What a lovely book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Susanna and Johann and the struggles they went through. I have become aware that this is the third book in a series, however, I was able to follow the story without any problems at all. Lovelier Than Daylight can definitely stand alone.

The book begins with Susanna's shocking discovery that her sister has disappeared and her six nieces and nephews have been placed in orphanages. Susanna's drunk brother-in-law claims that Rachel, his wife, has deserted the family and run off with another man.

Susanna and Johann's paths cross when Johann accompanies a shipment of lager from his family's brewery to Westerville, where Susanna is living with her Aunt and Uncle. These two are drawn to each other, however, Susanna has very strong views regarding alcohol and has trouble seeing past Johann's family business.

We follow the story of Susanna and Johann's quest to retrieve the children and unearth the truth behind the disappearance of Susanna's sister. And what a story it is, with many twists and turns.

The author has done a wonderful job of creating characters that are complex and situations that are not easily resolved. The topics of prejudice, drunkenness, and malicious anger are covered, as well as lessons learned about forgiveness and love toward others.

I received this book for free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first two books in the serie and was excited to read the conclusion, Lovelier Than Daylight. Rosslyn wrapped up this series while still bringing readers a new story.

I was particularly impressed with how historical details are woven throughout the story. Rather than taking over the story, they provide a great backdrop for emotional, personal stories. I can only imagine how intense Rosslyn's research process must be!

I loved Susanna's character. She has an incredible sense of justice and moral character. But as the circumstances in her life change, she is forced to evaluate what she believes and how that influences her decisions. And while the ending surprised me in some ways, I was still satisfied.

I was blown away by this beautifully-written story. At times, the book almost seemed poetic. I can't wait to see what Rosslyn writes next. In the meantime, I highly recommend Lovelier Than Daylight and the rest of The Saddler's Legacy series! [5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my fair and honest review.

In book three of The Saddler's Legacy series Susanna Hanby stops in to visit her sister. But her sister Rachel and Rachel's children are are are no where to be found. Rachel's drunkard husband said that Rachel had be unfaithful to him and that she gave her children to an orphanage. Susanna did not believe her sister would do such things. Rachel was a good mother and loved her children even during the harshest of times.

Susanna was on a quest to first find the children and then to find their mother. She may even have to put off her life long dream of going to college in order to care for the children. She is living with her grandparents and hopes they will be able to help her in finding and caring for the children.

Johann Giere is the heir to his family's brewery but he would much rather be a newspaper journalist. One day he meets Susanna and her grandfather on the train and when Susanna found out his family owned a brewery she was ready to take his head off. She felt it was because of people like him that turned her brother-in-law to drink and therefore causing her sister to be missing and the children being thrown into an orphanage. Nothing would sway her opinion differently!

The author brings The Saddler's Legacy ahead to the third generation of Handby's. She creates Susanna as a headstrong woman moving into a new era fighting for the civil rights of women and children. There is a mystery to solve and a quest to conquer. Susanna's dragon to kill in this case is alcohol in any fashion. She blames it for all her families problems. The author came up with a lot of trickery that goes on in the characters attempt to get custody of the children. She puts her heroine in perilous situations while searching for the sister. But of course there must be a hero to come to her rescue or shall we say for Susanna's sensibility, her sidekick.

I highly recommend this book.

Disclosure: I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Lena Nelson Dooley's website. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my honest opinion.

I quite enjoyed this book. It takes a interesting time in American history and adds a romance story and even some mystery into the fold.

What I liked: This book had a lot of depth and a few different angles to the plot that made it very interesting. Susanna was quite likeable. She did not always think before she spoke but as the book goes along she starts to realize she needs to let God help her to stop and think. I think almost anyone could relate to her. Johann was also quite likeable. He was dealing with what he wanted to do with his life. He could continue to work for his father or he could become a full time journalist. Again he had to stop and let God help him find his way. Ann and Will where also in this book. This is the third book in the series and Ann and Will where the main characters in the first book. They are Susanna's aunt and uncle and I liked how they fit in the story line.

What I did not like: There really was not much I did not like. Susanna was a little annoying at first but I could understand why she acted the way she did.

Overall this was a great book and I really enjoyed it. It dealt with how drinking can affect a family as well as how Christians can over step at times and how in the end God is supreme even when it seems hopeless. The author did a wonderful job tying it all together. This is the last book in a series of three. I have not read the two books before it but this book can easily be read as a stand alone. Also even though I have not read the other two books I thought the way she wrapped up the book at the end closed the whole series well. I would like to go back at some point and read the first two books to learn more about those characters. If you're a Historical Fiction fan you will like this book. The information about the time period was very well researched and crafted into a wonderful story. Check it out!

This Book was supplied to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers through NetGalley for a review in return.

Book Description

Susanna is a lady of principles who values family above all. Johann seems to represent all she despises . . . but appearances can be deceiving.

In 1875, Susanna Hanby is headed off to college in Westerville, Ohio, when she discovers her sister Rachel and Rachel's children have disappeared. Susanna suspects that Rachel's alcoholic husband knows more than he's saying and she vows to uncover the truth.

Johann Giere is heir to a successful German-American brewery in Columbus, but longs for a career in journalism in New York City. When Johann signs on as the supplier for a new saloon in Westerville, his and Susanna's paths cross and sparks fly. A fiery temperance crusader, Susanna despises Johann's profession, but she cannot deny the attraction.

When Susanna learns that Rachel's children have been indentured to orphanages in the city, she despairs that her family will be fractured forever. But Johann makes Susanna an offer she can't refuse–pitting her passion and her principles against one another.

If she can find a way for her head and her heart to be in harmony, a future lovelier than daylight awaits her.

My Review

This book is book 3 of The Saddler's Legacy by Rosslyn Elliott. This was the first book I have ever read by Rosslyn Elliott and believe you me, it won't be my last. She is a GREAT author on the history of our world in the late 1800's.

This book is about Susannah Hanby and Johann Giere. Susannah is on her way to college in Westerville, Ohio but on her way, she decides to stop and surprise her sister, Rachel Leeds, the surprise is on Susannah. She finds out that Rachel and her 6 children are not there and the only one left there is a drunken husband, George Leeds. Rachel flees from him and takes her children to the orphanges in Columbus, Ohio and then Rachel flees to the docks of Columbus hiding from George. Susannah has been told that Rachel left with another man and she doesn't believe it.

Susannah leaves and goes on to Westerville, Ohio to stay with her Aunt and Uncle so she can attend college there in Westerville.

She meets Johann Giere but finds out he is a son of a man who owns a brewery and then she is really confused. But as the story goes on, he helps her to try to get the children out of the orphanages. That is all I am going to say about this story, because I don't want to ruin it for you.

It is such a GREAT book, I know that you will want to read this. I loved it and thank you Rosslyn for giving us all such a GREAT book to read and giving me an opportunity to give a review on this book. I would suggest this book to my family and friends. Thank you Thomas Nelson for giving me an opportunity also to read and give my review on this book.