much to you, Melanie, for your dedication to good books and for hosting such a stellar review site. You're an inspiration and I'm honored to call you a reading friend!

Giveaway!

Enter to win one of Laura Frantz's books (winner's choice)!! Giveaway is open Internationally! Enter via tha Rafflecopter below.

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Interview & Giveaway! Laura Frantz ~ Author of Love's Reckoning: The Ballantyne Legacy!!!

Welcome to Christian Bookshelf Reviews, Laura!! Will you tell us a little about yourself?

I'm just a plain old Kentucky girl with a passion for history and penning stories and reading good books!

What is your new book, Love's Reckoning, about?

Here's the short and sassy version: Two sisters. One man. When he chooses one, will the other destroy their love?

What is something the average reader wouldn't know about you? 

I attended college in England and lived in a castle, studying 18th-century literature and history. Learning about the American Revolution from the British perspective was very interesting!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Age 7. I wrote my first story about ships, my mom says, and haven't stopped writing yet. I think writers are born, not made, and it's in the genes...

How many books have you written/published and do you have a favorite?

I think books are a little like babies and each one has a special place in my heart. But I do think my first book, The Frontiersman's Daughter, has the most of me in it and took the longest to write (a period of 10 years). My boys were little at the time and so I took 5 years off in the middle of writing that story.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I write all my novels in longhand first. Tons of legal pads and pens! Most authors think this is a waste of time but I think better on paper and always have.

Where do you like to write?

My favorite place to write is on the deck in a covered swing when it's sunny out or, in winter, in my little library with woodstove overlooking the snowy woods. But I can write anywhere and anytime, thankfully  - on the bus, while SpongeBob is blaring on TV, cooking supper, waiting in a doctor's office, etc.

What is the best and/or worst part about being a writer? 

The best part, by far, is creating imaginary worlds that you become very attached to and hate to leave. The worst part is marketing! I am a terrible salesperson and never like promoting.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I love taking long walks, tending my garden, writing letters, and reading history. Oh, and eating! Love trying new restaurants and traveling to new places!

Is there a place you’d like to visit, but haven’t yet?

I'd love to go to Israel. I think I'd see the Bible - and Christ - in a whole new way. But right now I'm packing for Scotland so that will have to do.

Do you have a favorite song and/or movie?

Oh, great question! Being a romantic, my favorite movie ever is North and South with the incredibly gallant Richard Armitage. Full of passion and angst and high drama - the train scene at the end is to die for...

What is your favorite dessert? 

Chocolate anything! My granny used to make me a from-scratch, 4 layer German Chocolate cake for my birthday every year but since she passed away I've never had anything so delicious.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? 

Oh my! That's like asking if I have a favorite book! I think Psalm 139 is my favorite book of the Bible. As for a verse, Genesis 32:10 is my new favorite: "I am not worthy of the least of all Thy mercies."

Here are a few this-or-that questions:

Snowstorms or Thunderstorms?

Love both but there's something so magical and holy about a snowstorm. I'm in awe every time. And I love to include snowstorms in my novels.

Tea or Coffee?

Decaf, please - and I love almost any tea! Iced tea with lemon is right up there, too.

Call or Text?

I've never texted in my life. And I really don't like to talk on the phone either unless it's with my mom. I'm a bit eccentric that way, I guess. I'd much rather be with you in person.

Early-bird or Night-owl?

Early bird...in bed by 9pm and up by 5am usually. Love, love, love mornings.

Cats or Dogs?

Both - Digger is our dog and our black cat is called Cracker. My sons named them so they're a bit strange!

Are you currently working on any new novels? If so, could you give us a hint?

Love's Reckoning: The Ballantyne Legacy is the first book in a 4 book series. I'm almost ready to turn in book 2 of this series and have just begun book 3. These books span 4 generations in one family from 1784 to 1872. I hope/pray readers enjoy each one. I love connecting with readers at laurafrantz.net! Bless you all!

Giveaway!

Enter to win a copy of Laura's new book, Love's Reckoning: The Ballantyne Legacy! Open Internationally!

Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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Review: Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Series: The Ballantyne Legacy - Book One

Revell / 2012

Find on: Amazon, Christianbook, Goodreads

About the book:

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.

My rating:

My thoughts:

Love's Reckoning is the second book I've read by Laura Frantz and I absolutely loved it! From the beginning on I was enthralled with the story and how things would turn out - I could hardly put it down once I was a couple chapters in (although I had to in order to get some sleep). I finished it in about two days (and this is a large book - over 400 pages!) so that says something as to how good it was.

Love's Reckoning was very gripping emotionally - there were times I was so upset and wanted to scream (I may have actually) and other times I wanted to cry. I didn't know how the book would end and, at one point, wanted to skip ahead to the end to find out, but didn't because I knew it would wreck the story. I don't think there was ever a dull moment to this novel. The only complaint I have is that the ending seemed a tad bit rushed (in my opinion), but it was still great and is now one of my favorite books.

The characters were fantastic and I loved all the little secrets that were throughout the book (that added a little mystery to the story) - some were really shocking!

I'm so glad that this is part of a series because I am very much looking forward to finding out what continues to happen in these characters' lives.

Overall, I loved Love's Reckoning and recommend it if you enjoy historical romances, but expect to be taken on a wild ride that'll keep you turning pages late into the night (at least it did with me).

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

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

Was my review helpful? If so, please click "yes" on Amazon. Thank you!