Bøger af Sherman Smith

Sadly, San Francisco, California, has the history and reputation of being a racist city. The year is 1948 and people of color are not allowed to live or work east of Van Ness Avenue. It isn't a law, it's just the way it is. Earl and Stella Crier do not see it that way. They had been happy with their little piano bar out on the avenues until they found themselves in need of more space, so they bought an old hotel in the Tenderloin and turned it into a Private Residency for Musicians. Earl was color blind long before he lost his sight. His love of people and the music of the era attracts an odd lot to The Honeysuckle Rose Hotel including a black trombonist, a light brown gifted songbird, a Nisei Clarinetist, another playing the bass, and a tenor saxophone player who might be the ugliest man in the world. The hotel is not registered with the corrupt San Francisco Musician's Union which has a closed shop policy on people of color. This soon draws the wrath of the union president. Earl, Stella, and the Honeysuckle Rose Quintet will not allow the union to destroy what they love and so begins the battle to save the Honeysuckle Rose Hotel. It is a remarkable story of courage, compassion, character, and a deep determination of a blind pianist to do what is right because it is the right thing to do.

Poets Can't Sing is about courage and the ability to overcome the worst that life can throw at you an comeong straight from the heart. The end of WWII brought the victors home to a world changed forever; not all came back whole. Some, who will never heal, are admitted to the Veteran's Hospital in San Francisco, where they are tucked away, out of sight and mind, from a nation that does not want to be reminded of the worst that men can do to each other in the dark of war. Stella Tate, a senior nurse, has almost run out of compassion, when she is pushed to her limit by two blind men who can not stand the sight of each other, and a Japanese-American (Nisei) medic who must confront a China Marine who has been beaten down by five brutal years of capitivity as a POW. Each on their own terms, dtruggle to break through potent barriers of prejudice, fear, and greed. When medical care falls short, Stella discovers that there are miracles to be found within the musical genious of Earl Crier, a blind crooner with a special gift for singing the blues. Stella's job is on the line when the challenges the corrupt hospital administrator. Her life is in jeapardy when she is forced to protect the two blind men from Elroy Hawks, who will stop at nothing to line his pocket. Elroy loses the first round driving the nightingale, the two blind men, a crippled marine, and a Nisei war hero out onto the more hostile streets of San Francisco where Elroy follows seeking revenge. Stella leaves San Frnancisco because she is afraid to admit that she has fallen in love with Earl only to return facing a desperate search to find her love. She buys a vacant piano bar for Him while fearing that they will never be united. Chance and luck bring them together, unfortunely leaving a trail for Elroy to follow,