Book Review: Guilty By Association by Pat Simmons

Guilty By Association by Pat Simmons


Review by Tavares S. Carney

Now That We’ve Found Love

As a youngster, Kevin “Kidd” Jamieson grew up desiring, yet lacking, the dedication time and attention of a father. Having lived with his younger brother, Aaron, and mom, Sharon, Kidd faces a dramatic shift in the lifestyle he is accustomed to upon finally meeting his other siblings and extended family. Throughout the novel, readers will find Kidd facing many challenges. These challenges include deciphering between genuine love and acceptance versus guilt driven hand-outs, finding love, and feelings of obligation to his younger brother and mother and more.

When I first began the novel, I found Kidd to be a man acting like a kid, thinking that he needed to get out of his own way. I was happy when Kidd finally allowed his Jamieson family to step in, encouraging and motivating him to strive for more out of life. Initially, this arrangement was met with much opposition. I liked the way the author showed family dynamics of the Jamieson clan and, in my opinion, Ms. Simmons does a great job of allowing Kidd to wear his heart on his sleeve when it comes to his feelings of not having grown up with his biological father.

Other characters in the story, Grandma BB and Eve, provided comic relief and an emotional breakthrough, respectively. I often found myself laughing at Grandma BB and rooting for Kevin and Eve.

This is a good read and I would definitely consider another selection from this author.

Review by Tavares S. Carney

*Author solicited review.




For more on the author, please visit: http://www.patsimmons.net/

When Rain Falls by Tyora Moody

When Rain Falls by Tyora Moody

Review by Tavares S. Carney

Past Meets Present

In her first novel, author, Tyora Moody, introduces readers to Candace Johnson, a recent widow and mother of two children, and her best friend, hotshot defense attorney, Pamela Coleman. Having suffered painful losses early in life, the two friends share an unbreakable bond. As the plot unfolds, readers learn of Candace’s grief, and how it affects her interactions with others, as well as Pamela’s secrets, and how those secrets ultimately, affect the livelihood of not only Pamela, but the people around her as well.

I was immediately engulfed in the storyline, finding myself unable to stop wondering what happened in the past and what was going to happen later in the story. Supporting characters Darnell Jackson, Beulah, Mitch and Yvonne Harris, Serena, The Colemans, Aunt Maggie, Avante and Hillary help move the story along. I found myself prematurely accusing more than one of them of some type of wrongdoing before learning some truths. I absolutely loved Beulah’s support to those around her, and while I grew to like Pamela, I did not necessarily agree with everything she does in the novel. I also came to understand Candace and Maggie’s relationship and am sure several readers will empathize.

This is definitely an interesting read. I cannot rightfully label this book Christian fiction alone because suspense and mystery also looms. While the author weaves spirituality throughout, I can fathom readers who typically do not read in the Christian fiction genre enjoying this particular selection.

Some of the topics that surface in this novel include life after loss, crime and punishment, police brutality, adultery, revenge, surrogate parenting, forgiveness and friendship. Unlike any other Christian fiction novel I have read, I am already anticipating the next release in the Victory Gospel Series. What does the future hold?

Review by Tavares S. Carney

*Advance copy received for review.

Interview with Tyora Moody

When did you have your first inkling that perhaps you’d like to become a writer/an author?


I can remember writing short stories in high school and college, but it seemed to be something I grew out of mainly because I started to pursue more of my love for design. The desire to birth a story returned in 2006.

Have you always written in the format you are writing now? For example, have you written or do you write novels, poems/poetry, short stories, sketches, film and/or theatre scripts, song lyrics, magazine articles, etc.?

For the 10 years, I mainly wrote nonfiction pieces likes devotions, bible studies and how-to articles.

When did you first share your writing publicly? How was it received?

I have had good response to my nonfiction writing over the years. In 2010, my short story, Birthing Pains, in the anthology, Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships became my first published work of fiction. The anthology and my short story was well-received. It was a very encouraging experience especially since I wasn’t sure I could write a short story within the required word length.

Do you write full-time? If so, was writing your first career? If not, what did you find particularly easy and most challenging about becoming a full-time writer?

No, I wish. I’m an entrepreneur, so I spent quite a bit of time during the week running my small business. I used to be more of a weekend writer. Now I’m finding I have to slow down on projects so I can write more during the week. With a book deal comes a contract and deadlines to ensure your book is released on time.

Have you yet to encounter adversity and adverse opinions? How do you deal with adverse opinions and views to your work?

Not yet. I would take any view of my work as an opportunity to grow.

Did you attend any workshops/conferences to assist you in honing your craft? If so, which ones?

Yes, I attended a few writer’s conferences. In 2006, I attended the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. I only had may be ten-fifteen chapters of When Rain Falls written at the time, but I decided to enter the writer’s contest. I won second place with my first forty pages. That gave me the motivation to continue the story.

In 2010, Tiffany L. Warren offered pitch sessions at the Faith and Fiction Retreat (check it out this year in Texas at http://faithandfictionretreat.com/). I decided to attend and pitch to the four editors. It took a few months to hear back from anyone. There were two rejections, but December 2010 was an answer to a prayer. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and finally being able to share When Rain Falls with readers.

Anyone else in your family a writer or have other talents?

I have heard of members of my family who have attempted to write a book. I’m not sure if they completed the book. I think I’m the first one to publish a book.

Any one or more people have a great influence in the person/talent you are today?

My tenth grade English teacher was very instrumental in helping me develop a love for creative writing.

If you could take one book with you to a deserted island, which would it be?

The Bible. Plenty of wisdom, inspiration and stories wrapped in those 66 books.

If you could take 5 CDs with you to a deserted island, which would they be?

Okay, that’s a hard one. Probably a CD each from CeCe Winans, Israel Houghton and Yolanda Adams. I love Christian Hip Hop, so I would have to change up a bit with some Trip Lee and Lecrae. LOL!

What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Why?

You probably heard this before from plenty of other writers, but probably Oprah. Mainly because I know she is a bookworm and loves literature.

Would you like to collaborate with anyone on a novel? How do you feel about collaborations?

I don’t know. It’s been a journey writing one by myself. I would consider it if an opportunity was presented to me in the future.

In 5 words or less, describe your character.

Quiet, but bold. I think all my life people mistake my quietness as shyness. I like challenges!

What is your website?

Readers can find me online at:

http://www.tyoramoody.com

http://facebook.com/AuthorTyoraMoody

http://www.twitter.com/tyoramoody

What other projects are you working on?

I’m currently working on the second book in the Victory Gospel Series. The next book in the series, When Memories Fade, will be released March 2013.

 

Book Review: The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore

The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore



Review by Tavares S. Carney


Roadblocks, Detours and Open Doors

Being the mother of a young, impressionable black male living in an urban area, I was intrigued by The Other Wes Moore being based upon events detailing the lives of two young boys living in the same neighborhood, whose lives began similarly yet became stark contrast as adults – one being an upstanding scholar, the other serving life in prison. I began to think that perhaps I would read about some “enlightening” or “defining” moment when one Wes Moore veered right, and the other Wes Moore veered left. To my surprise, that single “moment” was never exacted.

The author does not attempt to debate the topic of nature vs. nurture, or either as the primary reason either Wes Moore’s life is as it is today; however, he does share each boy’s story, the roads traveled and how they ended up where they are present day. Some of the stories were very serious, some funny, some eye-brow raising and some even sad. There are many tales, and I’m sure all readers can relate to at least one.

What I gather from this novel is that some opportunities are more available to some than others, be it through parents who have good jobs, or through parental networks of friends and colleagues. Opportunities taken, missed and lost come to mind when speaking of opportunity. From an education standpoint for example, private school may be an option for some, while public school is the seemingly only option for others. Still, this is not an excuse to not succeed because there are often ways to get around these so-called and perceived “roadblocks.” Let’s take earning scholarships, and seeking the assistance of friends and family to help pay tuition, for example. These are examples of how to get around perceived roadblocks.

Utilizing resources available to us can help shape us into the citizens we will become in the future. Knowing that these resources exist is even more crucial. Many do not take advantage of these resources because they do not know they exist. The “Call to Action” at the end of the book details numerous organizations offering educational assistance, mentoring services and more.

I also enjoyed reading about “the other” Wes Moore, the one whose life could have easily been the successful Wes Moore’s. As the other puts in his own words, “the chilling truth is that his story could have been mine, the tragedy is that my story could have been his.”

About the Author (excerpted from http://www.theotherwesmoore.com/)


Wes Moore is a youth advocate, Army combat veteran, promising business leader and author.

Wes Moore was born in 1978 and was three years old when his father, a respected radio and television host, died in front of him. His mother, hoping for a better future for her family, made great sacrifices to send Wes and his sisters to private school. Caught between two worlds, the affluence of his classmates and the struggles of his neighbors, Wes began to act out, succumbing to bad grades, suspensions, and delinquencies. Desperate to reverse his behavior, his mother sent him to military school in Pennsylvania. After trying to escape five times, Wes finally decided to stop railing against the system and become accountable for his actions. By graduation six years later, Moore was company commander overseeing 125 cadets.

On December 11, 2000, The Baltimore Sun ran an article about how Wes, despite his troubled childhood, had just received The Rhodes Scholarship. At the same time, The Sun was running stories — eventually more than 100 in all — about four African-American men who were arrested for the murder of an off-duty Baltimore police officer during an armed robbery. One of the men convicted was just two years older than Wes, lived in the same neighborhood, and in an uncanny turn, was also named Wes Moore.

Wes wondered how two young men from the same city, who were around the same age, and even shared a name, could arrive at two completely different destinies. The juxtaposition between their lives, and the questions it raised about accountability, chance, fate and family, had a profound impact on Wes. He decided to write to the other Wes Moore, and much to his surprise, a month later he received a letter back. He visited the other Wes in prison over a dozen times, spoke with his family and friends, and discovered startling parallels between their lives: both had difficult childhoods, they were both fatherless, were having trouble in the classroom; they’d hung out on similar corners with similar crews, and had run into trouble with the police. Yet at each stage of their lives, at similar moments of decision, they would head down different paths towards astonishingly divergent destinies. Wes realized in their two stories was a much larger tale about the consequences of personal responsibility and the imperativeness of education and community for a generation of boys searching for their way.

Seeking to help other young people to redirect their lives, Wes is committed to being a positive influence and helping kids find the support they need to enact change. Pointing out that a high school student drops out every nine seconds, Wes says that public servants — the teachers, mentors and volunteers who work with our youth — are as imperative to our national standing and survival as are our armed forces. “Public service does not have to be an occupation,” he says, “but it must be a way of life.”

Moore lives with his wife Dawn in New Jersey.


*No payment or gift-in-kind received for this review.

Book Review: One Day It'll All Make Sense by Common

One Day It’ll All Make Sense by Common
with Adam Bradley

Review by Tavares S. Carney

“Letters to Grow On”

If one were to make a summation of this book in Common’s hip-hop lyrics, I would definitely say One Day It’ll All Make Sense is the author’s “Retrospect for Life” as he reflects upon his life from where he is today. The reason I emphasize present day is the fact I gather this entertainer has aspirations he has yet to even pursue.

In this semi-autobiographical memoir injected with letters from his mother’s perspective, Common shares his life experiences as he garners fame as a hip-hop artist, and later actor. He shares his wins, his losses, his struggles and his triumphs. In between he talks about growing up as a young black male in Chicago, his friends, his loves and his family. In retrospect, he takes nothing and no one for granted.

What I like in particular about this book are the letters the author writes to individuals who have in some way or another helped shape the man he is today. Whether or not these individuals remain constants in his life, the author openly shares lessons learned from each of them. These people may or may not have known prior to this release that a part of the author’s growth can be attributed to each of them. I also enjoyed reading his mother’s take on people, places and things, some of which only a mother of a teenage boy can relate. The clear message throughout One Day It’ll All Make Sense is that our life experiences shape us as human beings.

Because I am a fan of the hip-hop artist, actor, and now author, this book intrigued me because Common is widely known and accepted as a “conscious rapper,” who by my own definition speaks of relevant issues and not always the stereotypical.

The title is aptly fitting, sending a message that no matter what we go through “one day it’ll all make sense.”

For more on the author, please visit ThinkCommon.com.

Review by Tavares S. Carney

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*No compensation or gift-in-kind received for this review.