Winter Prophet

The novel is set in the late nineteenth century and focuses on Winter Grace, the uniquely talented daughter of former slaves, who is determined to become an opera singer, and her best friend, Nathan Fitzpatrick, an undertaker’s son who dreams of becoming a boxer. In the small Kansas town where they grow into adulthood, there seems to be little hope for either of their dreams to be realized.

However, Winter's life takes a dramatic turn when a mysterious Italian voice teacher, La Signora, arrives in town. She is dressed in evening clothes and bears bruises from her abusive famous tenor husband. On the morning train, La Signora's arrival changes everything for Winter.

On their wedding day, Winter and Nathan decide to run away together in pursuit of the lives they have always dreamed of. The novel, Winter Prophet, was inspired by the life of African American opera diva Sisseretta Jones, known as the "Black Patti" (1869-1933).

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