Hallie Reads: History, Music & Romance | A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White

ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

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MY REVIEW

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Exactly as I expect from Roseanna M. White by now, A Song Unheard delivers a story to captivate and delight with its history, atmosphere, and romance—plus music. Readers will surely not be disappointed with this new Shadows Over England book.

Willa Forsythe, sister to Rosemary of A Name Unknown, now has her turn at an important, war-related mission and finds herself spending quality time with world-renowned violinist (and handsome playboy) Lukas De Wilde to accomplish it. Danger lurks at every corner, and each new day brings another complication, yet Willa proves to be a stubborn, resourceful, and oh so talented (in more ways than one) heroine. The dynamic she then develops with Lukas adds great wit, humor, and chemistry-laden flirtation to the story, even as it stirs up more serious, haunting issues and forces confrontation with ideas of faith and the future. All these elements White weaves together beautifully (with an fascinating cast of secondary characters, too) page after page, and the overall story is nothing short of excellent—well-crafted, emotionally engaging, and transporting.

So, I highly, highly recommend A Song Unheard—I know it’s only January, but I think this book is bound to be one of my favorites of the year. Do yourself a favor and go pick it up. It’s so, so good, there’s nothing I didn’t love about it, and I’m sure, like me, you’ll have a hard time putting it down. (And now, with all the appearances Barclay made in A Song Unheard, I truly cannot wait for White’s next story, An Hour Unspent.)

★★★★★

Thanks to Celebrate Lit, I received a complimentary copy of A Song Unheard and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

GUEST POST FROM THE AUTHOR

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!

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 here to enter, and be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries!