Jubilee

BJ Hoff does a tremendous job weaving a tale of three separate sets of characters lives', then tying them together at the end. I enjoyed Prelude, book #1, then had to get Cadence, book #2, which I think was the best of the three. Jubilee, book #3 wraps the series up nicely for the most part, but I do wish the epilogue would have had some mention of Michael and Susanna's wedding, which was my only disappointment. Since Michael and Susanna were the main hero/heroines of the series they deserved a happy ending, too, beyond enjoying the celebration in the park.

The third and final installment of the American Anthem series takes the reader on a journey of love, anguish, suspense, intrigue, grace, hope, and redemption. Life in New York in the 1870's holds fullness of life for the characters in Jubilee. Michael Emmanuel looks forward to starting a new life with a new bride, yet seems to fail at every turn in winning the respect and admiration of his father, who had held such high regard for his former career in opera. Having turned his back on such a life, Michael is content in his work as a composer, but he struggles to complete a musical composition that is most dear to his heart. Will he overcome the feelings of inferiority his father is placing on him, heal the breach growing between them, and finish the anthem in time for it's public debut? Dr. Carmichael has managed to forge out a respectable practice, and his clientele is growing. But will it survive the scandal that is venomously unleashed by a foe who will stop at nothing but complete destruction? And what part does a recovering opium addict have to play in the doctor's redemption, and ultimately her own? The MacGovern family has been blessed upon their arrival in the New World, amidst a backdrop of sorrow and loss. A new menace threatens to undermine the happiness they have found, and bring it all to naught. And young Renny, who came in the place of their son, harbours a grief that seeks to overwhelm her hope of new life, new love, new family. What will it take to restore the joy this family seems to have lost in a moment of time? Amidst all the heartbreak and uncertainty, a song of joy, a song of hope, a song of love is forming, and it's utterance upon the instruments that bear its power will bring healing to those who have come through a time of great trouble, to a time of great reward.

Jubilee is a perfect conclusion to a multi-faceted, dramatic series. All the storylines begun in the first two books conclude satisfactorily, but not predictably, in this final book. BJ Hoff includes detailed historical texture with both subtlety and finesse. The characters face real-life challenges, and respond like real people, rather than too-good-to-be-true heroes, and I loved them for it. I couldn't put the book down until I'd reached the last page, and then I felt bereft because the story was over.

I was sad to have this series end. I thought this book was the best of the series and by far the best of all her books. I highly recommend reading all of this series, The American Anthem {Prelude and Cadence} AWSOME!!!!!!!

Jubilee is definitely the Grand Finale in this trilogy. While I enthusiastically enjoyed Prelude and Cadence, the way one would enjoy the fireworks on Fourth of July, I eagerly awaited the "grand finale" and BJ Hoff certainly delivered! Beautifully wrapping up all the overlapping storylines, I actually was crying by the Epilogue. Bravo!!!