By Karen McCarraher
The author describes her book as “a woman’s crime love story set in the urban Midwest during the Great Depression”.
Ella Monroe grew up in the south side of Chicago with an alcoholic, prostitute mother. After an attack by one of her mother’s “clients”, Dulce moved in with Mama Lee who ran a day care center in her neighborhood. Dulce dreamed of becoming a couture fashion designer. She did not go to school; but Mama Lee recognized how bright she was and provided books and materials for her to learn.
When she was in her teens, she met Perry Savage, an Army Captain, and spent one night in delightful ecstasy. She left him early the next morning with just a note. Perry searched for her but because she had not given him her true name, he was unable to find her and he returned to the Army.
Dulce’s friends had nicknamed her “Lil Empress”. As she grew older, she despised her poverty and drifted towards the dark side of Chicago. Although she still dreamed of becoming an international fashion designer, she began running numbers for “Countess” who was a queen in Detroit’s gambling trade. She saved her money and bought a run-down hotel in Gary, Indiana. She had it completely refurbished and named it “The Palace”. It was from there that she launched her gambling and other activities such as money laundering. These were very lucrative and Empress became very rich.
Years later, she again met Perry Savage. They fell in love and were married. Perry became her bodyguard, hotel manager and anything else Empress asked him to do. All the while she continued to design clothes for herself, Countess, Mama Lee, Perry and all her friends.
During that time, the Midwest (as well as other parts of this country) was blighted with racial discrimination and police corruption. Empress had managed to keep her business away from them until one day, when she and Mama Lee went out to buy sodas and they encountered the police. Empress was arrested for no reason and when Mama Lee objected, the police chief grabbed her around the neck and choked her to death. Thus began a war between the corrupt politicians and police and Empress’ organization. Empress was disgusted with America. She and Perry went to France and noted that people of color were not treated differently. Empress longed to move and raise her children there.
So, readers, do Empress and Perry get their happily ever after or is she destroyed by the Chicago or Gary, Indiana corruption? Does Empress ever fulfill her dream of fashion design? Read on to find out.
This is a powerful book about the climate in America in the thirties, the joy of family and friends, and the love and belief in God. And thank heaven for the teacher who told the author: “Girl, write the damn book”…
About the Author
Tarris Marie was raised by her grandparents who lived in the Midwest. She grew up listening to their music and hearing their stories which formed the basis for her book. It is our hope that Tarris will continue to bless us with more of her talent.
Published by:
Black Odyssey Media, LLC, Dallas, TX
Available from Amazon.com