A Killer’s Reflection
5 STAR Review by KJ Simmill for Readers’ Favorite:
The signs had been there for anyone to see, but Doug had hid them well. From the torture of animals to the rape of a peer. But he was perfect in his mother’s eyes, she doted on constantly, something he hated, and yet expected from everyone. His mother Sandra lived and breathed for him, much to the resentment of his older brother Charles. As soon as he was able Doug left the stifling environment, and joined the Navy, but his attempts to suppress his desires sent him down a destructive path. Read More
Words Never Spoken
5 STAR Review by Patricia Reding for Readers’ Favorite ~ “My initial reaction on reading several of the poems in Words Never Spoken, by Cheryl Denise Bannerman, was: “Wow. What pain. What honesty.” Set forth in seven parts, following the subject’s life struggles, the book invites readers to consider a series of questions at the end of each chapter (making this a possible group study guide).” – Read More
“ABSOLUTELY GRIPPING from first page to last … Bannerman’s words are spoken from the soul: harsh, raw, melodical, lyrical, and oh-so-honest. A must-read for anyone who’s been impacted by an abusive relationship, or anyone who is searching for the way out.” ~ Belwoeth Harbright, author of FULL-TILT EXORCIST
“This poetry book follows a narrative format highlighting common issues in the black community. Typical themes of infidelity, drug abuse, lust and religion dictate the poems that lead a fictitious story. The language, idioms and scenery cater for an audience well versed in this environment. However, due to the universal nature of the themes it can appeal to all.” – Read More
Reviewed by Diane C. Donovan, Author and Editor ~ “Words Never Spoken is a powerful account of ambition and hope, despair, and rejuvenation and introduces its subject with a succinct observation of the process that receives deeper inspection in chapters to follow: “I wanted what every girl wants: to fall in love and live happily ever after. But after one failed marriage and with forty quickly approaching, I had given up. While many stories chronicle this same process, what sets Words Never Spoken apart from most others is its attention to rendering these experiences in verse, accompanied by black and white line drawings that, together, capture the process of wading through the lies and obstacles to togetherness and a happy life.” – Read More
Black Child to Black Woman
“I loved the way this book was written–like a journal. It was like taking a step right into Tara Walker’s life from when she was 9 until she is in her 30’s. I got to read all of her deepest thoughts–things that probably not many people in her life knew about. The only thing I thought was kind of strange is that she was writing in her journal at graduation, but I guess it could happen?”
“Tara is a comical little girl. She talks about mom being mad at her dad for drinking “acka-hall (that’s a bad drink)” p. 2. I just felt like I was right there with her going through the events of her life. She had ups and down in her life, but she was always such a positive spirit! She really went through some pretty heavy situations like her brothers being into drugs, being molested… and just the other events that a girl goes through.”
“I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a nice and quick book to read. I liked the way the book was put in journal format and it went from playing dress up, to losing virginity, to being a grown woman.”
In a recent review, the Long Beach Examiner quotes:
“A work of fiction in diary format, Bannerman takes us on a journey of surprising highs and extraordinary lows. Her portrayal of Tara’s ascension into the world from child to woman is felt with each impasse, and by the end, it’s as if we were there beside her, witnessing it all first hand.”
In a review by the Book Bum, critics RAVE:
“Bannerman’s ability to transition Tara’s voice from child to woman is at once cogent and impressive.”
What an exciting book with a little bit of everything… love, pain, suspense, tragedy, and sex. I finished in 3 days. Could not put down!!!
“This book is a well insightful view from a child to a woman. The book is not suspenseful, but it do have you wonder what will happen next in her life and how would she overcome her obstacles. The flow of the book makes the reader feel as though they are right beside the woman as she goes through all of her trials and tribulations growing up. It kind of makes you look at it from a best friend perspective. The way the writer puts you into her world it is like she is telling her best friend (which is the reader) everything that is going on in her life. Even though we cannot as a reader interject our opinion, the writer does make you feel as though when she goes through things you are there listening and often refers to the reader as if the reader knows they should be saying something to her at certain specific moments in the book. Overall a great book to read and very entertaining.” – John Haltiwanger
Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers’ Favorite ~ “With life there are all types of experiences, lessons and challenges that shape us. It is the beginning of life from the womb to our formative years, up to the age of five, that help to create who we will be. If something drastic, brutal, or unfavorable occurs during these times, it can have a negative impact, but all is not lost – you can still overcome.” – Read More
Reviewed by Diane C. Donovan, Author and Editor ~ “Tara Walker is nine years old when she begins a diary in Black Child to Black Woman: an effort that follows her emergence into adulthood, sweeping readers into her perceptions and interpretations of life from first a child’s eye, then from an adult perspective. Tara’s voice notably changes as she matures, and this is just one strength to a powerful presentation which succeeds in imparting a realistic sense of progressive growth as it follows the fictional evolution of a girl to womanhood.” – Read More