Sweeter Than Birdsong

There is a great book I'd like to tell you 

about with an exciting Facebook Party and

a GIVEAWAY on February 28th, 2012. 

Rosslyn Elliott's latest novel is 

Sweeter Than Birdsong

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."

~ MY QUICK REVIEW ~

I really enjoyed reading Sweeter than Birdsong knowing that Rosslyn Elliott based her characters on actual historical figures and events. The storyline piqued my interest with it's musical emphasis and setting in the mid 1850's, which was a difficult time leading into the Civil War. Difficult issues such as slavery and the Underground Railroad caused great division in our country at this time.

Rosslyn's development of Ben Hanby's and Kate Winter's personal lives set the stage for their budding romance and gives us a glimpse into the culture 160 years ago. John Parker, a free black man, daily puts his life on the line to free slaves and transport them north to Canada and safety via the Underground Railroad network.

From the perspective of a quilter, the only thing I wished was that this story had included the use of quilts as signals at the Underground Railroad transport points. Despite this oversight, I highly recommend Sweeter than Birdsong as both an entertaining and informative fiction, and I think you will love Rosslyn Elliott's writing as much as I do.

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!

Here's what the book is about:

Music offers Kate sweet refuge from her troubles . . . but real freedom is sweeter.

In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance—and use it to mask her flight.

Ben Hanby, Otterbein College’s musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing—and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage—and her voice—if she is to sing a new song for their future.

Read an excerpt here: http://rosslynbooks2.blogspot.com/2011/11/chapters-one-and-two-preview.html 

A little about the author:

Rosslyn Elliott is the award-winning author of Fairer than Morning, the first in the Saddler's Legacy series. She holds a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. in English from Emory University. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue writing fiction. Elliott lives in Albuquerque, where she homeschools her daughter and works in children's ministry.

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

The book is available for purchase at this link: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=159554786X&title=A_Saddler's_Legacy_Novel:_Sweeter_than_Birdsong

You can find the blog tour schedule list at: 

http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13456229/birdsong

The Fine Print: [Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."]
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