Book Synopsis:
In 1960s Memphis, a young mother finds refuge in a boardinghouse where family encompasses more than just blood and hidden truths can bury you or set you free.
Sara King has nothing, save for her secrets and the baby in her belly, as she boards the bus to Memphis, hoping to outrun her past in Chicago. She is welcomed with open arms by Mama Sugar, a kindly matriarch and owner of the popular boardinghouse The Scarlet Poplar.
Like many cities in early 1960s America, Memphis is still segregated, but change is in the air. News spreads of the Freedom Riders. Across the country, people like Martin Luther King Jr. are leading the fight for equal rights. Black literature and music provide the stories and soundtrack for these turbulent and hopeful times, and Sara finds herself drawn in by conversations of education, politics and a brighter tomorrow with Jonas, a local schoolteacher. Romance blooms between them, but secrets from Mama Sugar’s past threaten their newfound happiness and lead Sara to make decisions that will reshape the rest of their lives.
With a charismatic cast of characters, The Two Lives of Sara is an emotional and unforgettable story of hope, the limitations of resilience and unexpected love.
My Review:
The Two Lives Of Sara is a beautiful, intense powerful story that will definitely be staying with me. The cover of this book is beautiful. It’s so striking and a picture I’d love to have framed in my wall as I just love it!
The story starts of slowly as the author sets the scene and introduces the characters. I quickly grew fond of the wonderful female characters and enjoyed following them throughout the book. The author has done a great job of describing the Memphis community and I liked spending time with them. It was heartbreaking at times to learn about their stories and hear their hopes for a better life.
I must admit to not knowing much about this period of history so I found it fascinating to learn more about it. I eagerly drank in all the details of life then, enjoying the sense of community but feeling angry about the racial inequality that was common at the time. There are some important topics discussed in this book,though they might not be nice for everyone to read about. I think I went through every emotion whilst reading going from hopeful one moment to despairing the next. I think this would make a great book club read as I think there would be lots to discuss.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Harper 360 for my copy of this book.
About The Author:
Catherine Adel West was born and raised in Chicago, where she currently resides. She graduated with both her Bachelors and Masters of Science in Journalism from the University of Illinois – Urbana. Her work is published in Black Fox Literary Magazine, Five2One, Better than Starbucks, Doors Ajar, 805 Lit + Art, The Helix Magazine, Lunch Ticket and Gay Magazine. Author of Saving Ruby King, Catherine was named one of USA TODAYS Black Authors You Should Know. The Two Lives of Sara is her sophomore novel.
Over The Rainbow Blog 
Thanks for the blog tour support
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