Monday, January 23, 2012

Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott and Giveaway

Sweeter than Birdsong (A Saddler's Legacy Novel)

About the Book:

Music offers Kate sweet refuge from her troubles…but real freedom is sweeter.

In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance--and use it to mask her flight.

Ben Hanby, Otterbein College’s musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing—and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage—and her voice—if she is to sing a new song for their future.

Sweeter than Birdsong is a stirring novel of hope and faith inspired by real historical people and events.


My review:

Sweeter than Birdsong is Rosslyn Elliot's second novel in the Saddler's Legacy series and is just as great as the first one, Fairer Than Morning. As soon as I finished reading the first book I was excited to read the next and was not disappointed. The second book picks up about 32 years after the first book and it focus is on Ben Hanby, Will's son. Such a fun part of this book, as well as the first, is that the Hanby's are real people and are considered Westerville, Ohio's most celebrated citizens. I really enjoyed getting to learn about this wonderful family and the sacrifices they made to help slaves escape via the underground railroad. I have really grown to love historical fiction, it makes learning history so much fun and interesting. Rossyln Elliott really weaves together a great story with historical accuracy, flawed characters that overcome many obstacles, and gives something to make the reader think about. I will be looking forward to reading more books from her!

*I received this book from booksneeze.com for the purpose of this review!

Giveaway time:

Here are the rules:
1. Leave a answer to the question below
2. Must leave e-mail and be located in the US
3. If you are a follower or become one you get a second entry
4. Giveaway ends at midnight Jan. 29th 

What is your favorite setting for historical fiction?

26 comments:

  1. I like England in the Regency Era.

    I'm a follower.

    Anne @ www.duhpaynes.com

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a lovely read, thanks for the review :) I've been excited about this one for awhile now.

    My favorite setting is WWI, because of the many changes that the world underwent during that terrible time. And if an author get's it right it's totally awesome, and shows tons of skill!

    I live in the US

    I'm a follower

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorite setting is old west fiction. I love the simpler times.

    librarybooks at religious dot com

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  4. I read "Fairer Than Morning" and liked it very much. Just judging from the cover and the title, it looked like it would be a "sweetness and light" type of fluff romance but it really got into some gritty subjects (slavery and indentured apprenticeships). It was a very compelling book. I'd love to win the second book in this series, "Sweeter Than Birdsong."
    To answer your question, my favorite setting for historical fiction is the old west, though I also enjoy books set during either of the World Wars. It is especially fun to read books set in my home state, Kansas.
    I'm a follower by e-mail (just signing up now!)
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is a hard question, because I love England in the 1800's and also the west in the 1800's. I don't think that I can pick one over the other. They are both fastinating to read. In any case, Sweeter than Birdsong sounds like a good book to read. Thanks for the chance to win.
    Debbie Clark
    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am also now a follower of the blog.

    Debbie Clark
    debbiemcla(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I like regency era England, Scottish Highlands, and prarie times. It really depends on my mood. Please enter me and thanks for the giveaway.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I like England, and western/historical/fiction books.
    But lately I've been reading books placed in the 1300's and I've really enjoyed that time.

    This book sounds really interesting.
    I am a follower.
    dymesich(At)juno(Dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love Regency era settings the best. I'm hearing great things about Rosslyn's books, I'd love to be entered. Thanks!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm a new follower.
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm a new email subscriber and an avid reader of Christian fiction and nonfiction. My favorite setting would be before the Civil War era. I love novels set in the South, during antebellum time.
    Thank you for the entry. Have a blessed day.

    Sandee61
    Muzzley56{at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I read Fairer Than Morning and reviewed it...it was wonderful and I would feel blessed to win this!

    I am already a follower by email and GFC!

    dianalflowers@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. The settings of historical novels can be anywhere...I really don't have a preference. I love reading the stories.

    Thanks for the chance to read this beautiful novel.

    I'm a follower, too :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am reading this book now and so far so good. Thanks for sharing your review. (Don't sign me up for the giveaway but hugs to you!)

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  15. I like to read about the Civil War era and after, I also like Christian Fiction from this era.
    I would love to win your Book, I'm a follower.
    Thank you :)


    ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I enjoy the American Revolution and the Civil War. Thanks for the chance to win this book.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am a new follower.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am adding Sandi Coughlin since it would not let her leave a comment.

    1800's, especially cival war

    slc925 at yahoo dot com

    She is also a follower

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  19. I don't have a favorite setting. I like they all. It's fascinating. I really like the cover of this book. It looks intriguing. Thanks for entering my name in the drawing.

    Nora St.Laurent
    The Book Club Network

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  20. You know my favorite time - Colonial American via Europe!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jen and everybody! Jen, thank you for this very kind review. I really appreciate your support, and I'm so happy to see that people would like to read Sweeter than Birdsong! It's good to see new faces as well as old pals here.

      Delete
  21. I'm with Karen and Nora, I don't have a favorite setting. As long as its a well done book and I don't feel like I've read too many books set in that time period recently, I'm good to go. :-)

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  22. My favorite setting is out on the frontier, mid 1800's.. angadair@nwcable.net

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  23. I am a follower...as I said above, I like out on the frontier, mid to late 1800's.. angadair@nwcable.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. I don't really have a favorite setting for historical fiction, but I do enjoy England and the regency settings but only if well-researched and historically sound.
    godleyv @ [yahoo[ [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Following with GFC (on sidebar) :)
    godleyv @ yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete