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Ninth Ward Blues #1
Ninth Ward Blues
After giving her life much thought, Tracey Dubois was convinced that she had it all figured out. She would become a rich and famous singer, dazzling audiences with unmatched vocals and lyrics written to break hearts. She was prepared to do everything in her power to make her dreams a reality, at least until she laid eyes on JP Baptiste. Tracey decided then and there that she had to find a way to make JP hers, but she quickly realizes that her cantankerous grandmother, Ma-Me, was right when she preached, "be careful what you pray for."
Ninth Ward Blues is a coming of age story that faultlessly captures the flavor of New Orleans and the unfaltering and unconditional love that can only be found in the heart of family.
Ninth Ward Blues is a coming of age story that faultlessly captures the flavor of New Orleans and the unfaltering and unconditional love that can only be found in the heart of family.
222 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2014
27 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Janelle Smith Toussant
2 books5 followersJanelle Smith Toussant was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana but currently reside in Houston, Texas with her husband of 19 years and their 3 children. She has a Masters of Education degree and spent the majority of her career working as an English as a Second Language (ESL) and creative writing teacher. She is a member of the Houston Writer’s Guild and Black Writer’s Connect. Ninth Ward Blues is her first novel and she is currently at work on her second title, When the Music Ends.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 26, 2014
Great job from first time author, Janelle Smith Toussant. Ninth Ward Blues was filled with so many coming of age nuances that had Tracey's pilgrimage bringing me to tears and laughter so much that I felt compelled to read this story twice before I sat down to write my review. I look forward to reading more from Ms Toussant in the future.
A.L. Barron
AAMBC Reviewer
A.L. Barron
AAMBC Reviewer
March 1, 2015
How could a mother neglect her child for a man? Oh not just any man a Married at that (Jaylen). Tracey being from a broken home herself. Was looking for love in all the wrong men. When Greg was right there all along. What kind of friend was Val? Oh you must read this book to find out.
December 21, 2014
This book is really good. Well written and a good storyline. I felt like I was with the main character every step of the way. Can't wait for the author's next book!
March 28, 2015
One word..... Amazing!
February 12, 2021
4 Stars - Contemporary Romance / Coming of Age
I thought this was going to be a up beat book, but this book dives into some deep topics.
TW: Rape and loss of a child
The trigger warnings really took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting them and I definitely wish I had known about them before going into the story. It was a bit hard to read.
I did like seeing her journey and how she over comes obstacles.
I thought this was going to be a up beat book, but this book dives into some deep topics.
TW: Rape and loss of a child
The trigger warnings really took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting them and I definitely wish I had known about them before going into the story. It was a bit hard to read.
I did like seeing her journey and how she over comes obstacles.
August 11, 2025
Basically, this is the story of a young woman who cannot differentiate between love and lust, whose life is chaotic, until a tragedy destroys her world. Only the patient, long-enduring love of her family, her best friend and one man helps her recover. The book is very good at conveying the feeling of its setting in New Orleans, but the story wraps up too abruptly and the main character is too annoying to be appealing.
May 31, 2018
Confusing story. It began as a thoughtful and touchy coming of age story and evolved into an uninspired romance novel. A romance novel with no sex scenes. The first part I found was very interesting and I wanted to know more about the lead character, but the second part did not live up to the promise of the first part. My Kindle version had many, many typos.
March 4, 2025
Rather slight and predictable, which is unfortunate, as the first bit of the story was more interesting (when the main character joins a local pop group). Then it just devolved into a romance novel, which is fine if that's what you want to write, but it felt like the author wasn't sure WHAT they wanted this story to be.
June 12, 2018
What a great book! I immediately became vested in the lives of the characters in this book. Read it in a single day...just couldn't put it down!
July 26, 2018
2.5 stars
February 21, 2016
Finding sunshine within the blues... Excellent Read!
Tracey Dubois, a beautiful spirited young woman who longed to become a famous singer one day just like her daddy. A daddy's girl true indeed. But as her mother would have it, singing outside the church was not an approval granted from her mother but instead a tale of unsuccessful attempts by Tracey to not only pursue a career in singing the blues, but finding out that singing the blues was not all that it was cracked up to be.
I loved the way Tracey Dubois relentlessly not only pursued her dreams but along the journey began to unravel her own inner blues while being a mom, holding a job and part-time singer. Sometimes in life, our own ups and downs are really our own untold stories being written right before our eyes. Tracey's family was always there for her even when she felt they weren't. Especially her mom and her Ma-Me who would be the one to teach her the most valuable lessons in life and love. Too often in life we neglect the most important people thinking we are actually helping the most important people.
Tracey's story of being abandoned by her dad and her half weekend visits from her mom left her to figure out life and love all on her own along with her sister Lynette. The friendships that were formed with her girls like Val, Kenya, Tootie, and Mitra all served a purpose and brought lessons into Tracey's life that were sometimes good and sometimes hurtful. You can't trust all your friends. Something that Tracey had to learn the hard way.
When a father abandons his daughter, it leaves a void. A void that sends her looking and searching to fill. It's a powerful void. Tracey thinks she found it in JP. The church hunk that every girl was after. How wrong she was. Tracey begins to date and lands a Doctor. But soon after some time Carson and Tracey both realize, this isn't working. Tracey is still searching to fill that void. That feeling. As time passes and her relationship with Carson fizzles out, she finds what she thought was love in Jaylen. Her boss. A very married man but loves Tracey in his own way. Just not the way he should. Though torn about Jaylen's marriage, Tracey adores this man to the point that the one who truly loves her and will forever have her back, she ignore. The complicated love triangles that she creates for herself ultimately destroys the very best love she would have. The love of a child. And the one who is there to pick up the pieces is the one you would least expect!
I loved this book and the dynamics of this storyline were powerful! I wished there was more about her dad and JP. I fell in love with Tracey's strength, her family, her will to finally pick up the pieces and finally finding sunshine within her own blues. Excellent read!!
Tracey Dubois, a beautiful spirited young woman who longed to become a famous singer one day just like her daddy. A daddy's girl true indeed. But as her mother would have it, singing outside the church was not an approval granted from her mother but instead a tale of unsuccessful attempts by Tracey to not only pursue a career in singing the blues, but finding out that singing the blues was not all that it was cracked up to be.
I loved the way Tracey Dubois relentlessly not only pursued her dreams but along the journey began to unravel her own inner blues while being a mom, holding a job and part-time singer. Sometimes in life, our own ups and downs are really our own untold stories being written right before our eyes. Tracey's family was always there for her even when she felt they weren't. Especially her mom and her Ma-Me who would be the one to teach her the most valuable lessons in life and love. Too often in life we neglect the most important people thinking we are actually helping the most important people.
Tracey's story of being abandoned by her dad and her half weekend visits from her mom left her to figure out life and love all on her own along with her sister Lynette. The friendships that were formed with her girls like Val, Kenya, Tootie, and Mitra all served a purpose and brought lessons into Tracey's life that were sometimes good and sometimes hurtful. You can't trust all your friends. Something that Tracey had to learn the hard way.
When a father abandons his daughter, it leaves a void. A void that sends her looking and searching to fill. It's a powerful void. Tracey thinks she found it in JP. The church hunk that every girl was after. How wrong she was. Tracey begins to date and lands a Doctor. But soon after some time Carson and Tracey both realize, this isn't working. Tracey is still searching to fill that void. That feeling. As time passes and her relationship with Carson fizzles out, she finds what she thought was love in Jaylen. Her boss. A very married man but loves Tracey in his own way. Just not the way he should. Though torn about Jaylen's marriage, Tracey adores this man to the point that the one who truly loves her and will forever have her back, she ignore. The complicated love triangles that she creates for herself ultimately destroys the very best love she would have. The love of a child. And the one who is there to pick up the pieces is the one you would least expect!
I loved this book and the dynamics of this storyline were powerful! I wished there was more about her dad and JP. I fell in love with Tracey's strength, her family, her will to finally pick up the pieces and finally finding sunshine within her own blues. Excellent read!!
November 9, 2014
Ninth ward blues is a good book.
From the title and book cover I expected a different storyline.
Once I started reading the book I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it, but I did like the book.
The storyline was very good and held my interest.
I loved the characters and the way the author described the characters.
A good sentence in book I loved ( Jheri curl juice flying ) I could picture that had laughed while reading it
Lesson learned: don’t judge a book by its title or cover.
I was asked by a author friend to read this book. Thank you author friend ( B.W.S) word of mouth advertising is very important.
I most definite will tell my reader friends about this book.
From the title and book cover I expected a different storyline.
Once I started reading the book I wasn’t sure how I was going to like it, but I did like the book.
The storyline was very good and held my interest.
I loved the characters and the way the author described the characters.
A good sentence in book I loved ( Jheri curl juice flying ) I could picture that had laughed while reading it
Lesson learned: don’t judge a book by its title or cover.
I was asked by a author friend to read this book. Thank you author friend ( B.W.S) word of mouth advertising is very important.
I most definite will tell my reader friends about this book.
July 29, 2016
Although I've had "Ninth Ward Blues" on my shelf since 2014 when I received the personal autographed copy from the author, a beautiful human, I didn't pick it up to read it until a few weekends ago. Shame on me. I was hooked from the very beginning. I'm not a fan of first person narratives, but the way in which Toussant weaves the story via Tracey's voice, I felt as if I were a fly on the wall experiencing everything right along with the characters. I enjoye a the point of view in this story. This book will take you through the gamut of emotions and I highly recommend that you get your copy ASAP and dig into it. You won't be disappointed.
January 28, 2016
Wow!
This was an awesome read...once I started reading it, I could not put it down! The author takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride and you can relate to or know someone like every character in the book. Feels like you are reading the pages of a young woman's diary...beautifully written!
This was an awesome read...once I started reading it, I could not put it down! The author takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride and you can relate to or know someone like every character in the book. Feels like you are reading the pages of a young woman's diary...beautifully written!
March 18, 2016
I honestly started reading this because I thought it was a "fluff" piece; I was completely wrong!
Tracey made the mistake so many women make by following their hormones instead of logic.
This was a well developed story, we'll told, and rich with realistic situations. Her mother's reaction to her note I suspect many would have loved to receive.
Recommend
Tracey made the mistake so many women make by following their hormones instead of logic.
This was a well developed story, we'll told, and rich with realistic situations. Her mother's reaction to her note I suspect many would have loved to receive.
Recommend
December 1, 2014
I so enjoyed this book. It brought me back to high school. The drama what you want and what your elders want. I laughed and cried. It brought me back to those feelings , "the beautiful ones" and everyone else. I'm looking forward to your next book.
Read
February 20, 2015Ninth Ward Blues
I really enjoyed this book. The author did a wonderful job on taking the readers on Tracey's emotional roller coaster ride to find love. You will smile, laugh, cry and smile again.
I really enjoyed this book. The author did a wonderful job on taking the readers on Tracey's emotional roller coaster ride to find love. You will smile, laugh, cry and smile again.
February 6, 2016
Needs work
I have a girlfriend who tells a story so well you can see what she is talking about in your mind's eye. That is not this story. While the story line is decent the story is not well written. Since I read it to the end I am glad there was a happy ending.
I have a girlfriend who tells a story so well you can see what she is talking about in your mind's eye. That is not this story. While the story line is decent the story is not well written. Since I read it to the end I am glad there was a happy ending.
February 20, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The storyline from beginning to end was well written. I can't wait to read more from this author.
February 24, 2015
Excellent novel highly recommend few grammatical errors but loved this looking forward to the next one!
February 28, 2015
This was A Good Book, the author kept my attention, there were grammatical errors but the book was still Good.
Good Job!!!
Good Job!!!
February 26, 2015
I enjoy this book.
February 9, 2016
Fun if very predictable plot. Nice debut novel, I wish it had a little more depth and a slight twist would have been welcome. But overall a nice read.
February 10, 2016
Great read
I found this a good read. Lots of variety and things to think about, but heart wrenching at the end. Even so, a happy ever after as well.
I found this a good read. Lots of variety and things to think about, but heart wrenching at the end. Even so, a happy ever after as well.
March 3, 2016
This book was only okay. I felt like the time period was all over the place. The story was nice. That's the only way to describe it. I didn't feel one way or another about the main character.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews