Customer Reviews

Heart of the Lonely Exile (An Emerald Ballad #2)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After reading the first book in this series I was really looking forward to reading Heart of the Lonely Exile. I was not disappointed. B J Hoff has a wonderful way of making you feel like you are right there in the book. Nora and Evan's story is wonderful and shows how good friends can be so much more. The story line with Morgan and Annie Delaney is delightful. The story of Annie Delaney and the "Sandman" is very touching. I will past this book on to family and friends. I am looking forward to the next one. The Land of a Thousand Dreams.

Evan Whittaker did not anticipate that one trip to Ireland would change his life forever. An unexpected immigration to America with Nora Kavanagh and her son certainly was not on his list of expectations. As he and Nora each struggle to find their places in this new land, Evan finds himself drawn to Nora. However, the handsome Irish policeman, Michael Burke, intends to keep his promise to Morgan Fitzgerald to marry Nora. Nora's childhood friendship with Michael is strong and her young love for Morgan Fitzgerald still abides deep in her heart. Meanwhile, the growing affection she feels for Evan is unexpected, but not unwelcome. The conflict in her heart escalates with the news of tragedy in Ireland. Nora must let go of the past to reach her future, but is she willing to?

I enjoyed reading Heart of the Lonely Exile. Many of the characters from the previous book returned and Annie Delaney was a delightful new addition to the cast of characters. I found the tone of this book to be lighter than the first even though it still deals with multiple tragedies. There is so much more to the plot of this book than I can cover here, but the the twists, turns, and characters create a poignant read. This book is a keeper that I will definitely read again!

Heart of the Lonely Exile is the second book in the Emerald Ballad Series by BJ Hoff. This book could certainly stand alone, but I recommend reading, Song of the Silent Harp, the first book in the series prior to reading this one.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Keep your promise or follow your heart, the choice determines the future....

Nora Kavanagh, an Irish immigrant to America, fines kindness where least expected. A new life, filled with unlimited possibilities, has opened her eyes and set her heart soaring. When love blooms will it be too late?

The characters from the first book continue to grow and develop and take on new personalities. The story unfolds with clear details easy to visualize. The struggle of the heart is portrayed with realism and accuracy. Young love, renewed love, and unspoken love struggle to be expressed.

"Heart of the Lonely Exile" opens your eyes to early immigrant troubles and fills your heart with compassion.

Heart of the Lonely Exile by B.J. Hoff is the second book in the Emerald Ballad series. Nora Kavanagh and her son Daniel have finally made it to safety in New York, along with orphans Katie, Johanna, and Tom who are under her care, and Englishman Evan Whittaker who became a close friend on the ship across the Atlantic. Sara Farmington and her wealthy father have taken the family into their home and soon find themselves wrapped up in the family's drama. Nora's childhood friend Michael Burke, a police sergeant, proposed marriage to her in a letter before they left Ireland in hopes that he could offer her a safe home, but Nora still doesn't love him as anything more than a friend. Sara and Michael have feelings for each other neither is willing to face as long as Nora is single, but Evan is hoping to do something about that. Hoff adds even more characters in this epic story about the aftermath of the Irish potato famine. There is sweeping romance, major drama as Tierney and Daniel grow to become young men and get caught up in the underworld of the city. Hoff's writing is thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing.

Book 2 in the Emerald Ballad series covers the first year that Nora and her family live in America. Who will she marry, Michael or Evan? Will Morgan survive an assassination attempt? Who is the urchin who follows him from Belfast to Dublin and what effect will the giant man-servant from the West Indies have on him. A great romantic story proving that faith can help provide a healthy sustainable environment no matter what is going on around you. Rather than focusing on the famine in Ireland as the first book did, this one focuses on the horrible conditions many of the Irish immigrants encountered in New York City due to the greed of landlords and the total revulsion of the rest of the population towards them. It also follows the fanatical turn that the Young Irish Party takes in Ireland This second book is a much happier book than the first one but just as interesting and gripping.

I was more impressed with book 2 than I was with Song of the Silent Harp. This picked up where the first book left off, wasn't as slow. I was able to follow along easier and become more engrossed in the story so I could enjoy the setting and characters more.

This part of the series still takes place during the Famine era, but is more centered around America than Ireland, unlike book 1. We still get to follow Nora as she is searching for where her heart belongs....with Michael who has always loved her, with Morgan who is Ireland and professed his love for her before she set out for America, or Evan-sweet Evan- who has been there for her and has become her dearest friend. Michael is struggling with convincing Nora to marry him, and Morgan...well he's simply Morgan over in Ireland. Evan is such a sweet character and I found myself pulled to him the most in this story. He had difficulties and I prayed for him so much through this story. While all these emotions and struggles are going on in this continuance, the powerful message of following your heart, and seeking God's guidance in all you do, and forgiveness and letting go, is beautifully set among the lines of this book. I felt closer to the characters in this story and felt more a part of history as I read through this second book in this series.

This is worthy of 5 stars. BJ Hoff's talent really shined through in this book! I'm so happy that I gave this one a chance after all, it's one I definitely recommend! I will be giving book 3- Land of a Thousand Dreams- a chance in the future, also, and hope this series keeps getting better and better!

*This book was provided for review by Harvest House Publishers*

I enjoyed this one even more than I did the first one, Song of the Silent Harp. Nora and her family have arrived in America and as they try and build a new life for themselves, they find friendship and support, but heartache as well.

Daniel yearns to find his place in America; Michael yearns for Nora's love and acceptance of his marriage proposal; and Tierney is angry at the world. Even fights his feelings for Nora even as Sara fights hers for Michael. Morgan faces death as he fights for a free Ireland. It sounds like a soap opera, but is really a beautiful story of love and friendship and faith in God.

Where Song of the Silent Harp vividly portrayed the struggle of the Irish to survive during the potato famine, Heart of the Lonely Exile shows us the plight of those immigrants who came to America with high hopes and dreams. Here we meet those who would help these people build a new life even as we see those who would build their empires on the backs of the poor and destitute.

I think this book really sets the stage for what will happen in the next three books. The books really should be read in order. I couldn't put it down. This is an enthralling, captivating series and I am looking forward to the rest.

The second of a five book series, this is a reprint of a book first published in 1991, not a new book.