Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sweeter Than Birdsong

GIVEAWAY

ELLIOTT, ROSSLYN
SWEETER THAN BIRDSONG

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:

Gobsmackingly good! LOL, how's that for an endorsement? One of the things I appreciated the most is Elliott's attention to historical detail. The whole book is seeped in history, but it doesn't bog the reader down. I especially enjoyed the references to the social niceties of the day. Useful bits of information like a lady making sure she stands four feet away from a gentleman for propriety's sake. It felt like I had been swept back in time! Love that feeling of complete escape!

Kate's struggle to overcome her shyness is heart-breaking and Ben's empathy is so endearing! Together, the two already make an enthralling read but then Elliott throws in a riveting plot riddled with action and angst and emotional turmoil! Oh, my poor reader's heart! Let's just say I wept at the end. Great, big, heaving sobs.

This is the kind of book that makes you feel and think and ponder long after you've finished the last page. The fact that it is based on real people and events makes it all the more compelling. Move this on to the top of your TBR pile!

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like a chance at winning your own copy of Sweet as Birdsong, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Remember to put the title in your address line so your entry is easy to spot. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday February 5. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

28 comments:

  1. Love historical reads! Sounds like the book pulls you into the time era.

    Linda at: desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have the first book by this author, though I haven't read it yet. I have heard great things about this book and the cover is also stunning. Thanks for the giveaway.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a great review, please toss me into the hat. Sounds like a good one.

    rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hold on while I google gobsmackingly.....lol... you do have a way with words..... Put my name in the drawing please... another great review

    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  5. This looks like a great book. I would like to win this. Thanks for the chance to win.

    agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. My best friend has this book. I'd love to read it!!
    cllane2 at liberty dot edu

    ReplyDelete
  7. "Gobsmackingly good" works great for an endorsement! I have been waiting for this book for a long time. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book :)

    crazi.swans at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a new author to me. I love the cover of the book and sounds like it should be very interesting. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. LOL -- I took liberty with the word gobsmacked -- which is a UK colloquial expression for beyond astounding!!!!

    Good luck everyone. Oh - and though this is second in a series there is no need to read the first book. The first one is about Ben's parents and is set 30 years earlier.

    ReplyDelete
  10. OkAy, Gobsmackingly good just grabbed my attention. Too fun! What a great endorsement! Now I've just got to enter to see if I can win! Thank you for the review and for the opportunity.

    amanda38401 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. This sounds like a great book!
    I would love to read it!
    dymesich at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would enjoy this book. Thanks for the nice giveaway!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think we all enjoyed the astounding word you started the review with! Must be amazing... add me please!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great review! This sounds like a wonderful read. Please enter me. Thanks!

    sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Historicals never fail to be popular! Good luck everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I really enjoyed "Fairer Than Morning," the first book in this series. I thought at first it might be a "sweetness and light" type book but I was wrong. Though there was a sweet love story, the book dealt with the tough issues of slavery and apprenticeships (which were basically like voluntary slavery). The book was excellent so I can hardly wait to read "Sweeter than Birdsong." It would be wonderful to win a copy. Thanks.
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds like a great book. Enter me please.
    Ashley Roberts
    flwhizkid@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Sounds like a great book; I'd love to win a copy!

    kate [at] parchmentgirl [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love to win a copy of this book! Thanks for the opportunity!

    gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Loved your review Kav. Great that you found it to be such an informative and gripping read.

    I read book 1 and would love the chance to be able to read this book and continue the story. Can you please add my name into the draw.

    zabook at tpg dot com dot au

    Many thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Consider yourselves entered, everybody! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  22. what a beautiful cover...would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ohh! I really want to read this book! Please enter me! Thank you for the chance to win.

    yecenia@optonline.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. This sounds like a wonderful story. Please add me to the giveaway!
    Rebecca
    rrgreene62(at)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you for the entry in your giveaway. I'd love a chance at winning this book...a new author for me too. Love the cover. Have a blessed day!

    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Ah! I love the summary--sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Jafuchi7(at)Hawaii(dot)edu

    ReplyDelete
  27. I like how music is a theme in this story. I just recently finished a historical book with this and really enjoyed it. I feel like this will be a great read as well.

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete