Song Weaver

BJ Hoff

Description

Bestselling author B.J. Hoff will delight readers as her unforgettable characters from A Distant Music and The Wind Harp reunite for a dramatic conclusion to The Mountain Song Legacy trilogy.When a shadow falls over the MacAuley family, newlyweds Jonathan and Maggie Stuart find their faith and newly discovered happiness tested in unforeseen ways. An abrupt summons to return from their honeymoon wrenches them from the joy of their early days of marriage and thrusts them into the midst of a family in anguish.Responsible for helping their loved ones heal, while maintaining and nurturing their own relationship and their love for each other, the young couple faces a challenge that will ultimately define their marriage and decide their future.About This Series: Based on her popular novella, The Penny Whistle, bestselling novelist B.J. Hoff has expanded the story of young Maggie MacAuley and her family into a heartwarming trilogy: A Distant Music, The Wind Harp, and The Song Weaver.

Sujets

• Historical romance

Informations

• Publié par: Harvest House Publishers
• Date de parution: 15 avril 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780736932264
• Langue: English

Extrait

Endorsements
Here s what readers are saying about B.J. Hoff s Mountain Song Legacy.
Book One
A Distant Music

B.J. Hoff always delights readers with her warm stories and characters who become part of your circle of special friends.
-Janette Oke, author, Love Comes Softly
For this Kentucky woman, reading A Distant Music was like driving through the eastern hills and hollers on a perfect autumn day with the scent of wood smoke in the air and the trees ablaze with color. B.J. Hoff s lyrical prose brings to life this gentle, moving story of a beloved teacher and his students, who learn far more than the three Rs. I brushed away tears at several tender points in the story and held my breath when it seemed all might be lost. Yet even in the darkest moments, hope shines on every page. A lovely novel by one of historical fiction s finest wordsmiths.
-Liz Curtis Higgs, author, Thorn in My Heart
I read The Penny Whistle years ago and never forgot it. I was delighted to see that it had become a full length novel. A Distant Music contains all the elements-compelling characters, fascinating setting, and stellar writing-that I ve come to expect from a book with B.J. Hoff s name on the cover.
-Deborah Raney, author, Over the Waters
B.J. Hoff is a master storyteller. With impeccable research, vibrant characters, and historical accuracy, Ms. Hoff weaves a story that s impossible to put down.
-Lori Copeland, author, The Plainsman
In the lyrical pages of B.J. Hoff s A Distant Music, we discover that God is present even in the darkness of despair and where God is, hope overflows. A warm and satisfying tale of characters who will live in your memory for years to come.
-Angela Hunt, author, The Novelist
In some ways, A Distant Music is reminiscent of the Little House series. Each chapter recalls the details of an event or some character s dilemma. Eventually, though, Hoff connects all the threads into a solid story whose ending will deeply touch readers. A Distant Music should find an eager audience. An excellent book to recommend to readers with a penchant for historical novels, particularly those set in late-19th-century America.
-Aspiring Retail Magazine
Book Two
The Wind Harp

B.J. always does a great job of drawing her readers into the lives of her characters. I m sure that there will be many who will be eagerly pleading to know what happens next. I will be among them.
-Janette Oke, Love Comes Softly
B.J. Hoff continues the story of Maggie and Jonathan, who must endure their share of trials before reaping their reward. Though this novel is historical, B.J. deals with issues that are completely contemporary and I loved the big dog! Kudos to the author for charming us again!
-Angela Hunt, bestselling author, The Novelist
The Wind Harp does not depend on sensationalism to create its moving story. Like a cup of ice-cold water on a hot summer day or sitting under a big old tree by a gently running stream, The Wind Harp draws readers in to sit for a spell. They are refreshed and never want to leave. As always, B.J. s hallmark characterization is supplemented by her skilled depiction of both the light and dark sides of life, presented with a beautiful simplicity that made my heart sing along with the story. If you re after a book that leaves you feeling good about life, or feeling hope about life regardless of circumstances, or just feeling refreshed after reading a wonderful story-don t miss The Wind Harp.
-Sara Mitchell, author of Shenandoah Home and Virginia Autumn
In The Wind Harp, this sequel to A Distant Music, author B.J. Hoff takes the story of Jonathan Stuart and Maggie MacAuley a step further, delving deeper into their characters and crafting a tale that is truly compelling. These people who come to life in book one take on a new dimension in book two, pulling the reader into their worst fears and deepest dreams. With a different take on an age-old love story, Mrs. Hoff shows us that the old adage is true-good things come to those who wait. I love the way Mrs. Hoff draws me into each character s hopes and dreams, while weaving in enough mystery and drama to keep me turning pages. Not many books keep me thinking about them long after I set the book down, but Mrs. Hoff has such a wonderful way of bringing the characters to life on each page. I feel like I know them-like they have become dear friends.
-Jill Eileen Smith, reader
HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Cover by Koechel Peterson Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
B.J. Hoff: Published in association with the Books Such Literary Agency, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5370, www.booksandsuch.biz .
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Harvest House Publishers has made every effort to trace the ownership of all quotes. In the event of a question arising from the use of a quote, we regret any error made and will be pleased to make the necessary correction in future editions of this book.
THE SONG WEAVER
Copyright 2007 by B.J. Hoff
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hoff, B. J.
The song weaver / B.J. Hoff.
p. cm. - (The mountain song legacy; bk. 3)
ISBN 978-0-7369-1459-8 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-3226-4 (eBook)
1. Married people-Fiction. 2. Sisters-Death-Fiction. 3. Family-Fiction. 4. Coal mines and mining-Fiction. 5. Kentucky-Fiction. 6. Domestic fiction. I. Title.
PS3558.034395S66 2007
813 .54-dc22
2007004405
All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author s and publisher s rights is strictly prohibited.
Contents
Endorsements
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Beginnings
Chapter One: Learning to Love
Chapter Two: A Gathering Storm
Chapter Three: Going Home
Chapter Four: The Long Goodbye
Chapter Five: A Message from Eva Grace
Chapter Six: Taking Gracie Home
Chapter Seven: At Home on a Winter s Night
Chapter Eight: A Disappointment
Chapter Nine: Two Are Better Than One
Chapter Ten: Jonathan s New Idea
Chapter Eleven: Visitors
Chapter Twelve: Meeting with Matthew
Chapter Thirteen: Old Friends and New
Chapter Fourteen: An Unwelcome Letter
Chapter Fifteen: A Blast from the Mine Whistle
Chapter Sixteen: In Need of a Helping Hand
Chapter Seventeen: The Proud and the Proud
Chapter Eighteen: Changes of the Heart
Chapter Nineteen: Sunday Surprises
Chapter Twenty: A New Teacher in Town
Chapter Twenty-one: Sharing News
Chapter Twenty-two: On Behalf of Good Men
Chapter Twenty-three: Jonathan s Plan
Chapter Twenty-four: Maggie s Goodbye
Chapter Twenty-five: A Grateful Heart
Chapter Twenty-six: Shadows over Sunday
Chapter Twenty-seven: An Intrusion of Darkness
Chapter Twenty-eight: Shattered Silence
Chapter Twenty-nine: A Child Is Born
Chapter Thirty: Family Gathering
A Gift for Skingle Creek
A Note from the Author
About B.J. Hoff
The Mountain Song Legacy
About the Publisher
Dedication

For Jim
Thank you for the music.
Acknowledgments
So many special people have been part of this story. No book is ever completed and published without a major effort on the part of many, including those who love and serve and wait behind the scenes. Let me mention a few:
Nick Harrison, my editor whose patience is as impressive as his instincts, whose approach to the work produces inspiration rather than frustration, whose expertise is unfailing, and whose sense of humor is unflagging-all of which make him nothing less than a genuine blessing to his authors.
The entire Harvest House family a remarkable team whose efforts always bring credit to the One they serve with such commitment and faithfulness.
Janet Kobobel Grant my agent and friend who never asks for more than my best.
Cheryl and Sara who never stop praying, never stop believing, never stop caring.
Angie wizard and friend, whose quicksilver mind, bedrock common sense, and relentless sense of humor can t quite mask the sensitive heart of a genuine song weaver .
Winnie and Nita and Charlotte heartfelt thanks for the ideas and the encouragement and the laughs-on a weekly basis-and for making me more friend than client.
My family you are my story and my song.
My readers God bless you-every one of you!
Beginnings
O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guide while life shall last,
And our eternal home.
Isaac Watts

Skingle Creek, Northeastern Kentucky
December 1904
M aggie Stuart. Maggie MacAuley Stuart. Mrs. Jonathan Stuart.
Maggie stood looking out the window at the bright December morning. The snow that had fallen Christmas Eve-her wedding night-still blanketed the ground. Because of the mines being closed over the holiday, the pristine whiteness had not yet turned gray with coal dust.
Even though she was alone at the moment, she felt a little foolish practicing her new name over and over. She turned away from the window to let her gaze play over the bedroom. Everything was new: this room, a new name, a new home.
Jonathan s home. How many times had he reminded her that it was now her home too? Their