Tag: Book Review

Séduire: Reviewed By a Phenomenal Storyteller, Nigel Byng

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Clover & that girl Phara: A review of Séduire by Tremaine Loadholt

Séduire: E-Book Version Cover

To say that I fill up with joy upon reading what writers and readers alike have said/are saying about Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction is a surefire understatement.

I have to sit back with myself, take in the peace surrounding me, and nod my head at what appears to be, a job well done. I selected the stories in this collection because I knew readers would connect with at least one or two and fall in love with a few of the characters.

They were designed to be liked/loved/understood/empathized/hated/revered. And so far, they have done exactly that and more.

Nigel Byng, of Helping You To Succeed, is a passionately talented storyteller who recently reviewed Séduire. Below is some of what he had to say about this collection:

I had intended to race through this book by Tremaine Loadholt, as the early stories in this collection are fast-paced, short, and easy on the heart.

Of course, like all great storytellers, Tremaine lifts the veil on the community, the neighborhoods, and the villages we call home. Her characters are the people we encounter daily and may even know personally. And within the pages of Séduire, I found two characters who immediately set my world ablaze.

When I met Phara for the first time, which was the morning after I got the book, her story impacted the next few days of my world. Without going into details, there is enough in the opening lines of her story to fill the reader with rage, hate, and pain. Phara’s is a story that hobbles the heart. Within the first few paragraphs, Tremaine Loadholt, in her masterful style of weaving a narrative, brings home the sad, horrendous reality of what happens behind closed doors in many homes. It is a five-star read, cushioned just at the end of the first section of the book.

I love what Nigel offers to this community and how he goes about sharing his talent. To have my work reviewed by him is truly an honor.

If you want to read the complete review, please head to his blog by clicking here.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

Lit eZine, Vol 7: Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction

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A book review by Khaya Ronkainen

Séduire E-Book version

Sometimes, people have a way of making you believe in your work more than you did before reading their thoughts on it. Khaya Ronkainen is one such person. Her recent review of Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction in Lit eZine, Vol 7 sets a gimmer of pride deep within my heart for the work I created. It is a blessing to read the following lines:

The book title Séduire—meaning “to seduce” in French—has an alluring ambiguity that could play out in several intriguing ways. When mulling over the title, three interpretations came to mind. First, the art of seduction where characters use charm and persuasion, sometimes edging into manipulation to achieve their goals. Another aspect is the case of the “forbidden,” enticing readers to explore risky or morally ambiguous choices made by characters. Then the intrigue of the mind examining how people, beliefs, or environments steer characters towards obsession, inspiration, or change.

These above interpretations are not far-fetched. Because the experience of reading Tremaine Loadholt’s collection of Serial Tales and Flash Fiction, Séduire, felt akin to delving into a jar of assorted cookies where one isn’t sure what to expect, owing to unique flavours and decorations that the author could have added in the batter, so to speak. However, this book should not be mistaken for the sweetness of cookies. It is an incredibly moving collection that explores dark themes such as loss of love, death of a loved one, racial prejudice, sexual abuse, among others.

Stories such as “We Don’t Talk About Daniela,” “Phara,” “Reflections of a Lost Love that Will Never Be Found,” and “Mr. Bradford and His Ox Collection” are deeply affecting, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. The serial story “Clover,” narrated by a child, captures a family’s aspirations as they climb the social ladder, despite racial prejudice they have to contend with. Yet, the collection balances darkness with warmth, including tales of lovers’ reconciliation, a rebellious teen transformed under the guidance of a caring aunt, first-time parents, and more, inviting readers to witness characters navigating life’s trials.

To read the review in its entirety, please direct yourself to the site for the eZine. I am honored and thankful to have a writer and reader of Khaya’s caliber review my book in a way that leaves me magnified by every word–pleased that I took a chance on myself. As writers–creatives, sometimes, we need this, and well . . . I needed this.

Séduire is a collection of serial fiction tales and flash fiction standalone stories written over a period of three years. Dive into the world of a little girl whose family uproots and moves to “The Deep South” because of a new opportunity presented to her father. Transport yourself to the life of a little girl who becomes a mother and a sister to her child at the hands of her sadistic and evil father. Walk with a grieving sister and her mother as they remember a woman who was brutally murdered by her partner. Her young boys live out her legacy as they mourn her.

Experience parenthood as you enter the world of soon-to-be young parents and their ups and downs in life change them significantly while they journey along their new path. Make a brief cameo into the hearts of a dedicated aunt and a rebellious teenage niece whose father has lost his grip on his child.

There are so many more characters with which to connect. As you thumb through each page, the author wants you to feel something; with these stories, you will.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

The Littlest, Sweetest Girl Wins

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A Book Review

Matilda by Roald Dahl. Photo Credit by Tremaine L. Loadholt

I will be honest . . . I didn’t think I would enjoy this book as much as I did. Matilda by Roald Dahl, was everything I needed at the time I read it (a week ago), and I am forever changed by this tall tale.

I had tried to watch the movie years ago, but I did not find it worth my while. It was a bit of a bore to me in the beginning, and I couldn’t get past a few scenes.

The book, however, is definitely powerful, it held my attention and raised my blood pressure a bit. The review is below:

“A Heart-wrenching Tale With a Happy Ending

I have tried to get through Matilda, the movie (the original), and I was not engaged enough to find it interesting. I have yet to view the most recent adaptation, and I do not think I will.

However, the book is superb! I expected nothing less from Roald Dahl and his eccentric ways of introducing characters and tying a reader to this story instantly. One moment, I thought I knew what would take place and the next moment, I was pleasantly surprised.

Matilda is an empathetic, sweet, overly-intelligent, and compact grown-up who catches on quickly. She doesn’t seem much like a child at all. And the adults in her life are all soulless, foul human beings–save for Ms. Jenny Honey.

I wanted so badly for Ms. Trunchbull, the Headmistress of Matilda’s school, to get her comeuppance, and when she did, I was elated! No child should experience what the children of that school endured by the abusive actions of the vulgar and heartless, Trunchbull.

This is a captivating story of patience, resilience, determination, application of simple powers, and love. And when there’s love, there’s always a way.

The ending is the cherry on top of the cake. And it brings the story together phenomenally. If you haven’t read Matilda, I urge you to do so, and soon.

You won’t regret it.”

Lately, I have been trying to find every happy place I can muster up. Reading this book became one. Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

What If the Stranger is God?

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A Book Review

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

I doubt I have to say how much I love Mitch Albom. At this point, many of you should be well aware. Lol! If you’re a good writer, I look forward to your work. If you’re a great writer, I pine over it.

Mitch has proven to be a great writer; the older he gets, the better he becomes. I hope I’ll be reading his work for many years to come.

The Stranger in the Lifeboat is such a touching story. It made me think about the many times I doubted God after asking for help and for signs about things of which I was unsure, and God never left my side even during my faltering faith.

He remained. He is.

Here is the review for this incredible piece of literature:

“God Gifts Us What We Need

And He does so when we need it. This book shook me to my core. Ten people, shipwrecked and forced to spend multiple days with each other on a lifeboat miss out on the opportunity to live because they would not believe.

How can you read that and not be stunned? After a glorious yacht (The Galaxy), owned by multimillionaire, Jason Lambert, explodes, he and nine other people are tasked with a challenge from the Lord: believe in him, vocalize it, and they would be saved.

As I read through the pages and learned the stories of each character’s life, I had hoped that someone would gather up everyone and create an atmosphere devoted to believing the Lord was on board with them, and they could be saved.

I was wrong. No one believed hard enough. And those who did believe, only did so when sprinkles of miracles were placed in order by the Lord, Him/Herself.

Everyone wanted to get out of the situation in which they had been placed, yet no one had the heart and faith to rally the other beings so a longer life could be extended to each of them.

You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll shake your head in total disbelief at the things that occur in this book.

Mitch Albom has crafted a fictional story that feels real and will stun the reader without a doubt. This is the kind of book you read and then tell a friend to tell a friend and so on until a long line of avid readers have connected through these words.

I truly enjoyed The Stranger in the Lifeboat, and I know you will, too.”

I believe we are given helpful tools when we least expect them. This book was/is my helpful tool.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

Remembering My Happy Place

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A Book Review

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

When I was a child, before I became an adult before my time, it didn’t take much to put a smile on my face. I was active; I played sports, read many books, did a ton of writing, and watched movies/famous television shows.

And of course, I tore up and down the city streets with my friends, but I ensured I was inside before the street lights came on.

So, it’s no wonder, I would find myself nesting inside my happy place while reading Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is a beautiful place to be, and while I’m in my forties now, I feel a stronger connection to all things pure & serene.

Below is the review I did for this incredible work of fiction by such an amazing writer who was well before his time:

“Reading This Brought Back So Many Memories

And I was in my happy place for the entire reading of this book. Roald Dahl was such a master of words and personification. He truly painted so many vivid and distinctive images in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

This book is a stress-reliever. I laughed and slapped my knee at some of the verses shared by the Oompa-Loompas of the mischievously selfish and rude children. Everything about the book transported me to my grade school years.

I imagined myself in the children’s shoes; taste-testing many of Mr. Wonka’s unique creations and drinking from a chocolate river. My sweet tooth was ignited with every turn of the page.

It brought back so many memories of enjoying Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. I found myself linking some of the scenes in the movie to a lot of the scenes described in the book.

I knew I would enjoy every moment of reading this book, and I am glad I did so.

If you feel like being nostalgic and traveling down old roads of yore, I recommend Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You’ll definitely be happy you went along for the ride!”

During these current times, while fires blaze and wars continue to rage on, we could all use more happy places.

Honeysuckle Heat Is Full of Passion & Heartache

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A Book Review

Honeysuckle Heat by Michele Lee Sefton. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

Recently, I read Michele Lee Sefton’s novella, Honeysuckle Heat, and was left feeling a bit bothered by both characters. Before you ask, this is a good thing.

I had become invested in their love affair, their actions, and the one-sidedness and obsessiveness of their relationship. I felt bad for Matthew and total contempt for Jacqueline. Michele developed layered characters who are believable and easy to relate to.

Here is the review for it:

“Short, Sweet, & Devastatingly Good

Honeysuckle Heat is a novella that starts off passionate and strong but rolls into details of a man obsessed with a woman who appears to be self-centered and narcissistic.

Matthew, I thought, was such a layered character who devoted his love, time, and care to a woman, Jacqueline, who only seemed satisfied when the world revolved around her.

I thought the author did a great job sharing their personalities and crafting their story around the occurrences surrounding their complicated relationship.

I felt sorry for Matthew because he was so blinded by Jacqueline’s beauty and body that he couldn’t tap into how one-sided their brief reunion was.

I was happy with the turn of events at the end. It was unexpected, but definitely comforting to read. It leaves me wondering what will happen for both of them in the near future.

This is another great read by Michele Lee Sefton, allowing the reader to see the sensual side of her creative mind.”

If you’re a fan of sensual, passionate, love/like/lust, this book is one you should read. You will definitely become just as invested as I did.