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Book Reviews by Allyson 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:43:00 -0500

Consequences: When Love Is Blind

By Linda R. Herman

www.lindarherman.org

February 15, 2008, 5 STARS

A Must Read For All!!!

Linda Herman, gave it to the world exactly the way it is about HIV/AIDs in the African - American communities as well as what holds true in other communities. Imagine finding out that your 'Huxtable-like' lifestyle was nothing but, a lie and by the time you find out, its too late. That’s what happened to Sade Peters when she discovered her husband wasn't just low-down but on the down-low. An outstanding, absolute must read for all!

~Allyson Deese co-author of Somebody Prayed for Me

A note from Allyson Deese:

Author Linda Herman is serious about raising HIV/AIDS awareness, though her stories are fiction, AIDs is very real and very deadly and lately it seems that we as an african american community are the ones, who have to much pride to protect ourselves and our partners.

Magic Johnson has a new online community working together to fight AIDs. I joined as a supporter. I suggest you do the same. Protect Yourself and others, together we can fight this.

https://www.istandwithmagic.com/

Also see Consequences: a novel by Linda R. Herman

Praise Your Way Through by Iris Celeste

www.irisceleste.com

April 23, 2008 5 Stars

Praise Your Way Through by Iris Celeste, was a true blessing to read. I could definitely relate to both of the main female characters...and I could actually feel myself in both of their shoes. It was also a true eye-opener as to how some men treat women even supposed-to-be Pastors!!! A definite must read!!!!

- Allyson M. Deese, co-author of Somebody Prayed for Me

Even Numbers by Barbara Grovner

www.barbaragrovner.webs.com

November 4, 2009 5 Stars

This book takes you through the depths of the unimaginable life that no woman or her daughter should ever have to live through. A definite must read for every woman and girl. This book would open discussions that have been taboo all communities for generations, but, especially ours. I thank Barbara for being bold enough to pin the story that needed to be told.

Kudos Barbara Grovner, I look forward to reading more of your truth exposing tales.

- Allyson M. Deese

Lying To Myself (e-book) by Linda R. Herman

http://www.lindarherman.org/

5 Stars, November 11, 2009

Thank You Ms. Herman for penning Lying to Myself, because at some point, as women, I believe that we all lie to ourselves about some situation or relationship, though they may not all end up in domestic violence as Tonya endures, but, still the story is awesome, and I feel honored to have been able to read and review this title.

Thank You,

Allyson M. Deese

May 2009, 5 Stars

Lessons Learned : Loving Yourself As A Black Woman by Tinisha Nicole Johnson

www.tinishanicolejohnson.com

Tinisha Nicole Johnson has set the stage for us as Black women and as a nation. Thank You Tinisha for sharing your insight and your wisdom. It is time for us to love ourselves, truthfully and not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of. Period.

Job well done Tinisha!

- Allyson M. Deese, co-author of Somebody Prayed for Me

December 12, 2009

4.5 Stars

Laugh, Stir, Repeat: Finding Joy While Playing in the Kitchen by Martha A. Cheves.

http://stirlaughrepeat.blogspot.com/

The recipes and stories in Stir, Laugh, Repeat, warmed not only my heart, but, my mother’s heart as well. As I get older, I seek more and more ways to spend quality time with her.

Stir, Laugh, Repeat, is about food, fun, and family. A must read for avid chefs and those of us who like to try to cook.

- Allyson M. Deese, co-author of Somebody Prayed For Me

Congrats to the AALAS 2009 Winners

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:26:00 -0400

It was truly an honor just to be nominated! and We'll be back!!! God is so good!

AALAS Nominated Please Go Vote

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:00:00 -0400

That's right...Allyson Deese and her co-authors were nominated for best Short Story/Anthology by the African-American Literary Awards Show!!!

I'm asking you to PLEASE, PLEASE, pretty PLEASE, with sugar on top, go to http://www.literaryawardshow.com/voting.html and cast your vote for the following:

Independent Publisher

Xpress Yourself Publishing

Short Stories/Anthologies

Somebody Prayed For Me by Linda Herman, Allyson Deese and Tinisha Nicole Johnson

Author of the Year (Female)

Linda Herman, author of Consequences

Romance

Victoria Wells, author of When Love Comes Around (and A Special Summer)

As an author, it is a wonderful feeling to have your body of work recognized and nominated for an award. It truly makes the long nights writing and the struggles with re-writing all worth it!

Voting Ends Sept 4th.

Thank You & God Bless,

Allyson M. Deese, co author of Somebody Prayed for Me

Michael Jackson Remembered

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:48:00 -0400

Michael Joseph Jackson was an inspiration as a person…not even touching the genius he was as an performer.

He came on this earth, and actually did the Lord’s work. He cared about mankind and mother earth. With a childlike soul and heart of gold. MJ definitely will be missed

God Bless,

Allyson M. Deese

Life Support (poem about HIV)

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:37:00 -0500

Life Support

I know she's tired of taking all those pills a day.

Everyday. But She's on life support.

Yeah, you gave her life, but, you also took life from her.

You gave this beautiful sista HIV, at the same time you gave her a beautiful babygirl.

She said, "Boo, I'm pregnant"

Your arrogant ass had the nerve to tell her "congratulations, when is you & your man's baby due."

Knowing good & well, that she was a young virgin when you met her.

She looks up at you, tears running down her face, she says, "I'm also HIV positive, carrying your baby. You promised me that my first time would be special, but damn, I never thought that my first time would also be my death sentence.

But thanks to you, I'm on Life support!"

(POEM) THIS CHRISTMAS

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:45:00 -0500

This Christmas

As we prepare to spend our very first Christmas together,

Remember just how much I love you.

Love, the same gift that God gave us the first Christmas over 2,000 years ago.

When He gave us His son, Jesus Christ.

So, this Christmas, I may not be able to give you the material desires of your heart, but, what I can and always will give you, today, Christmas Day and everyday for the rest of our lives.

LOVE.

So, don?t worry about putting presents under the tree, just remember that I?ve already gotten the greatest gift of all.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.

And God so loved me that he gave me you?and that?s all I?ll ever need. I love you.

� Allyson M. Deese

Your Answers to Why do men downgrade when they cheat?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:31:32 -0400

� that is a VERY good question...now that i think about it, it seems men do always seem to downgrade when they cheat...maybe it's because they don't want to put much work into it, sorta like they just want easy(or what they think is easy) prey ? Author Leila Jefferson

� Well, honey - I just love your mother's answer and I can see how that is the truth. They know good and damn well they

don't deserve a woman as good as you, so they go where they feel comfortable - to trash!!! LOL ? Author S.D. Denny

Why is it that when men cheat they cheat with the most raggedy woman they can find?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:19:05 -0400

Why is it that when men cheat, they cheat with the most raggedy woman they can find?

My Mama?s answer: ?They cheat with what they feel equal to.?

My personal take on that: I?ve actually found that to be true on a number of occasions, not just in my own personal situations.

What do you all think? Let me know.

I STAND WITH MAGIC (HIV/AIDS AWARENESS)

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:09:53 -0400

I stand with Magic, do You?

www.istandwithmagic.com

Writing To Raise Awareness about Domestic Violence and Stop It!!!

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:28:36 -0400

The National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the hotline, the police, or someone who you can trust.

Together we can put a stop to domestic violence!

They say that it is hard to know exactly how common domestic violence is, because people often don't report it. There is no typical victim. It happens among people of all ages. It affects those of all levels of income and education.

Which is very true, no one would have ever suspected me to have been a victim of domestic violence, but I was.

It is the most common cause of injury to women ages 15 to 44. Victims may suffer physical injuries such as bruises or broken bones. They may suffer emotionally from depression, anxiety or social isolation.

I didn't suffer from broken bones, but, had bruises often and bruised insides. I was extremely depressed and then chose to isolate myself from the rest of the world.