Bøger i Big Band serien

Despite their different backgrounds, Randy Jones agreed to take Cassie Ann Porter for better and for worse. He never considered how much worse things could get, but he finds out after he returns home from serving in the army during World War II. Unable to find a job, he has to depend on his wife to support the family, which includes their two daughters, who at first refuse to have anything to do with him. Cass works at the shipyard, one of many women employed to fill in while the men were gone to war. Her employer doesn't replace her and the others because he can pay them so much less than he would men, yet she would like nothing better than to be a stay-at-home wife and mother. When a good intention goes wrong, Randy wonders if he and Cass have made a mistake in going against society's rules. Can the "worse" ever get better?

The Big House's "Coloreds Only" policy makes the club popular with Harlem residents. The same policy makes it harder for the owners to find and retain musicians. After four weeks of listening to saxophonists with bigger dreams than talent, the owners are ready to hire the first person who walks in and plays "one good note." Their words come back to haunt them when Randy Jones auditions. Many of the employees are not thrilled when Randy breaks the color barrier. He does find an ally in Cass, the club's sassy singer, who goes out of her way to welcome him. Offstage, Cass Porter looks like a teenager, but when she sings she's all woman. Inside, she's been hurt badly and has determined never to love again. As their relationship develops, life at the club for Randy becomes complicated when he has to fight both Cass's fear of opening her heart and those who want to keep them apart.