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Finding Amos
Three bestselling authors join talents in a multi-dimensional novel that illustrates the importance of love, family, and forgiveness.
Three daughters, connected only through their relationship to Amos, a now elderly ex-musician struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, find their lives intertwining as a car accident reunites them at Amos’s bedside—bringing some long-buried issues to light.
Cass has little self-worth after Amos left her as a child. It is only through her cake-decorating business and encouragement from her best friend that she begins to reconstruct her life, eventually realizing she has enough room in her heart to forgive him. Love-starved Toya doesn’t want to emulate others’ failed relationships. As she begins to strengthen her morals and stops seducing married men—she is surprised to discover that she shares some similarities with Amos. Tomiko is a beautiful but lonely woman. Despite having a successful career in writing, she attempts to keep aspects of herself and her past buried as a coping mechanism. However, new love reawakens her faith in both herself and men.
As Cass, Toya, and Tomiko reconcile their feelings of abandonment, Amos reflects on his life and the decisions he made. And by revisiting their painful pasts, they all find ways to reconnect with each other and live with compassion.
Three daughters, connected only through their relationship to Amos, a now elderly ex-musician struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, find their lives intertwining as a car accident reunites them at Amos’s bedside—bringing some long-buried issues to light.
Cass has little self-worth after Amos left her as a child. It is only through her cake-decorating business and encouragement from her best friend that she begins to reconstruct her life, eventually realizing she has enough room in her heart to forgive him. Love-starved Toya doesn’t want to emulate others’ failed relationships. As she begins to strengthen her morals and stops seducing married men—she is surprised to discover that she shares some similarities with Amos. Tomiko is a beautiful but lonely woman. Despite having a successful career in writing, she attempts to keep aspects of herself and her past buried as a coping mechanism. However, new love reawakens her faith in both herself and men.
As Cass, Toya, and Tomiko reconcile their feelings of abandonment, Amos reflects on his life and the decisions he made. And by revisiting their painful pasts, they all find ways to reconnect with each other and live with compassion.
- GenresAfrican AmericanFiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 16, 2012
26 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
J.D. Mason
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 2, 2017
I picked this up and I just couldn't put it down. It was so good. And having been written by three different wonderful ladies there was never a moment when the writing felt different it was seamless. Reading this book touched on some personal father issues, but it was funny how true to life the characters in this book felt and I just devoured it.
October 19, 2015
"They were soul and funk, rhythm and blues, jazz and boogaloo all roll up into a sound that even the angels couldn't help dance to." Is one of my favorite lines in this book. I fell in love with Bernice's with the reading of "Sugar". And most of the time she hasn't disappointed me. I knew real life characters like these as I was growing up thru the 60's, 70's and 80's. Again you speak to my soul.
October 20, 2015
4 stars - Oct. 20, 2015 Reads much better now than previously
3 stars - Dec. 9, 2012 Because this was written by 3 authors, I really wish I had the option of rating based on chapters and who wrote what. While some characters were well developed, others weren't and that was disappointing.
3 stars - Dec. 9, 2012 Because this was written by 3 authors, I really wish I had the option of rating based on chapters and who wrote what. While some characters were well developed, others weren't and that was disappointing.
December 5, 2015
Just a great read. Enjoy every minute of it.
October 31, 2015
Finding Amos was truly a good read for me. Amos put music before his own girls. And he paid for that. He became ill and lonely.but in the end his daughters forgave him. I would recommend this book to readers.
December 8, 2015
Very thought provoking novel. Truly the power of forgiveness was displayed and although there was a little hurt between Amos and his girls, healing really took place. I really enjoyed this novel!
April 17, 2016
4.5 stars
December 16, 2015
The whole story line just went off the rails. Not very exciting.
November 10, 2017
This was a story of forgiveness, and always treating people how you would like to be treated. You cannot treat people anyway and expect them to be there for you if you were never there for them.
September 30, 2016
The three authors complement each others style...the story blends so smoothly you will not be able to tell who has written what part.
June 15, 2020
I gave this book 4 stars because it hit too close to home, so much so that I had to stop reading some nights. My Dad is like Amos; father of multiple children by multiple women and a musician in his earlier years. I am the youngest sibling out of 7 children and my twin sister and I are like Tomiko in regards to our relationship with our father. We were raised by him while our half-siblings have varied relationships (mostly unpleasant) with him. He had a stroke a few years ago, suffers from varying health issues, and also has dementia. Reading this book was like reading about my own father. I normally don't like books written from multiple perspectives or viewpoints, but I felt like Toya, Cass, and Tomiko's stories were all separate and written well enough that this prevented me from getting confused or creating gaps in the storyline. I am thankful that the book ended on a high note. I don't think I could take it if it didn't end the way it did.
January 29, 2021
Story of an absent father and his daughters. Basic needs to be loved and open to give love. Willingness to find understanding and forgiveness.
May 21, 2017
Parents are the first teachers. Good, bad or indifferent, their actions have serious bearing on their children. Finding Amos depicts that in such a way that will have you talking after you finish reading. Three of my favorite authors collaborated to produce a work of a musician suffering from Alzheimer's and the effect that his abandonment had in the lives of his daughters. With the assistance of a worker at the care facility, efforts are made to connect a patient with his daughters prior to his transition. Amos, a musician, had fathered a number of children by several different women. His desire to continue playing his music kept him from being the type of father that the mothers wanted for their children or the kind that the girls needed. He was indeed "a rolling stone."
Each girl would find that relationships were difficult because of that void. Cass, who wasn't his biological daughter, had issues of self-worth. She validated her worth through her cake decorating. Toya was starving for love and often times found herself having relationships with married men or others that were destructive in nature. As for Tomiko, the one who was probably most like him, she poured her loneliness into her writing career. The writing career was truly nurtured by fond memories that she shared with Amos.
Alzheimer's took its toll on them all. The girls not only developed the best relationship that they could with Amos but they developed the best relationship that they could with each other. And, too, Amos, in his debilitating state, was able to give the girls what they needed. He was able to help them to see that he did love them (the best that he knew how). This revelation released them. Each would be able to eventually visit and talk with their father as well as move forward with their lives.
Note: I could have given this book more than 5 stars. Although I focused on Amos and his daughters...it covers so much more. It spoke to male-female relationships and its frailties. It took me back to the Hospice Center where my dad resided until his transition. The workers were phenomenal. In this book, Mark reflected that same love and compassion....a caring worker can really avail themselves and help family members face the inevitable. And lastly I thank the authors for showing that adults have to be careful with their children (little lives entrusted to them by the Father).
Each girl would find that relationships were difficult because of that void. Cass, who wasn't his biological daughter, had issues of self-worth. She validated her worth through her cake decorating. Toya was starving for love and often times found herself having relationships with married men or others that were destructive in nature. As for Tomiko, the one who was probably most like him, she poured her loneliness into her writing career. The writing career was truly nurtured by fond memories that she shared with Amos.
Alzheimer's took its toll on them all. The girls not only developed the best relationship that they could with Amos but they developed the best relationship that they could with each other. And, too, Amos, in his debilitating state, was able to give the girls what they needed. He was able to help them to see that he did love them (the best that he knew how). This revelation released them. Each would be able to eventually visit and talk with their father as well as move forward with their lives.
Note: I could have given this book more than 5 stars. Although I focused on Amos and his daughters...it covers so much more. It spoke to male-female relationships and its frailties. It took me back to the Hospice Center where my dad resided until his transition. The workers were phenomenal. In this book, Mark reflected that same love and compassion....a caring worker can really avail themselves and help family members face the inevitable. And lastly I thank the authors for showing that adults have to be careful with their children (little lives entrusted to them by the Father).
May 5, 2014
AMOS is the story of a musician who finds that he is alone and battling Alzheimer’s disease. He reached out to his three daughters, Cass, Toya and Tomiko, not really knowing their reactions. Amos was never a good father to any of his daughters, having abandoned them all for his musical career. Although Cass is not his biological child, he reaches out to her first because he felt the closest to her. She then contacts her other sisters inform them of his condition. The reunion leads them down the path of reconciliation and healing.
JD Mason, ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Bernice McFadden are powerful authors in their own right; yet this collaboration fell short of my expectations. The writing was seamless between the three and very well written. It just failed to grasp me in my core and engage me the way that I know these authors can. Also, the book seemed to lack closure at the end but did not lend itself to having a sequel.
JD Mason, ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Bernice McFadden are powerful authors in their own right; yet this collaboration fell short of my expectations. The writing was seamless between the three and very well written. It just failed to grasp me in my core and engage me the way that I know these authors can. Also, the book seemed to lack closure at the end but did not lend itself to having a sequel.
December 31, 2015
The book started out a tad bit slow but it ended up being a good read. I could relate to Cass, Toya & Timiko. My father left when I was young and I was hurt beyond mention. I didn't have any half sisters in the picture. It does make you wonder if you were loved when you don't hear from your father and you only get one side of the story ( my mother's side). Years later before my father passed, he and I talked and he said he never stopped loving me. I really feel where these daughters were coming from. In the end all was well with them, their father and each other. I believe they moved on with their life and found happiness in the end. Even Amos was happy being in the nursing home. He was given a second chance to get it right. This book hit very close to home.
October 16, 2016
I loved this novel. It really hit home for me given my relationship with my own father. I appreciated hearing the perspectives of three women with different experiences of Amos but sharing a common longing and impact. The authors do a great job of telling all of the characters' truths, helping us understand their hurt, and finding a healthy balance and realistic outcome as they all come to terms.
January 13, 2016
Not much to say for the book. It was a nice light read. Can't say that it tore at my heart strings like I think it was supposed to, but I did enjoy the read.
I don't want to say I LIKED how Amos drifted in and out of memories, because let's face it -- there's nothing to like about watching somebody loose themselves, but I think it's an honest portrayal.
I don't want to say I LIKED how Amos drifted in and out of memories, because let's face it -- there's nothing to like about watching somebody loose themselves, but I think it's an honest portrayal.
April 19, 2018
I enjoyed seeing how three different authors could blend their writing styles to express the emotions of Cass, Toya and Tomiko. The introduction of Mark did help to pull the story of Amos into the present along with Amos' mind drifts into the past. I do wish that the story delved a little further to show readers the true impact Alzheimer's has on a patient.
August 19, 2016
Quite enjoyable book about three women and their fractured relationships with their father figure. It shows how in each case, their current romantic relationships were affected by being abandoned by Amos as children. It was humorous in places and thought provoking in others. It could be downright dramatic too.
January 25, 2016
absolutely loved it. The characters were so well developed. I cared about every one of them. It is hard to believe three authors wrote this, the story was so cohesive it had me from page one and I could easily read a part two.
June 19, 2017
Amos lived the life of a musician where nothing mattered but his music. Even at the expense of his three daughters who grew up without his love and guidance. After Amos becomes very ill, the ladies reunite with their dad and gave this story a better ending than I expected.
August 2, 2016
This book if just ok I just couldn't get with it.
September 23, 2017
Great read about family, love, brokenhearts and how to forgive.
January 5, 2019
When I first saw Finding Amos and read the blurb, I was immediately intrigued. Mainly because the story already felt familiar before I’d read a single word. Let me explain: I vividly remember being at Disneyworld with my husband and son (March 2008) and getting a call from my father’s sister. She told me my father had died. I hadn’t seen him in at least fifteen years. Even the yearly birthday cards he sent me with a crisp $20 bill had stopped long before that. She told me he’d suffered from Alzheimer’s before his death. And as she went on to tell me the details of his demise, I remember feeling sorry for HER because she’d lost her brother. To be honest I didn’t really feel anything beyond that.
While reading Finding Amos, I could relate to some of the same issues that Amos’ daughters experienced in the book. Issues of abandonment, anger, and resentment but also of general indifference towards their father. My mother never fought over my father or made scenes like the mothers in the book, he lived in an entirely different state and I don’t think he’d made her any promises. My mother was also a great provider and I had a happy childhood filled with love, family and a ton of experiences. I saw my dad maybe once or twice a year and to me, that was “normal”. I guess I’m a classic example of not missing what you never had.
I think I’ve flourished and have thrived in a happy marriage (16 years in November) despite- or to spite- the fact that I didn’t have a father growing up. But I totally understood how Toya, Tomiko, and even Cassandra had issues of self-worth and making relationships work because of their lack of a relationship with Amos. But I also blame their mothers. Even though this was a fictional book, all three of their mother’s behavior is perpetrated by women in real life. They become so addicted and desperate for a man’s attention that they neglect their own children’s well being in the process. All three of the mothers in this book are guilty of doing just that. So in many ways, these characters were not only were missing their dad from their lives but also a fully functioning mother.
This book was well written, entertaining and for me somewhat haunting. It brought long-buried thoughts/feelings to the forefront of my mind regarding my own relationship (or lack thereof) with my own father. I’m sure both he and my mother did what they thought was right or the best they could given the circumstances and the era, but for me what it all boiled down to was this: when I became an adult I made a conscious decision to be responsible for myself and my own actions. Yeah, there were parts of my life or childhood that might not have been perfect or even ideal and it would be easy and convenient to blame my parents but what’s done is done. I knew better so I tried to do better.
I couldn’t help but wonder though if it would have any changed anything had I gotten closure with my dad the way the women in the book were able to do with Amos. If you are a woman who grew up without her father or he was in and out of your life, WHEW, be prepared to have your emotions all jacked up if you read this book! Kudos to all three authors on this great collaboration! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
While reading Finding Amos, I could relate to some of the same issues that Amos’ daughters experienced in the book. Issues of abandonment, anger, and resentment but also of general indifference towards their father. My mother never fought over my father or made scenes like the mothers in the book, he lived in an entirely different state and I don’t think he’d made her any promises. My mother was also a great provider and I had a happy childhood filled with love, family and a ton of experiences. I saw my dad maybe once or twice a year and to me, that was “normal”. I guess I’m a classic example of not missing what you never had.
I think I’ve flourished and have thrived in a happy marriage (16 years in November) despite- or to spite- the fact that I didn’t have a father growing up. But I totally understood how Toya, Tomiko, and even Cassandra had issues of self-worth and making relationships work because of their lack of a relationship with Amos. But I also blame their mothers. Even though this was a fictional book, all three of their mother’s behavior is perpetrated by women in real life. They become so addicted and desperate for a man’s attention that they neglect their own children’s well being in the process. All three of the mothers in this book are guilty of doing just that. So in many ways, these characters were not only were missing their dad from their lives but also a fully functioning mother.
This book was well written, entertaining and for me somewhat haunting. It brought long-buried thoughts/feelings to the forefront of my mind regarding my own relationship (or lack thereof) with my own father. I’m sure both he and my mother did what they thought was right or the best they could given the circumstances and the era, but for me what it all boiled down to was this: when I became an adult I made a conscious decision to be responsible for myself and my own actions. Yeah, there were parts of my life or childhood that might not have been perfect or even ideal and it would be easy and convenient to blame my parents but what’s done is done. I knew better so I tried to do better.
I couldn’t help but wonder though if it would have any changed anything had I gotten closure with my dad the way the women in the book were able to do with Amos. If you are a woman who grew up without her father or he was in and out of your life, WHEW, be prepared to have your emotions all jacked up if you read this book! Kudos to all three authors on this great collaboration! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
August 17, 2017
I am a fan of all of these authors, so when selecting a book for U.S. G.I.R.L.S. December Book Club meeting I was intrigued that they collaborated on one novel.
I went into this novel apprehensive because I was not sure of what to expect; however my expectations were exceeded when we were introduced to Amos and his three daughters in alternate voices and varying time periods. The story transcends from present to past with the precision of an orchestra. I loved that each character was autonomous and had their own story that did not relay on anyone else. This made me immediately wonder if each author was a daughter and maybe they came together to bring Amos to life.
This is a story that is not new, but the delivery is...We learn of Amos' role in each young ladies' life and how it impacted their development from little girls to adulthood. We learned how a father's love (or lack thereof) can impact a young girls decisions when seeking love and relationships.
These amazing authors took the "real time" topic of gerontology; and constructed a novel in an fashion that made me smile, laugh and cry. I can only hope that more individuals and book clubs pick this one up...you will not be disappointed.
I went into this novel apprehensive because I was not sure of what to expect; however my expectations were exceeded when we were introduced to Amos and his three daughters in alternate voices and varying time periods. The story transcends from present to past with the precision of an orchestra. I loved that each character was autonomous and had their own story that did not relay on anyone else. This made me immediately wonder if each author was a daughter and maybe they came together to bring Amos to life.
This is a story that is not new, but the delivery is...We learn of Amos' role in each young ladies' life and how it impacted their development from little girls to adulthood. We learned how a father's love (or lack thereof) can impact a young girls decisions when seeking love and relationships.
These amazing authors took the "real time" topic of gerontology; and constructed a novel in an fashion that made me smile, laugh and cry. I can only hope that more individuals and book clubs pick this one up...you will not be disappointed.
January 2, 2019
This is a first for me to read a book by three authors. The book is about learning to forgive your father and accepting who you are. Amos was a musician and a womanizer. He has three daughter, one is a step-daughter, and each relationship that he has with the mothers is very rocky.
Amos is old and is showing early signs of Alzheimer's. One day Amos has a wreck, which sends him to the hospital. His step daughter number is the only number he has in his wallet. She goes to the hospital to check on him only to be told that he has Alzheimer's and that a relative will need to take care of him. The step daughter puts Amos in a nursing home for the time being, until she can find his other daughters.
Amos biological daughters has issues with him because he wasn't there for them, mostly because of they mothers. Will the daughters come to Amos' rescue?
Amos is old and is showing early signs of Alzheimer's. One day Amos has a wreck, which sends him to the hospital. His step daughter number is the only number he has in his wallet. She goes to the hospital to check on him only to be told that he has Alzheimer's and that a relative will need to take care of him. The step daughter puts Amos in a nursing home for the time being, until she can find his other daughters.
Amos biological daughters has issues with him because he wasn't there for them, mostly because of they mothers. Will the daughters come to Amos' rescue?
September 1, 2021
Three great authors wrote this book (Bernice McFadden, J.D. Mason and ReShonda Tate) the storyline was interesting but not unbelievable. It's a story of a musician whose whole life was consumed with music. He chased his dream of making it big as a musician. Nothing or no one was more important than his music. Now, in his old age, with Alzheimer's and confined to a facility he realizes the mistakes he made with his 3 daughters. Because of an absentee father each of these ladies have had men problems but didn't realize that it all was because of the father relationship they never had. The book tells the story of his 3 daughters and their mothers relationship with Amos.
You will either be upset with Amos or you will be understanding because maybe you have/had a passion that you chased and did realize how it has affected people around you.
You will either be upset with Amos or you will be understanding because maybe you have/had a passion that you chased and did realize how it has affected people around you.
November 30, 2020
Once again J.D. Mason has done it again. This time she had help from two other authors as well. This story is about Amos who allows his love for music to take over his entire life. In the wake of finding himself in a nursing home and having been diagnosed with Alzheimers, we find out that Amos had 3 daughters (only 2 biological). This story gives us insight on the mark that Amos love for music has left on his daughter's lives, the lives of their mothers as well as his. I love how the book, just like Amos's mind would go from the past to the present to give us a glimpse of what each girl remembers while growing up. This book was really good and I was able to understand exactly how each girl felt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2024
A great story about the complexity of Alzheimer’s , lost dreams, love& forgiveness. It’s all so real and sad to see the effects of a parent’s abandonment. I always say daughters need their fathers more than their mothers even though both influence is better.
I love how this is written you see how Amos’s mind drifts and gets enmeshed between past and present. You feel the confusion and his frustration.
The real hero’s were his courageous daughters who made an effort when he never did. Cant make up for lost times. He gave all his good years to his love for music and broke so many people in the way. Time is the one thing you can’t get back. So much regret but so much appreciation for the presence. Kevin Free as the narrator puts icing on the cake 🫶🏾🌟
I love how this is written you see how Amos’s mind drifts and gets enmeshed between past and present. You feel the confusion and his frustration.
The real hero’s were his courageous daughters who made an effort when he never did. Cant make up for lost times. He gave all his good years to his love for music and broke so many people in the way. Time is the one thing you can’t get back. So much regret but so much appreciation for the presence. Kevin Free as the narrator puts icing on the cake 🫶🏾🌟
October 27, 2024
This was a free read on audible however I would have purchased if because it was just that good. Unfortunately it wanted me wanting more. The book read as one author although there were three. The e story telling was what I enjoy in a book. It was descriptive and allowed me to get attached to the characters. I feel there is a need for us to find out what happened to the women and their individual relationships as well as the relationship they build with one another as sisters.
If you have a 2-3 hour drive somewhere you can finish this book in that time and really get lost in it. There are some very very funny moments in the book especially when the wife comes to the mistress job and post pictures all around Macy’s of her bare ass. 😂😂😂😂
If you have a 2-3 hour drive somewhere you can finish this book in that time and really get lost in it. There are some very very funny moments in the book especially when the wife comes to the mistress job and post pictures all around Macy’s of her bare ass. 😂😂😂😂
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews