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The Jewel of the Blues
Set in the sparkling 1920s jazz era, The Jewel of the Blues pulls back the curtain on all the romance, danger and drama in the bustling backstage life of a young performer.
Billed as the Little Girl with the Big Voice, blues singer Lucille Arnetta Love always dreamed of life under the lights. From traveling family gospel band to lead singer in a riotous vaudeville troupe, Lucille is on the rise. But a devastating family secret, one that's poised to shatter every dream she's ever had, casts an inescapable shadow over Lucille's career.
Decades ago, a botched robbery ended in a suspicious death--and all signs point to Lucille's own father as the culprit. It's a secret that Lucille's family is determined to keep buried--even from Lucille herself. For a time, a fresh start feels possible, especially when Marcus Williams, Lucille's manager--and sometimes paramour--sets her up with a band to tour the country: Miss Lucille's Black Troubadours. Lucille's dream of seeing her name in the bright lights of Broadway may happen yet, if she and the Troubadours can endure the highly competitive, rocky road to fame.
Beneath the dazzling glamour of the vaudeville scene lies a wicked underbelly, as drinking, gambling, salacious love affairs and racial tensions compete to dim Lucille's shining star. And when shady figures from her father's past emerge, their thirst for revenge threatens to silence Lucille's career--and the sultry singer herself--for good.
Billed as the Little Girl with the Big Voice, blues singer Lucille Arnetta Love always dreamed of life under the lights. From traveling family gospel band to lead singer in a riotous vaudeville troupe, Lucille is on the rise. But a devastating family secret, one that's poised to shatter every dream she's ever had, casts an inescapable shadow over Lucille's career.
Decades ago, a botched robbery ended in a suspicious death--and all signs point to Lucille's own father as the culprit. It's a secret that Lucille's family is determined to keep buried--even from Lucille herself. For a time, a fresh start feels possible, especially when Marcus Williams, Lucille's manager--and sometimes paramour--sets her up with a band to tour the country: Miss Lucille's Black Troubadours. Lucille's dream of seeing her name in the bright lights of Broadway may happen yet, if she and the Troubadours can endure the highly competitive, rocky road to fame.
Beneath the dazzling glamour of the vaudeville scene lies a wicked underbelly, as drinking, gambling, salacious love affairs and racial tensions compete to dim Lucille's shining star. And when shady figures from her father's past emerge, their thirst for revenge threatens to silence Lucille's career--and the sultry singer herself--for good.
Book Details
- Publisher: Graydon House
- Publish Date: Nov 19th, 2024
- Pages: 384
- Language: English
- Edition: Original - undefined
- Dimensions: 7.95in - 5.36in - 0.91in - 0.63lb
- EAN: 9781525805066
- Categories: • African American & Black - Historical• Historical - General• Women
About the Author
Chenault-Kilgore, Monica: - Monica Chenault-Kilgore was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and currently lives in Edison, New Jersey. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University School of Journalism. Her published works include Liberty and Justice for All...Profiles of Middlesex County African American Veterans of WWII and the Korean War which is available in the public library. She formerly worked as a Contributing Reporter for The Home News Tribune and The Courier News newspapers.
Praise for this book
PRAISE FOR LONG GONE, COME HOME
GoodReads, Time Travel with Summer's Biggest Historical Fiction Novels
The Root, June 2023 Books By Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read
Ms. Magazine, June 2023 Reads for the Rest of Us
88 Upcoming Books the Goodreads Editors Can't Wait to Read
SheReads, Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
Thoughts from a Page, Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
BookBub, Best Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
Audiofile's Best Audiobooks of July 2023 and Earphones Award Winner "Monica Chenault-Kilgore's Long Gone, Come Home is a big-hearted story of perseverance, family, and ambition set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the racial intolerances of the early 20th century. In Birdie, Chenault-Kilgore has created an unforgettable heroine whose resilience and determination will resonate long after you finish reading." --Bryn Turnbull, international bestselling author of The Last Grand Duchess "Long Gone, Come Home is a heart-filled tale about a young woman willing to sacrifice it all for love and family. Set against the background of the Great Depression and Jim Crow, Chenault-Kilgore's debut tugs every emotion as Birdie fights to make a way out of no way." --Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms "Long Gone, Come Home is a poignant and powerful debut novel set against the backdrop of the 1930s jazz era, Great Depression, and civil rights movement. Monica Chenault-Kilgore has penned a sweeping, poetic story of love and family told through the eyes of a courageous and unforgettable heroine." --Chanel Cleeton, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of Our Last Days in Barcelona "An extraordinary tale of resilience and determination, Monica Chenault-Kilgore's Long Gone, Come Home takes us on a journey of the 1930s jazz era and civil rights movement through the eyes of a tenacious and unforgettable heroine. Birdie's enduring story is one of love, loss, family and survival. Despite the unexpected twists her life path took, when tragedy and fear could have prevailed, Birdie never forgot her dream, nor did she stop fighting for it. I was blown away by this powerful, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful debut!" --Eliza Knight, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop "Monica Chenault-Kilgore's heartfelt debut, Long Gone, Come Home, vividly captures its setting and era through the trials and triumphs of a heroine readers will root for. Nuanced and atmospheric, this is a story of people pursuing big dreams amid great injustice, and ultimately realizing the value of family and the enduring power of love." --Kristin Beck, author of The Winter Orphans "A remarkable story wonderfully told, Long Gone, Come Home, by Monica Chenault-Kilgore, is a historical novel with a wealth of captivating characters in a story about relationships, identity, struggles, and the heartbreak and joys of a Black woman and her family, over a decade, beginning in 1936 Kentucky. Chenault-Kilgore's main character Birdie is unforgettable--from page one, this complicated young woman grabs hold and doesn't let go until the last sentence." --Denny S. Bryce, Bestselling Author of Wild Women and the Blues "Long Gone, Come Home is part adventure, romance, historical fiction, mystery, and coming of age, which Kilgore deftly develops into a tense, emotional, and inspiring read.... a masterpiece of literary fiction." --The Gloss, 5-star review "It's one of those books you don't want to put down." --Red Carpet Crash "[A] compelling debut... [a] powerful story of love, jazz, courage and home." --Ms. Magazine "An effective and emotional novel, populated with big characters and vibrant settings... Chenault-Kilgore gives us a sweep of Black experiences in a thoughtful and vivid narrative." --Historical Novel Society
GoodReads, Time Travel with Summer's Biggest Historical Fiction Novels
The Root, June 2023 Books By Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read
Ms. Magazine, June 2023 Reads for the Rest of Us
88 Upcoming Books the Goodreads Editors Can't Wait to Read
SheReads, Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
Thoughts from a Page, Most Anticipated Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
BookBub, Best Historical Fiction of Summer 2023
Audiofile's Best Audiobooks of July 2023 and Earphones Award Winner "Monica Chenault-Kilgore's Long Gone, Come Home is a big-hearted story of perseverance, family, and ambition set against the backdrop of the Great Depression and the racial intolerances of the early 20th century. In Birdie, Chenault-Kilgore has created an unforgettable heroine whose resilience and determination will resonate long after you finish reading." --Bryn Turnbull, international bestselling author of The Last Grand Duchess "Long Gone, Come Home is a heart-filled tale about a young woman willing to sacrifice it all for love and family. Set against the background of the Great Depression and Jim Crow, Chenault-Kilgore's debut tugs every emotion as Birdie fights to make a way out of no way." --Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms "Long Gone, Come Home is a poignant and powerful debut novel set against the backdrop of the 1930s jazz era, Great Depression, and civil rights movement. Monica Chenault-Kilgore has penned a sweeping, poetic story of love and family told through the eyes of a courageous and unforgettable heroine." --Chanel Cleeton, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of Our Last Days in Barcelona "An extraordinary tale of resilience and determination, Monica Chenault-Kilgore's Long Gone, Come Home takes us on a journey of the 1930s jazz era and civil rights movement through the eyes of a tenacious and unforgettable heroine. Birdie's enduring story is one of love, loss, family and survival. Despite the unexpected twists her life path took, when tragedy and fear could have prevailed, Birdie never forgot her dream, nor did she stop fighting for it. I was blown away by this powerful, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful debut!" --Eliza Knight, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Mayfair Bookshop "Monica Chenault-Kilgore's heartfelt debut, Long Gone, Come Home, vividly captures its setting and era through the trials and triumphs of a heroine readers will root for. Nuanced and atmospheric, this is a story of people pursuing big dreams amid great injustice, and ultimately realizing the value of family and the enduring power of love." --Kristin Beck, author of The Winter Orphans "A remarkable story wonderfully told, Long Gone, Come Home, by Monica Chenault-Kilgore, is a historical novel with a wealth of captivating characters in a story about relationships, identity, struggles, and the heartbreak and joys of a Black woman and her family, over a decade, beginning in 1936 Kentucky. Chenault-Kilgore's main character Birdie is unforgettable--from page one, this complicated young woman grabs hold and doesn't let go until the last sentence." --Denny S. Bryce, Bestselling Author of Wild Women and the Blues "Long Gone, Come Home is part adventure, romance, historical fiction, mystery, and coming of age, which Kilgore deftly develops into a tense, emotional, and inspiring read.... a masterpiece of literary fiction." --The Gloss, 5-star review "It's one of those books you don't want to put down." --Red Carpet Crash "[A] compelling debut... [a] powerful story of love, jazz, courage and home." --Ms. Magazine "An effective and emotional novel, populated with big characters and vibrant settings... Chenault-Kilgore gives us a sweep of Black experiences in a thoughtful and vivid narrative." --Historical Novel Society