Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott

Book Description:  Ann dreams of a marriage proposal from her poetic suitor, Eli-until Will Hanby shows her that nobility is more than fine words.  On a small farm in 19th-century Ohio, young Ann Miller is pursued by the gallant Eli Bowen, son of a prominent family. Eli is the suitor of Ann's dreams. Like her, he enjoys poetry and beautiful things and soon, he will move to the city to become a doctor.  

Ann travels to Pittsburgh, accompanying her father on business. There she meets Will Hanby, a saddle-maker's apprentice. Will has spent years eking out an existence under a cruel master and his spirit is nearly broken. But Ann's compassion lights a long-dark part of his soul. Through his encounters with Ann's father, a master saddler, Will discovers new hope and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

When the Millers must return to Ohio and their ministry there, Will resolves to find them, at any cost. If Will can make it back to Ann, will she be waiting?

My Review:  Fairer Than Morning is book one of The Saddler's Legacy.  The first in a trilogy!  Ann is a fine young woman who cares for her motherless sisters and helps her father who keeps secrets.  But Ann seeks a life of her own.  She think she loves Eli but there is something missing even though Eli and Ann have so much in common and enjoy the same things in life. Then as she accompanies her father to Pittsburgh she meets the most amazing young man, Will.  

Ann soon learns of Will's existence.  How as an saddle-maker's apprentice he works long days with a very cruel boss.  Will basically has no life and he feels that all is lost in his life until Ann shows up!  Will longs to be the kind of man that Ann could admire. He also meets Ann's father. He begins to see a side of life-a gentler, kinder side-that he might could become a apart of.

Ann has compassion for Will but is there really anything more than compassion for a soul who is not set free?

This is one of those sad.I.need.a.Kleenex reads because the author presents a side of life that many of us have not seen.  I believe that this story is based on a true life of an apprentice.

This read presents love, determination and courage.  The author does an excellent job of showing both Will's life and Ann's.  At times I felt a tad sorry for Eli. <sigh>  True to life!

*This book was provided by Thomas Nelson/BookSneeze*

Rosslyn Elliott has a B.A. from Yale University and a Ph.D. in English from Emory University. Her study of American literature and history inspired her to pursue writing fiction. She lives in the Southwest, where she homeschools her daughter and works in children's ministry.
`Visit Rosslyn at her website and learn more about her here.