Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.
On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.
Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.
When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?
Read an excerpt here: Book Excerpt
About the Author:
Rosslyn Elliott grew up in a military family and relocated so often that she attended nine schools before her high school graduation. With the help of excellent teachers, she qualified to attend Yale University, where she earned a BA in English and Theater. She worked in business and as a schoolteacher before returning to study at Emory University, where she earned a Ph.D. in English in 2006. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She lives in the Southwest, where she homeschools her daughter and teaches in children's ministry.
For more about Rosslyn, visit her website: Rosslyn Elliott
My Thoughts and Review:
I was thrilled when I was selected to read and review this book! First of all it is a Historical Fiction book, which is my favorite Genre. Also, it is by a brand new author, another favorite of mine. The book is set in the early 19th Century in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. Ann Miller has been through many rough patches in life, including losing her mother as a young teenager. She falls in love with Eli Bowen in her mid teens. She "loses" the love of her life when he proposes at age 15 but she has to decline because her father would never let her marry that young. Ann continues to take care of the household, including her younger sisters. A few years go by and Ann meets a young man, Will Hanby, who also has been through trials in his life. The book isn't a "straight forward romance story", it is more a book about 2 individual people and their stories. Their lives become intertwined when Will leaves his Slave Master and goes to Ohio to find Ann Miller.
AMAZING and WONDERFUL are the 2 words that come to mind about this book. I was sooo into the book that I couldn't put it down and didn't put it down until I was done. I read the book in about 5 hours and I completely enjoyed the book. I really felt the characters come alive in the book and the theme in the book was very well written. The book contains many "historcial" markers such as slavery, the author touches on those topics with grace and compassion for that time period. Fairer then Morning is the first book in Series and I will be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series! EXCELLENT book and a must read, especially if you really enjoy Historical Fiction!
A GREAT Giveaway hosted by the Author:
To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Fairer Than Morning
, Rosslyn Elliott is giving away two fabulous prize packages. The first is brand new KINDLE in her Fairer Than Morning Kindle Giveaway. Then on September 20th she's giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a Custom-Made Historical Reproduction Dress (from Recollections) during the Fairer Than Morning Book Club Chat Party on Facebook! Sigh...romantic.Fairer Than Morning is receiving wonderful reviews - Library Journal said, "A well-written historical series debut…". Read more reviews here.
Be sure to join the fun and enter the Kindle contest -
One winner will receive:
* Kindle with Wi-Fi
* Fairer Than Morning (for Kindle)
To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/19. Winner will be announced on 9/20 at Rosslyn's Book Club Facebook Party. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.
Then be sure to RSVP for Rosslyn's Facebook Party! During the party Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, hosting a book chat about Fairer Than Morning (don't worry if you haven't read the book yet - you could win a copy!) & historical Fiction, testing your trivia skills. She'll also be giving away that $200 gift certificate toward a FABULOUS custom-made period dress from Recollections!
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book as part of the LitFuse Publicity Group Blog Tour Program. I was only required to give an honest review. I received no other form of compensation and my opinions are my own.
2 comments:
Kendra, thank you so very much. I am humbled by your kind words here, and so glad you liked the novel. Thank you for taking the time to review it, and for encouraging this debut author! :-)
And one more thing...if you have a chance to post this review on Amazon at some point, I'd really appreciate it! It makes a difference in getting the word out.
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