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.

Fanny has been an indentured singer for almost 7 years on Sloan’s riverboat. She’s ready for her freedom, but overhears he plans on holding her. On a fateful night, her freedom comes. She meets up with Enoch and his family and they travel for a time together. She then sets out to head to New York, singing along the way. But those plans fizzle. The story takes us on to where she meets Annalise, Walter, Josephine and Hugh. The story goes back and forth between Fanny’s journey and Sloan’s separate journey looking for a replacement singer. Fanny is a great character who tries to make the best of any situation she finds herself in. All the characters are a great addition to the story and keep it moving along.
A complimentary copy was provided by Waterbrook via NetGalley. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
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Story Notes

A sweet story about finding love and home when all that she was searching for was true freedom.

I've read all of Kim's books and they all have some great lessons to teach that are wrapped up in a wonderful story. That was true for this story too but I felt a bit of a disconnect with some parts of the story. The backstory was told along the way which is fine but I would have liked a bit more at the beginning so I could connect better with Fanny. And, though I liked the chapters telling of her time with the former slaves seeking freedom, they didn't really seem to belong with the rest of the story. Except that the song that Pazzy sang stayed with Fanny throughout the story. I did like Walter a lot, though he was definitely a quiet hero. He was so sweet and considerate and I was so hoping that things would work out in his favor. Fanny was fairly good too, although I didn't really connect very well with her. I loved her care of Annaliese and the kind way she also cared for Walter. But I would definitely have liked for them to be more open and honest with each other. It always bothers me when people won't talk to each other for fear of giving offense. Honesty is always best and it removes any chance of doubt or assumption that must happen without one being clear about their feelings or thoughts. I also didn't much care for Sloan. He wasn't a definite sort of character - there was too much fluidity to him. I get making him able to change but I was never truly sure of his motives or what he would do. I like characters to be fairly definite in how they will act or I tend to dismiss them. But Sloan didn't really feel like he was ever "hardened" enough, nor did he feel like he was a determined to find Fanny at all times. If he was a harsh as he seemed to be at the beginning, then that behavior should have carried on throughout the story. The resolution was just too watered down for me to really believe it would have happened that way. I felt let down a bit that the confrontation wasn't tougher like I expected. I'll still say that it's a good book but I'll have to think about whether I'd really want to recommend it as it really wasn't a favorite for me at all.
I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Waterbrook and Multnomah via NetGalley. I am not required by anyone to write a review but am pleased to do so. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

I love this author. She writes amazing page turners every time.

“Indentured servant Fanny Beck has been forced to sing for riverboat passengers since she was a girl. All she wants is to live a quiet, humble life with her family as soon as her seven-year contract is over. So when she discovers that the captain has no intention of releasing her, she seizes a sudden opportunity to escape—an impulse that leads Fanny to a group of enslaved people who are on their own dangerous quest for liberty. . . .”

Freedom's Song, written by Kim Vogel Sawyer, is a captivating historical fiction novel. Having read and enjoyed a previous book by this author, I eagerly anticipated reading Freedom's Song and was not disappointed. The story quickly drew me into the predicament of the heroine, Fanny, an indentured servant on a riverboat. When the unexpected happens and she can escape, I was cheering her on as she encounters different situations on her way to finding her family. The author creatively balances these situations and the characters and brings a story that is hard to put down. Twists and turns to the plot, the interesting history of the 1860s in the Midwest, and a sweet romance kept my interest throughout the book. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and stories that are faith-filled and full of hope will not want to miss Freedom's Song. I read a complimentary copy of the book from Waterbrook & Multnomah Publisher through NetGalley and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

Freedom - True Freedom
Reviewed October 29, 2021
Songbird in a cage. Fanny Beck was an indentured servant forced to sing on a riverboat for 7 years. When not singing, she was locked in a tiny room. As her seventh year, the end of her contract, was nearing, she learned that the riverboat owner, Sloan Kirkpatrick, was not going to release her. A bad accident enabled her release, and she washed up on shore near a slave family, which was also running for freedom. They traveled together, walking many miles to Chicago, where they separated. Fanny continued on toward New York to join her family, singing to earn a few coins for train fare.

Sloan traveled searching for a replacement for Fanny, but could not find any other with such a fine voice and beauty. Finally, he heard about a woman who sounded very much like Fanny and began following her trail.

Would Fanny reach her family? Would Sloan catch up to her? Read Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer to find out.

The author drew me in immediately. There were times when the story seemed to drag a little bit as Fanny and the black family walked and walked, but their dangerous, long journey on foot did take a long time.

The characters were well-fleshed out and developed as the story continued. My favorite characters were Walter, Fanny, Enoch and Josephine. I did get a bit upset with Fanny when she chastised Walter for keeping his baby in a "pen" in the house while he worked outside. He was doing the best he could alone! He couldn't let her crawl about freely in get into the fire or some other danger.

Thank to NetGalley and Multnomah for giving me an ARC copy of this book. The opinion is entirely my own.

Freedom's Song is Kim Vogel Sawyer's newest novel of redemption and what it means to be free. As with all of her novels, prepare to be swept away with her characters, Fanny, Walter, and Sloan. As a young girl, Fanny was indentured to Sloan on a riverboat. What was supposed to be a seven year stint singing for his passengers looked to drag on much longer if Fanny couldn't find a way to escape. When she goes overboard during a storm and her body is never found, Sloan assumes she is dead and sets out to find a replacement. His path is filled with reminders of what it means to be a child of God, something he hasn't thought much on since his early years. Fanny herself isn't dead, but washed up on shore. When she comes to, she finds herself with a group of escaped slaves headed to freedom. They travel together partway, with her helping to cover for them. When she separates from them and discovers a baby crying at a homestead, she meets Walter. Walter is a widow who lost his wife in a fire. Together, they come to an arrangement to help each the other one out. Along the way, they may even discover what it means to love. All three characters undergo an emotional journey that takes them to the feet of the Lord Jesus, where they learn what it really means to be free.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

I just know when I see a book by Kim Vogel Sawyer that it’s going to be good, but I found this one to be especially lovely! Indentured servant Fanny is essentially held captive on a riverboat as a singer, given no pay for her work despite the fortune she’s making her captor, and is drying up from loneliness and unhappiness. In an unexpected twist of fate, however, she finds herself free as a bird and she makes every effort to soar! She meets several special friends along the way as she heads back to her family, and learns a great deal about herself as well as the importance of hearing the stories of others. Ultimately Fanny finds her heart when she hears a baby crying and knows that she can help. It’s there in Indiana that she meets widower Walter Kuhn and his precious tot Annaliese, discovers what true freedom is, and what she will do to gain it—and what others will do to ensure that she never has a chance to experience it. There is wisdom liberally dispensed throughout the book, and even her nemesis is three dimensional and I found myself wondering what made him tick. I wanted to spend more time with some of the characters but in try journey fashion, sometimes they were traveling with Fanny for only a season or a reason. The audiobook version is delightful! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write a review.

Fanny Beck as a young Irish girl was indentured as a singer on Sloan Kirkpatrick's riverboat. She thought it was 7 years, but when she reached 21, she discovered it was 7 years for every person in her family. When a riverboat disaster pushed her overboard, was this her chance to make her escape?

I absolutely loved how God played such a strong role in this novel. Each time Fanny was at another crossroads with Sloan chasing her, God provided a way for her to escape further from his clutches. It seemed when Fanny blessed someone else, in turn, God blessed her. I also liked how she used her talents as a singer to help both the African American family she was helping as well as herself.

Another well written historical fiction novel from Kim Vogel Sawyer.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Freedom's Song gave me a different look at life in the United States in the mid 1800s! I experienced a taste of what life was like for African-Americans as well as German and Scottish immigrants! I admired Fanny for keeping a strong faith in God even when imprisoned as a singer on a riverboat. I did not like Sloan who owned the riverboat and tricked Fanny's illiterate father into indenturing her for 35 years! Walter Kuhn was a hardworking man trying to care for an infant daughter and his farm at the same time even while blaming himself for his wife's death in a barn fire! Walter may feel like a coward but he is an honorable man. Fanny and Walter both learn that in Christ we can find freedom and "All is Well!" I recommend Freedom's Song to others who enjoy historical fiction. I received complimentary advance e-book through Net Galley. This is my honest opinion.
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Freedom's Song
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Pub Date: October 19, 2021
Waterbrook Press

Her voice made her a riverboat's darling--and its prisoner. Now she's singing her way to freedom in this powerful novel from the bestselling author of The Librarian of Boone's Hollow.

"[An] enjoyable faith-filled adventure . . . Sawyer's episodic narrative and rich assortment of characters fighting for freedom provide the story with many twists and unexpected side-plots."--Publishers Weekly
* Historical Fiction * *Christian Romance *
Freedom's song is a sweet historical fiction with likable chacters. If you like soft, gentler books this one is for you.
3 stars

Fanny Beck is an indentured servant for Sloan Kirkpatrick, a riverboat captain. Fanny’s father indentured her in exchange for passage for the rest of his family to America. Unfortunately, Fanny’s father did not realize the fine print indentured Fanny for seven years for each family member which is 35 years instead of the seven Fanny believes. When a fire on the ship gives Fanny a chance to escape, she grabs it. It sends her on a journey where she encounters people in need including Walter Kuhn, a widower with a young daughter. Walter needs someone to watch his daughter until his mail order bride arrives. Fanny wants to get to New York to reunite with her family, but she needs to earn more funds for the train ride. In the meantime, Sloan is scouring the Midwest looking for a singer for his riverboat. What is God’s plan for Fanny? Freedom’s Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming historical novel. I thought it was well-written with realistic, developed characters. Sloan is an opportunistic riverboat captain who takes advantage of a man’s inability to read or write. Fanny is a sweet woman who has led a hard life. She just wants to rejoin her family whom she has not seen in seven years. Fanny is a woman of great faith. She relies on God to direct her journey. The romance element is sweet. I like that it happened slowly and was not rushed. I enjoyed the “embarrassing” moments between Fanny and Walter. This is a clean story which I appreciated (no intimate situations or foul language). The theme of freedom (physical, emotional, and spiritual) was woven throughout the story. It was well-done. I wish there had been an update on Enoch and his family. They were such wonderful characters and I wanted to know how their journey ended. I liked that the story had emotion, suspense, romance, drama, and faith. There is some predictability to the story, but that did not diminish my reading pleasure. I can tell the author did her research for this story. She captured the time period and included good details that enhance the story (the difficulties of traveling by stagecoach for example). Freedom’s Song is an inspiring, emotional story that was a joy to read.

Though this book isn't considered a suspense novel, it sure did keep me intrigued to see what would become of Miss Fanny Beck. A story of overcoming so many things, one after the other, it finds you turning page after page.

With unlikely friendships and adversity at every turn, this story gives the encouragement for us to keep on going to be free from what holds us back. Through the main character, Fanny, we can see that sticking to our convictions and faith, better things are there for us.

I recommend this book. I enjoyed seeing the friendships formed and bonded tight where one might think it would never be. Worth the read!

Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher - #WaterBrookMultnomah with no expectation in return. The comments above are my own opinion and I shared them willingly for other readers.

Kim Vogel Sawyer has a talent for writing in a style that I love and always want more of. This book was no different and I read it in a matter of a couple of days. Of course, being on vacation certainly helped me be able to read it faster.

Fanny is an indentured servant on a river boat. Indentured servant is a nice term, basically she was a slave. She finds a chance to flee because she knows that her master is not going to give her her freedom when her time is up. I don't want to give a lot of spoilers, but there is, of course, the happy ending and the suspenseful moments before you reach the happy ending that keep you on the edge of your seat.

But there's something I want to focus on and I hope I don't give away any spoilers in doing this. There is a point, towards the very end of the book, when Fanny's freedom is once again endangered and she is not sure she will remain a free person physically. It is at that point that she realizes something very profound. She realizes that it doesn't matter what her freedom status is in the physical world, she has Christ living in her heart and so she is free. She is free in the very realest meaning of the word free. She is free in Christ. Once Fannie recognizes that, she is filled with a peace that enables her to move ahead not knowing what will happen to her. That is a freedom that each person needs to realize for themselves and I thought the way Kim brought that about in the story was very powerful.

I received this book from Waterbrook & Multnomah via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Kim Vogel Sawyer brings us another sweet, heart stirring story. Fanny's journey to freedom isn't an easy one but her faith and determination is commendable. The people she meets along the way are changed by Fanny's goodness. The first part of the book where Fanny gets away from her captor is exciting and your wondering what will happen next. When she stumbles upon a cabin with a crying child inside, she meets the child's father Walter, and soon is hired to help take care of the cabin and his daughter. It then starts as a day to day of cabin and farming life. I actually enjoyed that, it kind of reminded me of Love Comes Softly. In the background of all this her captor is still searching for her, adding some suspense to it. The blossoming love between Walter and Fanny is sweet and natural. Lots of great faith content!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This was the first book I've read by Ms. Sawyer and it's not going to be the last. The American Old West is one of my favorite time periods to visit. Full of heart, it was a great book to read. I took my kindle grocery shopping with me (my family insists on eating even when I'm involved in a good book) and I ended up finishing it while sitting in the parking lot before heading into the store. On a side note: It was a treat to hear a hymn that I have heard my entire life used as inspiration to get the characters through tough times.

Freedom’s Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This is a story of Fanny Beck who has been indebted to sing on a passenger ship, The River Peacock, on the Mississippi river. The River Peacock is owned by Sloan Kirkpatrick and as Fanny’s freedom from her debt is looming close Fanny cannot wait to see her family again, But Sloan has no intention of letting her go free. Until one night there is a fire on the riverboat and in all the panic and chaos Fanny gets pushed overboard. After much searching Fanny is assumed dead but she survives the fall by a miracle and at last is free from Sloan. Fanny decides to make her way home to her family but along the way God uses her to help others in need.

This book is written from three points of view; Fanny, Sloan and Walter Kuhn; a farmer Fanny meets along the way and stays at his farm to help care for his daughter.

This book spoke right to my heart just like every book I read by Kim Vogel Sawyer and I’m sure I went thru more than one box of tissues by the time I finished the book

Thank you, Kim, for a truly touching read. I Loved this book!!!
I would like to thank Net Galley and WaterBrook Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

“Just ’cause somethin’ is legal don’t make it right.” Truer words were never spoken. In her new book, Freedom’s Song, Kim Vogel Sawyer has many such pearls of wisdom. This multiplies a book’s value to me.

Travel back to 1860 and land on a riverboat on the Mississippi River. Fanny Beck is a popular concert attraction on the River Peacock. Held against her will, she longs for freedom from Sloane, her unscrupulous manager.

I loved the plot and characters of this book. The novel flows smoothly, albeit with suspense and I found myself often holding my breath. The characters are very relatable, except for maybe Sloane. However, Sawyer paints even her antagonist as multi-dimensional, and I enjoyed seeing the fight between good and evil within a person.

It’s amazing to see how well some people can care for their own needs while callously ignoring those of others. This was true of people back then, and is, unfortunately, still true of people today.

I was disappointed to have to leave some of our new friends before we got a chance to know them well. Sawyer created them so well, I wanted them to remain throughout the novel. However, their leaving enables the next scenario, with more people that I began to love because of their great personalities. I fell in love with toddler Annaliese. And Walter is so much more valuable than he gives himself credit for.

If you like themes of redemption, finding true freedom, and friendship; set against a mid-1800’s America, you will love this novel of faith and suspense.

A Reader’s Guide is included at the conclusion. A copy of this book was provided by Waterbrook-Multnomah. No positive review was required. All opinions are my own.

This is a very heart touching story that deals with a young girl, Fanny Beck who is fifteen years old. Her father indentured her to Sloan Kirkpatrick, a riverboat captain, for seven years in order to get the rest of the family to America. Kirkpatrick fell in love with her beautiful singing voice and knew she would mature into a beautiful woman. She was what drew people onboard his boat. What her father nor she knew was he was not going to let her go in seven years…Travel back to 1860 and land on a riverboat on the Mississippi River. Fanny Beck is a popular concert attraction on the River Peacock. Held against her will, she longs for freedom from Sloane, her unscrupulous manager, who locks her in her cabin after each performance…. This is such a beautiful story that deals with the wicked nature of sinful man and also the hideous story of run away slaves that risk their life for freedom. Live with Fanny as she flees for her life and joins herself to slaves as they make their way to freedom and she to hers. How this young woman who yearns to be united with her family finds unexpected love and happiness……..I was gifted a copy by the publisher and I am happy tp leave a review.

Fanny Beck is an indentured servant on a Missouri riverboat. She has a unique, unforgettable singing voice that brings people to tears. The riverboat owner, named Sloan, keeps her locked in a room when she isn't singing. When Fanny finds out that Sloan is planning to keep her longer than the agreed seven years, she finds a way to escape during a thunderstorm and a fire on the boat. Fanny helps escaped slaves, walks hundreds of miles, and rides in a cattle car on the way back to her family. Along the way to freedom, she helps a man and his daughter in desperate need, and she is soon faced with a choice she never saw coming.
I enjoyed this book very much. The descriptions, characters, and settings seemed so realistic that the story came to life for me. One of the ways this book is so unique has to do with the characters themselves and their situations. I don't think I've ever seen a book address slavery and the dark side of indentured servitude at the same time, and it was very well written. I was brought to tears several times because it was easy to become emotionally involved. I was encouraged to see the biblical principles clearly presented and reminded of things I need to work on myself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. A positive review was not required, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.