Uncaged: A Story of Faith and Survival

Rating:
Summary: Love, Faith & Survival
Review: Atlanta author Deeva Denez opens her personal life to public scrutiny in the first semi-autobiographical book of a proposed fiction trilogy. From the birth of the main character, through her disastrous first marriage and subsequent turn to God for strength, Denez's voice is fresh and outspoken, never hesitating to share tragedy and triumph as she becomes "uncaged" from her past and struggles to find her place and fulfill her dreams with God's help. Themes of love, motherhood, faith and redemption strengthen this novel and make Denez an author to watch, especially for fans of African-American Christian fiction and Victoria Christopher Murray's TEMPTATION and JOY.

Rating:
Summary: A woman unleashed
Review: In UNCAGED: A STORY OF FAITH AND SURVIVAL, Deeva Denez takes us on a journey through the life of a young woman as she travels the unsuspecting road of emotional, mental and physical abuse to her eventual "uncaging". Vanessa Grant went from an abusive home into marriage with Carl Lewis, a childhood friend whom she falls deeply in love with. Their twenty year marriage is divided into three stages: the honeymoon years, the golden years and then the years of abandonment and betrayal. Over the course of their marriage, Carl is shown to be unfaithful and a less than average provider for the family. Vanessa, however, builds a relationship with God and uses His help and prophetic messages to steer her through the up and downs of being married to Carl.

During the last seven years of the marriage, Vanessa becomes the main provider of the family with God at the helm and Carl basically taking the back seat or absenting himself completely much of the time. After much prayer and soul-searching, Vanessa finally realizes that she is not happy and her survival is dependent upon unleashing the chains of mental and emotional scars that have kept her down for so long. God reveals that she has internalized so much of the hurt and pain over the years that she cannot move on until she forgives Carl. It is this forgiveness and GOD allowing her to experience love on another level that "uncages" her. In her awakening, Vanessa learns to love herself for the first time in her life.

UNCAGED is actually based on the true story of the life of Deeva Denez. Using Vanessa as her voice, Denez dives into what all women go through as a result of abuse and shows a way to break the cycle. First she must have a personal relationship with God, she must learn to forgive wholeheartedly and then she must learn to love herself as God loves her. Then, and only then, can she "uncage" the beautiful woman hidden from within. In this moving portrayal of what so many women suffer, I was captivated from the first page. This was a good start to the Uncaged Trilogy and I look forward to
the next installment.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: A woman unleashed
Review: In UNCAGED: A STORY OF FAITH AND SURVIVAL, Deeva Denez takes us on a journey through the life of a young woman as she travels the unsuspecting road of emotional, mental and physical abuse to her eventual "uncaging". Vanessa Grant went from an abusive home into marriage with Carl Lewis, a childhood friend whom she falls deeply in love with. Their twenty year marriage is divided into three stages: the honeymoon years, the golden years and then the years of abandonment and betrayal. Over the course of their marriage, Carl is shown to be unfaithful and a less than average provider for the family. Vanessa, however, builds a relationship with God and uses His help and prophetic messages to steer her through the up and downs of being married to Carl.

During the last seven years of the marriage, Vanessa becomes the main provider of the family with God at the helm and Carl basically taking the back seat or absenting himself completely much of the time. After much prayer and soul-searching, Vanessa finally realizes that she is not happy and her survival is dependent upon unleashing the chains of mental and emotional scars that have kept her down for so long. God reveals that she has internalized so much of the hurt and pain over the years that she cannot move on until she forgives Carl. It is this forgiveness and GOD allowing her to experience love on another level that "uncages" her. In her awakening, Vanessa learns to love herself for the first time in her life.

UNCAGED is actually based on the true story of the life of Deeva Denez. Using Vanessa as her voice, Denez dives into what all women go through as a result of abuse and shows a way to break the cycle. First she must have a personal relationship with God, she must learn to forgive wholeheartedly and then she must learn to love herself as God loves her. Then, and only then, can she "uncage" the beautiful woman hidden from within. In this moving portrayal of what so many women suffer, I was captivated from the first page. This was a good start to the Uncaged Trilogy and I look forward to
the next installment.

Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon
of the RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Rating:
Summary: Get your life renewed!
Review: Uncaged is a novel that will definitely have you feeling unleashed and renewed. This comical semi-autobiographical novel has you living the life of Vanessa Grant Lewis as if you are in her shoes. Because Deeva Denez eloquently illustrates the sentiments of all the characters, the story allows you explore the your own feelings to the situations that transpire. Vanessa's life is tested time and time again. With her belief in God and her determination, she triumphs and becomes Uncaged from all the people, emotions and issues that tried to keep her down. I highly recommend this novel for everyone to read. You'll want more and more. I couldn't wait to read what will happen next. The uplifting messages throughout out the novel enforces the statements of "Just because your life is not what you want it to be; it doesn't mean you can't be set free and soar"

Rating:
Summary: Get your life renewed!
Review: Uncaged is a novel that will definitely have you feeling unleashed and renewed. This comical semi-autobiographical novel has you living the life of Vanessa Grant Lewis as if you are in her shoes. Because Deeva Denez eloquently illustrates the sentiments of all the characters, the story allows you explore the your own feelings to the situations that transpire. Vanessa's life is tested time and time again. With her belief in God and her determination, she triumphs and becomes Uncaged from all the people, emotions and issues that tried to keep her down. I highly recommend this novel for everyone to read. You'll want more and more. I couldn't wait to read what will happen next. The uplifting messages throughout out the novel enforces the statements of "Just because your life is not what you want it to be; it doesn't mean you can't be set free and soar"