Sabra Waldfogel Libri

Atlanta, July 1881. The Civil War tore Eliza's family apart. Can the washerwomen's strike bring it back together? Former slave Amanda Gardiner, a washerwoman for decades, has had enough of low wages and bad treatment. When she invites twenty washerwomen to her church to talk about working conditions, she's astonished by the result. The washerwomen spread the word to every Black church in Atlanta. Within two weeks, they've created a union, and every washerwoman in Atlanta is on strike. White Atlanta begins to sweat... Eliza Coldbrook, just graduated from all-Black Atlanta University, has a luxury afforded to few Black women. She doesn't know what to do with herself. She doesn't want to teach, missionarize, or get married. When her friend Ophelia drags her to the first meeting of the washerwomen, she's willing to go. Then she attends the next meeting, and the next... Matt Kaltenbach, Eliza's white half-brother, fled Georgia as a child after the violence of Reconstruction. Now he's returned, yearning to rebuild a relationship with his estranged half-sister. But she won't even see him. At a loss, he takes a job with a newspaper unusual for Atlanta. The Beacon is dedicated to the cause of racial equality. As the strike unfolds, and the newspaper supports it, Matt is drawn in... Will the strikers win? And when Eliza and Matt are swept into the strike, will they be able to heal the wounds of their past-and reconcile with each other?

Set against the backdrop of impending Civil War, the story follows Pen and Jonas, two enslaved individuals in Georgia whose deep-rooted love faces the harsh realities of their circumstances. Despite their marriage, they are haunted by the fear of separation, which becomes a chilling reality when their master sells Jonas to a plantation in Mississippi. The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the brutal impact of slavery on personal relationships.

Set in the soulful town of Memphis, the narrative unveils a hidden secret that intertwines the lives of its residents. As the story unfolds, themes of mystery and revelation emerge, exploring the complexities of community and identity. The characters navigate their intertwined fates while confronting the past and the truths that bind them. This poignant tale delves into the heart of Memphis, revealing how deeply rooted secrets can shape lives and relationships.

The story follows Caro Jarvie, raised by her father to embody the life of a wealthy planter's daughter, despite her status as a slave. After his death, she is thrust back into the harsh realities of slavery, yet clings to her father's promise of freedom. As she navigates her grief and longing for liberation, Caro's journey highlights the struggles between hope and despair in a world that seeks to define her existence.

Set in the all-black town of Willow Bend, Mississippi, the story follows Ambrose Byrd, a retired Buffalo soldier seeking tranquility. However, his arrival coincides with brewing tensions and conflict, thrusting him into a web of trouble that challenges his desire for peace. As he navigates this tumultuous environment, the narrative explores themes of community, resilience, and the complexities of life in a historically significant setting.

"When two Union soldiers stumble onto a plantation in northern Georgia on a warm May day in 1864, the last thing they expect is to see the Union flag flying high--or to be greeted by a group of freed slaves and their Jewish mistress. Little do they know that this place has an unusual history. Twelve years prior, Adelaide Mannheim--daughter of Mordecai, the only Jewish planter in the county--was given her own maid, a young slave named Rachel. The two became friends, and soon they discovered a secret: Mordecai was Rachel's father, too. As the country moved toward war, Adelaide and Rachel struggled to navigate their newfound sisterhood--from love and resentment to betrayal and, ultimately, forgiveness. Now, facing these Union soldiers as General Sherman advances nearer, their bond is put to the ultimate test. Will the plantation be spared? Or will everything they've lived for be lost?"--Page 4 of cover