love a historical fiction book that enlightens me about Black people in history, which you don't learn about in school or get a lot of attention. The author gives Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (Eliza)- The Black Swan, her due.

It is clear the author did the research and weaves facts with fiction to give the reader an incredible story about Black opera singer The Black Swan. The story of Eliza, a woman born a slave, is granted her freedom and raised by the woman who granted her freedom. Eliza has a gift, she has a beautiful voice for singing opera. We follow her journey to use her gift, when Black women, and women, in general, have no voice, and limited freedom. What is clear, is that the issues facing Black women in this time setting (late 1800;s) are still prevalent today. The author weaves themes of misogyny, racism, women's autonomy, wealth, and expectations society places on women throughout the book. There is some romance, and a little spice (just the right amount for this book).
The book is well paced. The book has moments that are funny, romantic, and others that make you angry or sad. And there are a few heart racing moments.
The story is an enjoyable ride.
If you are a fan of historical fiction, add this one to your TBR!
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC.

I enjoy reading historical fiction because while doing something I love, which is being transported away while reading a book, I am also learning about an aspect of history that is often new to me. I especially enjoy learning little-known historical facts about black people in history. While I was scanning the books in Net Galley to find one to request, I noticed the cover of this book with a full-figured black woman in a gown on a stage and had to click to find out what it was about. I had completed a book with my book club called ‘Sing Her Name’ by Rosalyn Story. This, too, was a historical fiction about the real-life Sissieretta Jones, who was a soprano singer from 1887 to 1915. In ‘The Unexpected Diva’ by Tiffany L. Warren, the author also took some historical information about the real-life, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield (Eliza) popularly known as “The Black Swan”, who was a predecessor of Sissieretta, who was born into slavery in 1817. Her family was manumitted by Elizabeth H. Greenfield, the widow of a former plantation owner, upon his death. Elizabeth H. paid for young Elizabeth’s family to travel to Liberia. Young Eliza stayed in America with Elizabeth, and they travelled to Philadelphia to live in a Quaker community where Eliza was educated and her gift of singing was encouraged and the expenses of private training were paid for by an adopted guardian.
The author beautifully crafted a story around the remaining documents supporting the existence of Eliza, such as playbills and articles. I really enjoyed the pacing of the story from her younger days into late adulthood. I looked forward to dipping back into the story each night before I went to bed to discover more about Eliza and her journey to become a prima donna. Not only that, but I really appreciated the way Ms. Warren integrated historical figures such as Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Harriet Beecher Stowe into the story it helped to ground the story in time and help the reader settle into the time period.
I also felt the character development of the main and secondary characters of the story were done well, and they added to the ‘adventure’ of the story. Readers will be able to empathize with Eliza’s plight via the struggles presented for her as a single female in a time in which marriage and child-rearing was the preferred route rather than pursuing a career outside the home. And the realities of being a black person in a time when the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 allowed any black person free or enslaved to be captured and sold into slavery. This had to severely hinder things that seem so basic, such as movement around town for fear of capture. The author did a great job of keeping that in the forefront of the readers’ mind without detracting to the story in any way.
When I graduated from college and was working one of my first jobs, I first heard of Marian Anderson, a black American contralto opera singer who performed concerts throughout the U.S. and Europe between 1925 and 1965. I quickly purchased one of her albums and began listening to her. That was my first experience listening to a black operatic singer, and I was so proud. Little did I know that there was another ‘Hidden Figure’ that sang classical music and performed in both the US and Europe many decades prior. For this and many other reasons, I am grateful that Ms. Warren wrote this book and created such an engaging story to bring this person to light. I highly recommend people read this story. Even though it is a historical fiction, readers will have a hard time not going online to read more about this amazing woman.

Believe In Yourself

Many years ago, in college I took a Music Appreciation class at 21 I neglected to pay close attention. After reading The Unexpected Diva by Tiffan Warren, I would go back to that class and absorb every detail. I was mesmerized by the story from start to finish. Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield did what was best for her. A well written story, had I not known it was historical fiction you could feel the realness in the words as you turned the pages.
Tiffany, you did us proud. I hope to attend a book discussion with you.

My sincere thanks to Tiffany Warren, Net Galley, and William Morrow Publishers for the ARC o THE UNEXPECTED DIVA. Above is my honest review.

I was totally captivated by this compelling historical fiction story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a real life black opera singer in the 1800s who was born into slavery in the U.S. and rose to the top of her art with her magnificent voice, support of a wealthy adoptive mother, and her own unflagging determination. I had not heard of this brave and talented woman before, and highly recommend this beautifully written account of her life to fans of historical fiction focusing on exceptional women. Brava!

Thanks to William Morrow for my copy of The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany Warren.

I was so intrigued by the story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield and I was excited to read this book to learn more about this amazing woman that more people should know about! She was a black opera singer in the 1850s and even sang for Queen Victoria!

I wanted to like this book more, but I'm glad it introduced me to this amazing woman. I struggle with biographical fiction, especially when it's a person where there isn't as much about their life and the author is creating a story around the big events. I did think the historical aspect of the 1850s and the struggles that Elizabeth faced as a free black around racism and the fear of slavecatchers was done well. It was a little repetitive and could have been a little shorter.

If you're looking for a fictional story about an amazing women you'll enjoy this.

I am loving the historical fiction that focuses on Black folks in the arts! As a used-to-be-wannabe prima donna, I devoured these pages!

In The Unexpected Diva, we meet Elizabeth, affectionately known as Eliza, an opera singer in training who happens to have been born on a plantation in Mississippi before being manumitted and adopted to live in Philadelphia. She is everything society says she shouldn’t be— a plump, dark, rich woman who is disinterested in marriage and has dreams of grandeur.

After the death of her benefactor, Elizabeth seeks to make good on a promise to use her gift, but she is not met with support. From her entangled inheritance, to her fraught betrothal, to the weight of doubt from even her loved ones, Eliza is forced to exhibit a great amount of faith and belief that her gift will make room for her.

I was pleased to read this story and to learn about how it all unfolded.

I am much obliged to #NetGalley for this ARC of #TheUnexpectedDiva! Thank you 100 times over.

BRAVO!!! THE UNEXPECTED DIVA DRAWS A RAVE REVIEW: by William Fredrick Cooper

When privileged with the honor of reading and reviewing a Historically Fictional journey into the life of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the excited feeling capturing me was akin to going to the soft opening of a new opera before it goes public. I pictured myself seated in an elegantly appointed, elevated box in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium, Second Tier. With clear sightlines and afforded outstanding acoustics, in my plush red velvet seat I waited with anticipation, people watching until the performance.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and a single spotlight appeared center stage. Would there be some rising professional singer with collaborative pianists blessing me with wide-ranging ambition? Or alternatively, would the Met Orchestra lead an enticing program evoking a wide range of emotions?

It would be neither. To the surprise of an audience in musical expectation, from behind those famous red curtains came an Author, Tiffany Warren, reading from her forthcoming novel. THE UNEXPECTED DIVA.

Reading with the same passion of which she penned her outstanding story, in attention-gripping form she first takes us to a mid-19th Century Philadelphia bedside, where trailblazing opera singer Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield makes a bedside promise to her dying adoptive mother. Remembering her Mississippi, slave plantation roots and a biological mother far away, with steeled determination this full-figured gift to readers and our ancestors sets out on a journey of maximizing her otherworldly operatic skills and bringing her mother close.

With Ms. Warren delivering a story so rich in emotional detail you feel like you’ve been transported by time machine to the 1850’s, you can’t help but root for Eliza (As she’s known throughout the book) as she stands strong against the many challenges of her time. Without giving away details of this amazingly captivating tale, all I’ll say is that the obvious racism of the time is but one adversity. (There’s a powerful mid-novel scene in Rochester, New York where even Miss Greenfield realizes the magnitude of her journey and how it’s impacted the lives of others.) Readers will marvel at the breathtaking brilliance of which the author blends the internal and external struggles of our heroine, and how her risk-taking is a study of faith and knowing one’s worth.

From Philadelphia, through Buffalo and other Northern Cities while keeping memories of Mississippi and expectations from the Motherland in mind, Miss Greenfield ultimately lives out Proverbs 18:16, where the gift she’s in possession of brings her before… Well, get the book on January 7th.

When Tiffany Warren finished reading THE UNEXPECTED DIVA to the audience as Carnegie, she heard an unfamiliar silence. For a millisecond she stood alone under the spotlight, but any uncertainty she felt was immediately cast out of her when she heard me scream “BRAVO!” from that second tier.

Soon, standing ovations and shouts of ENCORE cascaded from the corridors of all three performance venues of Carnegie Hall. From the heavens, both Marian Anderson and Elizebeth Taylor Greenfield smiled while embracing. Somewhere, Leontyne Price and Kathleen Battle are beaming as well, and giving Miss Greenfield thanks.

On January 7th, 2025, many readers will be screaming BRAVO to Tiffany Warren, thanking her profusely for writing THE UNEXPECTED DIVA. Even in Historical Fiction it shares a previously unknown truth about a triumphant forerunner with excellence; a moment of empowerment that others are now trying to strip away.

BRAVO to THE UNEXPECTED DIVA! BRAVO TO TIFFANY WARREN!!!!

I'm actually ashamed to say that I had never heard of Elizabeth Greenfield before picking up this novel. Elizabeth has a very unique position in African American history. She was born on a Mississippi plantation but was afforded a comfortable life by her adoptive, wealthy mother. When her mother dies Elizabeth is at a crossroads about what to do about her budding singing career. We follow her on the road to becoming one of the most famous opera singers of her time. She was even nicknamed, "The Black Swan".
The author does an excellent job in delving into the rich history of Elizabeth and of course some things are fictitious because not a lot is known about her real life. But Elizabeth comes alive on these pages and I hope this novel introduces a new generation to this marvelous artist who broke down barriers like it did for me.

I was excited to read this book because I enjoy historical fiction, especially when it centers around real people who deserve to be better known. The author did an outstanding job of pulling me into Eliza's world. I felt her hope and joy but also her frustration and sometimes even fear. I appreciated the author's notes at the end, especially those explaining what creative license she took and why.

Eliza and her journey felt so real to me in this book. I would definitely seek out this author's next novel

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the early read.

This captivating historical fiction novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys the genre. It's also a perfect introduction for those who are new to historical fiction. The book tells the immersive and enlightening story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a Black opera singer who toured America and even performed for Queen Victoria. I was completely captivated by Eliza's journey and eager to learn more about this remarkable woman. Despite the limited historical records, the author skillfully blends fact and fiction to create a compelling narrative. The subtle hints of romance in Eliza's life add another layer of intrigue to the story. The author's dedication to research is evident in the detailed Historical Note, which provides valuable context and insights. I highly recommend this book for its engaging storytelling and its ability to transport readers to another time and place.

A really interesting story about a Black opera singer, Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield.

Raised by a wealthy white benefactor, Eliza had dreams of furthering her career and training in Paris. When her benefactor dies, her life is in turmoil - will she have the funds to continue her singing lessons and what to do. It seems everyone is telling her to be content with what she has, and leave those operatic dreams in the past. Her skin color and being female are big deterrents she tries to overcome. The Black population is both proud of her accomplishments and upset she isn't doing more to support them.

It was a slow starting story, but was really interesting. I enjoyed learning about someone I wasn't aware of in our history.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

A beautiful story filled with obstacles to overcome in a time filled with limitations for certain groups of people.

HIGHLY recommend
5.0 stars

This is the second book about pre-Civil War Philadelphia I have read this year, but the first by this author. This historical novel covers the time between The Fugitive Slave Act and the Civil War when Elizabeth "Eliza" Taylor Greenfield was making her mark. She was known as "The Black Swan" and was the first Black prima donna.

Eliza was born enslaved and was freed by her enslaver. Her family immigrated to Liberia while Eliza was left with their former enslaver who became her benefactor. Eliza has a lovely singing voice which causes twists and turns in her life. But her voice prevails!

The storyline, characters, and time are incredibly fascinating. Additionally, the author writes well and educates the reader about what was really happening to Blacks during this horrible time in American history. It is not a white-washed story, but it is something to remember during these similar times.

I like that this was a Black woman author writing about a historical Black woman.

Published/posted dates with links
• Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6981400632 ; posted 11/21/2024
• Books by Dorothea - https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2024/11/review-unexpected-diva-ebook.html ; posted 11/21/2024

Thank you to Net Galley and William Morrow for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I like to read books about strong women, and this book certainly qualifies. Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield was a brilliant singer, but she faced a lot of hardships because of the color of her skin. In spite of this, she managed to sing all over the world before and during the Civil War. I really liked this book. I had never heard of Eliza, so it was so interesting to learn about her life. I also enjoyed reading about her beautiful dresses and the fashions of this time. I also enjoyed reading the facts at the end. Highly recommend! I'm glad author Tiffany L. Warren wrote a book about this fascinating lady!

Thank you, William Morrow, for the copy of The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren. If you love historical fiction, this is the book for you. If you have never read historical fiction, this is the book you should start with. The story of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield was immersive and enlightening. This Black opera singer toured America and sang at Buckingham Palace for Queen Victoria. I had not heard of her so I was so anxious to read her story. There aren’t lots of records about Eliza, but Warren did a great job of weaving fact with fiction. I loved the hints of romance that Eliza experienced as she pursued her career. I loved the Historical Note and appreciate how much research Warren did as well as how much I learned from this book. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Tiffany L Warren truly delivers in The Unexpected Diva, an important, well-written story that needed to be told.

This was a great work of historical fiction. The writing was top notch, and I enjoyed the ride I was taken on. The story of freed slave- Elizabeth, whose love was singing opera. This was a gift she shared with the world. She endured a lot to share her gift during post civil war times.
This was my first introduction to Tiffany L. Warren. She didn't disappoint. I look forward to reading more by this author. love.

#Netgalley #HistoricalFiction

Prior to this book, I had never heard of Eliza; however, I do now! Her story is so juicy, and Ms. Warren brought it to life beautifully! Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, and I am excited for more!

Thank you @netgalley for the gifted Arc.

How have I never heard of Miss Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, the first Black prima Donna? Raised by a wealthy white benefactor, Eliza dreams of advancing her skill and career by studying in Paris. Of course,the death of Miss Lizabeth and a delay in receiving the inheritance left to her, Eliza charts her own course to pursue her career.

What I enjoyed most was Eliza growing in her confidence to pursue what she wanted, on her own terms. Yes this is a fictional account of her life (in her twenties), her decision was not one most women, but especially a free Black woman, might have chosen. To remain unmarried was not looked upon favorably, I imagine, a free woman of color who society saw first as a woman who was Black. Her audacity! I love this about her.

I love how much tea was had in this book!

Some of the people in the book were based on real people who Eliza came in contact with. Electra Potter on the steamboat to Buffalo may have been a catalyst to introduce Eliza to audiences that would be stunned by her talent. Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Eliza’s tour in Europe!

I would love to hear Eliza’s voice! I can only imagine.

There were a few times I would have hoped the author could have used other words to describe the depth and complexity of Eliza’s voice. The word trills and runs was overused imo. But it does describe the vocal range of Greenfield.

I definitely recommend reading this book.

I am so thankful that the author reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in reading her upcoming historical fiction novel, The Unexpected Diva. It is excellent and will be one of my favorite reads this year!

Told in the first person, the story is about the real-life Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, a Black opera singer in pre-Civil War America (1850s). I had never heard of her or knew that she was the first Black American to sing for Queen Victoria.

Elizabeth (Eliza) is a fascinating woman and seeing the story unfold through her eyes drew me right into the story. Enslaved at birth but freed after the death of the slave holder, she grew up under the care of his widow who was an abolitionist and who nurtured Eliza’s love of singing (she had a three-octave voice).

Eliza faced many restraints as to what she could do, both due to her skin color and to the control men exercised over women in the 1800s. But she was resililent and gutsy with a strong belief in herself. She lived in a time when women were expected to marry and raise a family and nothing else. But Eliza refused to be limited and pursued her dream of being a famous opera singer even when many obstacles were put in her path.

The story is well-written and includes elements of what life was like for Black citizens in pre-Civil War America, even in the more liberal North. Black patrons couldn’t attend Eliza’s concerts in the North and where they could, protestors were out in full force. Slave traders came from the southern states to “catch” slaves who had fled the south - anyone who was Black, particularly the poor, could be grabbed by these traders and sold to plantations. The novel also weaves in the Underground Railway and how it helped many escape to Canada. Harriet Beecher Stowe, who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin showing the abhorrent conditions of slavery, makes an appearance as one of Eliza’s benefactors.

Eliza is the heart of this story and I was intrigued by her life (the author notes that some aspects are fictionalized). I highly recommend this one to all historical fiction lovers.

My thanks to the author for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions are my own.