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kshiffler's review
3.0
While an interesting idea for a story, Sloan's conversion wasn't convincing. The whole story just kinda fell flat for me
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Fanny Beck is an indentured servant for Sloan Kirkpatrick, a riverboat captain. Fanny’s father indentured her in exchange for passage for the rest of his family to America. Unfortunately, Fanny’s father did not realize the fine print indentured Fanny for seven years for each family member which is 35 years instead of the seven Fanny believes. When a fire on the ship gives Fanny a chance to escape, she grabs it. It sends her on a journey where she encounters people in need including Walter Kuhn, a widower with a young daughter. Walter needs someone to watch his daughter until his mail order bride arrives. Fanny wants to get to New York to reunite with her family, but she needs to earn more funds for the train ride. In the meantime, Sloan is scouring the Midwest looking for a singer for his riverboat. What is God’s plan for Fanny? Freedom’s Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming historical novel. I thought it was well-written with realistic, developed characters. Sloan is an opportunistic riverboat captain who takes advantage of a man’s inability to read or write. Fanny is a sweet woman who has led a hard life. She just wants to rejoin her family whom she has not seen in seven years. Fanny is a woman of great faith. She relies on God to direct her journey. The romance element is sweet. I like that it happened slowly and was not rushed. I enjoyed the “embarrassing” moments between Fanny and Walter. This is a clean story which I appreciated (no intimate situations or foul language). The theme of freedom (physical, emotional, and spiritual) was woven throughout the story. It was well-done. I wish there had been an update on Enoch and his family. They were such wonderful characters and I wanted to know how their journey ended. I liked that the story had emotion, suspense, romance, drama, and faith. There is some predictability to the story, but that did not diminish my reading pleasure. I can tell the author did her research for this story. She captured the time period and included good details that enhance the story (the difficulties of traveling by stagecoach for example). Freedom’s Song is an inspiring, emotional story that was a joy to read.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartfelt historical Christian romance.
Due to Fanny Beck’s wondrous singing ability, she and her family secured passage from Scotland to America. The only catch? She is indentured to riverboat captain Sloan Kirkpatrick for seven years. When her contract is about to expire, Fanny learns Kirkpatrick has no intention of setting her free. She is planning to leave when she takes advantage of an unexpected opportunity to escape. Fanny is aided by an on the family of slaves who are seeking their own freedom. She in turn helps them reach safety but she must now figure out a new way to reach her family in New York. When her luck runs out, Fanny meets widowed farmer Walter Kuhn who welcomes her offer to take care of his young daughter Annaliese.
Once Fanny realizes her family has been taken advantage of by Kirkpatrick, she begins planning her departure. Although she has been exposed to people from many walks of life, her faith remains strong. Fanny is a determined young woman but she is very touched by the enslaved family who is seeking their own freedom. She refuses to leave them behind and does all she can to aid them during their journey. When Fanny meets Walter, she is initially cautious but he quickly wins her over by his gentle care of Annaliese. She is grateful for the chance to earn the money to continue her travels. But Fanny does not realize how much she will come to care for both Annaliese and Walter.
Walter is stricken with guilt over his wife’s death. Although he deeply loves his deceased wife, he agrees to ask his parents to send him a mail-order bride. Walter is incredibly grateful when Fanny agrees to take care of Annaliese. Her gentle care and abiding faith slowly work their way into his heart but is there any future for them since Walter has given his word to marry the woman his parents pick for him?
Freedom's Song is a captivating novel with a bucolic setting and appealing characters. Fanny is very sweet with an incredibly strong faith. Walter is a little shy and insecure yet very protective of the people he cares about. Kirkpatrick is a bit of a villain but he does undergo some character growth. With a late in the story complication, Kim Vogel Sawyer brings this beautiful historical romance to a very heartwarming conclusion.
Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartfelt historical Christian romance.
Due to Fanny Beck’s wondrous singing ability, she and her family secured passage from Scotland to America. The only catch? She is indentured to riverboat captain Sloan Kirkpatrick for seven years. When her contract is about to expire, Fanny learns Kirkpatrick has no intention of setting her free. She is planning to leave when she takes advantage of an unexpected opportunity to escape. Fanny is aided by an on the family of slaves who are seeking their own freedom. She in turn helps them reach safety but she must now figure out a new way to reach her family in New York. When her luck runs out, Fanny meets widowed farmer Walter Kuhn who welcomes her offer to take care of his young daughter Annaliese.
Once Fanny realizes her family has been taken advantage of by Kirkpatrick, she begins planning her departure. Although she has been exposed to people from many walks of life, her faith remains strong. Fanny is a determined young woman but she is very touched by the enslaved family who is seeking their own freedom. She refuses to leave them behind and does all she can to aid them during their journey. When Fanny meets Walter, she is initially cautious but he quickly wins her over by his gentle care of Annaliese. She is grateful for the chance to earn the money to continue her travels. But Fanny does not realize how much she will come to care for both Annaliese and Walter.
Walter is stricken with guilt over his wife’s death. Although he deeply loves his deceased wife, he agrees to ask his parents to send him a mail-order bride. Walter is incredibly grateful when Fanny agrees to take care of Annaliese. Her gentle care and abiding faith slowly work their way into his heart but is there any future for them since Walter has given his word to marry the woman his parents pick for him?
Freedom's Song is a captivating novel with a bucolic setting and appealing characters. Fanny is very sweet with an incredibly strong faith. Walter is a little shy and insecure yet very protective of the people he cares about. Kirkpatrick is a bit of a villain but he does undergo some character growth. With a late in the story complication, Kim Vogel Sawyer brings this beautiful historical romance to a very heartwarming conclusion.
55_sallymander's review
5.0
5 stars, Well Done
Freedom's Song
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Fanny Beck has spent years in solitude, working as an indentured person, unique in that she sings for her master, on a gambling riverboat. She is desperate to orchestrate a getaway. An accident devises the correct incident that allows her to make her escape. The novel follows her daring escape and her attempt to run for freedom.
Highly recommend it. A lovely Christian, historical novel.
Many thanks to #waterbrookpress #waterbrook #waterbrookmultnomah @waterbrookpress @waterbrookmultnomah and the author #kimvogelsawyer @kimvogelsawyer for the complimentary copy of #FreedomsSong I was under no obligation to post a review.
Freedom's Song
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Fanny Beck has spent years in solitude, working as an indentured person, unique in that she sings for her master, on a gambling riverboat. She is desperate to orchestrate a getaway. An accident devises the correct incident that allows her to make her escape. The novel follows her daring escape and her attempt to run for freedom.
Highly recommend it. A lovely Christian, historical novel.
Many thanks to #waterbrookpress #waterbrook #waterbrookmultnomah @waterbrookpress @waterbrookmultnomah and the author #kimvogelsawyer @kimvogelsawyer for the complimentary copy of #FreedomsSong I was under no obligation to post a review.
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
oliviasbookishworld's review
4.0
This was the first book I've read by Ms. Sawyer and it's not going to be the last. The American Old West is one of my favorite time periods to visit. Full of heart, it was a great book to read. I took my kindle grocery shopping with me (my family insists on eating even when I'm involved in a good book) and I ended up finishing it while sitting in the parking lot before heading into the store. On a side note: It was a treat to hear a hymn that I have heard my entire life used as inspiration to get the characters through tough times.
lindz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Are you a Kim Vogel Sawyer fan? Or a historical fiction fan? Then you will enjoy Kim's newest book to be coming out soon. It is delightful. Kim writes wonderfully, and this book captured my attendance for the entire book.
I was wondering if Sloane would catch up to Fanny. This book pulls you through Fanny's journey, and she will get her freedom. In the process, Sloan will find his freedom as well. There are three main characters throughout this book. We get to see their point of view throughout the book; Most of them are Fanny's point of view. We do see Walters and Sloane's point of view throughout the book as well.
This book talks about slaves. What will happen when Fanny meets Enoch and his family? Will she help them to freedom, and she gets help with being hidden with them. What will Fanny do? Will Sloane learn about keeping his word and about God?
Will Sloan find his riverboat singer? Does he seem to think he is on a goose chase trying to find a singer that seems to sing her way to freedom? The plot thickens, and there will be freedom for Fanny. Will she get what she has been looking for in life. Fanny agreed to help care and watch over Walter's little girl Annlesse. What will happen when Walter's new wife comes?
I was wondering if Sloane would catch up to Fanny. This book pulls you through Fanny's journey, and she will get her freedom. In the process, Sloan will find his freedom as well. There are three main characters throughout this book. We get to see their point of view throughout the book; Most of them are Fanny's point of view. We do see Walters and Sloane's point of view throughout the book as well.
This book talks about slaves. What will happen when Fanny meets Enoch and his family? Will she help them to freedom, and she gets help with being hidden with them. What will Fanny do? Will Sloane learn about keeping his word and about God?
Will Sloan find his riverboat singer? Does he seem to think he is on a goose chase trying to find a singer that seems to sing her way to freedom? The plot thickens, and there will be freedom for Fanny. Will she get what she has been looking for in life. Fanny agreed to help care and watch over Walter's little girl Annlesse. What will happen when Walter's new wife comes?
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