Freedom's Song

Written by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Narrated by Barbara McCulloh

Fanny’s Voice Made Her a Riverboat’s Darling—and Its Prisoner. Now Can She Sing Her Way to Freedom?

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9781705041611

Kim Vogel Sawyer

Bestselling, award-winning author Kim Vogel Sawyer wears many hats besides “writer.” As a wife, mother, grandmother, and active participant in her church, her life is happily full. But Kim’s passion lies in writing stories of hope that encourage her readers to place their lives in God’s capable hands. An active speaking ministry assists her with her desire. Kim and her husband make their home on the beautiful plains of Kansas, the setting for many of Kim’s novels.

Reviews for Freedom's Song

[robbyefaye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is definitely one of my favorite books that I have ever read. I loved Fanny and love that she finds her happiness and freedom after years of servitude. It was fun to learn about Walter and his daughter Annaliese. The parts with Sloan and how he evolves throughout the story is fantastic. I did not want to put the story down. I love the emotion and the romance and the bits of suspense. I received a copy of this book from Waterbrook and Multnomah for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 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.

[becky_l-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

“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.

[huberk-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5 stars, Well DoneFreedom's Songby Kim Vogel SawyerFanny Beck has spent years in solitude, working as an indentured person, unique in that she sings for her master, on a gambling riverboat. She is desperate to orchestrate a getaway. An accident devises the correct incident that allows her to make her escape. The novel follows her daring escape and her attempt to run for freedom.Highly recommend it. A lovely Christian, historical novel.Many thanks to #waterbrookpress #waterbrook #waterbrookmultnomah @waterbrookpress @waterbrookmultnomah and the author #kimvogelsawyer @kimvogelsawyer for the complimentary copy of #FreedomsSong I was under no obligation to post a review.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.1860 was a time when being free was just a word for many. This concept was so different for all the wonderful characters in this book. The author delves into the life of Fanny, whose gorgeous voice could be heard as the riverboat made its way down the Mississippi. For her, freedom was just a word as she was indentured by the captain, Sloan, for seven years, all the while locked in her cabin when not performing.Enoch and his family had managed to escape their bonds, but would the Underground Railway be able to help them to find real freedom? Walter Kuhn, a widower with a toddler, longs to find freedom from the guilt and fear of being a single parent. Sloan needs to accept his past and find freedom in who he can be. Is it possible that the young lady, who sang for her supper while imprisoned, will be able to share the freedom she has found with those around her?This wonderful, inspiring novel was received through WaterBrook, Random House and NetGalley. These impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I saw a book by Kim Vogel Sawyer, well, I new I would not be disappointed and it was a page turner.This is a beautifully written Christian story, and you are about to embark on an amazing journey through the words of the author!I can't even imagine the life Fanny had as a child, indentured from Scotland to sing on a Riverboat on the Mississippi, all to bring her family to this country. When she learns that she will not be let go after the seven years, she plans to leave, but fate, or God puts his hand on her, and what a adventure she is about to begin, and we are there to see whom God puts in her path.I loved how her owner, on her trail, he wants another nightingale to entertain his passengers and bring him more money, but we get to see how God works on him.What a great read to get lost in, I for one really didn't want it to end!

[lindz2012 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Are you a Kim Vogel Sawyer fan? Or a historical fiction fan? Then you will enjoy Kim's newest book to be coming out soon. It is delightful. Kim writes wonderfully, and this book captured my attendance for the entire book.I was wondering if Sloane would catch up to Fanny. This book pulls you through Fanny's journey, and she will get her freedom. In the process, Sloan will find his freedom as well. There are three main characters throughout this book. We get to see their point of view throughout the book; Most of them are Fanny's point of view. We do see Walters and Sloane's point of view throughout the book as well.This book talks about slaves. What will happen when Fanny meets Enoch and his family? Will she help them to freedom, and she gets help with being hidden with them. What will Fanny do? Will Sloane learn about keeping his word and about God?Will Sloan find his riverboat singer? Does he seem to think he is on a goose chase trying to find a singer that seems to sing her way to freedom? The plot thickens, and there will be freedom for Fanny. Will she get what she has been looking for in life. Fanny agreed to help care and watch over Walter's little girl Annlesse. What will happen when Walter's new wife comes?

[eccl-3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Freedom's Song, by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a Christian historical fiction story of a young girls who was indentured to sing on a river boat in exchange of her family being brought to the US. This is an easy to read, well written story that has wonderful, loving, caring characters. I enjoyed the care Fanny gave to so many people, putting their needs above hers. I also enjoyed Walter's character. He is a young single father trying to do the best for his daughter while tending his farm. I liked the strong faith they both had. This story caught my attention right away and held it to the end. It contained suspense that kept me reading to see what would happen. I wish this were part of a series.I received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.