Short Stories Books

Rain on a Tin Roof (RAIN) is riveting. For those of us who are from the Caribbean, it appears that Gabriel Christian, by the attention given to every descriptive word, every detail, attempts to make those of us who are away from home, wallow in nostalgia. RAIN gives the impression of having never left the Caribbean.

My personal favorite, and the narrative by which this book gets its title, "Rain on a Tin Roof," is especially dear. Gabriel Christian takes what would have normally been a tale of despair, and demonstrates a balanced appreciation for what makes this island, his island, home. The author's ability to thread the diverse history of the island with his personal experiences makes RAIN a must-have. I guarantee you won't stop reading.

This book is a brilliant literary piece. It recalls to mind so many memories for fellow Dominicians and for others, it provides a glimpse into life in Dominica.
The collection is so true to life, captured and dispensed in a vivid setting immediately transporting the reader back in time -life, growing up, all the experiences that help shape our lives and make us who we are today.
My favorite was rain on a tin roof - recalling the catastrophic events of 1979.
Having read this, my pride as a Dominician overflows, and it is certainly inspiring to know that such talent and skill came from my homeland.
This writer is a literary genius and I look forward with eager anticipation to the sequel or future writings!
BRAVO to Mr. Christian!

Rain on a Tin Roof earned me quite a few concerned stares as I erupted into bursts of belly-full laughter while reading. This collection of short stories does not simply describe the innocent joys of growing up in in the Caribbean in the best of bygone eras - ours; it transports you back into those joys (and innocent perceptions of some very serious matters) and awakens dormant delightful memories. Though I have never visited Dominica, I fully understood and identified with the evocations presented. Rain on a Tin Roof underscores the similarities in culture of the various Caribbean islands showing that we are truly one Caribbean nation. Very delightfully and honestly written! Recommended ... Recommended ... Recommended !!!

I bought your book some time ago and I am finally got a chance to read it.

I just have say how much I have enjoyed this book. It's an absolute delight! I read it on the train in the mornings going into New York and I'm sure some of the commuters think I am crazy when I burst out laughing constantly after reading some particularly funny anecdote - and every story is full of them.

You have captured life on Dominica so beautifully that one just relives it again reading your words. It's funny, nostalgic, sometimes sad, such an accurate account on life on the island, and again it is soooooo funny. I can just imagine three scruffy little boys holding on to each other's belt heading into a Carnival band after consuming some of their parents rum from an essence bottle shouting "hold strain".

I am passing this book on to all my sisters when I am done. Every Caribbean person should read this book.

You have done a fantastic job. I can't wait for the next one.

....."We can hear the wind straining to get beneath the galvanized tin sheets that layer our roof. Are the nails lifting?" That was the question and worry of the day back in August 1979, when Hurricane David blew down the entire country. Thanks Gabe for taking me down memory lane.

This collection of short stories clearly indicate the writers passion for his birth country. It brings to life a diversity of family, love, politics, colloquial language and his life in the suburbs, which leave minds totally picturesque.

Once you pick up this fantastic publication, it is difficult to put it down. Though some stories were sad and others tense, humour was never lagging far behind. I definitely had quite a few laughs.

The most unique thing about this collection, is the fact that the old, the young and the middle age are able to read and enjoy this book. It brought and left my heart with much warmth.

Hats Off to You Gabe. Keep up the good work because your creative forces and brilliant ideas I believe regenerate many of our Dominicans living home and abroad and our fellow Caribbean people by extension.

Looking forward to another publication

"Outstanding Read". My niece is 15 and enjoyed reading all of Travis Hunter's books. They are very realistic and extremely interesting--"page turners"!!! I've read A Family Sin and thoroughly enjoyed it myself!!!
Keep up the great work!!!

This book was excellent from the beginning to the end. It was easy to read and to understand. I felt like I was there with the characters. I could not put it down and would highly recommend purchasing his books.

Once I read the first chapter I was hooked. This story had a lot of real life issues and once I read the first few pages I had to see what was going to happen next. Jermaine was a good bad boy who saw the need to change and found a way to do just that. He made some good decisions and also found a way to forgive those who wronged him in the past. This book just made my heart swim with emotion and I can not wait until Travis Hunter writes his next story.

I really enjoyed looking into the lives and struggles of the hood and also of african american men. Jermaine is a dude that has never worked and always hustled to make ends meet. He has a son of his own and decides that he doesn't want to let his son down and be the type of father he had. Jermaine's father Calvin was never in his life besides sending money. So Jermaine was left for the streets to raise him. Everyone has to deal with the decisions they make in life. Mr. Hunter displays that alot. People having to deal with their life's decisions in the end rather good or bad. But this is a powerful story the tells stories on so many levels other than what I have written here. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

This book was another piece adding to my collection. I like this book alot it was truly worthed my time. Jermaine was indeed a trouble man from the little things as a rat down to the most serious things as his life. This book will keep you turning turning turning

272Pgs - This is my personal view of this book.

It did not grab my attention at all. At the fourth chapter, I was looking for my receipt. More Women are becoming Soul Searchers today and if you are a Title Seeker like myself meaning (a title of a book can prompt you to purchase) this book will definitely be a lesson well deserved.

This is book could be named, "When A Man Loves a Woman." Bishop really loved Abeni and she loved him back just as hard.

This book is awesome! It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. The characters really come to life in this book--you feel what they feel as you read this wonderful book!

It's been awhile since I've ordered a few books and rather than bore you with the same old rave reviews, I just have a few things to state. The book kept me up until my eyes could not take it anymore; The character Bishop in the book was fascinating. I won't go into details but the fact that it deals with FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) which is going on in certain tribes in Africa paints a picture for me to better understand the culture. Althought I don't agree with it. Pick the book up and you will not be dissappointed.

I just finished reading this book, it was very good. All the characters were great.I liked what it was about, the story really touched my heart and it made me cry. Get this book, you will not be disappointed.

It was a page turner for me. It was a different book for me all the martial arts stuff, but I ended up liking it. Worth reading definitely.

I have to give praises to Keith Lee Johnson for this original story. This book puts you on the edge, just like any good movie would; I could not wait for the ending. The suspense was there and surprises as well. A well written novel and a lot of imagination went into this story. I do not want to give away any details, just pick up the book. You will not be disappointed. This is the fifth novel I have read by this author and I would have to say this is the best one. I gave this novel the rating because it deserves it. I read approxiately 25-30 books a year of all genres and I do not give a 5 star rating easily. I just started giving reviews because they are really helpful in making a book selection you will enjoy. I always read reviews before I purchase a book. If you one of my favorite authors though, I will pick it up and judge the book myself. Mr. Johnson, if you are reading this one please look into a screenplay, you have a lot fans backing you on this one. Keep up the good work.

This book caught me by surprise and I found it to be very entertaining. I have now read all seven of this author's book and have yet to be dissapointed. I can't wait for book eight, Hell Has No Fury. I'm looking forward to the return of FBI Agent, Phoenix Perry.

Normally the suspense books are not what I read. I'm so glad I read this book. I couldn't put it down! This book should be read before Sugar & Spice although it was published second. I love how the chapters are short, this gives me time to sneak in reading when I find time! The story grabs you at the beginnning and leaves you begging for more. I can't wait to see the 3rd installment of Mrs. Phoenix Perry! I would rate this book about a 4 1/2 but that option is not there.

I read this book in just a short while and I have to say I was very impressed at the author. This is my first novel by Mr. Johnson and it won't be my last. This book was written with great finesse. The plot and the chracters were a pager turner from beginning to end. He was to the point and never left you feeling like "Can he please get on with the story". I give Mr. Johnson Cudos for this novel. I'm on line now looking for more from this author. Read the book and you won't be dissapointed.

My daughter, aged 4, was a little bit confused at the book when it first arrived. She didn't like that it didn't have words. After "reading" it with her a couple of times, it has fast become one of her favorites.
More then once I have found her in bed "reading" this book by herself and she will still pick this book on occasion for one of her bedtime stories.

My boys, ages 5 and 7, love this book. It is the last book we look at each night. They read about two books and then want to look at the Zoom book for "quiet time" before they put their heads on the pillows. They have not grown tired of it. It brings such an amazing perspective to life! Some things aren't quite what they seem! Great lesson!

The book came in a very good condition and precisely at the time Amazon estimated. I was also satisfied with the careful packaging of the parcel. Well done!

I am a middle school teacher, and I use this book as a community building activity. It's great!

The series of pictures in Zoom are fascinating discussion prompters and for the adept trainer (in areas of communication, leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, etc.) they pose endless possibilities for engaging and meaningful workshops about not having the full picture, the importance of understanding the world around us, or utilizing specific communication or leadership techniques to solve problems.

In spare, poetic and very beautiful dialect, old and grumpy Guernsey misanthrope, Ebenezer Le Page, recounts the story of his life; a tale of disillusionment, loss and remarkable resiliance.

Edwards makes Le Page a Guernseyan "Everyman." Le Page represents an embattled folk community: colonized by the French, occupied by the Germans and finally overrun by English tourists.

Like the butler, Stevens, in *The Remains of the Day,* Le Page has an epiphany that transforms him. But while Stevens' epiphany is of the rather subtle dry sherry variety, Le Page's knocks you flat like a good shot of white lightening, poteen or whatever it is that Guernsey people drink when they want to see God.

*The Book of Ebenezer Le Page* is about a small miracle of the human spirit in the face of war, poverty and souless consumerism.

What can I add to the almost unanimous chorus of praise and rave reviews? Not much. But this is such an exceptional yet so inexplicably little-known book that I feel obliged to join the chorus.

THE BOOK OF EBENEZER LE PAGE reminds me, as unlikely as this particular combination may sound, of both Thomas Hardy and Mark Twain. Indeed, for a rough approximation of the narrator Ebenezer Le Page and his personality and humor, imagine that Sam Clemens had been born in 1890 on the Channel Island of Guernsey, lived there his entire life, and then nearing 90 set down the story of his life and his world. Although not as cosmopolitan as Sam Clemens, Ebenezer Le Page is every bit as independent a free-thinker, as open-minded, as cantankerous, as wise, and as ruthlessly disdainful of cant, self-righteousness, and those who better themselves at the expense of others. And almost as funny.

For all its greatness, THE BOOK OF EBENEZER LE PAGE is not a page-turner that you are likely to devour in one fell swoop. It took me two weeks to read it. But each time I returned to it, I was eager to do so. It is not unlike an idiosyncratically crusty grandfather telling tales from his life after dinner; as much as one loves to listen to him every evening for an hour or two, one is not prepared to listen to him day in and day out, to the exclusion of everything else.

This novel is sui generis. It also is, in my experience, the greatest novel by a "single-work author." (It far surpasses John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces.") But it should not be regarded solely as some sort of curiosity. It is a great work of literature, and it merits far wider recognition and a far wider readership.

One of the best books I have read in a long time...The universality of Ebenezer is wonderful. It brings the reader back to another time and place. I highly recommend this book.

This is a book for good readers only. And for good readers who enter the book at the right time when they are willing to invest the effort to get far enough into the story to care about it. There is much to complain about. It is a first person narrative written by a person who is not always likeable about other people who are not always likeable and who are often two dimensional. It is written in an idiosyncratic style that reflects both the education level and patois of the narrator. The setting is limited, obscure and unfamiliar to most readers. Somehow those very complaints gradually reverse themselves to become the strengths of the book. The author asks a lot from the reader because you have to plow through a lot of words and page after page until you become aware of the reversal. You become very interested in the narrator's life story, the vast cast of characters continues to increase with every page but they seem more human and not so irritating, the writing style becomes familiar and essential to the story as the narrator's personality and a reflection of the richness of the setting. This is a long book full of a long life story and many small stories. The small stories are some of the most memorable, particularly during the time of occupation. Some of the little stores are entertaining, like the two pigs and some are tragic, like the story of the young prisoner. I found myself more caught up in the little stories than in the larger tragedy of Raymond and Horace. My recommendation is to skip the introduction by John Fowles which is long and unnecessary and save your endurance to see if you can get far enough into the book to reach the point where you stop having to work at reading and want to pick it up. It is brilliant, even as it is astounding that a publisher read enough of it to make the decision to publish it.

I keep rereading this book. I've probably read it 20 times, in full and in part, since encountering it 20 years ago. The pageant of characters who march through are so alive I feel like I know them, and the number and variety of experiences the protagonist relates are as rich as life itself, despite the fact that Ebenezer left his home island of Guernsey only once, as a young man, for a short period of time.

However, I have lent or given a copy of this book to at least a half dozen people over the years, and not one of them was able to finish it.

Also, I do suspect that John Fowles wrote the book and perpetrated a grand hoax. I doubt that G. B. Edwards ever existed, at least as the author of this wonderful volume.

after reading the twenty-odd glowing reviews for this book (and the one awful review which i disregarded but turned out to be scarily accurate) i was so excited to read it. it sounded like exactly the kind of book i like and when it arrived i was thouroughly prepared to love it. however, less then twenty pages into it i began to realize this is exactly the kind of book i hate. the characters are farcically one-dimensional and unlikeable. seriously there was not "person" in this whole book i even remotely cared for or identified with. this was confusing because the author is continually extolling the virtues of her protagonists, none of these virtues which are at all noticable. i am not an author but i took several creative writing classes in university and i do recall the rule of "show don't tell". sadly, miss gedge must've decided this rule shouldn't apply to her. this book was ALL tell and NO show. i honestly think the previous reviewers for this book (with the exception of mr. talbot) must either have never read a book other then this one or are related to the author, because this was the least enjoyable, most poorly written shallow piece of turd i have ever forced myself to finish. i hated this book, and i warn all who read this to please not waste your time, you will be sorely disappointed.

The author makes you feel like you were there. It is a great book!

I have never seriously explored historical fiction until reading Pillars Of The Earth. A whole new world opened up for me. After reading the sequel, World Without End, I searched for a book, in the same genre,to lose myself in. I found The Eagle and the Raven. I simply bellieve it is the best book I have ever read.
Read it yourself and you will find out why I feel this way

I truly enjoyed this novel and could hardly put it down. It is very detailed and the characters are immensely ferocious.

I awaited this book with high hopes, having read the many positive reviews and being both a historical fiction fan and an avid student of ancient history and archaeology. What a disappointment! It's hard for me to believe that I am reading the same book so praised by many other reviewers. Maybe it's just a matter of expectations.

If you are even half serious about looking for quality writing (skillful use of language, depth of characters, engaging plot, etc.) and/or historical authenticity, or at least plausibility, pass this drivel by. A much better choice that deals with the same historical background would be the four Boudica novels by Manda Scott. On the other hand, if you just want something, anything to read, maybe this is a good choice.

Gedge has written several books that seem to be well-reviewed on Amazon at least, so it was a real shock when I started reading what most closely resembles bad romantic fiction. Gedge clearly made little effort to become acquainted with the historical material on which the novel is based. Her treatment of setting is at best superficial and more often completely generic--the story could take place anywhere and at any time; not what one looks for in overtly "historical" fiction.

The characters are invariably crude one-dimensional parodies of themselves, and although the story spans several decades, there is no discernible development or complexity explored. The charactrers at age 14 act and think like they do at 30. They all end up in what are supposed to be amazingly committed and passionate relationships, but we are given no real basis for believing this; that is to say, Gedge writes that it is so, she does not write anything to show how or why it is so.

In fact, Gedge's writing strikes me as not just historically sloppy, but fatally undermined by her penchant for cliches, her unstinting heavy-handedness, and especially her insistence on telling us what is happening rather than showing us what is happening and letting us, her readers, draw our own conclusions. It reads more like the very ambitious project of an untalented high school student than the mature work of a seasoned novelist. It is utterly unconvincing.

Sin duda es una de las mejores novelas que jamás se han escrito.
En ella se puede encontrar un relato sobre las guerras
napoleónicas y la participación de Rusia en ellas, pero también
un retrato de la vida de la alta sociedad rusa de la época. Estas
situaciones tan diversas están narradas con una gran viveza.
Aprovechando el trasfondo histórico de la novela, Tolstoi nos
proporciona también sus visiones sobre la Historia y
el papel que los hombres representan en ella. Estas impresiones

no rompen la narración, sino que la complementan de forma
magistral.
El gran volumen de la novela puede asustar a algunos lectores,
pero en el caso de esta novela merece la pena: cada página se
lee con verdadero placer.

Sin duda es una de las mejores novelas que jamás se han escrito.
En ella se puede encontrar un relato sobre las guerras
napoleónicas y la participación de Rusia en ellas, pero también
un retrato de la vida de la alta sociedad rusa de la época. Estas
situaciones tan diversas están narradas con una gran viveza.
Aprovechando el trasfondo histórico de la novela, Tolstoi nos
proporciona también sus visiones sobre la Historia y
el papel que los hombres representan en ella. Estas impresiones

no rompen la narración, sino que la complementan de forma
magistral.
El gran volumen de la novela puede asustar a algunos lectores,
pero en el caso de esta novela merece la pena: cada página se
lee con verdadero placer.

Sin duda es una de las mejores novelas que jamás se han escrito.
En ella se puede encontrar un relato sobre las guerras
napoleónicas y la participación de Rusia en ellas, pero también
un retrato de la vida de la alta sociedad rusa de la época. Estas
situaciones tan diversas están narradas con una gran viveza.
Aprovechando el trasfondo histórico de la novela, Tolstoi nos
proporciona también sus visiones sobre la Historia y
el papel que los hombres representan en ella. Estas impresiones

no rompen la narración, sino que la complementan de forma
magistral.
El gran volumen de la novela puede asustar a algunos lectores,
pero en el caso de esta novela merece la pena: cada página se
lee con verdadero placer.

Sin duda es una de las mejores novelas que jamás se han escrito.
En ella se puede encontrar un relato sobre las guerras
napoleónicas y la participación de Rusia en ellas, pero también
un retrato de la vida de la alta sociedad rusa de la época. Estas
situaciones tan diversas están narradas con una gran viveza.
Aprovechando el trasfondo histórico de la novela, Tolstoi nos
proporciona también sus visiones sobre la Historia y
el papel que los hombres representan en ella. Estas impresiones

no rompen la narración, sino que la complementan de forma
magistral.
El gran volumen de la novela puede asustar a algunos lectores,
pero en el caso de esta novela merece la pena: cada página se
lee con verdadero placer.

Sin duda es una de las mejores novelas que jamás se han escrito.
En ella se puede encontrar un relato sobre las guerras
napoleónicas y la participación de Rusia en ellas, pero también
un retrato de la vida de la alta sociedad rusa de la época. Estas
situaciones tan diversas están narradas con una gran viveza.
Aprovechando el trasfondo histórico de la novela, Tolstoi nos
proporciona también sus visiones sobre la Historia y
el papel que los hombres representan en ella. Estas impresiones

no rompen la narración, sino que la complementan de forma
magistral.
El gran volumen de la novela puede asustar a algunos lectores,
pero en el caso de esta novela merece la pena: cada página se
lee con verdadero placer.

This is truly one of my favorite novels! This magnificent work hit home for me, I grew up with a Chinese mother in the Midwest, and felt deeply connected to the same issues of absorbing Chinese and American cultures - and finding my own identity in the middle of it. I remember so many of the traditional values of being a Chinese woman, having to be a dutiful daughter, and always putting myself last, and "Love Made of Heart" goes deep into the heart of these ideas. Ruby's growth often reminds me of my own realizations and obstacles of overcoming the past.

I highly recommend this book, it truly appeals to anyone, whether you're Chinese, a woman, or just anyone facing those past histories we often try to leave behind. We all have a journey of life, which often leads to reconciling with the things that have made us who we truly are.

LeYung's Book is excellent. I read it in two sittings. Dinner could wait. I had to find out what would happen to Ruby Lin. LeYung Ryan uses her novel to advocate compassion for mental illness and to help survivors of family violence find their own voices. I could relate on many levels to her book. I am Caucasian, way older than Ruby Lin, my family was not violent nor experienced mental illnesses and yet, LeYung's writing is so evocative, so much from the heart. . . she reaches deep and succeeds with her genuine and authentic voice. As I think about this book I read a year ago, I realize I want to read it again. Yes, it's that good.

Ruby Lin's dilemma, though specific to the individual mother-daughter issues she faces of how to support and love her mother who is plagued with mental illness, is universal to all mothers and daughters. How does one break away without breaking the love between them?

I recommend this book to everyone and especially to women who could use a good role model in finding their own personal power to stand up to men who exploit them, abuse them, cast blame or guilt or withhold their love.

Ruby Lin, in her quest to become an American Girl, learns powerful advice and strategies from the black and white American movies she watches as a child. When she steps into her own power goosebumps race.

The moments of love and surrender, and pain and abuse cause laughter and tears.

Above all this book has great heart.

Love Made of Heart is a wonderful book filled with emotion and drama from page 1.

I read all the customer reviews before reading the PW review. Egads. What planet did that person come from?

Honestly, it is as if that reviewer willfully detached themselves from the emotions prevalent throughout the story. It was merely a summary regurgitation of plot lines, but that is not what I look for in reviews to decide whether or not a book is worth my time and money.

I want to know if I will vicariously experience the lives of the characters while turning the pages. I want to laugh, to cry, to feel fully human and alive.

I want dramatic conflict. I want to read things that I would find terribly uncomfortable in real life. Conflict is drama.

This book has all of that, and it is done with grace and a deft touch. Anyone who has a mother should be able to recognize the various guilt trips that Ruby Lin's mother tries to repeatedly foist off on her. It rings true.

I look forward to reading LeYung Ryan's next book.

Love Made From Heart made me laugh, made me think, made me cry. Author Teresa Leyung Ryan takes the reader to a vulnerable place, where she uncovers the tear in a young girl's heart. From there, she shows how to grow from a tragic experience, how to become strong, how to heal. The reader not only comes away with a better understanding of the Chinese culture, the reader comes away with a better understanding of self, and of love. I highly recommend this book to anyone who comes from a dysfunctional family.

This was a very good book. Travis is an excellent writer and his books make you want to come back for more.

This is one of Travis' best...This one held me captivated from beginning to end. I love the way Travis works in the characters of his earlier novels. He keeps the drama flowing with realistic tales that we can all relate to.

Travis Hunter's "A One Woman Man" book is a page-turner. Once you start reading you won't want to put it down. It is so good that when you read it you feel as if you are a part of the story watching everything that goes on. It deals with some of the most important issues today. Fatherhood, love, scandal, memories, and revenge are some of the topics just to name a few. I applaud Travis Hunter on this book because its a book I can relate to all to well. I give this novel 5 stars, it is one of the best novels I've read in months

First I have to admit that I hated the cover of this book fo sho! I almost didn't buy it because of it but I'm glad I did. So I guess it's true that you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. I appreciate stories about black men who are trying to do the right thing and that was what Dallas Dupree was in A ONE WOMAN MAN. Not necessarily an all together brother, but he was all man and he took care of his daughter and didn't mistreat the ladies. I enjoyed reading Dallas' story, but as minor as her character was compared to that of her brother's, my favorite character was probably Carmen, Dallas' sister. She reminded me very much of my sister-in-law. The way the author molded Priest, Dallas' brother, was genius. I was completely surprised by him and the ending of the book. Overall I give this one 4.5 stars.

I did not enjoy this book as much as previous works from this author. The title didn't really seem to fit the actual content of the book and the ending was abrupt and quirky. In the end there seemed to be no real lesson or meaning to it all; so this is the kind of book that you read to fend off boredom or on a long airplane ride to keep you occupied