Notes from Beale Street

De: Phyllis R. Dixon

When their family matriarch dies in 1980s Memphis, two very different sisters battle over her legacy—only to discover her long-hidden history in 1940s Tupelo and an unexpected connection to Graceland. Readers of Tara M. Stringfellow, Brandy Colbert, Nancy Crochiere, ReShonda Tate, and Sadeqa Johnson will be captivated by this powerful story of mothers and daughters, family bonds and forgiveness, and generational sacrifice.

For the Dawkins sisters, an ocean between them is still not enough. Free-spirited Suzanne has been at odds with her conservative, church-going sister, Paula, since childhood. Their mother, Lillie, blames her divorce during their teens and an unexplained tragedy, and has spent her life trying to bring them together. Still, Suzanne chases her dream of musical stardom and ends up in Paris as a cabaret singer. Paula stayed in Memphis, becoming a devoted family woman and pillar of the community—but never forgave her sister’s absence, believing it stifled her own dreams.

When their mother dies, Suzanne and Paula discover a surprising inheritance: secret tapes of Lillie's time working for Elvis Presley at Graceland. A publisher hoping to dig up secrets about her famous employer wants to turn them into a book. But Lillie had secrets of her own, and the sisters disagree about exposing them. However, both desperately need money. Paula financed her childcare center with loans from the wrong people, and the debt has come due. Suzanne is reaching for what may be her last chance at a big-time singing career.

Forced to delve into their family’s past is a higher-stakes undertaking than either sister imagined, including a startling revelation. Yet in discovering the truth together, perhaps they can fulfill Lillie's true legacy of healing and forgiveness . . .