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Summary: A vibrant new voice in the field of women's fiction.
Review: "A NEW DAY is an excellent story about love, pride, parenting and second chances. I recommend it." -The Romance Reader"The wonderful Ms. Johnson-Hodge has given us a tale that is both moving and insightful." -Romantic Times
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Summary: Love has no boundaries.
Review: "A New Day" is exactly what the title says it is. Max and Carol-Anne are two people from two different worlds who learn to live and love in both and eventually end up in one. If you've never read a more compelling love story, this is one. Written with true scenes from reality and earthyness. Margaret Johson-Hodge holds nothing back in this book. No one said love was easy but if you truly believe that love knows not boundaries, this is a book you must read and reread.
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Summary: Hopes And Dreams Were Not A Part Of Carol-Anne's World
Review: Nadia stood at the living room doorway not daring to enter. She knew her mother didn't want to be disturbed. The music was loud, her mother's eyes were closed, and Nadia knew she was taking a time out. Away from people and things, was how Carol-Anne explained it to her. Her mother wanted to be alone, but she had a phone call. "Mommy?" Carol-Anne looked up, pulled away from the music, from the sound of Nancy Wilson singing. The look in Nadia's eyes said there was something to be asked, affairs Carol-Anne didn't want to consider. This was her time. Her moment of solitude. Carol-Anne's eyes drifted. "I'll fix you something in a few minutes." "No." A frown creased Nadia's brow. "The phone. For you." Carol-Anne had not heard it ring, but she had been expecting a call from Mrs. Jones telling her to turn down that music. Loud tonight, louder than she ever played her stereo, Carol-Anne needed Nancy, singing and moaning and gleaning around her like a hurricane. "Mrs. Jones," Carol-Anne decided, rising slowly as if her bones ached. "No, Mommy...Uncle Max." ************************************* For those who read my first book and wondered "what happened to Max?", A New Day answers that question. Beyond it being Max's story, it is also the story of Carol-Anne, a single mother trying to make a good life for her daughter. A New Day is a story of mistakes, struggles and redemption. A story of coming to grips with what has been and opening up yourself to all that can be. For those readers who enjoyed The Real Deal I invite you to partake in the follow up journey in A New Day. I hope you enjoy the ride. Peace, Margaret Johnson-Hodge
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Summary: A warm ethnic romance from the other Real Deal (not Evander)
Review: In Harlem's Baskin Robbins store, eight-year-old Nadia McClementine sized up the handsome, well-dressed man as potential father material. While her mother paid for two cones, Nadia introduces herself to Max Scutter. In turn, Max meets Nadia's mother Carol-Anne. From the start, both realize that they live in different worlds. Max is a highly educated very successful bank executive. Carol-Anne struggles to pay the rent and feed herself and Nadia. They share in common a wariness of the opposite sex. Yhrough the urging of a precocious child, Max and Carol-Anne fall in love. Though he wants both of them in his life, she refuses to believe any male would stay with her and her daughter. Unless the duo learns what they stand to lose, a lasting relationship seems remote. A NEW DAY is a warm ethnic romance that provides readers with a realistic look at life in Harlem. The story line is entertaining and inspiring, especially the intrepid Carol-Anne's efforts to insure a better life for Nadia. The characters are charming and witty, and the adult relationship seems genuine. Readers will recognize that Margaret Johnson-Hodge is the REAL DEAL when it comes to a gritty yet captivating inner city romance. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: PRETTY WOMAN REVISITED
Review: A NEW DAY shows the financial struggles of a young, low-income, single mother trying to make it in a big city. It shows her love for her child, but also her lack of funds and budget skills. Enter Max, the upscale, financially-secure brother who tries to make life better for Carol Ann, but on his terms. A NEW DAY demonstrates the class system we put in place for people and it shows the open disdain some of the upper class have for the lower. Both Carol Ann and Max try, but at first, the difference are just too great, because even though Max can't admit it, he has that same disdain for Carol Ann. Enter Carol Ann's child's father, who is forced to pay long-overdue child support. Things begin to pick up, Carol Ann takes a long look at herself and her situation. and begins to make some positive changes. Now are she and Max willing to give it another more heartfelt try?
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Summary: This is a wonderful story!
Review: A New Day the sequel to The Real Deal starts like a story book, two souls looking for love. But Max and Carol-Ann bring so much baggage to the table, they had me wondering 'who's zooming who'? Max Scutter, 36, single, very successful, is lost and hurting. He is afraid of marriage, children, and has "I'm not ready", engraved on his forehead. One mistake cost him the love of his life and his unborn child. He meets Carol-Ann and her eight year old daughter, does a 360 degree turn and wants to be their Knight in armor, but Max still loves Samone. Carol-Ann is 38, a single mother, has always lived in the basement of life, has never felt loved or needed, all she's ever felt, is not good enough. She learned from her mother that children out of wedlock was ok, so Carol dates her boss, gets pregnant on purpose and quits her job. For eight years she's lived in Spanish Harlem between condemned buildings, struggling to make ends meet. But, Carol never brought closure to her relationship. Then, she meets Max and when he offers a solution, she accepts and moves in with him. She soon resents Max for trying to make her fit his life style and she's on the move again, she just can't get it right. Max has now decided to be a player, and Carol is prostituting herself with her ex, for child support. But they both know their lives can't live here, they need to take a timeout, take a nap and wake to a new day. Ms J-Hodge, creates her characters with such realism, you don't just read the story, you share it. I love that she doesn't take her characters back, she allows them to look back, but with a gentle hand, she pushes them forward. Some books tend to linger, for me, A New Day is one of them. aNN Brown
The RAW Reviewers
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Summary: A LESSON ON HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF
Review: A New Day the sequel to The Real Deal starts like a story book, two souls looking for love. But Max and Carol-Ann bring so much baggage to the table, they had me wondering 'who's zooming who'? Max Scutter, 36, single, very successful, is lost and hurting. He is afraid of marriage, children, and has "I'm not ready", engraved on his forehead. One mistake cost him the love of his life and his unborn child. He meets Carol-Ann and her eight year old daughter, does a 360 degree turn and wants to be their Knight in armor, but Max still loves Samone. Carol-Ann is 38, a single mother, has always lived in the basement of life, has never felt loved or needed, all she's ever felt, is not good enough. She learned from her mother that children out of wedlock was ok, so Carol dates her boss, gets pregnant on purpose and quits her job. For eight years she's lived in Spanish Harlem between condemned buildings, struggling to make ends meet. But, Carol never brought closure to her relationship. Then, she meets Max and when he offers a solution, she accepts and moves in with him. She soon resents Max for trying to make her fit his life style and she's on the move again, she just can't get it right. Max has now decided to be a player, and Carol is prostituting herself with her ex, for child support. But they both know their lives can't live here, they need to take a timeout, take a nap and wake to a new day. Ms J-Hodge, creates her characters with such realism, you don't just read the story, you share it. I love that she doesn't take her characters back, she allows them to look back, but with a gentle hand, she pushes them forward. Some books tend to linger, for me, A New Day is one of them. aNN Brown
The RAW Reviewers
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Summary: Fantastic Writing!!
Review: A New Day was excellent, and so true to life! The characters were very strong and down to earth. My heart really went out to Carol Anne. I cried for her during her struggles and I cheered her on in her triumphs. I thought she and Max were wonderful together. This is a perfect example of how "opposites attract". You did a "SUPERB" job Margaret, keep up the good work! I'm looking forward to reading your next book. KC
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Summary: A New Day
Review: A real good author that tells about real, true, and deep relationship issues. I tried something new with this book and I was not disappointed. Hodge just gained a new reader!!!
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Summary: An Excellent Well-Rounded View of A Relationship
Review: After reading Margaret's book, "The Real Deal", I was anxiously awaiting the other side of the story. The story from Max's perspective and the insights into his relationship was exciting. I started and could not put the book down until I finished. The overlap was just enough, but would not prevent a reader who has not read the first book from enjoying this one. The complexity of the relationships was well developed and the story carried me through many emotional reactions. I found myself totally engaged in reading the story. For once the male character had dimension, thoughts and feelings. I would recommend this book if you're looking for an engaging, quick, enjoyable read.
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