Rich and Beautiful Story -- Freedom's Song

As a huge fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer's writing, I was excited to read her newest book, Freedom's Song. The themes and messages in the story cover the gamut of human experience, from its worst to its best.

As is usual for Kim Vogel Sawyer's style, the story is driven by her masterfully crafted characters. From the very beginning, I was drawn in to Fanny Beck's story of natural talent, love for her family, and the experience of unfair circumstances life has dealt her. As she moves from one circumstance to another, she meets and interacts with other characters who add many levels of richness to her passage.

In some ways, this book seems to consist of two very different stories. But in reality, it is a well-connected story of freedom and how that concept carries a wide range of meanings to different people in different circumstances. I have to believe Fanny would not have been prepared for the life she ultimately settles into had she not learned such beautiful and important lessons in her earlier encounters -- and found the joy of her freedom's song. I reached the end of the story with a very satisfying reminder of faith and hope and how they make any life journey possible and meaningful.

I highly recommend Freedom's Song to fans of great inspirational and hope-filled historical fiction. Thanks to the author's launch team for providing a digital copy of the book.  I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

Her voice made her a riverboat’s darling—and its prisoner. Now she’s singing her way to freedom in this powerful novel from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow.

“[An] enjoyable faith-filled adventure . . . Sawyer’s episodic narrative and rich assortment of characters fighting for freedom provide the story with many twists and unexpected side-plots.”—Publishers Weekly

Indentured servant Fanny Beck has been forced to sing for riverboat passengers since she was a girl. All she wants is to live a quiet, humble life with her family as soon as her seven-year contract is over. So when she discovers that the captain has no intention of releasing her, she seizes a sudden opportunity to escape—an impulse that leads Fanny to a group of enslaved people who are on their own dangerous quest for liberty. . . .

Widower Walter Kuhn is overwhelmed by his responsibilities to his farm and young daughter, and now his mail-order bride hasn’t arrived. Could a beautiful stranger seeking work be the answer to his prayers? . . .
 
After the star performer of the River Peacock is presumed drowned, Sloan Kirkpatrick, the riverboat’s captain, sets off to find her replacement. However, his journey will bring him face to face with his own past—and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be free. . . . 

Uplifting, inspiring, and grounded in biblical truth, Freedom’s Song is a story for every reader who has longed for physical, emotional, or spiritual delivery.

About the Author

Kim Vogel Sawyer is a highly acclaimed, bestselling author with more than 1.5 million books in print in seven different languages. Her titles have earned numerous accolades, including the ACFW Carol Award, the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. Kim and her retired military husband, Don, live in central Kansas, where she continues to write gentle stories of hope. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters and her grandchildren.

Gripping Mystery -- Unknown

Unknown, by Vanessa Hall, is a gripping mystery set in modern-day Russia. The main characters are the son of missionaries and a rising star in the world of ballet. The characters are well-developed and very much alive, and the story is filled with elements that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

The story progressed at a comfortable pace, introducing new characters and hidden agendas as needed. The on-stage and back-stage ballet setting was unfamiliar, yet fascinating, for me. The close relationships shared by the church members provided a strong element of comfort and safety. And a few unexpected people helped keep the mystery moving. The faith element is overt and a driving force in the development of the story.

Unknown is the author's debut novel, and it offers the promise of more great writing to come from her. In fact, it is book one in her Grace Sufficient series, so there should be another related story on the horizon. I recommend this book to fans of Christian fiction. 

Thanks to the author for providing a copy of her book. I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.

Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.

Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.

Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?

About the Author

Vanessa Hall is an author, musician, and homeschool graduate. Most days, she is reading, writing, or practicing the violin—or trying to find time for all three pursuits. Currently, she is working toward gaining a degree in instrumental music education. Unknown is her debut novel. 

Above all, she is a sinner saved and held fast by the abounding grace of Jesus Christ.

Action-Packed Historical Fiction -- Mercy Undeserved

Mercy Undeserved, by Kristina Hall, is an action-packed story set in the crime world of the 1920s. This is a time period and setting that is outside my usual reading choices, but I really enjoyed paying a visit to that era. The characters were very much alive, and their stories made for an intriguing page-turner.

The story includes elements of mobster-type danger (handled in non-graphic terms), instances of both good and bad decisions as Alberto and Lillian learn to work together to fight their enemies, and romance that grows in spite of all the obstacles along the way. The faith element and truth of God's undeserved mercy are very overtly presented in a variety of ways throughout the story. There were a few places where there appeared to be little bumps or gaps in the flow of the plot, but all in all this was a very engaging read that I would definitely recommend to fans of Christian historical fiction.

Mercy Undeserved is book two in The Moretti Trilogy. It can work well as a stand alone -- that's how I read it -- but I think I would really like to go back and pick up Promises Unbroken to answer a few questions I had as I read this one. 

Thanks to the author for providing a copy of her book.  I am happy to share my own thoughts in this review.

About the Book

How much more will she lose?

Lillian Rossi had it all—a devoted husband, a new baby, and all the riches she’d dreamed of. But one January day changed everything. Now, the consequences of her late husband’s sins extend to her and her son, and Matteo, though only a baby, is the rightful heir to the Rossi empire, making him a target.

Alberto Moretti promised to protect Lillian and her son, but he well knows the cruelty and desperation of the Rossi family. He served them all too long—until God set him free.

As Lillian and Alberto are thrown together in a race to save her and Matteo’s lives, their own sins and Stefano Rossi’s plans threaten to destroy them. Will they fall prey to the danger so close behind, or will they find mercy they’ve done nothing to deserve?

About the Author

Kristina Hall is a sinner saved by grace who seeks to glorify God with her words. She is a homeschool graduate and holds a degree in accounting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, arm wrestling, lifting weights, and playing the violin.