November 15, 2009 – Shelley Shockley's Views from Collinwood

Stand the Storm, A Review

Breena Clarke has presented a very good re-enactment of a time in history that has mostly been presented only in a negative and less than favorable light. She does not over simplify, or negate the hardships of slavery, but presents that time in history in a framework of hope. In Stand the Storm, Clarke takes invites the reader to take the journey to freedom with the Coats family. I was especially pleased to see that the Coats’ were skilled in the field of textiles. Take a journey of hope with Clarke and the Coats’ by reading Stand the Storm.

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A Natural Woman – A Review

A Natural Woman by Lori Johnson

A Natural Woman is the story of Aleisha Eaton a successful college professor who could be your next door neighbor, best friend or sister. Lori Johnson’s sophomore effort is a must read if you’re looking for a good solid story, complete with conflict, suspense and of course a solid love story. It is much more than a love story, it’s really a life story and confronts some of the many issues that African American professionals face regularly, from classism to abuse.Johnson does a wonderful job with POV, and the dialouge moves you through the story with great ease. It’s familiar and as is a trait of Johnson’s it is lyrical and familiar.I highly recommend A Natural Woman.

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