Singing Montana Sky

By: Debra Holland

Narrated by: Lara Asmundson

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Beautiful, wealthy, and sophisticated, opera star Sophia Maxwell is living the life of her dreams. As the Songbird of Chicago, she's lauded for her pure, rich voice and has a constant circle of admirers vying for her jaded attention. Then she loses her voice during a performance. Her doctor warns her to rest her larynx, or she'll never sing again. Devastated, Sophia retreats to the frontier town of Sweetwater Springs to stay with her sister. She's determined to recover and once again take the stage by storm.

An injury to logger Kael Kelley forces him to return to his parents' home outside of Sweetwater Springs until he can heal enough to return to the logging camp he manages. He's impatient to recover and concerned about his men, who've been left to work under the incompetent overseer who was responsible for his accident.

When Sophia and Kael meet, they have an immediate attraction. The handsome logger is as different from Sophia's sophisticated suitors as can be. She decides a summer flirtation is the perfect way to enliven her boring convalescence. Then the unthinkable happens, and the Songbird of Chicago falls in love.

©2016 Debra Holland (P)2106 Debra Holland

Another amazing and beautiful story

This story pulls you in from the first paragraph. You don’t need to read the previous books, but I do encourage it. I feel like I’m a part of Sweetwater Springs. This book lets you catch up with the characters from the other books. I loved getting to know about Sophia Maxwell in this book beyond her being the “Songbird of Chicago” and Kael and his family are a wonderful addition to the Sweetwater Springs family. This book made me laugh and cry. I didn’t want to put it down.

The narrator is amazing as always. She makes you feel like you’re a part of the book.

A beautifully written tale of love and loss …

Montana Sky is the seventh touching installment in Debra Holland’s Montana Sky historical sweet and clean romance series. It is an emotional story of love and loss for both the hero and the heroine which will most assuredly give your own heart a stringent workout. This is the story of diva Sophia Maxwell, aka the Songbird of Chicago, and logger Kael Kelley. Sophia has appeared as a supporting character in some of the previous books. Kael and his family are introduced herein and make wonderful additions to the series.

Do not fret for an instant if you’ve not yet enjoyed any of the previous books as each story in this series works perfectly well as a stand alone. That said, long-time fans of the series will enjoy catching up with previous favorite characters in the small western town of Sweetwater Springs, Montana.

As the story opens in 1896, with a disquieting feeling of dread, Sophia has taken on the arduous role of Brünnhilde, favorite daughter of the god Wotan in the Die Walküre opera in Chicago, Illinois. When she stunningly collapses on stage, her recovery demands that she rest her voice. She elects to visit her sister, Lily, in Sweetwater Springs to be out of the public eye while taking the recuperating sojourn she requires.

In a bit of a second chance at love scenario, the two had a short, but sweet, summer flirtation on a previous trip a few months before when Sophia sang at Reverend Joshua’s and Delia’s lavish society wedding. Regretfully, with their lives being worlds’ apart, nothing could come of it. That fact, though, didn’t keep the two from dreaming about the other.

Serendipitously, Kael just happens to also be out on medical leave due to a logging accident AND staying at his parents’ homestead which is situated near to Tyler’s and Lily’s ranch. Readers will enjoy traipsing along with the couple as they spend quality time getting to know each other. Sadly, their time together is still limited as each has responsibilities that will keep them apart. Regardless, I couldn’t help pulling for them to find their HEA!

Following please find a few of my favorite lines from Singing Montana Sky:
“They sang to his father as he crossed that last dark river, heading to the distant land of light where the Creator of all waited in welcome.”
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“On the worst day of my life, I can still find blessings.”
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“Gratitude tempers sorrow.”

Lara Asmundson excellently performs Singing Montana Sky. After listening to her voice the previous audios, I cannot imagine anyone else filling her shoes. Her voice is pleasant and clear and she skillfully and consistently differentiates between the characters. Her inflections are faultless and both her female and male voices sound realistic. Her polished performance makes the audio easy to follow and a joy to listen to.

Singing Montana Sky is an inspirational and beautifully written affirmation to the power of love and music. The characters are well-developed, the plot is fully-fledged, and the amazing ending will make you want to break out in song! You can’t go wrong with any book by Debra Holland and Singing Montana Sky is no exception!

Next up is Montana Sky Justice which will feature K.C. Granger’s tale. She is the sheriff of Sweetwater Springs and I’ve looked forward to her story for a long time!

Not my favorite, but still a good book

This book was good, but not my favorite in this series. It started out slow for me, and although I enjoyed Kael and his family, the lead female character didn't seem so 'real' to me. I love this series and will continue listening to the rest of the books in it!

Singing Montana Sky

Would you consider the audio edition of Singing Montana Sky to be better than the print version?

I loved both the audio version and the book. I probably prefer the audio because Lara has a very pleasing delivery.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is actually the town of Sweetwater Springs along with the long time residents.

What does Lara Asmundson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Lara has such a smooth delivery. She has a slight accent and wonderfully soothing tone.

Any additional comments?

Singing Montana Sky by Debra Holland

Seventh in the Montana Sky series. Can be read as a standalone.
Lovely, touching, sweet and heartening. The small and growing town of Sweetwater Springs, Montana is the heart of these historical romance stories. Each is filled with love, friendship, grief (it is the old west where modern medicine is not available) and dependable neighborly support.

The scene where Sophie is questioning the 12 year old maid Fanny about school is so touching. Sophie is generous in helping Fanny and her family and then the little girl cries because she's happy. Fanny doesn't understand why she's crying, but Sophie assures her "it's what women do." Adorable. I was crying myself at that point.

Friendship lightens grief. A powerful message.

I alternated between a paperback version and audible. Loved both. The audio version is soothing with a slight accent. Very pleasing to the ear.

I don't care for this narrator

The story started.off slowly, but got.much better. I really liked the.characters who showed up from.the.old.books.

A Songbird in The Forest

Opera Singer Sophia Maxwell loses her voice, almost dies and loses her beautiful hair. Retreating to Sweetwater Springs to recover her voice and career. Logger Karl Kelley is injured and recovering from a fall and the death of two of his crew. A marvelous romance and adventure in the forests and ranches of Montana. Great performance. Recommend Series.

Another visit to Sweetwater Springs!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story is a very good one with a strong plot, the H&H balance each other very well. The performance by the narrator is very easy and enjoyable to listen to. This book is part of a series about the people of Sweetwater Springs but can be read as a stand alone but is so much better when you know the history of the different characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kael Kelly, the hero. He was such a strong, loyal, loving, and caring man who always did the right thing no matter what.

What does Lara Asmundson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Having it read outloud makes for a more real, vivid story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Once I start listening to a book I'm really enjoying it is hard to have to stop and pick it back up later.

Any additional comments?

I really have enjoyed all these books by Debra Holland. They are such a joy to listen to with each new story.

Reader

My only complaint is the reader is not at good as the previous one almost didn’t finish it

thank you Debra Holland

For another delightful installment to this series. looking forward to the next. I love visiting with the residents of Sweetwater Springs.

Singing Montana Sky

Today, Painted Montana Sky has been moved to my second favorite of the series.

Be prepared with a box of tissues while you read or listen to the audio-book version of Sophia and Kael's journey. Singing Montana Sky is a beautifully written love story that will touch your soul and move you to tears.