Tayvie’s Story by Mim Eichmann | Book 3 of the A Sparrow Alone Trilogy| $20 Gift Card Available | #StandAlone #Jazz #WWII #EarlyJazz #StrongWomen | @GoddessFish @EichmannMim @Mim.Eichmann
The extraordinary coming-of-age saga of a talented, young, biracial jazz singer who perfects her craft on two continents during the volatile 1930s and ’40s despite appalling circumstances.
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
Tayvie's Story by Mim Eichmann Series: A Sparrow Alone #3
Published by Living Springs Publishers on 07/23/2024
Genres: Adult Fiction 18+, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction, Women's Literature
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 355
Chicago, IL – December 1923Terrified, racing from an irate shopkeeper who has accused her of stealing, her comatose mother sprawled in a dark hallway, four-year-old Tayvie Jackson falls asleep while hiding in a car. Hours later, Tayvie, who understands almost no English, awakens many miles from a home she barely knew.
Forced to live with deceitful relatives during the Depression in the Jim Crow south, Tayvie and her adopted mother later escape, hoping to build on young Tayvie’s fledgling career as a jazz singer.
In 1938, Tayvie innocently signs a six-month contract to appear at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Almost immediately, distorted allegations erupt surrounding her involvement with the historically devastating Kristallnacht, the propaganda broadcasts called Charlie and His Orchestra, and the elite Nazi playgrounds in Berlin and Paris, all of which force her into a demoralizing relationship with a strategic member of Hitler’s most despised inner clique, Dr. Joseph Goebbels.
An extraordinary coming-of-age journey of a talented, young, biracial jazz singer, who struggles to perfect her craft on two continents during the volatile 1930s and '40s despite appalling circumstances.
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Excerpt from Tayvie’s Story
But it’s a beautiful place … nothing like this awful cold place where Maman brought me a few months ago on the dark train! This awful place where almost no one understands my words. This place where the man who has been living here with us — the man who was bringing us the food — has now been gone for many, many days.
The man I was told to call Papa and when he made me cry one afternoon, hugged me and then took me to a store filled with toys and bought me a bright green parrot with real feathers. The man who yelled at Maman and maybe hit her hard and maybe knocked her down. Again. I don’t really know this, but I think it might have happened. Maybe.
Maman’s friends down in the warm place called Vieux Carré that’s my real home said they thought this might be happening. They thought that the man I was told to call Papa was maybe hitting her hard sometimes. But there have been other men in our apartment too. There’s been a lot of shouting by Maman with these other men too. They all talk in English, so I understand almost nothing that is said. Maybe it’s been one of these other men hitting Maman. I don’t know. I’ve never seen any of them hitting her at all. I’ve only seen her lying on the ground like she is right now. But she’s always gotten up. Always.
But not this time.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Tayvie’s Story
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Eichmann, Mim (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 355 Pages - 07/23/2024 (Publication Date) - Living Springs Publishers (Publisher)
If the above link does not take you to your country’s Amazon page, please let me know, and I’ll gladly get a link for you.
Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share. Every penny helps to support this blog.
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My Thoughts on Tayvie’s Story
Tayvie’s Story is a fascinating coming-of-age tale that follows a talented, young, biracial jazz singer who struggles to perfect her craft on two continents during the volatile 1930s and ’40s despite appalling circumstances.
This is the final book in the Eichmann trilogy, which began with A Sparrow Alone and Muskrat Ramble. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the others at some point. Taken together they form an intricate tale of the resilience of women, as well as a fascinating story.
Mim Eichmann has once again done an incredible amount of research. I was drawn into the story from the opening page. She is a masterful storyteller, filling the plot with rich, descriptive details that make the reader feel like they are living these trials alongside Tayvie.
I highly recommend this book to readers who love historical WWII fiction, as well as to jazz fans and book clubs. There are so many points to discuss regarding this book. I hope you will give this story a chance and grab a copy today. It will touch your heart.
Here are my reviews of A Sparrow Alone and Muskrat Ramble.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Mim Eichmann
Mim Eichmann has found that her creative journey has taken her down many exciting, interwoven pathways. For well over two decades she was known primarily in the Chicago area as the artistic director and choreographer of Midwest Ballet Theatre and director of its home, Midwest Ballet Academy, bringing full-length professional ballet performances to thousands of dance lovers every year and was the recipient of many arts’ programming grants. A desire to become involved again in the folk music world brought about the creation of her acoustic quartet Trillium, now in its 15th year, a folk band well known for its eclectic repertoire performing throughout the Midwest that has also released four CDs. She’s also written the lyrics and music for two award-winning original children’s CDs, “Why Do Ducks Have Webby Toes?” and “Wander Down Beyond the Rainbow” and occasionally schedules concerts of her children’s music and movement programs.
Always captivated by the writings, diaries, and journals of late 19th century women, as well as that era’s economic, social and political upheavals, Ms. Eichmann has now put pen to paper and the historical fiction novel she has been passionately researching, its rich synopsis gradually evolving over many years, has finally become a reality. We hope you’ll enjoy “A Sparrow Alone” and its sequel, “Muskrat Ramble.”
Video of the author and her band, the Vintage Jazz Ensemble, performing Sweet Georgia Brown. (with spliced-in footage of flappers of the era)
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Giveaway!
Mim Eichmann will award a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Tayvie’s Story
Full Tour Schedule:
June 10: The Faerie Review
June 17: Aubrey Wynne: Timeless Love
June 24: The Avid Reader
June 24: Gina Rae Mitchell
July 8: Our Town Book Reviews
July 8: Country Mamas With Kids
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Goddess Fish Virtual Book Tour Host
This sounds like a good trilogy, Gina. I enjoyed the video, she has a perfect voice for that song.
This looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing and hosting this tour.
Sounds like a good book.
When I saw Mim Eichmann’s photo of the ballet dancers, I knew I would love her. I danced ballet for 14 years. I just love that you are a choreographer. I am excited to read this, and I will be getting your other books to take on my vacation.
Oh, Audrey… you are going to love it!
Thanks so much for your heartwarming note, Audrey, and to Gina for hosting today! A side note that might be of interest to you: the cover models for my first two historical fiction novels, A SPARROW ALONE and MUSKRAT RAMBLE, were soloists with my ballet company.
Thank you so much for hosting and reviewing TAYVIE’S STORY today.