Elbert: The Uncaged Mind

The Black Series, Book 2

By: Joan Vassar

Narrated by: Jakobi Diem

Length: 14 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Canada, 1860: While on a mission for Black, Elbert notices the lovely Anna Baker for the first time. Unable to think of much else, he leaves Canada to pursue the beauty who has captured his thoughts.

Anna is unnerved by the man with the lifeless eyes, who is relentless and forward in his approach. She offers nothing of herself to the intimidating stranger, but fate has a different plan.

When Anna is assaulted by slave catchers on the streets of Boston, Elbert finds his manhood tested to the limit. He steps in to help, but the consequences prove devastating, and both are sold into bondage. As Anna learns the horrors of slavery, she comes to understand there is more to the foreboding stranger than meets the eye.

Elbert and Anna manage to escape - with the help of the legendary Black. But freedom is not enough to satisfy Elbert’s bruised ego. He wants the pound of flesh owed, and he will stop at nothing to collect.

The Uncaged Mind is a passionate story of love and healing despite the ugly backdrop of slavery.

Native New Yorker Joan Vassar is an avid storyteller who enjoys weaving a great tale.

©2016 Joan Vassar (P)2020 Joan Vassar

Uncaged my view of historical fiction!

This Black Series is everything. 💜Joan Vassar is an amazingly gifted story teller. 🙌🏽 The historical context, the details, character descriptions and characteristics and the storyline captures your imagination, heart, and soul. 👏🏽

Elbert big, bold, and lethal...wrestling with guilt and brokenness but finds his way to his heart 💜 A woman who shows him that he is worthy of love. Anna and Elbert did not disappoint with their harrowing escape from danger and death...(spoiler) neither would have survived being captured.

Black and his men continue their crusade to freedom and prosperity and offering it to anyone willing to board the Underground Railroad 🛤

Jakobi Diem’s stellar performance is the icing on the cake for this delicious recipe of life on the Frontier.

My rating: 🔥⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🔥
Is not fair 5 stars is not enough for this series!!!

Absolutely, Beyond a Doubt, Wonderful

.. And Jakobi made it even better. I cannot begin to tell you the emotions you will experience once you decide to read this book and the entire series. You must begin with Black and then experience the journey with Elbert and then like me you will definitely step into the joy that is James!!!
Joan Vassar did such a wonderful retelling and for me even if the story did not go like this I want it to have gone like this. The tribulations of the Black man and woman is heart-rending, but the immense strength of who we are builds us up even more.
I truly and totally enjoyed this one, and I am glad I didn't gobble it down in one bite but that I took my time and savoured it. I am now wondering after James, what will I do. Vassar better be somewhere writing other stuff for us to read!
This was intense and beautifully written and will leave you with a lot of feels, but a sense of proudness will prevail. Proud to be black and proud that black love is AMAZING!

Beyond 5 Stars

How does one put into words how great something is!
Elbert is book 2 of Joan Vassar's Black Series and of course it did not disappoint!

A man set out for revenge.
A man who shows no mercy
A man who vows to not let anyone make him feel no less than a man.
That is Elbert and he has his love, but also his foundation.
Another homerun for Joan Vassar
The narration by Jakobi Diem is nothing short of amazing!

I loved the 2nd Book too

I am telling you I am so surprise that I enjoyed a part 2,3, etc for a book series but I did. I usually listen to the 2nd book thinking I already know what is going to happen. However, Joan Vassar caught me off guard. Of course I have to go to the next book. Great work by the author and by the narrator Jakobi Diem who makes all the characters come alive.

Keep it Going

I was yet again captivated by the characters and the continued story line! I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

BLACK

Joan Vassar has OUTDONE herself! The LOVE chapters were so soft and smooth. They were so potent and explosive. Joan has 5 stars and more from. Keep up the GREAT work.

A Dangerous Mind

Elbert sees Ana and is smitten immediately. Following her one day, he attempts to save her from some slave traders, but they both wind up sold and enslaved. Black and team come to the rescue. Elbert takes Ana and her mother back to the fort. He, Black and the team go back to avenge the traders and all involved.

The characters are so flushed out and the descriptions of everything is so vivid. We really got to delve into Elbert tortured mind, a black man and former slave with no power over himself and everyone he loved and to not be able to protect them from this world. It was bloody. It was violent, but they all deserved it. His love for Ana was so fierce and to see him transform into a papa bear was a joy to read.

On to the next one. Loving this series.

Great character development.

Each character was multidimensional. There was hope for a better future but they had to fight for it.

Black Excellence!!

Elbert was a baaadddd mf! He is definitely my historical fiction bae. Like “Black”, “Elbert the Uncaged Mind”, was a piece of black excellence. @joan.vassar Joan Vassar’s writing style is phenomenal. Her use of imagery and attention to details, allows you to live through the storyline along with the characters. Elbert had heck of a start. It started off with him trying to get to know a young lady named Anna in a town in Boston. While taking a walk with her, suddenly a group of men attacked and attempted to take Anna, while Elbert tried his hardest to fight the men off. He and Anna were both taken and held in captivity, until Black and his men found and rescued them. After his rescue Elbert was so mentally broken. He thought himself as a free man all this time until his freedom was taken from him like it was nothing. He was angry, revengeful, and embarrassed. Anna immediately took comfort and strength in being around Elbert. She feared him but yet felt safe. Elbert had a internal battle with himself about his strength and capabilities to protect Anna when he felt like he failed her once. This story was an adventure! Elbert and Anna’s relationship was 🔥🔥🔥. Elbert in my opinion represented the more aggressive side of the African American male. He had a chip on his shoulder, with so much to prove to himself and those around him. Again, listen to the Audible! Jakobi Diem @jakobidiem did his thang once again! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A book every man should experience

This book is a well-rounded exploration of the complex vulnerability of the black man's plight. It speaks of his strength, his fear, his love for his woman, children, family, brotherhood, social responsibility, his virility, and his humor. This was my second listen. Great story, historical yet applicable for today's world.