Searching for Tina Turner [Hardcover]

Jacqueline E. Luckett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2010

On the surface, Lena Spencer appears to have it all. She and her wealthy husband Randall have two wonderful children, and they live a life of luxury. In reality, however, Lena finds that happiness is elusive. Randall is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother's "overbearing behavior." When Randall decides that he's had enough of marriage counseling, he offers his wife an ultimatum: "Be grateful for all I've done for you or leave." Lena, realizing that money can't solve her problems and that her husband is no longer the man she married, decides to choose the latter. Drawing strength from Tina Turner's life story, SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER is Lena's struggle to find herself after 25 years of being a wife and mother.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Lena’s husband, Randall, has been climbing the corporate ladder for years, and Lena has supported him every step of the way, glad to help him and raise their two children. But now she feels as though she has lost herself in the process, and is drowning in luxury. With his goal of becoming the first black CEO of his company in reach, Randall refuses to go to therapy; and with the same determination that has led to his success, he tells Lena to accept the status quo or get a divorce. At 52, Lena well knows how divorce changes everything as friends, and even children, choose sides. Seeking guidance and support, Lena discovers the wisdom of singer and survivor Tina Turner, using Turner’s story as a road map to finding her own happiness and a way back to her dreams. In her debut novel Luckett delivers a strong, likable heroine who comes through her crisis by recognizing her true worth and empowering herself. Luckett’s triumphant tale will rally readers of all backgrounds. --Patty Engelmann

Review

"A fierce, beautiful tour de force . . . Luckett is a writer to watch and admire." -- ZZ Packer

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (January 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446542962
• ISBN-13: 978-0446542968
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,759,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

As a teenager, Jacqueline enjoyed telling stories to her younger cousins. To this day, they describe her as a master storyteller. So, it wasn't a surprise to her family when she began writing a novel. Through her teenage years, she kept diaries, wrote poetry and had stories published in a local newspaper. As an adult, Jacqueline put writing aside and worked in corporate America.

In 1999, she took a creative writing class on a dare, from herself, and happily found her love of writing re-ignited. By a lucky coincidence, that same year she discovered the Voices of Our Nations (VONA) writing workshops and participated over the next four years in workshops with Christina Garcia, Danzy Senna, Junot Diaz, Ruth Forman and Terry McMillan. VONA provided a safe haven for a new writer still unsure of her abilities, yet eager to learn. She attributes much of her growth as a writer to the VONA workshops.

In 2004, Jacqueline formed the Finish Party (featured in O Magazine, October 2007) along with seven other women writers-of-color. Jacqueline calls these outstanding women her mentors and advisors, her friends and the toughest (and most loving) readers around.

Jacqueline is an avid reader and lover of books, an excellent cook, aspiring photographer, and world traveler. She lives in Northern California and, though she loves all of her friends there, she takes frequent breaks to fly off to foreign destinations.

Jacqueline is the author of two novels, PASSING LOVE and SEARCHING FOR TINA TURNER.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A book about finding yourself February 2, 2010

By BermudaOnion VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

As the highest ranking black employee of TIDA, it seemed that Randall had it all. Even though he enjoyed the power and the money the position brought, for him it wasn't enough, and he didn't intend to stop until he became the CEO. The fact that his wife, Lena, had made sacrifices and given up her dreams for years, didn't seem to matter to him.

While Randall is on a long business trip, Lena falls into a funk. No one can understand why she's not happy since she has everything money can buy. But Lena wants more - she wants to do something for herself for a change. When she buys a copy of Tina Turner's autobiography, she finds strength in the singer's life, and decides that she has to meet her.

Searching for Tina Turner by Jacqueline E. Luckett was a more serious book than I presumed from the title. As someone who has put her husband's career and her child's well being first, I could really relate to Lena. I'm lucky though, because my husband is supportive and considerate of me and my wishes, unlike Randall.

I'm here to tell you, I had quite a conversation with Randall while I read this book. I told him a thing or two and called him a thing or two. At one point, Carl looked at me, and said, "it's only a book." I've met several men like Randall through the years, and I didn't like a single one of them.

I really enjoyed Searching for Tina Turner and I loved that Lena found her inner strength and stayed true to herself. She learned to let go and not try to do everything for everyone and actually let someone do something for her from time to time. I do think this book will probably appeal more to middle aged women.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grown Woman Read March 12, 2010

By Debra VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Searching For Tina Turner

I have gotten to used to easy reads. Things I could read easily without much effort, not much of a challenge. Easy words, simple subject matter or same subject different title. So when I started reading Searching For Tina Turner, I hate to say I was expecting same topic different day. What a pleasant surprise. At first, it reminded me of Terry McMilan.. I love complex books that make you think and feel and identify with the characters and subject, and make you read slow to savor the favor. Lena grabbed me into her world. Always doing and settling and waiting for her turn to live. She has a great life, a hubby, two kids and a dream. She really doesn't want much, all she wants is to be herself and do what she's always dreamed of. She wants to do something that makes her feel. She has become uncomfortable in her own skin and circumstance and starts reminiscing of better days and Tina Turner.

Discontentment makes you do things to satisfy an urge. It also makes you feel disconnected to your self.

Lena is tried of waiting for her turn and takes it. She leaves her "perfect" life to satisfy her life long dream that was always being put on hold. She decides to embark on a journey to find herself and Tina Turner. The people who she's put her life on hold for are not getting that she has to do this for her, and it's not about them. Lena jets off to Europe with a friend and a camera and Tina's sprit in her heart. She has tickets to see her in concert and while waiting for that day, she starts to discover the Lena , she has always wanted to be.

I loved this book. I call a grown woman read. It's about taking your control back and about being uncomfortable in a too comfortable situation.
5*****

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars What's Love Got to Do With It? February 10, 2010

By Dera R Williams VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Jacqueline Luckett's debut novel, Searching for Tina Turner, explores a woman's coming into her own and how she goes about making a change that empowers and validates her life. On the surface, Lena Spencer does not have it so bad; as a matter of fact many would say she has it damn good. She is married to a handsome, wealthy, high-powered executive, has a beautiful home in the Oakland hills of the San Francisco Bay Area, an active social life, two intelligent children, a fast red Mercedes sports car and all the clothes and jewelry she wants. They are walking in high cotton. In her 50s, she is now facing not only an empty nest but also feeling undervalued and underappreciated and a strong need to redefine herself. How can she get her husband, Randall, of 23 years, and her children to see she has goals and desires that have everything-- and nothing to do with them? Lena has put off her dream as a photographer in order to help Randall reach the successes he has obtained. Lena is unhappy and nobody around her seems to get it.

Randall and Lena's first date was a Tina Turner concert and a used copy of Tina's autobiography is about to become the catalyst for the change that is to come. She admires Tina's tenacity, strength of character and will to survive despite being an abused woman. Even though her life is different from Tina's she feels they are kindred spirits. Within a few weeks after a volatile dinner party at their home, Lena's life begins to unravel and she finds herself on the verge of divorce. Dealing with her angry children, ages 20 and 17, a mother who thinks she is making a mistake, and a new life-style, Lena is free to pursue her career and finds a job in an art gallery. With encouragement from her best friend, Cheryl, she heads to France, tickets in hand for a Tina Turner concert in Nice. This is where the story becomes alive; amongst the cobblestone streets, fabulous restaurants, and beautiful architecture, Lena feels her world is finally opening up. A chance encounter with an ex-boyfriend adds even more steam to the equation.

Reading the first three-quarters of the book was like déjà vu. I had read this story before; the premise of middle-aged wife who has everything and chucks it all to find herself and her purpose was a running theme in the 1990s. But in France the story takes on a life of its own. The scenery, the food, and the sights, were vividly detailed. You could taste the white Bordeaux; savor the flaky croissants and fresh-caught sea bass. I could see the scenery captured by Lena's camera lens on walking tours in both Nice and Paris; I felt as if I was there. One could feel Lena come alive and embrace all that was coming to her and you knew she was going to be all right and what had felt like an obsession with Tina Turner becomes symbolism for "a natural woman." With her talented pen, Luckett does a credible job of giving readers a flavor of Oakland and the surrounding Bay Area community. I look forward to her next offering. Final rating 3.5

The advanced reading copy of this book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Dera R. Williams
APOOO BookClub