In the Face of the Sun

By: Denny S. Bryce

Narrated by: Tracey Conyer Lee, Lynnette R. Freeman

At the height of the civil rights movement, amidst an America convulsed by the 1960s, a pregnant young woman and her brash, profane aunt embark upon an audacious road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles to confront a decades-old mystery from 1920s Black Hollywood in this haunting novel of historical fiction from the author of Wild Women and the Blues.

A lime-gold Ford Mustang is parked outside my building. Unmistakable. My Aunt Daisy, the driver, is an audacious woman that no one in our family actually speaks to. They only speak about her—and not glowingly. Still, she is part of my escape plan…

1928, Los Angeles: The newly built Hotel Somerville is the hotspot for the city's glittering African-American elite. It embodies prosperity and dreams of equality for all—especially Daisy Washington. An up-and-coming journalist, Daisy anonymously chronicles fierce activism and behind-the-scenes Hollywood scandals in order to save her family from poverty. But power in the City of Angels is also fueled by racism, greed, and betrayal. And even the most determined young woman can play too many secrets too far…

1968, Chicago: For Frankie Saunders, fleeing across America is her only escape from an abusive husband. But her rescuer is her reckless, profane Aunt Daisy, still reeling from her own shattered past. Frankie doesn't want to know what her aunt is up to so long as Daisy can get her to LA—and safety. But Frankie finds there’s no hiding from long-held secrets—or her own surprising strength.

Daisy will do whatever it takes to settle old scores and resolve the past—no matter the damage. And Frankie will come up against hard choices in the face of unexpected passion. Both must come to grips with what they need, what they’ve left behind—and all that lies ahead …

©2022 Denny S. Bryce (P)2022 Recorded Books

meh

I liked the time period and descriptions of life back then, but Daisy felt like two different characters and the narrators weren't great.

Engaging & Well Written

I enjoyed this story of black women and men dealing with the limitations set on them because of race. Set in Los Angeles in a time of early breakthroughs. Then in 1968 as the struggle continues. Great characters and twists & turns.

Pretty good… But had hoped for more

Was looking forward to this book, I love reading about the civil rights movement, and these periods in history, but much of this book was just enough to keep me going, but not enough to be really smitten or compelled to listen at every available opportunity. Considered returning it once or twice, but decided to stick with it. Glad I did, but not going out of my way to recommend to others.

Amazing Storytelling and Weaving of Two Timelines

The narrators were both excellent and made a great book...greater. While listening, I kept thinking what an amazing storyteller Denny S. Bryce is and what an excellent job she was doing weaving two timelines and their stories together: held together from beginning to end. Highly recommend.

Engaging

A well told story. Engaging and keeps your interest. Good character’s description nostalgic in nature.