Heart of the Lonely Exile (An Emerald Ballad, Book #2) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

B. J. Hoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

The compelling sequel to Song of the Silent Harp!

Having escaped the famine that ravages their beloved Ireland, Nora Kavanagh and her son Daniel begin the difficult process of building a new life for themselves in America. Befriended by the wealthy Farmingtons and supported by the constant friendship of the injured Englishman, Evan Whittaker, Nora nevertheless finds herself caught in a conflict of the heart.

Michael Burke, the strong, competent Irish policeman, desperately wants to keep his promise to his best friend Morgan Fitzgerald that he will marry Nora and take care of her. But something in Nora resists his proposal, and she must decide whether to give in to Michael's urgings or find a different direction. Can she trust her heart?

In the midst of Nora's personal struggle, the heartaches from the old country continue to plague her. Will she ever overcome her grief and find peace?

Heart of the Lonely Exile continues the saga of the Kavanagh pilgrimage a journey of the soul in a strange new land, where all those who are exiles and aliens must find their true home.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 663 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786235772
• ISBN-13: 978-0786235773
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,581,723 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

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, Hard to put down!, October 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Heart of the Lonely Exile (An Emerald Ballad #2) (Paperback)

If you loved the first book then this one you will not be able to put down. The story continues to follow Nora and her son, Daniel as they make a new life for themselves in America. All kinds of challenges face them, including their Irish background, racism, trying to make ends meet and romance - will she end up with Michael or Evan? We can't forget Morgan who is still in Ireland...he continues to encourage peace between the English and the Irish and the Protestants and the Catholics. Now that's a challenge. Bottom line, I really liked this book and will pass it on to my friends.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Sweeping Story from BJ Hoff!, July 7, 2010

By 

Kelli Standish "Editor, FocusonFiction.net" (Corpus Christi, TX, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart of the Lonely Exile (The Emerald Ballad) (Paperback)

Length:: 1:49 Mins

When Nora Kavanagh arrives in New York, no-one-- not the brooding Morgan, the determined Michael, or even Nora herself --is prepared for what is to come. Unexpected love, rough streets, strong Irish lead characters, a crafty villain (sure to be even worse in the next book, no doubt!), and a grand dose of 1800s Americana, make this another must-read from BJ Hoff, and a great addition to the bookshelf for history buffs and fiction lovers alike.

Check out the author's web site for more info on this series.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read a Classic, February 15, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Heart of the Lonely Exile (An Emerald Ballad #2) (Paperback)

This book is really good. I have only read it once and would love to read again. It is just one out of a series of five. The series is called The Emerald Ballad. I read the second book called Heart of the Lonely Exile. This is a story during the famine. When the family gets to America they are brought in by the Farmingtons. The story is about their hardships, disease, and deaths that they must over come.
I really enjoyed reading this book because I like reading about things that happened in history. Things that happen in the olden days just fascinate me. I am now reading the third book in the series. It is called Land of a Thousand Dreams. It is really good too if you are interested in anything about history this would be a great series for you to read. I know that I enjoyed reading it.