Sing for Me: A Novel - Softcover

"A poignant, powerful, honest novel. Karen Halvorsen Schreck's prose and dialogue are 'pitch-perfect' and Rose's story beautifully haunts this reader, long days after reading it."--Rusty Whitener, author of A Season of Miracles

"Sing For Me is an achingly beautiful story of longing and hope in the midst of what seems impossible. Karen Halvorsen Schreck reaches deep into the soul with prose that sings. Straightforward. Honest. Utterly compelling."--Carla Stewart, award-winning author of Chasing Lilacs and Sweet Dreams

"Karen Halvorsen Schreck's novel pulses with the notes of a smoky, Depression-era jazz club, the rattle of a downtown El train, and -- most poignantly -- the indelible spirit of a courageous heroine, Rose Sorenson. Sing For Me is a story of a woman who remains faithful to the passions that set her soul alight. Readers will feel the struggles of Halvorsen Schreck's fearless and persevering characters, and will be uplifted by the beauty of Rose's songs and spirit."--Allison Pataki, author of The Traitor's Wife

Sing for Me is beautiful, pure, and passionate."--Larry Woiwode, author, Beyond the Bedroom Wall and Born Brothers

"With Sing for Me, Karen Halvorsen Schreck takes readers far into the depths of the American Jazz Age -- but with an emotional new twist....Schreck is a masterful storyteller who will hook readers from the first page of this emotional story. Sure to be a fan favorite!"--Julie Cantrell, New York Times bestselling author of Into the Free and When Mountains Move

"An impressive debut...a well-wrought and edifying page-turner."--Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

"An articulate, well-researched story with an inspirational message about following your
dreams...Hits all the right notes."--Kirkus

"A poignant story of longing and hope during the American Jazz age in Depression-era Chicago."

--Romantic Times (four stars)

When a good church girl starts singing in a jazz club and falls for the music—as well as a handsome, African-American man—she struggles to reconcile her childhood faith with her newfound passions.

When a good church girl starts singing in a jazz club and falls for the music—as well as a handsome African American man—she struggles to reconcile her childhood faith with her newfound passions.

Raised in the Danish Baptist Church, Rose Sorensen knows it’s wrong to sing worldly songs. But Rose still yearns for those she hears on the radio—“Cheek to Cheek,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”—and sings them when no one is around.

One day, Rose’s cousin takes her to Calliope’s, a jazz club, where she dis­covers an exciting world she never knew existed. Here, blacks and whites mingle, brought together by their shared love of music. And though Rose wor­ries it’s wrong—her parents already have a stable husband in mind for her—she can’t stop thinking about the African American pianist of the Chess Men, Theo Chastain. When Rose returns to the jazz club, she is offered the role of singer for the Chess Men. The job would provide money to care for her sister, Sophy, who has cerebral palsy—but at what cost?

As Rose gets to know Theo, their fledgling relationship faces prejudices she never imagined. And as she struggles to balance the dream world of Calliope’s with her cold, hard reality, she also wrestles with God’s call for her life. Can she be a jazz singer? Or will her faith suffer because of her worldly ways?

Set in Depression-era Chicago and rich in historical detail, Sing for Me is a beautiful, evocative story about finding real, unflinching love and embracing—at all costs—your calling.