[5E0]∎ Read Sweeter Than Birdsong Saddler Legacy Rosslyn Elliott 9781595547866 Books

Sweeter Than Birdsong Saddler Legacy Rosslyn Elliott 9781595547866 Books

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Sweeter Than Birdsong Saddler Legacy Rosslyn Elliott 9781595547866 Books

Kate Winter never rocks the boat. She can't afford to. Her father is a borderline abusive alcoholic, and her mother is rigid and unsympathetic. Over the years, Kate has learned to stay quiet in word and deed, and developed painful shyness. The problem is, that shyness is keeping her from passing a required oration class at Otterbein College. If she can't do that, she'll be expelled and left with no options for her future, other than to stay trapped in her parents' home until or unless she gets married. Fellow student Ben Hanby's musicale may be the key to solving Kate's troubles, but once she meets Ben, she begins a journey that will take her into places and situations far more frightening than the stage.

As usual, Rosslyn Elliott's characters leap from the page. Kate's introverted, proper nature make her a nice change from bolder historical heroines, but her quieter brand of courage comes through constantly. She's understandably unsure about involving herself with Ben's undertakings, but you root for her all the more when she takes the risk. The fact that Kate and Ben's romance blooms against the backdrop of Underground Railroad missions gives it a unique element and raises the stakes for both protagonists. Sweeter than Birdsong is less a romance than an enjoyable study in physical and emotional freedom. Like Will in Fairer than Morning, Kate reaches out for hers at every opportunity, and both her successes and failures endear her to readers.

Ben Hanby is another excellently drawn hero, based on the real author of the abolitionist tune "Darling Nelly Gray." You can tell this man has grown up in an environment that valued liberty and the equal treatment of all people, and it shows in his determination to help fugitive slaves. However, he's cautious, discouraged, and even frightened at times. It's not often readers get to see the vulnerable side of a hero, but Rosslyn Elliott does a great job of allowing that, without skimping on Ben's masculinity or courage.

Within Sweeter than Birdsong runs a tender, melancholy undertone that matches the book's overall message perfectly. The scenes in which Kate and Ben exchange letters, their interactions with Frank and Nelly, and the final scene at the production of Uncle Tom's Cabin, all embody said undertone. Rosslyn creates a written sympathy that hits all the right notes; I highly recommend it.


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Sweeter Than Birdsong Saddler Legacy Rosslyn Elliott 9781595547866 Books Reviews

As the eye is taken from the woman on the front cover, along the horizontal and vertical lines of the window, and then drawn to the bow and string held by the young man, one is swept with beauty and expectation. For something haunting, promising, and wishful, all at the same time for these two main characters. What will Kate Winter learn on her journey, as she attempts to make a speech and fails miserably. What will life become for Ben Hanby, musician and aid to freeing slaves. What will occur when these two lives meet, and God entwines both of their music, and both of their faith-filled journeys?

I envisioned this book as a wonder in song, as corny as that may sound. A song needs a theme (or two!) is required, grace notes, harmony, and oh, I so love discord or some minor undertone. And this book has all to create a symphony worth READING!
This is the what I believe historical fiction should be. Take a truly historical incident, research the details and the background, and fill in the historical skeleton with enough fictitious meat to capture your readers. Not only did the author do this, but she conveys the thought of the times. And she does this with upstanding characters that I loved. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author.
This is one of the first novels I've read (other than "Fairer Than Morning") that was set in the time of the Underground Railroad. I loved learning about that time period and culture! The author did a great job of giving vivid details and accurate facts while telling an interesting and fast-paced story!
My Review

Just let me start this review off by saying I am not one to read about history. Actually it wasn't even a subject in school that I much liked. But if written into a book such as Sweeter Than Birdsong and I will read with excitement. Maybe due to how it is written or just the fact that I am not necessarily suppose to learn something.

Rosslyn Elliott's writing has a way of putting you right into the story. Her building of her characters are such that you could find yourself in any one of them. They are down to earth with everyday life experiences. Yes they lived back in 1855, and life was different than today in someways. But life still has the same kinds of decisions to make.

Kate Winters is what some would call shy. Her home life is not what it may seem at first. But when push comes to shove within her life she becomes stronger than she thought she would. Her father is not a man to look up too, nor her mother someone with whom she can go too. Kate learns after some difficult time, what her life desires really are, and what she wants out of her life. And with that, she stands up for herself.

Ben is a very gentleman's gentleman. He believes in the right way to treat people and handles himself as such. He is so enthralled in helping the underground railroad that he puts himself and others in danger of being caught. In doing so and along with hearing Kate sing, he falls for her. But not wanting to give her the life that his father has given his mother, he tries to deny that love.

The others within this book just add more and more wonderful history to the book. I loved the story line, the characters, and the history within the pages of this book.

So since I was able to get into the story line right away, could not put it down, characters were believable I am going to give this book my breath of life rating of FIVE CLOCKS!!!!
Kate Winter never rocks the boat. She can't afford to. Her father is a borderline abusive alcoholic, and her mother is rigid and unsympathetic. Over the years, Kate has learned to stay quiet in word and deed, and developed painful shyness. The problem is, that shyness is keeping her from passing a required oration class at Otterbein College. If she can't do that, she'll be expelled and left with no options for her future, other than to stay trapped in her parents' home until or unless she gets married. Fellow student Ben Hanby's musicale may be the key to solving Kate's troubles, but once she meets Ben, she begins a journey that will take her into places and situations far more frightening than the stage.

As usual, Rosslyn Elliott's characters leap from the page. Kate's introverted, proper nature make her a nice change from bolder historical heroines, but her quieter brand of courage comes through constantly. She's understandably unsure about involving herself with Ben's undertakings, but you root for her all the more when she takes the risk. The fact that Kate and Ben's romance blooms against the backdrop of Underground Railroad missions gives it a unique element and raises the stakes for both protagonists. Sweeter than Birdsong is less a romance than an enjoyable study in physical and emotional freedom. Like Will in Fairer than Morning, Kate reaches out for hers at every opportunity, and both her successes and failures endear her to readers.

Ben Hanby is another excellently drawn hero, based on the real author of the abolitionist tune "Darling Nelly Gray." You can tell this man has grown up in an environment that valued liberty and the equal treatment of all people, and it shows in his determination to help fugitive slaves. However, he's cautious, discouraged, and even frightened at times. It's not often readers get to see the vulnerable side of a hero, but Rosslyn Elliott does a great job of allowing that, without skimping on Ben's masculinity or courage.

Within Sweeter than Birdsong runs a tender, melancholy undertone that matches the book's overall message perfectly. The scenes in which Kate and Ben exchange letters, their interactions with Frank and Nelly, and the final scene at the production of Uncle Tom's Cabin, all embody said undertone. Rosslyn creates a written sympathy that hits all the right notes; I highly recommend it.