Rhonda Bowen's "Man Enough For Me"

Title: Not My Cup Of Tea
Man Enough For Me by Rhonda Bowen

Reviewed by: T's Blogging
2017

Good morning family, friends, and page watchers. I have to share this one with you. Before I go spilling the beans, can I please come clean about something? Okay, here I go. I sent my cousin, who shall remain nameless, to the library to get a few books, and I specifically told her, "Please do not bring me back any baby momma drama novels," which I am ashamed to admit I used to associate with books from the African American genre. Now, before you go bashing me, I can admit when I'm wrong. And I can even admit that my stereotypical views needed major reprogramming. However, I refuse to lie, it was hard for me to even attempt to read this book until it somehow found it's way in my lap. So what changed? Let me tell you.
     Rhonda Bowen's main character, Jules Jackson is a single, well-put-together woman that is an over-thinker and as one of the most overbearing, up in your business, always has something negative to say mother. And while Jules' mother makes it very clear how disappointed she is about Jules' life and career choice, Jules also struggles with daddy issues. Unknowingly, Jules upbringing plays a big role in her focusing on work and staying as far as she can from any man that rings any warning/proceed with caution alarms. However, there's always that one guy that can slip right between the walls that a woman barricades her heart inside. And in this story that man's name is Germaine Williams.
     To refrain from giving you all the details let me just say, Germaine catches Jules' eye and before you know it, the wall around Jules' heart is down and she is intoxicated by like, lust, and maybe even love. But, in every relationship, or so it seems, something happens and destroys the bliss. Now, the questions that kept nudging me to read more were: will Jules' past issues with trust resurface, causing her to create an issue between her and Germaine? Or is the smooth talking guy really a wolf in sheep's clothing? And guess what? The answers to these questions are awaiting book lovers in this Christian base novel, that is enriched with wholesome and religious metaphors that's good for the soul.
     Although this book taught me that I cannot judge a book by the genre, I have to admit the story does lack in the character and reader connection. I can definitely relate to Jules' issues with trust. However, at times her emotions read forced. For example, if Jules were a real person, and we were friends, I would view her as fake--someone that can turn on and off her emotions at any given time. It is as if the main character's emotions were only surface. Perhaps my feeling stem from the fast pace of the novel, but that may be a stretch.
     Nonetheless, I enjoyed this read. And honestly, I would read more books written by Author Rhonda Bowen.

I give this read 3.75 stars

Until next week.

T's Blogging    

Dan Buri's "Pieces Like Pottery"

Title: Inspiring Emotion

“Pieces Like Pottery” by Dan Buri

Reviewed by M. Windholtz

8/15/16

12:07 am

In this collection of short stories and lyrical poems, author Dan Buri evokes powerful emotions from sorrow to love. The fictional pieces propose profound notions in simple surroundings, like the fallout after a son’s death in “The Graveyard,” or in the bonds forged late at night at a bar in “Twenty-Two.”

Each story is well-edited and has an interesting premise. Although at times peppered with clichés, each story is filled with casual, carefully-scribed details that draw the readers in, even for a short amount of pages.

However, the collection does come with its faults. Moments that could be enriched with description are instead left with blanket statements, falling into a pattern of telling over showing. At times, Buri seems more focused on finding stories for his profound thoughts instead of having moments of profound thought appear in his stories. This makes some stories drag, with insights coming off as forced and fake; some reflections, however, have just the right balance.

The story collection is generally enjoyable, but “Twenty-Two” and “Expect Dragon” truly reveal the skill of the author. “Twenty-Two” stands out from the other stories because it succeeds in implanting new ideas in readers’ minds while telling a captivating tale. It leaves the reader near to tears as it shows, rather than tells, a story of redemption that startles the reader with its conclusion.

The profound views that define the collection work best in “Expect Dragons,” the story of a student visiting his dying teacher. Large parts of the story are reflections and memories as the student goes on an hours-long road trip to be by his teacher’s side. Interlaced among his life’s anecdotes are words of advice from the teacher, their meanings connected skillfully to the stories he shares.

It is really these aforementioned tales that elevate the collection above and beyond and make it a thoroughly worthwhile read for anyone looking for some extra thought in their minds.

I give “Pieces Like Pottery” 4 out of 5 stars.

Yours in Words,

M. Windholtz

K. Kumar's "Love and Tumult"

Title: A Novel of the World

“Love and Tumult” by K. Kumar

Reviewed by A. Anthony

10/29/2015

10:05 p.m.

Traveling from such African countries as Namibia and Rwanda, to various locales in Colombia and Brazil, K. Kumar’s Love and Tumult is truly a novel of the world.

Kumar establishes this sense of worldliness through intimate portraits—of rural South American villages, of bustling African metropolises—painted with beautifully descriptive language. Our imaginations are so enlivened that we feel we are traversing the streets alongside the novel’s protagonist, Vik Murthy.

Vik undergoes a sensation that afflicts many: when one looks at one’s life and realizes one’s dissatisfaction, followed by a compulsion to seek out an electrifying change. Vik decides to transition from working as a civil servant in Washington, D.C. to working as an auditor for the American Development Agency, a position for which he must travel the globe in order to assess the organization’s many humanitarian programs.

Now, it is true that no matter where we are in the world, Cupid’s arrow may strike; so it is with Vik, who endures love and its tumultuous consequences, as the title denotes he must. But love does not define the novel, nor does it become Vik’s primary narrative; the passion present in his life is for his work, and for the novel experiences it brings about.

Concerning that work, the reader may find the meticulous details of the many audits Vik performs to be slightly dull, though Vik’s work is admirable. Furthermore, there is a flatness in the dialogue which is sometimes indistinguishable between different characters. Though the author’s well-traveled intellect reconstructs places that may be appreciated for their splendor, this extraordinary development of scene tends to dwarf not only Vik’s development (it seems that his characterization ceases halfway through), but also eliminates the uniqueness of the very people that make those places splendid, as they are primarily defined by their place of birth.      

I give “Love and Tumult” 3 out of 5 stars.     

Until Next Time,

A. Anthony 

Fia Essen's "Ariel"

Title: Tempestuous Ruin, Prosperous Renewal

“Ariel” by Fia Essen

Reviewed by A. Anthony

07/28/2015

7:47 p.m.

The right to a happy life—one with a dream job and house, loyal friends, and a significant other with which to share it all—is one to which everyone has a claim. Most, however, aren’t able to gain all of these things, though often they are able to gain some. It is the wish fulfillment that the romantic comedy provides which gives hope that it is all possible.

Ariel by Fia Essen doesn’t escape the common formula of the romantic comedy, which is probably inescapable. All the writer can do is to add unique variations, and this Essen accomplishes through the exotic setting of her novel.

Ariel Morton is an expatriate whose family traveled extensively before finally settling in Singapore. Readers are taken out of their comfort zone by the atypical setting, and this challenge makes Ariel stand out. The narrative is enriched by details of the country’s customs, landscape, and diverse populace as we come to know Ariel.

Ariel was dumped three years ago, and was fired from her job; she doesn’t want anyone to know it, so she lies about how she was the dumper, and she quit her job, etc. She is oppressed by her lie of a life, so it is fortunate that she is contacted by the mysterious Muse Agency, which has counseled countless people towards success. Agency head Celine Valois works her magic, becoming like a Prospero to the suffering life of Ariel, who knows she must reform or fall completely.

Essen develops a likeable, humorous cast of characters as the inspiring, enjoyable narrative progresses incident by incident into a better future for Ariel. The only major flaw is that Ariel’s love-interest, Colin, remains inhumanly perfect. Colin betrays his humanity slightly at one point, but we are left with the impression that he is some flawless being, as we never really come to know him.

I give “Ariel” 4 out of 5 stars     

  

Until Next Time,

A. Anthony    

Kristin Ravelle's "The Everlasting Spell"

Title: Too Much of a Good Thing

“Everlasting Spell” by Kristin Ravelle

Reviewed by V

07/10/2015

5:35 p.m.

Have you ever had that unreachable crush that you would do anything to get the attention of? What if a simple spell fell into your hands that promised to make them yours? Would you try it? These are the questions Sabina found herself asking when she heard of an Everlasting Spell. Her long-time crush on Justin, the jock every girl fancied, was finally within her reach. But was it everything she imagined it would be, or would the spell take a dark turn?

The Everlasting Spell is a short read that tells a very intriguing story. We’ve all had that lover we desired, but were out of our reach. This story explores what would happen if there was a possible way to make them fall in love with you. A love spell with no antidote: would you take the risk?

Author Kristin Ravelle creates a very relatable character and story that will keep you intrigued. Filled with great sensory details, and just the right combination of romance and mystery- this book will keep you on your toes. When the love trance starts to be a bit overwhelming, how will Sabina escape her stalker boyfriend? What can be done?

The Everlasting Spell, could definitely use more length, and more background on the spell-casting culture itself  Ravelle throws the reader into the story before actually developing a reader and character connection. It fails to show why Sabina and other girls became involved with it. I would say the average person would not try out witchcraft on a whim, so what made Sabina do it? These kinds of character details and development would make this novel much stronger. Great book for the beach, or a plane ride. I would definitely recommend this book to Romance lovers looking for a quick read.

I give “The Everlasting Spell” 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Best,

V