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Rating: 
Summary: Healing for the Soul
Review: Muchie comes from a family of healers. Her grandmother is known throughout Wayne County, Mississippi, as a midwife who has never lost a baby. Her father is a healer in his own right, having used his gift to cure both man and animal of their physical ailments. Muchie sees this healing gift as both a blessing and a curse. She is awed by her grandmother's gift and her use of various herbs, which are grown right on their own land. She sees the positive impact that her father and grandmother have on the lives of those around her and the sacrifices they make to provide their services free of charge. When Muchie's grandmother tells her that she also has the family gift, she is frightened. In addition, she is reminded of the inconvenience of having to travel long distances any time of the day and night, often at a moments notice to make use of the gift to help others in the community. In spite of this, she embraces the training her grandmother offers and continues her family legacy. After a chain of events, Muchie denounces her gift and gives up healing altogether. As the rest of the story unfolds, she continues to struggle with the blessing and curse of her healing hands. In addition to the story of healing, THE LAYING ON OF HANDS is a love story. Muchie falls in love with a man her family does not approve of, and upon graduation from high school, she must choose whether to respect her family's wishes or pursue her one true love.
THE LAYING ON OF HANDS begins when Muchie is a young child and carries on throughout most of her adult life. As the story unfolded I found myself drifting back to another time and place in history. I felt, through the characters, how social issues such as racism and the color complex influenced every day life. More importantly, the author explored true love; familial love, parental love, and the love that is shared between a husband and wife. The writing was soothing, yet engaging. The characters were crisp, yet multifaceted and inherently human. The plot was satisfying in spite of the fact that the ending was a bit rushed. The result was a story that immediately takes hold and doesn't release you until the last page is read.
Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Rating: 
Summary: Healing in the Hands
Review: The Laying on of Hands is an extraordinary tale of life after slavery. The story chronicles a woman's family, looks into her spirit, details her loss and recognizes the acceptance of God's will. The history of family is important and what sustains them is key. The foundation of this family lays with Tyler Mama and Papa who are both great healers. The main character, Miss Munchie is an intelligent young woman who learns from Tyler Mama, the healing power in her own hands.
New generations see love differently. Miss Munchie loves a man named Teddy hard, deep and forever. They had four beautiful children and a wonderful life until they start to lose faith. Once they stray away from Christ tragedy invaded their happiness and threatened everything they have built together. As the story unfolds, you discover one simple truth, that love triumphs all.
Friends, family and the faith of a stranger pull Miss Munchie back from the depths of despair. Mr. Winston comes along, blesses her with a job, and showers her children with love. Miss Munchie's business savvy propels the funeral home business to icon status within the state. Through years of love and faith, Miss Munchie opens her heart to God and a man. Her life comes full circle and happiness resides in her soul.
Miller is on top of her craft with this novel. The story is heart- warming while it introduces issues of racism, true love, death, the gift of friendship and ideas of building wealth in the African- American community. The Laying on of Hands chronicles how life can throw curve balls and it's up to you to knock them out of the park. Miller has definitely done that with this story.
Reviewed by M. Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review
Rating:
Summary: Took me into the narrator's world
Review: This story really moved me- it flows and reads very easily. It draws you in very quickly. The story and the characters feel very real. I found myself crying when the main character went around her home saying good-by to all the things that she shared with her husband. It was if a friend of mine had lost something and I was crying for her loss. I don't think a book has ever moved me to tears. And I loved the candy cane striped house by the sea. It also gives you a peak into the Southern African American middle class culture, which has charm and warmth.
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Book
Review: To be perfectly frank, I've not heard the book but only the editoral review. I was first drawn to its cover on RandomHouse.com -- and then scrambled here to amazon to explore further. I've now ordered my own copy. This woman must be so amazing. I feel drawn to her spirit and respect all the work she has down. I will watch for my mail everyday until the book arrives and then in my own corner of the world, I'll savor each word. My intuition is, this just has to be made into a film! Someone call Steven Speilberg! Sincerely,
Victoria lynn Weston
www.VictorialynnWeston.com
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Book
Review: To be perfectly frank, I've not heard the book but only the editoral review. I was first drawn to its cover on RandomHouse.com -- and then scrambled here to amazon to explore further. I've now ordered my own copy. This woman must be so amazing. I feel drawn to her spirit and respect all the work she has down. I will watch for my mail everyday until the book arrives and then in my own corner of the world, I'll savor each word. My intuition is, this just has to be made into a film! Someone call Steven Speilberg! Sincerely,
Victoria lynn Weston
www.VictorialynnWeston.com
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