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Song of Erin #2
Ashes and Lace
B. J. Hoff, the best-selling author of the highly acclaimed Emerald Ballad series, continues her inspiring Irish-American saga begun in Cloth of Heaven with this epic sequel—a story of two unlikely families joined by suffering and secrets, virtue and violence, courage, faith . . . and the mysterious hand of God.
Along with Cloth of Heaven, this book will draw readers with its attractive cover and larger-than-normal size, celebrating B. J. Hoff as the premier writer of historical fiction in CBA today.
Along with Cloth of Heaven, this book will draw readers with its attractive cover and larger-than-normal size, celebrating B. J. Hoff as the premier writer of historical fiction in CBA today.
421 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
108 people want to read
About the author
B.J. Hoff
51 books148 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 9, 2022
I keep telling myself I should have enjoyed this book at a five-star level. Why I didn't? I'll just chalk it up to my odd mood, I guess. I really don't have any serious complaints, only commentaries on whether some aspects are "realistic" or not. Nothing is more far-fetched than real life, though.
Setting: New York City and Ireland, 1839; the story spans only a few months from September to Christmas, not counting the epilogue. As is usual with B.J. Hoff books, much is devoted to developing the setting--not only national events and culture, but also descriptions of the scenery and weather events. Just as vivid are the descriptions of the characters' inner turmoil.
Characters: I viewed these characters more as a third party, and less as a reader sharing their suffering. They are well-written, with understandable flaws and strengths. Jack is particularly well done--I appreciated his character arc very much in its portrayal of biblical truths. Likewise I thought Brady's character arc and conclusion is also fitting. A few of the major supporting characters in the first book don't have a prominent role in this one, which is slightly disappointing. My favorite storyline was that of Gabriel and Roweena; Gabriel, is, after all, the pinnacle of Christian behavior.
Plot Of course very character-driven, so there's not much to say apart from describing the characters. Jack has such a large, driven personality, that he could practically drive the entire 400-page book himself. Things just don't stay the same when Jack is around. Gabriel is just the opposite, which seemingly causes that part of the story to drag (very briefly), but there's certainly no lack of action. Romance dominates the plot, but the salvation arc of the main characters is just as important.
Faith Content: There are multiple angles that a relationship with God is presented. None of the characters relate to Him in the same way, keeping everyone's journey distinct, but God is unchanging, steady, always the end goal to attain. He's portrayed beautiful enough to redeem all the wickedness and sin and ugliness that's part of every life. A relationship with God is clearly shown as the most important--and the only effective--solution. Anything else added is merely God's blessings.
Setting: New York City and Ireland, 1839; the story spans only a few months from September to Christmas, not counting the epilogue. As is usual with B.J. Hoff books, much is devoted to developing the setting--not only national events and culture, but also descriptions of the scenery and weather events. Just as vivid are the descriptions of the characters' inner turmoil.
Characters: I viewed these characters more as a third party, and less as a reader sharing their suffering. They are well-written, with understandable flaws and strengths. Jack is particularly well done--I appreciated his character arc very much in its portrayal of biblical truths. Likewise I thought Brady's character arc and conclusion is also fitting. A few of the major supporting characters in the first book don't have a prominent role in this one, which is slightly disappointing. My favorite storyline was that of Gabriel and Roweena; Gabriel, is, after all, the pinnacle of Christian behavior.
Plot Of course very character-driven, so there's not much to say apart from describing the characters. Jack has such a large, driven personality, that he could practically drive the entire 400-page book himself. Things just don't stay the same when Jack is around. Gabriel is just the opposite, which seemingly causes that part of the story to drag (very briefly), but there's certainly no lack of action. Romance dominates the plot, but the salvation arc of the main characters is just as important.
Faith Content: There are multiple angles that a relationship with God is presented. None of the characters relate to Him in the same way, keeping everyone's journey distinct, but God is unchanging, steady, always the end goal to attain. He's portrayed beautiful enough to redeem all the wickedness and sin and ugliness that's part of every life. A relationship with God is clearly shown as the most important--and the only effective--solution. Anything else added is merely God's blessings.
September 30, 2016
A fitting conclusion to this duology.
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 an Irish-American saga that continues in Ashes and Lace, a novel by author BJ Hoff.
This second half of the Song of Erin series is fittingly dramatic with characters that make themselves memorable. The story that began in Cloth of Heaven comes into more of its richness here. But I'll confess that, as was the case in the first novel, much of the reading here felt like a setup for something else, to me. It took me quite a while to reconcile myself to it: "This isn't a setup leading to a story. This is the story." There's a certain redundancy in a lot of it, as the author has a way of 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.
However, I did eventually become a little bothered by the overuse of italics. And my main concern was with 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 fitting drama and richness of this moving saga. And given that this author did also write the absolutely magnificent American Anthem, I've every intention of reading more from her 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 an Irish-American saga that continues in Ashes and Lace, a novel by author BJ Hoff.
This second half of the Song of Erin series is fittingly dramatic with characters that make themselves memorable. The story that began in Cloth of Heaven comes into more of its richness here. But I'll confess that, as was the case in the first novel, much of the reading here felt like a setup for something else, to me. It took me quite a while to reconcile myself to it: "This isn't a setup leading to a story. This is the story." There's a certain redundancy in a lot of it, as the author has a way of 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.
However, I did eventually become a little bothered by the overuse of italics. And my main concern was with 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 fitting drama and richness of this moving saga. And given that this author did also write the absolutely magnificent American Anthem, I've every intention of reading more from her in the future.
September 5, 2023
This is the conclusion of the Song of Erin Saga.
As the book states on the back - the mysteries of the past finally confront the
secrets of the present.
Beautifully written story. Some history woven in.
As the book states on the back - the mysteries of the past finally confront the
secrets of the present.
Beautifully written story. Some history woven in.
June 9, 2020
A satisfying story with some good plot twists. The romance and religious aspects don’t work well for me but I gloss over that as much as I can.
November 8, 2021
This is a wonderful sequel to Cloth of Heaven. Lovers of historical fiction and/or stories featuring Irish history should not give this a pass.
May 27, 2022
Another excellent read. Great two book series.
May 18, 2023
This book was 360 degrees from the first book. I loved the characters and the plot and I was very engaged in it. I'm glad I stuck it out after book one was such a "bomb".
February 4, 2025
Historical fiction. It was #2 in a series. I didn’t read the others. This one was good but it was enough of that.
October 25, 2015
This book continues the story of 2 brothers who had immigrated from Ireland as children. I think it's a great book for those who think they are "too far gone" for Jesus to save them. I really enjoyed this.
January 15, 2016
All around a good historical Christian fiction novel. The going back and forth between American and Ireland was very easy to follow and each storyline from both places were enjoyable. I didn't feel like I was lost at all for not having read the first book in this saga
March 30, 2010
Somehow this book was not as satisfying as the others by Hoff I have read.....nevertheless, I would recommend it.
July 23, 2010
What a great story with wonderfully rich characters. I couldn't put it down and enjoyed every minute.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews