Notes from Beale Street

When their family matriarch dies in 1980s Memphis, two very different sisters battle over her legacy—only to discover her long-hidden history in 1940s Tupelo and an unexpected connection to Graceland.

Readers of Tara M. Stringfellow, Brandy Colbert, Nancy Crochiere, ReShonda Tate, and Sadeqa Johnson will be captivated by this powerful story of mothers and daughters, family bonds and forgiveness, and generational sacrifice.

For the Dawkins sisters, even an ocean between them is not distance enough. Free-spirited Suzanne has been at odds with conservative, church-going Paula since childhood. Suzanne pursued a musical career, ending up in Paris as a cabaret singer. Paula stayed in Memphis, becoming a devoted family woman and pillar of the community—but never forgave her sister’s absence, believing it stifled her own dreams.

Their mother, Queenie, blames herself for a tragedy that tore their family apart and has spent her life trying to mend the fracture. But when Queenie dies unexpectedly and the sisters are forced to reunite to resolve her affairs, they discover an unexpected inheritance: tapes of Queenie’s time working for Elvis Presley at Graceland. A publisher hoping to dig up secrets about the famous employer wants to turn them into a book. But Queenie had other secrets of her own and Suzanne and Paula disagree about exposing them. Yet both desperately need money—and long to help the next generation of Dawkins women who appear headed toward their own mistakes.

As they face the truth together and unravel secrets they’d been told were “grown folks’ business,” can they finally fulfill Queenie’s true legacy of healing and forgiveness?

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs