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Among Women
Trust is always the first thing to go, and the hardest thing to find.
Abandoned in New Orleans and left with $50 and the clothes on her back, after six weeks, Pearl believes she’s found a way to reclaim her life.
She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Arrested and jailed in the Orleans Parish Women’s Correctional Center without any way to reach the outside world, Pearl retreats into her own frantic thoughts until slowly the voices of her fellow prisoners reach past her fear.
No longer alone, Pearl begins to listen to their stories—stories that must be told. Through their tales Pearl finds her own voice, a source of strength and a way out.
Cover art by Aubrey Boneau & Michael Reighn.
Abandoned in New Orleans and left with $50 and the clothes on her back, after six weeks, Pearl believes she’s found a way to reclaim her life.
She couldn’t have been more wrong.
Arrested and jailed in the Orleans Parish Women’s Correctional Center without any way to reach the outside world, Pearl retreats into her own frantic thoughts until slowly the voices of her fellow prisoners reach past her fear.
No longer alone, Pearl begins to listen to their stories—stories that must be told. Through their tales Pearl finds her own voice, a source of strength and a way out.
Cover art by Aubrey Boneau & Michael Reighn.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2011
19 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Cornwell
14 books22 followersI have to write so many of these and a single bio just won't do, so here goes.
I am a writer and have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines. I write fiction and nonfiction, although the nonfiction is much easier to write and needs a lot less after work (editing, proofing, rewriting, and re-rewriting). Fiction is trickier, but I have managed to publish two novels so far, one traditionally published (Past Imperfect) and one self-published (Among Women).
So far, there are fifteen books with my name in or on them and I'm always working on at least two or three more books all the time (sometimes less than more). Currently, I'm finishing a Victorian Gothic novel with a twist on Jekyll, Hyde, and Jack the Ripper, told by a woman, of course. Delilah Makepeace is the kind of woman men will kill, mutilate, and change for. She's a keeper.
After that, a sequel to Among Women, a post apocalyptic vampire novel (with no sparkly vampires and no vampire angst), and a novel of possession, among others. Stay tuned. While I'm avoiding writing, I'm usually writing book reviews and going on and on about writing, publishing, and the usual blend of both. Welcome aboard.
Did I mention I live in Colorado Springs or that I am a single woman who is fine with being single? I don't have to share the hot water, the covers, or the really good ice cream in the freezer.
That is all. Disperse.
I am a writer and have been published in numerous anthologies and magazines. I write fiction and nonfiction, although the nonfiction is much easier to write and needs a lot less after work (editing, proofing, rewriting, and re-rewriting). Fiction is trickier, but I have managed to publish two novels so far, one traditionally published (Past Imperfect) and one self-published (Among Women).
So far, there are fifteen books with my name in or on them and I'm always working on at least two or three more books all the time (sometimes less than more). Currently, I'm finishing a Victorian Gothic novel with a twist on Jekyll, Hyde, and Jack the Ripper, told by a woman, of course. Delilah Makepeace is the kind of woman men will kill, mutilate, and change for. She's a keeper.
After that, a sequel to Among Women, a post apocalyptic vampire novel (with no sparkly vampires and no vampire angst), and a novel of possession, among others. Stay tuned. While I'm avoiding writing, I'm usually writing book reviews and going on and on about writing, publishing, and the usual blend of both. Welcome aboard.
Did I mention I live in Colorado Springs or that I am a single woman who is fine with being single? I don't have to share the hot water, the covers, or the really good ice cream in the freezer.
That is all. Disperse.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 11, 2012
I was really looking forward to reading this book. I had read some good reviews and the story sounded interesting, but I was a bit disappointed.
My main two problems with this book were
a.) It seemed to go slow; it didn't grasp my attention to keep me turning pages but reading a few, putting it down and then coming back with just sheer determination to finish.
b.) It was a bit confusing here and there. It took me a while to actually figure out what happened to get her there and everything to fall into place. Once you get it figured out, it's a lot easier to follow.
I do like the concept of the story though, it shows a light on the fact all those behind bars aren't the criminal monsters portrayed to us all. That was a nice pace to go with, it gave stories on how/why they ended up there and details that make you think differently than you would have originally.
Then the ending is what really got me though, it was just... incomplete. There was a lot of stuff left unresolved and unanswered. Just a complete halt in what felt like the middle of a story.
*There were a few spelling and grammar mistakes that I did notice, as long as you can look past small mistakes it really wasn't that big of a deal.
My main two problems with this book were
a.) It seemed to go slow; it didn't grasp my attention to keep me turning pages but reading a few, putting it down and then coming back with just sheer determination to finish.
b.) It was a bit confusing here and there. It took me a while to actually figure out what happened to get her there and everything to fall into place. Once you get it figured out, it's a lot easier to follow.
I do like the concept of the story though, it shows a light on the fact all those behind bars aren't the criminal monsters portrayed to us all. That was a nice pace to go with, it gave stories on how/why they ended up there and details that make you think differently than you would have originally.
Then the ending is what really got me though, it was just... incomplete. There was a lot of stuff left unresolved and unanswered. Just a complete halt in what felt like the middle of a story.
*There were a few spelling and grammar mistakes that I did notice, as long as you can look past small mistakes it really wasn't that big of a deal.
September 30, 2011
This is a wonderful book about a woman finding her strengths and battling her weaknesses when she is grabbed off the street by the police and locked up in a New Orleans jail. At first it appears she is lost in the system and nobody seems to care. She learns that friendships can be helpful, and enemies can be deadly! To combat boredom, she falls back on an old pastime which inadvertently vaults her social standing within the women's jail giving her near celebrity status among the inmates.
As you near the end, the pieces of why she is there start to fall together.
This book is an excellent commentary on the "rights and wrongs" of society. Just because someone broke a law; are they really a criminal? Short chapters of the other inmates personal stories as told to the main character give us a look into the underbelly of the city and give us insights as to why some people do what they have to do in order to survive.
I won this book here on goodreads.com and I believe it to be an ARC book. There were many proofreading errors (spelling, grammar, missing words)that I hope get fixed before this book is sent to final publishing.
As you near the end, the pieces of why she is there start to fall together.
This book is an excellent commentary on the "rights and wrongs" of society. Just because someone broke a law; are they really a criminal? Short chapters of the other inmates personal stories as told to the main character give us a look into the underbelly of the city and give us insights as to why some people do what they have to do in order to survive.
I won this book here on goodreads.com and I believe it to be an ARC book. There were many proofreading errors (spelling, grammar, missing words)that I hope get fixed before this book is sent to final publishing.
February 24, 2013
I must say I wasn't much pulled into the book at the beginning--especially with the comments on lesbianism, when I am gay--but when it got to HOW these chapters on the various women were coming about I couldn't put the book down. It was one of those "just the next chapter" books, which is writing at its finest; it was so fitting given that, in the end, the book itself was about the power of writing. That really struck a cord in me and reminded me of this inner imperative of mine to just write, to get the stories down. I haven't been respecting it much lately but really must turn that around soon.
Fantastic book. Amazing characters, the setting written just right (and thus a bit frightening at times), a thrilling story, a true reminder of the power of words. Well worth the read.
Fantastic book. Amazing characters, the setting written just right (and thus a bit frightening at times), a thrilling story, a true reminder of the power of words. Well worth the read.
October 21, 2011
I got this book as a Goodreads First Read. It was an interesting read, however I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending. I felt a lot was left unresolved and the background stories (J.D., Lorenzo) confused me a little as I could never quite work out what had happened. I didn't feel that Pearl's relationships were developed very much and it was more about what happened once she was in jail and how other women had got there than her as a person.
Saying that, it was enjoyable to read and it definitely challenges perpectives and stereotypes. It was good to get 'their side' of the story and realise that not everyone who ends up in prison necessarily deserves to be there.
Saying that, it was enjoyable to read and it definitely challenges perpectives and stereotypes. It was good to get 'their side' of the story and realise that not everyone who ends up in prison necessarily deserves to be there.
June 17, 2011
If you are looking for pablum, easy spoon-fed and forgettable lines, or mindless entertainment, this isn't it. The heroine of this book isn't an idealized kewpie-doll, either. Pearl Caldwell loses everything at the beginning of the book and hasn't gotten much except her self-respect and a new-found respect for other women by the end of the book. It's a fascinating read, well-written and filled with vivid and sometimes disturbing characters. If your idea of a good read is intelligent writing and characters who are very real, this is an excellent choice.
February 21, 2016
Life in prison seen from the inside. The style is a bit heavy for my taste. I caught myself looking into the progress made in the book about every other minute. But the stories are compelling, as if this were a compendium of what can go wrong in a female prison. Women ending up in jail for all kinds of spurious reasons. The author keeps a sense of respect and doesn't go dep into any personal story. It's more of an impressionist paintning, some paint brushes here and there and the reader gets the image.
October 7, 2011
Oh Yes You Can Learn From A Fiction Novel ~ I Just Did
Among Women J.M. Cornwell
I have to say it's been quite some time since I've been so personally pulled into a book that I literally felt as though I was experiencing every emotion, touch, sound, sight, taste, & smell as I did while reading this book. Naturally, those emotions & sensations were not always pleasant. However, the ability of Ms. Cornwell's writing causing me to truly feel what the characters were feeling was definitely a pleasant surprise.
I did not, in any sense of the word, simply 'read' this book. I walked with Pearl on her journey--through the harrowing angst of uncertainty, the unexpected joys, the formation of friendships & adversaries alike, & ultimately through Pearl's self-discovery. Pearl is simultaneously none of us & all of us. As I was, you will be stunned to discover that, more often than not, you can relate to Pearl on some level--most likely multiple levels. For instance, like Pearl, I generally have a tendency to find difficulty in truly bonding or getting along with & understanding other women. That's merely one example--I don't want to spoil the book--of Ms. Cornwell weaving the reader into the story.
Too often, we go about living our everyday 'normal' lives, comforting ourselves in the cozy blanket of a misguidedly reassuring "that will never happen to me" mentality whenever we hear of the goings-on of a sometimes corrupt justice system. Worse yet, we all too often find ourselves judging those who have been 'in the system' without ever actually knowing that person or their real story. Pearl teaches us that, at any given moment, our cozy blanket of 'normalcy' could be ripped away from us in the stroboscopic flash of blue & red lights coupled with the ratcheting sound of cold handcuffs digging brutally into our wrists for reasons that, even after being subjected to various forms of abject humiliation & terror, we may never even know. Like Pearl, we could just as easily become lost in the system--nothing more than another number in a vast sea of numbers--another human being to be judged by those who don't even have the faintest clue of who we truly are.
There are valuable life lessons to be gained through reading this book with both an open heart & an open mind. One learns that behind every statistic, there is a story--a heartfelt tale that may force you to judge less harshly than you otherwise might have had you simply stumbled across someone's prison record on the internet or on the news. One may ascertain that not only can you survive being thrust into what would seem to be the most dire of circumstances, but may also unearth a rare opportunity for the ultimate success of self-discovery--an opportunity you may never have known existed were it not for having been forced into such an adverse situation. One may never have known that such strength or talent existed within yourself, let alone have had the courage derived from absolute necessity to act upon it.
This is an excellent book which I wholeheartedly recommend with complete confidence that you will enjoy it as much as I did. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel.
I read this book on my Kindle. It is also available in other formats. The paperback & Kindle versions are available on Amazon: Among Women Other eBook formats are available at Smashwords: Among Women
Among Women J.M. Cornwell
I have to say it's been quite some time since I've been so personally pulled into a book that I literally felt as though I was experiencing every emotion, touch, sound, sight, taste, & smell as I did while reading this book. Naturally, those emotions & sensations were not always pleasant. However, the ability of Ms. Cornwell's writing causing me to truly feel what the characters were feeling was definitely a pleasant surprise.
I did not, in any sense of the word, simply 'read' this book. I walked with Pearl on her journey--through the harrowing angst of uncertainty, the unexpected joys, the formation of friendships & adversaries alike, & ultimately through Pearl's self-discovery. Pearl is simultaneously none of us & all of us. As I was, you will be stunned to discover that, more often than not, you can relate to Pearl on some level--most likely multiple levels. For instance, like Pearl, I generally have a tendency to find difficulty in truly bonding or getting along with & understanding other women. That's merely one example--I don't want to spoil the book--of Ms. Cornwell weaving the reader into the story.
Too often, we go about living our everyday 'normal' lives, comforting ourselves in the cozy blanket of a misguidedly reassuring "that will never happen to me" mentality whenever we hear of the goings-on of a sometimes corrupt justice system. Worse yet, we all too often find ourselves judging those who have been 'in the system' without ever actually knowing that person or their real story. Pearl teaches us that, at any given moment, our cozy blanket of 'normalcy' could be ripped away from us in the stroboscopic flash of blue & red lights coupled with the ratcheting sound of cold handcuffs digging brutally into our wrists for reasons that, even after being subjected to various forms of abject humiliation & terror, we may never even know. Like Pearl, we could just as easily become lost in the system--nothing more than another number in a vast sea of numbers--another human being to be judged by those who don't even have the faintest clue of who we truly are.
There are valuable life lessons to be gained through reading this book with both an open heart & an open mind. One learns that behind every statistic, there is a story--a heartfelt tale that may force you to judge less harshly than you otherwise might have had you simply stumbled across someone's prison record on the internet or on the news. One may ascertain that not only can you survive being thrust into what would seem to be the most dire of circumstances, but may also unearth a rare opportunity for the ultimate success of self-discovery--an opportunity you may never have known existed were it not for having been forced into such an adverse situation. One may never have known that such strength or talent existed within yourself, let alone have had the courage derived from absolute necessity to act upon it.
This is an excellent book which I wholeheartedly recommend with complete confidence that you will enjoy it as much as I did. I am eagerly anticipating the sequel.
I read this book on my Kindle. It is also available in other formats. The paperback & Kindle versions are available on Amazon: Among Women Other eBook formats are available at Smashwords: Among Women
October 16, 2011
although i don't usually read this type of book i was grabbed and pulled into the story from the first page. i found myself intrigued and fasinated by the story and the characters were a joy to get to know and watch them grow into their own. At first i did not like the heroine and then i found my self rooting for her on the as i watched her change and grow.. it was a truley wonderful book.
it was very easy to become emotionally connected to each of the character(s) and to empathize with them and what they were going through.i was a joy to watch them grow and change and become the people they wanted to be. if you love a book that makes you feel laughter,sadness, angry and all of the other emtions it is that we feel as people then this is the book for you.
i find myself hoping to hear more about these characters in a future book as well as some of the secondary characters that need their story told.
if this is the type of book that you enjoy you shouldn't miss this one and if you are not into this kind of book you should give this one a try and perhaps it will change your mind the same as it did mine.
it was very easy to become emotionally connected to each of the character(s) and to empathize with them and what they were going through.i was a joy to watch them grow and change and become the people they wanted to be. if you love a book that makes you feel laughter,sadness, angry and all of the other emtions it is that we feel as people then this is the book for you.
i find myself hoping to hear more about these characters in a future book as well as some of the secondary characters that need their story told.
if this is the type of book that you enjoy you shouldn't miss this one and if you are not into this kind of book you should give this one a try and perhaps it will change your mind the same as it did mine.
June 17, 2011
Insight into the human heart seems to be one of JM Cornwell's specialties. Similar to her hit "Past Imperfect", "Among Women" is a tale of human nature, interpersonal relationships and self-examination. Protagonist Pearl Caldwell learns about herself by learning from others. What motivates Pearl in this story really isn't very different than what motivates her fellow inmates, and Caldwell learns that life isn't always just black and white. "Among Women" is a beautiful story of growth and perspective that leaves the reader yearning for more.
October 14, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. At first I wasn't the biggest fan of the protagonist, but as the story developed, she changed and grew. She became someone I want to befriend, and the stories she told/wrote about the other inmates were completely engrossing. I was not ready for this book to end when it did and was not pleased with how it ended, but it did leave me hopeful that maybe, just maybe there will be a sequel to wrap up Pearl's story.
I'm super glad I won this book in a giveaway and have passed it on to three other friends already.
I'm super glad I won this book in a giveaway and have passed it on to three other friends already.
November 18, 2012
I liked the general idea of the story. But felt that there was no point or highlight of the story line. The same things were said over and over and nothing every really happened. I felt disappointed in this story, but felt like it could have gone in so many great directions. I'm not sure I can try and read the sequel, for fear of another long and endless book.
April 13, 2013
A pretty good book showing how women's prison's are....of course, since I have never been in one, maybe I would change my review, ha. I did not like how the main character was semi-ignored for a large part of her time, and I found that to be pretty unbelievable. If all people were treated like she was, our jails would burst. Interesting side stories of other prisoners.
Read
July 27, 2014It was a bit slow to start with but I persevered. I ended up deciding that this just wasn't my kind of book, which is ok, so I didn't finish it, there's no point me reading something I'm not enjoying heaps as I have a mass load of books I want to read. It's all good.
Read
July 25, 2012it was an interesting book but at times very hard to follow . The ending was sad
Read
January 4, 2013I started reading this, but hadn't updated it. It was a while ago, but I know I didn't finish the book.
March 5, 2015
It was a slow start but once it picked up I couldn't but the book down!
June 16, 2011
A bit slow and confusing, at least for me. Not something I would reccommend.
October 6, 2012
A little slow and confusing.
May 3, 2017
Struggled through this book. Pacing was slow for me, and I found it slightly preachy. Editing was almost perfect, formatting seemed fine. I just couldn't get into it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews