Davenports

"If this whole series existed right now, I'd tear through it to the exclusion of everything else in my life." -Teen Librarian ToolboxThe Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago.Olivia, the beautiful eldest Davenport daughter, is ready to do her duty and marry. . . until charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight sweeps into town and sparks fly.Her younger sister, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love-unless it's with her sister's betrothed.Amy-Rose, childhood-friend-turned-maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business-and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen's brother, John. But Olivia's best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can't seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, The Davenports follows four determined and passionate young Black women as they discover the courage to steer their own path in life-and love."Deftly written . . . A dazzling debut." - Kirkus (starred review)"The perfect read for fans of escapist historical fiction." -NBC's TODAY

Krystal Marquis lives in Connecticut and works as an environmental health and safety specialist for a book retailer - The Davenports is her debut novel and was inspired by the true life story of the Patterson dynasty who founded the first African-American car company in the early 1900s.