THIS BOOK IS A SPECIAL GIFT TO ALL MOTHERS: DAUGHTERS: SONS AND GRANDCHILDREN 

A Gift Called: Mother: The Stages and Fantasies of Motherhood

Author: Sherlyn Powell

Reviewed by: Fran Lewis 

Everyone has visions of the perfect life, perfect family and perfect children that
they hope to raise when bringing him or her into this world. A world filled with so
many different people, encounters, situations and conflicts that no matter how hard
we try not everything will go according to plan. Every architect creates a blueprint
when planning to create or construct a building, home, office or any structure. They
review, revise and recreate the structure or building within their mind and then on
the blueprint many times before the final plans are presented to the home or
business owner and even then changes might still be made. But, when creating a map
or blueprint for yourself, your marriage or your children’s life the are many
variables that do not come into play with creating a blueprint for a building,
object or even a new fashion design. Children, as our author relates do not come
with that perfect plan or map that they will follow. As with any road on an icy or
snowy day detours are often created, roadblocks hinder our paths and new directions
need to be followed.

Mother: what a precious and special word. More valuable than the Hope Diamond and
more precious than the most expensive fur as our author relates story about her life
raising her children, handling their good times and bad, understanding their
differences and hoping to never lose that special bond that all mother’s have with
their children. Love means never giving up on your children no matter what. I was
never blessed with my own children but I am what you would call a mother/aunt to my
nieces and nephews. So, I do understand what Sherlyn explains as she takes the
reader on a journey of her family’s life from the time her children were born until
the present and the journey is far from over. A Gift Called: Mother by Sherlyn
Powell. This book is truly a gift to all readers and you definitely want to read her
story as you hear her voice, feel her pain, cry along with her, wipe her tears and
watch her stand tall and embrace life.

Sherlyn was blessed with two children. Her daughter was born in 1981, intelligent,
smart and definitely musically inclined which she states she got from her father.
After several miscarriages she has a son in 1981 and her world and family are
complete and she is totally elated and blessed. Never once taking her life or family
fore granted she shares her children’s first moments, their early years and then
their adulthood. But, not everything runs smoothly and all too often we blame
ourselves when something goes wrong. We question our actions, non-actions and
motives and often blame ourselves for our children’s downfalls or defeats.

Miscommunication can destroy everything. Stubbornness, hardnosed and self-pity can
destroy a bond. Imagine pulling the ends of a rubber band and having it snap in two
right in your hands. Imagine a fragile piece of glass that you hold dear falling to
the ground in pieces. Imagine that this piece of glass was something so precious to
you that you never fully recovered from losing it. Things can be replaced no matter
what. The love of mother is more valuable and precious and when Sheryln and her
daughter had a falling out what she describes and shares with the reader will bring
tears to your eyes, heartbreak to your soul and fear in your heart because it could
happen to you. Stress can play havoc on the mind and body of anyone. Her daughter’s
stressful job, working more hours and being pregnant seem to set off a chain of
events that would devastate the author for a long time and cause her to lose touch
with her precious child for too long.

Holidays passed and no phone calls or communication. Days went by and she realized
that something was really causing this rift but her daughter did not impart what,
communicate and even worse she could not see her grandson. That was equally as hard
to bear as not hearing from her for so long. Then, the worst happened. She moved and
she did not know where she was and even though her son was quite near and close
things were really coming apart for our author and mother. Added to that her son
joined the military keeping him away for long periods of time and holidays, her
daughter requested that he come and be with her when her second child was born which
as she brilliantly states: “Was like a knife cutting deep in my heart.”

Life takes its toll on many of us and although her daughter was very much alive it
was as if she lost her but in a different way. Unable to eat, not caring for her
health she needed to count on her faith in God to live, rise up against the pain and
hope that he would hear her prayers and bring her daughter back to her. Teaching her
children to have faith and believe in themselves and follow their hopes and dreams.
What the author relates is a real life story that will help other mothers,
grandparents, foster parents, aunts and uncles understand. Bringing up children
whether your own, foster or adopted is not easy. Instilling values in them and
teaching them what you hope they will learn to succeed in life is all you can hope
for and desire. Learn how with her prayers to God and her faith she was able to
rebuild her family. You need to take the journey along with Sherlyn to learn just
how they managed to rekindle their relationship and love.

My mom and I had a great bond and she created her own map or highway she wanted me
to follow. Everyone has his or her ups and downs but when I realized that what she
wanted for me was exactly what I needed and wanted all along I knew the right path
to follow. Sheryln’s writing is what kept up going and I am glad that she decided
to share this thought provoking, outstanding, and definitely important story with
everyone. Everyone has a mother. Not everyone deserves to be called that we know.
Sherlyn reminds everyone that if you are blessed and fortunate to be a mother you
have received the most precious gift God’s gifts. Being a mother does not come with
a manual, driving instructions, table of contents to follow or pay. It comes with
joy, pain, laughter, tears, heartache, rewards and tons of love and hugs. It’s okay
not to hug your child in public when you think they might be embarrassed or they
are with their friends. But, in my family till this day when you enter a family
member’s home you have to hug and kiss everyone and say a proper hello to everyone
present. To Sherlyn: In case you have not been told: We all love you and hold you
dear. Thank you for sharing your story with me and with everyone and thank you for
the honor you gave me in this book. From the author of Captive Hearts, Secret
Affair and Something Desirable comes A Gift Called Mother: The Stages and Fantasies
of Motherhood.

Fran Lewis: reviewer

I dedicate this review to the memory of my mom who just passed away and to every one
who has the gift of being called Mother.

 

 

So, you think that an older woman cannot keep the attention of a younger man. Think again. Just look at many of the older movie stars married to younger men and have kept them interested in more ways than one. Sylvia Masters is 52 years old and looks a whole lot younger. Vibrant, full of live and with a strong personality she runs her own Fortune 500 company and still managed to raise her three children. When her ex-fiancé Addison Lockwood is murdered she is devastated and wants answers.

Lieutenant Julian Reynolds is in charge of the investigation into Addison’s murder. It is his job to question everyone who knew him or had any dealings with Addison in the past. Sylvia was first on his list. But, when he meets her, there is an instant connection and you can feel the sparks ignite and the instant heat between them. He is hot and ten years younger than Sylvia. So, what! One look, one glance and you can tell it was all over for both of them. But, Sylvia is too smart and in control of herself and her feelings to allow this amazing man to Capture her Heart before she is ready. This is where the fun begins as I review this mystery love story Captured Hearts by author Sherlyn Powell.

Julian is a wonderful man who is persistent and would not give up on Sylvia no matter what. Their back and forth bantering and bickering was refreshing and their love hate relationship is what kept the book moving and the reader’s interest. Her three children were clones of Sylvia and very protective of her in every way. Trying to distance herself from Julian did not stop him and no matter what happened. A murder investigation that was getting complicated as Julian questions each member of Sylvia’s family causing her to become more irritated and angry by the minute. The physical attraction set aside, she did not and would not allow anyone to badger or interrogate her two daughters Lacy and Alexis nor her son Danny. Added to the mix is her attorney Marcus who has strong feelings for Sylvia and her friend Gwendolyn who meddles into her life, expresses her feelings about everything Sylvia is up to and wants to really be her.

Throughout the novel we get know each character. Lacy more like her mother than Alexis. Alexis would attack and Lacy would protect as the author so aptly states. Both Alexis and Lacy are work driven, highly educated and yet since the death of their father did not allow themselves to create their own separate lives away from their mother. No matter how she encourages them to forge ahead on their own they felt the need to hover and protect her as if she was too fragile to deal with things on her own. Not Sylvia. Definitely not a porcelain dish or a fragile piece of glass, but things were about to change and Sylvia’s life is about to turn in an entirely different direction.

Sylvia Masters is the CEO of Masters Investment Company and a definite force to be reckoned with. She might be 52 but she is smart, sassy, and definitely hot and would never allow any man to control her. As Julian would learn dealing with her meant doing it basically on her terms. But, as much as she tried to shove him away and tell him their relationship was over, she knew in heart that she would be lying to herself if she did not admit her true feelings. But, just when you think things are about to take a positive turn, something happens and the entire situation blows up and changes and their relationship falls apart. Why? You will have to learn for yourself. Who created the rift between Julian and Sylvia you will not believe? Why do her children feel he is too young for her and she needs to look elsewhere? Only the author and this reviewer can answer that question and when it comes to the matter of the hearts of the two main characters in this book, we are sworn to secrecy.

Gwendolyn Fields was supposed to be Sylvia’s best friend. Coming into her home unannounced, curious about her relationships with men and asking questions about Addison her trying to get her to admit her feelings, you begin to wonder just how a good a friend she really is to Sylvia. Just a tad too nosy, too over bearing and definitely trying to emulate her friend, Gwendolyn tries too hard when it comes to men and falters most of the time. But, let’s not forget Marcus her attorney who has harbored feelings for Sylvia too. But, she never seems to waver in her thinking, she holds her own and conducts herself as a totally in control woman in every situation except one. As she adjusts to what she thinks is a failed relationship with Julian, refuses his calls at work and at home, she comes face to face with the reality of the situation and falls apart.

Julian is persistent and what happens will definitely surprise the reader as the lies and deceptions are revealed, those involved blamed and one closely-knit family becomes unglued. But, there is much more that you will learn about Sylvia and Julian before the close of the novel. As you meet Julian’s children along with Sylvia the respect you had for her before will double as she opens her heart and home to not only him but his family too.

The suspense continues as Julian and Detective Peterson study the clues, go over every detail, revisit many of the suspects and finally find one commonality that will get catch the killer of not only Addison but his fiancé as well. What does happen next will surprise and astound the reader. This riveting, fast paced and outstanding romance/ mystery keeps the reader’s interest from page one until you read the last page and hope that she will bring Julian and the rest of the characters back for a sequel. Who is the killer and how is this person caught? Will they wind up together or will they realize that age makes a difference in a relationship? Why should Julian being ten years younger make a difference if he is the right man for this remarkable woman? Only Julian and Sylvia can answer whether that will stop them?

Love at first sight. Instant attraction and great chemistry can often be the start of a great relationship or just a physical one. One family, three children one man who only wants to make one woman happy. Author Sherlyn Powell brings to light the issues of family loyalty, understanding, caring, friendship and the meaning of love at any age. Romance novels are often just that and many have no substance. This novel is far superior to any that I have reviewed in the past as the author creates a relationship between two people that is beautifully crafted, tastefully written and provides the perfect balance between mystery and romance. This is definitely an author that I will continue to read and review and whose novel will be added to my list of my final 25 pics for 2010 .

Fran Lewis: Reviewer

I'm not big on reading romance novels, I like murder mysteries. I started reading this book because it had a murder and I wanted to find out who the killer was. As I was reading my heart was captured and I was swept into the romance. It was hard for me to put this book down because I wanted to know if the romance worked and who the killer was. I'm not big on romance novels, but I'll read everything Sherlyn Powell writes. I'm one of her new fans!

Lynette Howard

Secret Affair 

Can a person find true love twice in one lifetime? On the day Sylvia Masters finds out her ex-man, Addison Lockwood, was murdered, see meets Lieutenant Julian Reynolds who is immediately smitten. Something about the sophisticated, mature woman had his mind going in circles. During the process of trying to figure out who killed Addison, Julian feels his heart being tugged in the direction of Sylvia. Will the younger man be able to prove he knows how to love a strong, older woman in Captured Hearts by Sherlyn Powell?

The death of someone special is not new to Sylvia. She is the widow of an extremely smart and powerful businessman. After his demise, she took the reigns of the company keeping it a float. Sylvia is known for making sensible decisions and choices. As much as Julian tries, Sylvia always finds a reason as to why their relationship will never be able to work. Determined to prove himself, Julian keeps inviting her out, hoping to one day break down her hard exterior. Will he be able to finally make her see eye-to-eye with him?

I really liked the no-holds bar type of attitude that Sylvia had. The development of the romance between Julian and Sylvia was believable. I could see a woman of power in her later years being careful not to draw too much attention to her personal life, especially if she chose to be with a younger man. Captured Hearts fall into the romantic suspense genre. However, the suspense aspect was almost forgotten. There was more focus on the romance. I believe if both parts of the storyline were better balanced the story would have moved along a little faster. I recommend Captured Hearts to readers of romance. They will not be disappointed.

The author provided a copy of the book for review purposes.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

Adrienne Baxter is a bright atttractive young architect in Washington, DC. She reunites with her college steetheart, Brian, who is a handsome successful attorney with everything she could desire in a future husband. Adrienne is well on her way to paving success as an architect for a large firm. She has more than one could ask out of life.

Then comes Dexter. Dexter is a wealthy dashing man smitten with Adrienne, and she can't help but fall for him. He's mysterious, fun, loving, exciting, and sparks feelings she can't ignore. She's always felt Brian was "the one" but now Dexter makes her have second thoughts. She can't decide what she wants. Can she date Brian and Dexter and risk losing both? Can she let either of them go?

Journey with Adrienne as she tries to resolve her conflicting feelings for both men. Ride the roller coaster of emotions that put her job and relationships in jeopardy. Watch as her close bonds with her friends and  family help Adrienne discover her true self.

Something Desirable is a well-crafted debut novel by sherlyn Powell that dives into the many components in discovering what makes true, lasting love. And as is true-to-life, finding true love begins with knowing and loving yourself first.

Margaret Oleksa, Richmond Books Examiner

What happens when the best laid plans go awry? That is the challenge of this seductive, engaging and heartwarming tale. Adrienne Baxter is a brilliant young architect who,on the fast track, has a life all planned out. Set to enjoy a life with Brian - Dexter walks into her life... and was not supposed to happen! As a lovely and intelligent African American woman, she finds she is uncharacteristically weak and unsure as she enjoys the attention of both men. Only one, however, can win...

M. Hudson, Review it!

Something Desirable is a good read and I couldn't wait to turn the page. I was so curious, I thought many times to jump to the last page to see what Adrienne did with all her conflicting feelings, but I willed myself to read it all the way through. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good book.

Pauline R. Evans, Author

Hi Sherlyn,

I just finished reading your book "Something Desirable" and WOW! It was wonderful! It only took me a few days to read it because I couldn't put it down! I won't say anything because I don't want to ruin it for others, but the ending was perfect. I am blessed to know you. Good luck on your next book! Your friend, Julie

© 2011 by Sherlyn Powell. All rights reserved.