Review: The Supremes Sing The Happy Heartache Blues – Edward Kelsey Moore

I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

From the author of the bestselling The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues, an exuberant and poignant new novel of passions, family, and forgiveness

When a late life love affair blooms between Mr. Forrest Payne, the owner of the Pink Slipper Gentleman’s Club, and Miss Beatrice Jordan, famous for stationing herself at the edge of the club’s parking lot and yelling warnings of eternal damnation at the departing patrons, their wedding summons a legend to town. Mr. El Walker, the great guitar bluesman, comes home to give a command performance in Plainview, Indiana, a place he’d sworn―and for good reason―he’d never set foot in again.

But El is not the only Plainview native with a hurdle to overcome. A wildly philandering husband struggles at last to prove his faithfulness to the wife he’s always loved. And among those in this tightly knit community who show up every Sunday after church for lunch at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, are the lifelong friends, known locally as “The Supremes” ―Clarice, facing down her longing for, chance at and fear of a great career; Barbara Jean, grappling at last with the loss of a mother whose life humiliated both of them, and Odette, reaching toward her husband through an anger of his that she does not understand.

Edward Kelsey Moore’s lively cast of characters, each of whom have surmounted serious trouble and come into love, need not learn how to survive but how, fully, to live. And they do, every one of them, serenaded by the bittersweet and unforgettable blues song El Walker plays, born of his own great loss and love.

After reading Edward Kelsey Moore’s debut novel, The Supremes At Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat – I was over-the-moon to receive an advanced copy of The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues.

Moore’s debut novel, The Supremes At Earl’s introduced readers to childhood friends, Barbara Jean, Clarice, and Odette who are affectionately known as The Supremes. The name Supremes came from three of them always being together. Even when they became adults – they didn’t miss a beat. They have seen each other through childbirth, death, marriage, illness, and still have remained close friends. They (along with their spouses) still meet up at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat diner every Sunday after church.

Let’s talk about The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues…

The Supremes are Back, but they aren’t taking center stage this time around. The author focuses on other familiar characters – Forest Payne (owner of The Pink Slipper Gentlemen’s Club), Beatrice Johnson (one of The Supremes mother), and a “stranger” who swore years ago that he would never return to Plainview, and few other characters readers will remember from the first book. There are also a few new colorful characters in the mix.

The Supremes Sing the Happy Heartache Blues stays true to its title because there are some happy times, trying times, and times when their heart couldn’t do anything else but sing the blues.

One thing that I love about Author Edward Kelsey Moore is his ability to create deeply developed characters.

Now to my mix feelings – The book is good and can be a stand-alone read. But I do recommend reading the first book before reading this book. Even though it was a good read, it lacked the spark that made the first book unforgettable. The main characters in the first book left such an impression on me – that it was hard to see them take the “background” position in this novel.

The Supremes were present, but most of the story focuses on the “mystery” character and his connection with one of Plainview residents. I was pleased that we discovered more about the men of Plainview but I felt there was too much focus on the new characters. There’s so much I want to say, but I don’t want to reveal any spoilers.

My fingers are crossed that Author Moore writes another novel in the Supreme series.

Reviewed by: Orsayor

Comments

comments