When Sounds Collide

A Novel

By: M. Day Hampton

Narrated by: Rhett Samuel Price

When Sounds Collide is a richly layered story of love and ambition set against the backdrop of the American South in the late 1800s.

Custis—a gifted, Black, ten-year-old boy orphaned and left for dead—is discovered by a young White girl. Sarah Tennison hasn’t spoken a word since her mother died. Nursed back to health and raised by Sarah’s widowed father, Custis is sheltered from community biases and anti-literacy laws. In the safety of the Tennison home, his bright mind has room to flourish and he strives to advance to his potential. Along the way, Custis' curiosity and quiet compassion help Sarah find her voice. Sarah and Custis develop an unbreakable bond, but intolerance and bigotry prohibit marriage.

To pursue his education, Custis must leave the repression of the South. He sets his sights on the esteemed universities of New York City, where he dreams of working in cutting-edge science labs to develop a revolutionary medical device. Custis has the stuff for success, but New York City isn’t as enlightened as it may seem. Custis assumes a false identity to navigate the exclusionary culture of higher education. With the help of some unlikely friends, Custis learns to traverse a society that feels like a world away from the ranch in North Carolina. Life moves on back home, with forces threatening to keep Custis and Sarah apart forever.

At the heart of this deeply drawn saga is the power of love to inspire greatness in us all. Custis—a fictional representation of history’s many unsung heroes—chases his goals with compelling determination, driven by his romantic vision of a brighter future.

©2025 Melody Davidson (P)2025 Melody Davidson

Wonderful read!

The main character in this story (Custis) is as tenacious as they come. His story is one of struggle, loss, and persecution interspersed with moments of true happiness and success. This historical fiction had me wishing that the main character was a real person. I would highly recommend book to anyone.

Character depth. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this wonderful book❤️

It was a beautifully written historical fiction which is my favorite genre. Even though this time in history had its tragedies this author eloquently painted the character’s strength, joy, love and courage. There is a book that proceeded this one and I certainly will read it also. Anything from this author has to be something to embrace.