Featuring Judy C. Andrews - The Author Who Explores Gullah/Geechee Culture

A HERITAGE OF TREASURES

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An Ocean of Jewels (a literary novel) by Judy C. Andrews

“…the language of photographs and a love letter kept appearing on the walls of the cave that had grown in my soul along with the oak trees, especially on my 12th birthday, when my mother’s sweet whispers of her love for me disappeared. That night, I learned the art of dancing people used to wipe tears away…” (From Chapter 1)

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Judy C. Andrews’ debut novel, An Ocean of Jewels, released by The Harlem Writers Guild Press explores Gullah/Geechee culture in a suspenseful, mesmerizing plot. The main character, Imani Jewel Henderson, a former foster child, is forced to seek the knowledge of her rich heritage when her father dies at Christmas on her 29th birthday. A legacy of treasures is in her grasp. Will she find it?

Imani embarks on a journey to discover her father’s mysterious past and the root of her mother’s pain. Readers will learn what Imani uncovers about her family, history, and herself. Join her, in the Gullah/Geechee, fictional towns of Jewel Park, New York, and Eva Creek Island, with a glass of Teacola, some warm sweet potato pone, and a dollop of curiosity.

Other issues explored in the novel are Colorism, Orphan Trains, The Jewish Holocaust, and Bedford-Stuyvesant’s historic, Weeksville community.

A Gift To Treasure - A Novel by Judy C. Andrews

The newly married narrator, Treasure Fields Hawthorne, embraces her hometown, Jewel Park, New York with loving nostalgia, despite bittersweet memories. Her life is altered when she encounters a mysterious teenager. Through the teen's revelations of abuse, Treasure soon learns that Jewel Park, New York, the predominantly African American town founded by descendants of Gullah/Geechee heritage, has changed in plain sight.

While the town's history and cultural fabric remain intact, Treasure soon realizes the teenager's devastating ordeal can destroy the town's legacy, the teen's life, and even her marriage. The teenager's story unfolds to reveal a horrific abuse of power and criminal activity involving kidnapping, sex trafficking, insurance fraud, black market drugs, and possibly murder.

With the help of her husband Herald, as well as family and friends from the Freemasonry community, Treasure must dive headfirst into dangerous situations. Yet, Treasure herself has a painful past she must first overcome. Can Treasure heal and soothe the pain of this teenager? Can Treasure restore honor, dignity, and respect to her hometown and the long-time residents of Jewel Park?

About the Author

Photo Credit: Clinton Long

Judy C. Andrews received a Master of Arts degree in English/Creative Writing from The City College of New York. She has worked as an educator, freelance writer, an editor, and a presidentially appointed children’s advocate. The novel, An Ocean of Jewels (Harlem Writers Guild Press), is available on Kindle and at your favorite bookstores.

Ms. Andrews has completed her second novel of suspense, A Gift to Treasure. It examines the horrors of medical fraud and sexual abuse as well as their impact on an upper-middle-class town in New York.

An Ocean of Jewels is published by Harlem Writers Guild Press in association with AMAZON & Kindle: http://www.tinyurl.com/AnOceanOfJewels - ISBN-13: 978-0595400300

A Gift of Treasure is published by Harlem Writers Guild Press and can now be purchased by clicking here.

For more information on the author, please visit her site Blessed Brown Publishing.