Sweeter Than Birdsong

Several months ago, I reviewed Rosslyn Elliott’s debut novel, Fairer Than Morning, which tells the story of Will Hanby. In Sweeter than Birdsong, Rosslyn continues the Saddler’s Legacy Series with the story of Ben Hanby, Will’s son. Like his father, Ben is actively involved in the abolitionist movement; he is determined to lead slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Although Ben is devoted to the cause of freedom, he is still young, and he is working to determine the right path for his future. While studying at Otterbein College, with plans to be a minister, Ben meets Kate Winter, an extremely shy, but charming young lady. Kate and Ben work together in the school’s musical, but it is an accidental partnership involving a slave family that allows them to truly see each other. This shared experience brings them closer, but also highlights some of the challenges they will face if they desire a serious relationship. Both Ben and Kate must work towards their separate futures while hoping they can one day be together.

Just like Fairer Than Morning, the strength of Sweeter than Birdsong is in the historical details. I love that Ben Hanby was a real person, and Rosslyn Elliott uses facts from his life to create a charming and intriguing story. Ben Hanby wrote “Darling Nelly Gray”, and this fact is woven into the story masterfully (fun fact: he also wrote “Up on the Housetop”). From the realities surrounding slavery to the details involved with the first young women to attend college, Sweeter than Birdsong is a fascinating tale, and I recommend it to you.

We have two copies to giveaway to our readers (U.S. and Canadian addresses only). Please leave a comment if you are interested. We’ll announce the winner in our giveaway column on March 7.

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Please read below to find out more information about this book, including thoughts from the author herself and a giveaway.

From the publisher and author:

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!