Monday, October 21, 2013

The Sweetest Hallelujah by Elaine Hussey

 

They lived on opposite sides of the tracks, Betty Jewel apparently on the wrong side and Cassie on the right side.  Betty Jewel had a secret that she kept for ten years.  A secret unknown to Cassie and that secret being their ultimate connection.

Betty Jewel was the mother of Billie and was dying of cancer.  Cassie was a reporter who found herself a widow and someone who became a part of Betty Jewel, Mama/Miss Queen, and Billie's life.  Billie was a precocious child and the center of the connection between Cassie and Billie's family.

When Billie accidentally found out her mother was dying from cancer because of her constant eavesdropping, she was determined to find her father so he could make her mother well.  Billie took a trip to Memphis alone to find her daddy.  This trip is what brought the secret out and what made Cassie want to help even more.  She wanted to be a friend to Mary Jewel even though it wasn't proper for a white person to be friends with anyone in the black community.

THE SWEETEST HALLELUJAH had the "sweetest" characters.  Mama/Miss Queen was strict, but the sweetest ever.  She was portrayed so well, you could vividly see her as well as see through her. You will feel right at home with Mama/Miss Queen.  She had loving arms for you no matter what. The description of her pies and their aroma will have your mouth watering, but everything about her sent out warmth and love.

THE SWEETEST HALLELUJAH is set in the deep south when the Jim Crow Laws were still a major part of everyone's life.  THE SWEETEST HALLELUJAH is heartwarming as well as heartbreaking.

The author perfectly portrays this time in history along with the characters' feelings and fears. Every character was flawlessly portrayed from their expressions down to their clothing. The descriptions of the landscape, the houses, and even the weather was amazing.

THE SWEETEST HALLELUJAH is a story about friendship that breaks all boundaries and a story that you will not easily forget.

I truly enjoyed this book because of the bond between the women and the way the author carried it out so well.  You will be right there with the characters sharing their laughter and their pain.  Be sure to have some tissues on hand.  5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
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16 comments:

  1. ElizabethOctober 21, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    I truly enjoyed this book.

    I hope you get to read it.

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  2. bermudaonionOctober 21, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    I think I might know what the secret is but the book still sounds terrific!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ElizabethOctober 21, 2013 at 9:04 PM

    I bet you can figure it out. :)

    THANKS for stopping.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ElizabethOctober 21, 2013 at 10:20 PM

    It was good, Midnight Cowgirl.

    Heartbreaking, but heartwarming.

    THANKS for stopping.

    ReplyDelete
  5. shelleyrae @ book'd outOctober 22, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    Sounds lovely!

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  6. Laurel-Rain SnowOctober 22, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    Wow! I have been noticing this one, but now I must have it. It sounds like a book one should read with lots of sweet tea at hand.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  7. ElizabethOctober 22, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    Definitely have some sweet tea while reading.

    It was a "sweet" book.

    THANKS for stopping, Laurel. I hope you get to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ElizabethOctober 22, 2013 at 11:57 AM

    shelleyrae....thanks for stopping.

    It was lovely, but heartbreaking as well.

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  9. AnonymousOctober 22, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    Sounds like a great read. Off to add it to my ridiculously long TBR. ~Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  10. ElizabethOctober 22, 2013 at 3:39 PM

    You will love it, bookloversattic.

    THANKS for stopping, and enjoy the book when you get to it.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Catherine @ Book Club LibrarianOctober 22, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    I hadn't heard of this book or author before--thanks for sharing it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Heidi’sbooksOctober 22, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    Thanks for the review. I have it and I'm more apt to read it after your review. It doesn't sound like your typical Harlequin.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ElizabethOctober 23, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    THANKS for stopping, Catherine.

    I am glad you found a new book and a new author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ElizabethOctober 23, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    Heidi'sbooks...Harlequin doesn't always do the romance stuff. :)

    I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

    THANKS for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  15. CiskaOctober 28, 2013 at 1:54 PM

    I really liked Queen too. She is such a powerful character binding the whole story. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  16. ElizabethOctober 28, 2013 at 2:25 PM

    Thanks for stopping, Ciska.

    Glad you enjoyed the book as well.

    Going to stop and check out your review.

    ReplyDelete

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