During this series I will be sharing my reviews for books I posted during 2022
Good books deserve to be showcased on a regular basis and I hope that it might entice you to either move the books up your groaning TBR’s or add the books to its burden!
Here is my review from April 2022 for Jazz Baby by Beem Weeks... a story set in a time when the music was an escape from life for many.
About the book
While all of Mississippi bakes in the scorching summer of 1925, sudden orphanhood wraps its icy embrace around Emily Ann “Baby” Teegarten, a pretty young teen.
Taken in by an aunt bent on ridding herself of this unexpected burden, Baby Teegarten plots her escape using the only means at her disposal: a voice that brings church ladies to righteous tears, and makes both angels and devils take notice. “I’m going to New York City to sing jazz,” she brags to anybody who’ll listen. But the Big Apple–well, it’s an awful long way from that dry patch of earth she’d always called home.
So when the smoky stages of New Orleans speakeasies give a whistle, offering all sorts of shortcuts, Emily Ann soon learns it’s the whorehouses and opium dens that can sidetrack a girl and dim a spotlight…and knowing the wrong people can snuff it out.
Jazz Baby just wants to sing–not fight to stay alive.
My review for the book April 20th 2022
Some people are born holding a bad hand of cards. Emily Ann is one of those. At age 13 she has seen and experienced far too much for her years, and despite this, still holds on to a burning ambition to sing. Her voice moves people to tears in church and devilry in the seedy night clubs in New Orleans.
Those who she should be able to trust see the magic in this young girl and most have a twisted vision for her future.
As with any historical novel you have to keep an open mind and base a review on the era in which it is set. In this case is a time of racial inequality, sexual exploitation of the very young and a seedy underworld thriving on the vulnerability and addictions of those desperate to escape their upbringings.
As a woman who has enjoyed the privilege of being raised in a very different world, protected and allowed to make my own choices, it makes for sobering reading. Especially as I was born only 28 years after this story is set.
However raw the circumstances surrounding the story of Emily Ann and her commitment to sing for the world might be, this book is beautifully written. The characters, language, descriptions of the surroundings and the dens and dives of New Orleans are vividly portrayed and you are engaged from the first page to the last.
Emily Ann navigates herself through the minefield that is her life and you leave her story wishing her all the success in the world, on her own terms and beholden to nobody.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
Also by Beem Weeks
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Beem Weeks: Goodreads – Website/Blog: Beem Weeks – Twitter: @BeemWeeks
About Beem Weeks
Beem Weeks is the author of short stories, poems, essays, and novels. A pop-culture trivia buff, Beem’s passions include indie films, loud music, and a well-told story. He has also penned short story collections entitled Slivers of Life, and Strange Hwy: Short Stories.
Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will be leaving with some books.
Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Happy to share a great review about a book that sounds like an intriguing read. Looking forward to getting my copy!
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Thanks very much Emily and and Zoe.. xx
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Our pleasure, Sally!
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Great review, Sally! Despite the seedy and sad parts almost expected in such a story and setting, this sounds like a book I would not only truly enjoy, but a book meant to be on my bookshelf, given my name–plus some other coincidences; for example, although I have no given middle name, I do have a sister (one of four) who loves to call me “Emily Ann”…and I love jazz and I love to sing. So, you see what I mean? I am off to Amazon now to add this to my reading pile. And it will be a print book. I am one of “those” who just love to hold a book; some have said I seem to fondle them. 😉
P.S. This is Emily…only Zoe was clever enough to set up a blog. And she never lets me forget it.
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I agree Emily and the content was very time appropriate and very well written… glad you are going to read.. xx
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Thanks for the compelling review, Sally! It pushes me one more to read it asap. hugsx Michael
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Wonderful thanks very much Michael..hugsx
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Thank you, Michael.
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Thanks for writing, Beem! Enjoy a nice rest of the weekend! xx Michael
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Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks very much Michael. ♥
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You’re welcome, Sally! Thanks for the great information. xx Michael
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Thanks for the reblog, Michael.
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I can add my words of praise for this engaging read. There is quite a host of fascinating characters who try and take advantage of Jazz Baby.
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Thanks very much Pete and have a great weekend. xx
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Thank you, Pete. I appreciate it.
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A beautiful review for looks a great read. Congrats to Beem. On my TBR ❤
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Thanks Debby… ♥♥
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❤
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Thank you, Debby. I am grateful.
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Congratulations to Beem on the excellent review! Sharing to help spread the word.
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Thanks very much Liz.. enjoy your weekend xx
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You’re welcome, Sally. I hope you have a good weekend as well.
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Thank you, Liz. I appreciate your kind words!
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You’re welcome, Beem!
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Haunting and beautiful. This is a novel that has remained with me over the years.
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Thank you, Book Chick. I am grateful for your support over the years.
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It certainly made an impression on me too, thanks for adding your recommendation.
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Wow! What a wonderful surprise this morning. Thank you so much for this archival share, Sally. I am truly grateful for your review and support. You’ve made my day.
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Happy to share Beem good books deserve a boost on a regular basis. x
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I haven’t read this one, Sally, and really need to pick it up. Beem is an excellent writer and storyteller. Thanks for the reminder!
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Thank you for your kind words, Diana. I am humbled.
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Sally, I agree with your review and comments about Beem. He’s an excellent writer, and I remember this book well. My congratulations to Beem! 😊
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I am eternally grateful to you for all of your support over the years, Gwen. Much love and respect to you.
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Thanks very much Gwen ♥
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Great review, Sally 🙂 It was a great read and different world then. Xo
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It was and really felt the book captured that hugs
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Thank you, Denise!
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Thanks, Sally – not sure how I missed this one. Just downloaded.
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Thanks Apple and enjoy the rest of the week..hugs
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Thank you, Apple!
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Congratulations to Beem on being featured here again! Thanks for sharing his book, Sally!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thanks very much Yvette ♥
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Thank you, Yvette. I am grateful.
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Wonderful review. Congratulations, Beem.
Thanks, Sally.
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Thanks Staci ♥
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Thank you, Staci.
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A wonderful archive to share, Sally. I loved this book, and it was the first story I ever read of Beem’s. But it cemented me as an immediate fan of his work. In fact, I’d like to go back and re-read it, and I never do that. 🙂 Congratulations to Beem!
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Thanks Jan and for adding your thoughts about the book… ♥♥
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Thank you for your kind words, Jan. I am grateful.
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Thanks for sharing your review, Sally. Beem’s book sounds great! xo
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It is an excellent read Jill.. ♥
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Thank you, Jill.
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A super review, Sally. It’s great to see Beem with you today. Congratulations to him.
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Thanks very much John.. hugsx
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Thank you, John. Much appreciation.
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😊
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I’ve read and loved all of Beem’s books. Wonderful archive post and review, Sally. Congrats to Beem. Hugs 💕🙂🤗
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Thanks Harmony and for your boost for Beem’s books.. ♥
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Thank you, Harmony. I am so thankful to you for the support you’ve given over the years.
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A compelling review, Sally. I’m bumping this one up my TBR. xx
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Fantastic thanks Alex ♥
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Thank you, Alex.
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