the brand new debut novel from cindy morgan
A LYRICAL COMING-OF-AGE NOVEL SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE TURBULENT SOUTH IN THE EARLY 1960S.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Mockingbird family has always lived peacefully in Jubilee, Kentucky, despite the divisions that mark their small town. Until the tense summer of 1963, when their youngest child, Isaac, falls gravely ill. Middle sister Grace, nearly fourteen, is determined to do whatever it takes to save her little brother. With her father and mother away at the hospital, Grace is left under the loving but inexperienced eye of her aunt June, with little to do but wait and worry. Inspired by a young teacher’s mission for change, she begins to flirt with danger―and with a gifted boy named Golden, who just might be the key to saving Isaac’s life. Then the unthinkable happens, and the world as she knows it shifts in ways she never could have imagined. Grace must decide what she believes amid the swirling, conflicting voices even of those she loves the most.
From gifted songwriter Cindy Morgan comes this lyrical, tender tale of a girl standing at the threshold of adulthood, learning the depths of the human heart and the bonds of family that bend, break, and bind together over and over again.
Get a sneak peek of the first chapter.
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“Fans of classic coming-of-age stories such as To Kill a Mockingbird or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn will enjoy this unflinching tale of an American family longing for a “Year of Jubilee,” where debts are forgiven and captives are set free.”
About the Author
Singer/songwriter Cindy L. Morgan is a two-time Grammy nominee, a thirteen-time Dove winner, and a recipient of the prestigious Songwriter of the Year trophy. An East Tennessee native, her evocative melodies and lyrics have mined the depths of life and love both in her own recording and through songwriting for noteworthy artists around the globe, including Vince Gill, India.Arie, Rascal Flatts, Amy Grant, Sandra McCracken, and Glen Campbell
Cindy is the author of two works of adult nonfiction—the memoir How Could I Ask for More: Stories of Blessings, Battles & Beauty (Worthy Inspire, 2015) and Barefoot on Barbed Wire: A Journey Out of Fear into Freedom (Harvest House Publishers, 2001)—and of the children's picture book Dance Me, Daddy (ZonderKidz, 2009). The Year of Jubilee is her debut novel.
Cindy is a cocreator of the charitable Hymns for Hunger Tour, which has raised awareness and resources for hunger relief organizations across the globe. Cindy has two daughters and splits time living between a small town near Nashville and Holly Springs, North Carolina with her husband Jonathan.
Amy Grant
“Set in 1963, in the coal mining town of Jubilee, Kentucky, author Cindy Morgan weaves the threads of the multi- layered fabric of young Grace’s life through her interactions with family and their divided community. Against this backdrop of cultural change and uncertainty, Grace’s coming-of-age story is told. I’ve never experienced a more intimate and fascinating portrayal of these times in a story told with such empathy and compassion.”
Lynda Randle
“In this emotional, heart gripping and soul stirring novel . . . the reader gets to travel back in time on a journey of redemptive healing and forgiveness. The Year of Jubilee is a must read, especially for anyone struggling with seeing the world around them through the eyes of another!”
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“Set in 1963, in the coal mining town of Jubilee, Kentucky, author Cindy Morgan weaves the threads of the multi- layered fabric of young Grace’s life through her interactions with family and their divided community. Against this backdrop of cultural change and uncertainty, Grace’s coming-of-age story is told. I’ve never experienced a more intimate and fascinating portrayal of these times in a story told with such empathy and compassion.”
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“The Year of Jubilee is such a compelling and powerful story that it is clear Cindy’s gift includes more than just music. I would now describe her as simply a brilliant and expressive writer.”
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“The Year of Jubilee is a poignant coming of age story set during a turbulent time in our country’s history in the 1960’s. This one is sure to stir your heart.”
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“Some stories are told, others like The Year of Jubilee are woven into the reader’s heart. With honesty and bravery, a compelling coming-of-age heroine confronts ignorance and racial prejudice in the deep South while wrestling with her own past demons—and learning the price of forgiveness. A beautiful story wondrously told!”
Q&A WITH CINDY
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“The Year of Jubilee is such a compelling and powerful story that it is clear Cindy’s gift includes more than just music. I would now describe her as simply a brilliant and expressive writer.”
Mandisa, GRAMMY award-winning artist
“The Year of Jubilee is a poignant coming of age story set during a turbulent time in our country’s history in the 1960’s. This one is sure to stir your heart.”
T. I. Lowe, bestselling author of Under the Magnolias
“Some stories are told, others like The Year of Jubilee are woven into the reader’s heart. With honesty and bravery, a compelling coming-of-age heroine confronts ignorance and racial prejudice in the deep South while wrestling with her own past demons—and learning the price of forgiveness. A beautiful story wondrously told!”
Tamera Alexander, USA Today bestselling author of Colors of Truth
“Cindy Morgan is an award-winning singer and songwriter, and her prose is as lyrical as her music. This heartbreaking coming-of-age story eloquently portrays the hellish and heavenly nature of Kentucky life in the 1960s with great detail and sensitivity. Morgan's story will make you grateful for the Word’s healing touch, the complicated bonds of family and friendship, and the power of air conditioning on a scorching summer day. What a delicious slice of Southern fiction!”
Robin W. Pearson, award-winning author of A Long Time Comin' and Walking in Tall Weeds
“Cindy Morgan takes us on a barefoot walk into the heart of Jubilee, Kentucky, as her authentic characters fumble toward love and justice in the divided south. Vivid with style and substance, Cindy Morgan’s debut novel is a down-to-earth masterpiece.”
Sandra McCracken, singer-songwriter, recording artist and author
“A brilliant story, woven with beautifully crafted characters and rich, colorful detail. Your heart will be stirred as you come to see through the eyes of the insightful narrator, and learning of her family, her life, and her struggle to understand God, will inspire you to contemplate your own journey in new ways.”
Ginny Owens, musical artist and author of Singing in the Dark
“Cindy brings empathy, a poetic perspective and a resounding hope that calls from the depths to this story. It’s the story of her family, and the story of all of us who have loved and lost and grieved and tenaciously clung to hope. All of us who have experienced Jubilee.”
Sissy Goff, bestselling author of Raising Worry-Free Girls
“Cindy Morgan's debut novel The Year of Jubilee struck so many personal chords within me, transporting me back to a small-town life in the hills and hollers of Kentucky. . . . A story that will tantalize your heart and soul to the very end!”
Donna Jordon, Branch Librarian of Eagleville Bicentennial Public Library
Events
April 18 BOOK LAUNCH DAY- Chris Fabry Live
April 20th- Book Luncheon Event at Eagleville Bicentennial (private event)
April 20th Baker Book House Event 6 pm central time
April 21st Jubilee at The Blue Bird 9 pm- special guests Tommy Sims, Marcus Hummon, & Jonathan Kingham
April 29th - Circle of Friends - Nashville Tennessee
May 5- Home By Dark concert series - Alpharetta Georgia 7 pm
May 6- Book signing at Fox Tale Books Alpharetta Georgia (11-1)
May 6 -Home By Dark concert series - 7 pm Alpharetta Georgia
May 13- Cedar Springs Bookstore event Knoxville Tn. - 11-1
May 15-20- Songwriting Retreat Cleveland Ohio
May 21- Music Festival Raleigh Fairgrounds- 4 pm show
June 1- City Gate conference - Orlando Florida
June 21/22- Tyndale House Chapel event - Chicago Illinois
June 24th - Librarian Conference - Chicago Illinois
July24-28 Centricty Writing Retreat
August 6-10- Mercyland Writing Retreat
August- pending - opening for Drew Holcomb - date TBD
Murray Kentucky bookstore/ bluegrass event- pending date
Columbia Tn bookstore event - pending
Septemebr 21st- Jack Center performing arts writers round
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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