4.6 Stars Out Of 5
4.6 out of 5
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Quality:
4.7 out Of 5
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Value:
4.6 out Of 5
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Meets Expectations:
4.6 out Of 5
(4.6 out of 5)
94%
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  1. Stephanie
    upstate NY
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Education and entertainment!
    February 22, 2012
    Stephanie
    upstate NY
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Rosslyn continues the story of the Hanby family in Sweeter Than Birdsong. Inspired by their music to their Underground activities, she embellished the fascinating story of a close-knit family fighting against slavery and a young woman, trapped in her own frightening home life, who gets accidentally involved in their secret activities. Sweeter Than Birdsong focuses mainly on the next generation -- Ben Hanby (son of Will and Ann from Fairer Than Morning), so the book is easily read as a standalone.

    I love historical fiction. I especially love 'true' fiction, based on real historic events and characters. When an author can make me want to research a person or moment of time at the close of the book, they have succeeded in both education and entertainment! A very talented Rosslyn did just that!

    *I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine.*
  2. Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Sweet Freedom's Song
    February 15, 2012
    Tammi
    maine
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Sweeter Than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott is the second in The Saddler's Legacy, and is set mainly in Westerville, Ohio 1855. I haven't read the first book in the series Fairer than Morning (although I would like to), but that didn't seem to matter, because the author fills the reader in where it is needed.

    Kate Winter's dreams of being one of the first women to graduate from Otterbein College, but she thinks this dream is lost when her fear of public speaking causes her to flee the classroom when it is her turn for oration. Another of her dreams is to make a new home for her sister Leah, somewhere safe. A place where their father can't hurt them, and her mother's words won't tear them down.

    Kate and Ben are classmates and friends, and at Ben's request Kate reluctantly joins the musicale that he is producing. When Kate's friend, Cornelia Lawrence is scheduled to play at Neil House in Columbus, Mrs. Lawrence invites her to join them and the Hanby's for their trip. Kate decides that this would be a good time to find a place for her and Leah to go. Little did she know that she would be so changed by the trip, as she helps the Hanby's as they try to lead some slaves toward freedom.

    Rosslyn's writing is powerful, and draws the reader into the story. I loved the way Kate and Ben's story leapt off the page. The scenes, sounds and characters came alive and also becomes a part of the reader. I will choose to read other books by this author, but look forward to the next book in this series, if there is one, and I hope there is, because I closed the book wanting to read more about Kate and Ben.

    This story is based on the true accounts of Kate Winter and Ben Hanby. If you choose to read this book please don't skip the historical note at the end where you will be able to learn more about these true people from history.

    If you like Rosslyn Elliott's books, and/or historical fiction I am certain you will also like Sweeter Than Birdsong.

    I give Sweeter than Birdsong 5 out of 5 stars.

    ** Sweeter Than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

    ~Tammi
  3. Its About Time Mamaw
    Cleveland, Texas
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Freedom is Sweeter Than Birdsong
    February 10, 2012
    Its About Time Mamaw
    Cleveland, Texas
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I loved this book! It will break your heart reading about pain and sorrow people went through fleeing and fighting for freedom. This book gives us a look at the underground railroad from the heart and eyes of a two young college students who want more than anything to make a difference in this world. Kate Winters is very shy and withdrawn. But Ben Hanby, musician and song writer, sees much more in this young woman. He tries bringing her out of her shell and into a world she was unaware. Which happened to be reality. As Kate is pulled from her cocoon she was forced into, by an over bearing mother and drunkard father, her world explodes into a world of adventure and grave danger. This part of her new life she tries to hide from her mother but knows she must honor her parents and tell them the truth she encountered while on an outing with Ben Hanby's mother.

    This historical fiction has adventure, suspense, love, faith, hope and redemption.

    This is the second in the series of Sadler's Legacy and Ben Hanby's mother and father were the heroine and hero of the first book in this series.

    I highly recommend this book.

    I rate this book a 5 out of 5.
  4. Tracy
    Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Well done
    February 8, 2012
    Tracy
    Canada
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I love historical novels, especially when they are based on a real life person (like Ben Hanby) so I was beyond excited to read this book! This is my first time reading a book by Rosslyn Elliott, and I will definitely be seeking out any future books of hers, this book was so good!

    The story is mainly about Kate Winter, and her life with an over-controlling mother and a drunk father. As she dreams of escaping this life to a new one she is suddenly thrust into a new world where she becomes the rescuer and in turns finds a passion she didn't know she had.

    This book was quite well written, and though it was also a romance, it didn't have the typical mushiness in it. It was adventurous and full of suspense. I truly enjoyed reading this book and will definitely be recommending it!
  5. Lehrerin
    Roxboro, NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Excellent historical fiction!
    February 8, 2012
    Lehrerin
    Roxboro, NC
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    It's 1855 and Kate Winter is about to graduate from Otterbein College when she fails to pass the speaking requirement. Given a second chance, Kate is forced to obey her mother's edicts and entertain a wealthy suitor. Frustrated with her family and longing to live a meaningful life, Kate plans to run away. Before she finds the opportunity, however, she is thrown into a dangerous situation with Ben Hanby, soon-to-be preacher and friend of the Underground Railroad. Ben and Kate hit it off and want to get married, but a preacher doesn't fit into Kate's mother's plans. Will they find forever love, or will their family situations and politics keep them apart?

    I expected this book to be a fluffy Sunday afternoon read, but that wasn't quite the case. With the Underground railroad, alcoholism, honoring parents, choosing career paths, and forgiveness all thrown into the mix, 'shallow' does not describe this book. In fact, I was excited to learn that Ben's character was actually based on a real person. His story is fascinating and definitely makes me want to read more about this period in history. I love the way that Elliot uses Ben's real history and creates this fictionalized version for the book, using what facts are known and creating much of the rest.

    Sweeter Than Birdsong is an excellent work of fiction. Fast-paced and personal, full of action and heart and drama, it is a sweet story of forgiveness, redemption, and honor. I can't wait to read Elliot's other books - and the sequel to Birdsong can't be released fast enough.

    I received a free copy of Sweeter Than Birdsong from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying items 1-5 of 18
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