#BookReview - As Bright As Heaven

As Bright As Heaven

By: Susan Meissner
Publisher: Berkley, New York
Publication Date: 2018
ISBN: 978-0-399-58596-8
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: February 21, 2018

The year is 1918 and the place is Philadelphia. Susan Meissner delivers a compelling and bittersweet story in her latest novel, As Bright as Heaven.

Thomas and Pauline Bright wanted nothing more than to give their three girls, Evelyn, Maggie and Willa a better life. After the tragic loss of their sweet baby boy, Henry, it was time for a new beginning. It was time to leave the tobacco farms of Quakertown behind and look toward the new future Fred, Thomas’ brother was offering. It would be a different life for the girls—trading tobacco curing barns for undertaking. Fred Bright has a successful burial business in Philadelphia and wants to turn it all over to his brother Thomas. 

Even though her beloved child Henry has died, Pauline resists the notion of moving. However, the more intimate she becomes with the notion of death and the unrelenting hold loss has on her, Pauline realizes she will never be able to bring Henry back. There is nothing left holding her to Quakertown other than her parents and extended family. It is not enough, and she has a revelation that it is time to put the sorrow behind her and focus on the beautiful children she has who are still alive and provide a future for them. The girls have their own reservations. Evelyn (Evie) being the oldest is their logical child. She must maintain a stiff upper lip and convince her younger siblings that life in Philadelphia will be grand. Maggie, on the other hand, is the free spirit. She sees life in a different light and cannot seem to grasp the concept of a better life than the one she already has. Aside from the loss of dear Henry, she believes things will get better. Willa, the baby, simply wants what all youngest siblings want: center stage and constant attention.

Initially, the move from the rural likes of Quakertown to the city streets of Philadelphia are more than foreign and overwhelming. Uncle Fred, Thomas’ brother, never having married has strict designs on what a woman’s place is in the home and far be it for him to acquiesce even a notion of Pauline or the girls ever setting foot in the embalming salon. Time moves forward, and the Great War persists across the sea. When the epic pandemic of the Spanish Flu hits the city streets of Philadelphia and the surrounding communities, the Bright family is about to face greater challenges in their day-to-day battle with survival as their constant reminder of the unknown in the days that lie ahead.

I was instantly captivated with this story. Ms. Meissner set the realities to paper of the pandemic tragedy of the Spanish Flu and assigned the horrors of the havoc it reaped on all its victims. The historical infusion she wove in and around the characters she created was fascinating. This may be a work of historical fiction, but her documentation of what happened to entire communities because of this illness breathed intense credibility throughout this story. It is difficult to fathom the period in this novel is a mere 100 years ago; yet, Ms. Meissner has a wonderful ability to impart several layers of varied emotion for her audience to revel in with the turn of each page. My only regret in reading this novel is that point when I arrived at the last page. A true master of her art, she ties the entire story up into a neat bow at story’s end; leaving her audience with the anticipation of her next novel. Well done Ms. Meissner! I look forward to your next book.

Quill Says: As Bright as Heaven reinforces the tenacity and power of hope and new beginnings.

#BookReview - Building the Great Society

Building the Great Society: Inside Lyndon Johnson's White House

By: Joshua Zeitz

Publisher: Viking/Penguin

Publication Date: January 2018

ISBN: 978-0-525-42878-7

Review by: Janice M. Ladendorf

Review Date: February 2018

The title of this book is a bit of a misleader. It is not a biography of Lyndon Johnson, but rather the story of the men who worked with him to create the great society.

LBJ expected absolute loyalty from his staff and these dedicated men worked twelve hours a day, six days a week, as well as a half day on Sundays. They believed their mission was to complete the programs initial started by Franklin Roosevelt. This is the story of men like Bill Moyers, Jack Valenti, Joe Califano, and Harry McPherson, and what they accomplished under LBJ's direction.

 Building the Great Society does not include detailed descriptions of LBJ's legislative accomplishments, but rather focuses on how these programs were created, defended, and supported by politics and master politicians. Their first achievement was the head start program which provided early childhood education and medical, dental, and eye care for children of poor families. This program was the first one to provide federal funds to improve educational systems in the states.

LBJ  and his staff also created Medicare and Medicaid - in just one year. This was only possible because they based it on the existing health insurance system. In addition, they launched the food stamp program (SHAP) to feed poor children and adults, as well as launched public television and radio. Their toughest battle was getting public and private institutions desegregated in one third of the country.

These men lived in a time when the economy was growing and expanding and believed this situation would continue forever. They did not foresee either runaway inflation or recessions. What is remarkable is how much they accomplished when so many resources had to be devoted to the Vietnam war.

This book is full of historical detail, but, as mentioned above, the focus is not on the people who worked to create so many new programs, but rather on these new programs/institutions created during LBJ's tenure in the White House. Occasionally the author does give the reader a glimpse of the personality of one of the individual members of this group, but it really isn't enough to truly get to know these men. Unfortunately, there are no pictures included in the book of any of the people who made up this fascinating story.  Images would have been a nice addition to place faces with the names so the reader could see them as real people. 

Quill says: Anyone who is interested in the political history of this period will find this book well worth reading.  

Feathered Quill #BookAwards

FEATHERED QUILL BOOK AWARDS

Feathered Quill Book Reviews is excited to

announce the winners of the 2018 award program

Started in 2008 by a small group of dedicated, enthusiastic reviewers, Feathered Quill has become one of the preeminent online review sites. In the summer of 2013, it opened submissions for the first annual book award program, and since that time, the award program has grown substantially.  This year, the number of award nominations increased by more than 20%, with nominations coming from all types of publishers including the one book self-publisher all the way up to the major New York houses. 

When submissions closed on December 15, 2017, the judges had the daunting task of reading a HUGE number of excellent books and trying to decide the best of the best.  Every book was read, every book was judged, and often it was a mere point or two that separated the winners from the ‘almost won’ books.  New this year were "Judges' Comments" which were provided for all entrants - an excellent way for winners to get promotional quotes for marketing as well as a way for all authors to get feedback on their books.

Feathered Quill also offered numerous additional awards, sponsored by various publishing related companies, valued between $100 and $1000.  For a complete list of winners, please visit the award page, featheredquill.com/2018-winners/

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#AuthorInterview with Michael L. Bernoudy Jr.

Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Ellen Feld is talking with Michael L. Bernoudy, Jr., author of Ninjas & Vamps

FQ: Tony goes through some major life changes in Ninjas & Vamps - from a kid living in South Central to being "one of the jocks." Was this change based on a life change you experienced, or perhaps one of your friends experienced?

BERNOUDY: The entire book (save the vampires) is based on real life experiences. I lived in LA for a number of years then moved to Lewisville.

FQ: "Life really be about that BS" - It's a theme that runs through the book and helps explain what Tony and his friends are going through. Would you explain for readers who may not be familiar with it what you mean?

BERNOUDY: Well BS of course means "bullshit." It has a double meaning in the book. As a teenager there are al kinds of things you have to go through which you would consider bullshit. In Tony's case each chapter has additional shit to add to the pile. What complicates and adds to the BS of being a teenager, is being a black teenager.

Author Michael L. Bernoudy Jr.

FQ: I loved the characters of Bebe and Opal - they are quite funny and very real too. Are they based on anybody you know? Perhaps a beloved aunt?

BERNOUDY: My Aunt Berth Banks. She was always away growing up. I would often imagine that she was out doing something exciting. My cousin Celoa (who's mom is Ope) also only visited town occassionally. I expand on the few times in life I actually have seen her.

FQ: Without giving anything away, there were little hints that you dropped here and there, such as that shiny stone Tony was given. Did you plan these plot twists out carefully before you began writing or did there come to you as your wrote the story?

Author Michael L. Bernoudy Jr.

BERNOUDY: I usually do an outline of all the chapters in my book before I write a word. So the bones of the book are already set. I develop the details and twists as I'm writing.

FQ: There were some funny lines in this book, such as, "And apparently you can't put someone in an old folks' home without their permission," that made me laugh out loud. Have you ever considered writing a humor book?

BERNOUDY: Everything I write is based on putting black people in uncommon situations. I tend to think we would find a way to joke or be funny no matter what is happening. So hopefully all my books have a significant amount of humor.






FQ: There's quite a bit of African folklore (re: African vampires, Tikoloshe, etc.) in your story. Did this require a lot of research before you began writing?


BERNOUDY: It did, but luckily you can find anything on the internet.

FQ: Opal becomes the new "Izangoma" - would you explain what this is for readers who may not be familiar with the term?

BERNOUDY: Witch doctor, spirit woman. Someone who is connected to nature and the elements and knows their secrets and how to munipulate them.

FQ: You have a degree in Theology and have written a series of books ("The Kaleidoscope") that deals "...with the creation and destruction of the world." What drew you to theology and would you tell us a little about this series?

BERNOUDY: At the time I obtained that degree I was going through a seperation and life was really bad. I did an overview of my life and figured that I had a disconnect with God. I didn't think things would get on tract until I got that relationship right.

Ninjas and Vamps is meant to be a "young adult friendly" book that my 10 year old could enjoy. I'm not sure if I accomplished that.

Like Ninjas and Vamps, the Kaleidoscope takes black people and puts them in extaordinary situations. However, these books are not kid-friendly. The plots are more intricate and the stories are a lot more bloody and sensual. The main antagonist seeks an item (the Kaleidoscope) which gives God the ability to see everything everywhere in every possible reality simultaneously. An ordinary black family gets mixed up in this fight between good and evil.

FQ: I see you also run a law firm - The Bernoudy Law Firm. How do you find time to do all that you do? Is the writing an escape from your busy law firm?

BERNOUDY: This is my first book in almost 5 years. I didn't have the time. But yes I write to escape reality and bring others along with me.

To learn more about Ninjas & Vamps please read the review.

#BookReview - Poison

Poison

By: Galt Niederhoffer
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press
Publication Date: November 2017
ISBN: 978-1-250-08529-0
Reviewed by: Diane Lunsford
Review Date: February 5, 2018

Galt Niederhoffer delivers a roller coaster ride of deceit, betrayal and so much more in his latest novel, Poison.

Cass and Ryan Connor have it all: three kids, a cat, and a yard in the beautiful seaside community of Cumberland, Maine; just outside of Portland. Life is cozy and complete. Recent transplants from the bump and grind of the city, they buy the ultimate Victorian ‘fixer-upper,’ enroll their kids in excellent schools and off to work they go each day to their equally satisfying jobs. Nothing could possibly go wrong in their familial utopia...until it does.

Of course, sacrifices had to be made. Ryan landed the dream job in the architectural firm which Cass knew would mean long nights and a lot of hard work and devotion on Ryan’s part. However, when long nights became the norm and Cass was increasingly becoming a single mom with her absentee husband, she began to question just what so many ‘long nights’ actually entailed. It started with the persistent buzzing of texts coming from her phone. As much as Cass tried to ignore the sound, she would succumb to what she already knew: ‘stuck at work’ ...again. No worries. Three kids later and nearing forty, Cass could still rock a party dress and hang with men half her age.

Ryan was her second chance at happiness after her first husband died. Ryan was the one to court this single mom with two children only to sweep her off her feet into happily ever after. He was relentless in his pursuit. Cass knows he’s the one when he accepts her children Pete and Alice as though they were his own and finds herself saying ‘I do’ once again. Time marches on. The family bonds. Cass and Ryan welcome their new bundle of joy they created together, and the Connor household travels further down the road of bliss. Fast forward and late nights multiply to most every night, complemented by out-of-town trips on a more regular basis. These circumstances are compounded by health issues that hit Cass like a freight train overnight. Suddenly, there’s more to this shift in what was once the storybook life. What is Ryan up to and why does Cass feel like she is witnessing the implosion of her life from afar?

Galt Niederhoffer’s crafting of this story is like building a precise masterpiece out of LEGOs one delicious scene after another. The twists and turns he strategically plants throughout this read are superb. He is a slave to his audience in that he listens to their demands and acquiesces by spinning a fantastic plot of mystery, betrayal, deceit and the age-old question of why. He goads his audience with the challenge of figuring out the moment when love turns to betrayal. All the while, he supports the wonder by planting seeds of doubt as the plot thickens. Is character Ryan justified in doing what he does? What about character Cass? Is she the victim (or were the signs all there and she chose to ignore them)? Niederhoffer has a wonderful command of his pen in this story. He taunts his reader with just enough to lead them to the very edge of the cliff before he pulls them back in the next scene. I thoroughly enjoyed the masterful writing throughout. There is not one moment of drag in this read and I welcome the opportunity to read Mr. Niederhoffer’s next book. Well done!

Quill aays: Poison is the quintessential example of presenting the question: ‘Do we ever really know everything about the one we love… and when it comes down to it, would we want to’?

#BookReview - Ninjas & Vamps

Ninjas & Vamps

By: Michael L. Bernoudy, Jr.
Publisher: Blu Phi'er Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: December 2017
ISBN: 978-0985837815
Reviewed by: Ellen Feld
Review Date: February 5, 2018

A move from the inner city to the backwoods of Arkansas forms the backdrop for a very unique and interesting story penned by author Michael L. Bernoudy.

Antonio Anderson (Tony or "T" to his friends) lived in South Central L.A. with his father Winchester. There's no mother in this tale, as she left when Tony was three years old. His father, however, always had a woman by his side, some good (one was a great cook), some a little less noteworthy. This was the life Tony was used to, and all went along as expected until Tony's grandmother became ill. Father and son soon had to pack up their lives and move cross-country to Lewisville, Arkansas to care for the ailing woman.

Nothing could be more of a culture shock for a young man used to the streets of South Central than moving over 1500 miles to a tiny, sleepy town in Arkansas. As Tony settled into his new life, it quickly became apparent that he had a lot to learn about life in a small town.

Tony's Arkansas family was an interesting bunch, especially his aunt Bebe and cousin Opal. Both women taught at Tony's school so there was no escaping his relatives. The teen described Opal as "creepy" with her fixation on supernatural beings from Africa, especially the African vampire. Meanwhile, Bebe was in charge of Tony's gym class and she was a taskmaster who pushed her nephew harder than any of her other students. Still, while there were some things that made life in the small town hard for Tony, he did make the football team and soon settled into life in Lewisville, thanks to some new friends that helped him adjust.

Just as things seemed to be going well for Tony, while attending a party along with lots of other kids from the high school, a white girl was attacked. That attack ended the party, but it also started a rash of disappearances of white girls in the town. Something was going on, and that "something" would soon drag Tony, his good friends, and "creepy" Opal and "taskmaster" Bebe into the fight of their lives.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading Ninjas & Vamps as the back cover implied something was going on in the small town Tony was moving to - but what? My curiosity was piqued and I admit that the unexpected twists in the story took me by surprise. Action, suspense, and likeable characters that the author carefully developed made the story enjoyable. In the Forward, the author warns that he switches from "...my narrator voice to my homeboy voice, [so] don't get too frustrated." This switch back and forth was part of what made the story real and enjoyable. The one downfall to Ninjas & Vamps is that there are numerous editorial errors that frequently interrupted the flow of the story. With a careful re-edit, this story could really take off.

Quill says: Ninjas & Vamps has a lot of potential, and with a careful review by an editor, it could be a really fantastic story.

For more information on Ninjas & Vamps, please visit the author's website at: www.mikebernoudy.com

And The Winners Are...

We've just announced the winners of the 2018 Feathered Quill Book Awards.  To learn more about the awesome winning books, please visit our website!