This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
E. B. Shelton, author of Hear the Dirt Sing and Sugarland, blends her love of writing and research with her ancestors’ anecdotes to create memorable stories that educate and entertain. She holds music degrees from East Carolina University (BME) and University of North Texas (MM). Influenced by her diverse careers ranging from university music educator and touring musician to teaching high school math and middle school band, her stories feature rich Southern culture. Ms. Shelton’s writing is found on medium.com/@bethbshelton and www.ebshelton.com while her music can be heard on recordings with the world music ensemble, Tin Roof Tango. Born and raised in Louisiana, she currently lives in Texas with her husband, Mark.
Reviewed by Inga Buccella for Readers' Favorite
Hear the Dirt Sing by E.B. Shelton is a historical novel rooted in the Robinson family, long-time cotton farmers residing in Madison Parish, Louisiana. With ancestry spanning nearly a hundred years, the story is inspired by news clippings and the oral history of four sisters and a sister-in-law. Their Southern tale of grit, teamwork, heartbreak, and redemption is unearthed by Penny, the niece of four of the women. The saga opens in 1970 when Penny sets out to interview her surviving aunts. She recounts the story against the backdrop of the complicated history of slavery, Antebellum, reconstruction, and segregation to her newspaper editor. Chapters chronicle the passage of time with titles referring to The Great Flood and Depression, segregation, and economic challenges. The focus on the effect of the personal struggles of the strong group of women is enlightening. Especially true is the grace and tenacity shown by Aunt Etta May who is an optimal protagonist.
E.B. Shelton's Hear the Dirt Sing had me at its title. But I was also drawn in by the beautiful cover art of a wistful character, I later believed to be Etta May Robinson. Shelton's story is multileveled. Based on historical happenings, the lives of Etta May, Olivia, Julianne, Tommie, Rosalee, and even brother Buddy are told with such rich imagery and character development that I found myself daydreaming. of rocking on that big old porch, surrounded by hydrangeas. But such heavenly imagery is grounded in heavy circumstances and even tragedy. There is a murder, cross burning, and lynching described in this book. But there is also redemption and forgiveness to witness. The soil beneath our own feet has much to tell, but not nearly as much as the dirt in Madison Parish, Louisiana. Listen, hear it sing.
