The Wind Harp

Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (12/06) Maggie MacAuley has returned home to Skingle Creek in Northeastern Kentucky in 1904, on leave from her teaching job at Hull House in Chicago. With her father seriously injured in a mining accident yet still determined to work, a brother who wants to quit school to work in the mines to provide for the family, and a mother trying desperately to stop her husband from destroying himself, Maggie quits her position in Chicago to remain in Kentucky to help her family. As fate would have it, Jonathon Stuart, the school principal, offers Maggie a teaching job at the local school. As a child, Maggie had always had a crush on Jonathon when he was her teacher, and their age difference is not that far apart since he was just a young new teacher at the time. Maggie's married sister, Eva Grace, returns home with both upsetting and exhilarating news that she hesitates to share with anyone except Maggie. Jonathon and Maggie also visit the home of little Huey and his sister Selma, two students at the school who are prone to being absent, and Maggie is appalled at their discoveries. Little Huey is being physically abused and refuses to talk. And to top off the list of problems, Maggie finds herself falling once again for the school principal, but Jonathon and his secretary, Carolyn Ross, are often seen on Sundays in his horse and buggy. Carolyn is obviously smitten with Jonathon, and she is about his own age, unlike Maggie. Dr. Gordon, the new female doctor in town, helps Eva Grace, Huey and Selma, and can possibly help Maggie's father, Matthew, but the stubborn man says he will never allow a female physician to examine him. How will Matthew ever approve of a possible relationship between his young adult daughter and her former teacher, Jonathon, if a female physician is too unheard of in his eyes? I enjoyed "The Wind Harp," for B.J. Hoff created characters with depth and personality, and their adventures kept me enthralled. I feared I would have trouble following the story line since I had not read the first book in the series, but that was not the case at all. "The Distant Music" precedes this book and "The Song Weaver" will be released in the fall of 2007. You will likely want to read the entire series, as I do, if you enjoy historical romance. The "Mountain Song Legacy" is a definite recommendation. This book is appropriate for all ages of readers.

Maggie MacAuley has given up her position as a teacher at Hull House in Chicago and has returned home to Skingle Creek. At first she regretted her decision, but unlike her sisters, Eva Grace and Nell Frances, she has always had a love for Skingle Creek. Even the grimy layer of coal dust covering everything doesn't bother her. There's trouble at home. Maggie's Da has been injured, working in the mines. He's in constant pain, her mother is older, frailer, and her fourteen year old brother, Ray, is rebellious. Maggie gets a job teaching at the Skingle Creek School, working with Mr. Stuart, her beloved former teacher, mentor and friend. Then Eva Grace comes home and Maggie isn't sure of anything anymore B.J. Hoff creates characters who live in the heart of the reader. I've never been to Skingle Creek, but I know it and I know the people who live there. Her writing style has all the melody and grace of an Irish harp. She never disappoints.

There's an old gospel song titled "Peace In the Valley." BJ Hoff's latest book puts me in mind of that song. The Wind Harp does not depend upon "sensationalism" to create its moving story; like a cup of ice-cold water on a hot summer day, or sitting under a big old tree by a gently running stream, The Wind Harp draws the reader in to sit for a spell. They are refreshed, and never want to leave. As always, BJ's hallmark characterization is supplemented by her skilled depiction of both the light and dark sides of life, presented with a beautiful simplicity that made my heart sing along with the story. If you're after a book that leaves you feeling good about life, or feeling hope about life regardless of circumstances, or just feeling refreshed after reading a wonderful story--don't miss The Wind Harp.

BJ Hoff continues the story of Maggie and Jonathan, who must endure their share of trials before reaping their reward. Though this novel is historical, BJ Hoff deals with issues that are completely contemporary . . . and I loved the big dog! Kudos to the author for charming us again!

In THE WIND HARP, this sequel to A DISTANT MUSIC, author B.J. Hoff takes the story of Jonathan Stuart and Maggie MacAuley a step further, delving deeper into their character and crafting a tale that is truly compelling. These characters, which come to life in book one, take on a new dimension in book two, pulling the reader into Jonathan's and Maggie's worst fears and deepest dreams. A different take on an age old love story, Mrs. Hoff, shows us that the old adage is true - good things come to those who wait. I love the way Mrs. Hoff draws me into each character's hopes and dreams, while weaving in enough mystery and drama to keep me turning pages. Not many books keep me thinking about them long after I set the book down, but Mrs. Hoff has such a wonderful way of bringing the characters to life on each page, that I feel like I know them - like they have become dear friends. Even the cover art on this book begs a romance. I found myself snatching a page here and there every chance I got. I can't wait to finish the saga with book three. I only wish we didn't have to wait six months for it to come out!