About the Book
From the internationally bestselling author of The Atomic City Girls, a provocative new novel about multiple generations of women in one East Tennessee family haunted by violence and redeemed by their rich inheritance of folk music.Ten-year-old Grace is in search of a subject for her fifth-grade history project when she learns that her four times-great grandfather once stabbed his lover to death. His grisly act was memorialized in a murder ballad, her aunt tells her, so it must be true. But the lessons of that revelation--to be careful of men, and desire--are not just Grace's to learn. Her family's tangled past is part of a dark legacy in which the lives of generations of women are affected by the violence immortalized in folksongs like "Knoxville Girl" and "Pretty Polly" reminding them always to know their place--or risk the wages of sin. Janet Beard's stirring novel, informed by her love of these haunting ballads, vividly imagines these women, defined by the secrets they keep, the surprises they uncover, and the lurking sense of menace that follows them throughout their lives. With the same rich sense of place as Bloodroot or Serena, The Ballad of Laurel Springs is an unforgettable portrait of women fighting to make a safe place in the world for themselves and the people they love.
About the Author :
Born and raised in East Tennessee, Janet Beard studied screenwriting at NYU and went on to earn an MFA in creative writing from The New School. She is the bestselling author of The Atomic City Girls and The Ballad of Laurel Springs. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio. Angel Pean is an actor and narrator who thrives on the power of storytelling and being a part of impactful projects that leave their mark. She made her way from Houston, Texas, to NYC to attend the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. There, she obtained a degree in film and television performance. Angel has had the pleasure of training with several coaches and actors, including Jay R. Goldenberg, Maury Ginsberg, and Ruth Nerken. Her love for storytelling, as well as reading, eventually led her to explore the beautiful world of audiobooks! She began studying with narrator and coach, Elise Arsenault, has since built a home studio, and recently finished narrating her very first book: The Vampire's Assistant by Eva Alton, a romantic fantasy now available on Audible. In her free time, you'll certainly find her lounging around with her cat, or dancing. Angel currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, where she is continuing to audition, work, and hone her craft. Andi Arndt is a professional actor who specializes in narration with an emphasis on audiobooks and e-Learning. She taught acting and voice for the James Madison University School of Theatre and Dance for over a decade, and she has worked full time for WMRA hosting classical music and NPR news programming. When not behind the mic, she can be found at live music venues or planning her next travel adventure. Jennifer Jill Araya is an Audie Award Winner, Earphones Award Recipient, American Library Association YALSA Amazing Audiobooks Award Winner, SOVAS Award Finalist, and three-time Independent Audiobook Award Finalist. She has narrated over four hundred audiobooks for a variety of publishers and producers, including Penguin Random House Audio, Simon & Schuster Audio, HarperAudio, Blackstone Publishing, and Audible Studios.
Nancy Wu is an award-winning narrator who has worked in animation, television, theater, and film. Having lived and recorded all over the world, she is known for her vivid action/fantasy characters, accents, and bringing literature and nonfiction equally to life. A graduate of Amherst College with her master's degree in human rights, she is an avid Ashtanga yoga practitioner and rock climber. Born and raised in West Virginia, she currently resides in Boulder, Colorado. Candace Thaxton is an actress and audiobook narrator. She has starred in several films and television shows, including Ghost Town and Law & Order.
Megan Tusing is an experienced actor and audiobook narrator who has numerous credits in stage, film, and television. She has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and, when not on stage or in the booth, can be found knitting in the company of good friends. A native of West Virginia, she currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. Robin Eller is a narrator, actress, singer, and dance educator. She has appeared on stage, in films, and on such television programs as The Bernie Mac Show, The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young and the Restless, and General Hospital, as well as numerous commercials. As a dancer, she has traveled the world with the legendary James Brown.
Coming soon...
Review :
"Lyrical, atmospheric and deeply moving, Janet Beard's new novel, The Ballad of Laurel Springs, explores the legacies--of passion and violence, music and faith--that haunt one family across the generations. A gifted storyteller, Beard brings her native East Tennessee to life with grace and empathy. This book is a stunner."
-- "Jillian Medoff, author of This Could Hurt "
