"Call it sensual, inspirational and very touching."
---Sandra Simmons, N.J. reviewer
"Inspirational reading that made my juices flow and made me remember my precious childhood. It brought back precious moments that I had forgotten."
---Diane McQueen, Virginia reader
"From The Heart And Heat Of Me is provocative, steamy, heartfelt and insightful. Rachel Berry exposes the heart, soul and power of the African American woman."
---Cliff Goodman, Writer & Police Officer
"Berry prompts her readers to participate in her heated literary-journey-of-discovery with what she calls "highbrow moments."
---Aria C. Munro, Staff Writer, PubNewswire.com
This book of poetry and prose is scheduled to turn up the heat in the early winter months of 2005 and keep its sizzle well into summers to come.
PRWEB Release January 6, 2005 http://www.prweb.com/
The Novel - "Family Pictures"
"This book takes us on a journey of surprises, twists and turns...It will without a doubt win you over and have you anxiously anticipating her next novel...This book receives 5 stars." - Beverly Roberson - Brooklyn NY
"Family Pictures is an awesome rendition of how the actions of individual family members will and can change the destiny of the family as a whole...This novel is definitely a keepsake."
- Crystal Corbin - Nevada
The Daily Press - Newsmakers - June 2009
•Author and Poet Rachel Berry, of Newport News, recently published, "Family Pictures." The novel is about the pain and joy felt because of the decisions made by others, that eventually affect not only themselves but also the people they call family.
-- ssunshine - a Shelfari.com book member gave "Family Pictures"
4 stars - 
| |  AAMBC Book Reviews, December 23, 2009 Do you think its possible for a family to have secrets? Of course we have the occasional moments when we choose not to tell the truth. But this book made me wonder, does my family has secrets that could change everything? This was my first time reading works by Rachel Berry and I must say it was a enjoyable introduction. Although, the book is very long consisting of over 600 pages this is the type of read where if it was over at page 200 you would of wanted more. This is a saga on life. The many tears we cry, the anger and distrust we overcome, but most of all this book is life. We live life not placing it in comparison to others but not realizing just how similar we may be. Rachel Berry was real with her suspense and drama that when you discovered the truth it shocked you. I couldn't see Ms. Berry revealing the story any other way and I recommend this book as top shelf.
Dalfanie Jamison
AAMBC Book Reviewer | | Under Exposed, December 29, 2009 When I first received Family Pictures by Rachel Berry, the size of the book was a little intimidating. Who would not look twice at a 667-page book? Well, the size was big but the story was bigger. In all families, there is some sort of scandalous truth hidden within pictures others can see or the memories of those who witnessed it. Berry tells the story of the Lo-Verde family history from the viewpoint of Regal, Emma Jean, and a friend; the friend is eventually revealed but not before most of the family secrets are known.
Regal and her aunt, Emma Jean, are alike in a few ways. Regal sees a therapist to keep a handle on her life that keeps delivering her some curveballs. Emma Jean was in a mental institution once due to her hard childhood and adult life. These two women have a strong relationship with each other, even though Regal's mother, Soul, speaks badly of Emma Jean every chance she gets. In Soul's opinion her brother, Winston, could have done much better than that crazy woman.
As Regal made strides toward getting married, two women wondered what they could do to keep the nuptials from taking place. All it took was the content of a sealed envelope to change the plans of various members of the Lo-Verde family. Regal goes to get the answers she so desperately needs from Emma Jean. Will all the members in the family make it out of the despair unscarred? Will the stories Emma Jean tells Regal be enough for Soul to finally get her wish of getting her daughter to stay away from her crazy sister-in-law? Or, will the lives of the Lo-Verde family go on as though nothing has happened?
Every time I thought I had been shocked for the last time, something else was revealed that had my mouth wide-opened in awe. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. They reminded me of any family because of the internal jealousies, hatred, and those members who feel the need to control everything. If the plot was not fast-paced and filled with much drama coupled with believable characters, I would have put the book down due to the lack of proper editing. If and when the story is properly edited it would move along even faster. I received Family Pictures for review from the author. I recommend this selection from Ms. Berry to readers who enjoy reading family drama with multiple twists and turns on almost every page.
Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub |
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