The Songbird

The Huntress #5

by Carrie Cotten

Her songs were her secret—until they became his deliverance.

Tove Volfsbydottir is willing to do anything for the Shieldmaiden who redeemed her from slavery, even enter into a marriage alliance with a near stranger. But soon she finds herself homesick and heartbroken in her new village—and alone except for a little slave girl whose sorrows Tove understands well. Dark forces are at work around her, including a mysterious army sweeping through the land, looking to rid every village of those who follow The Christ. The one man willing to help Tove is the last person she has reason to trust.

Gerritt the Grimheart flaunts the most feared name on the northern sea, created one battle at a time in a desperate grasp at honor and atonement. But even after he abandons piracy, his attempts to live a new life result in havoc. When he loses Sanne, the child who means more to him than any treasure, his sole purpose becomes her rescue. Will the woman he knows only as the Songbird help him save Sanne, or will Gerritt end up destroying her life as well?

Can the simple melody of truth break through their sorrows and save the Northlands before it’s too late?

The Songbird is book 5 in The Huntress series, but can be read as a standalone. It is a closed door, kisses only, Christian romance.

Genres: Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 2, 2026

About the author

Carrie is a Louisiana born, Texas transplant and recent North Carolina resident. She earned her BA in English from East Texas Baptist University where she met and fell in love at first sight with her hunky husband, Jeffrey Craig Cotten.

After a short tour in Alaska with the Army, Carrie and Jeff returned to Texas to start a family. Fifteen years and four kids later, they answered God's call to enter the ministry, embarking on a wild adventure that led them to the Appalachian mountains.

When Carrie isn't writing, you can find her cuddling a chicken, petting a pig or snuggling a sheep on their small family farm. She loves the freedom they've found in homeschooling and the unlimited opportunities to explore the mountains. Camping, farming, and watching movies are some of their favorite family activities. Carrie and Jeff serve together at a small church where Jeff is the youth pastor.

Her favorite thing to do is steal a quiet moment to sit on her front porch and take in the most beautiful view she's ever seen in her life.

Reviews

[Lila'sbooks]

6 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!! (ARC review)


🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️


I. AM. BLOWN. AWAY.
I do not have the words to describe how phenomenal this book is. It's truly a masterpiece!

I cried tears of sadness more than once, and I'm not talking "my eyes filled with tears", I'm talking, the tears were running down my face. One scene in particular was so heartbreaking but yet so beautiful in how, as Christians, we know death isn't the end.
I also cried tears of LITERAL joy. I'm not really one to cry from happiness, but I was so happy and it was so beautiful that I cried.
This book made me so emotional; there were points where my eyes would constantly fill with tears every 10 seconds because of how deep and truly beautiful this book is. I WAS CRYING BECAUSE OF THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL. I cannot even describe to you all the emotions this book made me feel. 😩

You simply MUST read this series. I'm actually begging you, READ THIS SERIES. I have ZERO complaints about this book. It's so beautiful and perfect that I don't have the words to describe it. This series is life-changing and I'm not exaggerating!


🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️


More Thoughts 🧠

SETTING: I love the world-building in this book and the series in general. I love how the different lands are expanded upon with each book. We went from knowing of a few kingdoms in the first book to seeing, what feels like, a whole world.

PLOT: The plotline is fantastic as always. There are some great twists and it never felt slow or boring. I was so invested in the plot and the well-being of the characters, and I was not disappointed with the outcome! The way that little details from the previous books were taken and made into a big part of this book was so masterfully done. Everything happens for a reason in this series, even if it didn't seem important at first.

WRITING: The writing style is simply beautiful, and I know I keep saying beautiful but that's truly the best word for it. Every aspect of this book is written so well and feels so vivid and real. Especially the emotions the characters felt. When they were happy, I felt their joy as if it was my own and when they were in pain, I could feel their sorrow. The emotion in this book is so well written that it palpable. I felt like these things were happening to me. I cannot even describe to you how REAL this book felt.

ROMANCE: SO HEARTBREAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL. I have no words. Their love felt so real and pure and godly that I want it for myself. This is what a relationship should be and the emotions it made me feel... it's simply perfect, I can't even explain it.

CHARACTERS:
🐦 Tove: she was so incredibly strong but in a gentle way. She is unbelievably loving, despite all the hardship she's been through. Her faith and strength are so inspiring, I wish I was just like her. I was so proud of her.🥹
🏴‍☠️ Gerritt: said it before, I'll say it again: CARRIE COTTEN CAN WRITE A MAN. I'm amazed. I'm in love. I don't even know what to say. The respect in which he treated Tove was so admirable and the way he shows his love for the people he cares about brought me to tears more than once. His protectiveness and his entire personality... ugh, he's so charming and... hold on, I need a moment because I'm swooning again. I fear he may take Eowin's place as my favorite mmc from Carrie Cotten.
🌷 Sanne: I love this girl! she's such a sweet little kid!
Ødger: he's literally barely in this book, but I had to put him on this list because I love him so much. 😩 I love all of Tove's siblings, but he's probably my favorite (besides Reidar). I really want to see more of him!

FAITH: The way God is portrayed in the book is phenomenal! His love for us, His protection and provision, the way He can help us through our grief, the forgiveness He gives us, the fact that His will and plan for us is do much better than we could ever imagine, and every other aspect of who God is is shown so PERFECTLY in this book. It really spoke to my heart and I truly believe that God used this book to tell me something that I need to hear at the exact time I read this. Also, the way the characters grew in their faith and how they learned to trust God was so beautiful and inspiring. If you ever feel hopeless, or like things will never get better, read this book, I beg you. 🙏🏻


🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️🐦⚔️🐦🏴‍☠️


Content Notes

🤬 Language: none

🌶️ Spice/Sexual: clean. a little bit of kissing (not overly detailed)

💀 Violence: battles, death, murder (not overly gorey or descriptive), fighting, talk of execution, injuries.

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ: none at all

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: religious persecution, death of spouse, parent death, possible infertility, slavery, brief illusions to r@pe (in the past and not an explicit description at all), grief, abuse.


I received a free e-book copy of this book from the author but all the thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Heather Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Gospel is so strong and clear in this (and the other) books.

[Jennifer Hunt]

Perhaps my favorite yet! Phenomenal storytelling!

[Hannah Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

super stoked to receive an eARC and for sure recommend if you’ve enjoyed the rest of the huntress series so far. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, but was definitely won over by the end. it definitely topped the Valkyrie for me.

[Melia (more than a blurb!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good book! I mean this whole series is BRILLIANT and I'm OBSESSED with it. But I really enjoyed reading this so much! Carrie does such a good job getting you inside the characters and feeling the pain they feel. This is a wonderful book and will take you on a journey of love and joy and hope. It's an amazing story intertwining faith and love, loss and family. Please pick it up! You won't be disappointed!

[Ari Garzon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is something special to say the very least. My heart is swelling still just thinking about how beautifully it was written, and how beautifully the gospel was displayed. More on that later. Miss Carrie, your writing is simply unmatched.

[Sara Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review to come closer to release date!

[Stefanie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Copy From Author...all opinions are my own.

Beautiful.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautifully well written story. Carrie Cotten has a gift with words.
The story showed faith, courage, and redemption in a beautiful way like a piece of art.
Make sure to have tissues near by while reading.
I 1000% recommend this book!

If I had to choose a favorite character in this book it would probably have to be Tove. She has been through so much and yet she doesn’t give up on her faith in God.

[ChristyW · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review: I don’t know where to begin! This book encouraged my faith journey, made me reflect on my own life, and destroyed me all while having swoon worthy dialogue and characters! There are some really hard life experiences from different characters in this book, but the redemption story and God’s love woven throughout brings light to this medieval romance! A MUST read! If you haven’t discovered the author, Carrie Cotten, you are missing out!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already will tell you my review will never be able to give this book the justice it deserves. I am still brought to tears by the story, and it stirs the soul in such a way that calls you to worship.
Everything about The Songbird is beautiful. The characters, the pacing, the storyline, the romance, and even the heartbreak turns into beauty.
I was truly captivated from the first page and swept away by every word until the end.
I highly recommend everyone read this, along with the rest of the Huntress series.

[Hopefulwords · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Laura K · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. Another excellent addition to The Huntress series! This is truly the pinnacle of Christian Fiction! I have absolutely adored every single story in this series. I’m feeling simultaneously elated and melancholy upon finishing my arc of The Songbird—elated because the story was simply beautiful and melancholy because I did not want it to end. A massive book slump is imminent.

You must read this unbelievable series! Not only are these swoon-worthy romances, but they are encouraging and edifying stories of the one true God. Cotten seamlessly weaves powerful messages of faith throughout these epic stories full of sweeping romance, witty banter, heart-stopping action, and nail-biting tension. The most prominent message I personally took from The Songbird is the importance of being bold and fearless in your proclamation of the Gospel.

The main characters from The Songbird are beautifully complex and compelling. GERRITT. A redeemed former pirate with a heart of gold. He is brave, earnest, patient, gentle, kind, and protective. He is everything you want in a hero. A true man of God. And then there is Tove, his beloved Songbird and his 𝘴𝘸ē𝘵 𝘩𝘫𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦 (I swooned every time he used this term of endearment. I mean, “sweetheart”? SO CUTE.) She truly is the sweetest and most compassionate soul. I just love her character so much!

I noticed a shift in our leading ladies while reading The Valkyrie and The Songbird. While the heroines in the previous three books are marked by a strength that is formidable and fierce, the ladies in these two stories possess a strength that is softer and quieter—more gentle in nature but no less important. Tove doubts herself as she lists off the strengths of some of her fellow leading ladies: “Isa with her grateful, endearing heart. Astrid with her courage. And her queen’s aim with her bow is ever true. I have none of those things.” But Gerritt encourages Tove saying, “Compassion is not weakness, 𝘴𝘸ē𝘵 𝘩𝘫𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦. You sang praise to God through the pain of a broken heart, and that is a strength few possess.” He says Tove has a strength that “though delicate” is “undeniable.” I love that! This is a testament to the fact that God creates us all so uniquely different and gifts us with distinctive strengths that are used to further His Kingdom.

Please do yourself the biggest favor: READ THIS SERIES! I have no doubt you will love it!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was all in from the dedication page. When a book begins with, “To all those who struggle to release your past and embrace the freedom of forgiveness. I see you. God sees you. Open your hands, beloved, and let Him take it. And when you have no words, keep singing. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ John 15:13,” you know you’re in for something special.

The Songbird, the fifth book in The Huntress Series, does not disappoint. Trust me when I say—you will need tissues for this one. This powerful story follows Tove, a rescued slave, and Gerritt, a pirate, both of whom are beautifully written, multi-dimensional, and deeply relatable.

The plot is filled with unexpected twists, emotional turns, and moments that are truly heart-wrenching. You will be wrecked—more than once. Woven seamlessly throughout the story is an unwavering faith that endures even in the face of persecution and suffering.

I highly recommend The Songbird. I would give this book ten stars if it were possible. Five stars is just not enough. If Carrie Cotten writes it, you can count on the fact that I will be reading it.

Tropes
slow burn pirate romance
enemies to lovers
forbidden romance
love after loss
closed door romance
courage in the face of persecution
faith that doesn’t falter
strong but gentle hero
resilient quiet heroine
challenging and convicting faith arcs

[Dorothy Brundage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely blown away by Carrie’s gift to continually write God-honoring, insanely beautiful books that will make you cry, laugh, and want to get down on your knees and sing praises to the One above (just like our sweet songbird Tove)
Every book in this series somehow gets better and better, which is difficult because it starts off SO strong with the Huntress. The lives these women live are difficult, and yet they show such incredible faith in God and trust Him with their whole heart. It is a wonderful reminder to constantly be in prayer and to fight for the truth.
This book in particular is no different. I loved watching the characters grow and put their constant trust in God. The relationship between Tove, Gerritt, and Sanne was so sweet. I absolutely adore that Carrie writes books that honor family and life.
The fight scenes are epic, the love scenes are beautiful and will make you squeal. There’s funny moments that will make you laugh, which is a great break from the stressful ones.
The ending will make you cry, in a very good way.
I can’t wait to see what Carrie comes up with next, this series will forever live on as the greatest Christian medieval series ever made, I guarantee it! And I pray it finds more readers so they can experience God’s incredible work through a creative story such as this one.

[Sarah Raber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be still my heart. I do not have words for this book. And I have many words.

How does she do it? Carrie Cotten has out done herself! Again! Each of her book has been better than the last, but this one leaves them all behind! Her faith has shown through in this whole series but in this one is blazes! And it comes to life right off the pages!

Her writing is just incredible, when Tove is in a scary and confusing place, I felt everything she was feeling. And yet Carrie sets up scenario fantastically!

The story of broken trust, budding faith, courage, grief, rebuilding trust, tender and selfless love, hope and blazing faith in the face of great adversity, is one that will stay with me and inspire me.

Tove grew up a slave, who was verbally abused and learned it was better to keep her head down and appease those around her. When she is recused and reunited with her family, she feels she must prove her place among them and not question. She is given in an alliance marriage, but all is not as it seems.

When she is thrown together with a notorious pirate and born enemy, who shares her goal to rescue an orphaned girl, they embark on a daring and faith building journey across the Northlands. As the danger mounts, they must rely on God to lead them and protect them from the deadly enemy sweeping the land.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book by Carrie Cotten, A MUST READ when it releases April 2. I have never read a Medieval book before and let me tell you, this book BLEW ME AWAY. You hear the term, wrecked me, yall this book WRECKED ME in a good way of course. The way the author shared so much about faith and trusting God in the hard times and trials. There was a moment there that I felt like I stopped breathing because it was so emotional and life changing. I will be going back again to this book and series, I actually didn't start with the first book. I started with The Songbird, I fully regret not reading books 1-3 first so I will be going back to those NOW.

*I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from the author, all thoughts and opinions are all my own.

[Chapters With Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie Cotten has done it again!!!! Full Book review coming later - but, if you enjoy no-spice medieval historical faith-filled stories that will make you cry, smile, angry, gasp in frustration, and sigh in relief you might want to read this one! There are Vikings, pirates, battles, escapes, and kisses only romance. Though this is the fifth book in the series it can be read as a stand alone book (it does mention and contain characters from previous books). The whole series is amazing (the first three books were in my top 10 reads of 2024 and the fourth was in the top 10 of 2025)!
RELEASE DATE of The Songbird - April 6th 😍

[Gracie Schlabach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eeeep! This book was so good! ALL THE FEELS. Heartbreak, anger, hope, rejection, laughter, heartwarming, bitterness turned to sweet. Epic battles, plot twists, I could go on and on. The thread of faith over fear, trusting in God, even when all around you is falling apart and there is no hope, there is still Him, and He cares, and through Him we always have hope. This is an ARC, release date April 2nd 2026 so I won't give a lot of details due to spoilers, that last chapter though 🥹🥹🥹 ack!! So SWEET. Thank you Carrie fornthis ARC, I'm honored to be on your team again.

[Myra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Songbird is a heart wrenching, sometimes heart stopping, journey to seeing God at work in all situations. His word promises that he will work for our good – not that our lives will be all good. Follow Tove and Gerritt as they journey through harsh conditions and heartbreak across Northlands toward a better understanding of this truth.

[Chelsea Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are certain authors that write 5 star books every time and you can only hope to be on their ARC list because their work is gold! Carrie Cotten is one of those authors! Songbird is so sweet. The story beautifully weaves Christ amongst the highs of love and the lows of life’s heartbreaks. Bravo Ms Cotten! 🤌🏼👏🏼👏🏼you’ve done it again!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a powerful story of not only sharing the gospel but being willing to stand for it no matter the cost. One of the chapters had me crying my eyes out it was so moving; I will never forget it! And then of course there’s the action, suspense, plot twists and a beautiful love story! Carrie has done it again! A powerful story that weaves in the beauty of the gospel.

[Shayla Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

••Full review to come! …Worth the read and all the feels! This story needs to be on your radars and set to be read! In and out, book treasure!

[Kimberly Anders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Full review to come.

[Abigail Maberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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