The Life That God Gives You by Shaquia Jimson

About The Book

Do you know your family history and the struggles they endured? Have you ever taken a moment to
realize the sacrifice from your mom or dad to give you a better life? These are just a few questions that
come to mind when you think of how your family has survived hard times.

Take a Journey with Shaquia Jimson as she reminisces the journey of Grace Ann Jimson. Shaquia shares
her family lifeline as they struggle through financial hardships, social acceptance, mental and physical
abuse. This riveting novel shows how Shaquia's family made it through some of the most challenging
circumstances so that she could live a better life today.

Shaquia's purpose for writing this book is to bring awareness to the cause of Sex Trafficking and
Domestic Violence Awareness to the sight of those that may be going through the same or similar
situations. Shaquia says, "I'm living proof that God plan's always out weights the devil's plot."

About The Author

'Shaquia is a Certified Life Coach and owes a consulting business called Overcoming Bondage, where clients come and received emotional, spiritual, and physical therapy. Shaquia also is a pillar in her community where she donates to local shelters and assists at food banks for the homeless.'

Table of Contents Foreword…………………………………  5 Introduction…………………………………………………   8 

Grace Ann Jimson…………………………………………    14 Samantha……………………………………………………  17 

Young Grace's First Love…………………………………….23 

Kenneth Jimson………………………………………………29

In Love with Grace…………………………………………   37 

The Plot….……………………………………………………46 

Newlyweds……….………………………………………….  54 

Tragedy!.......................................…………………………….59 Manhunt……………………………………………………… 69 Setup…………………………………………………………. 74 

The Conviction of Kenneth Jimson…………………………...80 

Two Grandmothers Fight…………………………………….  84

                       ********************

Author's Reflections…………………………………………  87 EPILOGUE………………………………………………….   89 

***** 

Author Interview…………………………………………….   90 

*****

Awareness is the Key to Preventing and Overcoming 

Dire Situations………………………………………………   96

Title:  The Life That God Gives You

Author:  Shaquia Jimson

Publisher:  Tooson Town Publishing 

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"The Life That God Gives You" by Shaquia Jimson

My Speculation:

I can genuinely say that Shaquia Jimson did an excellent job 'as she shares with a society that they should appreciate and salvage as much as they can each day of "The Life That God Give You."  As I read through this story, I was horrified with some of the things I was reading about this family, But, by the end, it all comes together, and that was the vital part of the read. I wished things had happened differently for Ms. Samantha in all she did being so 'heartless and wicked' was to get her daughter's girls separated [Shawna & Sabrina]. Indeed, "money drove Samantha in all kinds of directions that ended up being  detrimental to her family, Grace in particular."   I don't want to tell to much of the story because this is one for you to read and see how one person can ...well, like I said I will stop here and say, please pick up "The Life That God Gives You" and see what this author has to give the reader that will also involve Sex Trafficking and Domestic Violence. 

I enjoyed the Interview with Shaquia Jimson at the end of the read.  It did answer a few questions I had leftover from the read; however, one question I wished had been answered, and that was she and her sister ever close?  

The Little Girl Inside: Owning My Role in My Own Pain by Tonya Barbee

Book Description...

"The Little Girl Inside is a prolific story of triumph and discovery of inner peace. With each page, the reader will be captivated while the author uses the writing pen as a sowing tool – seaming a garment of praise, banner of victory, fabric of joy. With imaginative color, the book is a perfectly designed combination of patterns expressing the maturation of a woman. A uniquely designed transparent jewel every woman should own in her jewelry box, The Little Girl Inside is a ministry resource tool for women in search for transparency in the human heart. The author shows us how to overcome the inner battle of doing the right thing the wrong way; going from finding love in all the wrong places to allowing loving to be revealed in the right time and in the right place. A thought-provoking piece of art, this book will make us laugh, cry and reflect. This book cannot be read with a natural eye but one of discernment as the author reveals the hidden treasures buried in each page. With an open heart and mind, we will discover that there is even more revelation between the lines than what is crafted on the fabric of the page. When properly discerned, The Little Girl Inside is not just a book; it is a Master Peace - inside."

Title:  The Little Girl Inside:  Owning My Role in My Own Pain
Author:  Tonya Barbee
Publisher:  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:

"The Little Girl Inside:  Owning my Role in my Own Pain" by Tonya Barbee

My Speculation:

What a interesting true story of how this author [Tonya] came out of this situation that so many a person can also be found in ..drifting and only wanted what we all want and that is to be truly loved.  I found this story definitely being one that can help others in so many different ways.  The novel explains it all so well in the twenty-eight chapters.  I loved how the chapters were short and very much on point of what that subject was concerning that particular chapter.

So this is what was up when she listened to that little girl inside her as many of us do whether we want to admit it or not.  Some of it may be good but for the most part of it all...it was bad especially when it came to her relationships.  After four failed marriages would she finally get the answers she so desperately needed?    Would she ever find someone like her father...which she adored and coming from a good family?  What about her 'Dreams and Hopes' as only she wanted was to be loved as it seems like her father gave to her family.  Well, as this story goes on we learn about Sir Knight, Sr Charming, the Playmate, Officer Wrong and now we either the Internet date [Sir Intellectual].  Now, that will be quite a story of how her best friend  Naomi enter the picture and things will take a turn from that situation.  From that situation she meets Gaines and I will truly say her life will never be the same with this person.  At this point I kept wondering didn't Gaines story sound weird but as you will see that little girl kept listening to just what she wanted to hear.  I don't want to spoil it and tell too much of the story but I hope that you will pick up this read and see just how this author will bring it out so well to the readers.  Yes, this is a true  story!  Will Tonya [by the way as I write this review the her and she is named Tonya] ever come to the realization that only she will be able to stop this situation that is going on in her life.  Yes, she has been hurt so much but Tonya now was on her fourth marriage and it was time to wake up and realize that that inner voice of that little girl should be saying that it was time to grow up, mature and only then would hope come.

What got me as I read this story was that several people around Tonya knew exactly what Sir Intellectual was all about...but one person told her...this was when the house they were to buy went down hill.

"I wanted you to have this house because I knew you would take care of it, give it love and restore it to the beautiful place that it once was....But if you think for one moment you will make it with that so-called man you call a husband, you have another thing coming.  That man doesn't love anyone except himself.  He is a liar, a cheater, dishonest, and you can do much better than him."

Did she listen? NO!

Thank God for the 'Retreat' from the church that seemed really to help Tonya get her life together.

In the end will Tonya be able to not 'implement the perfect family in wanting to give her children the father figure that had always met so much to her?  Will Tonya learn to just treasure what she already has?  Will that little girl inside of Tonya have a 'tranquil spirit and be content just where she is and seek God's blessings for every move she makes?'

I loved the ending of this read..

"Never give up.  Love yourself and embrace your mistakes and learn from them...Keep smiling and be grateful.  It starts with you taking the first step to own up to your own pain. God will help you from there?'

This is definitely a novel I would recommend to all women.  Indeed it would be a great help for all who listens to that little girl as she is speaking and definitely being able to learn from ones past own mistakes!

Thank you to the author for the gift of the read for my sharing my honest opinion of the read.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape By Sohaila Abdulali

Profile:

"“What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape is brilliant, frank, empowering, and urgently necessary. Sohaila Abdulali has created a powerful tool for examining rape culture and language on the individual, societal, and global level that everyone can benefit from reading.”
—Jill Soloway

In the tradition of Rebecca Solnit, a beautifully written, deeply intelligent, searingly honest—and ultimately hopeful—examination of sexual assault and the global discourse on rape told through the perspective of a survivor, writer, counselor, and activist

After surviving gang-rape at seventeen in Mumbai, Sohaila Abdulali was indignant about the deafening silence that followed and wrote a fiery piece about the perception of rape—and rape victims—for a women’s magazine. Thirty years later, with no notice, her article reappeared and went viral in the wake of the 2012 fatal gang-rape in New Delhi, prompting her to wriet a New York Times op-ed about healing from rape that was widely circulated. Now, Abdulali has written What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape—a thoughtful, generous, unflinching look at rape and rape culture.

Drawing on her own experience, her work with hundreds of survivors as the head of a rape crisis center in Boston, and three decades of grappling with rape as a feminist intellectual and writer, Abdulali tackles some of our thorniest questions about rape, articulating the confounding way we account for who gets raped and why—and asking how we want to raise the next generation. In interviews with survivors from around the world we hear moving personal accounts of hard-earned strength, humor, and wisdom that collectively tell the larger story of what rape means and how healing can occur. Abdulali also points to the questions we don't talk about: Is rape always a life-definining event? Is one rape worse than another? Is a world without rape possible?"

Title:  What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape               

Author:  Sohaila Abdulali

Publisher:  The New Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"What We Talk About When We Talk About Rape" by Sohaila Abdulali

My Thoughts...

This was definitely one incredible read where one will get a wide range of topics under this subject: RAPE.  This well written novel will cover this subject from a 'political opinion, factual evidence and personal narratives' that is a easy read even though its a heavy topic with some horrible stories.  I definitely found this information definitely eye opening as well as terrifying in what went on.  Again, I will say this was quite a read where Sohaila Abdulali will draw one into her own 'experience that she had with rape and its aftermath.'  This subject will not be a easy novel to read but in the end one will get a full understanding of what these survivors went through and yet it 'sends a message of empowerment for women.'

Thank you to both NetGalley and The New Press for my ARC of this book.

Well-Read Black Girl Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves by Glory Edim

Profile:

"An inspiring collection of essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well-Read Black Girl, on the importance of recognizing ourselves in literature."

Title: Well Read Black Girl Finding Our Series, Discovering Ourselves
Author: Glory Edim
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Well Read Black Girl Finding Our Stories, Discovering Ourselves" by Glory Edim

My Thoughts...

If you love reading as I do you will find this read a very interesting one and if you are black it will even mean so much more. I loved all that this author brought out in this 'inspiring collection of
essays by black women writers, curated by the founder of the popular book club Well Read Black Girl.' These are anthologies of essays by some black amazing women writers featuring: "Jesmyn Ward (Sing, Unburied, Sing); Tayari Jones (An American Marriage); Lynn Nottage (Sweat); Jacqueline Woodson (Another Brooklyn); Gabourey Sidibe (This Is Just My Face); Morgan Jerkins (This Will Be My Undoing); Rebecca Walker (Black, White and Jewish); and Barbara Smith (Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology)." These stories were right there where it will capture your heart being such touching inspirational reads that really made me feel like I was coming home. I wasn't able to pick out my favorite because I seemed to enjoy them all. With books being so important we also can see why the storytelling and representation are so very important too in its delivery where we are given the 'diversity of voices its organization of essays along with its strong message making it all so very memorable and powerful. This is definitely one read that I would recommend to all girls and women alike [especially of color] where one can possible find a little bit of themselves in these stories. 

Hearts of Purpose: Real Life Stories from Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things for the Glory of God by Gail G Nordskog

Book Description....


"Following the example of Joan of Arc, who sought God on her knees, received a directive from Him, and then stood and followed His leading, you too can be inspired and equipped to live out your purpose in first hearing from God and then taking your stand in following Him. Hearts of Purpose brings you nine real-life stories from ordinary women doing extraordinary things for the glory of God. These powerful stories are inspirational and reflective, and will help you open the door toward exploring His call in your own life.

As Gail Grace Nordskog professes, quoting Song of Solomon 2:4, "His banner over me is love." Just as Joan of Arc could step forth in full confidence under the banner of her calling, so we too have the banner of God's love over our lives. Nordskog reinforces this affirmation throughout her book, reminding readers of God's love: the touchstone that directs our hearts and lives."

Title:  Hearts of Purpose: Real Life Stories from Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things for the Glory of God.
Author:  Gail G. Nordskog
Publisher:  Nordskog Publishing
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating:  Five
Review:

"Hearts of Purpose: Real Life Stories from Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things for the Glory of God" by Gail G. Nordskog

My Thoughts......from this wonderful read...where each author brings their story alive.

These were beautifully  written stories about ten women on their remarkable journeys that made a 'great impression' on Gail Grace Nordfskog as well as to its readers.

I will introduce each other and offer up a discussion question.  Now, you will have to pick up this good read to see for yourself and be able to answer the questions that are offered up at the end of each ones section of their story.

First we have Chapter one with Mary Ann Ambroselli whose main focus was on 'Counseling on Keeping PreBorn Babies Alive.
Discussion Question:  This one caught my eye...Mary Ann suffered many losses in her family.  Have you ever wondered where God is when tragedy strikes?

Second Chapter we visit with Cindy Reynolds whose main forcus was 'Ministry to Orphans in Linjiang.
Discussion Question:What does this mean "If you depend upon Jesus, your enemy will become your Friend? I found this quite interesting!

Chapter Three...Audrey Forster whose focus was 'Worldwide Adoptions and Aid to Orphans.
Discussion Question:  When you reflect on your talents and gifts, what do they include?

Chapter Four:  Patricia Blanco Steele focus on:  Transforming the Lives of Abused Women and Children
Discussion Question:  In reading Trisha's thoughts on "Love," which items impact you the most?

Chapter Five:  Julie Dawson Focus:  To Bring Healing to the Nations through the Multiplication of Medical Ships and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To Disciple Nations through Evangelism and the Multiplication of Leadership Schools for the South Pacific ad Asia
Discussion Question:  Do you believe that "all things work together for good:  Romans 8:28

Chapter Six:  Lisa Shidler focus:  Helping and Training Special Needs Orphans
Discussion Question:  In reading about special needs children, what stands out in your mind about them?

Chapter Seven:  Marilyn Pulis Minister, Ordained by the Assemblies of God Pulis Ministries
Focus on:  Spreading the Gospel
Discussion Question: When was the first time you felt the presence of the Lord?

Chapter Eight: Lili Vaehr:   CFO, MovieGuide &   Good News Communications Inc.
Focus on:  Biblical Guide to Movies and Entertainment
Discussion Question:  Instead of a question here I would like to just add Lil's Five Don'ts to Help You Succeed in Parenting, Marriage and Life..

Don't Create Your Walls
Don't Wait
Don't Compartmentalize
Don't Be Afraid
Don't Quit

Chapter Nine:  Nita Hanson Director, God's Hidden Treasures
Focus on:  Bringing Hope to the Forgotten
Discussion Question: Have you ever felt that you are a "mistake?"

Chapter Ten:  Sharon Daly President, The Mossy Foot Project, Ethiopia
Focus on:  Providing Mossy Foot Patients with Support through Education, Prevention, Medical Treatment, Vocational Training and a Message of Hope
Discussion Question:  I loved this one coming from the read....

"I have been in every moment of your past,
My hand formed you
I am with your now.
I will be with you in the future.
All tomorrows are in My hands.
Trust Me daily.
Trust Me moment by moment.
I am your life and your portion.
Trust me for everything.
I will never leave you or let you down?"

All that is left to say after reading and absorbing it all from these wonderful well written stories is to thank this author for presenting such a good reads to the readers.  I didn't know when I picked this read that I was about to receive so much from each one of the stories that will truly  stay with me forever.  I even tried to pick a favorite one but couldn't because each one of the reads touched me in different ways.

I loved the 'Two Pertinent Devotions in Closing from New Every Morning from the author of this book: Gail Grace Nordskog....  A Daily Devotional Glorify the Lord....Oh, magnify the Lord, with me, and let us exalt His name together. [Psalms 34:3] and If God Be For Us...When then shall we say to these things?  If god is for us, who can be against us? [Romans 8:31]

Thank you to the author and WNL for sending me your novel for me to give my honest opinion of its read.  These were truly "Real-life stories about ten ordinary women doing extraordinary things for the Glory of God."

Really Bad Girls of the Bible By: Liz Curtis Higgs

Book Description...

"When it Comes to Badness, There's Nothing New Under the Sun

In her best-selling book Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz Curtis Higgs breathed new life into ancient stories depicting eight of the most infamous women in scriptural history, from Jezebel to Delilah. Biblically sound and cutting-edge fresh, Bad Girls already has helped thousands of women experience God's grace anew by learning more about our nefarious sisters.

And there are more where they came from! With Really Bad Girls of the Bible, Liz reveals the power of God's sovereignty in the lives of other shady ladies we know by reputation but have rarely studied in depth: Bathsheba, the bathing beauty. Jael, the tent-peg-toting warrior princess. Herodias, the horrible beheader. Tamar, the widow and not-so-timid temptress. Athaliah, the deadly daughter of Jezebel. And three ancient women whose names we do not know but who have much to teach us: the ashamed Adulteress, the bewitching Medium of En Dor, and the desperate Bleeding Woman.

The eye-opening stories of these eight "Really Bad" women demonstrate one really life-changing concept: the sovereign power of God to rule our hearts and our lives with grace, compassion, and hope."

Title:  Really Bad Girls of the Bible

Author:  Liz Curtis Higgs

Publisher:  WaterBrook

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Really Bad Girls of the Bible" by Liz Curtis Higgs

My Thoughts....

I loved this author's goal of writing this book..."My goal is simple: to help women embrace the grace of God with joy and abandon!" and I think she did a wonderful job at it. I will say I was able to learn

from the read. Some of these characters I hadn't read about and it was quite interesting reading about

them in the modern day version.  I was definitely found opening up my Bible to read about these 'bad girls' and definitely looking at their stories quite differently seeing how God pulled them through it all.  

It was quite interesting in seeing so many of these traits that were portrayed by these 'bad girls' can be found in us today. Wow, some things just don't change!  This author does a wonderful job at relating the 'Biblical archetypes to the what is going on now,' giving us some 'humor, empathy and intellect.'  

There is also discussion questions and study guide for ones personal use or for your a study groups that are included.  

If you are looking for a informative and interesting read about 'Really Bad Girls of the Bible'  I would recommend read to you as a good read.  

I received this book from Blogging for Books to read and review. 

Furious Cool: Richard Pryor And The World That Made Him By: David Henry & Joe Henry

Title:  Richard Pryor And The World That Made Him
Author:  David Henry and Joe Henry
Publisher:  Algonquin Books
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"Richard Pryor And The World That Made Him" by David Henry & Joe Henry

Book Description....

"No one who saw Richard Pryor alone on stage with nothing but a microphone in his hand could have doubted that here was a man possessed of genius. But few have any sense of the strange, violent, and colorful landscape from which he emerged.

His childhood in Peoria, Illinois, was spent just trying to survive. Yet the culture into which he was born—his mother was a prostitute; his grandmother ran the whorehouse—helped shaped him into one of the most influential and outstanding performers of our time.

Pryor attracted admiration and anger in equal parts. He was a comedian who many consider the greatest ever, yet his triumphant stand-up work has been largely eclipsed by his mediocre movie output. His personal life was likewise something of a contradiction, because Pryor was a man of deep intelligence and sensitivity yet was also someone who could never seem to make the pieces of his life come together to create a whole. His was a fascinating, larger-than-life personality; he was as pivotal and essential a figure as Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, or Muhammad Ali. Pryor the solo artist brought to a pop-obsessed generation the news that they had a past with deep roots that spoke to our shared humanity. Through David and Joe Henry, Richard Pryor speaks to us still."

What I like about this novel.....

I found this novel very interesting.  Yes, I was one who  watch some of  Mr.. Pryor's  movies.  I especially love watching with my sons the one called 'Moving.'  I never laughed so hard in my life...oh well let's get to my thoughts on the novel where after reading this novel I found is story rather a  sad one.  The authors however did give the reader a well written script of Mr. Pryor's life that gives a thoughtful look at this person, his relationships, his work and his internal struggles.  Yes, even with all that was on Mr. Pryor was one of the greatest stand up artist.  I thought the read was good and very informative read of Mr. Pryor, who was a 'standup comedy, pop and social cultures during the years of 1960 and 70's, and historian of those turbulent decades.'  If you are a fan of Mr. Pryor, this read would be of interest to you and I would definitely recommend this to you.

The Buried Children By: Daniel Farcas

Title:  The Buried Children
Author:  Daniel Farcas
Publisher:  Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:

"The Buried Children" by Daniel Farcas

Book Description...

"This true story is the journal of an orphan child born in Romania in 1980's during Nicolae Ceauscu's communist regime, Daniel becomes a homeless child on Bucharest streets and in the city underground sewers after he runs away from the orphanage and lives through the 1989 Anticommunism Revolution.
Daniel ends up running from the Romanian Secret Service and police that want him dead and he manages to fly to U.S. using someone else passport help by Mariana, an American girl that falls in love with him while in a Humanitarian Mission in Bucharest.
There are other stories tangled in the novel, an adopted child, a child reunited with his father and a child killing his father and grandfather who abandon him."

What I got out of this novel ....

This was definitely not a happy story...it was a horrible one and I agree with a title of a chapter  'Born in Hell.'  Wow, what a description of this child's horrible journey into manhood as he grow up in this unwanted orphan in communist Romania.  It was quite interesting how this novel is about Daniel growing up in an orphanage then escapes....living in sewers then coming to America....then trying to survive where he was not wanted.  This is a intensed read of the memoirs of this author. 

My impression of this novel...

I found it very emotional interesting and even heartbreaking read  for anyone to have to go through and even more for one to have to read about.   This is definitely not a read for everyone...more for the mature audience.  I know their were grammar problems, however after all is said and done this author has given us a honest worth while and sincere accounting of his journey into manhood.