aMhayes

What’s interesting to me about this review is that he/she claims to have read “quite a few books on the Civil War” and never read that slaves had it bad. How is that possible?? Think about that for a moment. “If Cotton Could Talk” is not about slavery but a story about relationships created by strangers who meet on a Mississippi plantation with one goal in mind, freedom. I certainly don’t consider it to be a Civil War book! On the other hand, it’s still a great review! Your Thoughts?

The first book in the whileBlack Chronicles’ takes place where most of us started in America; on a cotton plantation. Some of you may think, “Great, just what I want to read about, the evils of slavery. So, who cares? It was too long ago, and besides, everyone knows slavery was bad. I thought the same way. At the same time, the Chronicles’ has to begin on a plantation. For a novice writer like me, it was a challenge. How do I bring the story to life and not write about the breakup of families and the brutality? I published the first book in the Chronicles’ “If Cotton Could Talk” to tell a story about relationships created by strangers with one goal in mind. Prepare and plan for freedom. It's not a book about slavery. It's a story about relationships! Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023 Verified Purchase I have read quite a few books on the Civil War but none that told the daily life & appalling conditions that slaves had to endure. I see this is the first book in a series & I cannot wait to get the next book. Well done, Mr. Hayes!

The fourth book in the Chronicles’ begins with the Thomas family’s migration to Chicago. Between 1910 and 1970, six million Blacks left the land of their Elders to flee East, West, and North.

Why I Became An Author A Hint It Sure Wasn’t To Make A Lot Of Money lol I’m a 77-year-old retiree who decided two years ago to try my hand at writing an African-American historical fiction story. I majored in Sociology at Tennessee State University, so I have no formal training in journalism or writing. Did I just wake up one day and decide to become an author? Believe it or not, that’s pretty much what happened! As you go through life, you never know what event or situation may take you in a direction you never would have expected or be a wake-up call. My wake-up call was the movie “Hidden Figures.” I had one thought after watching the movie: Why didn’t I learn about these smart trail-blazing amazing Black women in school, or did I miss a documentary during Black History Month? In response, starting with a thought, an African American historical fiction story developed to become “If Cotton Could Talk.” I’m honoring Hidden Figures by writing a story about how we have always been family-orientated, smart, and when pushed, feared. On a different topic, I’m thinking about something that might be fun. Can you create a situation, and a time period, pick a story suggestion, and write a short story? You authors may use this to help fine-tune your writing skills. Is anyone interested? If there’s enough interest, I’ll put something together.

A kaleidoscope of characters to fall in love with, admire, laugh at, or bond with / history you didn’t learn in school / packaged in amazing historical fiction stories

Tucker and Bertha, who meet as strangers on a Mississippi plantation in “If Cotton Could Talk”, build relationships and instill in future generations the courage to never back down. Dan Connor gathers a posse to hunt down his former slave Sambo who escapes to Indian country with his wife. Tucker seeks revenge for the whipping he received from another slave, the brutal Mr. Jasper, the overseer. Bertha’s son Junior and her grandson Earl build an extensive business, angering powerful people. Learning from the elders to protect the family in “If The Elders Call,” Earl recruits a band of black outlaws to help him rescue his nephew Charlie from an NC pine farm. They sell their business and escape to New Orleans after dispatching KKK terrorists, including the sheriff and his deputy. Earl passes family leadership to his daughter Linda, who builds an international import/export business in “If New Orleans Could Talk.” After the KKK kills her brother in jail, she plans to avenge his murder with the help of a black brothel madam with blue eyes, Betty Jones. They leave the violence of the South and join the great migration to Chicago.

Experience the danger, thrill, and tenacity of a family's struggle to protect their legacy in the face of a violent Reconstruction-era South in "If the Elders Call". Bertha and Tucker, two former slaves introduced In “If Cotton Could Talk” have instilled the values of the Elders into their children: Junior, Joan, Joseph, Rose, and Gladys. But when a ruthless sheriff and a wealthy white supremacist target their newfound success, Junior, and his son Earl, must step up and take charge. At the same time, a new set of characters emerge to challenge Bertha’s grandson, Earl. Shorty the psychopathic killer, the Commander, the leader of a band of outlaws, and the notorious gangster Gaddes add to the danger and suspense of the story. Will Earl's plan for revenge work? Or will he put his loved ones in danger? Can anyone be trusted? If you enjoyed the thrilling family sagas "Roots" and "Django", you'll be sure to love "If the Elders Call". Don't miss out on this captivating story

"If New Orleans Could Talk" Recently relocated to New Orleans, Earl Thomas sets about getting his family settled and in the business of making money so they can get to their next safe destination, Chicago. This gripping tale of family, freedom, and forbidden dreams is set in early 20th-century New Orleans. Earl and his family are determined to make a better life for themselves, and his daughter Linda is eager to learn, grow, and lead the family out of the South. Betty Jones, a brothel madam with bright blue eyes, assumes the role of elder to Linda. Betty and Linda want to create a business that was forbidden and off-limits to blacks. Their business was dependent on a complex and dangerous start-up plan. If the plan fails there would be catastrophic consequences for everyone they cared about. Meanwhile, Linda's brother Charlie abandons his family to find respect but unwittingly creates enemies when he dares to cross the color barrier. But something was coming that only Betty can foresee, can she get Linda ready in time? An unforgettable story of resilience and courage, readers will be on the edge of their seats as they follow Linda and her family's journey to migrate from the Segregated South. A captivating thriller with amazing heroes, heroines, and villains, including a hint of mystic-like intervention as the suspense and story evolve.

Discover a family that never backs down in the WhileBlack Chronicles, a powerful series of historical fiction books about African American life. In the first installment, "If Cotton Could Talk," readers will be transported to a cotton plantation in Mississippi in 1850, and follow the inspiring story of the relationships between those enslaved. In the second book, "If the Elders Call," readers will witness the next generation led by Earl, fighting back against the violent reaction to Reconstruction and the KKK. Finally, "If New Orleans Could Talk" highlights Linda, Earl's daughter, and the powerful lessons she learns from a New Orleans madam with blue eyes. Each book is a unique look at how politics and white self-interest shape policy and consequently history to the detriment of African Americans. If you enjoy books with great stories, complex plots, and relatable characters you'll be hooked on the WhileBlack Chronicles. If Cotton Could Talk (published February 2021) #162 in Black & African American Historical Fiction (Kindle Store) Customer Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars 133 ratings If The Elders Call (published December 2021) #143 in Black & African American Historical Fiction (Kindle Store) Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars 62 ratings If New Orleans Could Talk (Published March 2023) #184 in Black & African American Historical Fiction (Kindle Store) Customer Reviews: 4.3 out of 5 stars 16 ratings