Shirley G. Webb & Janet Moreland, Authors - Song of Love - Historic Romance Fiction for Teenagers & Adults

Song of Love was released by iUniverse, Inc.in the fall of 2006. This is the third novel in the "Howell Women Saga." Close friends Janet Moreland and Shirley G. Webb co-authored the three stories through phone calls, email contacts, and a few personal visits, an amazing feat in itself.

Set in the years 1929-1953, this is the story of Olivia Johnson’s courage in her struggle to overcome a fear of trusting in love and the future. Olivia believes a curse was placed on the women of her family, causing hardship, loneliness, and pain to her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

The story takes place mainly at Grill’s Ranch in rural Orlanger, Virginia, and continues the Cherokee cultural background of the first two books. Olivia’s artwork requires trips to Paris. Her mother and stepfather live in London, so she also visits there.

Olivia grieves when her husband, Brad, leaves for World War Two. Upon his safe return, he builds the ranch into a reputable racehorse business. Later, Olivia fears losing her son, Will, to a young Cherokee woman, then to the Navy and the perils of war. After Will has enlisted in the Navy, a dangerous stranger threatens the loss of the Johnson's beautiful Virginia ranch. Throughout this time, the mystic presence of a Cherokee ancestor guides the destinies of Olivia and Will.

With their best friends, Cody Ray and Clarise, Olivia and Brad battle the storms of adversity and celebrate the joys of victory as one of Brad’s horses wins the Kentucky Derby. Olivia loses her belief in a “curse” and discovers how the longest, most winding journeys begin and end with a song of love.

Additional details of the story can be found at The Howell Women Saga link.

As in the first two stories, an ancient Cherokee myth frames the story and threads through the pages with a strong life lesson.

The ISBN number for Song of Love is 0-595-40580-0. The retail cost is $15.95. It can be ordered from iUniverse.com, barnes&noble.com, amazon.com, and most other online bookstores.

BUY IT NOW!

Reviews

Song of Love, December 2006

"Song of Love is romance, heartache, hard work, and triumph across four generations, three countries, and two cultures in a beautifully crafted historical novel set in the first third of the Twentieth Century. This, the third book in the authors’ “The Howell Women Saga,” deftly weaves together the times and lives of men and women—Cherokee, white, and mixed—in the tumultuous years from the turn of the century to the uneasy peace following the Second World War. The story moves ever more quickly, carrying the reader’s heart and mind ever more deeply into the spirit of the Cherokee and the soul of a newly powerful America. You will laugh and cry, and even shed tears of joy."—Martha Noyes, Author of And Then There Were None

Song of Love, December 2007

"I loved this story! The historical details make the amount of time spanned throughout the book not only plausible, but believable. It's romantic without ever becoming condenscending or cheesy, and I found myself reading as quickly as I could to find out what happens. A love story for the ages, with enough sub-plots and interesting twists to keep any reader engaged.

You've created very lyrical and romantic characters, but at the same time, all the women stuck me as eminently believable and well crafted. I loved the characters, and quite notably is the continuity throughout, which could be difficult with a story this big. I found the book very visual and evocative.

Absolutely beautiful cover, and it also fits perfectly with the romantic nature of the story. Also the back cover copy is very strong and descriptive. The book is simply beautiful in every sense of the word. It's an interesting take on an archetypical story, and the historical details and lyrical writing combine to make it both fantastic and realistic at the same time."—Writer's Digest Critique