Monday, February 13, 2012

Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliot

Overview:
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.




Enter via E-mail Enter via FacebookEnter via Twitter







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!

My thoughts:
I was excited to take part in this Litfuse Blog Tour after reading Rosslyn Elliot's first book in the Saddler Legacy.  This time the focus is on the son of the couple from book one along with a young lady he attends college with.  I love how Elliot took names and facts from history to weave into her story.  It makes it come alive, breathing life into what could just be boring, dusty facts. 
 
I was struck by what it must have been like to be among the first women who were able to attend college, albeit with chaperones and all sorts of rules of conduct, but to be able to attend and take part.  At the same time what was it like to be alive during the time that slavery was a big part of how the south was run.  How did those in the north really see slavery?  How did they feel about it?  Was it was to process when you were in the middle of it?  How will we view events we are living through now when we have the vantage point of history on your side?
 
I was able to empathize with Kate and the trouble she had speaking in public and voicing her true feelings.  Not that I am paralyzed with shyness, but public speaking always makes me feel a bit sick to  my stomach and panicky.  It is hard to stand up for what you know is right and even harder when you feel shy and unsure of yourself.
 
This book makes human and real the time period before the civil war, as well as the underground railroad and the abolitionist movement.
 
Blog tour schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13456229/birdsong


Read an excerpt here:here.



For more about Rosslyn, visit her website: http://rosslynelliott.com/


2 comments:

  1. Thank you, Jill! The questions you ask are very thoughtful and exactly the kind of thing I hope readers will ask when they read the novel. I really appreciate your time and consideration in this review. If you have a chance to post it on a bookseller's site, that would be *great* as thoughtful reviews like this are likely to be taken as a good sign by prospective readers. :-)

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  2. Ah - a Civil War story and a woman off to college. I like your thought questions. This is one to add to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing.

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