The Sweethearts of Soul

By Evelyn Lambright

Book Overview

The author of the critically acclaimed novel The Justus Girls spins a lively, outrageous tale about a girl singing group that hits the heights in the heyday of rock and roll, and then comes shockingly down to earth. Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting the legendary Sweethearts of Soul ... At long last, the Rock and Soul Foundation is honoring Ruth Thomas, Adeline Lights, Venus Jones, and Brenda Wade with the Pioneer Award and a place in its hall of fame. When music reporter Legs Diamond gets the assignment to do an in-depth story on the women, what a tale she hears, from their start singing gospel to their fame and fortune in the 1960s. When the glory days ended, the lives of these close-knit women went in very different directions. Searching for the past, Legs discovers a revealing present: Venus is a single mom struggling to run her own business and to raise a pregnant teenager. Ruthie tends bar when she's not playing gigs or keeping tabs on her free-spirited daughter. Addie is a real estate queen and stays busy watching her son deal with the success of being a rising rap star. And Brenda, aka Birdie, well, she has become something of a mystery and the most difficult for Legs to reach. With a little help from Legs, and a trip down memory lane that unveils dark secrets and fallen friendships, the women soon discover that they need one another now just as much as when they were young stars on the rise. The Sweethearts of Soul is a sassy, big-hearted, and irresistible story that will make you laugh and cry, and, most of all, love every one of these unforgettable women.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060184752
• ISBN13: 9780060184759
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Sistah's may not like each other, but z love will remain 2 z end!

"The Sweethearts of Soul" read just like it was written. Like a reporter actually delving into the lives of popular groups from back in the day! I enjoyed how Ms. Lambright worked each character with their pettiness toward eachother, but no matter, when one was down, they all came running. I thought her chapter titles as well as the stories she told of the main characters and others that were in their lives at the time of their success was told. She did a super-duper job! The ending was sad, but as Luther V. sings, "If Anybody Has A Heart", you will feel the freedom that Birdie finally found as her tortured soul was released from her of her demons!

This Book is "Justus" good as the First

Not to make light of the subject, but the book is off the hook...Evelyn, you really know what to do with your writing skills. This book made me laugh, cry, and sometimes angry, because of the intentions of some people and how the cause effected them. I'm anxiously waiting for another one of your deep writings. The first time I read your book (Justus Girls)I KNEW you were a winner. Now this book speaks for its self. You have a wonderful talent and keep up the good work. I'm ready for another one. Keep 'em coming. ;0)

Excellent Story Telling....

This book is about a singing group back in the 60's. Four young sisters who started out singing in the church and moved into secular music. The story is narrated by a female music magazine journalist whom was hired to interview each member of the group "The Sweethearts of Soul" and in the end became their friend. This book will take you through their lives, and tells a story of their becoming of age, recognizing their talent, and most importantly dealing with the challenges and obstacles that comes along with stardom. Evelyn "Slim" Lambright is an exceptional writer who knows how to capture ones attentiveness and embrace it throughout the story. Each character has their own story to tell, but you can bet, at the end of the story, "Slim" will leave you with your mouth open, just as she did with "The Justus Girls". Excellent Story telling....

Let's hear it for the girls...

OK, I loved it; I loved to read about the 60s girls groups and this book brought it down home for me; Here you have these ladies who first started singing in church, then branch out and become stars in the 60s to 70s, but when disco hit, their stars fade and each of the girls go into their own thing; Ruth, always looking for othe stardom in bowling alleys and bars; Addie, the real estate queen, whose son, the rapper gets prominent; Venus, the seamstress, who raises a daughter who seems to be going down the same road she is going; and Birdie; Sweet, fragile yet tragic; Of course, we can't discount Fanya and the hurt and stuff she caused; Anyhow, The Rock and Roll Foundation decides to honor the ladies with a Pioneers Award for their contributions and Leggs Diamond starts a story on these ladies; digging up old memories and secrets; But learning a few things as well; Always wear red panties(the color of power) Check it out and don't be disappointed

Classic divas

Slim Lambright first won me over with her debut novel, The Justus Girls, when she brought the multiple protagonists to life and gave them their own voices and styles. Lambright revisits this theme in her sophomore release THE SWEETHEARTS OF SOUL, the story of a female singing group comprised of sisters, each of whom are very much her own woman. When the Sweethearts of Soul are honored with a prestigous award, reporter Legs Diamond is charged with telling the real story of this famous group for a prominent music magazine. Legs knows that there is a lot of speculation surrounding the lives of Venus, Ruth, Fluffy, Addie, and Birdie, but she really has no idea as to the multitude of both stories the women are willing to openly share and the stories that they refuse to disclose. Narrated by Legs, the book flows through time with both blasts from the past and harsh truths from the present. While invloved in these interviewing ups and downs, Legs forms a bond with the women and finds out what sisterhood is all about. Evelyn "Slim" Lambright is one of the best when it comes to lovable characters and exceptional stories. She weaves fun and exciting, yet poignant, tales about characters who we may or may not relate to directly, but people we have perhaps once known or wished we knew. For those readers who enjoyed her first effort, it is doubtful that you will be disappointed by her second. (RAW Rating: 4.5) Reviewed by CandaceK of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers