Monday, September 6, 2021

The Street Singer

About the Book

Book: The Street Singer

Author: Kathleen Neely

Genre: Christian Urban Fiction

Release date: 2019

9781522301295 Trisha Mills, a student in her final semester of law school, has fond memories of listening to the music of Adaline, a once-famous recording artist. Trisha learns that Adda is now a street singer in Asheville, North Carolina where she lives in a storage closet she rents for her equipment. Adda’s sole means of support in her senior years comes from the donation box.

Along with her meager possessions, Adda has a box labeled, “Things to Remember.” Once Adda and Trisha become friends, Adda agrees to show Trisha the contents of the box, and reveals her journey from her beginnings as a sharecropper’s daughter, her rise to fame, and her fall into poverty.

Even while busy cleaning out the home of her deceased grandfather, preparing to sit for the bar exam, and planning her wedding, Trisha cannot overlook the injustices that Adda has experienced. Aided by attorney Rusty Bergstrom, Trisha convinces Adda to seek restitution.

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About the Author

KathleenNeely Kathleen Neely is a retired educator and school administrator. She served as a principal at elementary schools in Pennsylvania and South Carolina. When she’s not writing, she’s traveling to see her sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren scattered throughout the eastern states.

More from Kathleen

I’d like to introduce myself and then acquaint you with some people who live inside the pages of my book, The Street Singer. I am a retired educator having taught preschool, fourth grade, and then moving into administration as an elementary principal. When I retired, I pursued my desire to write. My first novel, The Least of These, won first place in a contest titled Fresh Voices. That honor renewed my confidence, and I went on to write my second book, The Street Singer. Although The Street Singer was not my first novel, it was the first to reach publication. That holds a special place in any author’s heart. I’d love to introduce you to a few of my favorite people.

Trisha Mills is a law student, engaged to marry Grant Ramsey. Trisha’s grandparents raised her from her early teens when her parents died. As an only child, she’s left with no family following her grandparents’ death. Trisha longs for a sense of heritage.

Adda Marsh is the daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers and has little education. What she does have is an amazing singing voice. Using the pseudonym Adaline, she experienced great success in the music industry in the era of Ella Fitzgerald. Her record company let her go when she aged and her voice faded. She never realized how the recording company duped her. Penniless, she sings on a street corner for donations.

Rusty Bergstrom is a lawyer who agrees to help Trisha in her quest to find justice for Adda. He brings both compassion and levity to a difficult situation. Rusty sprinkles lawyer jokes throughout the book, causing Trisha to laugh—an characteristic in short supply.

Grant Ramsey is a financial advisor working hard to build his clientele. His father is a state politician with aspirations for becoming governor. He learned to exercise caution in his words and actions so protect his father’s image. That guarded nature tells him that Trisha’s friendship with Adda is not a good idea.

There you have it. Trisha Mills’ story with the makings for a multi-generational, diverse friendship, the challenges of two very different men vying for her affection, and a legal battle to right a wrong. Oh, I forgot to mention, all this while renovating her grandparents’ old farm house. I hope you enjoy reading The Street Singer as much as I enjoyed writing it.

MY REVIEW

This story moved me to tears and I wanted to meet Adda and hug her. Her story is brought to light as Trish happens upon her one day singing in the street. Now Trish recognized her from old albums her grandpa had. She remembers dancing with her grandpa to the sweet sounds and couldn’t believe that she was right in front of her singing her heart out.

Trish has a lot going on with her upcoming wedding , studying for the bar and fixing up her grandpa’s house she inherited. I think she has a full plate but God has a plan for her. It is not by chance that Trish befriends Adda. I think they both needed each other. I loved how Trish has compassion for this older woman who lives on the streets. It was puzzling why this woman who was once famous was now homeless.

Adda is by far my favorite character. Her life story is filled with hardship and injustice. This sweet woman had no idea that she had been cheated out of money by the record company. Through everything Adda has been through her faith is strong. I cried as she goes through her remembering box and shares her story. How is it possible that someone could take advantage of someone the way Adda was? In the days she was singing it was obvious that the color of her skin made others treat her with prejudice. The beauty of these two ladies friendship is grace, unconditional love and opens doors for Adda that she never dreamed was possible.

The story would not be complete without Rusty. He is definitely a great person who does pro bono work. As he takes on Adda’s case he begins a friendship with Trish. With these two working together there is bound to be a little attraction. The author shows us how caring Rusty is as he goes to battle for Adda. He is determined that Adda be awarded for all the royalties she was cheated out of. I liked how Rusty looked out for her and treated her with honor and respect.

The story is a journey through the eyes of a woman long forgotten who never asked for much. Her voice is like a sweet sound that soothes the soul. With these three people working together they form a friendship that helps Adda realize she will never be alone again. Does she win her case? What about the man who Trish is engaged to? Will Trish found happiness with the right person? These answers are found in this stirring novel that shows readers that we should never give up hope.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.