About the Book:
Music offers Kate Sweet refuge from her troubles, but real freedom is sweeter.
About the Author:
Rosslyn Elliott grew up in a military family and relocated so often that she attended nine schools before her high school graduation. With the help of excellent teachers, she qualified to attend Yale University, where she earned a BA in English and Theater. She worked in business and as a schoolteacher before returning to study at Emory University, where she earned a Ph.D. in English in 2006. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She lives in the Southwest, where she homeschools her daughter and teaches in children’s ministry.
My Opinion:
This is the second book I’ve read by Ms. Elliot telling the tale of the Hanby family. This book turns the life of Ben Hanby into a very interesting novel. Ben Hanby wrote “Up on the Rooftop” as well as some other songs popular in his day and he was very involved with the underground railroad. He falls in love with young Kate Winter but her mother, haunted by her own mistakes, feels that Ben is not good enough for her daughter. Kate’s father is an abusive alcoholic and the Winter’s try to hide this from their community.
The book was well written and while I cannot call it and easy read – solely due to the subject matter – it was a good read. The romance between the two main characters built slowly and in a true fashion for the time. The period details were written such that I felt completely involved in time and place. It is fascinating to learn about seemingly ordinary people in our history that risked their lives to help slaves escape through the Underground Railroad. I will look forward to the next chapter in Ms. Elliot’s series.
You can purchase Sweeter Than Birdsong on Amazon.com
You can see the rest of the Tour Schedule HERE
In this second in the award-winning Saddler’s Legacy series, Rosslyn Elliott has written a stirring novel of hope and faith inspired by real historical people and events. With Ben Hanby, a genius composer, Kate Winter, one of the first female college graduates in America, and John Parker, an ex-slave who risked his life time and again to help fugitive slaves, Sweeter than Birdsong is full of real heroes to inspire us. “I hope readers will find a renewed sense of strength in their own lives,” says Elliott, “knowing that change is possible, and our efforts matter. I want them to remember these unique, brave people in history who left us a shining example of what it means to live out one’s beliefs with passion and commitment.”
So to celebrate the music in all of us, Rosslyn and Thomas Nelson are hosting this “sweet giveaway”.
One fortunate winner will receive:
- A Brand new iPod Nano (Winner’s choice of color!)
- Fairer than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
- Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on February 28th. Winner will be announced at Sweeter than Birdsong Author Chat Facebook Party on 2/28. Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, sharing a sneak peek of the next book in the series, hosting a trivia contest, and more! She’ll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, season 1 of DowntownAbbey, and a book club prize pack! (Ten copies of the book for your small group or book club AND a LIVE Author Chat for your group with Rosslyn.)
So grab your copy of Sweeter than Birdsong and join Rosslyn and friends on the evening of the 28th for an evening of fun.
Don’t miss a moment of the fun. RSVP today and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 28th!
Disclosure: I received a copy of Sweeter Than Birdsong from Litfuse Publicity. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.