Newton and Polly - The Story Behind Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me. 

I once was lost, but now am found

Although I have heard and sung the song Amazing Grace many times, I don't  think I ever had really heard the story behind it.
Jody Hedlund does a wonderful job at bringing that song and backstory to life. In this book you will get to know the characters surrounding the song, and it will make the song even more meaningful to you when you sing.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Jody held me captive by Newton's charismatic charm, Polly's innocence and godliness, as well as her strong character. Newton was a bit of a reckless, free will kind of guy, who mostly just went with the flow of whatever he felt like doing until one day, his choices were removed from him by force. Eventually, during dire circumstances, John finds God and His amazing grace.
Once a slave owner himself, in his later years of life he fight for the Abolitionist Movement.
Polly, is quite a character also, young, sweet, and a survivor as well as supporter of Newton. She believed in him and proves it. They always made quite a team together.

I really appreciated Jody's fact background at the end of the book that cleared up the facts and fiction aspects of the novel. It was very insightful. I loved Jody's creative telling, and learning more about the context of this song, will certainly make me appreciate it even more every time I hear it.

I received this book from Blogging for Books free to review. All opinions are my own and I was not asked to review it positively.

About the Author:
Winner of 2016 Christian Book Award for fiction and Christy Award for historical romance, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

Book Synopsis:
Now remembered as the author of the world s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father until the night he hears Polly Catlett s enchanting voice, caroling. He s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection. 
An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves? 
Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe."