Saturday, January 20, 2018

Review (+ Tour GIVEAWAY): A Song Unheard



About the Book

Title: A Song Unheard  
Author: Roseanna M. White  
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction  
Release Date: January 2, 2018

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales. 

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe. 

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.


Click here to purchase your copy!


My Thoughts

A Song Unheard is another wonderful historical romance by the incredibly talented Roseanna M. White. This story is rich in characterization, historical detail, and emotionally moving storyline – and it calls out to me in a unique way. White has become one of my favorite authors, and A Song Unheard goes on my “best of the best” list.

Opening in fall of 1914 and set in Aberystwyth, Wales, the theme centers around a symphony orchestra made up of Belgian refugees, touring to raise money for the Belgian Relief Fund. We see Pauly again, father figure to the ragtag bunch of street urchins he’d helped stitch together, as Willa gets her turn at carrying out a commission from the mysterious Mr. V.

Willa, feeling a little betrayed and abandoned by Rosie in the beginning, is a standout character – and Lukas De Wilde adds complexity and depth as a leading man. Music is central to the story, and White conveys such vivid realism that I could literally hear them playing their violins in my mind. As a musician myself, every page resonated with me in an emotionally moving way, and I read slowly so as to savor every detail and nuance.

Spiritual themes are also central to the story, and we see both emotional and spiritual growth in Willa and Lukas. Tension and suspense of World War I blend with romance in this captivating story, making it hard to put down. I love this series and look forward to the next story.

Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.


About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. 

Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. 

You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.



Guest post from Roseanna White

I started playing the piano when I was 7. I didn’t discover any long-dormant genius or anything, but I liked it. When my sister quit, I kept playing. In middle school, I switched teachers, and moving from the lady at my church that I knew so well to someone who was just my piano teacher made a difference in how I applied myself. It deepened my love of music. 

We all know how some random moments stand out forever in our memory. One such for me happened on the school bus. I was sitting with my best friend, talking about the new piano piece I was learning. “Via Delorosa” means Road of Sorrow, and it’s a song that tells musically about Jesus’ journey to Golgotha—ending with the faint chime of the nails being driven into his palms. As my beloved Mrs. Peto went through this song with me the night before, I remember her circling a D♯ that I’d missed and saying how important that note was. That it made the whole line weep. 

That it would make the hearers weep. An epiphany so huge I had to share it with my friend. A well placed sharp could make music weep! Who knew? 

That was but one lesson Mrs. Peto taught me in how music could evoke things words never could. A woman of strong faith, she also taught me how a song could preach the Gospel. Music can be medicine. It can be hope. It can be tears. It can be truth. Music can be Jesus to a hurting heart that turns its back on words. 

This is a lesson I never forgot, and I had it always in mind as I was writing A Song Unheard. In this story, both my hero and heroine are musicians—violinists. But Willa (who is SO STUBBORN) wouldn’t listen to words of faith from any of the people in her life “suddenly spouting such nonsense.” 

But then, in her darkest hour, she hears a slip of melody. And she realizes it’s the Lord. 

I pray as readers move through the story of Willa Forsythe—violin prodigy and top-notch thief—that their spirits’ ears hear more than words, more than just a story. I pray they hear the Lord whispering that ultimate song. The one that says, “I love you.” 

Want to hear the song Willa eventually wrote in the book? You can! The violin music in this trailer is officially dubbed “Willa’s Song” and written specifically for this book. I hope you enjoy it! http://bit.ly/ASongUnheardTrailer



Blog Stops

Fiction Aficionado, January 11
Genesis 5020, January 11
Bookworm Mama, January 11
Blogging With Carol, January 12
Multifarious, January 12
Faithfully Bookish, January 13
Karen Sue Hadley, January 13
Mary Hake, January 13
A Greater Yes, January 13
Remembrancy, January 14
Texas Book-aholic, January 14
A Reader’s Brain, January 15
Cordially Barbara, January 15
Pursuing Stacie, January 15
Bigreadersite, January 16
Mommynificent, January 17
Baker Kella, January 17
allofakindmom, January 18
Pause for Tales, January 19
Just Commonly, January 19
Janices book reviews, January 19
Radiant Light, January 20
Book by Book, January 20
CAC Devourer, January 20
Splashes of Joy, January 21
Neverending Stories, January 21
The PhD Mamma, January 22
Cafinated Reads, January 22
Daysong Reflections, January 22
Purposeful Learning, January 23
Carpe Diem, January 23
Henry Happens, January 24
Joy of Reading, January 24


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a signed copy of the book as well as a lovely album of soothing songs based on the Scriptures called Hidden in My Heart (winner’s choice of CD or digital download)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!


8 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I would love to win this book! Thanks for the giveaway. I started piano at age 4, and continued learning even while learning to play trombone and the pipe organ. It is such a joy to sit down and play.

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  2. Love the cover! jarning67(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  3. Thank you for the giveaway. The book sounds so good. I love how you put your experience with your piano.

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  4. Looking forward to reading Roseanna's books even if I don't win.
    Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
    Janet E.
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and so A Song Unheard is a must read for me. Thanks for featuring it and the opportunity to win it.

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  6. I enjoy Roseanna's books! I'm excited to read this series! :)

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  7. I am so looking forward to reading this book. My mother was quite an excellent pianist, and I think I'm going to enjoy the musical element of the story as well as the suspense.

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  8. LOVE you review! Thanks for sharing! I adore Roseanna!

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