Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott

About the book... "Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.
On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.
Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.
When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?
Read an excerpt here: http://www.rosslynelliott.com/books.php"


Win a custom made period dress ... and a KINDLE from Rosslyn Elliott!
Enter 9/1-9/20!

To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Fairer Than Morning, Rosslyn Elliott is giving away two fabulous prize packages. The first is brand new KINDLE in her Fairer Than Morning Kindle Giveaway. Then on September 20th she's giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a Custom-Made Historical Reproduction Dress (from Recollections) during the Fairer Than Morning Book Club Chat Party on Facebook! Sigh...romantic.
Fairer Than Morning is receiving wonderful reviews - Library Journal said, "A well-written historical series debut…". Read more reviews here.
Be sure to join the fun and enter the Kindle contest - 

One winner will receive:
* Kindle with Wi-Fi
* Fairer Than Morning (for Kindle)
To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, giveaway ends on 9/19. Winner will be announced on 9/20 at Rosslyn's Book Club Facebook Party. Details and official rules can be found when entering the contest.
Then be sure to RSVP for Rosslyn's Facebook Party! During the party Rosslyn will be chatting with guests, hosting a book chat about Fairer Than Morning (don't worry if you haven't read the book yet - you could win a copy!) & historical Fiction, testing your trivia skills. She'll also be giving away that $200 gift certificate toward a FABULOUS custom-made period dress from Recollections!

As much as I love historical fiction, reading historical fiction based on real people makes it even better! I would never have guessed that this debut novel was rooted in history. I saw the "blurb" on the back cover and, immediately, read the afterward. Cheating? Maybe. But I think it added depth to the story. I read this book with the knowledge that, even though the "characters" are long gone... they really aren't. They live on in their descendants today. It has to be pretty cool to have a family history (even fictionalized as Fairer Than Morning) that readers, like me, can appreciate as a work of fiction but to family members bring their personal history alive.

I tend to ponder (love that word!) what draws me to a book. Yes, I'll admit I do judge a book by its cover... and Fairer Than Morning does not disappoint. Ann is the focus of the cover and, at my first glance, the only person. But, a closer look reveals Will's arm. This made me look back at Ann and then notice her almost"sly" smile.

The title also struck me. At first, I believed that it was, again, all about Ann. She's beautiful... definitely "Fairer Than Morning". As I read, I realized a deeper meaning to the title. I try never to "spoil" a novel in my review so I'll leave it to you to find out what I mean.

I'm excited to see a sequel will be published in February 2012. It's titled Sweeter Than Birdsong. Not only is that such a beautiful title but I'm looking forward to discovering its deeper meaning as well.

To read more reviews of Fairer Than Morning, please click on this link... http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13424909

Thanks to Amy at Litfuse Publicity Group and Rosslyn Elliott for providing me a copy of Fairer Than Morning in exchange for this fair and thoughtful review.