Josephine Baker's Last Dance - by Sherry Jones (Paperback)

About the Book

"From the author of The Jewel of Medina, a moving and insightful novel based on the life of legendary performer and activist Josephine Baker, perfect for fans of The Paris Wife and Hidden Figures. Discover the fascinating and singular life story of Josephine Baker--actress, singer, dancer, Civil Rights activist, member of the French Resistance during WWII, and a woman dedicated to erasing prejudice and creating a more equitable world--in Josephine Baker's Last Dance. In this illuminating biographical novel, Sherry Jones spans Josephine's early years in servitude and poverty in America, to her rise to fame as a showgirl in her famous banana skirt, to her activism against discrimination, and her many loves and losses. From 1920s Paris to 1960s Washington, to her final, triumphant performance, one of the most extraordinary lives of the twentieth century comes to stunning life on the page. With intimate prose and comprehensive research, Sherry Jones brings this remarkable and compelling public figure into focus for the first time in a joyous celebration of a life lived in technicolor, a powerful woman who continues to inspire today"--

Book Synopsis

From the author of The Jewel of Medina, a moving and insightful novel based on the life of legendary performer and activist Josephine Baker, perfect for fans of The Paris Wife and Hidden Figures.

Discover the fascinating and singular life story of Josephine Baker--actress, singer, dancer, Civil Rights activist, member of the French Resistance during WWII, and a woman dedicated to erasing prejudice and creating a more equitable world--in Josephine Baker's Last Dance.

In this illuminating biographical novel, Sherry Jones brings to life Josephine's early years in servitude and poverty in America, her rise to fame as a showgirl in her famous banana skirt, her activism against discrimination, and her many loves and losses. From 1920s Paris to 1960s Washington, to her final, triumphant performance, one of the most extraordinary lives of the twentieth century comes to stunning life on the page.

With intimate prose and comprehensive research, Sherry Jones brings this remarkable and compelling public figure into focus for the first time in a joyous celebration of a life lived in technicolor, a powerful woman who continues to inspire today.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Sharp Hook of Love

"A fresh re-imagining of a legendary romance that breathes insight into the passionate and forbidden relationship between Heloise and Abelard. Jones beautifully evokes the era. Readers will feel as though they are walking the streets of Paris and experiencing the joy that eventually leads to heartbreak."-- "RT Book Reviews"

"[An] entertaining portrait of a groundbreaking woman. Hand this to fans of Paula McLain's The Paris Wife (2011), Liza Klaussman's Villa America (2015), and other tales of Jazz Age artists."

-- "Booklist"

"If you loved The Paris Wife, you're going to love this... Sherry Jones's new Fall release is an inspiring novel that women everywhere will find to be an important piece of literature in helping to bring about total equality in our current world."-- "PopSugar"

"Jones weaves history and passion in a tale full of emotional heft that questions what it means to truly love someone..."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"The extraordinary story of a unique and unrivaled icon...Jones delivers a satisfying life of one endlessly fascinating person."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"A sensual journey into twelfth century Paris. With a sharp eye for historical detail, Jones weaves an unforgettable, compelling tale about enduring love."--Lynn Cullen "nationally bestselling author of Mrs. Poe"

"Heloise is the sort of heroine you cannot help rooting for: brilliant and naïve, vulnerable and tough. The Sharp Hook of Love will have you up all night holding your breath as you turn each page."--Rebecca Kanner "author of Sinners and the Sea"

"Passion and treachery mingle in Sherry Jones's explosive novel The Sharp Hook of Love. Wrenching and erotic, this is a grand romance in every sense of the word."--Mary Sharratt "author of Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen"

Praise for Josephine Baker's Last Dance

"Sherry Jones takes us on a remarkable journey of heartbreak and empowerment. Josephine Baker's Last Dance is a bold and beautiful book about a bold and beautiful life. This book left its mark on me."--Susan Crandall, author of The Myth of Perpetual Summer

"The mesmerizing chanteuse who shattered race barriers and hearts across the world is brought to vivid, unstoppable life in Josephine Baker's Last Dance. The champagne swirl of the Jazz Age fuels this amazing, untold story of a defiant woman who fought her way from poverty to become the toast of Europe, infamous for her bawdy act and banana-peel-barely-there skirt. Jones's Josephine is complicated and human: a courageous artist on a quest for freedom under the haunting legacy of race inequality; she emerges as not only a fantastic icon from the past in her own right, but also as a mirror and example for today. "--C.W. Gortner, author of Mademoiselle Chanel

About The Author

Author and journalist Sherry Jones is best known for her international bestseller The Jewel of Medina. She is also the author of The Sword of Medina, Four Sisters, All Queens, The Sharp Hook of Love, and the novella White Heart. She lives in Spokane, WA, where, like Josephine Baker, she enjoys dancing, singing, eating, advocating for equality, and drinking champagne. Visit her online at AuthorSherryJones.com and at Facebook.com/SherryJonesFanpage