1. Sweeter Than Birdsong, Saddler's Legacy Series #2
    Rosslyn Elliott
    Thomas Nelson / 2012 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$10.49 Retail Price$17.99 Save 42% ($7.50)
    4.6 out of 5 stars for Sweeter Than Birdsong, Saddler's Legacy Series #2. View reviews of this product. 18 Reviews
    Availability: In Stock
    Stock No: WW547866
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  1. Janet
    Belton, TX
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A Great Sequel
    February 1, 2012
    Janet
    Belton, TX
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "Sweeter Than Birdsong" by Rosslyn Elliott is the sequel to her "Fairer Than Morning." Both books, part of "The Saddler's Legacy" series, are based on the lives of real people who worked on the underground railroad, attempting to smuggle slaves to freedom through Ohio to Canada. In "Fairer Than Morning," we learned about Ann Miller and Will Hanby. The sequel tells the story of their oldest son, Ben, writer of songs that include "Darling Nellie Gray" and "Up on the Housetop."

    We also meet Kate Winter in "Sweeter Than Birdsong." Kate is the painfully shy daughter of a socially ambitious mother and alcoholic father. Her dreams of being part of the first female graduating class of Otterbein College are threatened by the public speech requirement and her desire to escape from her difficult home life. When Kate is inadvertently drawn into work on the underground railroad, she learns there are worse situations than hers from which to escape. Her compassion for slaves draws her to find courage within to do that which she never dreamed she could.

    I enjoyed both the historical part of the novel and the fictional story line. Elliott is gifted in both aspects of this genre. I also appreciated the afterword which made the distinction more clear. Thank you, Thomas Nelson Publishers, for sending a complimentary copy of this book for my review.
  2. Christianfictionaddiction
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Written with a skilled pen
    January 25, 2012
    Christianfictionaddiction
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Kate Winter dreams of escaping from the confines of her family home and her controlling mother, alcoholic father, and self-centered sister. However, her plans to be the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College in Ohio in 1855 seem destined for failure when she cannot summon the courage to give a public speech, a requirement for graduation. When Ben Hanby, the college's musical genius, encourages Kate to sing in a try-out for a musical, her life takes an unexpected turn. Her beautiful voice captivates him, but she becomes ever-more-centered on her lack of courage when she is unable to follow through on singing her song. Her plans to escape from her family continue to consume her until a trip with some family friends causes her eyes to be opened to the reality of slavery, and her focus turns to the plight of others. Kate and Ben must battle through societal expectations and very real danger to find the courage to live out God's calling on their lives.

    Elliott has spun a fine tale, written with a skilled pen. The book is filled with excitement, characters that are easy to grow fond of, and heart-breaking circumstances that are certain to capture your interest. The author includes fascinating historical details that will cause you to shake your head at how society could embrace a horrific institution such as slavery. She brings the issue to life by putting very human faces to the struggle of the black slaves to achieve freedom, and has woven that theme seemlessly into Kate's struggle to find herself and determine God's hand in her life. I found the book difficult to put down, and I was deeply moved by the book, particularly as I learned that the book is based on real circumstances and that Kate and Ben truly played a role in American history. Although this is the first time I have picked up a book written by Elliott, I highly anticipate the next book in the series (and though I hadn't read the first in the series, I did not find that this fact at all impacted my enjoyment of Kate and Ben's journey).

    I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

    Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher and the Booksneeze program, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
  3. Kaye
    Arizona
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    November 29, 2012
    Kaye
    Arizona
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    I leave critical reviews such as character development, etc. to the experts and only ask: Did I like this book? Did it hold my interest? Book #2 of Saddler's Legacy Series earns a resounding YES! I hadn't realized that the underground railroad existed so far north; in my ignorance, I thought all northerners were anti-slavery. That notion was corrected in this book. The main thought I took away was "man's inhumanity to man". It was an affront to my sensibilities! Then I asked myself what, living in that time in history, would my thoughts have been about slavery? Were they not just as you or I or just property? I shudder to think what my answer might have been if I were not an independent thinker. One just went along with what one's parents' said was right or wrong; heaven kelp you if you didn't. Slavery was not the main focus here, but the deveopment & growth of Ben's & Kate's relationship, which has twists & turns of its own. If you like history, you'll enjoy this book.
  4. MaryAnn
    OR
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Moving historical fiction set in 1850s
    April 30, 2012
    MaryAnn
    OR
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Will and Ann Hanby, whose story was shared in Fairer than Morning, are now middle-aged, with eight children. Sweeter than Birdsong, the second book of The Saddler's Legacy series and also based on actual people, focuses on the Hanbys' eldest son, Ben, and the lovely but shy Kate Winter. Ben and Kate are students at Otterbein College, and both have a passion for music and for those mistreated by others, such as the suffering slaves.

    Set in the second half of the 1850s in Ohio, tensions are increasing between those who support and oppose slavery. The Hanbys continue to assist fugitive slaves, which leads to harrowing moments. Kate's unhappy home life makes her desperate to escape, but her mother wishes to marry her off to a high-society suitor. Ben and Kate seem to continually be thrown (and drawn) together. They find much in common, but could they ever overcome the obstacles that separate their lives and possible future happiness?

    Rosslyn Elliott does a masterful job at portraying life in pre-Civil War days. Readers will feel like they're present and experiencing the physical sensations and the depths of emotion along with the characters. I must say I would rather read about such adventures than live them, and this novel does an amazing job at transporting one there vicariously.
  5. believer
    Omaha, NE
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Excellence in historical romance!
    April 24, 2012
    believer
    Omaha, NE
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    What a delight to return to Westerville, Ohio and the Hanby family! I enjoyed revisiting Will and Ann, and meeting their children. The Hanbys' passion for helping escaped slaves has continued to the next generation, especially Ben. As a student at Otterbein College, Ben met Kate Winter. Kate was so shy, conversation was limited to one-word answers and giving a speech was impossible. Sweeter Than Birdsong is the story of Kate's struggle to overcome her fear. Along the way, she grows in understanding her mother and she joins Ben's family in their work on the Underground Railroad. The ending is so perfect for both Ben and Kate, it brought me to tears!

    My highest recommendation!
Displaying items 6-10 of 18
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