A encouraging slow burn romance of faith, as Fanny breaks free of her bonds and finds a beautifully unexpected love.

Fanny Beck is an indentured servant, with no hope of freedom, as her indenture holder is a man of cunning who doesn't plan to let her go at the end of her seven years. So during a great storm she sees her chance and takes it.

A steady historical romance, with a sweet, likable heroine, strong themes of faith and courage. I liked that Fanny has a compassionate heart for others, selflessly putting others first when no one would blame for being selfish. Walter is a good man, not prone to speaking much, but he loves his daughter fiercely.

Overall, this was a pleasant read that reminded me of the books I read growing up in my teen years, a enjoyable read with a more simple plot, and inspiring message. Great for fans of this author and historical romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this faith-based historical romance! Fanny is an indentured servant who manages to escape her captors and undergoes a difficult journey. Along the way she finds a sweet romance with Walter and love with his baby girl, It has a great message about not letting a difficult past determine who you are in the present and God's grace and forgiveness, I will seek additional titles from the author for sure!

When an escaped indentured riverboat singer and a widowed homesteader with a young child to care for meet, they seem to have just what each other needs—she a place to stay and earn some money for a trip to her family in New York and he someone to care for his toddler so he can work. But will it be that simple, especially when a sinister force are lurking out there somewhere?

That synopsis doesn't cover everything going on in this book, but it is the bulk of it. There are also the escaped slaves that Fanny travels with for a time, but since they are gone by around 30% of the way through the story and don't have much of a conclusion, their part in the story feels a bit like it's disconnected from the rest. In the end, I can't help but wonder exactly why Sawyer chose to include them. I guess to add to the theme of "freedom" throughout the story, but it seems a bit heavy-handed at that point. None of that is bad, necessarily, and it does give the reader some early insight into Fanny's character, so at least there's that.

As for the main characters, Fanny and Walter, both of them seemed a little too "good." Neither of them really had any faults that were brought out in the story, aside from the faux faults perceived only by themselves, that anyone with a more objective view would easily tell them they were silly for considering a fault. Walter was a little less confident than he'd once been, and I suppose Fanny doesn't know how to be a homesteader, but it's more endearing than anything. Both of them drove me nuts with the periodic mental berating over mistakes and bad choices that they thought must mean that God wouldn't want to hear from them anymore.

There was also a 3rd perspective in this story, that of the riverboat owner who had indentured Fanny, as he tries to track down a singer to replace her. I don't think his story really added to the book, and it culminated in a climax that was far too easily resolved. And speaking of Fanny's indentured state, I think maybe the author should have spent some time going over some of the less-known and less-quoted parts of the Bible, like the book of Philemon.

Kim Vogel Sawyer does write very well, and I really enjoyed the glimpses at different parts of life and parts of the country in 1860 that were presented in this book. However, various parts of this book just didn't sit right with me, though I'm sure that many other readers of Christian historical romance will be less bothered by what stuck out to me and will enjoy this book.

Freedom’s Song is inspirational, Christian fiction by Kim Vogel Sawyer.

Indentured servant, Fanny Beck, only wants to reunite with her family. Riverboat owner, Sloan Kirkpatrick, only wants to maintain possession of his money-making songstress. Both would go to extremes to get their wish. Exactly how far will they go?

Ms. Sawyer reveals the story using alternating viewpoints of the primary characters, handling this technique with appropriate chapter headers. Sawyer also uses scenery to create the appropriate mood. Freedom’s Song is very well-written with an attention-holding plot. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of Christian romance.

My thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Indentured, riverboat entertainer Fanny Beck is cast overboard during a ship fire. After she ends up on the bank, she scrambles to make a way back to her family in New York City. She meets up with an African-American family escaping slavery. Fanny is able to give them a way to travel north and she offers all that she has. But, it is now time for Fanny to continue to NYC and she is out of funds. By rail she can sing for tips and earn railway passage. She is sometime on foot.
Walter Kuhn, widower, has asked his parents to send him a mail-order bride. Fanny stumbles upon his young daughter, left is a makeshift playpen, and the two need to work out a sanctuary for Fanny while she gets her feet under her.
It is a creative story talking about slavery of a few kinds and how to have hopes in that midst of no choices.

Kim Vogel Sawyer knows just how to draw you into her books. Freedom's Song is yet another beautiful story by her.

Fannie was indentured as a young girl to sing on a riverboat in exchange for passage for her and her family to go to America. Little did she know how she'd be treated and what a long journey she would have before her to return to her parents. If you're like me who loves Christian historical romance, you'll be rooting for Fannie and Walter all the way to the end.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Published 19 October 2021

I loved this beautifully written, faith based story. It was so heartwarming and inspiring.
Many thanks to WaterBrook & Multnomah and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Freedom's Song, by Kim Vogel Sawyer, takes you on a journey through mid-America in the 1860s. Sawyer's Christian historical fiction tackles a variety of topics with a unique approach, beginning with a near-drowning and ending with freedom for many.

Fanche “Fanny Beck,” a riverboat songstress and indentured servant, is providentially supplied by the Lord with a means of release from indenture. Traveling across several states, by rail and on foot, while trying to reach her home in New York, Fanny stumbles upon a farm and hears a baby weeping.

Walter Kuhn is a widower attempting to care for his farm, earn a living and provide for his little one. He arrives home one day to discover Fanny caring for his baby, whom he had left asleep in a "pen" he had built.

On many levels, Freedom's Song pulls together spiritual, emotional, and physical freedoms. I value how Sawyer entwines those freedoms together and shows how God is the only One who gives us genuine freedom.

The story is well-written, with well-developed characters and historical accuracy. An underlying theme of suspense and romantic element runs throughout the story.

I always appreciate and enjoy Kim Vogel Sawyer's works, and this is perhaps my favorite so far because of its topic and spiritual elements.

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Waterbrook Multnomah. All opinions are my own and I am voluntarily leaving this review.

I loved this book. It held my interest from the first chapter until the last.
Freedom from fear. Freedom from indenture. Freedom from slavery. All entwined with the ultimate freedom. Freedom in Christ.
There are discussion questions at the end. It would make a great book club selection.
I had an advance copy.
reviewed on amazon

Kim Vogel Sawyer has a knack for creating characters that are easy to fall in love with. Freedom's Song continues that trend with Fanny Beck, and nearly everyone she encounters.

When Fanny's father puts his X on her letter of indenture to Sloan Kirkpatrick, he believes it is the best thing for their whole family. Seven years of service in exchange for passage for the entire family to America, seems like an even exchange. At 14, Fanny hates the idea of being separated from her family for so long, but she knows there is no other way for them to leave Scotland. She's willing to make the sacrifice of seven years for the sake of her parents and two younger sisters.

What none of them know is that Sloan is not the most honest of men. Hearing the purity of her voice as she sings in church, and seeing the perfection of her beauty, Sloan is captivated. He has traveled to Scotland looking for just such a singer to entertain passengers on his riverboat, the River Peacock, and is willing to promise just about anything to get her on his boat. Fanny and her father both believe that her term of service is seven years, but since neither can read, Sloan hides the words "for each passenger" in the contract, thus chaining Fanny to Sloan's service for 35 years, or until her voice wears out and her beauty fades.

For nearly 7 years, Fanny's life has consisted of performing and being locked in her windowless room on the River Peacock. Her voice and beauty have made her the darling of the Mississippi, and she has performed for dignitaries and gamblers alike, but she dreams of the freedom she expects to have in a few months. When she overhears Sloan gloating about how he had duped her father into indenturing her for not 7 but 35 years, she is horrified. Sloan has already become a very rich man on the strength of her voice. Surely he would have some compassion for her. Instead, her forced lockdown is made even more secure the closer her seven years comes to ending.

When a storm aboard the riverboat distracts the crew from locking her in, Fanny seizes the opportunity to go on deck. Unprepared for the crush of frightened humanity, Fanny is knocked overboard and nearly drowns. Washed up on shore, she is found by a group of runaway slaves seeking freedom of their own. As she travels north with them, she finds her faith strengthened. Can her voice be her ticket to her family?

Walter Kuhn has been the sole caregiver for his infant daughter since his wife died. Awaiting the arrival of his mail-order bride, he's doing the best he can to care for his daughter, and to run the farm, but something always comes up short - most often his daughter. When he stops work to check on his daughter, he is stunned to find a woman in his house, caring for her. Terrified of what this filthy stranger might want, Walter steps in but after talking to the woman, he ends up offering her a job and a place to stay. Cleaned up, the woman is not only beautiful, but she loves his daughter. The more time he spends with her, the less he hopes for his new bride to arrive.

Since his singer is missing and presumed drowned, Sloan begins a "talent search" for his next performer. Unfortunately, the women who audition can't compare to what he had in Fanny, plus, he'd have to pay them. As he travels from city to city, he begins to hear of a woman who sang like a nightingale at several of the train stops. If he could find her, she could be the replacement. The more he hears about the woman, though, the more certain he is that he is on Fanny's trail. Could she really have survived?

Freedom. A concept most of us take for granted but for those who live in captivity, it is a cherished dream. The characters in Freedom's Song learn that there are many different kinds of freedom. I loved how Sawyer put several different kinds of slavery together and pointed to the One who makes all of us free. This is a love story with a little suspense, and lots of old hymns. From beginning to end, I was captivated by Fanny's faith and the love she poured out on everyone she met, from the slaves to her neighbors to Walter and Annaliese. No one deserved freedom more! I highly recommend!

After finally completing this book, I find I have mixed feelings about it. Whilst I was looking forward to it, as it had an interesting plot, once I started there were so many bad things happening to the main character that I quite dreaded reading a further chapter - & was in no rush to get back, having taken breaks. The story was being told from different people’s perspectives, & one in particular always meant nothing good was going to happen. In fact, it was as if the writer had too many ideas for just one book & had crammed at least three storylines in together, whereas if they had been separated out – each could have made a better tale on its own. That’s just my opinion, but I was really wanting to enjoy this book more than I did, & was left feeling somewhat disappointed.
I have read other books by this writer, but don’t consider this to be her best. 3 1/2 stars

Freedom is the theme throughout this story. People searching for their own freedom and taking a look at their own lives. Strong messages of Christian faith support the tale. Fanny fell overboard from a riverboat where she'd basically been held prisoner for 7 years of being indentured as a singer. She is able to look back and see God in her days there. She was put on a God's path that filled her life and touched others. Slavery of different kinds is explored, shining light on their depth. Rich, full characters make you want to see how their lives turn out. Excellent read, one you look forward to picking up again each time you have to put it down.

I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#FreedomsSong #NetGalley.

Fanny is a singer with a God given voice on a riverboat back in the day. She is really kept prisoner due to a contract between her father and the riverboat owner. When circumstances step in and Fanny escapes from the boat, she sets off on a journey home to New York, where her parents and sisters are. Along the way, she meets and assists a family (no spoilers here) on their own journey and learns important lessons on the way.

Fanny and the family eventually go their separate ways and Fanny is thrown into yet another situation that she doesn't expect. She also faces hard decisions of what is best for her after being indentured to Sloan, the riverboat captain for so long. She has to come to terms with what she really wants and what is best for her. Also, she tries to keep in mind that God's plans are really working for her and all she has to do is remember is grace.

I really loved two of Kim Vogel Sawyer's books, but this one fell flat for me. The lessons in the book were really good and brought me back to simple truths, but the way it delivered just wasn't for me. I had a hard time believing Fanny would find herself in the situation in the second half of the book and that it would work out the way it did. However, I guess anything is possible with God's love. I truly believe this and appreciate the author's attempt in reminding us all of this, but I just had trouble connecting with Fanny and the other characters. Some of it was really good, but it just took me way too long to finish. At some points I didn't think I would.

Freedom's Song
A wonderful, believable story that was hard to put down! I would like to read more by this author.

Freedom's Song is another great read by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I loved every single page and am giving it a very well deserved five plus stars.

Fanny Beck's family hailed from Scotland and she became an indentured servant to Sloan Kirkpatrick to allow her family the possibility of coming to America to achieve their dreams. She had the voice of an angel and Sloan wanted her to entertain his passengers on his Mississippi riverboat. She was 14 when she started and she only had to serve 7 years, or so she thought. When she found out that Sloan had no intention of releasing her from her servitude after 7 years, but only after 35 years, she needed help from the Almighty God to release the bonds that held her captive. When a tragic circumstance allows her the freedom she had prayed for, she took the chance.

Fanny wanted to get to New York City to be with her parents and her two younger sisters, but along her path to freedom, she met with a group of runaway slaves trying to make their way to Canada to escape the bonds that held them as slaves. She chose to help them in every way possible, and by so doing, she reduced some of her options to go home to her family.

On her journey, she becomes a nanny for a young child whose mother had died 5 months earlier and whose father was overwhelmed with working on his farm and taking care of his young daughter. She agrees to this situation with the promise of earning enough money to make her way to NY City.

I won't give away any more of the story but there is a happy ending. This story provided a glimpse in to the Underground Railroad, the life of an indentured servant and some of the unscrupulous people who hold them captive. It reminds us that there are many ways to be enslaved, as well as ways to experience freedom. The story was clean, wholesome and overall a good read. This author has a talent when it comes to character development of both primary and secondary characters which gives the story depth.

I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.

This is the third novel I have read recently that deals with the indenturing system. If you haven't heard of it, do some research. It involves a service contract. This is Fanny Beck's story. She is indentured, singing on a river boat. She is approaching the end of her contract. The owner of the river boat doesn't intend to release her, she knows something is wrong with the contract. A fire on the boat begins her journey to freedom. She was cut off from the world on the boat, so she has a lot to ...more

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I enjoy Kim Vogel Sawyer's writing. While many people have "auto-buy" authors, I have "auto-read" authors. Ms. Sawyer is one of those authors. Whenever I see her name, I immediately want to read her books. I do not bother to see what the book is about, I just request it or put it on my TBR list.

Thunderous applause. Cries of "Encore, encore!"

Fanny is one of the sweetest, most lovable characters you will ever meet. No matter what situation she faces, she handles it with grace, and sweetness. Her faith is as natural to her as breathing. While life had given her much to complain about, she chose not to. She continued to sing and praise her Lord. Her friendship with the family she meets in the early part of her journey was heart-warming and heart-breaking. It would have been nice to know whether they arrived at their destination and how their journey went.

She never won arguments with Sloan or Burke. Sometimes she argued anyway, if only for the sake of entertaining herself and utilizing her wits.

Walter is a strong male lead. His attentiveness and kindness to Fanny after she arrives unexpectedly at his house, also endears the reader to him. Learning of his story and struggles, seeing his faith in action, which is also as natural to him as breathing, you can't help but wish that he would get the wife he needs.

This story is filled with doses of humor and enough suspense to keep you engaged. The plot was strong and the story flowed smoothly. There was character growth in Fanny, Walter, and Sloane.You could see their struggle with good and evil, especially Sloane. All of the characters are relatable and you especially love Annalise. There are strong messages of faith, freedom, forgiveness, hope, and love in this story. When I finished the book, I had an a-ha moment, and the title made complete sense. I love those moments!

I loved the ending, it brought chills and tears to my eyes. It could not have been sweeter. However, it also left me asking questions. I don't know if the author left some things (like the Moore's unfilled dreams) somewhat unfinished to leave room for another story, or if, as in real life, we don't always know what happens to everybody. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Freedom’s Song is the well-crafted story of a young girl named Fanny. Sadly, Fannie is an indentured servant as a singer on a paddleboat which was an interesting storyline and one that I enjoyed reading. Fannie is such a strong young lady that I became completely caught up in her life. Not only does Fannie escape in a thrilling, frightening way, but she manages to meet and help others along the way.

This entire novel was well worth the lack of sleep I experienced since I couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. A fantastic historical novel filled with incredible crafted characters that you won’t soon forget.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own

Sawyer's novel explores two kinds of slavery with the theme of freedom running through both. Fanny's father had signed an agreement while in Europe that provided the entire family be transported to America in return for their eldest daughter spending seven years on a riverboat, entertaining by singing. Fanny's experience on the riverboat was not a good one. She was held captive, locked in a small cabin on the lowest part of the boat. And it looked like she would never be allowed to leave. When disaster strikes the boat, she takes a chance for freedom.

The other kind of slavery is is that of Blacks. It's 1860 and some are escaping the south through an underground railroad. The path of an escaping family merges with that of the escaping Fanny for a time.

I liked the tension Sawyer provided as Fanny tried to live a new life of freedom while being pursued by Sloan, the riverboat captain. I really felt Sloan was an inconsistent character and his actions near the end of the novel were just too unbelievable. That made the resolution to the tension less than adequate. I liked the eventual setting of the freedom of being in the wide open spaces of homesteading.

The novel gives good insight into issues of the era, both indentured work and slavery. I did feel the plot was rather predictable and the ultimate action of resolution less than satisfactory. There is a good faith message included.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.