Sweeter than Birdsong...Review

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.

Painfully shy, Kate Winter not only loves music but she is about to become the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College and wants nothing more than to escape her negative abusive family.  Ben Hanby has a passion for music that matches his passion for helping people which is why he aids fugitives on the Underground Railroad.  Kate's family wants her to marry well and a music teacher who yearns to be a minister, isn't high on their list of possible suitors.  Having grown up helping his parents work the Underground Railroad, Ben is driven by a mission to find a particular slave who was once left behind.  At first drawn to each other through their mutual love of music, Ben and Kate must learn God's plan for them. When Kate is thrown into a dangerous situation involving the Railroad, she discovers that she shares Ben's passion for helping others and must decide if she can defy her parents wishes.

Second in the Saddler's Legacy series, the book stands alone well, but Fairer than Morning is the delightful story about Ben's parents Will and Ann, who return here.  I have loved getting to know the Hanby family in these books.  These stories are fictionalized accounts based on real life people and Rosslyn Elliot has not only created engaging, likeable characters, she has also captured the essence of humanity, where good men and women are able to rise above their own adversity to help others in need.

Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity for the opportunity to review this book.  You can learn more about Rosslyn Elliot here.  You can purchase your own copy here.  You can see other reviews and tour stops here.

Read 2/12

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4/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I love the historical aspects of this book, and think it would be a really good read for me. I am so glad that you liked it, and you wrote a really wonderful and enticing review for it. Thanks for sharing this!

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  2. I've said it before but I will say it again: cannot wait to read this one. My aunt just gave it to me for Christmas so I look forward to reading it. =)

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  3. This sounds like a lovely book. I think I'll start with the first, though. Thanks for introducing me to this series.

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  4. Lovely review :) I want to read this book really bad! P.S. I love your blog :) Now I'm off to see what other books you really liked.

    Kimberly @ Turningthepagesx.blogspot.com

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  5. Holly, I'm touched by what you say about the humanity in the novel. Thank you so much. That was my hope, and I am so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to write this thoughtful review. If you haven't yet posted it on Amazon, I would really be grateful for that as every little thing helps for us early-career authors who are still finding their readers.

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