The American Queen, Vanessa Miller
The American Queen, Vanessa Miller
2 Rating(s)
List: $28.99 | Sale: $20.29
Club: $14.49

The American Queen
An Award-Winning Historical Fiction Novel about the Real-Life Black Woman Who Ruled a Kingdom on American Soil

Author: Vanessa Miller

Narrator: Angel Pean

Unabridged: 9 hr 54 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: 01/30/2024

Synopsis

A 2025 Audie Awards WINNER | A WOMAN EVOLVE BOOK CLUB PICK | A NORTH CAROLINA READS PICK | A Christy Award WINNER | A 2024 American Fiction Award WINNER | Best Historical Fiction of 2024 (She Reads) | FEATURED IN GMA, WASHINGTON POST, AND ESSENCE | There is only one known queen who truly ruled a kingdom on American soil. Meet the queen of Happy Land in this riveting novel from USA TODAY bestselling author Vanessa Miller."This powerful story must be told and retold." --GMA 15 New Books to Read (Good Morning America)"A hidden gem in American history." --Publishers Weekly"This marvel of a novel transported me." --Sadeqa Johnson, NYT bestselling author"A story [about] . . . the indomitable spirit of a woman." --Lisa Wingate #1 NYT bestselling author"Inspirational and unforgettable." --Kim Michele Richardson, NYT bestselling author"A triumph." --Adriana Trigiani, bestselling authorTransformative and breathtakingly honest, The American Queen is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom in Appalachia as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life.Over the twenty-four years she was enslaved on the Montgomery Plantation, Louella learned to feel one thing: hate. Hate for the man who sold her mother. Hate for the overseer who left her daddy to hang from a noose. Hate so powerful there's no room in her heart for love, not even for the honorable Reverend William, whom she likes and respects enough to marry.But when William finally listens to Louella's pleas and leads the formerly enslaved people off the plantation, Louella begins to replace her hate with hope. Hope that they will find a place where they can live free from fear. Hope that despite her many unanswered prayers, she can learn to trust for new miracles.Soon, William and Louella become the appointed king and queen of their self-proclaimed Kingdom of the Happy Land. And though they are still surrounded by opposition, they continue to share a message of joy and goodness--and fight for the freedom and dignity of all.The American Queen weaves together themes of love, hate, hope, trust, and resilience in the face of great turmoil. With every turn of the page, you will be transported to a pivotal period in American history, where oppressed people become extraordinary heroes.Audio read by Angel Pean, narrator of Junie: A GMA Book Club Pick

About Vanessa Miller

Vanessa Miller is a celebrated USA TODAY bestselling and award-winning author whose prolific body of work spans over fifty titles that explore deep themes of redemption, resilience, and faith—often spotlighting strong Black women during pivotal moments of history. Vanessa also wears the hats of playwright, motivational speaker, and retreat host—channeling her storytelling gift across multiple creative platforms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. Connect with her online at vanessamiller.com; Facebook: @vanessamiller01; Instagram: @authorvanessamiller; X: @vanessamiller01.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lisa on February 23, 2024

A book not to be missed, based on a true story almost lost to history. Bravo to Vanessa Miller for bringing to life Luella Montgomery and the people of The Happy Land! Not surprised to see this novel showing up on must-read lists everywhere from GMA to The Washington Post. Grab it for your book club......more

Goodreads review by Ashley on February 18, 2024

OMG! I've never heard of this and I can't believe, we are not taught about this in history (although, should I really be shocked?). The watch the rise of the Happylanders Kingdom, gave me such pride, and the tenacity that Queen Louella had to live beyond her means of slavery was amazing. I would hig......more

Goodreads review by BookmarkedByAlia on April 20, 2025

3.5⭐️ It’s rare that I read a book set during slavery and actually finish feeling empowered and uplifted. I had no idea that The Kingdom of The Happy Land was an actual place. This is why reading is soooo dear to me. I get to educate myself while also enjoying my favorite hobby. Louella was truly a qu......more

Goodreads review by Cheryl on April 25, 2024

A Black American Queen and King, what, who knew!!! After reading this book, my heart is full of joy. I love it when I read about the uprising of enslaved men, women, and children. I feel as though they are my personal ancestors, and I have their rich and honorable blood running within my viens. This......more

Goodreads review by Wobilba on March 03, 2024

The American Queen was as phenomenal as it was emotionally draining. An absolutely incredible, gut wrenching and awe inspiring book that had me shedding tears one chapter and giggling the next. The narrator did a fantastic job with this one, with their stunning singing voice. I honestly don’t think......more

Quotes

'Queen Louella, the American Queen, is a character so richly drawn, she writes the story of American history. Born into slavery, robbed of her mother and family, Louella has no reason to love or be loved. However, the superb Vanessa Miller has created a new world of possibility and the story takes flight. The impossible path to forgiveness is as arduous as the road to freedom is for the enslaved. When Louella decides it's her world, one that she will make her own in emancipation, the sky opens up and rains hope. This novel is a triumph.' Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of THE GOOD LEFT UNDONE

'Being a hero during the Civil War era took on lots of different forms. One woman, hero Louella, is the subject of award-winning author Vanessa Miller's latest historical novel . . . This powerful story must be told and retold.' GMA

'Bestselling author Vanessa Miller has penned yet another moving and illuminating novel in THE AMERICAN QUEEN . . . With gentleness and empathy, Miller examines the complex relationship between faith and adversity.' BookPage

'Miller (THE LIGHT ON HALSEY STREET) captivates with a propulsive historical based on the true story of a group of formerly enslaved people who founded a utopian society in the Appalachian mountains in the 1860s . . . readers will be won over by Louella's gumption, optimism, and tenacity. Miller brings to enthralling life a hidden gem in American history.' Publishers Weekly

'Readers are mesmerized by the incredible blend of hope, heartbreak, and determination in Louella's journey. THE AMERICAN QUEEN is about more than survival--it's about redefining what freedom truly means.' SheReads

'Regal, self-possessed with inner strength and dignity--that's the portrayal of Luella Bobo Montgomery in Vanessa Miller's THE AMERICAN QUEEN. Miller crafts a stellar image of resilience, giving life to a little-known story of American royalty. There's something special, soul-stirring to read of a woman, a wife, a queen building a space with her husband and found family that makes a community's hope of freedom come true. Everyone should read THE AMERICAN QUEEN and be inspired.' Vanessa Riley, award-winning author of ISLAND QUEEN and QUEEN OF EXILES

'Some books just feel inspired. You feel blessed for having read them. They feel like a gift. This is one of those books. The American Queen is definitely a story everyone should know, and a year from now, I have a feeling they will. Put it at the top of your bookstagram reading list.' Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of THE MANY DAUGHTERS OF AFONG MOY

'THE AMERICAN QUEEN brings to light another hidden triumph in Black American history. Queen Louella is frankly a woman that everyone should know. Filled with bravery and cultural beauty, this marvel of a novel transported me while educating me on the sheer determination of an emancipated community to not only survive but to also thrive.' Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of THE HOUSE OF EVE

'THE AMERICAN QUEEN by Vanessa Miller is a rich, multilayered saga of a little-known true story that completely captivated me with one of the strongest and most compelling protagonists I've ever read. The dreams of Louella Montgomery were strong enough to infuse an entire community and carry them on the wings of hope off the plantation. I had to blink several times to come back to the present after finishing the last page of this wonderful novel. Everyone should read this book!' Colleen Coble, USA TODAY bestselling author

'THE AMERICAN QUEEN is beautifully told, a story rife with struggle, intrigue, and the indomitable spirit of a woman strong enough to carry the weight of a community, bold enough to dream the impossible, and determined enough to fashion dreams into reality. Louella Montgomery is a woman for the ages. I loved traveling alongside her and meeting the people of The Happy Land.' Lisa Wingate #1 New York Times bestselling author of THE BOOK OF LOST FRIENDS

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