Karen Sloan-Brown

Title: Searching for Ever Land
Author: Karen Sloan-Brown
Publisher: Brown Reflections
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Searching for Ever Land" by Karen Sloan-Brown

My Thoughts.....

Now this was one of those reads that will definitely keep your attention. Keeping up with Portia Roberts who 'struggle to recover from a tragedy that cause separation from her husband.' I found this read quite a interesting one as this author lets the reader see deep into Portia's life. In doing so we are able to see deep into her mind as she seeks release using a drug called propofol, Now this is quite a story of how Portia hears about this drug...from the death of 'Michael Jackson.' Was this what he had used that ending his life? Well, it seems that after the death of her son Nickolas and with her husband leaving her she had a horrible time sleeping and after hearing about propofol Portia was left wondering about its experience she would having in taking it. This story will get real deep presenting the reader with what all Portia did in order to get this drug. Would you believe she even left her investment job for a job working in a hospital in order to meet the right doctor who could possible get this drug for her? Well, we get quite a story of how Portia meet up with Keith, David and George. From those three characters we get quite a intriguing story. Take my word each one had their own story to tell. Will Portia be able to get this drug and if she does what affect will all of this have that will affect on her life [with her daughter, husband and even her sister]. Will a therapist be able to understand what in the world is going on with Portia? Well, I don't want to tell too much more other than saying as the story goes on as her husband will reenter back into the picture after two and a half years that will present some other tensions into this messy story that leads to a divorce. I found all of the characters well developed, portrayed and very believable giving the reader one interesting page turner of a read.

The author did a wonderful job in presenting this story to the reader. I was able to learn quite a bit about the drug 'propofol' through this read.

Being able to zoom out of your mind and see past images, present, future and to have sweet dreams but I know again this is quite a dangerous thing to do. What one will go through to seek relieve in ones life but in the end will they have the happiness and the release they need? Will this be enough for Portia as the read will show what she will do in the end? Even though Portia thought this would be her last time using this drug if it wasn't for that nosy neighbor....well you will just have to pick this one up to see for yourself as Portia "Searches for Ever Land." will she finally get that HEA? I did feel that the ending was rather rushed but interesting where the reader will get one 'dramatic, sexy, funny story that is full of surprises that will keep your attention.

I wanted to add that the book cover is simply beautiful and Thank You to the author for the gift of "Searching for Ever Land" for me giving my honest opinion of the read.… (més)

Book Description....

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. A New Season begins with Diana attempting to revive her singing career. She has a son, Caesar, who she leaves in search of her dream. She dies and her mother, Maia, takes Caesar to Nashville to live with his father a former Fisk Jubilee Singer. The story continues in Nashville with Caesar caught in conflict between his father, David, and stepmother, Grace. After high school, Caesar travels to New York where he gets a job in a hotel and learns to cook. He joins the National Guard and becomes of member or the Fighting 369 regiment in WWI. After the war is over her returns to Nashville and marries the sister of one of war buddies. They eventually have a set of twin boys they name, Caesar Blue and Caesar Bless. The story follows the brothers as they grow up near the thriving Jefferson Street attending Fisk and Tennessee A& I."

Title: A New Season The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings Book II
Author: Karen Sloane-Brown
Publisher: Brown Reflections
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: five
Review:

"A New Season: The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings Book II" by Karen Sloan-Brown

What I loved from the read....

This is this author's second novel that continues on from 'The Fortunes of Blues and Blessing' that was truly a amazing read and now we have her next novel.... "A New Season: The Fortunes of Blues and Blessing Book II that was also a good historical read. Even though this is a fictional read it still has some history that does ring so truthful in what what going on in our country at that present time. I really loved how this author was able to present to the reader such a story line with such interesting characters that were well developed, well portrayed and believable that flowed so well in this well told story. I found that I was not able to put this novel down until the end. This story really starts from this author's first novel and this 'book 2' will put the icing on it all explaining so much that you will feel caught up in this intriguing and captivating read. I would definitely recommend the reader to read the first novel because it explains so much that had happened earlier in the present story. I do not want to spoil any of this story other than to say you will have to pick up the amazing read to see for yourself how well this author brings it all out to the reader. Very well done to the author. You have truly written two amazing interesting reads!… (més)

Title: The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings
Author: Karen Sloan-Brown
Publisher: Brown Reflections
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings" by Karen Sloan-Brown

Book Description....

"From the beginning, as written in Genesis 8:22, "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." Described by many as the two faces of fortune, it is the blues and our blessings, one causing much heartbreak and the other providing immense joy. The Fortunes of Blues and Blessing is a historical American saga telling the story of a black family in America beginning in 1849 that spans more than 100 years and five generations. The family tree takes root in Sierra Leone with the capture of a young African named Zokaya, he's carried across the waters and sold as slave in Charleston, SC and then taken to a rice plantation on Ossabaw, a sea island off the coast of Savannah, GA where he is renamed, Hercules. Rice driver for the Bailey Plantation he takes a family for his own, Rachel, and then her daughter Maia. As Richard Bailey's obsession, Maia grows up in the big house until the start of the Civil War. When Richard flees the plantation she returns to Ossabaw pregnant with her daughter Diana where she meets and marries Aaron, a man skilled in construction taking refuge on the island. As the years run on the family prospers and moves inland. Maia becomes a writer and Aaron a man of business in construction. Diana goes to college in Nashville and becomes a Fisk Jubilee Singer and travels the world. She struggles with her ambitions to be a famous singer. Maia struggles with her grief over lost children. Aaron struggles with his desire to make a difference for his people. Through their fortunes and misfortunes of life it's evident how moments of chance and decision can affect the direction of our lives. Described as a cross between Roots and Forest Gump the story carries the reader on a journey with this family where they encounter actual black people who have made significant contributions to African-American History."

What I liked about the novel....

This was a good read that this author gives to the reader which involved over one hundred years and five generations. When I first started reading this I was simply amazed at how this author will take you from one situation right into the next all being so smoothly done. The characters were simply off the chart very well done, well developed, defined, colorful, believable all of this giving the reader such a fascinating and captivating read about this Liberty Family. You will come to know Zokaya, later named Hercules, Rachel, Maia, Diana, Aaron, Caesar to David only there will be more secondary characters as we go on this journey from Africa to Ossabaw Island and then on later to Savannah, Georgia. This is a very powerful and emotional time in history (1849's) even though this read is of fiction a lots of the names and areas are really there making this read quite interesting.

What I especially liked about this novel...

The storyline is one that will take you in from sadness of some very horrible times to happiness for a moment and back and forth... at times definitely leaving you so raw with all the pain that these people went through.. Bye the end of this story I was truly in awe of it all because there will be some much going on. My favorite part was at the ending with Maia "lifting her arms up in triumph in the midst of the cool evening air that surrounds her...and says I see you, God." What that meant to me was through all this family had gone through...she sees God in it all. "The Fortunes of Blues and Blessings" will be a unforgettable read that will be with you long after the read. When I think of how it was in history for many Black people to have gone through so much .... and how it is now 2014)... what a change....we have a Black President! You will just have to pick up this read for yourself to see how this author presents her excellent well written story to the readers. By the end of the read you will want to pick up this author next novel: A New Season: Blues and Blessings Part Two where we will find out more about Diana.… (més)

Title: A Reflection: What a Difference a Day Makes, What About 100 Years?
Author: Karen Sloan-Brown
Publisher: Brown Reflections
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"A Reflection: What a Difference a Day Makes, What About 100 Years?" by Karen Sloan-Brown

Book Description...

"A contemporary history book that expands before and beyond the Civil Rights Movement in a decade by decade examination of the journey of Black Americans from Jim Crow in 1909 to Barack Obama in 2009. The book is designed to be informative as well as entertaining, covering a broadly based range of subject matter. Every reader will find a decade in which they can identify or relate to as they follow the changes that have taken place in the aspects of black life in the United States, black leadership, business and personal finances, black thinking and aspirations, culture, values, attitudes, how have they affected the quality of life and personal growth for African Americans today. The book notes the trials and the triumphs, along with the missteps, how black people have evolved economically, socially, educationally, politically, and artistically? Who were the leaders, who was a hero, what was the role of the church, how were we living, where were we living, what books were we reading, and who were the athletes and the entertainers. It is a full menu that characterizes each decade for the reader to experience that journey of 100 years."

What I liked about this novel...

This author does a wonderful well written job with this historical non fictional novel. I was simply captured with all of this history that went into this 'Reflection' of the wonderful read. I was simply amazed being able to find all this in creditable information of 'Black' people over the last one hundred years in this one novel. It was very interesting seeing how this author has brought it all out to the reader showing and still asking the question has one 'evolved economically, socially, educationally, politically, and yes even artistically." I do find it still a question to whether we "have come full circle or is it likely that we have detoured on some tangent from one obtuse angle?" These are some very important questions that this author has brought out for the readers to ponder on. Now, I don't want to tell you too much other than say I love this informational novel and I just want you to pick it up and read it for yourself and see how well this author presents this well written work of art to the readers.

This author starts with the year 1909 and her research goes up to the year 2009 and I must say she gives the reader some real important information of what was going on during that time in history.

I found this read very easy to follow and understand. Being a history major and yes a Black American I really enjoyed what I read, even learned from the read as well as to reflect from this read. This author's table of content for each of these years are very captivating so well presented. I love the format of this author's 'Table of Contents.' At the end of each year (1909-2009) I liked the read of the 'Reflection on a Decade' that was simply off the chart and very well presented giving one some good information to know about in each of these sections.

What I especially liked about the novel...

If you are a history buff especially of 'Black History' this read will definitely be for you and with saying that I would definitely recommend to you "A Reflection: What a Difference a Day Makes, What About 100 Years? It left me saying Wow... what a intrguing and interesting historical read.… (més)