Roseanna M. White flew into my sights with book 1 of Shadows Over England. I loved the family of thieves that she’d created so much that I wanted my chance to read and form an opinion on A Song Unheard, book 2. As we all know, sequels can be a hit or miss.

A Song Unheard is definitely a hit. At least for me, Roseanna M. White kept the momentum going that she established with book 1, and she told the story of another character completely. To learn more about this author, book, and giveaway, keep scrolling!

About A Song Unheard

Title: A Song Unheard

Author: Roseanna M. White

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

Release Date: January 2, 2018

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which makes her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales.

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Cordially Barbara’s Review

On a scale of cotton candy to Brussels sprouts, A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White is a Brussels waffle sprinkled with powdered sugar. While the sugar disguises the hardiness of the crispy, deep-pocketed waffle, nothing can prepare you for the soft give beneath the crunch. A tough exterior hiding a softer inside.

[book received. opinions my own]

In book 2 of Shadows Over England, Willa accepts a new job from Mr. V to steal a cypher from the reknown Belgian violinist, Lukas de Wilde. As Germany marches on Belgium, the need for the cypher intensifies, and Willa is torn. Her mismatched family is at stake just as much as Lukas’ family. Can she complete the job and protect both families?

Writing a stubborn character who isn’t just flat out dumb in moments is a great feat, and Roseanna White does it with Willa. Willa is a strong, independent woman with a thick vein of stubbornness, but that stubbornness is rooted in a deep wound that Willa has been wrestling with her entire life. Meanwhile, I never doubted the sweetness under Willa’s rigid exterior because she was written so well.

With multiple points of view throughout the book and an intriguing plot that only gets better and better while revealing World War I history, Roseanna White’s cast of characters and A Song Unheard exceeded my expectations and hopes.

A Song Unheard Struggles

• One time, I thought the characters were sitting, but then, the next cue had one of them spinning on their heel. I never quite sorted out what was physically happening there.
• Mr. V is so mysterious that although I want him to protect his investment I sometimes feel like it’s a too-easy out.

A few other times in the book, I wondered if the author had taken the easy way out with how she used the characters. But at the same time, it worked. I don’t want to be too detailed in my struggles because some people really hate spoilers (I’m a weirdo and love them, but I’ll do my best to spare you).

A Song Unheard LOVES

• Willa is the crowning glory of this book in my opinion. Her strengths and weakness are the perfect internal tug of war while she manages the consequences of the oncoming WW1.
• I enjoyed more interaction of the family of thieves, getting to know them more within Willa’s story than Rosemary’s (book 1).
• Roseanna M. White created a plot that included quite a bit of action, and for me, that was unexpected and intriguing.

Over all, I adored A Song Unheard because I love that it incorporates character development as well as internal discovery and growth while an ongoing difficult narrative is occurring in the physical world. Roseanna M. White managed multiple tensions and problems seamlessly, and I rarely experienced any confusion of what was happening. I’d definitely recommend this book.

Guest post from Roseanna White

I started playing the piano when I was 7. I didn’t discover any long-dormant genius or anything, but I liked it. When my sister quit, I kept playing. In middle school, I switched teachers, and moving from the lady at my church that I knew so well to someone who was just my piano teacher made a difference in how I applied myself. It deepened my love of music.

We all know how some random moments stand out forever in our memory. One such for me happened on the school bus. I was sitting with my best friend, talking about the new piano piece I was learning. “Via Delorosa” means Road of Sorrow, and it’s a song that tells musically about Jesus’ journey to Golgotha—ending with the faint chime of the nails being driven into his palms. As my beloved Mrs. Peto went through this song with me the night before, I remember her circling a D♯ that I’d missed and saying how important that note was. That it made the whole line weep.

That it would make the hearers weep. An epiphany so huge I had to share it with my friend. A well placed sharp could make music weep! Who knew?

That was but one lesson Mrs. Peto taught me in how music could evoke things words never could. A woman of strong faith, she also taught me how a song could preach the Gospel. Music can be medicine. It can be hope. It can be tears. It can be truth. Music can be Jesus to a hurting heart that turns its back on words.

This is a lesson I never forgot, and I had it always in mind as I was writing A Song Unheard. In this story, both my hero and heroine are musicians—violinists. But Willa (who is SO STUBBORN) wouldn’t listen to words of faith from any of the people in her life “suddenly spouting such nonsense.”

But then, in her darkest hour, she hears a slip of melody. And she realizes it’s the Lord.

I pray as readers move through the story of Willa Forsythe—violin prodigy and top-notch thief—that their spirits’ ears hear more than words, more than just a story. I pray they hear the Lord whispering that ultimate song. The one that says, “I love you.”

Want to hear the song Willa eventually wrote in the book? You can! The violin music in this trailer is officially dubbed “Willa’s Song” and written specifically for this book. I hope you enjoy it! http://bit.ly/ASongUnheardTrailer

Blog Stops

Fiction Aficionado, January 11

History, Mystery & Faith, January 11

Genesis 5020, January 11

Bookworm Mama, January 11

A Simply Enchanted Life, January 11

Avid Reader Book Reviews, January 12

Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 12

Blogging With Carol, January 12

Multifarious, January 12

proud to be an autism mom, January 12

Faithfully Bookish, January 13

Christian Bookaholic, January 13

Karen Sue Hadley, January 13

Mary Hake, January 13

A Greater Yes, January 13

Remembrancy, January 14

Blossoms and Blessings, January 14

Just the Write Escape, January 14

Connie’s History Classroom, January 14

Texas Book-aholic, January 14

A Reader’s Brain, January 15

Rachel’s Back Talk, January 15

Smiling Book Reviews, January 15

Cordially Barbara, January 15

Pursuing Stacie, January 15

The Fizzy Pop Collection, January 16

Kat’s Corner Books, January 16

The Artist Librarian, January 16

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, January 16

Bigreadersite, January 16

Mommynificent, January 17

Seasons of Opportunities, January 17

Moments Dipped in Ink, January 17

Baker Kella, January 17

Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, January 17

God’s Little Bookworm, January 18

allofakindmom, January 18

The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate, January 18

Inklings and notions, January 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 18

Pause for Tales, January 19

Have A Wonderful Day, January 19

Just Commonly, January 19

Bibliophile Reviews , January 19

Janices book reviews, January 19

Radiant Light, January 20

The Power of Words , January 20

Book by Book, January 20

CAC Devourer, January 20

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 20

Splashes of Joy, January 21

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, January 21

Neverending Stories, January 21

Faery Tales Are Real, January 21

A Baker’s Perspective, January 21

margaret kazmierczak, January 22

The PhD Mamma, January 22

Cafinated Reads, January 22

Daysong Reflections, January 22

Romances of the Cross, January 23

Purposeful Learning, January 23

Rachel Scott McDaniel, January 23

Carpe Diem, January 23

Simple Harvest Reads, January 23

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, January 24

Henry Happens, January 24

Joy of Reading, January 24

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 24

Raining Butterfly Kisses, January 24

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Roseanna is giving away a Grand Prize Package of a signed copy of the book as well as a lovely album of soothing songs based on the Scriptures called Hidden in My Heart (winner’s choice of CD or digital download)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c72a