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In 1976, I fell in love with genealogy. Over the next forty-six years, I amassed a collection of thousands of photographs and documents related to my family heritage. Most importantly, I spent countless hours listening to my MamMaw (grandmother), and my great-aunt tell stories about my ancestors.
During that time, I published several Genealogy books. In September of 2022, I completed a book that had been the dream of a cousin. He had inherited Civil War letters that had "lived" in a pillowcase inside a chair cushion for 158 years. Before realizing his dream, he passed away. Hot on the heels of publishing this work came my sixtieth birthday.
Turning sixty may have been the reason I allowed my older sister to shove me out of my wheelhouse. Older sisters can be pretty bossy. She kept encouraging me to try my hand at writing a book. I intended to write a short story based on our great-grandmother and a few events in her life. Two weeks later, I presented her with a 264-page rough draft of Emma. She read it, insisted I let other family members and friends read it, and the next thing you know, here we are.
I enjoyed writing Emma so much and received such positive feedback about the book that I have completed the second volume in the Heritage Series, Celey.
Who could have known that a Junior High School History assignment would turn into a passion for genealogy and become a love of writing historical fiction novels?
Reviewed by Stephanie Lynn for Readers' Favorite
Celey by Susan Diane Black Blackmon is an American historical fiction novel set in the nineteenth century. Blackmon transports readers back in time to a family not unlike many of our own. Celey's story is one of persistence, faith, and the unyielding American spirit that keeps hope alive, even in the darkest of times. As a child, Celey Dobbs moved from Illinois to a farming community in Waldron, Arkansas during the mid-1800s with her family. When the town's notorious black sheep, Tom Anderson, starts making trouble for the Dobbs family and their neighbors, Daniel Tilman and his family step in to protect Celey and her kin from Andersons' dastardly schemes. Her story begins here and weaves a wondrous tapestry of love and loss, pain and redemption, family and lasting friendships.
Susan Diane Black Blackmon instantly pulled me into the story of Celey and before long I felt as if her story was a glance into my story as well! Her family wasn't wealthy, but were rich in love and had everything they needed, all provided by God. I loved the simple way of life. It is portrayed here as not lacking, but natural and full of unexpected blessings. This is a story of great pain and greater restoration as her family weathers the storms of life. The firm bonds of friendship and community that only grow stronger as the family draws closer is a beautiful testament, and one I felt strongly throughout Celey's story. Celey is a heartfelt and poignant story that's impossible to put down and sure to delight readers!
