A Distant Music (The Mountain Song Legacy #1) [Paperback]

B. J. Hoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006

In the first book of the Mountain Song Legacy series readers step into a small Kentucky coal mining town in the late 1800’s where hope is found in the hearts of two young girls—the vibrant, red–headed Maggie MacAuley and her fragile friend Summer Rankin.

When Jonathan Stuart, the latest in a succession of educators, actually wants to continue teaching in the one–room schoolhouse, then Maggie and Summer know that he is special. So when Jonathan’s cherished flute is stolen, the girls try to find a way to restore music to his life.

Sorrow and joy follow in the days to come, and through it all Maggie, Jonathan, and a community rediscover the gifts of faith, friendship, and unwavering love.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

A few years ago I wrote a novella titled The Penny Whistle, featuring a much–loved and respected schoolteacher (Jonathan Stuart), who was struggling with poor health and finding it difficult to hold onto hope. Two of Jonathan’s students who fully believe in the God of the Impossible, set out to enlist His help, along with that of their families and their classmates—with some truly amazing results. This was a small book whose characters have always been among my personal favorites and, according to my mail, favorites of my readers as well, so I was tremendously excited when the opportunity arose to develop an entire series around them. A Distant Music reunites these characters some years in the future and tells ‘the rest of the story.’ I invite you to pay a visit to Skingle Creek, Kentucky, where a one–room schoolhouse provides the setting for a miracle...and the beginning of a different kind of love story.

About the Author

B.J. Hoff is an accomplished author whose books have received numerous honors, including Christianity Today’s Critics’ Choice Book Award for fiction, a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards, and recognition as a Gold Medallion finalist. Hoff’s historical fiction, including the bestselling An Emerald Ballad, reflects her desire to make stories set in the past relevant to the present. She and her husband reside in Ohio, where they share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family.

Product Details

• Paperback: 255 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736914048
• ISBN-13: 978-0736914048
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #89,477 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BJ Hoff's writing is known for her historical settings, her unforgettable characters, and her lyrical prose. She is the bestselling author of numerous historical fiction series, including the Riverhaven Years, the Mountain Song Legacy, the Song of Erin saga, the American Anthem series, and An Emerald Ballad series.

Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace-and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.

Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants-Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.

BJ admits to a passion for "building worlds." Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.

She's intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be "stories that build a bridge from the past to the present."

Her literary awards include the Christianity Today's Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.

A former church music director and music teacher, BJ is a member of the Authors Guild, the Irish American Cultural Institute, and the Appalachian Writers Association.

She writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two married daughters, three lively young grandsons, a loopy Golden Retriever, and a cunning, incorrigible but lovable cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating, compelling read, March 18, 2006

By 

Jill E. Smith "Writer - Visit me at www.jille... (Southeastern Lower, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Distant Music (The Mountain Song Legacy #1) (Paperback)

A Distant Music is another captivating book by author B.J. Hoff. Mrs. Hoff has the ability to create such believable characters that you feel like you know them as friends when you close the book's final page. It's been over a year since I finished reading the third book in Mrs. Hoff's American Anthem trilogy, and yet I can still see the blind conductor Michael in my mind's eye. That same character realism is true for the teacher Jonathan Stuart and students Maggie MacAuley and Kenny Tallman in Mrs. Hoff's newest book, A Distant Music. This story is a touching reminder of how hard life was in another era for a struggling mining town. A tale where hardship breeds a desperation that nearly steals all beauty and hope from those caught in its grip, but where miracles still happen, spurred on by the undying faith of children. A Distant Music holds such wonderful prose and such realistic descriptions that I felt I was there. A page-turning, enjoyable read. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in The Mountain Song Legacy series.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very special story, February 15, 2006

By 

Barbara Warren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Distant Music (The Mountain Song Legacy #1) (Paperback)

Someone stole Mr. Stuart's silver flute and the music died in Skingle Creek. Maggie MacAuley can pinpoint the time it happened. When her beloved teacer played the flute it seemed like the music washed away the coal dust that covered everything like a smothering blanket, leaving her feeling clean and fresh. Mr. Stuart hasn't been the same since his flute disppeared. Never well, he seems to be fading before their eyes.

Maggie with the help of Summer, her best friend, who is dying of a wasting disease, conceives a plan. As the entire population of Skingle Creek work to surprise their beloved teacher, they come together in a way that breaks down all barriers. It's almost like God is smiling on Skingle Creek, but will it be enough to save Mr. Stuart?

The characters in A Distant Music are as real as the people in my own community. It's a story of love and courage, as people beaten down by the misery of defeat learn to rejoice again. Most of all, it is a reminder of God's wonderful gift of hope and the difference it makes in our lives. This one's a keeper.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read!, March 14, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Distant Music (The Mountain Song Legacy #1) (Paperback)

How do I begin to describe a book that touched me in the deepest parts of my heart? I laughed. I cried. I despaired. I regained hope. A Distant Music inspires me to live life well no matter what my circumstances.

The story is about twelve-year-old Maggie MacAuley and her struggles with friendship, loyalty and hope. Living in a small Kentucky mining community during 1892, there is no money and little to dream of for the future. Families are stuck in the cycle of poverty--children grow up and follow their parents' footsteps. Maggie's story is to be no different. Regardless of the circumstances, love and hope run deeper still. Many people influence Maggie's life:

-- Summer, her best friend who is sickly yet gives of herself beyond all expectations,

-- Jonathan Stuart, town teacher and mentor, who teaches her about faith in God

-- Matthew MacAuley, her father who learns how to show love

-- Kenny Tallman, son of the owner of the town mine, Maggie's protector and classmate.

In the face of poverty, sickness, death, threats from two town bullies, and the theft of her teacher's prized flute, Maggie learns to have faith and hope in God regardless of circumstances.

Armchair Interviews says: In A Distance Music, miracles do happen but in unexpected ways.