Rating: 
Summary: Stained Glass Distorts the View
Review: Ain't that the truth! Cherlyn Michaels has gifted us with a lyrically written debut novel. Thanks to her easy flowing plot and subplots, Michaels was able to give birth to a cast of three-dimensional characters (a couple of whom I really wanted to thump on the head!). Her writing style truly draws you into the action; I found myself actively engaged in Vanella's relationship not only with Alton, but with her parents, and her bestfriend. Kudos to Cherylyn for lifting the secret shroud of sisterhood for a quick peek to let the fellows know that sometimes, we fear commitment too. Stained glass is beautiful but it definitely can distort your view - so can trying to live your life by someone else's theory. Might I suggest that we all do as Ms. Michaels's has done with this refreshing look at relationships: Be true to YOU Boo! Definitely a page-turner. Looking forward to more work from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Stop! The Love You Save May Be Your Own
Review: Cherilyn Michael makes her fiction debut with her novel, Counting Raindrops Through a Stained Glass Window. Vanella Morris has it going on. She is on the way up the corporate ladder with a job that is coveted by a cunning co-worker and is financially secure. She also has a loving, attentive boyfriend who wants to marry her. Now, her family is another matter; they are a dysfunctional bunch prone to high drama. Her father is either borderline manic depressive or bipolar, her mother and brother endure his mistreatment, and her sister is a doormat for men. Although they are in St. Louis and Vanella is in Cleveland, Ohio, it is hard for her to remain unscathed by her family problems.Vanella's immediate concern is ducking the proposal from Alton she knows is coming. Because of her parents' unhappy marriage, she has this theory; she calls it the O Theory which means marriage is the death of a great relationship. So when the question finally does come, she hems and haws until Alton callsl it quits. Though she is devastated, Vanella refuses to get married, instead she returns to St. Louis and take care of the latest family crisis. It is there that Vanella makes discoveries about her family history and comes to grips with some serious issues she needs to face in her own life. This reviewer was looking for story that would veer from the norm of Sister has man, loses man, has family drama and gets man again syndrome. This reviewer enjoys a story that is well-crafted, entertaining and well written with characters that grab and engage the reader while presening a storyline that is plausible. There were colorful characters and realistic dialogue, especially the conversations with Vanella's girlfriends that were oh so familiar waxing philosophically about the ways of men folk. However, there was something amiss with the believability of at least two of the plots that made me question if there was a bit of satirical view from the author. For instance, the dynamics of the relationship between Vanella and Synda, her so-called best friend did not ring true with me nor did the final developments with the family drama. Additionally, Vanella was one-dimensional and her O Theory became a tired mantra. For all of her I am Woman, hear me roar persona and the self-proclaimed family savior, she was stubborn and obsessed with superficial issues. In her favor, Vanella did show a measure of growth and this is what we want from our characters. Miss Michaels displays a talent for crafting entertaining stories that have surprising twists and turns. She is a force to be reckoned with in the sea of contemporary writers and I look forward to reading her next book. Dera R. Williams
Rating:
Summary: Nowhere to go but up...
Review: Cherlyn Michaels does a stunning job in her debut novel. The storyline captures the true essence of what happens when children grow up witnessing dysfunctional relationships and the lifelong trauma that can ensue. Not only does she portray her characters with insight and depth, but she allows the readers to feel the compassion for Vanella and her instincts to want to do the right thing, but can't. From start to finish, Cherlyn weaves an amazing story of guilt, shame, betrayal and the triumph of doing what you think is best, while being content with yourself. After all, isn't that what life's about? Being true to you - Vanella fashion. The highlight - she does get her man... Looking forward to great things from this new author.
Rating:
Summary: Examining the O-Theory!
Review: Cherlyn Michaels is a compellling storyteller who deftly manages the skills to not only draw you into the world of her characters, but allows you to be them. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and it was a fabulous relief to see a woman dodging committment in fiction for a change. We truly do have issues too. Men everywhere will want to read this book. Buy a copy for your significant other. The lacing of football into the storyline was refreshing as was the feeling that you were in overcast Cleveland with Vanella. There are twists, turns and surprise guest, and I adored the tongue in cheek humor. This author truly delivers. I highly recommend this book for those of you who desire a realistic change of pace.
Rating:
Summary: Once You Pick It Up...You Can't Put It Down
Review: Cherlyn Michaels is an exciting new author who's debut novel, COUNTING RAINDROPS through a STAINED GLASS WINDOW will have readers across the nation talking. The novel immediately captures your attention during the prologue and holds it until the very last page. Vanella Morris is a single successful woman, who's afraid of commitment. She's in a long term relationship with Alton Goode, who would be considered by most women as their idea man-successful, good looking, family oriented and the list goes on. Vanella has to decide on whether her fear of commitment is worth her losing the love of her life. The novel has several scenes with Vanella and some of her girlfriends. The interactions between the friends will have you laughing and thinking at the same time. As you read the novel, be prepared for some twists and turns. Her family is far from perfect, but she loves them and ends up making a special trip back home-St. Louis, Missouri to deal with their family issues. Michaels has written a winner and I'm eager to read her next one. Counting Raindrops is a must read-don't be left out. Read it for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Commitment Phobic......
Review: Cherlyn Michaels is an exciting new author whose debut novel, COUNTING RAINDROPS THROUGH A STAINED GLASS WINDOW will have readers across the nation talking. The novel immediately captures your attention during the prologue and holds it until the very last page. Vanella Morris is a single successful woman, who's afraid of commitment. She's in a long term relationship with Alton Goode, who would be considered by most women as their idea man-successful, good looking, family oriented and the list goes on. Vanella has to decide on whether her fear of commitment is worth her losing the love of her life. The novel has several scenes with Vanella and some of her girlfriends. The interactions between the friends will have you laughing and thinking at the same time. As you read the novel, be prepared for some twists and turns. Additionally, her family is far from perfect, but she loves them and ends up making a special trip back home-St. Louis, Missouri to deal with their family issues. Michaels has written a winner and I'm eager to read her next one. Counting Raindrops is a must read-don't be left out. Read it for yourself. Shelia M. Goss
Talented Tenth Reviewer
Rating: 
Summary: Theories aren't Fact
Review: Commitment phobia abounds in the thoughts and actions of Vanella Morris. She has so much fear in the idea of obligating to marriage as an "until death do us part" ideal, that she's willing to risk her content relationship with Alton Goode. She's contrived to hold up her theory on the surest way to ruin a good relationship is to marry the man that you love. Self-defined as the "O-Theory", Vanella teeters on the brink of ruining what many people would classify as ultimate happiness. The love of her life proposes and this starts a severe case of the jitters. The very thought of losing the man she loves after five or so years of marriage, to a divorce spurs her to convince him they are better off living together. She doesn't want her marriage to become a divorce statistic. After all, this is the path her friends have taken and the path her dysfunctional parents should take. She's concluded that not marrying will stave off unnecessary heartache in the future. Unfortunately, what is her commitment to her theory doing for the present? Vanella grew up seeing how marriage was not supposed to be. She witnessed inequalities in the treatment her father lavished on her and her sister, and withheld with vigor from her brother. Her father's treatment of her mother was abuse in its classic form. The subplot of her nuclear family is spellbinding. Moving away from St. Louis to Cleveland was probably an unconscious means of escaping to a better frame of mind. Adding to this unbalance is an equally relationship plagued bevy of friends that are seemingly or actually soured on relationships themselves. It is safe to assume that Vanella isn't around any truly positive influences when it comes to making commitment last. Her best friend Synda is particularly treacherous as she managed to sleep with Vanella's boyfriend in college and then convinced him to marry her to boot. Vanella's forgiving and understanding spirit accepted Synda back into her life but which proves to be akin to letting a rattlesnake out of its cage. The snake may not strike now, but it lays in wait for the opportune time. Alton is valiant in his efforts to convince Vanella their relationship isn't controlled by statistics or opinions from outsiders. He firmly believes their relationship is what they make it, but she has to be willing to scrutinize it. Pressured by problems at home, the ruins of her relationship and unfulfilled with her career, Vanella is forced to critically examine her theory. Wonderfully written with vibrant scenes, flowing prose and enough drama and dysfunction to keep it real, Cherlyn Michaels has loosed an unaired theory that many sisters and brother subscribe to. Timely in her approach as she uses Oprah as the "O" in her "theory" with Oprah's misunderstood relationship with Stedman Why marry when not being married but having a significant other affords the same benefits? Why not look at those around you and base your personal life on their public persona? As Michael's explores in Counting Raindrops Through a Stained Glass Window, in spite of everything you have to live your life for you. The vision becomes blurry when you try to see your life from someone else's perspective.
Rating:
Summary: A new twist
Review: Counting Raindrops offers a new twist on the relationship spectrum. This time it is about Vanella Morris, a woman bent on avoiding committments. This novel will capture the reader's attention from start to finish with its twists and turns coupled with family drama.
Rating:
Summary: A new twist
Review: Counting Raindrops offers a new twist on the relationship spectrum. This time it is about Vanella Morris, a woman bent on avoiding committments. This novel will capture the reader's attention from start to finish with its twists and turns coupled with family drama.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful debut!
Review: Counting Raindrops offers readers a different view of relationships and fear of commitment. What happens when the woman in the relationship is hesitant about getting married because most marriages end in divorce while those that do not marry seem to have longevity? Once you get married, your spouse becomes laxed and complacent and doesn't have to do those things they once did to attract you. So, the perfect solution would be to live together forever, right? That way, the relationship is always fresh and exciting because each knows the other can walk out the door at the drop of a dime. It's easier than divorce and this is Vanella's thought. Great job to this new author for being creative enough to present a relationship novel that offers something other than the same ol' same ol'. I'm impressed on how it's still a boy meets girl story, but told with a twist that has never been done before that it's a totally new and untold story. This was a great story.
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