Customer Reviews

American Anthem

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Length:: 1:37 Mins

Irish governess Susanna Fallon has crossed an ocean to learn the truth about her sister's death, protect her young niece, and unmask the "Divinely gifted" musician, Michael Emmanuel, for the monster her sister said he was.

But when she discovers nothing was what it seemed, she must re-draw everything she believes about herself, her sister, and the man who broke her sister's heart.

Learn more about the book and read a sample chapter at http://www.bjhoff.com !

The characters were well developed and interesting in their struggles for a new life in America. Of course, several strong women dominated the storylines. Loved the infusion of musical artistry. Also, the redemption from addiction was a good storyline full of hope for one of the supporting characters. This trilogy is worth the time and effort.

American Anthem is a wonderful novel bringing real people of history into a finely wove story that leaves one not wanting to put the book down and yet afraid the end of the book was coming.
I look forward to reading more books by this excellent author

What is the American dream? To many of us it represents wealth and comfort, but in the 1870's, it often meant simply having food for the children and a good roof over the whole family's head. This book, American Anthem, is actually three books in one. The books tell about the lives of three immigrant families, how they lived, and how they finally meet up together and help each other achieve the American dream.
Susanna Fallon is an Irish girl who is coming to America with a mission. Her much elder sister died in unusual circumstances as the wife of a wealthy Italian immigrant conductor. Her sister had desperately reached out to the younger Susanna, telling about the misery of her life under Michael Emmanuel's roof. Filled with righteous anger, she accepts Emmanuel's offer to come live with him and the motherless daughter her sister, Deidre, left behind. She arrives into what appears to be a loving home, grieving for her sister but unwilling to share details of Deidre's death.
Andrew Carmichael is a doctor from Scotland who practices in New York. Thought he could have treated only society's elite, he chooses instead to tend to the poorest of New York's poor, most of who were immigrants. When he is about his work, he finds another person in need. Bethany Cole is a talented female doctor in a time when `lady docs' were not respected and Carmichael takes her on as partner, then begins to love her as well. Suddenly, an old secret is reveled and threatens to destroy all Carmichael has achieved.
The Macgovern family are ready to leave Ireland in search of a new life in America. Parents Conn and Vangie are determined that their children Aidan, Nell Grace, twins James and John, and Emma will have the chances they never had living in poverty in Ireland. It is only at the last moment that an adult Aidan refuses to come and they are saddled with a street waif, Renny Magee, instead.
They soon find that the streets of America are not paved with gold. They struggle to survive in a hovel on a few cents a day as Conn desperately searches for a job. It would take a chance encounter to change their situation.
American Anthem gives a vivid portrayal of life in America in this time period, both luxurious and horrid. Michael Emmanual's family lives in splendor outside the city due to his God-given gift of music, but they are compelled to help those without. It is in the storylines of Carmichael and the Macgovern's that the reader experiences the horror of old New York. Off the fancy streets of the well-to-do, there was nothing but dirt, disease, and despair. Here immigrants suffered and died, shivering in shacks where parents had to watch their children to starve to death.
This book shows how much the people of today own to their hardworking ancestors. With blood, sweat, and tears, these people built the American we live in today. It also reminds us that while much has changed, we still have poverty and suffering in our country and we must work as hard as our ancestors to better the country for the sake of us all.

I don't think I had read anything by this author before, but I'm sure I'll be looking her books up in the future.
This one was was full of all the things I love - history, romance, suspense and a little mystery. Loved it!

An unbelievably captivating tale about an Irish governess, two physicians, and an Irish immigrant family. How do they all intertwine and what life changes take place as a result?

How does a blind musician learn to love again? How can the governess of his mother-less daughter learn to trust him? Can a physician learn to overcome a past wrecked with secrets and mysteries? Can love change the motivations of a homeless street performer? Can an Irish mother learn to trust God and love again after tragedy strikes her family? So many life lessons are confronted and learned through three story lines that it becomes near impossible to put the book down until the last page is turned.

A big thank you to Harvest House for placing all three books of the American Anthem trilogy into one 560+ page turning novel, complete with discussion questions at the end. If you are looking for a unique, historical, emotionally-packed experience, this is one book you must read. Spiritual truths are interwoven in each character. You will find yourself in at least one of them!

Susanna Fallon has just arrived in America, tired, nervous, and wondering what awaits her. She is here to meet the husband of her dead sister, and take care of Caterina, Deirdre's three-year old daughter. Susanna has a pretty good idea of what her brother-in-law is like, but Michael isn't at all what she expects.
Dr. Andrew Carmichael has his own challenge to deal with. Why would a beautiful woman like Bethany Cole want to be a doctor. A lot of his fellow male physicians feel strongly that a woman should be barred from the medical field. Still Andrew can't deny he's very attracted to the lady doctor.
Then there's Renny Magee who is looking forward to a new life in America. Renny is an orphan living on the streets of Ireland, and she's not sure what awaits her in America, but it has to be better whan what she has here.
With just a few words BJ Hoff plunges her readers into a new world of sights and sounds where we feel right at home. Her characters are people we know and love and miss when the book ends. A BJ Hoff book is more than just a book. It's an experience. American Anthem is a treat. One you won't want to miss.

I read all of the books in this story when they first came out, and could not put them down! It's wonderful to have them all together in one collection. It's amazing how the author can actually make you able to hear the music in the story, as if you are right there listening to a symphony. These stories will cause you to become absorbed right away into the lives of the characters and their hardships and their joys. This is a treasured saga that you will want to read again and again!