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Carol Gosa Summerville
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The Burden of Sweetberry: (African American Christian Fiction) (Chronicles of the Hamlet of Sipsey Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Carol Gosa-Summerville (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 59 ratings
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Set in Sipsey, Alabama in the early 1960s …

Sweetberry has lived her life depending on men. She left home as a teenager with soul singer, Eddie Simpson, hoping to live the high life in New York City. When that life ends in a tragedy, she returns home sick and penniless. With no skills and a child to take care of, all she has is her beauty and sensuality, and they become her bargaining chips with men.

A Powerful Story of Sin and Redemption

Josiah Hess, a respectable married man and deacon of the church, falls in love with Sweetberry. His compassion for her situation compels him to offer that if she'll stop bedding down with other men, he'll take care of her. Sweetberry agrees to this arrangement, and they begin a long term affair in the presence of the community, the church, and even his wife. A child is born to Sweetberry during this affair. Then Luther McGill comes to town. A big shot and a braggart, Luther McGill is immediately attracted to Sweetberry. His wooing of her over the other women in town emboldens her and she begins a relationship with him. Believing Sweetberry's interest in him is a passing fancy, Josiah Hess doesn't challenge it. But Luther's control of Sweetberry and his disdain for the deacon set off a series of events that end with Josiah Hess killing him on the church ground. Living with the aftermath of this tragedy sends Sweetberry into an abyss of demons and darkness and a fierce struggle for a life of redemption

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 4
    Chronicles of the Hamlet of Sipsey
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    May 25, 2016
  6. Reading age
    16 - 18 years
  7. Grade level
    12 and up
  8. File size
    681 KB
  9. Page Flip
    Enabled
  10. Word Wise
    Enabled
  11. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The southern black church is prominently on display in this book. From preaching and singing to baptism and shouting, this book captures our worship experience.

The characters in this book are people you know. They love, they cry, they give you a piece of their minds, and stand with you in the face of terror.

You might find the scene with the Klu Klux Klan amusing.

Watch the transformation of the main character, Sweetberry, as she grapples with the tragedy she's witnessed.

From the Author

The southern black church is prominently on display in this book.  From preaching and singing to baptism and shouting, this book captures our worship experience. 

The characters in this book are people you know.  They love, they cry, they give you a piece of their minds, and stand with you in the face of terror.

You might find the scene with the Klu Klux Klan amusing.

Watch the transformation of the main character, Sweetberry, as she grapples with the tragedy she's witnessed.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01G6C7184
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 25, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 681 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 59 ratings

About the author

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Carol Gosa Summerville

Carol Gosa Summerville

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Carol Gosa-Summerville was born in Gordo, Alabama, and came of age during the late 1960's and seventies. Her story telling is built upon the stories told by the "old folks," those who lived during strictly segregated times as well as her own experiences with the changing American society beginning in the 1960's.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
59 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Book Babe
5.0 out of 5 stars The Burden of Sweetberry is Bittersweet
Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2017
Verified Purchase
Wow!! Although I was born in a small town in South Carolina, I was raised in DC (since I was 2 until the present). We did however spend every Summer down there with my granny and cousins all during the 60's. Having that exposure made me enjoy this story even more. I could just picture everyone and everything going on. Even though I was a little girl at the time, I'm sure there was some 'grown folk' drama going on in that little town. I honestly don't think the Klan was down in that part of town and I didn't even know about the Klan until I was old enough to understand - Thank God! I loved this story and Sweetberry and her girls!
One person found this helpful
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Shirley McAllister
5.0 out of 5 stars Tragedy and redemption
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2018
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All Sweetberry wanted was to be respectable and give her children a good life. When her lifelong companion killed her new boyfriend life changed for her forever. From a prostitute to a preacher, the story of Sweetberry is worth telling. The beginning of the civil rights movement and the standoff with the Klu Klux Klan was just a beginning but empowered the people in her small town. It is a raw and moving story.
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V.E.
4.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
The Burden of Sweetberry by Carol Gosa Summerville is an engrossing tale that encapsulates the nature of human frailty and the fight for redemption. The book takes place within the black southern church community which is well described and fluidly written. There is an abundance of historical attention to detail, as well as emotionally distraught and challenged characters. When adultery is brought into the mix, the story begins to unfold, and tragedy ensues. A complicated love triangle and the emotions involved are wonderfully wrought and bring the characters to life. Summerville has written a compellingly accurate portrayal of not only the south with it's full history, but a story that pulls on the heartstrings. This story will make you think, and will leave you looking forward to what hopefully will be an upcoming sequel. Highly recommend.
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Carolyn M. Gosa
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2016
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This book is well written from beginning to end!!! The emotional development of each character provides human element & real fascination!!!!! Each chapter dramatic action leaves you wanting to read the next chapter!!! The conflict, tension, suspense & curiosity hooked me!!!! The story is relatable to the churches of the past & possibly to some of our churches today!!! I laughed, I cried & I really gave serious thought to the novel's plot!!! From the beginning, to the climax, to the end... This book kept me captivated and held me hostage!!!
4 people found this helpful
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Happy Lady Sara
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely enjoyable read
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2019
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If I could I would give this book 10 stars. The characters were believable and I felt as though I was there in the story. At times I did not want the book to end. I fell in love with this author and look forward to reading more of her work.
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R. Brooks
5.0 out of 5 stars I truly enjoyed reading this book
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2016
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I truly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were very relatable, almost like some family members. Having spent a lot of summers during my youth in Selma Alabama, I experienced some of the racial divide. The author made me feel as if I were in the room, like a fly on the wall, during most of the book. I anxiously await Mrs. Gosa-Summerville's next offering.
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Rashaunda Thomas
4.0 out of 5 stars The Burden of Sweetberry is a great read! I really enjoyed the details of the ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2016
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The Burden of Sweetberry is a great read! I really enjoyed the details of the scenes that out you right in the heart of the action ..
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Cynthia Diane Aaron
5.0 out of 5 stars Real-World Prose
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2016
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I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author highlighted the thoughtful prayers and some of my favorite hymns. In the book, The Burden of Sweetberry, the author provided a real-world sense of the characters and their experiences. I most certainly recommend this book to others .
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

marijke florisson
4.0 out of 5 stars In the end of it a good story. Different but it happened in the 50 ...
Reviewed in Australia on June 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Not really I expected. In the end of it a good story. Different but it happened in the 50 and 60st. All things has been changed in my life time. Cheers Marijke
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