Wench: A Novel by Dolen Perkins-Valdez -- Book Review

Superb. Daring. Eloquently written. These are all words to describe Wench: A Novel by first time novelist, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.

Wench is the story of four black enslaved women who become friends over a series of summers spent with their masters who vacation at Tawawa House in the free territory of Ohio.

Lizzie, Sweet, and Reenie are regulars at Tawawa House, and they don't ponder the question of freedom often; but when Mawu comes to the resort and starts talking about running away, things change. Running away means leaving behind everything they hold dear--friends and families in the South. It's a difficult decision despite their circumstances.

When several tragedies occur at Tawawa House, these friends learn a great deal about themselves and the emotional and psychological aspects of the Peculiar Institution whose end is just beginning.

You simply cannot read Wench without being touched by these women's stories. While the book focuses more on Lizzie's life, her relationship with her master, Drayle, and her relationship with Mawu, the Tawawa House and what occurs there binds all four women together, making their stories inseparable.

Perkins-Valdez does an excellent job of blending fact and fiction in this story set between the years of 1842 and 1854, a time in which Harriet Tubman would escape slavery and start The Underground Rail, where she gains the title of "Moses" for leading her people to freedom.

The reader, while perhaps unable to truly identify with the plight these women face, still is easily able to sympathize with Lizzie, Reenie, Sweet, and Mawu. Some of them have already seen their families sold off and hold little hope of ever seeing their loved ones again. As a woman and mother, the violation they endure, how they are dehumanized, and how they are forced to put their desires aside so that one day their children might live free, drew me into their lives.

Lizzie's story is perhaps the most heartwrenching, because the decisions she makes are for reasons the reader might not be able to understand.

Wench is a powerful, extraordinary piece of work. It has already gained the attention of Oprah, and it wouldn't surprise me if we saw this book adapted to the small or big screen. It would also not surprise me if Wench garners Perkins-Valdez numerous awards.


Title: Wench
Author: Dolen Perkins-Valde
Publisher: Amistad
ISBN-10: 006170654X
ISBN-13: 978-0061706547
SRP: $24.99

Tips for Writing Romance by LaConnie Taylor-Jones

Aspiring authors and newly published authors, welcome to the wonderful world of romance!

Whether you’ve written one chapter or finished a completed manuscript, you’re to be commended on your efforts. The road to publication is long, hard, and bumpy. However, you’ll make it with a little talent and a ton of determination.

Hopefully, these tips will assist you on your journey to publication:

• NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER GIVE IN

Writing is not for the faint at heart and the competition is fierce. Tenacity and perseverance will become your two best friends.

• ENROLL IN WRITER’S COURSES

Writing is a craft. In order to master this craft, there are some fundamental techniques you’ll need to learn. There are a number of on-line writing courses that teach a wide range of topics and are fairly reasonable. So, sign up today!



• SEEK THE ADVICE OF VETERAN AUTHORS

For an aspiring author or newly published author, having a veteran author as a mentor can greatly benefit your career. Tremendous insights can be learned from this mentorship over a short period of time, which normally could take years to learn, otherwise.

• JOIN A WRITER’S GROUP

Being connected with others who have the same interest and goals you have will not only keep you motivated to write, but will also keep you abreast of the latest industry trends.



• ATTEND WRITER’S CONFERENCES

Not only are various sessions on a variety of topics offered, it’s an excellent chance to network with industry professionals such as agents, editors, and published authors.

Good luck and no matter what, keep writing!!


LaConnie Taylor-Jones is the author of When I'm With You, which won the Romance Slam Jam 2008 Emma Award for debut novel and When A Man Loves A Woman.


The WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on June 1, 2008 and continue all month long. If you would like to follow LaConnie's tour in progress, visit http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in June. Leave a comment at any of her blog stops and become eligible to win a free copy of her book! One lucky winner will be announced at her tour page on June 30!

This virtual book tour has been brought to you by:

Setting up The Poetry of Murder by Bernadette Steele

The setting in a novel is important because it helps to propel the plot forward, situate the characters in the reader’s mind, and provide a sense of unity throughout the story. Therefore, a character’s presence in a particular setting needs to be believable and have a purpose.

The Poetry of Murder takes place in the International House at the University of Chicago in the south side community of Hyde Park. Founded in 1932 by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the massive nine story gothic building occupies one full block and overlooks the Midway Plaisance, site of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. International House can accommodate 486 graduate and professional students. The mission of International House is to promote cross-cultural understanding, mutual respect and friendship among students and scholars and on the part of the people of metropolitan Chicago toward individuals of all nations and backgrounds.



I was inspired to pick International House as the primary setting for my novel because of its structural significance in Hyde Park, the building’s layout facilitated various aspects of the story, and the fact that it can provide a plethora of social situations that can be used in future stories. I was intrigued by the idea of contrasting the majestic architecture and academic persona of Hyde Park with the secret lives of the characters who live there.

While living at International House, the amateur sleuth in my novel, Geneva Anderson, has several major events take place in her life including the murder of her aunt, being arrested for her aunt’s murder and learning that her aunt led a secret life. The building’s physical appearance is symbolic of the events that occur in Geneva’s life.

On a practical level, cozy mysteries take place in small settings to limit the pool of suspects and to facilitate the development of relationships. The layout of the building helped to develop the plot by moving events forward, allowing meetings between characters to take place, and the discovery of clues. The Poetry of Murder is the first in a series featuring the protagonist, Geneva Anderson. Because people from around the world live in International House and it hosts a variety of events on a regular basis, it provides fertile ground for future stories in this continuing mystery series.

Pick up your copy of The Poetry of Murder at Amazon.com.

To follow along on Bernadette's virtual book tour trail go to http://virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ and don't forget to let Bernadette know you stopped by. Every person who comments at one of her blog stops during the month of April is eligible to win a free copy of The Poetry of Murder.


This virtual book tour has been brought to you by:

Tinisha Nicole Johnson and Searchable Whereabouts

Tinisha N. Johnson is an author, writer and poet. Her newest book, Searchable Whereabouts, a mystery novel, was released Feb 1, 2008. Tinisha resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and two children. She writes for a local urban magazine called Denver's Finest Underground. Tinisha's passion for writing began at the early age of eleven. It has always been her hobby and pastime and at the age of twenty-one, after her son was born, she took her writing seriously and began pursuing it as a career.

You can learn more about Tinisha at her website: http://www.tinishanicolejohnson.com/




Searchable Whereabouts is the story of woman - Rahkel Williams, who's trying to unravel the mysterious death of her beloved uncle. However, after finding clues into his life, she wonders if he was really the man she knew. She requests the services of private investigator, Darrin Miller and it's not long before things get personal between the two. Soon, strange things begin to happen, including people of interest in the case who turn up murdered. Rahkel doesn't know who to trust, and the truth of who murdered her uncle could either save her or kill her. But at all costs, she must find the truth.

I thought this book sounded fascinating. How often have you discovered that someone isn't who you thought they were? And how often does that lead to you being in danger? But what interested me even beyond that, is that this book was written by an African American woman. Maybe that shouldn't matter, but I can't remember ever picking up a mystery novel by an African American author, so I wondered, am I living in a hole or something? Have I just managed to avoid these authors? So, I needed to ask Tinisha if she faced challenges in getting her book published because of her ethnic background. Here's what she had to say:

Considering there aren’t that many Black mystery authors, I have run across some challenges, but I definitely haven’t allowed that to deter me, not even a little bit, because writing is my true passion.

However, being an African American mystery writer, people really want to know if your book is good enough; you’re critiqued almost just a little bit more. People want to know if there is a real mystery to be told and of course that is understandable. I’ve even received one comment about the book that it wasn’t urban enough; to that I don’t have a comment. But all in all, I try to view the challenges as opportunities -- An opportunity to get my name out there, and my book’s name out there.

I’m the type of person that makes myself think on the positive side rather then letting disappointments get the best of me. So far, regarding my mystery novel, Searchable Whereabouts, I’ve gotten some good reviews, so I am very happy about that.


This virtual book tour has been brought to you by:

The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson--Book Review

A powerful, gripping story of betrayal and forgiveness, The Amen Sisters by Angela Benson is truly unforgettable.

Five years ago, Francine Amen renounced her family and friends to follow Bishop Payne's ministry. That decision would leave her questioning her faith and would cost Francine her best friend, Toni. After three years in a mental institution to help Francine deal with her guilt over Toni's suicide, her sister, Dawn brings her back home to the place where it all began, to help her rebuild her life and make amends.

As Francine deals with the repercussions of being led astray by a false man of God, Dawn is dealing with her own form of betrayal. Dawn's husband, Sylvester--Francine's ex-fiance--had an extramarital affair. Already insecure that Sylvester really loved her, Dawn struggles to forgive his transgression and work towards healing their marriage.

Can the Amen sisters get past the betrayals and grasp the power of forgiveness to move on with their lives? Will Francine ever be accepted by the family and friends she turned away from? Can Dawn ever forget that Sylvester found love in the arms of another woman? And will Dawn and Francine allow God to help show them the way?

I had never read one of Angela Benson's novels before The Amen Sisters. Now, I want to own all of them. No wonder she has been called, "One of the most talented writers of fiction."

This story drew me in right away with its well-developed characters and its all too realistic storyline. Benson is a master storyteller who creates, with The Amen Sisters, two women you sympathize with and whose strength you admire.

A tale of unforgettable characters, love, forgiveness, and faith, The Amen Sisters is an inspiring story of hope that all readers will enjoy.


Title: The Amen Sisters
Author: Angela Benson
Publisher: Walk Worthy Press
ISBN: 0-446-53153-7
U.S. Price: $13.99