Delilah's Daughters

by Angela Benson

An inspirational story about the allure of fame and the faith that binds a family forever . . . Delilah Monroe has done everything in her power to keep her three daughters strong since the death of her husband. And a big part of that connection is their singing group, Delilah's Daughters. Veronica, Roxanne, and Alisha each have their own unique sense of self, but they all share the dream of Delilah's Daughters hitting the Billboard charts. Now, just as they enter the final round of a national talent show, a record producer approaches Veronica with the promise of fame . . . if she goes solo. Then the man Delilah has always leaned on wants more from her than just friendship, and someone from her past comes calling with a shocking secret. Will Delilah be able to hold her family together?

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, African American

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2014

About the author

Though Angela Benson began writing fiction in Miss Milizo's fifth grade English class, her first book was not published until 1994, more than thirty years later! Since then, Angela has published twelve novels, two novellas, and a nonfiction writing book. Her books have appeared on national, regional and local bestseller lists, and she has won several writing awards, including Best Multicultural Romance from Romantic Times magazine, and Best Contemporary Ethnic Romance from Affaire de Coeur magazine. She was a finalist for the 2000 Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in Multicultural Romance.

After publishing seven contemporary romance novels and one novella with Kensington and Harlequin, Angela made a faith move to Christian fiction in 2000 with the publication of Awakening Mercy, the first book in her Genesis House series from Tyndale House Publishers. Awakening Mercy was a finalist for both the RITA Award given by Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction. The second book in the Genesis House series, Abiding Hope, was published in September 2001. Abiding Hope was awarded the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance presented by the Romance Slam Jam. The third book and final book of the series, Enduring Love, is not yet scheduled.

BET Books, now Harlequin's Kimani Press purchased the mass market rights to Awakening Mercy and Abiding Hope in 2000 and released mass market editions of the titles in June 2002 and June 2003, respectively.

Angela's first hardcover title, The Amen Sisters, was released in September 2005 by Walk Worthy Press. The Essence bestselling title won the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance. The trade paperback edition was released in November 2007.

Up Pops the Devil, published by HarperCollins (Avon A) in August 2008, was Angela's eleventh novel. It was selected the November 2008 African-American Book Club Pick at Books-A-Million and was featured in the September-October 2008 issue of UPSCALE Magazine.

Angela's twelfth novel, Sins of the Father (Avon A), hits bookstores in September 2009. Her second novella, Showers of Blessings, in the A Million Blessings (Dafina) anthology, was published in March 2010.

Angela has a diverse education and work history. She majored in mathematics at Spelman College and Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and worked for fifteen years as an engineer in the telecommunications industry. She holds Masters degrees in operations research and human resources development. Her most recent degree is a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Georgia. Dr. Benson is now an associate professor of educational technology at The University of Alabama.

Reviews

[Destiny “ Dee” · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by this author. It was a very good book. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between the sisters and mother. What a great way to weave in forgiveness, family, love, and business. The sisters began singing as a group and competed in a competition for a recording contract. Although performers have talent, when you put the final decision into the hands of the public, your favorite performer/group may not get the prize. See what happens after the competition these ladies compete in. Their relationships, family connections, and love for one another will be tested. I recommend this book to sisters, mothers, and in general, ladies who like to read a good book.

[BookNerd4Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do, when what you want to do may cause riff-raff with your family? Do you follow your desire for the spot light or do you stay with the family's plan? Do you follow the advice of your husband, even when all he really wants is to keep you from everyone and anyone: he wants to be your all? Delilah's Daughters is a book about being true to one's own self, being allowed to make mistakes, asking for and receiving forgiveness,doing wrong and realizing that one day your actions will come full circle. It is a book that will make you second guess the characters actions and when you think you know what it about to happen: bammm, the opposite occurs. It is definitely a must read and would be great for a book club meeting. 4.5/5 starts.

[Iamshawnda Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delilah's Daughters -Angela Benson This book was amazing from start to beginning to the end. Delilah Daughters was based on family that was a family gospel singing group that was living the dream that father had left behind. There were a lot of twist and turns that were great and well thought out. The secret that was revealed in this story was mind blowing, this was an amazing story that taught family values,secrets, communication and more.

[Jackie Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sisterly delight

Life can go down a different path than we have chosen. That doesn't mean it is not what we want, but may be what we need

[Laverne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headline: Betwix and between
The beginning and end of Delilah Daughter’s is sprinkled with some elements of speculative fiction, which added a really good mix to the Monroe family reveal. One reveal was having the ability to connect with Rocky and hear his thoughts were nothing short of brilliance. This touched my heart and I am sure many readers felt the same as they began and ended this journey.
I read a quote once that really resonated with me and connected me to this story “a family is a patchwork of personalities tied together with heartstrings.” As a family we are all part of the same quilt. The challenge comes when pieces of the same quilt are shuffled away from the other squares due to dreams and aspirations; how do you get the quilt pieces sewed together again?
Delilah’s Daughters is an inspirational story which tugs at your heart and teases the mind. Readers’ emotions will be confused to a degree, trying to decide right and wrong betwixed and between.

Missy
5 bookmarks

[Missy Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delilah's Daughters tells a sweet story about a close knit family. I did think the characters were a little flat because the three sisters Roxanne, Veronica and Alisha all had the exact same personality. The only thing that was different about them was name, age and relationship status. There were some things that were repeated entirely too much. A good example is how much Veronica missed her sisters and her mom being mentioned a million times. We get it. I did like the dialogue between the characters, there was some humor. It was a serious letdown that the mom's secret was super obvious from the very first mention. Everything was neatly resolved with a tidy little bow at the end. Despite the simple, easy to guess conflict Delilah's Daughters was still an enjoyable read.

[Lesyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of love

This novel really got my goat...here I was all read to dislike Dexter, I was just jumping to conclusions. But, Dexter proved me wrong, he didn't cheat on his wife. Delilah stunned me into silence, not only did she cheat on her husband, but she had the baby. Wow, she really did fess up to her wrong doing, which is rare, but she finally has to tell her daughter's about it. One daughter flips out, because she has just followed in her mother's footsteps in a way. The other two freak out. They all end up closer than ever....Now you see, this is what I would love to see more of in real life....great story...keep writing.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an endearing family saga of three independent black women who find themselves competing for stardom as sisters in a gospel act. Ironically, the fame that encourages one sister to go solo also exposes cracks in the foundation of their close-knit family. As they aspire to greatness in a tough industry called the music business can they truly "have it all?" Will they survive their personal tragedies and triumph? Read the novel and find out!

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book because it felt very much like reading a soap opera & I'm definitely not a fan of those. The writing & especially the dialogue felt stiff & the story was too cheesy & overly dramatic for my taste.

[Gillena Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

On days like today, Rocklin "Rocky" Munroe hated being dead" [opening sentence].
"being dead was certainly a limiting experience"

We meet the Munroes at the Annual Gospelfest in Birmingham, Alabama. But only Delilah, and daughters: Roxanne, Veronica and Alisha are on this side of the existence partition.

'Delilah's Daughters', is a family story: which pages through the trauma of love, forgiveness, and, the reach for success.
The story advances in a simple linear plot. Easy and comfortable to read, needless to say, very entertaining.

[Alycia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick vacation read that gave a lot of insight on the recording industry in the US. I thought the complete takeover of your life happened to K-Pop stars!
Wasn't crazy about one of the endings but it's a book about gospel stars, so there is bound to be some religious elements to standing by your man that I don't agree with. Still a great book!

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read about balancing family and career for 3 young women in a singing group. But what they didn’t bargain on coming into the equation was family secrets and drama. I wish that the storyline could have been fleshed out more and given us, the readers, more of what happened with each of the sisters. Otherwise, not a bad read at all.

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about three sisters who are a singing group together but then one of them gets the contract as a solo act with a big recording label. Lots of great insight into some of what goes into being a big star.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly wasn't sure what to think about the book for awhile, but now that I've finished it, I loved it! What an amazing testimony about God's forgiveness and how He helps us to forgive each other. Whata blessing!

[Blue North · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family and singers in the family and sisters

[Christine Pauls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would actually rate this book 3-1/2 stars..... am glad I gave this author a second chance, so to speak, as I found the first book that I read by her to be hokey. This one was less so.

[Travel Treasures · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

Started out pretty good. Gets a little predictable midway.
Would make a good summer or beach read. Quick light read.

[Nadine Keels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well! Naturally, it isn't like this with me and all novels, but I can honestly say that Delilah's Daughters by author Angela Benson kept me engrossed from beginning to end, without any lag time in the middle. This three-sister singing group and their mother, Delilah Monroe, have some tough decisions to make and lessons to learn about the cost of fame, the power of purpose, and the value of family.

Granted, the novel's opening had kind of a Jacob Marley/Clarence Odbody vibe for me, A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life pretty much being the only stories where I go in for stuff like ghosts and human-beings-turned-angels. And an early occurrence of one sister "shaking it" at a press conference made me suspect the read might be a bit much for my quasi-conservative sensibilities, but that turned out not to be the case.

What I may appreciate most about this novel is the author's clear understanding of human nature and how there are valid right and wrong points on all sides of the Monroe family's dilemma. Everything isn't just cut and dried or neatly packaged for an easy, cheesy fix. Also, even though the story addresses unsavory sides to the music business and relationships going amiss, the story doesn't sink down to become an unsavory mess itself. You don't find that balance everywhere!

Now, besides being repetitive at points, the writing falls a tad flat in a few places where it could have "popped" more, and a new romance here has hardly any lead-up or a middle--very little time or development between 0 and 60. So, the sudden declarations and display of feelings there left me some paces behind.

Still, I absolutely ate up this story of a family at a crossroads, and I'm looking forward to checking out this ChristFic author again.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!



An inspirational story about the allure of fame and the faith that binds a family forever . . .

Delilah Monroe has done everything in her power to keep her three daughters strong since the death of her husband. And a big part of that connection is their singing group, Delilah's Daughters. Veronica, Roxanne, and Alisha each have their own unique sense of self, but they all share the dream of Delilah's Daughters hitting the Billboard charts.

Now, just as they enter the final round of a national talent show, a record producer approaches Veronica with the promise of fame . . . if she goes solo. Then the man Delilah has always leaned on wants more from her than just friendship, and someone from her past comes calling with a shocking secret. Will Delilah be able to hold her family together?




I really liked this book.. it was definitely full of drama which is always interesting!
It took me a little while to get into it but after I did I finished it pretty quick. I think Veronica, Roxanne, and Alisha were all relate-able. Delilah as well. This family is full of secrets. It definitely makes you think of what you want and is it worth risking your relationships in the process. Do you really want it that bad?

It was a great read! I'd definitely read more from Angela Benson!

[Jacque Holst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

A good story, a close family that makes mistakes, and works through them. A family of very talented people looking to express and succeed in their field. A widowed mother, her three talented daughters, their ambitions and the men in their lives.

[slippy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads. Even though it was an unedited version, I didn't find a whole lot of mistakes. No matter though. It was a very good book. At first, we find out their father had passed away and was looking down on the girls who had entered a contest to win a recording contract. They are mostly gospel pop. However, Angela takes us the the ups and downs of losing not only a contest, but their connection with one another. As a result, they have to look at their priorities and overcome some secrets that were kept from them on purpose. Delilah is a mother who loves her daughters and her husband was Rocky, who himself was a singer. Many twists and turns take us through the secrets and normal problems that confront us all in life. Please give it a read. You will like all the twists and turns. So much that you will wonder when the secrets are going to stop coming to light. See what happens as each daughters faces their own life struggles. Thanks for the book. It was awesome.

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read. We are brought into the world of the family on the heels of a father's demise, mother attempting to carry on and children entering a Gospel fest talent show. The girls have talent, each unique and different, but just as we've become acquainted with.....outsiders and secrets cause tension. It is evident that these secrets and tensions can cause a demise for the group. All I could think about while reading it was the many groups of young people who have been exploited by the music industry. And, too, the secrets held by family members that can jeopardize the very thing that is attempting to be enriched: the family.


The book was just okay to me. This was the second book that I have read by the author. The manner in which she writes is clear and relatable (doesn't mean it's right). I vacillated between the rating of a "3" or a "4."

[Julie Way · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written in a style I don't normally read, and also included themes (religious) that I don't really subscribe too, but overall I liked this book and wanted to keep reading to find out where the story went. That said, I don't feel the story or characters had a lot of depth. There was lots of conflict and sadness in the book, but I just didn't really feel it, or feel emotionally attached to the story or characters. The characters were pushovers, and generally did whatever they were told or what was suggested to them. The book did give an interesting perspective into the music business, which I enjoyed. This was suggested by the GRPL Summer Reading list, and while I think it was fine for an easy, fast, beach read, it was just a little too shallow.

[Julie Salinas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story combines family and faith themes as Delilah and her daughters face challenges to both. The three girls are talented, and together they perform as a gospel/pop music group. Even so, life begins to lob lemons at them and they scramble to reach their rock. The choices they make may pull them together or apart. How they deal with the problems are at times heart wrenching. The women I know some members of our book club who will really love this book. I did receive this copy from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Meriah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is as smooth as I imagine the singing to be of Delilah's Daughters. You lose yourself in Angela's writing as these women lose themselves in the music the sing. I cannot express my love for novels that have an element of supernatural, but hits all too close to home.

If you've lost a loved one, especially a parent, I would recommend you pick this book up in stores or on Amazon when you can afford the opportunity. It was truly a pleasure to read this novel.


--Book courtesy of Goodreads giveaways and Harper-Collins Publishing.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delilah's Daughters Angela Benson
After her husband dies she struggles on to make her three daughters strong and keep them together as a singing group.
Each want the fame and fortune and deals are talked about but they'd leave some of the group out of the loop.
The past catches up with them as time goes on and their careers are on different paths.
Lots of twists and turns as things are revealed from the past. Easy to keep the characters straight. good read.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Angela Benson and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway program for the opportunity to wint Delilah's Daughters.

Delilah's Daughters is a book about a family where the tree daughters form a singing group and enter a contest of gospel singing competition. One girl has a chance to follow a singing career on her own, but you will have to read the book to see if she takes her chance at fame or sticks with her sisters singing as a family.

[Codi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book via a GoodReads giveaway!

I had read reviews for this book before I started and I saw a lot of them that said this book was like a soap opera and I don't disagree but I liked that about it. If it was a slow moving book people would not like that! I liked how this story had an ensemble cast and that every story was wrapped up in the end! I have said before and I will say again, I am a reader for pleasure not to analyze the story line and character development! Overall enjoyable

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delilah and her daughters; Veronica, Alisha, and Roxanne Monroe!! Delilah’s Daughters was a gospel group that wanted to become the next big gospel group. Delilah’s Daughter did not win the contest and things changed quickly for the family. One sister leaves the group for a solo career, another sister sings on the ship, and another sister world is turned upside down. We all will have ups and downs, but turn to the master.