How Sweet the Sound

How Sweet the Sound #1

by Vanessa Miller

Shar Gracey wants nothing more than to sing the Lord’s praises, so she jumps at the chance to join a traveling choir led by the father of black gospel music, Thomas A. Dorsey. Better yet, the opportunity will give her money to pay for her ailing mother’s medical care.

While on tour she falls under the tutelage of gospel great Mahalia Jackson―and falls for the handsome but not-so-great Nicoli James, whose desires for Shar are fueled by his own greed. Shar would do anything for Nicoli―and he knows it―so when his life is threatened after a night of gambling, Shar agrees to help pay Nicoli’s debt, only to have her faith and dreams shattered.

Reeling from the betrayal, Shar loses her voice and she believes that she will never sing again. She has no place to run except back home to her seriously ill mother―and the man she left behind, who would move heaven and earth to make Shar’s pain go away. Even if it means he has to let her go . . . again.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Inspirational

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Vanessa Miller is a USA Today bestselling author, whose prolific body of work spans over 50 titles that explore deep themes of redemption, resilience, and faith—often spotlighting strong Black women in pivotal moments of history.

Miller’s book, The American Queen won the prestigious Christy Award, the Audie Award and was the 2024 American Fiction Award winner for Historical Fiction. The American Queen was a North Carolina Reads pick for 2025 and an Alamance Countywide read for 2026 and Our State Magazine book club pick for February 2026.

Her novel, The Filling Station won the Oklahoma Book Award for fiction and was named one of Booklist’s Top Ten Historical Fictions of 2026. One of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025 and A Booklist Editor’s Pick. It is a Positively Charlotte book club pick, an Oklahoma County Big Read and was an instant USA Today Bestseller.
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The American Queen has been featured in GMA, Washington Post and Essence Magazine roundups. The Ladies Hall has been featured in People Magazine as a cover reveal.

“Stirring… quintessential story of brave people fighting for what they know they
deserve.” [The American Queen]—Washington Post.

“This powerful story must be told and retold.” [The American Queen] –GMA.

“Miller captivates with a propulsive historical based on a true story.” –Publishers Weekly.

“A novel that should be required reading.” [The Filling Station] -Library Journal starred review.

“Absolutely Worthy.” - Booklist

Vanessa also wears the hats of playwright, motivational speaker and retreat host, channeling her storytelling gift across multiple creative platforms. She is currently published through HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication and is currently in a MFA program at Queens University, graduating in 2027.

www.vanessamiller.com

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Reviews

[patrick Lorelli]

I found this story to be very fascinating. It is about a girl named Shar Garcey, who sings in her local church choir and everyone loves her voice. Her mother is sick and her father is out of work. The time period is the depression. They live in Chicago. Their church has just got a new Pastor and everyone is excited about that and once he hears her sing he is struck not only by her beauty but also by her voice. There is an attraction between the two of them but their relationship is slow moving. After about 8 months a man by the name of Thomas Dorsey, comes to their church and she is hoping that after he hears her sing that he will ask her to join his gospel group that travels mostly in the south. After the services he leaves and she thinks he must not like her singing so she helps with the cleanup of the church and goes home. Later that evening the Pastor shows up wanting to ask her father permission to marry his daughter, but also in the house is Thomas Dorsey, offering her a job with his gospel group. She talks to the Pastor, Landon and he says he will wait and she accepts the job. Once she is out on the road she is away from her mother and father for the first time and she makes friends with Mahalia Jackson and other strong women. She also meets a man who only wants to take advantage of her because she has an amazing voice and when the letters stop from Landon the Pastor she is confused. When she realizes that the one guy is only using her and she is feeling foolish, her voice is gone. She goes home to her mother and father. There the story takes off again. I don’t want to give it away, but I found this to be a very good story about life and music. How friends will come to aide. Though not a true story there really was a man named Thomas Dorsey, known as the “the father of black gospel music”, he wrote Take my hand Precious Lord, It’s Tight Like That, It’s A Highway To Heaven, to name a few. This was a good story and a fast read. I really enjoyed this book. I got this book from net galley.

[Reader]

Good historical fiction set in Chicago, 1933-1940, with appearances in this novel by gospel legends Mahalia Jackson, Thomas Dorsey, Rosetta Tharpe, & Sallie Martin.

[Barbara]

This book really made me think about the many hardships African Americans have had to overcome during our history, not in a "feel sorry for me" way, but in reality. Set in Chicago during the 1930's, the plot deals with trying to help African Americans overcome restrictions on where they were allowed to live and buy homes in other parts of the city. It also dealt with the beauty of gospel music, with people like Tommy Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Shar Gacey, the prominent female in this book, and a traveling choir they formed. Shar Gacey's story really touched my heart. This reader appreciated the way the author showed how temptations and hard choices can sometimes lead us astray, but that God is always there no matter what. I definitely want to read more books from this author.

[Cherie l brown]

Too much to unpack? So many questions-but given the time period of Shar’s life, this was a comeuppance but it came at too high of a price. Pastor Landon is a man above men, and was an excellent catch. Who can fault Nettie-one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. Pastor was a wonderful treasure. I was on pins and needles about Shar-Gracey’s safety. A young beautiful woman learning how to be independent so far away from home is frightening. This even has me side eyeing Rev. Dorsey.

[Nandi Crawford]

I really enjoyed this book. But I truly felt for our people and the things they went through back then, and to keep it real, not much has changed, just a different version. Getting to the plot. Shar Garcey is a young sister with an anointed voice. At the same time, she catches the eye of the young pastor of her church Landon, and he starts to court her, but Thomas Dorsey wants her in his choir and the pull between singing on the road and getting married gets twisted. In the end, Shar goes on the road, and she experiences some harsh things of the times(white folks treating them real nasty etc),she catches the eye of the guitarist, who is a no good gambler, and with her youth let her sweet talk her to help him out of a jam(won't give away much here)and well, read the book and figure out the rest.

[Joan]

This is a good novel about African Americans in the 1930s Chicago. I had no idea there had been restrictive covenants restricting Negroes (Miller's use of the term) from owning homes in certain areas of cities. The main female character loves to sing and travels with the Thomas A. Dorsey gospel choir. Some of the novel is actually based on historical fact. I wish there had been an author's note so I would know what parts were history and which were fiction. The whole story is wrapped around a romance, of sorts. I did have a little difficulty reading the book as I am not used to the language structure and dialog of African American culture. Nonetheless, this is an informative book about a time past.
See my full review at http://bit.ly/1qblHZO.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Keyanna Shelnutt]

This was one of those books that touches your heart. Shar Gracey is an inspiring character. Shar deals with not only what life throws at her but discrimination as well. Shar goes loses her way as she deals with life on the road but she finds her way when she comes home. I rooted for Shar as she dealt with her challenges through out the book. I recommend this to anyone looking for a soul touching book.

[Judith Lott]

A tough decision, things going wrong, but in the end, victory. A very interesting look into the way life was in the past for people of color. Thanks to Goodreads for the opportunity to read this story.

[Cindy]

*received for free through Goodreads First Reads

Not really my style of book and I was a bit thrown when I found it took place in the 1930's, but the author did a good job staying true to the time period and the inherent issues of the time for the characters.

[Jennifer]

Shar Gracey has a soulful voice that can help earn her money on the road with a big time gospel music group. At home Shar has a lovely Pastor Landon waiting for her but can Shar stay away from temptation on the road. Great read.

[Ellowyn]

Another good book by Vanessa Miller.

[Teri Rainey]

I really like author Vanessa miller. Her characters are relate able , believe able and always a message to the story. I enjoyed the historical perspective as well.

[Riley]

A great book... i loved it!

[Quin]

I won How Sweet the Sound by Vanessa Miller, in a giveaway. Miller is a masterful storyteller. The characters pull you in, until by the end of the book, you don't want to let them go.

[Gwen]

A historical fiction that captured and maintained my attention.

[Carolyn]

Easy read