Carlette Poussant: Island Girl

From the book cover:
Carlette Poussant is a sweeping story that spans the lifetime of a young girl from Jamaica.
Carlette learned early on that life is not always easy, and everything has a price, but she's taken these hard lessons and gained strength from them. Now, she's returned to Cora's home, a refuge for single pregnant women in New York, where she gave birth to her own son after a failed teenage marriage. She is determined to help the young women there who have fallen prey to the scams of David Portugal.
Carlette met David when she was a struggling single mother with dreams of a career on the stage. An unscrupulous con artist posing as a producer, David cast her in a play, only to trick her into his bed. It didn't take long for Carlette to discover David's dark side, but the damage had already been done. Now he's moved on in search of more naive victims in Cora's home.
Will Carlette's efforts put an end to his deceptions?

My Review
I came across this book at my local library. I decided to give it a try because it's labeled as a romance and the heroine is a Jamaican girl - you don't see that often. This book was one of the worse books I've read since I started this blog.

So many discrepancies between the actual story and the synopsis on the book cover...

• Carlette Poussant is by no means a 'sweeping story'. So many details are brushed over and painted with such little detail, it felt more like someone was telling me a story that they heard from someone else, who heard it from someone else, and so a lot of important details got left out.
• Carlette doesn't learn any lessons early or later on in life. She ends the story the same naive girl she was when the story began, despite being almost 30 years older. When she returns to Cora's home she is seeking refuge herself, she doesn't save anyone from David Portugal and is not in the least bit worried about saving anyone from him. She's simply trying to escape the memories of the abuse she suffered at his hand.
• When Carlette met David she was a single mother but she wasn't struggling. She had pawned Ricky Jr. off on Cora in order to try and achieve her life goal of becoming an actress (in the hundred so pages leading up her decision to leave Ricky Jr. with Cora to pursue acting it was never mentioned that she had such a dream). David doesn't go to Cora's home seeking his victims. Through some weird and very unrealistic coincident all of his victims end up at Cora's home after being abused by him.
• Carlette doesn't put any effort into stopping David's deceptions. It's all Cora and Ginger. Once they get the ball rolling then she hops on board to testify at David's court case - just like all of David's other victims.

Leola Charles should have just called this novel Carlette Poussant (stop, period - that's it) because there is very little island flavour in this novel. The time spent in Jamaica is so beige the reader really doesn't get a feel for island living. This novel could have been set just about anywhere. And when Ms. Charles does try to inflect some island dialect into the speech she fails miserably. It was so appalling I did a Google search on Ms. Charles to find out her background. From what I could tell she's from Rochester, New York and most likely has not spent any significant amount of time in Jamaica or around Jamaicans. Whatever happened to writing about what you know or at the very least doing research?

The plot is all over the place. It's suppose to be Carlette's story but then at times it gets taken over by minor characters. There's zero romance in this novel. The relationships between Carlette and Ricky Sr. and Ricky Jr. and Theresa are far from what I would consider romance. The characters aren't developed in enough detail for the reader to really understand them and identify their actions as romantic. In developing her plot, Ms. Charles did a lot of telling and not enough showing.


1/5

The Appeal of Stalking

Billy Freeman is a pompous jerk and a stalker.

This 202-page novel by financial advisor turned author, Stan Talbott, centres around Billy Freeman’s acrimonious relationship with his ex-wife, Diane Downer. Diane is the mother of his three grown children and grandmother of his six-year-old grandson, Tristan.

Despite the fact that they’ve been divorced for over 10 years and Diane has remarried twice, Billy can’t seem to resist finding reasons to contact her. He’s either trying to protect his son’s business, trying to get his grandson (who’s temporary in Downer’s custody) placed in kindergarten instead of grade one or trying to prove crimes that Diane allegedly committed in the past. His involvement in all of these scenarios seem designed to allow him to continue his negative relationship with Diane.

Told via a mainly first person narrative (Billy occasionally turns the narration over to his youngest daughter, Faith. Faith is a recovering substance abuser, and the only one of Billy’s children who still maintains contact with him.).

If this story is meant to be a satirical take on stalking, Stan Talbott has done an excellent job! Billy Freeman fits the profile of a stalker completely, despite his attempts to prove otherwise. He comes across as delusional about his relationships. Everyone, except is ex-wife, two of his kids and law enforcement, thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread. Women can’t help but throw themselves at him. I didn’t believe most of the conversations retold in Billy’s narrative. I think when people say one thing, he hears something completely different.

Sadly, I don’t think the author intended this book as satire, as it appears to be Stan Talbott’s own story loosely veiled.

I can’t in good conscious recommend The Appeal of Stalking. It made me want to throw up on several occasions. It’s like reading a very poorly written male fantasy.

1.5/5

About the book:

The Appeal of Stalking by Stan Talbott

ISBN:978-1457506369

Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing

Date of publish: November 2011

Pages: 202

S.R.P.: $14.99

The Murder at the Vicarage

From the book cover
When Colonel Protheroe is found dead from a single gun-shot wound to the head, none of his neighbours in the village of St. Mary’s Mead is much surprised. So many people wished this local official would say farewell – if not quite so permanently. Murder at the Vicarage marks the debut of Agatha Christie’s unflappable and much beloved female detective, Miss Jane Marple, who’s keen insight into human nature and intricate knowledge of the goings on in St. Mary’s Mead land her at the very center of the investigation. Scandal lurks just under the quiet surface of this English village, and suspects abound, including the vicar, his young and flirtatious wife, and Mrs. Protheroe and her lover, the artist Lawrence Redding. Everyone, it seems, has something to hide. With the local police stymied, it is up to Miss Marple to root out the killer.

-------

My review
It took me almost two weeks to get to the end of this mystery. I’m usually able to get through Agatha Christie’s novels in two or three days (keep in mind I work full-time and have a husband and two young kids). Anyways, I think the reason it took me so long to get through this book is the choice of narrators. I found the vicar extremely boring with a very flat way of telling the story. I would have much rather had Miss Marple narrate the story, but I guess Agatha Christie just doesn’t roll like that – her detectives always have a sidekick who narrators, with the exception of Tommy and Tuppence.

Anyways, back to Murder at the Vicarage, it follows much of the same plot twists as The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The most obvious suspects are cleared early on in the investigation and then later proven guilty. This murder mystery left me feeling rather indifferent.

2.5/5

Sofia's Rainbow

Set in Istanbul, Sofia's Rainbow by Lina Simoli is the story of six-year-old Sofia's quest to relieve her loneliness. Geared towards children 5 years and older, it attempts to teach a message of tolerance and acceptance.

Sofia considers a rainbow her only friend and spends hours on a terrace waiting for a rainbow to appear so she can climb it. One day she comes across a stray cat who's just had babies, and with her father's permission takes one home. As Sofia gets to know Incir (pronounced In-jir) she learns that he's not like most cats - he's afraid of heights and likes to eat figs. Sofia bullies and shuns him when he refuses to wait on the terrace with her for a rainbow to appear.

When a rainbow does appear, Sofia finds herself in unexpected danger. Incir conquers his fears to her rescue.

I read Sofia's Rainbow to my two daughters (ages 3 and 7 years old). The three-year-old didn't really get much of what was going on but she did enjoyed Laura's Furlan's illustrations. My seven-year-old got the plot but found it a bit too rambling. When asked if she'd recommend it to a friend she was very hesitant. For my part, I think Sofia's Rainbow has a lot to offer children. Because it's set in Istanbul, North American kids learn not only about tolerance and acceptance but they get a tiny snap shot of life in another country.

3/5

How to find this book:
Sofia's Rainbow by Lina Simoni , Illustrated by Laura Furlan
ISBN: 978-1-937700-00-3
Publisher: Moonleaf Publishing, LLC
Date of publication: December 5, 2011 (Paperback); February 20, 2012 (ebook)
Pages: 48
Paperback price: $14.99

Transgression

From the book cover:

In 1946, a little girl finds a severed finger in a Canadian field. It points to a grisly crime that occurred nearby. It also points to the past, to the harrowing events in the life of a young French woman, Adele Georges, in war-torn Rouen.

When Adele's beloved father is captured by the German forces, she makes inquiries at the local authorities. A German soldier, 19 years old and far from home, tries to help her navigate the bureaucracy. Love grows across enemy lines, with devastating consequences.

Adele, a seamstress in a factory, is exposed as a "horizontal collaborator" and tortured by other women in the town square. Her lover, Manfred, has been transferred and Adele, abandoned by her family, her head shaven, is alone.

Despairing that Manfred has been killed, Adele yields to the protective embrace of a Canadian soldier who marries her and brings her home as a war bride to his small town. He too is scarred by war and twisted by turmoil upon his return. Adele, stranded on foreign shores, harbouring her shameful secret of consorting with the enemy is terrified of being unmasked.

My Review:
James W. Nichol's Transgression is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It is going on my 5ers List and Mr. Nichol's first novel Midnight Cab is going on my list of books to read and review.

Here's why I love this book:

The writing is straightforward and compelling. From almost the first page, I was interested in Adele Georges. She the type of protagonist you can get behind - she's young, she's strong, she's resourceful and she's an optimist despite the dismal world around here.

The characters are real people. I just know people like them existed back than and still exist today. From Adele's weak and delusional mother and her self-righteous brother to war-harden Lucille and Johnny. I know Mr. Nichol has done a great job of building his characters because my opinions differ from the opinions provided through Adele's first-person narrative. She falls in love with Manfred and sees him as a good person - I couldn't stand him! I think she would have been better off without him. To me, he's a useless coward.

Mr. Nichol's does a great job of illustrating how war damages people and societies. Being labeled as a 'collaborator' or 'sympathizer' can be fatal, and with everyone in such a fervor there is very little threat of legal repercussions. Adele's brother murders her best friend's father who was thought to be cooperating with the Germans, and ends up being rewarded after the war with a plum job in government. Adele suffers scorn and physical abuse for her involvement with Manfred, and it's viewed by almost everyone as being what she deserves.

This story is told via  three first-person narrators, Adele Georges, Jenny Broome and Jack Cullen. I really like the way Mr. Nichol's chose to structure this story. It's starts in France in 1941 with Adele sharing her story. Then in the next chapter skips to Canada in 1946, where Jenny is discovering the finger in the field, and then finally Jenny is eliminated as a narrator and Adele and Jack continue until the end of the novel. Eventually, Adele and Jack end up in the same time and place.

Well, I hope I haven't spoil this novel for you. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend you give it a shot!

5/5

What Every Christian Really Should Know, But They Don't (Did U Know)

What Every Christian Show Know, But They Don't (Did U Know) was submitted for review by its author Dr. Yarbrough.

I received the content of Did U Know at the beginning of February. The goal of this book is to serve as an informational guide for every pastor, minister, church member and non-profit organization leader.

I really enjoyed the first four chapters : "What You Should Know About God", "What You Should Know About Salvation", "What You Should Know About The Church", and "The Church's Responsibility to God." They chapters did not provide me with any new information but they did serve as a great faith fresher.

Because of these four chapters, I am contemplating a new reading challenge: reading the King James version of the bible in a year. I couple years ago I read the New International Version of the bible, but after reading and not recognizing some of the passages cited in this book, I've decided it's time for me to read the good book cover to cover a second time.


The last three chapters of the book were very disappointing. There is far too much information about taxes and IRS policies. For this reason, I would not recommend this book to the average person. To get the most out of this book you have to be a Christian living in the United States.
This is a great handbook for anyone thinking about opening their own church (in the U.S.).

2/5

About the Author
Dr. Yarbrough is the C.E.O & Founder of the Bethel Community Outreach Ministries Inc. Bethel Community Outreach Ministries, Inc.'s ministry is not limited to any specific area; however, has operated in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area for the past (10) ten years.

Dr. Yarbrough has also served various churches in the Pittsburgh and surrounding areas from 1989 to 2005. He currently volunteers at the Harmarville Rehabilitation Center of Pittsburgh where he holds Sunday morning worship services for its residents and staff on a weekly basis.

Dr. Yarbrough is a graduate of Westmoreland Community College, Geneva College, Point Park University, and The Graduate Theological Foundation. He believes this book was inspired by the Holy Spirit and directed by the Lord God Almighty.

Technicals:
What Every Christian Really Should Know, But They Don't by Gary P. Yarbrough
ISBN: 978-1619047211
Publisher: Xulon Press
Publication date: November 30, 2011
Pages: 62
S.R.P.: $10.99

The Memory Palace

Mira Bartok's The Memory Palace is a memoir about Mira's experience growing up with a schizophrenic mother, an absent alcoholic father, an abusive grandfather and a grandmother who is quietly depressed.

A memory palace is the house in our head with many rooms that compartmentalize our memories. Mira Birtok shares her story while furnishing her memory palace with the memories that have made her into the woman she is. The focus is on her relationship with her mom, but she does also touch on her failed relationships. One of the more interesting ones is an ex-husband, who although she doesn't say is schizophrenic, all of the signs are there.

Norma Herr had already a couple of nervous breakdowns when she married Paul Herr, a charming when sober much-older writer. When their second daughter, Mira is four years old, Paul abandons his family, forcing Norma to move to Cleveland to be close to her parents. From then on, Norma suffers schizophrenic episodes every three or four weeks. As her daughters grow older, the episodes become more intense and more frequent. The girls are forced to lock themselves in their room by barring the door with a dresser to guard against their mother's nightly interrogations. Finally, when the girls are grown up and living their own lives, Norma threatens Mira with a broken bottle during one of her schizophrenic episodes, thus forcing Mira and her sister, Natalia to change their names so that their mother won't find them.

Norma is homeless on and off for the next 17 years. Natalia cuts off all contact with her mother, while Mira continues to exchange letters and packages with her via a post office box.

About 12 years into her estrangement from her mother, Mira is in a car accident and suffers brain injury. Dealing with the many side effects, including an unreliable memory and sensitivity to light and sounds, gives Mira a glimpse of what it must be like for her mother, constantly trying to block out the unwanted noises.

I really enjoyed The Memory Place, although at times I found it kind of boring. Mostly when the author would describe her work and her fascination with nature. Although the novel is a memoir about Mira's experience, every time she took some time to delve in her life outside of her relationship with her mother, I found myself really bored and just biding my time until we'd return to her mother's story.

4/5