Synopses & Reviews
A fearless and spirited pilot conquers Hollywood. Now can she survive movie stardom?
In 1945, Velva Jean Hart is a bona fide war heroine. After a newsreel films her triumphant return to America, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer promises to make her a star. They give her a new life story and a brand new name. As Kit Rogers,” she navigates the movie sets, recording sessions, parties, staged romances, and occasional backstabbing that accompany her newfound fame. She also navigates real-life romance, finding herself caught between a charismatic young writer and a sexy and enigmatic musician from her past. But when one of her best friends dies mysteriously and the most powerful studio in the world launches a cover-up, Velva Jean goes in search of the truth risking her own life, as well as her heart, in the process.
Set during Hollywoods Golden Age and peopled with a cast of unforgettable characters, American Blonde will mesmerize readers of The Chaperone as well as fans of the Velva Jean series.
Review
"I devoured
Velva Jean Learns to Fly and immediately began spreading the word: This one is not to be missed!"
-Cassandra King, author of The Same Sweet Girls
"A tasteful blend of comedy, inspiration, and endurance."
-Publishers Weekly
"You don't have to read the first to become completely engrossed with the second, but once you meet Velva Jean, you're going to want to!"
-American Library Association
Review
"I devoured Velva Jean Learns to Fly and immediately began spreading the word: This one is not to be missed!" -Cassandra King, author of The Same Sweet Girls
Review
"You don't have to read the first to become completely engrossed with the second, but once you meet Velva Jean, you're going to want to!" -American Library Association
Review
Praise for Velva Jean Learns to Fly:
A Southern Literary Review “Read of the Month”
“An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart—Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go.”
—Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
“Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Nivens writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013.”
—Booklist, starred review
“Readers who enjoy Fannie Flagg and other down-home Southern writers will be entertained by this saucy adventure sprinkled with a gamut of human emotions.”
—Library Journal
“A tasteful blend of comedy, inspiration, and endurance . . . filled with love, despair, and life-threatening adventures. Niven delivers another tale full of hope, heartbreak, and nostalgia in this sequel to Velva Jean Learns to Drive.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A very special World War II novel. . . . Jennifer Nivens ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail.”
—Southern Literary Review
“Velva Jeans story delves into the contributions made by amazing women during World War II and tells a compassionate story about adventure, love, and war. This is a wonderful book—very hard to put down.”
—Ann Howard Creel, author of The Magic of Ordinary Days
“A sweeping adventure that takes the reader from the streets of Nashville to the belly of a WWII bomber.”
—Benjamin Percy, award-winning author of Red Moon and The Wilding
“In this fun, fast-paced, heartwarming sequel to Velva Jean Learns to Drive, we follow the beloved young heroine from her mountain home to Nashville. But soon after Pearl Harbor is attacked, Velva Jean begins singing a new song—one full of patriotism, courage, and feisty independence. The perfect read for any girl of any age who years to soar beyond her dreams.”
—Susan Gregg Gilmore, author of The Funeral Dress and Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen
“From the ballads of the Grand Ole Opry to the magnificent women of Avenger Field, Jennifer Niven spins a tall tale that is utterly heartfelt and rings true.”
—Sherri L. Smith, award-winning author of Flygirl
“Putting this one down is a near impossibility. The descriptions of the work, the prejudice, fear, and bittersweet success of becoming a female pilot seemed so real I felt as if I were sharing every step with Velva Jean.”
—Nancy E. Turner, award-winning author of These Is My Words
“I devoured Velva Jean Learns to Fly and immediately began spreading the word: This one is not to be missed!”
—Cassandra King, author of The Same Sweet Girls
“Who would have thought that a young woman's adventures in World War II would capture my attention—and keep it? This gripping, heartwarming action-adventure tale stays with you long after you turn the last page.”
—James Earl Jones, Tony Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning actor
Review
PRAISE FOR AMERICAN BLONDE:
“Jennifer Niven is a stunning talent. Like Elmore Leonard, she's such a sneaky good writer that you might not notice what she's up to. On one level, American Blonde is a crackling thriller that will keep you up all night until the pieces of the plot come together. At the same time, it's an elegantly written, impressively researched novel that makes idealism, heroism, and a romantic era come to life. Either way, it's a total knockout.”
—Jonathan Eig, New York Times bestselling author of Get Capone, Luckiest Man, and Opening Day
“Fans will relish this latest installment in the adventures of Velva Jean.”
— Booklist
“American Blonde is utterly enthralling from the first page to the last, thanks to the magic of Jennifer Niven's lovely writing, and the riveting drama of her character's quest for her dreams and for herself.”
— Rosemary Harris, Tony Award-winning, Emmy Award-winning actress
“Niven captures perfectly the artificiality of Hollywood and the iron grip of the studio system in the 1940s.”
—Historical Novel Society
“Every moment of American Blonde sparkles with wit, excitement, and historical accuracy.”
—North Valley Magazine
“American Blonde: A Novel is wonderfully constructed, with an amazingly shocking end showing the story to be a great thriller as well as a work of romance and historical fiction. Highly recommended.”
—Crystal Book Review
“Velva Jean is a spunky, modern heroine with a knock-out voice.”
—Reading Lark
“American Blonde mixes golden age drama with a touch of noir mystery.”
—ARe Café
“Its an exciting book that paints a vivid picture of the movie industry of the time . . . Velva Jean is a brave, smart and loyal woman.”—Bookworm is my Totem“If youre a fan of Hollywoods Golden Age theres plenty for you here [with a] murder mystery . . . good enough to hold your interest even if youre not fascinated by the machinations of the studio system.”
—Verity Reads Books
PRAISE FOR BECOMING CLEMENTINE:
“A spirited tale of courage, honor and loyalty. Jennifer Niven succeeds in not only illuminating an important and little-known role played by women during the war, but creating an unforgettable and heartfelt story that will resonate with readers far and wide.”
—Pam Jenoff, author of The Diplomats Wife
PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO FLY:
Featured on Los Angeles Magazine's "To Read" list for August 2011
Named the September Read of the Month by the Southern Literary Review
“An endearing portrait of a young woman with a big heart—Velva Jean Learns to Fly illuminates the power of going after a dream and the courage it takes to never let go."
—Beth Hoffman, bestselling author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt
“Besides creating a gutsy heroine, who, despite the repressive times, never becomes bitter, Niven's writing shines overall. Cheers to Niven, Velva Jean, and the two further books of her remarkable story to come in 2012 and 2013.”
—Booklist, starred review
“A very special World War II novel…. Jennifer Nivens ongoing portrayal of this totally engaging young woman set within a stunning vision of the American South during WWII is a major achievement. The explorations of the Nashville music industry and the WASP initiative are rich in evocative detail.”
—Southern Literary Review
PRAISE FOR VELVA JEAN LEARNS TO DRIVE:
An August 2009 Indie Next Pick
A Summer 2010 Indie Next Reader's Group "Top Ten" Pick
A Costco Pick (Pennie's Book Pick of the Month for August 2009)
“A touching read, funny and wise, like a crazy blend of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, a less morose Flannery OConnor, and maybe a shot of Hank Williams . . . Niven makes some memorable moonspun magic in her rich fiction debut.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A fluid storyteller.”
—Wall Street Journal
“Spirited.”
—Parade
Review
“Scarlet Plume will remain in ones mind for a long time because his character is so indelibly fixed. This is a compelling story, powerfully written by an experienced craftsman familiar with Indian customs.”—Library Journal
Review
“[Manfreds] novel stands with Hal Borlands When the Legends Die, Mari Sandozs Cheyenne Autumn, and Oliver La Farges Laughing Boy.”—New York Times Book Review
Synopsis
From the author of the New York Times bestselling All the Bright Places, after Pearl Harbor Velva Jean signs up for service and gets her wings, risking her life-and her heart. Velva Jean Hart, the fiercely independent heroine of Jennifer Niven's (Becoming Clementine) spectacular debut novel, Velva Jean Learns to Drive, returns in a captivating adventure that literally sends her soaring. Bristling at the limitations faced by a woman in rural Appalachia and fuelled by the memory of her late Mama telling her to "live out there," Velva Jean hits the road to pursue her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. But after a string of auditions, she begins to lose hope- until her brother pays her a surprise visit and treats Velva Jean to a flying lesson that ignites a brand-new dream: to become a female pilot. Funny, poignant, and utterly unforgettable, Velva Jean Learns to Fly will have fans cheering all over again
Synopsis
From the author of theNew York TimesbestsellersHolding Up the UniverseandAll the Bright Places(soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning). After Pearl Harbor, Velva Jean signs up for service and gets her wings, risking her life and her heart. "A major achievement.
Southern Literary Review Velva Jean Hart, the fiercely independent heroine of Jennifer Niven's spectacular debut novel, Velva Jean Learns to Drive, returns in a captivating adventure that literally sends her soaring. Bristling at the limitations faced by a woman in rural Appalachia and fueled by the memory of her late Mama telling her to "live out there," Velva Jean hits the road to pursue her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. Then her beloved big brother pays a surprise visit and treats Velva Jean to a flying lesson that ignites a brand-new dream: to become a female pilot with the WASPs of World War II. Funny, poignant, and utterly unforgettable, Velva Jean Learns to Fly will have fans cheering all over again.
"
Synopsis
After Pearl Harbor and the start of World War II, fiercely independent heroine Velva Jean enlists, gets her wings, risks her life--and her heart in this bold and inspiring novel f
rom the author of the New York Times bestsellers Holding Up the Universe and All the Bright Places (soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning). Bristling at the limitations faced by a woman in rural Appalachia and fueled by the memory of her late Mama telling her to "live out there," Velva Jean hits the road to pursue her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. Little does she know that another captivating adventure awaits: one that will send her literally soaring.
But then, her beloved big brother pays a surprise visit and treats Velva Jean to a flying lesson that ignites a brand-new dream: to become a female pilot with the WASPs of World War II. Funny, poignant, and utterly unforgettable, Velva Jean Learns to Fly will have fans cheering all over again.
"A major achievement."--Southern Literary Review
Synopsis
After Pearl Harbor, Velva Jean signs up for service and gets her wings, risking her life-and her heart.
Velva Jean Hart, the fiercely independent heroine of Jennifer Niven's (Becoming Clementine) spectacular debut novel, Velva Jean Learns to Drive, returns in a captivating adventure that literally sends her soaring. Bristling at the limitations faced by a woman in rural Appalachia and fuelled by the memory of her late Mama telling her to "live out there," Velva Jean hits the road to pursue her dream of singing at the Grand Ole Opry. But after a string of auditions, she begins to lose hope- until her brother pays her a surprise visit and treats Velva Jean to a flying lesson that ignites a brand-new dream: to become a female pilot. Funny, poignant, and utterly unforgettable, Velva Jean Learns to Fly will have fans cheering all over again
Synopsis
In 1862 the largest Indian uprising in American history occurred in southern Minnesota. Enraged Sioux attempted to throw off the broken treaties that still bound them and to avenge the insults and depredations they had been forced to bear. Hundreds of whites were killed. Women were taken captive.
Told from the point of view of Judith Raveling, a young woman widowed by the uprising, Scarlet Plume draws on the brutal history of the conflict from beginning to end. Taken captive by the Sioux, Judith is given to Scarlet Plume, one of the many warriors who know their cause is lost. Caught between the men who would wage war ruthlessly and his own judgment, which tells him how dearly the Sioux will pay for every white person killed, Scarlet Plume tries to save as many as he can. Defying the dangers of a pitiless war, he returns Judith to the safety of her people. Soon she must try to save him. Scarlet Plume is the third of Frederick Manfreds five-volume series, The Buckskin Man Tales.
About the Author
Frederick Manfred (1912-94) is the author of twenty-four novels, including the five-volume series The Buckskin Man Tales, of which Lord Grizzly (available in a Bison Books edition) was a finalist for the 1954 National Book Award.
Arthur R. Huseboe (1931-2010) was the executive director of the Center for Western Studies and is the author and editor of several books, including The Letters of Frederick Manfred.
John Calvin Rezmerski is a professor emeritus of English at Gustavus Adolphus College and the author of several books, including The Frederick Manfred Reader.