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Song of Erin #1 & 2
Song of Erin: Cloth of Heaven/Ashes and Lace
The mysteries of the past confront the secrets of the present in bestselling author BJ Hoff's magnificent Song of Erin saga.
In her own unique style, Hoff spins a panoramic story that crosses the ocean from Ireland to America, featuring two of her most memorable characters. 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 own troubled past continues to haunt her.
Originally published to strong sales nearly a decade ago, this new edition combines two of BJ's best novels into one saga-length volume.
"The Song of Erin contains some of my favorite characters. This story--and its people--hold a very special place in my heart." BJ Hoff
In her own unique style, Hoff spins a panoramic story that crosses the ocean from Ireland to America, featuring two of her most memorable characters. 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 own troubled past continues to haunt her.
Originally published to strong sales nearly a decade ago, this new edition combines two of BJ's best novels into one saga-length volume.
"The Song of Erin contains some of my favorite characters. This story--and its people--hold a very special place in my heart." BJ Hoff
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
34 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
B.J. Hoff
51 books147 followersBJ Hoff’s writing is known for her historical settings, her unforgettable characters, and her lyrical prose. She is the bestselling author of numerous historical fiction series, including the Riverhaven Years, the Mountain Song Legacy, the Song of Erin saga, the American Anthem series, An Emerald Ballad series, and her newest book Harp on the Willow.
Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.
Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.
BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.
She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.
Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.
A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.
Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.
Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.
BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.
She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.
Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.
A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
did-not-finish
September 9, 2019I was having a hard time getting into this. However, I might pick it up later
February 16, 2018
This is a beautiful story that I really enjoyed reading. The characters are so alive they really jump out of the book and grab the reader's attention. This is a real page-turning romance with adventure and great dialogue. My only complaint is the ending it has a happy good ending but the ending comes across to me as very rushed unlike the rest of the book. The ending comes across to me as the author was hurrying to finish this book on time. Other then that no complaints.
dnf
May 14, 2018I like the story, just slow. Probably will try again later.
Want to read
September 27, 2008Historical Fiction and the author has done her research.
April 14, 2012
great book! You instantly fall in love with the characters! You get swept away in the story. A story about God's love and forgiveness!
July 28, 2020
After reading many of the reviews on this story, I was a little unsure what to expect. However, many other reviewers failed grasping this authors intent, as well as failed to appreciate the exceptionally written and highly adventurous storyline. In my opinion of course. The story starts out on Epiphany Sunday off the coast of Ireland in a small village anticipating celebrating the holiday. Instead a brutal storm destroys the area, setting off the cataclysmic story of Terese, Brady Kane, and the insufferable rescue of both by Gabriel the Giant. Yet, on the other side of the ocean in New York City, Brady's big brother with an even bigger and worse reputation, Black Jack Kane unknowingly becomes involved with Teresa's brother Cavan, who introduces him to Samantha Harte who turns his life upside down. As the waves of this story rock between Ireland and America, we get a glimpse into the harsh life of Irish immigrants in the early 1800s. This story could be a good reminder that all lives matter, as God loves all of us, and gave His only Son for all of us. This story encumbered extreme poverty, extreme prejudiced, teenage pregnancy, alcoholism, narcissism, spousal battery, abortion, human trafficking, and the list goes on. A very strong glimpse at history and so many human issues, a mirror into modern times. I especially loved the miraculous moments being saved in the arms of an angel in the fire. This was my first book by BJ Hoff. I definitely am interested in exploring more of her works.
July 25, 2020
Song of Erin is a historical romance set in the 1850’s in New York and Ireland. It is full of description of the injustices and sufferings of the Irish, even in New York, and of the misery and dirt of life in that city. It follows the story to two brothers, one—Jack Kane—phenomenally successful in creating a newspaper empire and the other an artist playboy who leaves behind a trail of harmed young women. It is also the tale of a big, gentle Irish healer (Gabriel Vaughan) and his two young wards. In a terrible storm he also rescues an island girl, Terese Sheridan, whose brother made it earlier to America. She is determined to flee her problems and join her brother in America, but she gets entangled with Jack’s brother who is in Ireland on assignment from the paper.
Behind the stories of the characters hide terrible secrets and developing romances.
The plot is excellent, as is the historical background, but the author spends way too much time sketching the thoughts and longings of the characters. I would give it a 3 ½ but that is not available on Goodreads.
Behind the stories of the characters hide terrible secrets and developing romances.
The plot is excellent, as is the historical background, but the author spends way too much time sketching the thoughts and longings of the characters. I would give it a 3 ½ but that is not available on Goodreads.
April 6, 2024
Merely average Christian historical fiction (2.5 stars)
I was hoping for more from this set of two books. The idea of God weaving cloth from heaven as implied by the title is clever, and even gets an entire chapter explaining it near the end of the first book. But the story itself didn’t really captivate me much, and wasn’t that gripping. Despite a historical setting, it’s really more about relationships than history. And many adult themes are present, e.g. pregnancy outside marriage, abortion, domestic violence to wives, so it’s not really suitable for teens. There are multiple dark family secrets in the lives of almost everyone populating the book.
Theologically there are also flaws: several times God whispers to a character; one character (Gabriel) apparently has a special gift of discerning spiritual darkness; it’s an experience in a fire that makes someone believe rather than the Word. It does mention the need not to be unequally yoked, but even so we do see characters drawn together romantically without being one in faith. Disappointing overall.
I was hoping for more from this set of two books. The idea of God weaving cloth from heaven as implied by the title is clever, and even gets an entire chapter explaining it near the end of the first book. But the story itself didn’t really captivate me much, and wasn’t that gripping. Despite a historical setting, it’s really more about relationships than history. And many adult themes are present, e.g. pregnancy outside marriage, abortion, domestic violence to wives, so it’s not really suitable for teens. There are multiple dark family secrets in the lives of almost everyone populating the book.
Theologically there are also flaws: several times God whispers to a character; one character (Gabriel) apparently has a special gift of discerning spiritual darkness; it’s an experience in a fire that makes someone believe rather than the Word. It does mention the need not to be unequally yoked, but even so we do see characters drawn together romantically without being one in faith. Disappointing overall.
March 17, 2017
"Wear it to America," Jane had said of the ring. "Wear it...and remember me and the Claddagh... Remember Ireland. For Ireland is not only where you come from, Terese Sheridan—Ireland is what you are."
An unlikely group of people are essentially tied together from across the ocean in the mid-1800s. Prejudice, poverty, and seemingly impossible dreams are only some of the challenges they face in Song of Erin, an Irish-American saga by author BJ Hoff.
As I read American Anthem by this author years ago, and I found it absolutely magnificent, I had Song of Erin sitting on my shelf for quite a while, purposely putting it off, chiefly for anticipation's sake.
Heart-wrenching, fittingly dramatic, and ultimately beautiful as the story is, there's a certain redundancy in a lot of it. The author has a way of taking the long way around to ideas and saying much at times while barely saying anything new. Still, she'll say it in such a stirring way that you can't be too bothered by it.
I'll confess that a lot of the reading felt to me like a setup for something else, and I eventually reconciled myself to it in the second half: "This isn't a setup leading to a story. This is the story." It includes a plot theme that I've never much cared for in ChristFic romance: "I'm so in love but can't marry him/her because he/she isn't a Christian." It muddies the characters' emotions and motives so that I never fully trust them. And while characters may need to get down to the nitty-gritty of their inner darkness to show their need for God, casting them in such a compellingly negative light doesn't make them prime romantic characters to me. It makes me feel like they need more time to grow and figure out who they are before they turn their focus toward marrying somebody else.
Still, I did enjoy the richness of this moving saga, and I've every intention of reading more from this author in the future.
An unlikely group of people are essentially tied together from across the ocean in the mid-1800s. Prejudice, poverty, and seemingly impossible dreams are only some of the challenges they face in Song of Erin, an Irish-American saga by author BJ Hoff.
As I read American Anthem by this author years ago, and I found it absolutely magnificent, I had Song of Erin sitting on my shelf for quite a while, purposely putting it off, chiefly for anticipation's sake.
Heart-wrenching, fittingly dramatic, and ultimately beautiful as the story is, there's a certain redundancy in a lot of it. The author has a way of taking the long way around to ideas and saying much at times while barely saying anything new. Still, she'll say it in such a stirring way that you can't be too bothered by it.
I'll confess that a lot of the reading felt to me like a setup for something else, and I eventually reconciled myself to it in the second half: "This isn't a setup leading to a story. This is the story." It includes a plot theme that I've never much cared for in ChristFic romance: "I'm so in love but can't marry him/her because he/she isn't a Christian." It muddies the characters' emotions and motives so that I never fully trust them. And while characters may need to get down to the nitty-gritty of their inner darkness to show their need for God, casting them in such a compellingly negative light doesn't make them prime romantic characters to me. It makes me feel like they need more time to grow and figure out who they are before they turn their focus toward marrying somebody else.
Still, I did enjoy the richness of this moving saga, and I've every intention of reading more from this author in the future.
July 12, 2017
I gave this book a full five stars this book although sometimes did drag out a bit is an absolute favourite of mine, well done !
January 16, 2018
This is the second time I have read this book. I love the characters and the plot keeps me engaged. it's a quick read but still has depth.
September 26, 2019
It was a bit wordy at times but overall I enjoyed the story.
February 26, 2020
Loved these two books. Could not put down once the story got going.
March 18, 2024
It was very detailed but at times a little too long found myself skipping pages
It picked up in the middle of the book
I thought it was ok
It picked up in the middle of the book
I thought it was ok
March 27, 2024
Overall this was a good book. A bit long and a slower read than I like, but I enjoy historical fiction books and this one took place in 1800’s Ireland and New Year.
October 12, 2015
Self-purchase
Summary:
The Song of Erin is a sweeping story with a large featured cast of characters (and their individual stories): Jack Kane, Brady Kane, Gabriel Vaughan, Terese Sheridan, Cavan Sheridan, David Leslie, Samantha Harte, and Roweena.
The characters are an assorted mix from all walks of life: a business man, artist, rogue, a fisherman, an Irish immigrant creating a life in America, an impressionable young woman, a deaf girl, a young American woman looking for employment, and a caring missionary doctor.
The story takes place in both New York City and Inishmore, Aran Islands, Western Ireland.
My Thoughts:
I loved this book for several reasons.
A multitask story. Multiple characters with their own voices and story-lines. The author is the narrator; but Hoff lets the characters show me the details of their lives, feelings, aspirations, triumphs, disappointments, fears, and joys.
A story that crosses the Atlantic. Characters are in both countries, Ireland and America.
Complex realistic stories about difficult situations in life.
A dimensional view of love relationships.
Consequences of wrong choices.
Grace and mercy is shown through the characters.
I was not lost by the pace of the story, but was pulled along until the last page.
The characters and story line are believable and realistic.
Summary:
The Song of Erin is a sweeping story with a large featured cast of characters (and their individual stories): Jack Kane, Brady Kane, Gabriel Vaughan, Terese Sheridan, Cavan Sheridan, David Leslie, Samantha Harte, and Roweena.
The characters are an assorted mix from all walks of life: a business man, artist, rogue, a fisherman, an Irish immigrant creating a life in America, an impressionable young woman, a deaf girl, a young American woman looking for employment, and a caring missionary doctor.
The story takes place in both New York City and Inishmore, Aran Islands, Western Ireland.
My Thoughts:
I loved this book for several reasons.
A multitask story. Multiple characters with their own voices and story-lines. The author is the narrator; but Hoff lets the characters show me the details of their lives, feelings, aspirations, triumphs, disappointments, fears, and joys.
A story that crosses the Atlantic. Characters are in both countries, Ireland and America.
Complex realistic stories about difficult situations in life.
A dimensional view of love relationships.
Consequences of wrong choices.
Grace and mercy is shown through the characters.
I was not lost by the pace of the story, but was pulled along until the last page.
The characters and story line are believable and realistic.
January 11, 2017
Should have done more research on this book, I liked most of the story, characters were likeable enough (most of them, looking at you Brady!) topics discussed were - for the most part - really interesting but god dammit how is it that I always end up with christian fiction!? I hated the ending because of that, miracle makes sure that main guy turns to his heavenly father... Can someone give me a bucket to puke in? Oh and one more thing, if your god replies to you in italic letters, go see a doctor, a couple of pills and you should be fine and dandy again.
March 1, 2010
First---I really enjoyed the book. The reason why I rated it with one star is because part of the book was completely missing. From page 36?? something to 45? something there was a repeated section of the book instead of the actual correct chapters. It's agood thing this was a library book and I didn't have to pay for it! But it was good though I didn't get the whole story. I could glean what happened in the missing 50-100 pages.
January 20, 2010
I really enjoyed this book, but have mixed feelings about it. I liked the Samantha/Jack storyline better than the Brady/Ireland storyline, although I did begin to enjoy Gabriel and Roweena more in the second book. Since this is like two books put into one, I definitely liked the second book better than the first and it kept my interest more than the first as well.
Read
February 21, 2011This book by BJ Hoff is set in an entirely different setting and has nothing that grabbed me in the first 5 pages so it is being shelved and returned to the library. I have learned that if it is hard to get me interested then I won't enjoy the book. I read for relaxation and to enjoy. So this will be marked as read but I barely started the book. Others might like it just not for me.
September 29, 2011
The endings of books can really drive me crazy! You have 300 or more pages building up a climax to resolve in less than 10 pages?!? That is my only complaint with this book - a lot of character and climaxing building to be resolved much to quickly and not in a sufficient manner in my opinion. Otherwise this book would have been 4 stars.
May 28, 2013
I read this in three days one summer in middle school. I was up at a camp with my parents, and despite all the fun activities there were to engage myself in, I literally couldn't put this book down. One I would definitely recommend reading, especially if the person has a good amount of time to dedicate to it.
April 19, 2008
I love tales of emigration from Ireland. Both my grandparents emigrated in the early 1920's. This was one I couldn't put down. May be a little heavy on the christian fiction side for some, but a lovely story.
September 24, 2014
Bits of this one I liked, and bits I didn't. Not my favorite by the author, but not bad, either. I would warn others that it does deal with a lot of tough subjects, though. It shows a side of immigrant life that is decidedly not pretty, although realistic.
October 28, 2008
This is actually 2 novels published in one volume. They were originally published separately. Very good!
August 6, 2008
Love stories of the Irish. Started out slow but got better. Was sad the ending wrapped up in two pages. But overall, a good summer read
August 21, 2008
not as good as the other B.J Hoff series I've read, but still a fun read.I really detest Brady!! But I guess that's the point.
February 24, 2009
slow start but lots of good twists and engaging plot
556 pages long, (small print!)
556 pages long, (small print!)
Want to read
June 13, 2009Need to get
June 16, 2014
One of my favorite books written by BJ Hoff. Lived the characters and story line. Didn't want the story to end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews