Song of the Silent Harp...Review

About the book:
Song of the Silent Harp, Book One of BJ Hoff’s acclaimed and bestselling Emerald Ballad series begins the five-book saga of three friends raised in a tiny Irish village devastated by the Potato Famine of the mid-1800s, as they struggle to survive and hold onto their faith during Ireland’s darkest days…

Nora Kavanagh has lost her husband and young daughter, and now lives in fear of losing her home. She and her young son, Daniel, have only one hope for survival, the poet/patriot—and love of Nora’s youth--Morgan Fitzgerald. But his dangerous involvement with a band of Irish rebels keeps him in constant danger and puts the possibility of a future for him and those he loves in jeopardy.

Michael Burke, a close childhood friend of both Nora and Morgan, left his homeland for America and is now a New York City policeman. A widower with a difficult, rebellious son, he still remembers Nora with love and fondness and wants nothing more than to help her escape the cataclysmic famine and build a new life…with him.

This panoramic epic of love and faith and adventure spans an ocean to follow three of BJ Hoff’s most memorable characters in their quest for survival and courage and hope.

BJ Hoff has a beautiful, descriptive way of writing that draws you into the story, completely.  It's not a bright, happy story.  Instead, we see the realities of life in 19th century Ireland, where the English did all they could to destroy the Irish. Michael left Ireland to find his was in America.  Nora has lost her husband and daughter to famine and sickness.  Morgan is determined that Ireland will not fail.  When Nora is at risk of finally losing everything, Morgan manages to get her and Daniel on a ship to America and Michael.

This is a fantastic portrayal of life in Ireland during the potato famine.  It was a dark, terrible time and so many people died.  Yet, so many still held onto their faith.  Some might call it preachy, but it's a lovely story of how God does not abandon us in our times of need.

The first of a five book series, this is a reprint of a book first published in 1991, not a new book.  I am so anxious to read the rest of the series.

Thanks to First Wildcard and Harvest House Publishers for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about BJ Hoff here.  You can read the first chapter here.  You can purchase your own copy here.

Read 9/10

* * * *
4/5 Stars


Comments

  1. Got my book from you on Saturday. Thanks again.

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  2. This sounds very good! Thanks for sharing! And thanks for dropping by my Mailbox. Happy reading!

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