In 1941, Amelia “Mia” McGee, fearing for her daughter Ella’s life due to Mia’s work with the NAACP, puts Ella on a bus from Washington, D.C., sending her to her ancestral home in Georgia. When Ella’s connection fails to arrive, she ends up at the home of two elderly black women who share a lineage with Ella of which they are all unaware.
This event kicks off Glow, a saga filled with extraordinary characters, starting with Solomon B. Bounds: pioneer, slave owner and minister, whose relationships with slaves, Cherokee natives and white folks spawns a family legacy that would be hard to follow if it weren’t for the family tree included in the front pages of the novel.
The novel moves slowly back in time, detailing Mia’s own childhood dealing with taunts from the other children due to her Cherokee heritage, along with an encounter with a brother and sister aerial team whose airplane show for the town ends disastrously. Next we move back in time again to the mid-1800’s, where the bulk of the novel takes place. The characters we meet include Riddle Young, overseer for Solomon Bounds on his tobacco farm; Riddle’s sister Emmaline, a fragile young woman who marries Solomon’s son, Samuel; Lossie, the “giantess” slave who serves as Solomon’s personal caretaker and also catches Riddle’s eye; and Willie Mae Cotton, a slave who is won by Samuel in a card game and becomes Emmaline’s servant.
With Glow, Jessica Maria Tuccelli has crafted a multi-generational saga rife with rich, vibrant, unique characters, expansive landscapes and a glimpse into slavery in the Georgia countryside. The story moves back and forth in time, allowing the reader to piece together the relationships between the whites, slaves and Cherokee Indians. I greatly enjoyed the story, it’s not a fast read but one that should be savored and digested slowly.
The publisher sent me an extra copy of Glow, and I’d love to pass it on to an interested reader. Leave a comment below to enter to win, U.S. addresses only, please. The winner will be announced in our regular giveaway column on March 28. This giveaway is closed.
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Jessica says
I like the multi-generational plot idea! Sounds interesting.
Kenna Best says
I would love to read this book. It sounds like a great book that I could use with the classes I teach.
Ellie says
this fascinating novel is appealing. Love Family sagas.
Beth says
This looks great! Please enter me!
bethsbookreviewblog2 AT gmail DOT com
Don says
Another great book.
Cindi says
“Happy St.Patrick’s Day!”
What an intriguing story line with
a wonderful array of characters…
I love how to book goes back in time
and has twists and turns.
Many thanks, Cindi
Cariol Wong says
I would love to read this historical fiction book.
My son has Cherokee roots!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
riTa says
Count me in, I’d love to learn from this historic setting.
Chuck says
Would like to read.
Jen says
I’m sure I’d enjoy reading it!
Jennifer J says
I love historical fiction. This book sounds great. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Karen says
This sounds intriguing, I’d love to win and read it, thanks!
Nancy says
Karen, you win! Please reply to this email with your address and we’ll get the book sent out.
Cindy Brooks says
I’d love to read this book. It almost sounds like the family roots my husband has!
someluckydog at gmail dot com
Angela E. says
Would like a copy.
Sandra K321 says
Sounds like a great book. Please include me.
Dianne says
Sounds interesting. Thanks for the givewaway
Linda Kish says
This sounds like a very interesting story. I’d love to read it.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Van says
Good book giveaway.
Beth C says
Love to read this. Thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Vilmarys says
Sounds really good and I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance!
June says
Would love to read.
Barb says
I *love* those multi-generational sagas!
Garrett says
Sounds like another great book to read.
Natalia says
Would like to win the book.
Lori says
So interesting sounding, cant wait to read.
Jeff says
Thanks for the good book reading giveaway.
LA Nannies says
I think this novel is really great! I’ll try to buy this as soon as possible. Thanks for sharing this novel!
Anita Yancey says
Sounds like a great storyline. I would love to read the book. Thanks for having this giveaway.
samantha w says
this sounds good
The Florida Standard says
I like it!
Staci A says
I would love to read this!
bobby says
my wife would probably like this.