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Summary: LEARNING TO LOVE YOURSELF, IT IS THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL..
Review: I was hooked from the intro and stayed that way: Max and Carole-Anne had a bond that you felt and rooted for, and women cannot help but relate to the sister so low in self-esteem that she doubts true love when it shows its face and manages to throw it away, all the while causing what she feared the most: the loss of true love. Max is so caught up in his own unresolved issues with his ex that he couldn't see hers and eerily played a part in the relationhip's sabotage. I related with her (as a single momma), was exasperated with her, and in the end, applauded her, since she pulled herself up from her bootstraps, looked her demons in the face and learned from her mistakes, a lesson that some of us are afraid to learn and/or implement too late. This is the first book I've read from Ms. Hodge, but it will not be my last. The novel is moving, realistic and parts will cut the reader to the core. For those who are doubtful that love will find them, or feel that life has painted them into a corner, this book will uplift and inspire you to believe in new possibilities again. EXCELLENT romance novel that will have you going back for more!!
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Summary: Margaret Johnson-Hodge does it again
Review: I've read both of her novels and enjoyed them very much. Am awaiting any future work. I appreciate the fact that she continued the story line on The Real Deal to its conclusion.>
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Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Review: Margaret Johnson-Hodge, the author of The Read Deal, an enjoyable and interesting book, has given us another offering, and this time, she has out done herself. A New Day is a book that had me thinking about the characters when I wasn't even reading the book, and especially after I finished the book. I wanted more. By the way, its a sequel to The Real Deal. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Love Conquers All
Review: Ms. Hodge captures the true picture of the problems people face when they come from different social and economic back grounds. Being in a relationship is already hard but it gets much harder when the two people involved do not have similar back grounds and interests. But in the end, love conquers all and Max and Carol Anne were working things out.
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Summary: Killing Me Softly
Review: The words of Roberta Flack come to mind as I recall the pages of "A New Day". I felt the author (MJH) looked into my life, and told my story. While there was no disclaimer in the front that the characters were fictional, I was confident that she wrote AS IF she knew me. While I didn't appreciate MJH telling my business, making me cry, and keeping me up all night to read this amazing novel, I was drawn into the deep well of lyrical words used to describe the characters and their emotions. Like the musician of Roberta's song, MJH was 'singing my life with her words'. Unlike Roberta, I was not 'embarassed by the sound'. Instead, I read on with astonishment because I fell in love with this book and its dimensional characters. This story is intense from its beginning expressions of yearning to its happy ending of self discovery and true love. "A New Day" begins with a new approach - taking readers into the life of a real 'man crying in the dark'. Max Scutter is a sensitive, intelligent, stable and handsome man longing for a new day. He finds it in Carol-Anne Phyllis McClementine. As if seeing a ghost, there were several occasions when I closed the book while gasping for air because the passionate words literally took my breath away! Though I have not met Max yet, almost everything else from the novel is a page from my life. Beginning with Carol-Anne's middle name being my first, Phyllis. Her last name, McClementine, is uncanningly similar to mine, McLaughlin. Add to that, her single mamahood to daughter, Nadia (who has glistening eyes), vs my daughter, Dasia (whose eyes sparkle when she laughs). If the names can be written off as sheer coincidence, how do you explain why Carol-Anne (like myself) quiets her passions, fears, and LOUD Thoughts with mellow jazz music and books late at night in her comfortably, worn chair? And here I sit confessing even more in this review at 3:46 am EST. As I savor every word of this delectable read, I wondered is MJH psychic or is this coincidence? I couldn't let my skepticism stop me because my heart was already consumed, and my eyes were already soaked. When Max meets Carol Anne and almost immediately pours out his wealth upon her poverty, I thought to myself, get real Margaret. Who would believe such nonesense? What man would do so much for a woman he just met? Not even a hopeless romantic like me will fall for that. Then I was reminded when I turned back to pages 1-3, 11, 90, and many pages throughout that unveil Max's uniqueness. After reading more, I thought again... Aha! I caught the diva of romance with her pen down:-)! Feeling somewhat victorious at the discovery that MJH never gives an explanation of why, how or when Max comes to love Carol-Anne, I could not deny Max's strong emotions that permeate the pages. The author convinces readers that Max is distinguishable from all others. So, don't bother trying to compare Max to your Dad, your best lover, and not even Superman. Just accept him because he is very real and real compassionate. Though Max is not the primary focus of the novel, I learned to love him too... just like I love myself, Carol-Anne, and Nadia. MJH makes sure you feel him and all the characters as they jump off the pages and into your heart! With amazement and sheer ecstasy, MJH entices readers with details of fiery love scenes throughout. Not being satisfied with a brief declaration of the couple's love, MJH drowns readers in unbelievable passion as she lusciously describes the scenes with such grandeur. Eeew wee! If the detailed love scenes are not enough, prepare yourself for the intense account of Max's anguish over being without his family, Carol-Anne and Nadia. The breathtaking account begins on page 133 and literally climaxes on page 135 as he is 'seduced by memory'. Oh my goodness, I 'wept out loud' with this man and stopped breathing too. MJH knows how to cleverly evoke intense emotions that will make you wonder how she got into your heart and mind to create such an ache and inevitably, tears. Makes me marvel at how MJH is able to contain the creative talents that God has poured into her. Then I realize, she manages by writing and dumping on hopeless romantics like me... poetic justice, I guess. "A New Day" is very enlightening and will encourage readers to search within for the new day that makes every day more beautiful than before. This is a must read for those bold ones who dare to dig deep within themselves. I HIGHLY recommend this novel!
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Summary: One of the Best Authors Out there
Review: This book examines the downfalls and advantages to dating out of your class. Although Max means well, I think it is wrong of him to try to change Carol-Anne. I felt he tried his best to mold her since he couldn't mold Samone, the assertive diva, his ex-girlfriend. I was satsified with this book, I also enjoyed Warm Hands. Warm Hands is a great book on self love and healing.This author has great prose, and a true to life plot.
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Summary: Life Is What You Make It!!
Review: This book here showed you exactly what the phrase "You must first love yourself before you can love someone else or accept anyone elses love" means. Carol-Anne had to love herself and prove to herself that she was worthy of such great love in order to accept all the love that was being given to her by Max. I'm glad that she was able to work things out within herself in time enough to still be blessed with Max. This is a good read that I'm sure you all will enjoy.
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Summary: Excellent, true to life experiences, funny, witty, very real
Review: This book is a must read for all those single mothers out there struggling to be a good mom and hoping to one day find that special someone!!!
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Summary: Bright and Sunny Day
Review: This book really shows you what life is like for Carol Anne and I am sure some women had to deal with these situations and Margaret didnt hold back (the part with the rats in the bed took me for a loop, those fish stick dinners w/peas and Kook-Aid) really made you think that life can be like this. Carol Anne trying to do it on her own and be a real mother despite all odds, problems and shortfalls. Until Max enters her life a she doesnt know how to deal with it, but it was good to see a brother with so much education get involved a woman that doesnt have high standards. This may have been a story but the reality is just (too real). Keep up the good work Margaret because you are really putting (reality) out there and I love it and I know the readers are eating it up. Waiting for the next book !!!!!.
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Summary: This is a wonderful story!
Review: This continuation of the story started in The Real Deal is a good glimpse into real life! The characters are developed and all of us can see some part of us in them. Getting stuck in "struggling" mode was an eye opener for me, some of us find it harder to accept assistance when we are trying to make a way and help comes in many forms. Although Carol Anne got down, she didn't stay down. Max wasn't the cold hearted dog he could have been with all his cash flow either, more like the men we all know and love.
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