Customer Reviews

Prelude (The American Anthem Series #1)

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When I read something by B. J. Hoff, I expect to become involved in an absorbing tale about people I end up caring about...enough to keep me turning the pages. I just finished "Prelude,"(W Publishing Company,October 2002) the first of Hoff's "American Anthem" series, and I'm pleased to say it lived up to my expectations.

Hoff seems to be at her best when writing about Irish people; specifically,Irish immigrants to America during the 1800's, as she did in her beloved Emerald Ballad series. In "Prelude," several characters are introduced whose stories I'm sure will be fleshed out in the two books to follow in the series.

There is Susanna Fallon,who has come to America from dire straits in Ireland to act as governess for her young niece...the daughter of her late sister and the blind composer and conductor,Michael Emmanuel. The puzzle: Susanna can't reconcile the gracious and kind Michael with the villain her sister Deirdre portrayed him in her letters to Susanna,written before Deirdre was killed in a mysterious carriage accident. While growing fonder of her little neice and steeling herself against her growing affection for Michael,Susanna is determined to find out the truth about Deirdre's death.

There is Dr. Andrew Carmichael, the altruistic Scottish physician,and his new partner,Dr. Bethany Cole. Dr. Carmichael has a consuming passion for helping New York City's poverty-stricken residents. He now finds himself more and more drawn to Dr. Cole, who is fighting her own battles against the prejudice aimed at the few female doctors of the day.

There is the Conn McGovern family, fleeing a desperate situation in Dublin to cross the ocean for a new and hopefully better life in America. Conn is an attractive,vibrant character,as his wife Vangie is both a strong and appealing one. You feel Vangie's pain as their teen-aged son Aidan refuses to board the ship with the family, and sympathize with her anguish when one of her children becomes deathly ill on the voyage. There's also the feisty busker girl,Renny Magee, who has her own reasons for wanting to escape the crime-filled Dublin streets.

Woven into the story are encounters with D.L. Moody,Ira Sankey and the blind hymn-writer Fanny Crosby. Hoff captures the spirit of Moody's revivals as well as the appeal of the fledgling genre called "gospel music," and her descriptions of New York life in the late 19th century ring authentically true. It's obvious she's well-versed in all things Irish,being a member of both the American Irish Historical Society and the Irish American Cultural Institute. She conveys the lilting dialogue of her Irish characters without the tiresome lingo some authors tend to over-do...instead,they sound like real people, not Irish caricatures.

Why does Hoff tend to focus on the Irish? This from her website:"Well, who's more interesting than the Irish, after all? There's no danger of ever running out of stories about them! Seriously, I love writing about the people who built our nation-our ancestors-and there's really no way to do that without writing about immigrants. And since the Irish immigrants played such a hugely important role in settling America-and since my own family tree is exceedingly 'green'- I chose years ago to focus on Irish characters. However, in Prelude, the first book of my American Anthem series, you'll meet not only Irish immigrants, but Italian and Scottish as well."

"Prelude" is a great book to snuggle up with on a cold January day with a cup of Irish breakfast tea or gourmet hot chocolate. And it served to whet my appetite for the next two books in the series. I'm looking forward to finding out what's in store for Susanna, Michael, the good doctors,and the McGovern family!

This is the first book I've read by B.J. Hoff and I can't wait to read more. One thing that especially struck me was her writing style and use of words. As someone who is starting to think about writing more than Amazon reviews, I loved the words she chose and how she weaves the different characters and story lines together.

In addition to the story of Susanna and her brother-in-law Michael, Hoff includes two sub-plots - one of two doctors working in New York City, and a story about an Irish family traveling to this country after hard times in their country. These last two plots weren't as fully developed, and I look forward to reading the next book, which will no doubt get back to those characters!

And then there's the whole fascinating part of how the author weaves famous Christians D.L. Moody, Ira Sankey, and Fanny Crosby
into the story! I highly recommend this book!

Please check out my other reviews!

God bless you all!

As always, a B.J. Hoff book is well worth waiting for. Nobody in the CBA market characterizes better, nor possesses that almost lyrical "cadence" to the writing. I've always enjoyed this author's ability to juggle multiple storylines that at first may seem unrelated, but always braid together perfectly.

I only wish Susanna could have made her mind up sooner--but the frustratingly abrupt ending offers another example of BJ Hoff's depth as a writer: she knows timing, as well as how to simultaneouly satisfy--yet tantalize. Needless to say, I might suffer frustration, but I'll wait as long as it takes for CADENCE.

I just finished reading this book, and already I can't wait for the next in the series! I will never forget these characters! Her characters are always wonderful and lovable, but these are more special than any of her others! And the problems they face wring you dry emotionally!

Reading this book was like being there!

BJ Hoff has written a wonderful beginning to what is sure to be a magnificent series. Irish immigrants, an orphaned young woman facing an uncertan future, a heartbroken Italian opera singer, and a handicapped New York doctor all come together to fill the pages with courage and hope. This is marvellous tale crafted by a master in the art of historical fiction.

Reminiscent of the classic "Jane Eyre" and Mrs. Hoff's earlier book, "Winds of Graystone Manor", this book captured my attention from page 1. With multiple characters and scenes, it can be difficult to keep track or get into each person's life, but not here! B. J. Hoff keeps each segment interesting, so you won't want to skip a single bit.

Susanna travels from Ireland to America to be a governess for her late sister's husband. She immediately warms up to her neice, a sweet, intelligent young girl, and is surprised to find that Michael Emmanuel, her brother-in-law, is seemingly kind and pleasant. What of her sister's descriptions of a dark, hard man and being so unhappy with him?
Susanna begins to experience the captivating genius of Michael's musical talents, as well.

Bethany Cole, one of the few early woman doctors, is trying to establish herself and longs for her own private practice. Andrew Carmichael, a young doctor, meets and likes Bethany, and asks her if she would like to join his practice and have her own room. Bethany is happy to accept. There is something Andrew is keeping from her--a dark secret, or an innocent one?

Conn McGovern decides to leave Ireland and go to America since things are getting hard in his native land. His son, Aiden, is against leaving. On the way to the shipyard, Conn runs into a street musician girl who seems to be in trouble. After helping her out, he heads to the shipyard again. The girl, Renny McGee, follows later on.

There are also a few interesting appearances from some famous people of the past, such as Fanny Crosby and Dwight L. Moody.

Painful partings, emotional upheavals, new hopes, soulful music, and spiritual journeys. Add a touch of romance and mystery, and here is the result. A wonderful book with stories of characters we can't help but love.

I ordinarily prefer contemporary novels and hadn't read a BJ Hoff book in many years, but after finishing PRELUDE I will be reading anything she's written that I can get my hands on! This book had everything--characters to fall in love with, several equally compelling interwoven plots that kept me turning pages, and a wonderful portrayal of the difference true faith can make in a life. Best of all, there are more books to come! I am so happy to have discovered this new series and can't wait to read CADENCE.

Deborah Raney, author of A Scarlet Cord and Beneath a Southern Sky

"Prelude" is the first book I've read by author B.J. Hoff, but it definitely won't be my last! This book transports the reader to a simpler time when doctors still made house calls and all the modern amenities we take for granted had not yet been invented. Yet the trials of life and the complexities of human nature haven't changed, and Mrs. Hoff does a superb job of creating characters with individual stories that draw us in and make us care what happens to them. Will Susanna and Michael ever really understand each other? Will Renny ever find a place to call home? What happens to the McGovern family when they finally arrive in New York? Will Bethany and Andrew make it as business partners - or is there something more in store for them?

These are some of the questions "Prelude" raises in my mind, and I was delighted to see that this is only book one of The American Anthem Series. "Cadence" (book two) will hopefully satisfy more of my curiosity. But before you pick up book two, be sure to find a quiet corner and sit down for a wonderful, riveting read with "Prelude". As the title suggests, the story is the start of a sacred song - a blessed tale of three distinct groups of people all set on a course of new beginnings. Don't miss it!

I read a lot of fiction, so when a book comes along that breaks away from all the "formula" fiction I am thrilled. BJ Hoff not only writes unique stories that keep my attention all the way through, she creates memorable plots and characters that I can't get out of my mind and heart.

PRELUDE combines a variety of characters and plot lines into a beautifully woven story that only makes me want to read more. I can't wait to find out what happens in the sequel!

The story itself was not disappointing - I have just recently discovered BJ Hoff and devour her books. Was surprised that the paperback book was so small -I should have noted the size before I ordered. Cadence was the same small size, harder for me to read.