Customer Reviews

Song of the Silent Harp (An Emerald Ballad #1)

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Five years ago as I was returning to upstae NY from a visit to my daughter in Texas, I asked her for a book to read as I had a long layover on the trip. She gave me the Song of the Silent Harp and my life changed forever. By the time the plane landed in NY, I was 3/4 of the way through it. I immediately called the Life Discovery Book Store locally and went over and bought the next four books in the Series. I read continually, only taking time out for the necessities, and was totally mesmerized by the stories. Let me say here, that both my parents were born in Ireland, and so much of the stories brought back memories of tales my parents told me about life in Ireland and their immigration to Upstate NY. I couldn't put the books down.

I had a wonderful Italian friend, Angie, who loved to read and had an empathy for the Irish so I bought her the set of books and her last note to me before she died, she thanked me for introducing her to the writings of B. J. Hoff. She claimed it was the best gift she ever got. I subsequently gave a set to my younger sister, who ws traveling to Italy, and she likewise was mesmerized with the books, even more so than her trip to Italy.

To read these books, the author gets you caught up in the story of what it was like to be Irish and an immigrant and makes me so proud to be of Irish descent. I have 10 grown children who are avid readers and the books are a real education for all of them and helps them understand the sacrifices their grandparents made and the hardships they overcame as immigrants. In the five years since I first read them, I have yet to read a book that left me with such wonderful feelings. I read that B.J. Hoff wrote these books from memories her grandmother shared with her about her life. The language is wonderful and can be read by anyone able to read. The books have a prominent spot on my bookcase. Thank you B. J. Hoff

I really like this book.It takes you from the dark dispair of the Great Famine of Ireland, to the shores of hope imigrating to the US. I was 1/2 way finished the book, and thought, I have to get the rest of the series! It also teaches about faith. You grow with the characters growth in faith. You can see that even in our darkest times, God does not abandon us. He's always there with us, and can use even the most dismal circumstances to bless us. Truley a good read!

I really enjoyed the referance to christianity and the picture of a God who is bigger than our problems. I enjoyed watching the growth of faith and development of charecter. I reccomend this book to anyone who has a real hunger for good literature and interesting story plots.

This was definitly one of the best books I have ever read. I was wrapped up in the story of these families and am thirsting for more in the sequals. I was so wrapped up I read the book in about 2 days every free time I got I was engrossed to find the end.

Length:: 1:38 Mins

In this epic first book of BJ Hoff's Emerald Ballad series, three Irish friends (Morgan, Nora, and Michael) face devastating famine, enduring love, and journeys far beyond their borders. An absolutely breathtaking story-- think Gone with the Wind meets Ireland, and you've got it! Not to be missed.
Check out http://www.bjhoff.com for more info on the series!

I read these books years ago when I was twelve or thirteen. I honestly couldn't put the books down once I started, I devoured them in every sense of the word and was not dissapointed. This book sparked in me a love for history and literature that I don't think ever will be quenched. My teachers that year were I think a bit shocked when I decided to pick the Irish Potato Famine as the topic for my research/presentation project. LOL You won't be dissapointed with this book or series, you will be left wanting more like I was.

My friend got this book from the library when I was fourteen or so... I remember she kept telling me what a WONDERFUL, AMAZING book it was, and I could only think, "What on earth could be interesting about the potato famine?" She went on to read the rest of the series, and eventually through telling me more about the story, I became extremely interested, and when I read it it surpassed my wildest hopes. Of course, as I said, I was fourteen or fifteen, and girls that age live on this kind of book. I did live on it. I read it in two days and had to wait a whole week to meet my friend at church and get the second one from her.

But enough on how I found B.J.Hoff... The "Emerald Ballad" series is the best series of books that I think I've ever read. I don't get into romance novels like Grace Livingston Hill or Janette Oke or Beverly Whats-her-name that writes the Amish soap operas - I find them pretty predictable and tacky... With B.J. Hoff I never knew what was going to happen, and she made it all seem so REAL. I have read all five of the books in this series through at least three times, some I've read four or five times. This first one is the best, and could stand alone. It's after you read the second book that you know you HAVE to read the rest.

The story is, essentially, about three people - Nora Kavanagh, Michael Burke, and Morgan Fitzgerald. They were friends in childhood and went separate ways as adults. Nora married, Michael went to New York, and Morgan is a wandering dreamer who writes poetry, plays the harp, and is obsessively devoted to Ireland. It's been a while since I last read the book, so I'm not good with details, but this book has famine, fear, death, romance, white slavers, evil landlords, stuttering Englishmen, near hangings, one killing, one chase scene (what's a good story without at least one chase scene? That was Alfred Hitchcock's idea). But more than anything else, God is the centre of this story, providing all the central people with faith to pull through all the events and survive all the villains I mentioned above.

You should definitely give this book a try. Now that I'm a bit older, it's no longer the staple and sustenance of my literary life but I still enjoy them once in a while and fondly cherish the memories of my friend and I going ga-ga over Morgan.

Let me say a few words about Morgan. For one thing, he's a great big tall guy. For two other things, he has copper hair (which the sun can light ablaze) and green eyes. He's poetic and musical, as I said, and whenever he talks, his choice of words is fittingly dramatic, just as if it came straight out of those dear old melodramatic 30's movies. Personally I find that pretty neato. I would say that he was definitely my favourite character. My friend liked him a lot, but she liked Michael more. I learnt to like Michael a lot toward the fourth read-through, but Morgan remained my favourite.

Okay, I believe I have waxed descriptive enough. If you want to know more, go get this book!

Ireland's inhabitants starve as the great potato famine rages. It seems not only England, but also God himself is punishing Ireland. Nora Kavanagh is sure that God is punishing her. Her husband and daughter have died. Her father-in-law and oldest son are terribly ill and she has no way to pay the rent. Her childhood friend, Morgan Fitzgerald, occasionally supplies her with food he obtained through less than honest means. When one of her two remaining sons is suddenly in peril, Nora has no choice but to leave Ireland and sail for America. Her hope lies with America and Michael Burke, another childhood friend who now serves as a policeman in New York City. Will she ever be free of the fog of despair that binds her? Will they even survive the journey to America? Sometimes the deepest and most genuine faith is born of adversity.

There is a notable difference between a book that drags because it is boring and a book that moves slowly because the author writes so vividly. Song of the Silent Harp belongs in the latter category. The author has a way of drawing the reader into each of the main characters. Although it seemed the novel was progressing slowly, I never lost interest in the book. Each character was well-developed and authentic. I would not call this book depressing, but it is a heavy read as it deals with the great potato famine in Ireland as well as sickness, death and lost love. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was far better than I expected it to be and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

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."

Song of the Silent Harp by B.J. Hoff is book one in The Emerald Ballad Series. This series first came out five years ago. I don't know how I missed it but I am thrilled it's back for another run!

Set in Ireland, during the Potato Famine of the 1800's this sweeping saga takes you on a journey of incredible loss and inspiring hope. The author is so vivid in her descriptions that you will feel the hunger of the famine, and sorrow deeply with the characters over each loss they endure.

Nora Kavanagh has already lost her husband and daughter and now she is being threatened with eviction. She and her young son Daniel, have only one hope for survival and that is her longtime friend and lost love - Morgan Fitzgerald. But Morgan is involved with a band of rebels that keep him in constant danger and puts those he loves in jeopardy.

Nora's other friend from childhood, Michael Burke, is already living in New York with his son Tierney. When he receives a letter from Morgan asking him to help Nora and Daniel escape the famine, Michael responds by asking Nora to marry him. There is of course more to the story than that, in particular the love Morgan has for Nora and the conflict this causes between the three friends. But none of them are prepared for what happens when they finally get Nora and Daniel out of Ireland. Sorry, can't tell - but all I can say is - wow!

The message of faith and hope despite overwhelming circumstances is clear in this wonderful novel. I for one will be rushing out to get the rest of the books in this five-part series!

4 Stars

Song of the Silent Harp
(The Emerald Balled Series Book 1)

By B.J. Hope

Harvest House Publishers

Reviewed by Diane A. Brown

The famine grew to epic proportions when the potato crops failed and failed again. Starving, sick, and weak the people of Ireland faced certain death. The roadside, strewn with bodies of young and old, was a horrid site. When hope of survival is lost where can you turn?

B.J. Hope has created an unforgettable tail entwined around these perilous times. I found the descriptive writing abundant and easy to visualize. The characters are varied and work well together, creating a vivid contrast amidst the devastating life of the poverty stricken Irish.

Love is the power that moves us when there is nothing left. Nora Kavanagh's losses are great, but she pushes forward with a mothers love. Determined, independent and stubborn, Nora puts her family in danger when she denies assistance from a childhood friend. Can the great Morgan Fitzgerald change her mind?

The struggle to survive, again impossible odds, will touch your heart. After reading "Song of the Silent Harp" you will be forever changed.

(The Prologue, though it contained interesting information, seemed to confuse instead of enlighten