Adult Review – Bird Song – anthology
Mosaic Collection. Bird Song: Stories of Promise and Hope. Written by Sara Davison, Deb Elkink, Stacy Monson, Cathe Swanson, Chautona Havig, Eleanor Bertin, Milla Holt. 2025.
Guide to Categories – Adult Review – review of books for adults – may or may not be appropriate for a school library
Links in this post may be affiliate links. Purchases made using these links will not cost you more but may pay me an affiliate fee.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and related sites. Thank you for using my links.
Summary
When life gets flipped upside down, what will it take to turn it right side up again?
From unexpected journeys into the future and the past to a life-changing weekend, a spontaneous road trip, family trauma, the birth of a bookstore, and a potentially disastrous wedding, the men and women in these stories must deal with everything life is throwing at them. Which is a lot.
❁ The Weekend – Sara Davison
❁ Aloft – Deb Elkink
❁ Misguided deVotion – Stacy Monson
❁ Rainbow Valley – Cathe Swanson
❁ Once Upon a Parlor – Chautona Havig
❁ Call Me Birdie – Eleanor Bertin
❁ Sunday Best – Milla Holt
The turmoil and craziness challenge each of them to believe the promise of God’s timing—that every winter, no matter how dark and cold, will be followed by a season of birdsong.
Purchase BirdSong on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3S3vrKk
My Adult Review
When I read an anthology in the Mosaic Collection, I know I’m going to enjoy what I read. I also know that I will either revisit characters I’ve met in other stories or that I will see some of the characters I am reading about in a future story. Bird Song is no different. Many of the stories in this anthology left me hoping for another short story, novella, or full length novel about the characters – it felt like there was more I wanted to know about their stories. A bird or the song of birds plays a part in each story.
Sara Davison’s “The Weekend” is part of the Two Sparrows for a Penny series. In this story Lennon learns a little about his priorities and things he might want to change in his life – spending time with those he loves in spite of his dangerous job.
Deb Elkink’s “Aloft” is one of the stories that left me wanting more – I hope another short story or novel tells the story of this young man (training to be a missionary) and the unwed pregnant girl he helps. I love how the girl has an opportunity to reconnect with her estranged mom.
“Misguided Devotion” by Stacy Monson is another one of the stories that left me hoping for a full-length story (maybe even series about the sisters). As the oldest of the sisters (and their parents have died) Julia has sacrificed much in order to get her sisters married. While planning the youngest’s wedding she meets a struggling florist (who is a widower). It turns out that his daughter is one of her students.
“Rainbow Valley” by Cathe Swanson is another story where we meet characters from another story. While the daughter Lauren was the main character in a previous short story, this one focuses on her parents Dawn and John. This is a story of growth from being raised in the hippie culture, turning their backs on it, coming to terms with it, and finally becoming Christians. I’d love to read more about the characters Swanson has introduced.
As a librarian and booklover, I have enjoyed Chautona Havig’s Bookstrings Series. While “Once Upon a Parlour” isn’t part of that series, it could be. Once again our favorite bookstore rescuer Milon works with someone to get a store on its feet. Cedric is a book hoarder and Milton helps him turn his hoard into a shop. He also helps Cedric overcome his fear of people (and their opinions) caused by his disfigured face.
Eleanor Bertin’s “Call Me Birdie” revisits a character from a previous novel. In this story Bertha faces her difficult upbringing while cleaning out her childhood home. With her sister’s help she comes to terms with it and finds the peace their mother had in spite of her abusive husband.
Milla Holt described “Sunday Best” as “It’s a Wonderful Life meets A Christmas Carol in this modern cautionary tale. I don’t remember meeting the main character in any of Holt’s previous books (although I have not read all of them), but I’d love to read more about Nathan and the work God is doing through him. Nathan, a youth pastor, made a bad decision but, after a “Christmas Carol” – type he has a change of heart and decides to make things right, no matter the consequences.
Bird Song is an anthology written for adults. If placed in a K-12 Christian school library I would label it for high school only as some of the themes could be hard for younger teens.
I received a complimentary copy of Bird Song. This is my honest review.
Read more Adult Review posts here
If you enjoyed this review, please hit the like button. This will help others find this review.
Check out my lists on Benable
Do you enjoy these reviews? Click the Like button to help others find this review. Want to help support this blog? You can leave a tip here. Or make any purchase on Amazon with my link.
