Helpful Score: 2
Song of My Heart is a sweet story set in Kansas during Prohibition. Thad, Goldtree's new sheriff, is on the hunt for bootleggers, and Sadie sings in the "opera house" built underground. I liked the lesson Thad learned that one occupation isn't better than another, and that children aren't accountable for the sins of their parents. While Sadie and Thad were both pretty well-written, the rest of the supporting cast seemed one dimensional, unusual for this author. The story progressed in a predictable manner until the expected HEA. Kim's books My Heart Remembers and Courting Miss Amsel are full of great characters and wonderful stories. Song of My Heart just doesn't live up to the standards those books set.
With thanks to Bethany House Publishers for my review copy.
With thanks to Bethany House Publishers for my review copy.
In an effort to help support her family when her father is injured in an accident, Sadie Wagner leaves home to join her cousin in Goldtree, Kansas. There she will be paid well to work as a store clerk and also get to fulfill her dream of singing at the towns Opera House. Sadie arrives at her new home full of anticipation mixed with a little fear and is determined to succeed. Her cousin Sid is a familiar face from home and she quickly learns to love her two spinster bosses. The towns handsome new sheriff soon becomes her friend and the future looks bright. Surely this is Gods will.
But as the days go by Sadie becomes more and more confused. The Opera House is not what she expected and the owner makes her uneasy with some of his requests. She is terribly homesick and to top it all off, she is confused by her new feelings for the sheriff right at the time that Sid announces he is in love with her. Then she is devastated when her father dies, and she finds herself pulled into an unlawful situation that she must keep from the sheriff.
I have always loved Kim Vogel Sawyers books and this one is no exception. Her characters are realistic and interesting, especially Melva and Shelva, the delightful store clerks. The chemistry between Sadie and Thad is just right and you find yourself rooting for both of them. But most important to the story, Kim also has a way of allowing her characters to grow in their relationships with each other and with God. The spiritual aspect of her books always teaches me something and speaks to me in a personal way. I also greatly appreciate the fact that while Kims books have a very realistic and satisfying romance in them, I never have to worry that they will cross the line from good wholesome Christian values as some of the newer offerings in the Christian fiction market have done. To sum it upwhen you finish this book you will feel like it was time well spent.
I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
But as the days go by Sadie becomes more and more confused. The Opera House is not what she expected and the owner makes her uneasy with some of his requests. She is terribly homesick and to top it all off, she is confused by her new feelings for the sheriff right at the time that Sid announces he is in love with her. Then she is devastated when her father dies, and she finds herself pulled into an unlawful situation that she must keep from the sheriff.
I have always loved Kim Vogel Sawyers books and this one is no exception. Her characters are realistic and interesting, especially Melva and Shelva, the delightful store clerks. The chemistry between Sadie and Thad is just right and you find yourself rooting for both of them. But most important to the story, Kim also has a way of allowing her characters to grow in their relationships with each other and with God. The spiritual aspect of her books always teaches me something and speaks to me in a personal way. I also greatly appreciate the fact that while Kims books have a very realistic and satisfying romance in them, I never have to worry that they will cross the line from good wholesome Christian values as some of the newer offerings in the Christian fiction market have done. To sum it upwhen you finish this book you will feel like it was time well spent.
I received this complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers for this review. A positive review was not required and the opinions expressed here are my own.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed Song of My Heart (Heart of the Prairie, Bk 8) on + 811 more book reviews
Great story by Kim Vogel Sawyer. The characters were interesting and well written. I would recommend this book.
Song of My Heart is a completely charming story filled with quirky characters, escalating tension, sweet romance and just a few chuckle-worthy fiction moments.
Ive got to start with the secondary characters, Melba, Shelba and Asa have got to be the most outrageous characters not in a bad way just in a bit of the ridiculous funny. Get into the way Asa (the villain) thinks and you just might want to chuckle I did. (wink)
I loved Thad. A strapping hero, but with a heart of gold, though he isnt without his troubles for sure. I love the subtleties of his character, his growth and realization through the course of the story.
You cant get any more emotionally tormented than Sadie. Though Ive never been in her kind of situation to need to provide for her family, I could completely understand and feel for that pull toward whats right and what she needs to do.
The ending was definitely my favorite part of the novel. So many parts of the story came together for a well written ending that charmed and entertained this reader.
Reading is all about entertainment and I found it easy and enjoyable to escape for a few hours into Song of My Heart. Its a delightful read and a ready addition to my collection.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.
Ive got to start with the secondary characters, Melba, Shelba and Asa have got to be the most outrageous characters not in a bad way just in a bit of the ridiculous funny. Get into the way Asa (the villain) thinks and you just might want to chuckle I did. (wink)
I loved Thad. A strapping hero, but with a heart of gold, though he isnt without his troubles for sure. I love the subtleties of his character, his growth and realization through the course of the story.
You cant get any more emotionally tormented than Sadie. Though Ive never been in her kind of situation to need to provide for her family, I could completely understand and feel for that pull toward whats right and what she needs to do.
The ending was definitely my favorite part of the novel. So many parts of the story came together for a well written ending that charmed and entertained this reader.
Reading is all about entertainment and I found it easy and enjoyable to escape for a few hours into Song of My Heart. Its a delightful read and a ready addition to my collection.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.
Naomi D. (nomer15) -
"Song of My Heart" by Kim Vogel Sawyer features the story of a young woman named Sadie Wagner. Her stepfather is badly injured and unable to work to provide for the family. Twenty-two year old Sadie hears of a job opportunity available in Goldtree, Kansas. Her desire for work to help her family compels her to relocate from their home in Dalton, Indiana, to Goldtree, where she knows no one except for her cousin, Sid. Sadie soon finds herself caught up in a complicated romantic quandary with two young men vying for her affection. She quickly settles in to her employment, one job working as a clerk in the local mercantile and the other as a singer in the "opera house". Sadie bonds with her mercantile employers, twin sisters Melva and Shelva who quickly grow to love their new employee. Her opera house boss, Asa Baxter, brother to the twins, quickly proves to be manipulative and unscrupulous in his quest to earn money and shed a past nickname.
Thad McKane, the town sheriff, was hired specifically to deal with rumors of bootlegging. He and Sadie develop a beautiful friendship which turns complicated as Asa asks Sadie to compromise her beliefs in order to further his monetary gain. Eventually all is worked out and Sadie is free to be with her true love.
The main characters were likeable and the story flowed well. It was an enjoyable, light read, albeit a bit predictable. I appreciated Sadie's desire to help with providing for her family. Her strength and resolve to move many miles away deepened that appreciation. Both Thad and Sadie learned and grew much through their experiences. In the end, they both had a great awakening to the grace and mercy of Christ which transformed them and prepared them for the future that lay ahead for them.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
Thad McKane, the town sheriff, was hired specifically to deal with rumors of bootlegging. He and Sadie develop a beautiful friendship which turns complicated as Asa asks Sadie to compromise her beliefs in order to further his monetary gain. Eventually all is worked out and Sadie is free to be with her true love.
The main characters were likeable and the story flowed well. It was an enjoyable, light read, albeit a bit predictable. I appreciated Sadie's desire to help with providing for her family. Her strength and resolve to move many miles away deepened that appreciation. Both Thad and Sadie learned and grew much through their experiences. In the end, they both had a great awakening to the grace and mercy of Christ which transformed them and prepared them for the future that lay ahead for them.
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
