Category: Chapters & Lattes

Chapters & Lattes, Historical, Non-Fiction

The Real Story Behind “Before We Were Yours”: Georgia Tann, Memphis, and a History I Never Knew

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I was born and raised in Memphis, and I still live in the suburbs today. Yet there’s a story that happened practically in my own backyard that I never heard a word about until I was an adult.

Most of the time, the books I read whisk me away to fictional towns, cozy bookshops, and small communities full of mystery and heart. But every now and then, a story reaches into real history, the kind that sits quietly beneath the surface, and it hits much closer to home than I ever expected.

That’s exactly what happened when I picked up Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.

I was born after Georgia Tann had died and after the Tennessee Children’s Home Society was shut down and demolished. Still, reading this book felt like uncovering a hidden chapter of my own hometown, one I didn’t even know existed. And once you learn about it, you can’t unlearn it.

A quick note before we dive in: Before We Were Yours is a novel about a fictional family. But the inspiration behind it, Georgia Tann and the adoptions run through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in Memphis, is very, very real.

Who Was Georgia Tann?

Georgia Tann was the director of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, an adoption agency that operated in Memphis from 1924 until 1950. On paper, it looked like a charitable organization helping children find loving homes.

In reality, it was one of the most notorious child-trafficking rings in American history.

Tann used her position, along with protection from powerful figures in Memphis, to take children from their families, falsify records, and sell them to wealthy families across the country. Many of the adoptive parents had no idea the children they received had been taken from loving families. Tann even placed children with famous Hollywood names, including Joan Crawford.

What Really Happened in Memphis

The truth is heartbreaking:

  • Children were taken from hospitals, front porches, and poor families.
  • Birth certificates were destroyed or rewritten.
  • Siblings were separated and renamed.
  • Families searching for their children were told they had died.
  • Judges, social workers, and politicians looked the other way or helped cover it up.
  • Conditions inside the orphanage were terrible, and many children died in her care.

It’s estimated that more than 5,000 children passed through Tann’s hands, and many were victims of kidnapping, coercion, or fraud.

This wasn’t some distant, faraway history. It happened in the city where I grew up, in neighborhoods I know, on streets I’ve walked. And for decades, Memphis barely spoke of it.

Why So Many of Us Never Learned This History

Like many Memphians, I didn’t learn about Georgia Tann until adulthood. It wasn’t taught in school. It never came up in local history lessons. It wasn’t something families sat around the dinner table discussing.

After Tann’s death, the scandal was quietly buried. Records were sealed, the building came down, and the city moved on without ever fully acknowledging the trauma left behind. It took books, documentaries, and the voices of survivors to bring the story back into the light and help people understand the scale of what happened.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The Part That Makes Me Angriest

Georgia Tann never answered for her crimes.

She died of cancer on September 15, 1950, just three days after a state press conference exposed the black-market baby-trafficking operation she ran through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. She never went to trial and was never prosecuted. The full findings of the investigation weren’t even made public before she was gone.

And here’s what really gets me: people knew. Important people, including those in Memphis government, knew.

The Local Corruption

Tann didn’t operate in a vacuum. E.H. “Boss” Crump, the political boss who controlled Memphis and much of Tennessee for the first half of the 20th century, was her powerful protector. According to historical accounts, that protection, along with other well-connected friends, let her operate with near-total impunity.

Judges played a part too. Shelby County Juvenile Court Judge Camille Kelley worked hand in hand with Tann, removing children from poor families under false claims of neglect and brushing aside complaints. Law enforcement and local leaders shielded Tann from lawsuits and investigations, which allowed her to build a fortune and run the Tennessee Children’s Home Society for decades, until everything finally began to crumble just before her death.

How Before We Were Yours Connects to the Truth

Lisa Wingate’s novel is fiction, but the emotional core of the story reflects what so many children actually lived through:

  • Siblings torn apart
  • Stolen identities
  • Families searching for answers
  • Lifelong trauma
  • Secrets carried into adulthood

Reading this book made me want to learn more. It made me want to understand what happened in the city I call home, and to honor the children whose stories were lost, hidden, or silenced.

If you’ve read Before We Were Yours, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Did you know about Georgia Tann before the book? And if you’re a Memphian like me, I’d especially love to hear whether this was part of your family’s history or came as a surprise to you too? Tell me in the comments

Here is the link to my book review of Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingat (Link here)

Further Reading:The Baby Thief by Barbara Bisantz Raymond is the go-to nonfiction book on Georgia Tann. I couldn’t find a Kindle version, but it’s available in paperback. Here is the Amazon Link if you are interested in reading it:   https://a.co/d/0ifq3418

Read my Review of the Novel, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate Book Review

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Historical, Mystery

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate Book Review

Chapters & lattes
Click to buy book on Amazon

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sometimes a book reaches into real history and hits closer to home than you ever expected. Lisa Wingate’s Before We Were Yours did exactly that for me.

I just finished Before We Were Yours, and wow. Although the story is fiction, it’s inspired by the very real Georgia Tann adoption scandal, which occurred between the 1920s and her death in 1950, right here in my hometown of Memphis. Despite growing up in Memphis, I didn’t learn about the scandal until I was an adult. Reading this novel, a fictionalized account of those heartbreaking events, felt like uncovering a hidden part of my hometown’s history. It’s one thing to read about tragedy from afar; it’s another to realize it happened in the very place you grew up.

Wingate tells the story using a dual timeline, moving seamlessly between the late 1930s during Georgia Tann’s reign and the present day. The past unfolds through the eyes of Rill, the eldest of five siblings who are taken from their family and sold through the Tennessee Children’s Home Society. Her voice is raw, emotional, and so vivid that I felt every moment alongside her. Present-day chapters follow Avery as she unravels her grandmother’s mysterious past and its connection to Rill’s story.

The transitions between past and present are done so well that I never felt confused or pulled out of the story. Instead, each timeline deepened the other, building toward an ending I absolutely had to reach. The closer I got, the harder it was to put the book down. I needed to know how Rill’s and Avery’s stories would finally meet.

Even knowing this is fiction, it made me think deeply about what so many real children endured during Georgia Tann’s reign in Memphis. Wingate’s writing is powerful—she made me feel everything these children went through. I cried, I got angry, I smiled at the tender moments, and I sat with the heaviness of the truth behind the story.

This was my first book by Lisa Wingate, and I was genuinely impressed. Her storytelling felt incredibly real, immersive, and deeply respectful of the history she drew from. It’s emotional, beautifully written, and absolutely unforgettable.

This is a solid 5-star read for me. If you enjoy historical fiction rooted in real events—or if you’re drawn to stories that uncover hidden pieces of history—this one will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I also wrote a full blog post about the real events behind the novel—the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, the children who were taken, and why this story matters so deeply to me. If you’ve read the book (or plan to), or if you love learning the real history behind fiction, you might enjoy that deeper dive as well.

Read my blog about the real story of Georgia Tann: The Real Story Behind “Before We Were Yours”: Georgia Tann, Memphis, and a History I Never Knew

Click the book below to buy the book from Amazon

Chapters & Lattes, Monthly Reading

September Monthly Reads

Chapters & lattes

September was a good reading month. I finished three books, gave all three five stars, and started a fourth that already has me hooked. Grab your latte and let’s get into it.

Books I Finished

The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

From page one, I felt like I was right there with Tula Cassidy, carrying the weight of grief, guilt, and unfinished questions. She’s messy in the most relatable way, trying to rebuild her life while still tripping over the pieces of her past. Then there’s the historical storyline with Gertrude Werner, which is so vivid and tense that I kept catching myself holding my breath. Mary Ellen Taylor writes women with such tenderness and grit that you can’t help rooting for them.

What I loved most is how the book handles trauma and healing. It doesn’t rush it, and it doesn’t sugarcoat it. It lets these women find their strength in their own time, in their own way. And the ocean imagery? Gorgeous, haunting, and healing. It becomes a character all its own.

Link to full review: The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor – Chapters & Lattes

Trust No One by Mary Burton ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This one is all about tension. Mary Burton doesn’t just ask “who did it?” She builds a creeping sense that nobody in the story is who they seem to be. The title is no exaggeration: you truly can’t trust anyone in this book, and that’s exactly what made it so addictive. I kept turning pages long past when I meant to stop.

Link to full review: Trust No One by Mary Burton Book review – Chapters & Lattes

It’s Only Love by Kay Bratt (Hart’s Ridge #17) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kay Bratt delivers another gripping, emotional mystery in the 17th installment of the Hart’s Ridge series. This time the story shifts gears. Taylor  takes a backseat, and her husband, PI Sam, steps into the spotlight during a trip to the Florida Gulf Coast.

When Walker Barrett arrives searching for the truth about his brother Wade’s mysterious disappearance, a case everyone else believes was a simple drowning, Sam and Taylor are pulled into a dangerous web of hidden betrayals, family secrets, and a trail of clues someone is desperate to keep buried. Seventeen books in, and this series still knows how to keep me hooked.

Link to full review: It’s Only Love by Kay Bratt Book Review – Chapters & Lattes

Currently Reading

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

I’ve just started this one, and so far I’m loving it. It caught my attention the moment I read what it was about, because part of the story takes place in the city where I was raised. It’s a fictional account inspired by the real-life Georgia Tann, who ran an illegal adoption operation in Memphis, Tennessee. Reading about a dark chapter of history set in streets I know so well is a little haunting, and I’m anxious to see where it goes. Review coming soon!

September Wrap-Up

Three five-star reads is a pretty great month. The theme of the month seems to be mysteries. I love a good mystery, and these did not disappoint. 

What did you read in September? Drop your recommendations in the comments, because my TBR is never full enough.

Chapters & Lattes, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Romance

It’s Only Love by Kay Bratt Book Revew

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“You ever find something out you wish you didn’t know”

Kay Bratt consistently delivers the kind of heartfelt, small-town mystery that keeps me returning to Hart’s Ridge. Seventeen books in, she still manages to create stories that feel fresh, emotional, and deeply engaging. Reconnecting with Sam and Taylor always feels like catching up with familiar friends.

Months after Wade Barrett’s unexplained disappearance, his brother Walker remains desperate for answers. Everyone else has accepted the official story of accidental drowning, but Walker can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right.

When Sam and Taylor Gray step in to help, their investigation takes them away from Hart’s Ridge to a quiet coastal community where secrets linger beneath calm waters. As they retrace Wade’s final days, hidden truths begin to surface: emotional fractures, buried betrayals, and a trail that leads to a heartbreaking revelation.

This is a story about loyalty, love, and the quiet yet powerful ways grief shapes those left behind.

Kay Bratt never disappoints. I’m continually amazed at how she keeps readers invested after so many installments. In this book, I could truly feel Walker’s grief and determination as he searched for the truth about his brother. Sam takes center stage, and his unwavering commitment to uncovering answers gives the story a strong, steady heartbeat.

The pacing is perfect — never rushed, always rhythmic. The tension builds gradually, making it easy to keep turning the pages. While I found the ending somewhat predictable, I genuinely loved the journey the story took to reach it.

Bratt blends emotional depth with quiet moments, suspense, and a budding romance that adds warmth to the mystery. And as someone who always loves a good story with dogs, this one gives us two — a detail that made my heart happy.

If you enjoy stories filled with heart, emotion, determination, mysterious disappearances, a touch of romance, and loyal dogs, It’s Only Love is a book you’re going to love.

Kay Bratt continues to shine in this series, and this installment is another strong reminder of why Hart’s Ridge feels like home.

Click on the book cover to order the book from Amazon.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Trust No One by Mary Burton Book review

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+

“I used to believe . . . 
Cheaters don’t win. 
Honesty is the best policy. 
Karma is real. 
But here’s the truth. 
Cheaters win all the time. 
Lying works. 
And karma? It doesn’t care
Unless you get caught.”

Mary Burton’s Trust No One is a mystery that grips readers from the very first page and never lets go.

The setup immediately hooks you: a family, a sprawling old estate filled with secrets, and a mystery that begins to unravel almost instantly. I thought I had it figured out early on, but I was wrong. Then I developed a new theory, which was also wrong. This book constantly turned corners I didn’t see coming.

What I loved most was the author’s masterful building of tension; it wasn’t just about “who did it,” but rather a creeping sense that nobody in the story was who they seemed to be. The title was no exaggeration—you truly couldn’t trust anyone in this book, and that’s exactly what made it so addictive.

That ending? An actual gasp-out-loud, put-the-book-down-and-stare-at-the-wall moment. I never saw it coming, and I am still thinking about it the next morning.

If you love an impossible-to-put-down mystery that holds you captive until the very last page—with unexpected twists, an atmospheric old house that becomes a character in itself, and a cast of characters you’ll want to dissect with your book club or best friend—and an ending you won’t see coming, then Trust No One belongs on your TBR list.

This is definitely five stars plus! Have you read it? Please let me know in the comments; I need to discuss this book with someone.

“I used to believe . . . 
Some lines could never be crossed. 
But here’s the truth. 
The first time is hard. 
The next time, easier. 
Until finally the line is gone
and you forget it was ever there.”

Click on the book cover to buy the book from Amazon.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Women's Fiction

The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Sky Beneath Her by Mary Ellen Taylor is a beautifully layered story that surprised me and totally blew me away.

I love a good story that blends the past and present, and this one does so intentionally, emotionally, and with a touch of magic.

In the present day, we have Tula, who is still reeling from her mother’s sudden death seven years prior, which occurred while diving the wreckage of the Oceanus, a ship torpedoed and sunk in 1942 off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Then we jump back to 1942 aboard the Oceanus, where a young, pregnant woman named Gertrude is trying to escape her abusive husband by taking the ship to the United States.

From the first page, I was immersed in Tula’s world, feeling the weight of her grief, guilt, and unresolved questions. Her struggle to rebuild her life while confronting pieces of her past makes her a messy but relatable character. The historical storyline, following Gertrude, is just as captivating as I imagined how difficult it would be to protect her unborn child while escaping her abusive husband.

This is one of those books that stays with you long after you’ve read the last page—the kind you finish and sit with for a moment, not quite ready to let go. It’s an emotional and beautifully researched story, with a compelling mystery that will keep you turning pages long past bedtime as you uncover the connection between Tula and Gertrude. The ending ties everything together in a truly satisfying way.

This was a new author for me, but it won’t be the last book I read by her. This was definitely a 5-star read.

If you enjoy books that connect the past with the present day through the stories of strong, determined women, then this is the book for you. It is also about reconnecting with old friends and finding your way to where you are meant to be.

Have you read this book? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Click on the book below to buy it on Amazon.

Chapters & Lattes, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery

Dirty Money by Denise Grover Swank Book Review

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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The third book in the Neely Kate Mystery Series, Dirty Money, was such a fast-paced, addictive read. Denise Grover Swank has a way of pulling me right back into Neely Kate’s world, and this book kept me turning pages late into the night. It’s full of tension, danger, and those emotional moments that make the series so special.

Neely Kate continues to grow into her strength here—she’s smart, intuitive, and braver than she realizes. I loved watching her step up, trust her instincts, and prove (again!) that she’s far more capable than people give her credit for. And her dynamic with Jed? Still one of my favorite parts of the series. They work together so naturally, with a quiet trust and steady support that makes every scene between them feel meaningful.

Her relationship with Joe also shines in this book. Their bond feels genuine and hopeful, and I love how he shows up for her in ways she didn’t even know she needed.

This series just keeps getting better. Will Neely Kate ever be free from her half-sister? The mystery itself is gripping without ever feeling confusing, and the stakes feel higher than ever. It’s the perfect blend of suspense, heart, and character growth — exactly what I want from a Neely Kate book.

I still have a pet peeve when they call a gun’s magazine a clip, but it doesn’t distract from the fact that this is a 5-star read! This series just keeps getting better. Unfortunately, this is the last book in this series, and I will miss Neely Kate’s Mysteries. Maybe the author will decide to write another one; I can hope!!

Have you read this series?  Give me your thoughts in the comments.

Chapters & Lattes, Travel

From Central Park to 34th Street: Bringing my favorite NYC Bookish Moments to Life

Chapters & lattes

Hello, my bookish friends! This review is going to be a bit different. I just returned from an incredible vacation to New York City and Niagara Falls. While packing, I wondered if I should even discuss my trip here on the blog, given that my niche is strictly bookish. However, as soon as my feet hit the pavement in Manhattan, I realized that for a bookworm, a trip to NYC is like walking through the pages of your favorite stories.

I did manage to walk past the famous Strand bookstore, keeping my eyes peeled for a real-life ‘You’ve Got Mail’ moment!

My next stop had to be the iconic New York Public Library. Standing outside this beautiful literary castle, I thought of all the incredible books set in this city, including one of my favorites, Rachael Bloome’s New York, New Year, New You. Walking the streets she describes in her book felt so surreal! This has been on my bucket list for years, and I couldn’t believe my dream was finally coming true. I was walking the very streets I had only read about or seen in a movie.

But the absolute highlight of my trip was walking a very specific route that is near and dear to my heart. Every single year, without fail, I watch the movie Miracle on 34th Street. Years ago, I actually read the original novella by Valentine Davies, and it has remained a deeply nostalgic story for me. Note to self.. I must reread this book!

On this trip, I accidentally retraced the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade route, starting at Central Park where the floats and magic begin.

Then I followed it all the way to the ultimate destination. I even managed to snap a picture of the 34th Street sign and the flagship Macy’s department store itself!

Standing right where Kris Kringle marched and worked felt like stepping directly into the movie and the book. It’s a rare case where I love both the screen and written versions equally, and seeing it in person was pure magic.

Of course, the trip wasn’t just about New York City. We also headed up to Niagara Falls, which felt like stepping onto its own movie set. If you ever go, be sure to visit the Canadian side, which is pure magic. And a trip about 30 minutes down the road to Niagara-on-the-Lake is also a must-see. There is a quaint bookshop there called Old Niagara Bookshop.

Because a book blogger never truly leaves home without a book, my travel companion for the trip—besides my husband—was Denise Grover Swank’s In High Cotton from her Neely Kate Mystery series. It has absolutely nothing to do with New York or massive waterfalls—it’s a fast-paced, gripping Southern mystery—but it was the perfect page-turner to keep me entertained during travel and wind-down time. (Review to come soon)

Going on vacation reminded me that books shape how we see the world, and seeing these famous settings in real life made me appreciate my favorite stories even more.

My trip was definitely 5 stars out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Here is a picture of my husband and me enjoying Central Park.

What about you? Do you have a favorite book set in New York City or Niagara Falls? Have you ever visited a place just because it was the setting of a book or movie you love? I would love to hear your stories Let me know in the comments!

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Piece by Piece by Rachel Hanna Book Review

Chapters & lattes

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

***This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases  at no extra cost to you.*****

Click on the book cover to purchase the book.

Piece by Piece by Rachel Hanna South Carolina Sunsets, Book 13

“I wish I had known you all my life, so I wouldn’t have wasted so much time without you.”

Piece by Piece is exactly why I fell in love with Rachel Hanna’s storytelling all those books ago. The very first book I ever read from her was The Beach House, and it’s still my favorite — but this newest installment reminds me why this series continues to feel like home.

This book follows Liz and Grant, two complete opposites who somehow fit together perfectly. Liz arrives in Seagrove after a painful experience at work, one she’s not ready to talk about. She slips quietly into town to help Dixie at the bookstore, pouring her energy into the children’s section while trying to rebuild her confidence piece by piece.

Next door is Grant, the quiet, puzzle‑loving shop owner with a secret of his own. He’s reserved, private, and definitely not a “joiner.” Liz, on the other hand, is sunshine and chatter and big ideas — including her plan to combine books and puzzles into a community event she calls Books & Brains. Grant isn’t thrilled, but watching Liz gently nudge him out of his shell is one of the sweetest slow-burn arcs in the series.

And of course, one of my favorite parts: we get to catch up with old friends. Julie and Dawson — the couple who started it all — make an appearance, and it feels like checking in on family. Dixie (who doesn’t love Dixie?), SuAnne, and Janine all bring that familiar Seagrove charm that makes this town feel like somewhere I genuinely want to move to.

This story is warm, comforting, and full of heart. It’s about secrets, healing, unexpected connection, and finding the courage to start again. It’s the kind of book you think about long after you finish it — the characters linger, the town wraps around you, and the romance unfolds in that signature Rachel Hanna slow-burn way that makes you smile.

I’ve loved Seagrove since the very first book, and Piece by Piece feels like catching up with old friends while meeting new ones you can’t help but love. I’m already looking forward to the next book coming out next year.

“Piece by piece. That’s how you build a life.”

This book will be released on August 25th. I received an early copy as a member of her Patio Patreon group. You can preorder it on Amazon and receive it on the release date.

Chapters & Lattes, Fiction, Mystery

Trailer Trash by Denise Grover Swank Book Review

Chapters & lattes

Every now and then, a book comes along that doesn’t just entertain me—it opens up a character I thought I already knew. Trailer Trash did exactly that. I’ll be honest: it started out a little slow for me. But once it found its rhythm, I was completely pulled in. By the end, I felt like I understood Neely Kate on a level I didn’t even realize I’d been missing.

This story is emotional in a quiet, powerful way. We finally get to see the pieces of Neely Kate’s past she’s tried so hard to bury—the parts that shaped her, hardened her, and taught her to survive. Suddenly, all her trust issues make sense. All those walls she keeps around herself? You finally see where they came from, and it hits you right in the heart.

What I loved most is that this isn’t a story about running from the past. It’s facing it head‑on, and choosing to move forward. Watching Neely Kate make that decision—knowing how terrified she is of being judged, especially by Rose—was honestly beautiful. It’s messy, it’s emotional, and it feels real.

And Jed… His presence in this book is steady, grounding, and exactly what Neely Kate needed. He doesn’t try to fix her; he just shows up, stands beside her, and helps her carry the weight when she finally decides she can’t carry it alone. Their dynamic adds such a warm, supportive layer to the story. I fell even more in love with Jed. He really knows how to  up.

By the time I finished, I felt proud of Neely Kate—proud of her courage, her vulnerability, and the way she chose to stop letting her past define her future.

If you love character-driven stories with emotional depth, healing, and a touch of quiet strength, Trailer Trash is absolutely worth the read. Five stars from me.