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Review: Sweet Magnolia

Sweet Magnolia

Norma L. Jarrett 

Harlem Moon

ISBN # 0-7679-2142-9

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3 Tambourine Players

Ever since Summer Ledoux was a little girl she wanted to get married at her family’s New Orleans estate-the Ledoux Mansion. But when she returns home for her nuptials she finds that her prestigious and well-guarded family name is steeped in dark secrets and a legacy curse that haunts her every night. Although Summer quells this curse through her spiritual connection to Christ, she prays that her older and misguided sister, Misa will seek His refuge before its too late.

Misa Ledoux knows that her supermodel days are almost over. So when she receives Summer’s wedding and family reunion invitation she returns to Magnolia Lane hoping that this opportunity will be beginning of a fresh start for her. But her anxiety attacks and addictions to booze and bad men may destroy her future before it begins. Her caustic behavior with the family further strains her relationship with Summer-- the only person who could possibly help her through her depressive bouts.

Jarrett writes beautiful prose. Her close attention to detail, t romantic scenes, and New Orleans cultural references create an sweet, southern genteel mood for this story. Yet, the constant flashbacks and episodic chapters slow the story’s pace. Too many surprises and secrets add so much drama that it clouds the central themes of redemption and family responsibility from greater view. (June, 256 pp, $16.95)

Dee2Dee Stewart,

for Gospel Fiction


Dee Stewart is a mother, book critic, book marketing consultant and syndicated columnist. She hosts Third Thursdays Reader Event Series and served as a judge for the 2006 Christy Awards. She’s written for Spirit Led Woman, Gospel Today, Anointed and Precious Times Magazines. Her short story, “Straddling the Fence,” is featured in Infuze Magazine’s Best of 2005 Christian Shorts Anthology.


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May 10, 2006 in Book Reviews, Dee Stewart | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Flippin the Script Review

Cookie Aisle Review by Tyora Moody

Flippin_cover_3   Flippin’ the Script
by Aisha Ford

Life for Sabrina Bradley is not going well. Still reeling from a recent broken engagement, Sabrina makes her way through the pain by working tirelessly at her job. She work as the assistant to Darci Oliver, the host of the talk show Daily Dose. Darci seems oblivious to her demands on Sabrina and her quirks make Sabrina’s life increasingly more difficult. Darci especially turns up the heat when she notices the producer (also her ex-boyfriend), Avery is obviously attracted to Sabrina and making efforts to pursue her.

In a fit of desperation, Sabrina fills out her resolution list with the last item being, “Do not fall in love.” In search of content for the show, Darci unwittingly gets her hands on Sabrina’s list. With the promise of a bonus and a promotion, Darci encourages Sabrina to place herself as one of the participants on the “resolution” show. Soon the attention and pressure to keep the resolutions start to take a tole on Sabrina. In the midst of the chaos, Avery continues to pursue her and that “Do not fall in love” resolution becomes the hardest one of them all to keep!

This was second novel I have read by Aisha Ford and I love how she develops her characters. There were so many times during the read I wanted to give her advice or just pray with her. Through the humourous and often dramatic storyline, readers get a chance to see how impulsive decisions made out of pain and frustration, can truly backfire. Through Sabrina readers will be reminded of a valuable lesson which involves us letting go and letting God heal us. We need stand through out trials and wait patiently for what He has for us on the other side. Not wanting to give the ending away, I love the way things worked out for Sabrina!

About the Reviewer

Ty_1 Tyora "Ty" Moody is an aspiring writer, book reviewer and professional web developer. She tries to juggle various hats on her short frame. Those hats include being a military wife, Sunday School and bible study teacher and "momma" to one spoiled cat.  Visit her blog or check out the web design portfolio.

June 07, 2005 in Book Reviews | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

A MORNING LIKE THIS, Deborah Bedford

Amorninglikethis A Morning Like This
by Deborah Bedford

Ratings: ****

Reviewer: Tyora Moody

Imagine you have just celebrated your twelfth wedding anniversary. Life is wonderfully beautiful -- until one day, out of the blue -- the past comes back to haunt you in the worst way possible. This happens to David and Abby Treasure.

David has an announcement for Abby, his wife of 12 years. The results of his announcement will bring to light heartache and pain that ordinarily tear even the strongest married couple apart. Abby Treasure finds out her husband had an affair nine years ago while she was pregnant with their son. The woman David had an affair with calls him requesting a meeting. At this meeting, David finds out he has a little girl that he never knew about. Even more devastating, the little girl has leukemia and is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. David and his son are prime candidates as donors.

With extraordinary writing, Deborah Bedford delivers a novel that will move the reader emotionally and spiritually. Forgiveness and redemption are powerfully displayed as Abby comes to grips with David's betrayal and the "other" woman, whose child is dying. While this book is fictional, the themes that run througout the novel can surely encourage a real-life married couple going through heartaches in their own marriage.

About the Reviewer

Ty_1 Tyora "Ty" Moody is an aspiring writer, book reviewer and professional web developer. She tries to juggle various hats on her short frame. Those hats include being a military wife, Sunday School and bible study teacher and "momma" to one spoiled cat.  Visit her blog or check out the web design portfolio. 

May 10, 2005 in Book Reviews | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Review: Daughters of the King

Bookdaughtersofthekingidx Daughters of the King by Gail M. Hayes, PhD (Walk Worthy Press) reviewed by Joanne Brokaw 

It’s impossible to get a sense of my fashion style by looking at my closet. Inside, you’ll find silk blouses, jeans, denim skirts, and hoodie sweatshirts. There’s a gorgeous Jones NY black evening dress hanging next to a floral Wal-Mart special. There are Dollar Store flip flops, black Italian leather boots with silver buckles, and New Balance sneakers. My favorite pair of lounging pajamas - a.k.a. the freelancer uniform - hangs on the doorknob.   For a long time, I was bothered by the fact that I didn’t fit into one fashion particular mold, and even more by my apparent inability to conform to my preconceived image of the perfect Christian woman. No soft-spoken, gentle and submissive flower here. I've always been a little talkative, opinionated, and assertive, wavering between red high heels and Keds instead of sticking with lace and pink fluff. 

And then a few years ago, I read Daughters of the King, by Gail M. Hayes, PhD, and realized that I'm not only am I not a fashion nightmare, but my wardrobe choices are a reflection of my God-given personality, something to be celebrated and enjoyed.   

I bring this up not to point out my fashion faux pas, but because Dr. Hayes’s book, Daughters of the King is being re-released May 1st (Walk Worthy Press), and I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss it the second time around.   

Gail M. Hayes has an extensive background in fashion, retail and image consulting both in the US and in Europe. She consulted for a modeling agency in Europe, and in Germany operated her own boutique selling hand-painted silk. She's spoken about image and self esteem to women around the world. And throughout her career as an image strategist, Gail noticed that women with particular personality types tend to gravitate towards particular fashion styles, even after they become Christians.   

As a child, for example, Gail's mother wanted to dress her in lace and ruffles. Gail preferred the elegant and dramatic, and wondered why she felt so out of place among what she calls "wisps of femininity". It was as an adult that she finally understood that she wasn’t different from other Christian women; she was exactly the way God intended her to be, with her penchant for purple suits, high heels, and her flair for dramatically large jewelry.   From Gail’s experience, Daughters of the King was born.   

The book begins with The Image Indicator - a brief quiz with questions about which shoes you find most comfortable, which style of dress is most appealing to you, how you wear your hair. Based on your score, you're then directed to one of six image types. Are you down to earth and comfortable? You might be "Jaunty Esprit". Do you prefer leather and high heels? You're probably "Sensual Exotic". Most comfortable with silk pearls? You're likely "Harmonic Refined".   

After you've identified your image type, Gail goes on to explore your personality based on your fashion choices, and then encourage and guide you using Scripture. She talks about your working style, your spouse, family activities, even what type of house you likely live in. She's also able to point out some problem areas, and offer biblical guidance for bringing them under God's control. At the end of each chapter, she includes brief personality sketches of your Biblical sisters.   

And for the most part, she's dead on. Sure, there are some things that miss the mark, but since each of us is different, she couldn't be right 100% of the time. But she’s so close, it’s eerie.   So never mind if your Christian sisters wear lace and ribbons ("Chantilly Graceful"). If you prefer sequins and drama ("Elegant Flamboyant"), go for it, under God's control. I'm content to know that my eclectic personality has a name - "Creative Poetic". It sounds so much better than Messy Disorganized.   

And one important note: Don’t be fooled by the African-American women dancing on the cover of the book’s new edition. Daughters of the King is for every woman, of every race or nationality, of every church denomination, who needs to know that the Lord created her in His magnificent image. Celebrate your God-given identity.

Joannebrokaw Joanne Brokaw is an award-winning freelance writer from Western NY who covers music, entertainment and current events affecting the Christian community for publications across the US and Canada. Her humor column, This Life: Life Faith, and Everything In Between, is syndicated monthly. She recently blogged about her experiences interviewing recording artists during the Gospel Music Association awards.

April 18, 2005 in Book Reviews | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Soul Journey Review

SOUL JOURNEY
by Jacquelin Thomas

Soul_journey Ever since she was a little girl, Pastor Journee
Carter knows she was meant to be a preacher like her
dad, Pastor Theodore Carter. Unfortunately Journee's
dad is from the old school - people who believe women
should not be preachers. Let your women keep silent in
churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but
they are submissive, as the laws also says. And if
they want to learn something, let them ask their own
husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to
speak in church (1 Corinthians 14: 34-35).

After moving back home to Brunswick, Georgia, Journee
is permanently hired as the pastor of New Faith
Baptist Church. Journee longs to receive the same
support her father gives her brother Paul, also a
minister. Due to Theodore's unwillingness to see
Journee's role in the church, the relationship between
father and daughter becomes strained. In the meantime,
New Faith is growing and many members are happy to
have Journee as their pastor. Scheming in the
background, certain folks disagree with a woman being
in the pulpit and want Journee removed as pastor of
the church. Journee's associate pastor and a
disgruntled member of the church work together on
setting up a way to discredit Journee. Unknown to
Journee, her desire to help a member, Kingston Lavery,
will prove to be a dreadful mistake as the handsome
and engaged man decides to pursue her as a love
interest.

Jacquelin Thomas' was right on point with her subject
matter. Her novel was well researched with appropriate
scriptures and the storyline was definitely engaging.

Reviewed by Tyora Moody, Cookieaisle.com

February 18, 2005 in Book Reviews | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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