How Sweet the Sound

How Sweet the Sound #1

by Vanessa Miller

Shar Gracey jumps at the chance to join a traveling gospel choir, but while on tour she falls for and is betrayed by the handsome Nicoli James leaving her dreams shattered.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Inspirational

393 pages, Hardcover

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has been centered on themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles.

Vanessa’s novels have received rave reviews, with several appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. Miller’s work has receiving numerous awards, including “Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award” and the “Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction.” Miller graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. She is an ordained minister in her church, explaining, “God has called me to minister to readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.”
· Essence Bestsellers’ List March 2008; May 2008 (Former Rain)
· Essence Bestsellers’ List September 2008 (Rain Storm)
· Black Expressions Book Club Alternate Selection 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
· #1 Ebook for fiction on Amazon.com November 2010 (Long Time Coming)
· #1 on BCNN/BCBC Bestsellers’ List November 2010 (Long Time Coming)
She has worked with numerous publishers: Urban Christian, Kimani Romance, Abingdon Press and Whitaker House. She is currently working on Something Good with Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins) which releases in March 2022.

In 2016, Vanessa launched the Christian Book Lover’s Retreat in an effort to bring readers and authors of Christian fiction together in an environment that’s all about Faith, Fun & Fellowship. To learn more about Vanessa, please visit her website: www.vanessamiller.com. If you would like to know more about the Christian Book Lover’s Retreat that is currently held in Charlotte, NC during the last week in October you can visit: http://www.christianbookloversretreat...
Vanessa lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication.

Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews.

“. . . Heartwarming, drama-packed and tender in just the right places.”—Romantic Times Book Review.

“Recommended for readers of redemption stories.” –Library Journal.

www.vanessamiller.com

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Reviews

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

*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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book by Vanessa Miller.

[Teri Rainey · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book... i loved it!

[Quin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical fiction that captured and maintained my attention.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read