Song of the Silent Harp (51 page)

B
OOK
O
NE OF
T
HE
E
MERALD
B
ALLAD
SERIES

  1. People blamed various factors for the devastation that ravaged Ireland in the 1840s, but Morgan Fitzgerald was convinced the great destroyer was “the Hunger.” What do
you
think?

  2. What is the icon—the article that's passed down from one generation to another in the Kavanagh family throughout the Emerald Ballad series? What does it represent?

  3. When Daniel John questions Morgan about the unfairness of what's happening to Ireland and to his family, Morgan cautions him not to compare God with life, telling him that life will never be fair but God is never
less
than fair. Do you believe that? Can you think of any particular incident in your own life or in the life of someone you know that clearly demonstrates Morgan's words?

  4. Even in America, the immigrant Irish met with much resistance and rejection. Why do you think that was? Yet many people had compassion for the poverty-stricken immigrants and took steps to help them settle in their new country. What were some of the measures undertaken to help the Irish?

  5. What is the main source of conflict between Michael Burke and his son, Tierney? Do you see any way in which their differences could be resolved to improve the father—son relationship?

  6. Who is the “Red Wolf?” Why does Evan Whittaker refer to him as an “Irish Robin Hood?”

  7. Who's another unlikely hero in
Song of the Silent Harp?
What accounts for him being considered unlikely?

  8. Before the escape ship leaves Ireland, Evan Whittaker makes one request of Morgan Fitzgerald—and at the same time issues a warning to him. What was that request, and what was the warning?

  9. How did you feel when you made your first “visit” to the Five Points slum? Have you ever experienced an area similar to this? How did it affect you?

10. All throughout the different stories that make up
Song of the Silent Harp,
we see God putting people—sometimes unlikely people—in just the right places at the right times to rescue or help those in need or desperate circumstances. Do you believe God does this in real life? Examples?

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R
ACHEL'S
S
ECRET

Bestselling author BJ Hoff delights with her compelling series
The Riverhaven Years.
With the first book,
Rachel's Secret,
you'll discover a community of unforgettable characters, a tender love story, the faith journeys of people you'll grow to know and love, and enough suspense to keep the pages turning quickly.

When wounded Irish American riverboat captain Jeremiah Gant bursts into the rural Amish setting of Riverhaven, he brings chaos and conflict to the community—especially for young widow Rachel Brenneman. The unwelcome “outsider” needs a safe place to recuperate before continuing his secret role as an Underground Railroad conductor. Neither he nor Rachel is prepared for the forbidden love that threatens to endanger a man's mission, a woman's heart, and a way of life for an entire people.

W
HERE
G
RACE
A
BIDES

In this compelling second book in the The Riverhaven Years series, you'll get an even closer look at the Amish community of Riverhaven and the people who live and love and work there. Secrets, treachery, and persecution are a few of the challenges that test Rachel's faith and her love for the forbidden “outsider,” while Gant's own hopes and dreams are dealt a life-changing blow, rendering the vow he made to Rachel seemingly impossible to honor.

The Amish community finds their gentle, unassuming lives of faith jeopardized by a malicious outside influence. At the same time, those striving to help runaway slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad face deception and the danger of discovery.

S
ONG OF
E
RIN

The mysteries of the past confront the secrets of the present in bestselling author BJ Hoff's magnificent Song of Erin saga.

You'll be intrigued by this panoramic story that crosses the ocean from Ireland to America. In this tale of struggle and love and uncompromising faith, Jack Kane, the always charming but sometimes ruthless titan of New York's most powerful publishing empire, is torn between the conflict of his own heart and the grace and light of Samantha Harte, the woman he loves, whose troubled past continues to haunt her.

A
MERICAN
A
NTHEM

At the entrance to the city, an Irish governess climbs into a carriage and sets out to confront the man who destroyed her sister's life—a blind musician who hears music no one else can hear …

On a congested city street, a lonely Scot physician with a devastating secret meets a woman doctor with the capacity to heal not only the sick … but also his heart…

In a tumbledown shack among hundreds of others like it, an immigrant family struggles to survive, and a ragged street singer old beyond her years appoints herself an unlikely guardian…

So begins American Anthem, a story set in 1870s New York that lets you step into another time to share the hopes and dreams and triumphant faith of a people you'll grow to love.

“An eloquently told story that weaves
history, music, faith and intrigue…
an absolute pleasure.”

C
HRISTIAN
R
ETAILING

“The story gently unfolds with intriguing characters,
and the sound of music, which Hoff manages to make fly off
the pages with her glorious and passionate descriptions.”

—
C
HRISTIAN
L
IBRARY
J
OURNAL

WWW.HARVESTHOUSEPUBLISHERS.COM

 

B
OOK ONE
,
A D
ISTANT
M
USIC

“BJ Hoff always delights readers with her warm stories and characters who become part of your ‘circle of special friends.'”

J
ANETTE
O
KE
,
BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF
L
OVE
C
OMES
S
OFTLY

“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. BJ 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.”

L
IZ
C
URTIS
H
IGGS
,
BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF
T
HORN IN
M
Y
H
EART

“As always when I open BJ's books I'm drawn into a place that is both distant and at home…as I tell my husband, I wish I could create the kinds of characters BJ does because I fall in love with them and want them always as my friends.”

J
ANE
K
IRKPATRICK, AUTHOR OF
L
OOK FOR A
C
LEARING IN THE
W
ILD

“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.”

A
SPIRING
R
ETAIL
M
AGAZINE

B
OOK TWO
,
T
HE
W
IND
H
ARP

BJ 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.”

J
ANETTE
O
KE
,
L
OVE
C
OMES
S
OFTLY

“BJ Hoff continues the story of Maggie and Jonathan, who must endure their share of trials before reaping their reward. Though this novel is historical, BJ Hoff deals with issues that are completely contemporary…Kudos to the author for charming us again!”

A
NGELA
H
UNT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF
T
HE
N
OVELIST

B
OOK THREE
,
T
HE
S
ONG
W
EAVER

“Like a warm visit with a good friend over a hot cup of tea,
The Song Weaver
offers comfort and satisfaction…and you don't want the visit to come to an end.”

C
INDY
S
WANSON

“BJ Hoff is a master at characterization, and her stories are rich with insight. I love the historical setting and learned something new about the role of women in that society.”

J
ILL
E. S
MITH

“The Song Weaver
is the last book in the Mountain Song Legacy story, and I hate to see it end. I'll miss Maggie and Jonathan and all the others…A very satisfying end to a special series. She never disappoints.”

B
ARBARA
W
ARREN