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Somewhere Still
Journey to the Roaring Twenties when the rules were clear and made to be broken.
Somewhere Still, coming-of-age Roaring Twenties historical fiction, is the story of one young woman's transformative journey of love, betrayal, and redemption.
From the day Jean Ball lands a job at the elegant Empire hotel, she quickly learns the secrets of the entitled class. Dazzled by a Roaring Twenties society on the cusp of radical change, this naive and innocent young woman finds herself dancing, bobbing her hair, and falling for Elden Whitcomb, the handsome son of the wealthy hotel owner. The stakes rise when the Whitcombs’ powerful secrets are revealed and loving Elden comes at a price – one that may be too high for Jean to pay.
Shattered and alone, Jean's in the battle of her life in a city alive with romance, smoky speakeasies, jazz music and scandal, but divided by race and class. With the help and encouragement of influential women, Jean may find what she has always needed, though her choices could echo through generations. But will the man she trusted and so fiercely loves redeem himself?
Somewhere Still offers a unique window into the history and culture of Kansas City at a turning point in its development and blends history and fiction to tell the coming-of-age story of one young woman's transformative journey of love, betrayal, and redemption.
Denitta Ward uses historical sites and real events to explore Jean's transformation from an innocent young girl to a self-assured woman, making her way in a society in transition. Somewhere Still aims to give insight into 1920s Kansas City, a city on the cusp of significant change. During this time, the city's society women united to urge social advances, the jazz culture was born, baseball's famous Negro League was formed, and the city had a burgeoning Prohibition bootleg trade.
Somewhere Still, coming-of-age Roaring Twenties historical fiction, is the story of one young woman's transformative journey of love, betrayal, and redemption.
From the day Jean Ball lands a job at the elegant Empire hotel, she quickly learns the secrets of the entitled class. Dazzled by a Roaring Twenties society on the cusp of radical change, this naive and innocent young woman finds herself dancing, bobbing her hair, and falling for Elden Whitcomb, the handsome son of the wealthy hotel owner. The stakes rise when the Whitcombs’ powerful secrets are revealed and loving Elden comes at a price – one that may be too high for Jean to pay.
Shattered and alone, Jean's in the battle of her life in a city alive with romance, smoky speakeasies, jazz music and scandal, but divided by race and class. With the help and encouragement of influential women, Jean may find what she has always needed, though her choices could echo through generations. But will the man she trusted and so fiercely loves redeem himself?
Somewhere Still offers a unique window into the history and culture of Kansas City at a turning point in its development and blends history and fiction to tell the coming-of-age story of one young woman's transformative journey of love, betrayal, and redemption.
Denitta Ward uses historical sites and real events to explore Jean's transformation from an innocent young girl to a self-assured woman, making her way in a society in transition. Somewhere Still aims to give insight into 1920s Kansas City, a city on the cusp of significant change. During this time, the city's society women united to urge social advances, the jazz culture was born, baseball's famous Negro League was formed, and the city had a burgeoning Prohibition bootleg trade.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2017
61 people are currently reading
886 people want to read
About the author
Denitta Ward
2 books68 followersDenitta Ward writes historical and contemporary fiction from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. After decades of writing legal briefs and contracts, Denitta picked up her pen and decided she'd write the stories she really wanted to tell - about young women discovering their own resilience in times of transition.
Denitta is a member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.
Denitta Ward's debut novel is poignant and compelling, a vividly drawn portrait of a young woman making her way in an era of opulence and abundance, at a time of great division and separation. Somewhere Still teems with memorable and resilient characters and takes you back to the Roaring Twenties to a city known as Paris on the Plains, alive with jazz clubs, speakeasies, and a burgeoning Prohibition bootleg trade.
This time and place also deliver a rich tale of women's social groups changing their corner of the world, the birth of baseball's Negro League, and fast changes that bring traditional social mores into question.
In this coming-of-age story, we see the thin reed upon which many lived in the Roaring Twenties and we witness the power of love and its ability to heal and mend divides. Somewhere Still is written with tenderness as it demonstrates the transformative power of the human spirit to build bridges and extend a helping hand.
Written as a gift to her own mother, the author tells of a society in transition which serves as a backdrop for this story of the price of love, the hurts that are slowest to heal, and a certain kind of infinite redemption found when women band together across race and class. Come on this wonderful journey into Somewhere Still.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews
November 2, 2017
I voluntary reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters are well developed and the love story is so amazing. The writer takes you through the highs and lows of the relationship of Jean and Elden.
I normally do not read romance novels, I like mysteries. But I love this love story. The story takes a turn that you as a reader do not expect, even though there is foreshadowing of this event. The writer is that good. But as a reader you find yourself rooting for him and hope for an happy ending. The ending is a happy one, not the one I expected but nevertheless one that warms your soul. True love can conquer all. I find this novel very timely, especially with the "#metoo" movement. Jean was truly loved and not just taken advantage of by a powerful, rich young men. I also appreciated the historical background, it really transported me to that time period.
I highly recommend this book.
I absolutely loved this book. The characters are well developed and the love story is so amazing. The writer takes you through the highs and lows of the relationship of Jean and Elden.
I normally do not read romance novels, I like mysteries. But I love this love story. The story takes a turn that you as a reader do not expect, even though there is foreshadowing of this event. The writer is that good. But as a reader you find yourself rooting for him and hope for an happy ending. The ending is a happy one, not the one I expected but nevertheless one that warms your soul. True love can conquer all. I find this novel very timely, especially with the "#metoo" movement. Jean was truly loved and not just taken advantage of by a powerful, rich young men. I also appreciated the historical background, it really transported me to that time period.
I highly recommend this book.
January 11, 2018
I won this book on a goodreads giveaway. the author not only signed the book, but wrote me a lovely personal note included when I received the book.
I loved this book. The story kept me captivated throughout, with several surprise twists. The characters are well developed and delightful. I will look forward to any and all additional books that she writes!
I loved this book. The story kept me captivated throughout, with several surprise twists. The characters are well developed and delightful. I will look forward to any and all additional books that she writes!
November 5, 2017
Based in Kansas City during the roaring twenties. This book was well written and the characters were complex. The area and the characters were so well described that I felt like I was right there in Kansas City. Showed the real divide between wealth and poverty during the 1920's. A sweet romantic read with a happy ending. A great start to this series. I voluntarily wrote this review after reading a free promotional copy.
November 25, 2017
A book about the City I know and love
I know it may be silly, but the reason I read this book was because it was based in Kansas City in the 1920s. That is the City where I've spent my life. That may be the reason I started the book, but the story is what keep me reading. I could envision the places mentioned and it gave life to the story and the people. I would recommend this book to anyone even if you have never stepped foot in my city. It is a rich story told with pictures of realism, along with emotional strands, woven throughout.
I know it may be silly, but the reason I read this book was because it was based in Kansas City in the 1920s. That is the City where I've spent my life. That may be the reason I started the book, but the story is what keep me reading. I could envision the places mentioned and it gave life to the story and the people. I would recommend this book to anyone even if you have never stepped foot in my city. It is a rich story told with pictures of realism, along with emotional strands, woven throughout.
November 3, 2017
ARC provided through Shifting Sheets Book Promotions for an honest review.
Wanting to help provide for both herself and her sick mother, Virginia Mae Ball, known as Jean, becomes the first female elevator operator of the Empire Hotel; a ritzy hotel owned by the wealthy Whitcomb family. This new experience introduces her to a more expansive worldview, as she becomes acquainted with the League Ladies working towards women’s rights as well as the Whitcomb’s charming but fast son, Eldon. However, this new life also brings change and Jean faces both heartaches and triumphs, as she tries to set her life to rights again.
Set in Kansas City during the 1920s, this is a well-written coming-of-age story which straightforwardly deals with race, class, and gender relations of the time. Readers will empathize with the characters and may even find themselves wanting to both console and yell at them as they make their mistakes. A both sweet and sad story I would recommend to readers of historical fiction and books with strong female characters.
Wanting to help provide for both herself and her sick mother, Virginia Mae Ball, known as Jean, becomes the first female elevator operator of the Empire Hotel; a ritzy hotel owned by the wealthy Whitcomb family. This new experience introduces her to a more expansive worldview, as she becomes acquainted with the League Ladies working towards women’s rights as well as the Whitcomb’s charming but fast son, Eldon. However, this new life also brings change and Jean faces both heartaches and triumphs, as she tries to set her life to rights again.
Set in Kansas City during the 1920s, this is a well-written coming-of-age story which straightforwardly deals with race, class, and gender relations of the time. Readers will empathize with the characters and may even find themselves wanting to both console and yell at them as they make their mistakes. A both sweet and sad story I would recommend to readers of historical fiction and books with strong female characters.
November 17, 2017
Innocence and love
This is a very good story about a naive, very innocent, seventeen-year-old girl who lives alone wirh her terminally ill and widowed mother. Set in the early 1920's during prohibition, the story is a coming of age story, beautifully written as it examines class distinctions, racial issues, women's sufferage efforts and religious and legal issues of the times. The modern woman is examined as young Jean is left to manage on her own and make life altering decisions as she struggles with becoming an independent adult.
The characters are well written with all the foibles and imperfections of humanity. This is a definite must read for historical romance fiction readers. Fast paced, easy reading and a truly lovely protagonist.
This is a very good story about a naive, very innocent, seventeen-year-old girl who lives alone wirh her terminally ill and widowed mother. Set in the early 1920's during prohibition, the story is a coming of age story, beautifully written as it examines class distinctions, racial issues, women's sufferage efforts and religious and legal issues of the times. The modern woman is examined as young Jean is left to manage on her own and make life altering decisions as she struggles with becoming an independent adult.
The characters are well written with all the foibles and imperfections of humanity. This is a definite must read for historical romance fiction readers. Fast paced, easy reading and a truly lovely protagonist.
Want to read
November 5, 2017FREE on Amazon today (11/05/2017)!
May 26, 2018
KIRKUS REVIEW
In this Jazz Age–set novel, a young, working-class woman falls for the scion of a wealthy hotelier and pays a price.
In her debut novel, Ward paints a vivid portrait of Kansas City in the Roaring ’20s, name-checking local landmarks such as Swope Park and Petticoat Lane. Her setting is a good choice, more original than Chicago or New York City. She also does a good job portraying the excitement and energy of that era, whether depicting pleasures such as speak-easies and bathtub gin or new, middle-class opportunities for women, including typing jobs. things haven’t advanced, though: public accommodations are segregated by race, women make less money than men and are kept out of certain professions, and different rules exist for rich and poor people ...Well-done 1920s Kansas City atmosphere ... - Kirkus Review
March 3, 2018
This book seemed more bordering on the realistic side of the story of a young, naive, hardworking young woman getting taken advantage of. I loved the visualization of the time period, the descriptions were superb, from the speakeasy to the elevator.
It didn't end with a happily ever after at all, but it was not sad either. Check it out! I am going to be looking for more by this author.
It didn't end with a happily ever after at all, but it was not sad either. Check it out! I am going to be looking for more by this author.
June 26, 2018
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Somewhere Still
Author: Denitta Ward
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 17 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
16 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘This author has many literary skills, but the strongest is her ability to describe setting. Not only describe it, but help it tojump off the page.’ Male reader, aged 36
‘I loved the Kansas City setting. It was so vivid. I wasn’t alive back then but, after reading this book, I wish I had been.’ Male reader, aged 44
‘Plenty of romance and scattered with intrigue. A well-planned, well-written historical novel.’ Female reader, aged 52
‘There are many up and downs to this 1920 set story. It will make you laugh, but also cry – in a good way. A very talented author; I will be keeping an eye out for more of her books.’ Female reader, aged 56
‘A fantastic read!’ Male reader, aged 29
‘In many ways this is a coming-of-age story. The characters are interesting and complex, but not overly so. I thoroughly enjoyed it to the very last page.’ Female reader, aged 31
To Sum It Up:
‘Superbly plotted with a vividly described Kansas City setting. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Somewhere Still
Author: Denitta Ward
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 17
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 9/10
Of the 17 readers:
17 would read another book by this author.
16 thought the cover was good or excellent.
16 felt it was easy to follow.
17 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
5 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
15 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
17 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘This author has many literary skills, but the strongest is her ability to describe setting. Not only describe it, but help it tojump off the page.’ Male reader, aged 36
‘I loved the Kansas City setting. It was so vivid. I wasn’t alive back then but, after reading this book, I wish I had been.’ Male reader, aged 44
‘Plenty of romance and scattered with intrigue. A well-planned, well-written historical novel.’ Female reader, aged 52
‘There are many up and downs to this 1920 set story. It will make you laugh, but also cry – in a good way. A very talented author; I will be keeping an eye out for more of her books.’ Female reader, aged 56
‘A fantastic read!’ Male reader, aged 29
‘In many ways this is a coming-of-age story. The characters are interesting and complex, but not overly so. I thoroughly enjoyed it to the very last page.’ Female reader, aged 31
To Sum It Up:
‘Superbly plotted with a vividly described Kansas City setting. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
November 3, 2017
ARC provided through Shifted Sheets Book Promotions for an honest review.
Wanting to help provide for both herself and her sick mother, Virginia Mae Ball, known as Jean, becomes the first female elevator operator of the Empire Hotel; a ritzy hotel owned by the wealthy Whitcomb family. This new experience introduces her to a more expansive worldview, as she becomes acquainted with the League Ladies working towards women’s rights as well as the Whitcomb’s charming but fast son, Eldon. However, this new life also brings change and Jean faces both heartaches and triumphs, as she tries to set her life to rights again.
Set in Kansas City during the 1920s, this is a well-written coming-of-age story which straightforwardly deals with race, class, and gender relations of the time. Readers will empathize with the characters and may even find themselves wanting to both console and yell at them as they make their mistakes. A both sweet and sad story I would recommend to readers of historical fiction and books with strong female characters.
Wanting to help provide for both herself and her sick mother, Virginia Mae Ball, known as Jean, becomes the first female elevator operator of the Empire Hotel; a ritzy hotel owned by the wealthy Whitcomb family. This new experience introduces her to a more expansive worldview, as she becomes acquainted with the League Ladies working towards women’s rights as well as the Whitcomb’s charming but fast son, Eldon. However, this new life also brings change and Jean faces both heartaches and triumphs, as she tries to set her life to rights again.
Set in Kansas City during the 1920s, this is a well-written coming-of-age story which straightforwardly deals with race, class, and gender relations of the time. Readers will empathize with the characters and may even find themselves wanting to both console and yell at them as they make their mistakes. A both sweet and sad story I would recommend to readers of historical fiction and books with strong female characters.
September 26, 2018
I have always been fascinated by the Roaring 20's and this book took me into that time in history like I was living in it. Ms. Ward has a writing skill that took me back in time to experience the way life was in that era.
I love the main character, Jean. She is a lower class young woman living with her terminally ill mother. She needed to find a job and make a better life for them while she still had her mom. She is a determined young lady and finds herself in another social sphere when she lands a job in the elite Empire hotel. She meets the love of her life, Elden Whitcome, and becomes entwined in situations she never expected. I had my emotions all over the place in this book. There was suspense, family drama, family devotion, heartache, anger, joy and I sure had tears in places. I enjoyed the story very much.
I loved the historical aspects of the book around Kansas City. It was a time where there was racial separation, social separation and prohibition. Ms. Ward took that history and wrote a story that I felt portrayed that era very well and how it would have been to live in that time.
I want to thank Denitta Ward for the copy of her book and the great opportunity I had to read it. To me it is definitely a 5 star read.
I love the main character, Jean. She is a lower class young woman living with her terminally ill mother. She needed to find a job and make a better life for them while she still had her mom. She is a determined young lady and finds herself in another social sphere when she lands a job in the elite Empire hotel. She meets the love of her life, Elden Whitcome, and becomes entwined in situations she never expected. I had my emotions all over the place in this book. There was suspense, family drama, family devotion, heartache, anger, joy and I sure had tears in places. I enjoyed the story very much.
I loved the historical aspects of the book around Kansas City. It was a time where there was racial separation, social separation and prohibition. Ms. Ward took that history and wrote a story that I felt portrayed that era very well and how it would have been to live in that time.
I want to thank Denitta Ward for the copy of her book and the great opportunity I had to read it. To me it is definitely a 5 star read.
September 6, 2018
What a delightful read!! Set in the prohibition era in a city smack dab in the defiance of it, we are taken down to the basement of a Speakeasy (Somewhere) to see what really was going on (Still) hence the title - Somewhere Still - see what the author, Denitta Ward, did there?
The story is a little bit history lesson, a little bit love story. A story of heartbreak and loss, strength and resilience. It tells the comfort of friendship, the value of inclusion and the power of taking responsibility even against a sector of society telling you to walk away.
I loved the strength of the main character - I felt her frustration, her anger, her joy and her grief. I'm glad in the end she landed “somewhere perfect and still”.
I thank the author for sharing a copy of this book with me through a contest. I look forward to the next book in her Somewhere Series!
The story is a little bit history lesson, a little bit love story. A story of heartbreak and loss, strength and resilience. It tells the comfort of friendship, the value of inclusion and the power of taking responsibility even against a sector of society telling you to walk away.
I loved the strength of the main character - I felt her frustration, her anger, her joy and her grief. I'm glad in the end she landed “somewhere perfect and still”.
I thank the author for sharing a copy of this book with me through a contest. I look forward to the next book in her Somewhere Series!
December 2, 2018
I came across this novel in a book club and the cover drew me in. I am SO happy I decided to buy this novel!! What a beautiful, rich, detailed, complex and realistic story!
I literally felt transplanted to Kansas City in the 20's. I felt the despair, oppression, loss, fear and then the determination, excitement, desire, love, and courage! The writing has beautiful flow, descriptions that are so acute you feel every word and a voice that rings so deep. Her characters (jean and Elden) are so real I feel I know them!
I wont rewrite the blurb, as many reviews do, but I will say; if you want a beautiful historical romance with so much more that will not be forgotten; this is the book for you!
Absolutely so well done!!!
I literally felt transplanted to Kansas City in the 20's. I felt the despair, oppression, loss, fear and then the determination, excitement, desire, love, and courage! The writing has beautiful flow, descriptions that are so acute you feel every word and a voice that rings so deep. Her characters (jean and Elden) are so real I feel I know them!
I wont rewrite the blurb, as many reviews do, but I will say; if you want a beautiful historical romance with so much more that will not be forgotten; this is the book for you!
Absolutely so well done!!!
September 7, 2018
I loved this book And have a new favorite author. She did an excellent job portraying the 1920s, the division of race and social class, women's rights, the strength of a woman through love and loss....
The cover is beautiful. Parts of the story made me cry. There's some strong emotional pulls in this book.
The cover is beautiful. Parts of the story made me cry. There's some strong emotional pulls in this book.
July 30, 2018
Enjoyed this one. Love the era and the story was well written.
January 17, 2018
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway.A young sheltered girl loses both parents and has to make her own way in a world she doesn't understand. Working in an impressive hotel as an elevator operator she finds herself being wooed by the owner's son. She becomes bowled over by the possibility that he truly cared for her. He was spoilt, rich and always used to getting his own way. Predictably this was not going to end well. Jean will need to find a resolve and inner strength to face the future. Will Eldin turn out as she hoped? He isn't essentially a bad person but can he stand up to his parents? Well written, an emotional, heart rending and sometimes uplifting read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2018
I got Somewhere Still through a Goodreads Giveaway.
As a whole, I liked the book. It was emotional, inspiring, a little sad.
It exposed important matters, some of which are still unattended to.
The beginning was a little slow for my liking, but when I got through it, I could not put the book down. It left me feeling very sad and sorry for the heroine, who is left with nothing but her daughter and a beautiful house. Even though she is taken care of in the end, it was so, so sad that the love of her life died, all the more because his death was a result of his stupidity and childishness.
I would definitely recommend the book, it was beautiful, it gives a lot to think about and its background gives a lot of ground for exposing society problems.
As a whole, I liked the book. It was emotional, inspiring, a little sad.
It exposed important matters, some of which are still unattended to.
The beginning was a little slow for my liking, but when I got through it, I could not put the book down. It left me feeling very sad and sorry for the heroine, who is left with nothing but her daughter and a beautiful house. Even though she is taken care of in the end, it was so, so sad that the love of her life died, all the more because his death was a result of his stupidity and childishness.
I would definitely recommend the book, it was beautiful, it gives a lot to think about and its background gives a lot of ground for exposing society problems.
March 26, 2018
Although I absolutely loved the setting of this book, I found it rather boring. it was easy to get into but it lost my interest. I thought Jean was a rather realistic character. But I was under the impression that it was a Christian book (since I found out about it in a Christian book group) but I found nothing of the sort other than they went to church. I love historical fiction, I love the time the book is set in, and I love Kansas City (I've visited quite a few times) but this book was a disappointment. I couldn't finish it.
February 28, 2022
Virginia Jean Ball has led a sheltered life. Her introduction to the big world through her position as elevator operator at the Empire hotel is eye opening to say the least. She's caught the eye of the owner's son, Elden Whitcomb. He pulls her into the dark side of life. Her journey of self discovery is beautiful to watch.
Recommend to readers who enjoy redemption stories.
I won a copy. I've expressed my honest opinion.
Recommend to readers who enjoy redemption stories.
I won a copy. I've expressed my honest opinion.
August 14, 2018
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"...the author brings her fictional character’s experiences vividly to life, creating a believable and enjoyable tale...a debut novel – so an author to watch, I think"
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"...the author brings her fictional character’s experiences vividly to life, creating a believable and enjoyable tale...a debut novel – so an author to watch, I think"
December 28, 2018
Not a fan of the head-hopping. Needed better proofreading and copyediting.
The story was okay. I stuck through it to give it a chance, but it didn't exceed my expectations.
It did have a bittersweet ending, though.
The story was okay. I stuck through it to give it a chance, but it didn't exceed my expectations.
It did have a bittersweet ending, though.
February 6, 2019
A great story- historically accurate, characters are engaging, such a bittersweet ending.
November 15, 2017
I enjoy 1920s historical fiction, and this was an entertaining story I really liked (4 stars here, 5 on Amazon). The characters on the cover appear older than the teenagers they actually are. He is wealthy and she is poor, with a terminally ill mother. The young couple falls in love and conceives a child, so the story lends itself to discussion about teen pregnancy. Numerous characters in the book have a variety of opinions about the situation, but the story accurately portrays the reality for the young lady for that time period. The plot contains a number of surprises that are placed so that I wanted to keep reading late into the night to find out what would happen next. I recommend this novel, especially for older teens, parents, and those who enjoy reading about this exciting, controversial period in American history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
December 18, 2017I have won this novel in a giveaway and am very excited to read it! A full review will be posted soon!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 26 reviews