Synopses & Reviews
A historical romance novel set in the 1920s in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Son of a Preacherman depicts the highly segregated life of African Americans in the Greenwood District, in Northern Tulsa and the tensions leading up to the Tulsa Race Riots.
Billy Ray Matthias is the handsome younger son of the church’s new pastor. Benny is the daughter of an oil rich family. Billy Ray is convinced that Benny is the woman God would have him settle down with. Benny, on the other hand, recently had her heart broken. She is not the least bit interested in getting involved anytime soon. As Billy’s pursuit of Benny intensifies, so does the political and social climate in the prosperous African American neighborhood known as the Greenwood District..
Racial tensions in Tulsa escalate when Dick Rowland, a black man, is accused by a local newspaper of raping Sarah Page, a white woman, on an elevator. Benny's brother Ethan and a radical white attorney by the name of Maynard Vaughn despite continuous threats put their weight and energy behind helping Dick. Meanwhile, the White Glove Society, a racist group seeks to destroy not only Dick but all the African Americans in this successful black owned community. As tensions come to a head and violence breaks out, Billy and Benny are caught up in the heat of chaos. He vows to keep her safe but will Benny let him? And will faith in God be enough to sustain the people of the community as their lives are being changed forever by deadly acts of hatred?
Review
I had the opportunity to review another book by Marlene Banks titled Ruth's Redemption a while back. When I heard about Son of a Preacherman, I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy.
Once again, Marlene took me on a journey that I won't soon forget. Taking a look at the tumultuous and violent times in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the early 1920's was a real eye opener. What I especially enjoyed was reading this story from the perspective of the black population. So often, I think we get a very one sided and incomplete version of events, and I believe this story is a realistic and heart wrenching account of some very unfortunate events.
The characters were believable, lovable and so transparently human. This is not a fluffy look at a "e;perfect"e; pastor's family and the members of their congregation. They struggled with everyday wants, thoughts and desires, and their lives were far from perfect. They experienced the good along with the bad, and the way they dealt with the trials in their lives is a true inspiration.
In my opinion, Marlene Banks is an author to watch. She is an exceptional writer, and she tackles some controversial topics that many would prefer not to talk about. I highly recommend this book and look forward to seeing what this author comes up with next.
By Janet Hovis Summary
This was a great book as far as the characters being real --and the historical background was unusual for a romance novel...Absolutely loved the situations they found themselves in and enjoyed this read very much! Full Review
First of all, let's be real.
Seems like every romance novel that tackles a historical romance is full of languid descriptions of the main characters' dresses, long flowing (pick your color) hair and sitting room room furnishings.
While Son of A PreacherMan has some of all that, it really took me down a road that was far less traveled in the historical romance genre. That is, the author took the reader into a story that offered solid historical references about the African-American experience in the United States, and offered a glimpse into an extremely interesting time and place.
Set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the story fools you into thinking this is all about a romance between the Son of a PreacherMan, Billy Ray, and a young woman named Benny (short for Benjamina). But this story is a well woven tale that involves several families, their hopes and dreams, their devotion and love for each other and clearly their strong faith in Jesus Christ.
But, what I liked most about this book, was the flaws that each character carried along the story with them. These were real people, real problems and not once did the circumstances strike me as fiction (although yes, I realize it's fiction). They all were caught in what real life offers us -the good and the bad- and while the romance works out in the end, it certainly was a battle to get through, given the individuals needs of propriety while trying to pray through what life handed them.
I liked the dance between all of the characters, sometimes providing a complex moment of thought provoking stillness...to think the situation out. I didn't like "e;joining"e; in the meetings of the White Glove folks, but I realize it was a necessary evil to get to a latter part of what happens in the story. I found the whole dealings with "e;those people"e; distasteful and disconcerting...and I guess that was the whole point.
This was an excellent source of the fictionalization of historical events that were happening in this time period. I actually felt I was there, walking alongside each person, feeling their hurts and celebrating their victories, albeit sometimes small ones, and I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys unexpected twists and turns while on their field trip at the museum.
By Marina Rojas
Synopsis
A historical romance novel set in the 1920s in Tulsa, Oklahoma depicting the segregated life of African Americans in Northern Tulsa and the tensions leading up to the Tulsa Race Riots.
Billy Ray Matthias is the handsome son of the church’s new pastor. Benny is the daughter of the oil rich Freeman family. He's convinced she's the woman God has for him, but she’s not the least bit interested in getting involved. As Billy’s pursuit of Benny intensifies, so does the political and social climate in the Greenwood District, an affluent African American neighborhood.
When tensions come to a head and violence breaks out, Billy and Benny are caught up in the heat of chaos. He vows to keep her safe but will she let him? Will faith in God be enough to sustain the people of Greenwood as their lives are forever changed by deadly acts of hatred?
Synopsis
A historical romance novel set in the 1920s in Tulsa, Oklahoma depicting the segregated life of African Americans in Northern Tulsa and the tensions leading up to the Tulsa Race Riots.
Billy Ray Matthias is the handsome son of the church's new pastor. Benny is the daughter of the oil rich Freeman family. He's convinced she's the woman God has for him but she's not the least bit interested in getting involved. As Billy's pursuit of Benny intensifies, so does the political and social climate in the Greenwood District, an affluent African American neighborhood.
When tensions come to a head and violence breaks out, Billy and Benny are caught up in the heat of chaos. He vows to keep her safe but will she let him? Will faith in God be enough to sustain the people of Greenwood as their lives are forever changed by deadly acts of hatred?
About the Author
MARLENE BANKS resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with being a prolific writer she has an associate degree in Theology from Rhema Bible Institute in Keysville, VA and is currently studying to initiate a Christian counseling ministry. Marlene is a member of Bethel Deliverance International Church in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. Her work resume includes thirty plus years in nursing and over eight years in business as a coordinator and administrative assistant. She considers her writing a means of evangelizing and relating Christian principles through fiction. It is also Marlene¿s goal to bridge the gap between faith-based and secular literature.