More Than You Know

I was so pleasantly surprised when I read More Than You Know. I know Roz as an excellent writer however I really had no idea she could write fiction. My thought in reading this was that the story would make a great film. So I'm waiting. I hope her cousin Tim Story who most recently directed Fantastic Four (2005)and Barber Shop (2002) has taken the time to read his cousins book. This could really be a family affair if he directed it. steven meeks - dallas

This novel is one of exquisite beauty. The lyrically crafted narrative, which weaves vivid detail into a fluid and artful story, lends the novel an almost cinematic quality. It is at once haunting and hopeful, true to life, yet dream-like, at times. Once I picked the book up, I found myself unable to stop reading it until i had reached the end. The mysterious opening drew me in, and the symphonic blend of language, motifs and characters enveloped and held me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to let themselves be transported, if only for a brief time, into its world of jazz and song; of memories and hope.

More Than You Know is about how keeping secrets can destroy the family. Rosalyn Story writes this tale using a series of flashbacks that conduct a wonderful symphony of music in the detail of her words. As the secrets begin to unravel, the supporting characters in the book shed light on their involvement in the continuation of the betrayal.  During one of the worst storms of the decade, a nine-year-old boy, L.J. Tillman, drops off a note and a baby, Olivia, to Big Mama's front door. Big Mama, Glodean, Country, Uncle Joon, and Clo T. share in the parenting of Olivia. Big Mama believes God delivered Olivia to them as an answer to years of prayer. Nearly 20 years later, that nine-year-old boy, L.J. Tillman is reintroduced to Olivia. They fall in love and get married. L.J. lives the ideal musicians life until he reveals a deep, dark family secret to Olivia. She banishes him from the house forever not knowing that her wish may come true. Grief-stricken by his wife's outburst and dismissal from his dream job, L.J. turns to the bottle. Drinking and wallowing in despair, he plunges off an embankment landing in the river. He escapes the car and the city that doesn't want him by jumping a train to New York City. New York City has little to offer a poor black man with a saxophone. He travels from corner to corner and park bench to homeless shelter playing his horn while living on the streets. One-day Covington, a jazz singer, turns him onto an open club spot. L.J. slowly starts piecing his life back together as this gig allows him to save a few dollars. As the story unfolds, you learn that keeping secrets can tear a relationship apart and deepen your resolve to stay true to yourself. As Olivia learns bits and pieces of the truth, her heart opens and she realizes her purpose in life. But will her purpose and L.J.'s dream meet again? Every family has at least one dark secret, but it is how you live with that knowledge which makes the difference. The development of characters, along with the use of flashbacks, will keep you turning the pages of this novel. The outcome was unexpected, yet heartwarming. Story has a gift for writing that is refreshing. It reminds me of the writings of Maya Angelou and Sonia Sanchez.  Finally a saga about family that is not street or gang-related but focuses on down home folks. I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for her next book. Reviewed by Monique for Loose Leaves Book Review

From Kansas City to New York L.J. Tillman take's us on a personl journey from the streets to the best clubs in Manhattan, Ms. Story love for each charcter come to life on each page, her knowledge of jazz makes you want to go to a night club every night to see L.J. Tillman play.

When you walk by a street musician, do you drop a dollar in the case if their notes send electricity through your veins? Do you ever wonder what the musician's story is - why they are playing on the corner rather than in a posh nightclub? MORE THAN YOU KNOW by Rosalyn Story delves into the life of a street saxophonist, L.J. Tillman, and clarifies how he arrived at that station in his life. L.J. came from Kansas City to The Big Apple one night after he revealed a devastating secret to his wife, Olivia, and was then involved in a car accident. L.J. hopped a train and arrived in New York City to find himself living on the streets and playing for spare change. Back in Kansas City, the police ruled L.J. dead, despite the fact that a body never turned up. Olivia still holds on to hope, regardless of what the officials say, but after a year passes and L.J. doesn't show up, she starts to feel like it is time to let go and move on. MORE THAN YOU KNOW is a slow and deliberate melody - a ballad. While the plot thickens, so do the characterizations. Story's ensemble of secondary characters and her admirable emphasis on her protagonist's character pull this tale together nicely. There were times while reading this book that I wanted to step into the story myself to hear the music, let the characters in on secrets, and just hang out. These characters became so likable and so dear to my heart that I didn't want to turn that last page. MORE THAN YOU KNOW is a spectacular debut by a fabulous new author. Reviewed by CandaceK of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers