Review of Kalayla
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Austin Okumu
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Review of Kalayla
[Following is a volunteer review of "Kalayla" by Jeannie Nicholas.]
Kalayla, very fictionized indeed. At first, you might think of breaking off not to continue reading. Though with Kalayla coming in as a flashback to some deceased twins in the Vietnam war, you might get some interest reading in finding who she is.
2:45a.m... June 1969, Lena suffered from domestic violence while Joey was still alive. Which included marital rape. Not to involve her children, she thought and took the guilt of killing. This happened one day when he did his usual staff to her, beating and more violent. With Lena helpless not sure of what to do, her children became her guardian that day. But it never ended right there and then. Midnight Joey, drunk, came home to overpower her again when it all happened. Hitting his head so hard that blood flooded like some river heading for the ocean. Mark, his missing son, found later in Denver was gay. Surprisingly, he stood within Larimer Square Denver, bidding his mother, Lena goodbye as she heading back home, proud of what he had become. Frankie Gonzales being his love life. Lena fostered Napoleon & Petunia Becky`s kittens from Carlotta`s animals’ home when she was diagnosed with cancer. The idea of being gay in the family was something she found not welcoming.
Jamal passed away several years ago leaving Maureen and Kalayla with the idea that her family, her marring black might never accept her again in their lives. Differently, it happened one day when Lena invited both families to a surprise party for too many. In reuniting both side of the family O`Rourke and LeeRoyce. This was after Kalayla mate Kieran her cousin a kid thought to be sissy. Has her grandpa needed to toughen him up at Matthew`s gym. Hanging out together with Mr. O and Kieran was a good and bad thing that ever happened to Kalayla. Maureen finally had her studio back and in shape. Thanks to Lena`s kindness. After watching the Riverdance with Rico and her mother, Kalayla finally found something worth doing. Lena and Maureen her mother tried before but nothing changed. Miss Magen, her dance teacher and her working for Rico, to pay for the dance classes. The first encounter with Rico didn`t go well when she visited the gym with Lena. Hopalong was one good thing that ever happened to this teenage child. However, always very knotty. Patched by Carlotta`s help, she loved that dog. She almost quit going on dance trip. That she really very worked hard for. One winter, things came clear to Kalayla, what her mother had told her years ago wasn’t the thing. Her mother`s family were not blown in some explosion but very much alive. Knowing her mother family were alive changed a lot. One day her teacher, Mrs. Spencer phoned Maureen, Kalayla`s grades had dropped. She had not turn up her mate for the trip which other kids had already did. Not everything worked out well for Kalayla But you’ll admit having Lena has her grandma was God doing. She found peace and could share secrets with her.
Loved Kalayla, kids could be knotty at times and mouthy as well. The community Kalayla lived in is welcoming. However, the ups and downs of a kid. Kalayla, meeting the dead is something your eyes might catch. The fact, Lena suffered abuse, it turned well, having Matthew on a trip to Italy. Maureen thought she`ll never be loved again having lost Jamal to I don`t know what, when Rico appeared and starting behaving romantically towards her and her daughter. Maureen got back with her mother`s family. The trouble of thinking and hoping to get in touch ended. Kalayla, finally happy, not thinking of her mother`s family having have learned of Colin, Leah, and Kate Maureen`s siblings. After meeting Kieran and her grandpa O`Rourke.
Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas, is engaging you’ll admit. But flashbacks, you might be lost inside into another planet. Back and forth the flashbacks follow more often, if not careful one might quit even before clearing the first page. You might think, you were in the wilderness. The flashbacks cut you off from the story and by the time you’re back. You might have a weird look on your face and tons of questions, the page, what was it about? The flashback, does it connect to the story or totally a new story?
Happy ending for Kalayla, Lena and Maureen in Kalayla. 3 out of 4 stars for Kalayla. Flashbacks, I’ll admit I got lost in the pages many times. Anyone who has experienced any form of loneliness fits Kalayla.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Kalayla, very fictionized indeed. At first, you might think of breaking off not to continue reading. Though with Kalayla coming in as a flashback to some deceased twins in the Vietnam war, you might get some interest reading in finding who she is.
2:45a.m... June 1969, Lena suffered from domestic violence while Joey was still alive. Which included marital rape. Not to involve her children, she thought and took the guilt of killing. This happened one day when he did his usual staff to her, beating and more violent. With Lena helpless not sure of what to do, her children became her guardian that day. But it never ended right there and then. Midnight Joey, drunk, came home to overpower her again when it all happened. Hitting his head so hard that blood flooded like some river heading for the ocean. Mark, his missing son, found later in Denver was gay. Surprisingly, he stood within Larimer Square Denver, bidding his mother, Lena goodbye as she heading back home, proud of what he had become. Frankie Gonzales being his love life. Lena fostered Napoleon & Petunia Becky`s kittens from Carlotta`s animals’ home when she was diagnosed with cancer. The idea of being gay in the family was something she found not welcoming.
Jamal passed away several years ago leaving Maureen and Kalayla with the idea that her family, her marring black might never accept her again in their lives. Differently, it happened one day when Lena invited both families to a surprise party for too many. In reuniting both side of the family O`Rourke and LeeRoyce. This was after Kalayla mate Kieran her cousin a kid thought to be sissy. Has her grandpa needed to toughen him up at Matthew`s gym. Hanging out together with Mr. O and Kieran was a good and bad thing that ever happened to Kalayla. Maureen finally had her studio back and in shape. Thanks to Lena`s kindness. After watching the Riverdance with Rico and her mother, Kalayla finally found something worth doing. Lena and Maureen her mother tried before but nothing changed. Miss Magen, her dance teacher and her working for Rico, to pay for the dance classes. The first encounter with Rico didn`t go well when she visited the gym with Lena. Hopalong was one good thing that ever happened to this teenage child. However, always very knotty. Patched by Carlotta`s help, she loved that dog. She almost quit going on dance trip. That she really very worked hard for. One winter, things came clear to Kalayla, what her mother had told her years ago wasn’t the thing. Her mother`s family were not blown in some explosion but very much alive. Knowing her mother family were alive changed a lot. One day her teacher, Mrs. Spencer phoned Maureen, Kalayla`s grades had dropped. She had not turn up her mate for the trip which other kids had already did. Not everything worked out well for Kalayla But you’ll admit having Lena has her grandma was God doing. She found peace and could share secrets with her.
Loved Kalayla, kids could be knotty at times and mouthy as well. The community Kalayla lived in is welcoming. However, the ups and downs of a kid. Kalayla, meeting the dead is something your eyes might catch. The fact, Lena suffered abuse, it turned well, having Matthew on a trip to Italy. Maureen thought she`ll never be loved again having lost Jamal to I don`t know what, when Rico appeared and starting behaving romantically towards her and her daughter. Maureen got back with her mother`s family. The trouble of thinking and hoping to get in touch ended. Kalayla, finally happy, not thinking of her mother`s family having have learned of Colin, Leah, and Kate Maureen`s siblings. After meeting Kieran and her grandpa O`Rourke.
Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas, is engaging you’ll admit. But flashbacks, you might be lost inside into another planet. Back and forth the flashbacks follow more often, if not careful one might quit even before clearing the first page. You might think, you were in the wilderness. The flashbacks cut you off from the story and by the time you’re back. You might have a weird look on your face and tons of questions, the page, what was it about? The flashback, does it connect to the story or totally a new story?
Happy ending for Kalayla, Lena and Maureen in Kalayla. 3 out of 4 stars for Kalayla. Flashbacks, I’ll admit I got lost in the pages many times. Anyone who has experienced any form of loneliness fits Kalayla.
******
Kalayla
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
