If you like a good mystery with plenty of meat to sink your teeth into, you will love this book. The author does a fantastic job setting up the story and then helping fill in the blanks in a very thoughtful way. I appreciated how she developed the storyline and allowed the character to become a complete tangible person. I kept reading wanting to find out what exactly happened and why. It really was just extremely well written. I hope to read more from this author soon.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Lovelacehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Lovelace2020-10-02 22:44:532020-10-02 22:44:53A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Heather Lovelace
A Dead Man Speaks ( a Clive January Mystery Book 1) Lisa Jones Gentry 4 out of 5 stars
I’ve been reading (and enjoying) a lot of books outside of my normal genre as of late. This was a great read and a bit more of what I gravitate toward. This was my first book I have read by this author and much to my pleasant surprise, a first in a series. This is one of those books that has characters that you find yourself growing attached to. I found myself intrigued from start to finish as a Dead Man Speaks has elements of a good mystery/thriller. The idea of the victim taking part in solving his own murder is fantastic to me! While there is an obvious paranormal element to the story, I never felt like the author was reaching or that the twists and turns were over the top. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and look forward to reading more by Lisa Jones Gentry.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Felicia Bateshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngFelicia Bates2020-10-02 09:28:092020-10-02 09:28:09A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Felicia Bates
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery #1) by Lisa Jones Gentry
This is the first book by the author that I’ve read. It won’t be my last by Gentry. She’s got a great way of wording and her characters. I highly recommend this for Crime lovers.
Clive had a bad life. As a young boy his mom didn’t want him. His father takes him and they move into a boarding house. The lady of the house takes them in.
Clive loses his father and his mom comes to take him back. He takes off after he graduates because he can’t take living with his mom. The quote I chose for Clive is: “What did that guy really say?”
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Kimblehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Kimble2020-10-01 13:27:052020-10-01 13:27:05A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery #1) by Lisa Jones Gentry – Review by Amanda Kimble
A Dead Man Speaks is the first book in Lisa Jones Gentry’s Clive January Mystery series. The premise of the book is that the deceased Mr January can’t rest until his murder is solved and is able to communicate with Detective Bob Greene to help him. Which should really make the case easier for Greene except that what he gets from January are a series of powerful memories from throughout his life which send him chasing up all kinds of leads which may or may not have anything to do with January’s death. The story takes a while to get going. For the first twelve chapters it feels like January’s life is flashing slowly before his eyes. This gives us a fair bit of backstory which is useful later on, but I think interspersing this with aspects of the murder investigation would have given the story a more momentum. It is worth persevering, though, as it is an interesting story and the pace and tension do pick up later in the book. Detective Greene is a complicated character. He testified against a partner who murdered a black teenager but did nothing in the moment to stop his partner. This means that pretty much everybody dislikes him, and his apparently confused morals make it hard for the reader to warm to him. He is persistent, though, and determined to find justice for January. For me, this is a four-star book. It requires a fair bit of attention and patience but rewards you with an intriguing, tangled mystery with plenty of twists and surprises. I’d recommend it to mystery fans who are interested in ghosts and the paranormal. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Francis O'Sullivanhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngFrancis O'Sullivan2020-10-01 10:13:252020-10-01 10:13:25A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Francis O’Sullivan
This is my first book by Lisa Jones Gentry. I love paranormal stories and crime is my jam. This book put them both together. I loved this book! The plot was well established and the characters are well developed. Detective Bob and Clive (he’s the poor dude that got whacked) go through who could have caused Clive’s murder. The twists and turns of this story were amazing. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book for this series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Meg Tyrrellhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMeg Tyrrell2020-09-30 20:16:002020-09-30 21:48:17A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Meg Tyrrell
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry is a crime, mystery and thriller all rolled into one and is a good start to the series. The plot was done well and is interesting and the characters are well developed. There are paranormal aspects and a little twist to the story that make it pop. The Detective is on the case and his track record shows him to be able to solve the unsolvable, but he will need the help of the victim to find a killer.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jenni Bishophttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJenni Bishop2020-09-29 06:54:222020-09-29 06:54:22A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Jenni Bishop
This was an awesome story. I love ghost stories, especially when there is a mystery around it. Lisa Jones Gentry did a great job writing this story. For me at least, there was no confusion about what was happening. The characters are fully developed and personable. The plot of the story is intriguing. Clive, who was well todo, got shot and killed. That is when the story begins. Clive was an investment banker. He wants to find his killer. That is when it becomes interesting. Clive teams up with Detective Bob to help solve a murder. There are feelings and obstacles that Clive needs to get done to be able to move on. I highly recommend this book to see what exactly happens to Clive and Detective Bob.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Fishhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Fish2020-09-28 19:32:002020-09-28 22:24:16A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Erica Fish
A Dead Man Speaks by Lisa Jones Gentry is the first book in the Clive January Mystery series. This is a fantastic combination of paranormal and mystery that really will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this book up but I really did enjoy how the story unfolded. I thought the author added such a unique twist on the whole by having the victim play a part in catching his killer. Given how much we got to know about Clive it really felt like we went through the journey with him. The book felt full of twists and turns that made it exciting to read – it added a level of suspense to it that grabs your attention. As the opening to a new series the author has definitely kicked it off with a bang and having read this book I am looking forward to seeing what else is in store.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2020-09-21 16:00:242020-09-21 16:00:24A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Kerry Baker
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry is an original story- with plenty to keep you flipping the pages. A mystery with a paranormal edge- detailing crime, investigation, drama, and a clever twist that made me sit up and take notice. Clive January is a Wall Street investment banker who makes the startling realization that he has been shot, dead! Having such a significant unresolved issue, Clive cannot find peace until he gets his closure. But being dead is kind of restricting- so this is where Detective Bob Greene comes into the picture. It’s through him, and their psychic connection, that the investigation unfolds. But there is much more to the characters, their situation/s, and story, than we first realise- which we discover along the way. Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Jones-Gentry does next.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2020-09-19 12:58:182020-09-19 21:10:44A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Angela Hayes
The way this book was written was captivating. I liked the timeline of the way the events were portrayed. This was a very eye opening story with the state of the world today and seeing the views in a different perspective, to me, is always a positive thing. Lisa did a fantastic job creating the characters and the city’s and town’s we visited through out this story. If you are looking for a story that is more real life than not, mysterious, has characters you think you may have known if a past life, this is definitely a read for you.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kandy Garretthttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKandy Garrett2020-09-17 18:52:372020-09-17 19:52:57A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Kandy Garrett
A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) By Lisa Jones Gentry 5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book A Dead Man Speaks (A Clive January Mystery Book 1) by Lisa Jones Gentry. It is a story that once I started it, I was hooked. The author does an amazing job of making both the storyline and the characters come to life. It is a story about a man who was shot and killed and the journey that follows to find his killer. I enjoyed reading about and trying to understand the man who was Clive January. His life was a hard one with many obstacles and sadness. It is also the story of Detective Bob. He is charged with finding out who killed Clive. He is a man that is known to solve cases that others considered unsolvable. This is a story that includes strong emotions and also times of hatred and racism. The story is very powerful, and I found myself thinking about it even after I had finished the last page. Will Clive’s murder be solved? Read this book to find out. I highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Laura Furutahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLaura Furuta2020-09-14 16:21:162020-09-14 22:12:35A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Laura Furuta
This is a little different book for me but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. This is a well developed story that brings paranormal to a new level for me. The characters bring the story to life especially my favorite Clive who made the story for me. I felt bad for him in parts and felt his determination in others. They made the story fast paced and had me easily turning pages. This is a story about Clive. He had it all until he was killed one night. Now he has a ton of questions about why and who. He communicates with the detective on the case through dreams and visions. He cannot settle until he has his answers, will the detective be able to help him? Will Clive find the peace and forgiveness he desperately needs? I enjoyed the twists and turns the characters bring to the story. I am glad I picked up this book and I think you will too. I highly recommend this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Bobbi Wagnerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngBobbi Wagner2020-09-12 15:33:032020-09-12 15:33:03A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY – Review by Bobbi Wagner
Why can’t I, just DIE in peace? Why do I roam, unable to rest? Will I ever know the truth, the ugly truth of who shot me in the back? I hear voices, but no answers. Why do they tell me that some racist white cop, who watched his partner kill a defenseless Black kid, is the only one who can help me, the only one who can set me free. Now I hear voices telling me that I must look back to find the truth. I see her standing over me as the life ebbs out of me, and I wonder, did she do it?
“Clive…Oh, Clive, baby…Oh God I’m so…” She leaned over me. The blood from my shirt soaked her skin, turning it a brownish red. As I looked in her eyes, I could feel her tears, touching my face, as her soft hands used to. Then I realized that I couldn’t really feel anything. Because I was dead.
I looked down at me, lying there motionless, and I saw her sobbing over me. Shaking me, trying to will me back to life. But I knew it was too late. I felt this detachment, but at the same time an inexplicable heaviness. Something was pulling me back toward my body, which I didn’t really even feel was mine anymore. Something wasn’t letting me leave. Suddenly, the room was light, brighter than I’ve ever seen it. I couldn’t see her, or me. Just this blinding light. Whispers from eternity called me, telling me that I had to find out. I had to make peace for peace to come to me.
A DEAD MAN SPEAKS is a suspense filled thriller set against the ruthless world of black Wall Street in 1987. It’s the story of Clive January, a Black investment banker, a driven self-made man, who had it all—money, success and power, until he is shot from behind and killed. He can’t rest until he finds out who did it, and his ghost works with Detective Bob, a white cop, who can get in the head of victims and crack the cases that no one else can. That is until now– hated and ostracized by the other cops for ratting on his partner who viciously murdered a Black teen—Detective Bob hasn’t been able to solve a case since then, and this is his last chance to prove he’s still got it. Through dreams and visions, Clive bares his life to Detective Bob until the truth is revealed in a wrenching ending that neither ever suspected. A DEAD MAN SPEAKS is ultimately about the redemptive power of love and forgiveness.
Lisa Jones Gentry is a NAACP Image Award and Literary Critics nominated writer and screenwriter. She worked as a television Executive Producer in Hollywood and has produced over one hundred hours of television programming. She is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HI-RES-FINAL-VERSION-COVER-CoverArt-digital-A-Dead-Man-Speaks-hi-res-scaled.jpg1200744itsybitsybookbitshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngitsybitsybookbits2020-09-09 06:47:072022-11-26 23:04:41A DEAD MAN SPEAKS (A CLIVE JANUARY MYSTERY BOOK 1) by LISA JONES GENTRY
Forbidden Love: Written by Lisa Jones Gentry as Told by Their Son Joe Steele 4out of 5 stars
Forbidden love written by Lisa Jones Gentry is the first book that I have read by this author and this book was unique and different to what I read. The characters are well written, but I was a little disappointed in them. This is a true story of Father William C. Grau, a Black Catholic Priest and Sister Sophie Legocki, a White Polish American nun, who in the segregated fifties, defied the church and society with their passionate secret love affair that lasted for nearly a decade and gave birth to a son, Joe Steele. The Archdiocese sealed is adoption records because they didn’t want him or anyone else to find out that his parents where a priest and nun. Joe is a Harvard College and Harvard Business School graduate and successful Global Development Consultant and Executive Coach. He finally reunites with his birth mother, Sophie, and finally hears of the passionate love that she and his birth father shared, often risking their lives to be together. Joe also learned for the first time how after his adoption, Sophie and Father Grau continued their love affair when she moved into the Rectory to live with him as his housekeeper until his death in 1964. Joe and Sophie grow closer as he too shares his life as the beloved youngest son in his nurturing and loving adopted Steele family in Cincinnati. This was a good book and I recommend it…. Tracy @tracym
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tracy Mandersonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTracy Manderson2019-12-22 16:54:112019-12-22 17:06:51Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Tracy Manderson
Forbidden Love:Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele is a story of forbidden love. It is a sweet romance story, but at the same time it is a story that makes your heart grow just a little bigger knowing the whole story. Joe Steele had a story to tell and Lisa Jones Gentry listened and wrote his story. There was a couple of strikes against Sophie and Billy. They both belong to the Catholic religion one as a nun and one as a priest. Not only is Billy a priest, but he is also a African-American in the 1950’s. There are some rough roads that Billy and Sophie had to deal with their romance story. Out of their story, there was a baby born to the nun Sophie. This is a real-life story which cause my emotions go on a roller coaster ride. I did read this in one sitting and had a box a Kleenex by for my tears. I hope you find this story as beautiful as I did. Happy Reading.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Fishhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Fish2019-12-21 12:45:012019-12-21 14:22:35Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Erica Fish
5 Star Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele is a wonderfully written story romance story that will take you on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster ride. This story is about Joe’s birth parents and how he came to be . I found myself lost in the pages and couldn’t stop reading till the end. There were moments I had to grab for the tissues. What an emotional and heartfelt reminder of how different times used to be. William and Sophie he’s a Priest and she’s a nun both knew the consequences if they were to be caught but continued their to keep their relationship a secret. These two had a son .Find out what happens next in this absolute must read. Be prepared to be taken on a emotional journey..
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Dawn Daughenbaughhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDawn Daughenbaugh2019-12-21 06:53:182019-12-21 08:28:11Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Dawn Daughenbaugh
Forbidden Love: Written by Lisa Jones Gentry as Told by Their Son Joe Steele is a book that stays with you for a while. When I started reading it, I felt as if something or someone reached out and grabbed hold of my heart and started squeezing it and never let go … Forbidden Love tells the story of Joe Steele’s parents – Father William Grau and Sister Sophie Legocki. You got it right; it is a story of forbidden love between a Catholic priest and a Catholic nun. Their story is an emotional journey and it is not just their story, it is also Joe’s story as everything William and Sophie did, had an impact on his life and on their lives … the pain of giving away your child… how does one live with the kind of pain … In addition to the personal story of his parents, Joe also gives us he story of the time his parents and himself grew up in that gives us even deeper understanding into who they were/are … You will not regret picking up a copy!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Jana Teppihhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngJana Teppih2019-12-20 19:03:182019-12-20 19:13:04Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Jana Teppih
Forbidden Love: Written by Lisa Jones Gentry: As Told by Their Son Joe Steele is a true story that tells a tale of love, vows, religion, race, segregation, and a long running passionate affair. This romance between a priest and a nun, produces a child who is put up for adoption. This is his story of how he discovered who his birth parents were, and how they defied the church, and society with the love they shared. This was an interesting story. Told from the perspective of Joe Steele, their son. A story of how love always finds a way, and doesn’t discriminate. Well worth the read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2019-12-20 12:09:242019-12-20 13:21:06Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Angela Hayes
Well what can I say about Forbidden Love by Lisa Jones Gentry: As Told By Their Son Joe Steele? This book is like nothing I’ve ever read and I was totally consumed by it and did not want to put it down. How dare I have to go to work and spoil my reading pleasure. Forbidden Love is the true story of Black Catholic Priest William Grau and white nun Sophie Legocki. The story is being told by their son Joe Steele. The story comes from conversations with Sophie as she lay on her hospital bed nearing the end of her life and also Joe’s own memories. This is a beautiful story of forbidden love. Forbidden in more than one way. Firstly William (or Billy as he is known) is a Catholic priest and Sophie is a nun. Secondly, their love started in the USA in the 1950’s when race relations were at their worst. A black man and a white woman together was a major taboo and Billy and Sophie faced danger many times when they were seen together. Reading this book it is obvious that Billy and Sophie were deeply in love with one another. As devoted as they both were to God, their love for each other was so deep that they could not be apart. As forbidden as their love was, even as a Catholic myself, I wanted this couple to be together, They deserved to be together. This book is wonderful. I would 100% recommend this book and I guarantee that you will be moved by this beautiful love story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Karyn Taylorhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKaryn Taylor2019-12-20 05:07:202019-12-20 08:57:37Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Karyn Taylor
Let me start off by saying, I loved reading this book! It is a great story, and the fast that its a true story, makes it that much better. At first I was worried about the way it is written, a series of flashbacks, inside of flashbacks, and from 3 points of view. But Lisa Jones Gentry did a wonderful job keeping it all straight and making it flow smoothly. I highly recommend this book. It tells the scandalous story of how Joe Steele came to be. He is the product of a black man and a white woman, which is scandalous enough in that time, but to make things more interesting, his father was a Catholic priest, and his mother a nun. Joe was adopted, and as an adult, found out who his birth mother was and had limited contact with her. When she is sick and in the hospital, he is listed as her next of kin and is called to the hospital. They use that time for his mother to tell her story. Of how they came to meet, fall in love, and the heart wrenching act of putting their child up for adoption, and coping with the after effects of it. Wonderfully written, and brings out so many emotions.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Elizabeth Sanchezhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngElizabeth Sanchez2019-12-18 21:12:492019-12-18 21:55:30Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Elizabeth Sanchez
Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele. This is a true story and its a very emotional love story. Its the story of Father William Grau, a black Catholic Priest and Sister Sopie Legocki, a white nun who defied the church in the 50’s and had a passionate love affair that lasted a decade and produced a son Joe Steele. Joe learns from his birth mother all about their relationship and all the secrets they shared. Joe was eventually put up for adoption by his birth mother and was raised in Cincinnati by the Steele Family where life was amazing. For anyone that has been touched by adoption this story is for you. Its full of heart wrenching decisions and live made whole by adoption. Joe Steele ended up graduating from Harvard Business School so he was a very successful adoption story. This book will have your emotions all tied up but its a beautiful story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tausha Treadwayhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTausha Treadway2019-12-18 10:11:042019-12-18 11:47:40Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Tausha Treadway
Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele
5-Stars
Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele was a wonderfully written book. It was easy for me to fall into this story as Joe shared his biological parents’ story. Their love of God and the romance that developed between them was beautiful. I truly felt the emotion behind this story and felt it the entire time I was reading. I loved how the different scenes were organized and dated accordingly. It was easy to know where the story was taking place and also what year. I absolutely loved this book and I highly recommend it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Madison Degraffenreidhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMadison Degraffenreid2019-12-15 16:09:022019-12-15 16:20:48Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Madison Degraffenreid
Forbidden Love is the kind of romance story everyone wishes they had. Told in the eyes of Joe, he recounts the story of his birth parents and how he came to be. Deeply touching, heartfelt and romantic, it’s a book you won’t want to put down! This book also does a good job of describing how the colored people were treated, while showing that we have improved as a society, there is plenty of room for improvement.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rachel Mosshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRachel Moss2019-12-14 19:15:412019-12-14 19:35:51Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Rachel Moss
I was unsure what I would find within these pages. But certainly I was unprepared for the emotional journey I would embark on these words. Emotional, and powerful, the book was a rollercoaster for me. I wasn’t sure how the story would unfold but found the plot fascinating and the characters very interesting. Given that this is a true story, I was intrigued to follow the plot to conclusion. I really enjoyed this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Lovelacehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Lovelace2019-12-11 22:29:282019-12-11 22:29:28Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Heather Lovelace
Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele was a very deep read. I give this book a four out of five stars. I found the time period captivating and the struggles very present. I was drawn in on pure emotion and struggled to keep it together through some parts. The point of view was unique and definitely adds an element to the story. The religion is there but I was more captivated by the characters, their lives, and the time period. I am not overly religious I knew just enough to understand the drama that was present when picking this book up.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Mirela Ruizhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngMirela Ruiz2019-12-10 19:32:492019-12-10 22:21:29Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Mirela Ruiz
Forbidden Love is a powerful and emotional love story about a black priest and a white polish nun. They went against everything society told them was acceptable to be together, and a decade later they had their son Joe. Joe was adopted by a loving family as an infant but wanted to began his journey to learning about his birth parents, his first meeting with his mother was beside her hospital bed in intensive care. Sophie, his birth mother then told him all about her relationship with his father and the obstacles they had to overcome and how they made it work. The ending will be have you feeling so many emotions but it’s worth the read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Rebecca Hankinshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngRebecca Hankins2019-12-10 08:51:542019-12-10 10:36:53Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Rebecca Hankins
Forbidden Love was a departure for sure from most novels I choose to read. However, identifying as Catholic I find myself drawn to stories that pertain to the faith. This book is the beautiful and heart-wrenching story of a priest and nun who find love with each other when they are supposed to be vowing their love to God. It of course goes against their very beliefs but sometimes love is stronger than anything else. It isn’t an easy road and the story is told from the point of view of the couples son. He shares the dark and nitty gritty details with no holds barred. I would give it a go if you find yourself loving forbidden romance with a realistic twist. Overall this was a solid four star read for me.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Liz Vrchotahttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngLiz Vrchota2019-12-09 12:59:022019-12-09 13:46:44Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Liz Vrchota
Forbidden Love by Lisa Jones Gentry is a brilliant story of two people who by design should not be connected and yet fate stepped in to change their lives. I loved that this was all based on a true story. It really made me feel much more connected to the story and the characters. The author has an amazing way of telling this story that makes you feel like you are right there experiencing everything with them all. I honestly wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book at all but I am so glad that I gave it a go. This has to be one of the best books that I have read this year and cannot recommend it enough.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Kerry Bakerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngKerry Baker2019-12-02 17:08:472019-12-02 18:44:26Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Kerry Baker
Never have I ever read a book like this! This was a beautifully written story about Father Grau and Sister Legocki and their forbidden attraction. Not only is it a priest and a nun frowned upon to have any relationship but they fell in love during the time where it were a black man with a white woman would not be accepted in the eyes of society. I was completely hooked by this emotional journey and one I don’t think I’ll forget anytime soon! You grow to love these characters and I kept forgetting that they took vows and all of this was forbidden and you just wanted to root for their love!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Susan Mowdyhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngSusan Mowdy2019-12-02 02:43:502019-12-02 08:56:14Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Susan Mowdy
“Forbidden Love is the true story of Father William Grau, a black Catholic priest, and Sister Sophie Legocki, a white Polish-American nun who, in the segregated fifties, defied the church and society.”
This book is a real page-turner! I couldn’t stop reading, This story really does touch your heart and makes you want to know what happens next. While reading you’ll really feel like you know Joe, William, Sophie. If you have experience with Adoption and or segregation you’ll be able to relate to this book. I’m very impressed with how well Mrs. Gentry filled her pages with so many great details without overwhelming the readers.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Heather Harmonhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngHeather Harmon2019-12-01 21:04:022020-02-01 21:04:41Forbidden Love; Written by Lisa Jones Gentry, As Told by Joe Steele – Review by Heather Harmon
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