A Song for Silas

A Place Called Home #2

by Lori Wick

Amy thought love would never pass her way again. She didn't know how close it was...until she met Silas. He is an answer to prayer for her injured father, Grant Nolan, who welcomes him with open arms. The brotherly way Silas feels toward Amy soon turns to deeper feelings of love.

Silas longs to have his love returned. But his sensitivity to Amy's reluctant heart and the loss of her old flame keeps him from harboring false hopes for their future. As Silas prepares to leave, will Amy discover the truth about her heart before it's too late?

A tender story of the flowering of hidden love and the nurturing of faith in the farmlands of Wisconsin.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Christian Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

FROM THE PUBLISHER:
Lori Wick is known as one of the most versatile Christian fiction writers on the market today. From pioneer fiction to a series set in Victorian England to a contemporary novel, Lori's books (over 5 million in print) continue to delight readers and top the Christian bestselling fiction list. Lori and her husband, Bob, live in Wisconsin with "the three coolest kids in the world."

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the A Place Called Home series takes us back once again to Baxter Wisconsin and the Cameron family. This book focuses on the third son Silas. Silas sees 3 of his brothers as well as his sister happily married with families. He longs to have this in his life as well, but has not yet met anyone with whom he can share this life. When he responds to the need of his close friend, Grant Nolan, he once again sees Grant's daughter, Amy who now has grown into a lovely young woman. But Silas' question is can a brotherly relationship turn into more?

Wick has such a wonderful talent for infusing her books with small town charm and pulling the reader right into the story. Silas was delightful with his feelings for Amy yet not quite knowing how to court her without scaring her completely away. Amy's feelings of fear and the worry that something more would cost their close friendship led her to push Silas away. It's only when they both trusted God that they found their way to a new relationship. The touch of mystery that Wick included added a twist to the story line. Wick also always includes a strong faith element in her books which makes them such wonderful reads. I recommend this historical romance series to those who like a quick, enjoyable read.

[Kue Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always loved Lori Wick books. Simple and pure love.

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy and Silas were likable characters and I could relate to both's struggles over whether to stay with the familiar or go to an unknown. I felt the aunt/uncle drama was superfluous, especially toward the end.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable but not as good as the first. Not nearly enough of Luke and Christine!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know if this was one of the first books by this author, but the story did not flow well...there were memories put into the prose that made you think it was happening then. The story was fine, and it was a quick read, but it wasn't anything special.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was my second pick for January that I finished a day or two into February. So, this book falls under February Book of The Month technically. There will be two more reviews after this one for February. I already have another review already handwritten and I just need to handwrite the second one as well. I am glad that I have the third book in the series to read as well. This series has four books and there are four brothers, but one was already married in the first book. Maybe the fourth book will be about how he/she was widowed. I have no clue what the fourth one will be about, but it is fun to speculate. I enjoyed this book, but I thought it was a wee bit boring.

DISCLAIMER:

I promise to be brutally honest with my opinion, but it should not be taken as fact. Any reader should read it for themselves, before they decide if this book has any merit or not. Do not judge this book biased solely on my opinion. If you do, you might miss out on a great read. You never know. It could happen. My review may contain spoilers, but I really strive to be spoiler-free. I bought this book through paperbackswap. This book was not suggested to me by the author. I have no affiliation with the author or his/her publisher.

Main Character(s):

This book switches POVs, but the main character of this story predominately is Silas Cameron, which I was pretty excited about. He seemed to be the cutest brother and the funniest. I loved him so much in the first book that it was so great for him to have his own book. He is the best male character portrayal. He even has insecurities that make him more relatable and likable. I just thought the world of Silas.
5 out of 5 stars

Evil Antagonist(s):

Honestly? Nothing. Maybe a bit of pride? I thought this story was going somewhere with the robberies, but it ended up as a happily ever after, so you can totally rule that out as a potential for excitement. This story really needed some excitement or conflict (not just romance complications) to bring it to life and make no boring parts. It really failed to deliver that for me.
1 out of 5 stars

Minor Character(s):

I enjoyed meeting up again with characters from the first novel and I love how they connect with the new story. They are a family and it is lovely to see such strong family bonds. The story also introduces a few other characters, including Silas’ romantic love interest, Amy. Amy does not seem to be the most developed character and I think Silas could have done much better. To be honest, I found her to be quite annoying.
3 out of 5 stars

The Plot:

A man offers his help to a family he has helped out before and arrives to find out that the girl he considered a sister from a different mister, has blossomed into a beautiful young lady. He then falls for her and complications arise. A really sweet story, if Amy had been a bit more likeable for me. The plot isn’t the most unique, but it was interesting, if a bit boring at times.
3 out of 5 stars

The Setting:

I feel like with most of Lori Wick’s books, she is either over descriptive or hardly throws anything at you. While this did contain some descriptions, I feel like they were mostly focused on what they were feeling and very little was given to the actual setting. I feel like this is one area that she is not consistent in. If she ever decides to write books again, I wish she would try to improve in this area and make things a little more interesting for her devoted readers. Has anyone else noticed that she has stopped writing books so suddenly with no notice?
1 out of 5 stars

The Dialogue:

As usual, the dialogue is very smooth and sounds natural for most characters. However, I find Amy’s character’s dialogue to be a bit stiff and stilted. Otherwise than that, everything sounds really believable and nothing clichéd. I actually really enjoyed the dialogue between all of the characters. It was very interesting especially between Amy’s dad and aunt behind closed doors. Nothing too scandalous though.
4 out of 5 stars

Engaging Surprises:

I can only really think of one surprise in the book and it just seemed like an afterthought. Nothing really added up to this conclusion and it was anything but believable. I just kept on expecting that there would be a punch line somewhere and it just never showed up. It was actually a bit disappointing that nothing really exciting happens. I guess, this is more of a romance novel, but it is also a western. There should still be some type of action to get excited about.
1 out of 5 stars

Climax:

I can actually see the turning point in this book, unlike the first book in the series. There is a mounting tension to the climax, even if the climax turned out to be disappointing and flat. I like that there is an obvious climax even if the climax doesn’t really have anything to do with the actual story progression. That is a drawback really. The climax should be linked to the actual plot, but it was only lightly webbed through and if you were to take it out, the story would have no climax. The plot would not miss it, though. It isn’t even very necessary for the story.
2 out of 5 stars

Emotional Response:

My only response to this story was frustration. It seems like Silas got the worst wife in the series. There is no chemistry and Amy just annoys me. I have never disliked a character so strongly before (well maybe). There is nothing that I like about her at all. Silas is exactly the man that I thought he was. He seems very attractive and deserves so much better than Amy. I would even prefer a story about her dad over her again.
1 out of 5 stars

Ending:

Expected and predictable. I love that Lori Wick books always end happily, unlike real life. The ending to the story is exactly how I thought it would end. Although, I did think that it would end with a birth and it did not which was nice in an unpredictable way. I enjoyed the ending to the book and as always with Lori Wick, I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
3 out of 5 stars

The Writing:

I quite enjoy Lori Wick’s writing style and she has the creative juices down pat for love stories. I just wish that she would be a bit more descriptive. I want to know what these places really look like. Without details, I just makeup generic places in my head. How do we know what a “woman’s touch” looks like? Tell us with your words. You are so good at describing characters and romance, but when it comes to the setting, you are so out of your element/league.
3 out of 5 stars

The Artwork:

The cover is the same for me as the last one, because I am reading a two in one book. I still like the cover though. I wish the back cover had the artwork for the second book though.
3 out of 5 stars

Genre:

Wick only really writes one genre: contemporary Christian western romances. I really feel like she dominates in this category and no one comes close to her books. I wish her books were easier to find. It seems like they are a bit difficult to get your hands on. I feel that way about a few books actually. I think I something isn’t new or a “classic”, than most stores do not stock them. When I do find them, I make sure that I savor every last page. So, I will be reading the third one just as slow as the rest.
5 out of 5 stars

Title:

I get why it is called A Song For Silas, because Amy is musically talented and wrote a song about her relationship with Silas. It should have been called A Bride For Silas, since that is what the book was about. I feel like that would have been more suiting.
4 out of 5 stars

Overall, I give this book 2.7 stars out of 5, but I will round it up to 3 stars. This wasn’t the best of her books, but it is not the worst either. I enjoyed it, but I will not be reading it again anytime soon. I would recommend the first book over this one, though. I don’t think this book was a waste of time, but I wish that I would have read something else.

[Anna Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Silas is the one who steps up to help whenever anyone is in need. He's the bachelor brother in a family of four sons, one daughter. As such, he lives with a brother/SIL, and travels to help those in need.

When Amy's father breaks his leg, there's nobody to milk the 19 cows and get the fields planted in - so Silas packs his bags and heads to Neilsville, to help them. Amy charms him utterly, with her grace, beauty, abilities at the piano, and caring heart. But she's been jilted, and is convinced the Lord wants her to be an old maid to take care of her father in his age... so she's friend-zoned Silas.

I wanted to give this book more stars. I mean, it's *Lori Wick*, through and through - she has this tone about her, and every. single. character. always overthinks EVERYTHING... that's a Wick novel. But I went in knowing this. And I can deal with this. Sometimes saccharine is needed to battle a poisonous world. In small doses - and this is a small book.

My problem lay in the fact that Wick's version of salvation is 'praying the prayer', and... just NO. This is so wrong on SO many levels and with SO much scripture to counter it, I can't even begin.

Also, as a pianist, I... it... that song... I mean, UGH. Yes, I sat down and played it. It's on par with the 7/11 chorus book I have from 1991 - *NOT* something an accomplished pianist would write. In fact, the song SOUNDED like a 1991 church chorus, and it was so absolutely lackluster I wanted to CRY. If Amy was so much better than Silas? She wouldn't have written THAT. THAT was horrible. If you can't play piano? Count yourself lucky, and pretend that song is more than what it is.

The ending blew goats, too. She wouldn't admit she loved him, hated the idea of leaving her father, hated the idea of giving up her childhood home, hated her miserable life, and stalwartly sticks to it all... until her father gets in her face and screams at her about how she needs to be hit with a log in the head (!!!) to knock sense into her, and get out of my house and go to Silas, now! It was... not endearing. It was not nice. And she goes to Silas, but...

... we never get the sense that she's found her happiness. Just that she's found peace, and that's not enough. Yes, Silas loves her completely and unconditionally, but we just don't feel that Amy is anything like that, towards him. I wasn't sold.

[99Kylies · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was better than A Place Called Home, Silas was largely enjoyable, and I like everyone (Other than Luke, nasty man.) pretty well. I'm just hoping the third book has less Luke and no 'found siblings decide romance is better' plots. Still a three star review.

I was majorly grossed out by the 'we're siblings and call each other big brother/little sister but we're adults now so let's fall in love and kiss' plot. As someone with a brother, it's just. So gross. (Luke also continues to be a Cringe Inducing Controller, who at one point /hides every single one of his wife's nightgowns/ and NEVER gives them back. I really am starting to hate this man. Nasty.)

I was pleasantly surprised by the villain of the story! Without getting too into spoilers, it was MUCH better than the first book's villain. I just wish we'd been able to see even more of them.

Also, the consistency of characters is admirable. Silas's penchant for mimicking people is one of those things :3 AND PAUL FINALLY APPEARS. WHOOT WHOOT.

[Charrise Newkirk · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure I read this book as a teen and loved it, but as an adult I’m struggling to finish it. I’ll read a few pages then put it down because it’s grossing me out so much. With that being said, DNF at 44%.

I’ve read a lot of Lori Wick books. Most of them don’t gross me out the way this book does. Amy is 18, Silas is 28, and they’ve known each other since Amy was 14.

They don’t realize their love until Amy is 18, but still. Eww.

As someone who works with teens, I’m really unable to get past that age gap. It’s too weird that he knew her as a child and is now falling in love with her. She mentions at one point that he’s the only person who calls her “sweetheart” and she really likes it. It feels so infantilizing and as if it’s making a case for older men pursuing teens.

I don’t know if I’m reading too much into this, but I genuinely cannot finish it.

[Rachel DeWeese · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, this one was not very good. All of the characters are so flat, that it's hard to enjoy. There was no visible development in Silas and Amy's relationship, and the fact that they even got together at all seems highly unlikely to me. Also, the whole side story with the robberies in Neillsville seemed completely pointless and uninteresting, even after Wick revealed who was behind them.
The only reason I'm going to continue this series is so that I don't hurt my mom's feelings haha.

[Brooke Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

I’ve read one other Lori Wick series and it was amazing. This book was not a disappointment! I love how she switches characters but keeps the ones from books before in the story. I did enjoy a place called home a little more but this book was amazing too! 10/10 would recommend 💯

[Wendy Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice clean Christian Series. Silas finds his life partner Ay who he had always been like a big brother to her until he returned to help the Nolan family in the previous book. Even though you knew this was going to happen there was a bit of a mystery and a few surprises along the way. I’ve already download the third book in the series!

[Dorothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silas had worked for the Nolans before and when he learns that Grant has fallen and broke his leg he returns to help them get their crop in the ground. When he was there before Amy was 14 and she and Silas were like brother and sister. However now they are both older and Silas has changed his thoughts of Amy. A lot of things must change for both Silas and Amy and many days are needed .

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a few scenes in this book from the perspective of other characters that I felt were unnecessary. Would’ve liked them to be a bit more of Silas and Amy. Still, it was simple and clean, which is nice. (Took me so long to read because it was my ‘car book’ for when I was waiting at appointments).

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable continuation of this story, this time Centering on Silas and Amy. I also liked Amy's father. I loved the fact that characters from the prev book were included in this too. Now onto the next one.
I own this on Kindle.

[Kathi H. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book! Love all of Lori Rock's books!

excellent book!
All of Lori's books are very good with a great story!
Cannot wait to read the last book in this series!

[Stephanie Salyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. couldn't put it down lol finished it faster than I thought I would. The ending kind of caught me off guard but was nice.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Place Called Home #2
Silas Cameron is way too good to be true… Enjoy!

Read:
October 16-17, 2015 – Paperback
February 9, 2020 – Kindle Edition

[Alicia Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Silas is my favorite. Another wistful, lovely, romantic story with well-drawn characters. Loved it.

[Gabi]

How do I download this book for free??

[Yeslech · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like when an angry woman is kissed unexpectedly...

The story of how Silas and Amy go from a 'brother/sister' relationship to a romantic one wasn't told as well as I'd have liked.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic cliche cheesy love story but you know what? Sometimes I like those

[Linea Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable

[Maya O'Dell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, encouraging, and heartwarming

[Wanda Mcguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely written mild Christian western romance.

[Theresa Guile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story, very endearing

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

2. (A Place Called Home) A Song for Silas

This story taught a lot of how God expects you to live, mainly under his watch and care relying only on Him.

[Karianna Neels · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good preteen romance

[BrittNeedsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love Lori Wick and everything she writes.