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Shaw Family Saga #1
Miss Nobody
~Deception, greed, and fame dismantle their lives~
Charlene and Raven, mother and daughter, are woven together by blood, but separated and haunted by circumstance: personal struggles, concealed demons and uncovered skeletons.
Fifteen-year-old Charlene Shaw is frustrated with life and decides to leave her troubles behind. She embodies every young woman’s starry-eyed dreams and heads for Hollywood. On her rugged road to fame, Charlene’s using everything in her might to erase the past–even at the point of compromising her own love story. Charlene still can’t wipe away her deepest fear that shakes her very core… Raven.
Raven Shaw grows up in her mother’s tiny Christian town Bellwood, North Carolina. She’s a feisty, confident young thing who won’t hesitate to use her fist when bullies mock her as a bastard. Overcoming teen depression, she finds love. A first love, a teenage romance to die for. Now, Raven can’t be fully committed to the man that has her heart until she learns shy she’s been neglected.
When their path’s collide, Raven asks to questions–two family secrets–that can ruin their lives, leading mother and child on the road of feeling like a “Miss Nobody”
Charlene and Raven, mother and daughter, are woven together by blood, but separated and haunted by circumstance: personal struggles, concealed demons and uncovered skeletons.
Fifteen-year-old Charlene Shaw is frustrated with life and decides to leave her troubles behind. She embodies every young woman’s starry-eyed dreams and heads for Hollywood. On her rugged road to fame, Charlene’s using everything in her might to erase the past–even at the point of compromising her own love story. Charlene still can’t wipe away her deepest fear that shakes her very core… Raven.
Raven Shaw grows up in her mother’s tiny Christian town Bellwood, North Carolina. She’s a feisty, confident young thing who won’t hesitate to use her fist when bullies mock her as a bastard. Overcoming teen depression, she finds love. A first love, a teenage romance to die for. Now, Raven can’t be fully committed to the man that has her heart until she learns shy she’s been neglected.
When their path’s collide, Raven asks to questions–two family secrets–that can ruin their lives, leading mother and child on the road of feeling like a “Miss Nobody”
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2012
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379 people want to read
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November 15, 2012
“How far will you go for fame? Fifteen-year-old Charlene Shaw runs away from her small hometown in North Carolina to become an actress. She meets a truck driver, the gold cross around his neck is a good sign that he will get her closer to her dreams; right? On the self-destructive road to stardom, Charlene’s using everything in her path to erase the past and the baby she abandoned—her daughter, Raven. Just thinking about Raven sends chills of fear down Charlene’s spine.
Raven Shaw grows up in her mother’s tight-knit town and has been dubbed “Miss Goodie Two Shoes.” Though she is head of the children’s choir, nothing can pacify her rage when someone gossips about her mom—she takes up for a woman she doesn’t even know. The gossip just can’t be true, so Raven decides to learn about her mom. Learning about mom brings her closer to love. Now Raven knows she can’t be entirely devoted to the man that has her heart until she learns why Charlene neglected her.
Mother’s and daughter’s path collide, Raven asks her mother two requests—two family secrets that can ruin both of their lives. Leading Charlene and Raven down the shadowy road of feeling like a “Miss Nobody.”
I received this as an e-book from the author, Nicole Dunlap, to read and review. Thanks goes to Nicole for allowing me this opportunity.
Nicole describes herself as “the gumbo genre novelist” – a little bit of everything! As a guidance counselor, she has “worked with teenagers with issues of abandonment and low self-esteem and took aspects from these beautiful teenagers’ identities and have seasoned my characters from Miss Nobody with them” (quotes courtesy of Ms Dunlap's website).
This book, being the first in a Family Saga, opens with 15 year-old Charlene Shaw making plans to run away from home after hearing an earth-shattering conversation between her mother and father - although we only come to learn of that conversation later in the book. She wants out of her small hometown and would like to make it big in Hollywood as an actress.
Charlene’s story parallels that of her daughter, Raven – the result of a sexual assault at the beginning of her journey to Hollywood – or so she thinks! Charlene deserts Raven when she is 6 months old in order to pursue her dreams of stardom determined not to allow anyone or anything to get in the way of the selfish pursuit of her dream. With Charlene’s parents not having heard from her for almost a year, a telephone call from an orphanage alerts them to the existence of Raven.
Throughout Charlene’s story, she is continually haunted by nightmares of her rapist, thoughts of Raven send chills through her, her best friend is murdered and a long-term relationship fails due to her feelings of unworthiness and fear of having more children. Charlene’s journey is one filled with guilt, sadness and self-hatred but ultimately she feels betrayed by God and sinks into a world of alcohol and prescription drugs.
On the other hand, Raven has had a very stable upbringing with her loving grandparents and although continually subjected to nasty comments and conversations about her mother by the local gossip-mongers in their small town, this has not deterred her from wanting to find out more about the mother who deserted her. As I’m sure any other young girl in her situation would probably feel, she has a lot of questions about her mother and with her grandparents unwilling to talk about her mother, sets off in search of the answers – with devastating consequences.
There is a thread of Christianity throughout the book, but it has more to do with the moral fibre of the characters rather than being an outright “Christian” read and, unlike many of the Christian fiction books out there which generally steer clear of anything sexual, Nicole has done a wonderful job of creating subtle sexual moments between the characters allowing the reader’s imagination to do the rest.
With the chapters alternating between Charlene and Ravens’ stories, and Ms Dunlap introducing us to a number of characters, at no time did I feel lost in confusion as to which character was being portrayed and I believe that it takes a skilful writer to be able to do this. There were a few places that seemed to be rushed and others where a bit more elaboration would have been appreciated but overall, for a first novel, Ms Dunlap has done a marvelous job.
Rape, guilt, incest, betrayal, secrets, lies and greed - all intertwine to create a salting of intrigue in a Family Saga that is bound to keep you turning the pages in an attempt to discover the answers. Unfortunately, as Family Sagas go, you will need to await the release of Ms Dunlap’s next book, Miss Scandalous, due to be released in 2013.
Raven Shaw grows up in her mother’s tight-knit town and has been dubbed “Miss Goodie Two Shoes.” Though she is head of the children’s choir, nothing can pacify her rage when someone gossips about her mom—she takes up for a woman she doesn’t even know. The gossip just can’t be true, so Raven decides to learn about her mom. Learning about mom brings her closer to love. Now Raven knows she can’t be entirely devoted to the man that has her heart until she learns why Charlene neglected her.
Mother’s and daughter’s path collide, Raven asks her mother two requests—two family secrets that can ruin both of their lives. Leading Charlene and Raven down the shadowy road of feeling like a “Miss Nobody.”
I received this as an e-book from the author, Nicole Dunlap, to read and review. Thanks goes to Nicole for allowing me this opportunity.
Nicole describes herself as “the gumbo genre novelist” – a little bit of everything! As a guidance counselor, she has “worked with teenagers with issues of abandonment and low self-esteem and took aspects from these beautiful teenagers’ identities and have seasoned my characters from Miss Nobody with them” (quotes courtesy of Ms Dunlap's website).
This book, being the first in a Family Saga, opens with 15 year-old Charlene Shaw making plans to run away from home after hearing an earth-shattering conversation between her mother and father - although we only come to learn of that conversation later in the book. She wants out of her small hometown and would like to make it big in Hollywood as an actress.
Charlene’s story parallels that of her daughter, Raven – the result of a sexual assault at the beginning of her journey to Hollywood – or so she thinks! Charlene deserts Raven when she is 6 months old in order to pursue her dreams of stardom determined not to allow anyone or anything to get in the way of the selfish pursuit of her dream. With Charlene’s parents not having heard from her for almost a year, a telephone call from an orphanage alerts them to the existence of Raven.
Throughout Charlene’s story, she is continually haunted by nightmares of her rapist, thoughts of Raven send chills through her, her best friend is murdered and a long-term relationship fails due to her feelings of unworthiness and fear of having more children. Charlene’s journey is one filled with guilt, sadness and self-hatred but ultimately she feels betrayed by God and sinks into a world of alcohol and prescription drugs.
On the other hand, Raven has had a very stable upbringing with her loving grandparents and although continually subjected to nasty comments and conversations about her mother by the local gossip-mongers in their small town, this has not deterred her from wanting to find out more about the mother who deserted her. As I’m sure any other young girl in her situation would probably feel, she has a lot of questions about her mother and with her grandparents unwilling to talk about her mother, sets off in search of the answers – with devastating consequences.
There is a thread of Christianity throughout the book, but it has more to do with the moral fibre of the characters rather than being an outright “Christian” read and, unlike many of the Christian fiction books out there which generally steer clear of anything sexual, Nicole has done a wonderful job of creating subtle sexual moments between the characters allowing the reader’s imagination to do the rest.
With the chapters alternating between Charlene and Ravens’ stories, and Ms Dunlap introducing us to a number of characters, at no time did I feel lost in confusion as to which character was being portrayed and I believe that it takes a skilful writer to be able to do this. There were a few places that seemed to be rushed and others where a bit more elaboration would have been appreciated but overall, for a first novel, Ms Dunlap has done a marvelous job.
Rape, guilt, incest, betrayal, secrets, lies and greed - all intertwine to create a salting of intrigue in a Family Saga that is bound to keep you turning the pages in an attempt to discover the answers. Unfortunately, as Family Sagas go, you will need to await the release of Ms Dunlap’s next book, Miss Scandalous, due to be released in 2013.
January 20, 2013
This was a book that kept me turning pages. I like that. Once those pages start speed-turning, I know I'm in for a treat. This story incorporated drama, humor, love, pain, surprise, suspense and shock value. Dunlap paints an unforgettable picture of drama between two families, emphasis on unforgettable.
From the beginning, there are twists and turns starting from when Charlene ran away from home as a bitter but hopeful teen chasing her dream of becoming a movie star. Being raped during a hitchhiked ride by a truck driver with a nice smile is her second real-life lesson that seriously scars her but doesn't sway her from her dreams. The first lesson is what made her leave home. Just when I thought this was the brunt of the story, it made a turn and captivated me into her pregnancy and abandonment of her baby, thought to be that of the rapist. The audacity of her just bemused me the whole story. She seemed to selfish and immature, not to mention a nasty attitude. (This will be somewhat justified later in the book.) But at times, I just wanted to hold her and smack her. Her parents ended up with her daughter, Raven, which was yet another twist to the story. Raven was a feisty, confident young thing who didn't hesitate to use her fist when bullies mocked her as a bastard in their small town. She grew up under-privileged but well taken care of, nonetheless.
What is most intriguing about the book is that it seems very realistic and made me think of people in real-life I know who resemble some of the despicable yet lovable characters. We've all been through family drama, but this one is about five times the norm, and anyone who loves gossip, whether he admits it or not, will fall for that vibe in this book. It made me feel like I was eavesdropping on juicy gossip at the barber shop, and that is part of what makes it a fun read.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
Raven ends up falling in love with Jon, a member of the rival family, and their relationship has a disastrous chip on its shoulder. They develop feelings as kids, best friends, then lovers, and seem like the perfect love story until this deep secret comes to light, devastating them both and their families. I have to say that Jon was one of my favorite characters until the end when he just bails on his responsibilities. After Raven gives up everything for him, he just cuts out without a word or warning, leaving his evil mother to rip Raven's heart out even further. The half-sibling issue was nasty at first, but it sickly started to grow on me with these two, and I sat hoping the paternity tests would prove it false. Jon's mother's little secret about her unknown fling resulting in Jon, I must say, was a little bit overkill to the story at first, BUT since it made the half-sibling issue NOT an issue after all, I realized it was yet another twist that Dunlap clever injected into the story line. There are many of those!
Almost everyone in this story had a dirty little secret, and all of them weaved together somehow. I can tell Dunlap put a whole lot of thought into this story, and her creativity shined through. The flow of the book was perfect! She managed to juggle a few different ongoing scenes between all the different characters so that I didn't have to wait long to find out what each was doing in their corner of the world. The character descriptions were delicate and not overdone, and she provided enough that it was easy to keep up with all of them. Dunlap sprinkled in just enough lovable ones vs. despicable ones, which gave the story a good balance. When Alice died, I literally felt sad and sorry for Charlene. Damien wasn't perfect, but the greatest guy ever. I have a "Damien," so I know how "real-life" he is! :) I love how Dunlap created a world full of interesting people, dramatic events, memorable moments between friends and lovers alike, encounters that could happen to anyone, and a whole lot of "Wow!" I am happy to report there were NO boring parts in this book. If anything, some parts just seemed too rushed-through, and I wished there was more elaboration. That says a lot when you WANT the author to do some more rambling.
***
I rate this book 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone! It's a great read, and I loved it and enjoyed every page of it. GO GET IT!
From the beginning, there are twists and turns starting from when Charlene ran away from home as a bitter but hopeful teen chasing her dream of becoming a movie star. Being raped during a hitchhiked ride by a truck driver with a nice smile is her second real-life lesson that seriously scars her but doesn't sway her from her dreams. The first lesson is what made her leave home. Just when I thought this was the brunt of the story, it made a turn and captivated me into her pregnancy and abandonment of her baby, thought to be that of the rapist. The audacity of her just bemused me the whole story. She seemed to selfish and immature, not to mention a nasty attitude. (This will be somewhat justified later in the book.) But at times, I just wanted to hold her and smack her. Her parents ended up with her daughter, Raven, which was yet another twist to the story. Raven was a feisty, confident young thing who didn't hesitate to use her fist when bullies mocked her as a bastard in their small town. She grew up under-privileged but well taken care of, nonetheless.
What is most intriguing about the book is that it seems very realistic and made me think of people in real-life I know who resemble some of the despicable yet lovable characters. We've all been through family drama, but this one is about five times the norm, and anyone who loves gossip, whether he admits it or not, will fall for that vibe in this book. It made me feel like I was eavesdropping on juicy gossip at the barber shop, and that is part of what makes it a fun read.
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
Raven ends up falling in love with Jon, a member of the rival family, and their relationship has a disastrous chip on its shoulder. They develop feelings as kids, best friends, then lovers, and seem like the perfect love story until this deep secret comes to light, devastating them both and their families. I have to say that Jon was one of my favorite characters until the end when he just bails on his responsibilities. After Raven gives up everything for him, he just cuts out without a word or warning, leaving his evil mother to rip Raven's heart out even further. The half-sibling issue was nasty at first, but it sickly started to grow on me with these two, and I sat hoping the paternity tests would prove it false. Jon's mother's little secret about her unknown fling resulting in Jon, I must say, was a little bit overkill to the story at first, BUT since it made the half-sibling issue NOT an issue after all, I realized it was yet another twist that Dunlap clever injected into the story line. There are many of those!
Almost everyone in this story had a dirty little secret, and all of them weaved together somehow. I can tell Dunlap put a whole lot of thought into this story, and her creativity shined through. The flow of the book was perfect! She managed to juggle a few different ongoing scenes between all the different characters so that I didn't have to wait long to find out what each was doing in their corner of the world. The character descriptions were delicate and not overdone, and she provided enough that it was easy to keep up with all of them. Dunlap sprinkled in just enough lovable ones vs. despicable ones, which gave the story a good balance. When Alice died, I literally felt sad and sorry for Charlene. Damien wasn't perfect, but the greatest guy ever. I have a "Damien," so I know how "real-life" he is! :) I love how Dunlap created a world full of interesting people, dramatic events, memorable moments between friends and lovers alike, encounters that could happen to anyone, and a whole lot of "Wow!" I am happy to report there were NO boring parts in this book. If anything, some parts just seemed too rushed-through, and I wished there was more elaboration. That says a lot when you WANT the author to do some more rambling.
***
I rate this book 4 stars. I would recommend it to anyone! It's a great read, and I loved it and enjoyed every page of it. GO GET IT!
October 27, 2012
Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
Deserted at the young age of six months, the young girl, Raven, grew up with her birth shrouded in mystery. She was raised by her grandparents, and unaware of the fact that she was the product of a love affair gone bad, by the interference of a jealous woman who wanted what her mother already had, and a grandmother who was running away from her own secret.
Miss Nobody portrays in many ways the childhood dreams of teenagers who run away from home to find stardom. Many of them land on the streets as prostitutes or die of drug abuse. Some of them attain enough success to live from their talent, but years passed by before they reach their goal. By the time they have arrived, they are bitter, cold and uncaring. They have sold their souls. So is it with Charlene Shaw. The love struck teenager, who does not know she is already pregnant, slips away during the day as her mother is working. She runs to the bus stop and she leaves behind her the Bible she never reads, and family morals she learned to seek her fame in Hollywood. The story opens up with the dreams of the mother, Charlene Shaw, being destroyed. Having missed her bus, she consents to riding with a truck driver who looks harmless and helpful. Ignoring the warning signs rising up within her, she pays a high price for a ride that was supposed to be heading westward to Arizona.
Dunlap writes a story about rape, incest, disregard for friendship, and the perpetuation of a family curse, which continues throughout the generations in two families. It shows how hideous it is to hide the truth and it displays the results that spring out of one woman being raped by her husband’s best friend. Dunlap also tackles jealousy and class difference through the character Elise who goes to extreme measures to get the man she wants at any cost.
What does a young girl do when she seeks answers about her birth?
How do you explain to a child her mother’s first name is not Harlot, Whore or Hoe?
This is one of the main themes, which runs through Miss Nobody, and the author, Nicole Dunlap, tastefully handles this issue.
Rape, a word, which is often shunned in our society, raises it ugly head throughout her book and destroys the life of a grandmother, mother, and a daughter. Each one living a lie while the truth remains buried, hidden deep within their souls. However, the protagonists are not the only ones that suffer. The antagonist, Elise, also has a hidden secret she has never revealed. Whether or not she reveals, her secret can only be found out by reading the book.
I see a running theme throughout the entire book––Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
Even though rape and incest is finely interwoven in the story, the woman is not the weak character. Dunlap shows the strength of the female. Her female characters, although struck down by events in life, gain strength, and they survive. Her male characters play assistant roles. Their lack of integrity and love of money cause a generational curse to continue on because they refuse to take responsibility. The men’s indecisiveness is quite obvious in Dunlap’s book. Thus, the main protagonist, Raven, thinks about the fate of the one she loves, and whether or not she will let him live.
Miss Nobody, A Shaw Family Saga, Book One is well written. The story is engaging. The suspense built into the book by Dunlap carries the reader through a saga where you are constantly wondering who is the father of whom. She does this wonderfully without using any detailed sexual scenes, even though sexual intimacy is not ignored.
It is a worthwhile read, a book that will take you away from your day-to-day activities as you enter into Dunlap’s alternative world.
Again I come back to what I consider to be the overlying theme, a theme, Nicole Dunlap handles beautifully––Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
This theme alone is a reason to buy and read the book.
Ciao,
Pat Garcia
Deserted at the young age of six months, the young girl, Raven, grew up with her birth shrouded in mystery. She was raised by her grandparents, and unaware of the fact that she was the product of a love affair gone bad, by the interference of a jealous woman who wanted what her mother already had, and a grandmother who was running away from her own secret.
Miss Nobody portrays in many ways the childhood dreams of teenagers who run away from home to find stardom. Many of them land on the streets as prostitutes or die of drug abuse. Some of them attain enough success to live from their talent, but years passed by before they reach their goal. By the time they have arrived, they are bitter, cold and uncaring. They have sold their souls. So is it with Charlene Shaw. The love struck teenager, who does not know she is already pregnant, slips away during the day as her mother is working. She runs to the bus stop and she leaves behind her the Bible she never reads, and family morals she learned to seek her fame in Hollywood. The story opens up with the dreams of the mother, Charlene Shaw, being destroyed. Having missed her bus, she consents to riding with a truck driver who looks harmless and helpful. Ignoring the warning signs rising up within her, she pays a high price for a ride that was supposed to be heading westward to Arizona.
Dunlap writes a story about rape, incest, disregard for friendship, and the perpetuation of a family curse, which continues throughout the generations in two families. It shows how hideous it is to hide the truth and it displays the results that spring out of one woman being raped by her husband’s best friend. Dunlap also tackles jealousy and class difference through the character Elise who goes to extreme measures to get the man she wants at any cost.
What does a young girl do when she seeks answers about her birth?
How do you explain to a child her mother’s first name is not Harlot, Whore or Hoe?
This is one of the main themes, which runs through Miss Nobody, and the author, Nicole Dunlap, tastefully handles this issue.
Rape, a word, which is often shunned in our society, raises it ugly head throughout her book and destroys the life of a grandmother, mother, and a daughter. Each one living a lie while the truth remains buried, hidden deep within their souls. However, the protagonists are not the only ones that suffer. The antagonist, Elise, also has a hidden secret she has never revealed. Whether or not she reveals, her secret can only be found out by reading the book.
I see a running theme throughout the entire book––Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
Even though rape and incest is finely interwoven in the story, the woman is not the weak character. Dunlap shows the strength of the female. Her female characters, although struck down by events in life, gain strength, and they survive. Her male characters play assistant roles. Their lack of integrity and love of money cause a generational curse to continue on because they refuse to take responsibility. The men’s indecisiveness is quite obvious in Dunlap’s book. Thus, the main protagonist, Raven, thinks about the fate of the one she loves, and whether or not she will let him live.
Miss Nobody, A Shaw Family Saga, Book One is well written. The story is engaging. The suspense built into the book by Dunlap carries the reader through a saga where you are constantly wondering who is the father of whom. She does this wonderfully without using any detailed sexual scenes, even though sexual intimacy is not ignored.
It is a worthwhile read, a book that will take you away from your day-to-day activities as you enter into Dunlap’s alternative world.
Again I come back to what I consider to be the overlying theme, a theme, Nicole Dunlap handles beautifully––Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and fourth generation.
This theme alone is a reason to buy and read the book.
Ciao,
Pat Garcia
March 8, 2013
Miss Nobody: Book One of The Shaw Family Saga by Nicole Dunlap is the expertly woven tale of Charlene Shaw and her daughter Raven Shaw. Fifteen-year-old Charlene has dreams of becoming a famous actress. After having her heart broken by her true love and not having a good home life, she decides to run away from Bellwood, North Carolina headed for Hollywood. Unfortunately, she accepts a ride from a truck driver who sexually assaults her and leaves her for dead. A little over a year later her parents finally hear of Charlene’s fate and go to an Iowa orphanage to retrieve her. However, Charlene has left for L.A. to pursue her acting and in her place is a blue-eyed baby girl named Raven. The Shaws take their granddaughter home to Bellwood and so begins the intertwining stories of Charlene and Raven Shaw.
I really liked the story. The emotions are believable and I like that the author expertly keeps the characters separate but connected. Charlene and Raven both have their own distinctive voices as the reader follows them both over an eighteen year period. I also appreciate getting to know Damien and Jon, their respective love interests, by getting into their heads a little. I believe Charlene's trauma from her encounter with the truck driver and I’m satisfied that it encompasses a fear of freeways as well as men. Her love/hate roller coaster emotions with her faith are believable and well played as well.
There are minor questions I have about Charlene spending over 14 years trying to become an actress without trying to improve herself in other ways. But I haven’t been that obsessed with anything so I can’t relate on that note. I also thought that Charlene and her ties to Bellwood over the years is a little orchestrated. The pattern of assault in the Shaw family does seem a bit overdone too.
There are endearing moments in between Charlene and Damien as well as Raven and Jon. Their lives, although filled with much drama, do get reprieves. I like Raven's strong character being a stark contrast to her mom. Charlene doesn't have the strength Raven does which eventually pits them against one another. Can they reconcile? The secondary characters are entertaining and useful. I enjoyed Ms. Jenkins. She is funny and familiar. Elise is a perfect “Ice Queen” and plays her part to the last.
The dialog is smooth, believable and interesting. The setting is well chosen and skillfully used. The description and use of plot devices, especially Raven’s blue eyes, make this a rich story. Speaking of rich, I was impressed by the dynamics of wealth in the small town of Bellwood and how it plays a major role in the fate of many characters. I liked the presentation of facts that created suspense and foreshadowed much throughout the plot. It was like a puzzle except more than one piece could fit.
Miss Nobody has great drama worthy of its own miniseries. If you like the drama and shock factor of daytime soap operas and now some of the prime time dramas, Miss Nobody is for you.
Rating: 4.5/5
Read more reviews by Cherese Vines at www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpre...
I really liked the story. The emotions are believable and I like that the author expertly keeps the characters separate but connected. Charlene and Raven both have their own distinctive voices as the reader follows them both over an eighteen year period. I also appreciate getting to know Damien and Jon, their respective love interests, by getting into their heads a little. I believe Charlene's trauma from her encounter with the truck driver and I’m satisfied that it encompasses a fear of freeways as well as men. Her love/hate roller coaster emotions with her faith are believable and well played as well.
There are minor questions I have about Charlene spending over 14 years trying to become an actress without trying to improve herself in other ways. But I haven’t been that obsessed with anything so I can’t relate on that note. I also thought that Charlene and her ties to Bellwood over the years is a little orchestrated. The pattern of assault in the Shaw family does seem a bit overdone too.
There are endearing moments in between Charlene and Damien as well as Raven and Jon. Their lives, although filled with much drama, do get reprieves. I like Raven's strong character being a stark contrast to her mom. Charlene doesn't have the strength Raven does which eventually pits them against one another. Can they reconcile? The secondary characters are entertaining and useful. I enjoyed Ms. Jenkins. She is funny and familiar. Elise is a perfect “Ice Queen” and plays her part to the last.
The dialog is smooth, believable and interesting. The setting is well chosen and skillfully used. The description and use of plot devices, especially Raven’s blue eyes, make this a rich story. Speaking of rich, I was impressed by the dynamics of wealth in the small town of Bellwood and how it plays a major role in the fate of many characters. I liked the presentation of facts that created suspense and foreshadowed much throughout the plot. It was like a puzzle except more than one piece could fit.
Miss Nobody has great drama worthy of its own miniseries. If you like the drama and shock factor of daytime soap operas and now some of the prime time dramas, Miss Nobody is for you.
Rating: 4.5/5
Read more reviews by Cherese Vines at www.cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpre...
January 16, 2016
Miss Nobody by Nicole Dunlap
Shaw Family Saga Book 1
This story begins with Charlene Shaw. As a fifteen year old girl she leaves Bellwood, North Carolina to go to Hollywood. Things don’t quite go as planned on her first attempt. She gives birth to a daughter and then leaves her behind for others to raise so she can once again continue on the road to become somebody. Charlene walks through life feeling like a failure, unworthy to be loved, to afraid to trust, guilt for leaving her baby and other secrets from her past that continually haunt her.
Raven, Charlene’s daughter, is equally a part of the story. We see her life growing up in Bellwood with her grandparents and her best friend Jon. As the years go by we see Raven grow up and deal with rumors in her small town. Her grandparents have removed any part of her mother from their home and refuse to speak of her but as Raven gets older it becomes more important for her to find out why she was so unwanted.
This was such a good book. The characters are so realistic and easy to connect with, their life experiences took my emotions through the ringer. The reader has a clear picture at the end of this book on how Charlene is doing but there are unanswered questions as far Raven’s life, and the reader will have to wait for the next book to find those answers. Definitely a series I’ll look forward to, Kleenex in hand.
**Sensual situations and language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
Shaw Family Saga Book 1
This story begins with Charlene Shaw. As a fifteen year old girl she leaves Bellwood, North Carolina to go to Hollywood. Things don’t quite go as planned on her first attempt. She gives birth to a daughter and then leaves her behind for others to raise so she can once again continue on the road to become somebody. Charlene walks through life feeling like a failure, unworthy to be loved, to afraid to trust, guilt for leaving her baby and other secrets from her past that continually haunt her.
Raven, Charlene’s daughter, is equally a part of the story. We see her life growing up in Bellwood with her grandparents and her best friend Jon. As the years go by we see Raven grow up and deal with rumors in her small town. Her grandparents have removed any part of her mother from their home and refuse to speak of her but as Raven gets older it becomes more important for her to find out why she was so unwanted.
This was such a good book. The characters are so realistic and easy to connect with, their life experiences took my emotions through the ringer. The reader has a clear picture at the end of this book on how Charlene is doing but there are unanswered questions as far Raven’s life, and the reader will have to wait for the next book to find those answers. Definitely a series I’ll look forward to, Kleenex in hand.
**Sensual situations and language
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
November 11, 2012
Family Lies
Charlene Shaw is a teenager with big dreams. She decides to run away to LA to become an actress. Along with hopes of becoming an actress, she takes a few secrets with her as well. Having missed her bus, she accepts a ride from a truck driver. Where will this ride lead her?
Raven Shaw was abandoned by her mother. Raven is being raised by her grandparents in Bellwood, NC. She has great potential to do great things. She wants to know about her mom. After constant rejection for her mother's information, she sets out to get the information herself. Is she ready for the truth?
Nicole Dunlap gives readers just enough info to keep them on edge. Everybody has secrets and they are revealed just when you think you have it all figured out. The ending gives the hanging for a great start to a nice sequel. “Miss Nobody” could have been a 5-star read, but there were many grammatical errors that caused me to lose focus.
Reviewed by: Jas
Charlene Shaw is a teenager with big dreams. She decides to run away to LA to become an actress. Along with hopes of becoming an actress, she takes a few secrets with her as well. Having missed her bus, she accepts a ride from a truck driver. Where will this ride lead her?
Raven Shaw was abandoned by her mother. Raven is being raised by her grandparents in Bellwood, NC. She has great potential to do great things. She wants to know about her mom. After constant rejection for her mother's information, she sets out to get the information herself. Is she ready for the truth?
Nicole Dunlap gives readers just enough info to keep them on edge. Everybody has secrets and they are revealed just when you think you have it all figured out. The ending gives the hanging for a great start to a nice sequel. “Miss Nobody” could have been a 5-star read, but there were many grammatical errors that caused me to lose focus.
Reviewed by: Jas
July 5, 2013
Although this story had an explosive beginning the middle was a little slow for me, but definitely picked up and became a page turner. The plot had so many twist, turns and surprises. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out a story line before I finish reading the book but Miss Nobody has been the exception. The author did a great job keeping the story engaging! I'm ordering Miss Scandalous today, I can't wait to read it!
January 17, 2013
I really loved this book a lot of secrets. I'm almost done with the book and slow down because I don't want it to end. Can't wait until the book "New Member of the Shaw Saga" comes out and any other books come out by Nicole Dunlap she is a really good author I'm so glad I was able to read this book.
February 8, 2013
This charecter driven family saga is field with twist and turns: espeically the ending. A fun read...I'm ready for the second book...Miss Scandalous
July 5, 2013
Review of "Miss Nobody" (Shaw Family Saga Book 1)
I requested permission from Nicole Dunlap to give a review of ‘Miss Nobody’ (Shaw Family Saga, Book 1), and she was very gracious, replying, “yes, that would be great”. Well, that was June 15th and I have just now been able to complete the review. Not once did she bug me or tweet me about the review, which is one of the reasons I am so excited to share these next four to five minutes telling you about the amazing gift she has as a writer.
First thing’s first: the cover seizes your attention. The images draw you into the book and the story. They make you want to read the first, second, and third page, and so on. You get the urge to connect with the characters from the very beginning. For those of you who may not be familiar with the writing process, the author is responsible for the ideas and images that go on the front cover. This can either draw the reader in or make them pass by your book. Nicole Dunlap did her homework and came up with an intriguing and intense front cover. Okay, now that I have that off my chest, let’s move onto the heart of the story.
The rawness of the real truth always seems to shock oneself. This is just what you get with ‘Miss Nobody’. The character Charlene makes you re-read a few lines to make sure you heard her correctly in the prologue. The author entices your interest with the questions of “how could she?” and “what happened?”. She takes you back to the years of reckless abandonment--of bad choices and the consequences of those choices. You are in for a ride.
The adventurous story is easy to read and relate to, even if you haven’t made the same choices Charlene made. Human nature is something we can all relate to. The character Charlene allows you to live vicariously through her mistakes. Judgements wait at the door, and you can’t tell where this story will lead you. You can only hang on for the ride.
Nicole Dunlap has a passion for the interpersonal workings of the human spirit. She captures the imagination of the unsuspecting rationale of the everyday person. Unable to stop wondering, “what happens to this character?” or “where will this person end up?” gives the reader a healthy dose of anticipation. ‘Miss Nobody’ will give you more than you are expecting and then some more. I can’t wait to read the sequel, ‘Miss Scandalous’ (Shaw Family Saga, Part 2)!
I requested permission from Nicole Dunlap to give a review of ‘Miss Nobody’ (Shaw Family Saga, Book 1), and she was very gracious, replying, “yes, that would be great”. Well, that was June 15th and I have just now been able to complete the review. Not once did she bug me or tweet me about the review, which is one of the reasons I am so excited to share these next four to five minutes telling you about the amazing gift she has as a writer.
First thing’s first: the cover seizes your attention. The images draw you into the book and the story. They make you want to read the first, second, and third page, and so on. You get the urge to connect with the characters from the very beginning. For those of you who may not be familiar with the writing process, the author is responsible for the ideas and images that go on the front cover. This can either draw the reader in or make them pass by your book. Nicole Dunlap did her homework and came up with an intriguing and intense front cover. Okay, now that I have that off my chest, let’s move onto the heart of the story.
The rawness of the real truth always seems to shock oneself. This is just what you get with ‘Miss Nobody’. The character Charlene makes you re-read a few lines to make sure you heard her correctly in the prologue. The author entices your interest with the questions of “how could she?” and “what happened?”. She takes you back to the years of reckless abandonment--of bad choices and the consequences of those choices. You are in for a ride.
The adventurous story is easy to read and relate to, even if you haven’t made the same choices Charlene made. Human nature is something we can all relate to. The character Charlene allows you to live vicariously through her mistakes. Judgements wait at the door, and you can’t tell where this story will lead you. You can only hang on for the ride.
Nicole Dunlap has a passion for the interpersonal workings of the human spirit. She captures the imagination of the unsuspecting rationale of the everyday person. Unable to stop wondering, “what happens to this character?” or “where will this person end up?” gives the reader a healthy dose of anticipation. ‘Miss Nobody’ will give you more than you are expecting and then some more. I can’t wait to read the sequel, ‘Miss Scandalous’ (Shaw Family Saga, Part 2)!
December 14, 2012
Family secrets are hard to keep hidden in Miss Nobody by Nicole Dunlap. Charlene Shaw is frustrated with the hand she has been dealt. Charlene decides to leave her troubles behind and move to another city to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress. Charlene soon finds out that her past continues to follow her and to make matters worse it knocks on her front door.
Raven Shaw has had to grow up with the constant attacks about a mother she has never known. Raven has questions but no one seems able to answer them and her anger starts to build until she decides to take matters into her own hands. Raven enlists the help of her best friend, Jonathan Dubois Jr, who seems to be dealing with similar family problems. Raven and Jonathan’s friendship grows into something neither one can deny as they take their mysterious journey to find answers.
Miss Nobody is about a mother and daughter’s struggle with family secrets. The main characters felt that emotion in this book and readers will to. The author does a wonderful job providing readers with authentic characters that anyone can relate to. Miss Nobody was a page-turner of suspense and drama. This book will have readers anticipating what the characters will do next. The twists and turns are shocking and I cannot wait to read the next book in the Shaw series.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
APOOO BookClub
APOOO Rating: 4.5
Raven Shaw has had to grow up with the constant attacks about a mother she has never known. Raven has questions but no one seems able to answer them and her anger starts to build until she decides to take matters into her own hands. Raven enlists the help of her best friend, Jonathan Dubois Jr, who seems to be dealing with similar family problems. Raven and Jonathan’s friendship grows into something neither one can deny as they take their mysterious journey to find answers.
Miss Nobody is about a mother and daughter’s struggle with family secrets. The main characters felt that emotion in this book and readers will to. The author does a wonderful job providing readers with authentic characters that anyone can relate to. Miss Nobody was a page-turner of suspense and drama. This book will have readers anticipating what the characters will do next. The twists and turns are shocking and I cannot wait to read the next book in the Shaw series.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes.
Teresa Beasley
APOOO BookClub
APOOO Rating: 4.5
February 14, 2013
Miss Nobody pulled me in from the very beginning and never let go. This being my first family saga, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. My emotions were raw by the time I turned the last page.
Miss Nobody is about a family with more secrets than one family can handle. Lies, greed, and fame have dismantled each of their lives and none of them can break the destructive cycle.
I found myself alternating between caring for certain characters and hating others. Dunlap knows how to develop a variety of characters that leave lasting impressions on the reader. And the complexity the storyline kept me reading page after page. I simply had to know what was going to happen next.
Miss Nobody focuses on the young Raven and her estranged mother Charlene. I found them compelling in different ways. They both go through struggles in finding their true identity. Raven just wants to learn more about her mother and father, while Charlene works towards becoming famous with very little luck. And though mother and daughter couldn't be more different, they also share more in common than either would like to admit.
I would highly recommend reading Miss Nobody. The surprises are abundant and the revelations are shocking. You will not be disappointed.
Miss Nobody is about a family with more secrets than one family can handle. Lies, greed, and fame have dismantled each of their lives and none of them can break the destructive cycle.
I found myself alternating between caring for certain characters and hating others. Dunlap knows how to develop a variety of characters that leave lasting impressions on the reader. And the complexity the storyline kept me reading page after page. I simply had to know what was going to happen next.
Miss Nobody focuses on the young Raven and her estranged mother Charlene. I found them compelling in different ways. They both go through struggles in finding their true identity. Raven just wants to learn more about her mother and father, while Charlene works towards becoming famous with very little luck. And though mother and daughter couldn't be more different, they also share more in common than either would like to admit.
I would highly recommend reading Miss Nobody. The surprises are abundant and the revelations are shocking. You will not be disappointed.
March 19, 2013
What did I think? I thought I was reading the Maury Povich Show LOL. Most of the characters in this story should have a paternity test to see how they are truly related or.....NOT.
There are lots of twists and turns in this novel that kept me wanting to know...What's next? The story is unpredictable. The author has left situations I would like addressed, but she must be saving them for the next book in the Shaw Saga series. One situation, for instance is that I wondered why Jon did not pursue the information that Gabby uncovered about Raven when they were trying to find out if Alvin Jenkins was Raven's father.
I feel that all of the Shaw women, Annette, Charlene and Raven have been dealt an unfair hand in life. It seems that the new Shaw daughter, Royeal is getting off to a bad start as well. These women have so many secrets that I wonder how they function as well as they do.
When is the next book being released? I'm truly interested in seeing what happens!
There are lots of twists and turns in this novel that kept me wanting to know...What's next? The story is unpredictable. The author has left situations I would like addressed, but she must be saving them for the next book in the Shaw Saga series. One situation, for instance is that I wondered why Jon did not pursue the information that Gabby uncovered about Raven when they were trying to find out if Alvin Jenkins was Raven's father.
I feel that all of the Shaw women, Annette, Charlene and Raven have been dealt an unfair hand in life. It seems that the new Shaw daughter, Royeal is getting off to a bad start as well. These women have so many secrets that I wonder how they function as well as they do.
When is the next book being released? I'm truly interested in seeing what happens!
January 3, 2013
I'll admit this book was kind of slow going at first, but about halfway through, I couldn't put it down. It is the story of Charlene Shaw, who ran away from home when she was fifteen. She headed for Hollywood, but has many struggles, among them, having a child that she gives up. Her daughter ends up at back home with her grandparents. Raven has struggles of her own. She finally finds her mother, but things don't go the way she had hoped and Raven has even more struggles. There are a lot of shocking secrets in this book.
This is a powerful book that shows how the actions of parents and grandparents deeply impact children and what happens in their life. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this Shaw Family Saga. Great job Nicole. I received my copy from the author for my honest review.
This is a powerful book that shows how the actions of parents and grandparents deeply impact children and what happens in their life. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this Shaw Family Saga. Great job Nicole. I received my copy from the author for my honest review.
November 19, 2012
NOT USUALLY A FAN OF SERIES...
...but Miss Nobody had me at the prologue. 2 requests--I just had to know the 2 requests. The book is well crafted, taking the reader on a personal journey with the characters. I saw a previous review which commented on grammatic errors. There were a few, but hardly enough to deter a reader from enjoying this work. I felt as if any one of the characters could be someone that I know. Its important to establish that connection between the reader and the characters, which Nicole Dunlap accomplished. Each new reveal brought about a new revelation--the next more shocking than the previous. I am ready for the next installment to find out how the Shaw Family Saga continues to unravel.
...but Miss Nobody had me at the prologue. 2 requests--I just had to know the 2 requests. The book is well crafted, taking the reader on a personal journey with the characters. I saw a previous review which commented on grammatic errors. There were a few, but hardly enough to deter a reader from enjoying this work. I felt as if any one of the characters could be someone that I know. Its important to establish that connection between the reader and the characters, which Nicole Dunlap accomplished. Each new reveal brought about a new revelation--the next more shocking than the previous. I am ready for the next installment to find out how the Shaw Family Saga continues to unravel.
February 9, 2013
Wow, I didn't expect this book to take me on such a roller coaster of emotions and events. I felt like I was watching a TV series and I mean that in a good way. Twists and turns left right and centre. I found myself gasping a lot as increasingly shocking secrets were revealed but I loved the tenderness of the love stories that surrounded the many characters of Miss Nobody. The book left me feeling quite sad at times but it is ultimately a tale of redemption so it kept me reading with hope down to the last page. Looking forward to book 2.
October 4, 2012
This book was really good! You dont want to put the book down the stories are so interesting and the characters are life like. I still can't stop thinking about the ending!!!
December 8, 2012
Greeeeeat Read! Loved it!
January 17, 2013
Refreshing to read a real page turner, and come away still wanting more. I'm ready for the sequel...
December 29, 2012
An author, NICOLE DUNLAP - MISS NOBODY (SHAW FAMILY SAGA, BOX 1), contacted me to review her book. I was honored. I have received a few requests from authors to post my review on Amazon, my blog and Goodreads. Boy, I am always, always happy to do that.
Charlene, a young, black 15 year old living in a small town in North Carolina, runs away from home to escape a boring life and to fulfill her dreams of becoming famous. Oh, well, life has a way of turning the screws. She misses the bus to take her out of town and hitches a ride with truck driver Roy. A year later, Otis and Annette find Charlene in a hospital, bruised, badly beaten and has given birth to Raven.
While Charlene continues to search for fame, Raven is left with Otis and Annette. Nicole Dunlap goes back and forth in the story from Charlene's life once she has achieved the fame she wanted; to Raven who has heard for years gossip about her mother and her grandparents, Otis and Annette, who refuses to talk about Charlene, since they are so high and mighty in their Christian beliefs.
This creates demons for both, Charlene's guilt and Raven's wondering who her mother and father are. Raven becomes good friends with Jonathan, whose parents, a neurotic French mother, Elise and a flaccid father. Jonathan has always been there for Raven thru her demons and he has always loved her. Overtime, it becomes alarming to Elise when Raven and Jonathan's friendships blossom and there's a good reason, Raven becomes pregnant, which becomes worse for Jonathan's father. What secret is he hiding?
There are too many secrets and as with any great story, secrets surface. Don't they always come out of the dark? They fling at your face like a hard smack that spins your head completely around. This book, part one, is just the beginning of hidden secrets, love and forgiveness, with a touch of drugs to boot. I enjoyed the straightforward writing Nicole gives. She gets to the point with twists and turns without the long wait. There are some slow moments in the book, but that's expected in all books. They cannot give you all of the secrets at the same time, what fun would that be?
It's One Dollar a month to subscribe to Black Kindle's Blog -An author, NICOLE DUNLAP - MISS NOBODY (SHAW FAMILY SAGA, BOX 1) - $3.99, contacted me to review her book. I was honored. I have received a few requests from authors to post my review on Amazon, my blog and Goodreads. Boy, I am always, always happy to do that.
Charlene, a young, black 15 year old living in a small town in North Carolina, runs away from home to escape a boring life and to fulfill her dreams of becoming famous. Oh, well, life has a way of turning the screws. She misses the bus to take her out of town and hitches a ride with truck driver Roy. A year later, Otis and Annette find Charlene in a hospital, bruised, badly beaten and has given birth to Raven.
While Charlene continues to search for fame, Raven is left with Otis and Annette. Nicole Dunlap goes back and forth in the story from Charlene's life once she has achieved the fame she wanted; to Raven who has heard for years gossip about her mother and her grandparents, Otis and Annette, who refuses to talk about Charlene, since they are so high and mighty in their Christian beliefs.
This creates demons for both, Charlene's guilt and Raven's wondering who her mother and father are. Raven becomes good friends with Jonathan, whose parents, a neurotic French mother, Elise and a flaccid father. Jonathan has always been there for Raven thru her demons and he has always loved her. Overtime, it becomes alarming to Elise when Raven and Jonathan's friendships blossom and there's a good reason, Raven becomes pregnant, which becomes worse for Jonathan's father. What secret is he hiding?
There are too many secrets and as with any great story, secrets surface. Don't they always come out of the dark? They fling at your face like a hard smack that spins your head completely around. This book, part one, is just the beginning of hidden secrets, love and forgiveness, with a touch of drugs to boot. I enjoyed the straightforward writing Nicole gives. She gets to the point with twists and turns without the long wait. There are some slow moments in the book, but that's expected in all books. They cannot give you all of the secrets at the same time, what fun would that be?
It's One Dollar a month to subscribe to Black Kindle's Blog - [[ASIN:B003TLMVVI Black Kindle - African American Books on the Kindle Blog]]
http://africanamericanbooksonthekindl...
Charlene, a young, black 15 year old living in a small town in North Carolina, runs away from home to escape a boring life and to fulfill her dreams of becoming famous. Oh, well, life has a way of turning the screws. She misses the bus to take her out of town and hitches a ride with truck driver Roy. A year later, Otis and Annette find Charlene in a hospital, bruised, badly beaten and has given birth to Raven.
While Charlene continues to search for fame, Raven is left with Otis and Annette. Nicole Dunlap goes back and forth in the story from Charlene's life once she has achieved the fame she wanted; to Raven who has heard for years gossip about her mother and her grandparents, Otis and Annette, who refuses to talk about Charlene, since they are so high and mighty in their Christian beliefs.
This creates demons for both, Charlene's guilt and Raven's wondering who her mother and father are. Raven becomes good friends with Jonathan, whose parents, a neurotic French mother, Elise and a flaccid father. Jonathan has always been there for Raven thru her demons and he has always loved her. Overtime, it becomes alarming to Elise when Raven and Jonathan's friendships blossom and there's a good reason, Raven becomes pregnant, which becomes worse for Jonathan's father. What secret is he hiding?
There are too many secrets and as with any great story, secrets surface. Don't they always come out of the dark? They fling at your face like a hard smack that spins your head completely around. This book, part one, is just the beginning of hidden secrets, love and forgiveness, with a touch of drugs to boot. I enjoyed the straightforward writing Nicole gives. She gets to the point with twists and turns without the long wait. There are some slow moments in the book, but that's expected in all books. They cannot give you all of the secrets at the same time, what fun would that be?
It's One Dollar a month to subscribe to Black Kindle's Blog -An author, NICOLE DUNLAP - MISS NOBODY (SHAW FAMILY SAGA, BOX 1) - $3.99, contacted me to review her book. I was honored. I have received a few requests from authors to post my review on Amazon, my blog and Goodreads. Boy, I am always, always happy to do that.
Charlene, a young, black 15 year old living in a small town in North Carolina, runs away from home to escape a boring life and to fulfill her dreams of becoming famous. Oh, well, life has a way of turning the screws. She misses the bus to take her out of town and hitches a ride with truck driver Roy. A year later, Otis and Annette find Charlene in a hospital, bruised, badly beaten and has given birth to Raven.
While Charlene continues to search for fame, Raven is left with Otis and Annette. Nicole Dunlap goes back and forth in the story from Charlene's life once she has achieved the fame she wanted; to Raven who has heard for years gossip about her mother and her grandparents, Otis and Annette, who refuses to talk about Charlene, since they are so high and mighty in their Christian beliefs.
This creates demons for both, Charlene's guilt and Raven's wondering who her mother and father are. Raven becomes good friends with Jonathan, whose parents, a neurotic French mother, Elise and a flaccid father. Jonathan has always been there for Raven thru her demons and he has always loved her. Overtime, it becomes alarming to Elise when Raven and Jonathan's friendships blossom and there's a good reason, Raven becomes pregnant, which becomes worse for Jonathan's father. What secret is he hiding?
There are too many secrets and as with any great story, secrets surface. Don't they always come out of the dark? They fling at your face like a hard smack that spins your head completely around. This book, part one, is just the beginning of hidden secrets, love and forgiveness, with a touch of drugs to boot. I enjoyed the straightforward writing Nicole gives. She gets to the point with twists and turns without the long wait. There are some slow moments in the book, but that's expected in all books. They cannot give you all of the secrets at the same time, what fun would that be?
It's One Dollar a month to subscribe to Black Kindle's Blog - [[ASIN:B003TLMVVI Black Kindle - African American Books on the Kindle Blog]]
http://africanamericanbooksonthekindl...
February 3, 2013
Author: Nicole Dunlap
Published By: N.D.
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Miss Nobody" by Nicole Dunlap was some read with pain,drama,secrets, betrayal, surprise, love, mystery,suspense, depression, rape and even murder...all intertwined for a very unique read. The storyline deals with these two families that will only keep you turning the page wanting more in this unforgettable read. This author was able to give us a picture of what can happen in any family...going from one generation to the next generations if there is no forgiveness and trust. I found "Miss Nobody" was well written with a lots of its issue stemmed mostly from untruths along with many twist and turns from the actions of the parents, their children, to their grandparents. I enjoyed the journey with each one of the characters... for there was a wonderful connection with each one bringing out a new revelation that simply will leave you saying wow! This novel will not be a predictable read. Pick up "Miss Nobody" and you will see what I mean.
If you are looking for a excellent storyline of family secrets with much heart felt ...pick up "Miss Nobody" ... yes, I would recommend this novel as a good read and I can't wait for the sequel...Miss Scandalous.
Published By: N.D.
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
"Miss Nobody" by Nicole Dunlap was some read with pain,drama,secrets, betrayal, surprise, love, mystery,suspense, depression, rape and even murder...all intertwined for a very unique read. The storyline deals with these two families that will only keep you turning the page wanting more in this unforgettable read. This author was able to give us a picture of what can happen in any family...going from one generation to the next generations if there is no forgiveness and trust. I found "Miss Nobody" was well written with a lots of its issue stemmed mostly from untruths along with many twist and turns from the actions of the parents, their children, to their grandparents. I enjoyed the journey with each one of the characters... for there was a wonderful connection with each one bringing out a new revelation that simply will leave you saying wow! This novel will not be a predictable read. Pick up "Miss Nobody" and you will see what I mean.
If you are looking for a excellent storyline of family secrets with much heart felt ...pick up "Miss Nobody" ... yes, I would recommend this novel as a good read and I can't wait for the sequel...Miss Scandalous.
May 26, 2013
Now I truly understand what it means when Nicole Dunlap describes herself as the "gumbo-genre" author. On the outside of every relationship everything appears one way. But when you dig deeper, there are so many varations of the "truth".
Nicole has done a tremendous job in this opening book of the Shaw Family Saga series. I originally believed that Miss Nobody would solely focus on the relationship between Charlene -a runaway mother, and Raven - the child she left behind. Little did I know that it was just the icing on the cake. So what did I discover? Everyone has at least several secrets and that are not always the obvious. Every character in this book, especially Annette, Charlene, Raven, Elise, Jonathan, and Jon had (and have) rather challenging journeys. Sadly, the truth was scarce whenever possible; I've learned this quite well and look forward to how Nicole will further taunt us readers with this saga. Please be certain that I purposely give no spoilers because the tale needs to be experienced first hand.
Nicole has done a fabulous job of seasoning up, layering and serving out a terrific opening novel of drama-drama-drama! Keep up the great job! I look forward to her next "dish".
Nicole has done a tremendous job in this opening book of the Shaw Family Saga series. I originally believed that Miss Nobody would solely focus on the relationship between Charlene -a runaway mother, and Raven - the child she left behind. Little did I know that it was just the icing on the cake. So what did I discover? Everyone has at least several secrets and that are not always the obvious. Every character in this book, especially Annette, Charlene, Raven, Elise, Jonathan, and Jon had (and have) rather challenging journeys. Sadly, the truth was scarce whenever possible; I've learned this quite well and look forward to how Nicole will further taunt us readers with this saga. Please be certain that I purposely give no spoilers because the tale needs to be experienced first hand.
Nicole has done a fabulous job of seasoning up, layering and serving out a terrific opening novel of drama-drama-drama! Keep up the great job! I look forward to her next "dish".
March 24, 2013
http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/20...
I really loved this story. It was very well written and I couldn't wait to read the next twists and turns in Charlene and Raven's stories. Charlene abandoned Raven, she then was raised by Charlene's parents. Raven gets to the point in her life where she wants to know more about her mother, and starts digging for answers. At the same time, it seems like Charlene could give a crap less about her daughter, and is only on a selfish mission to stardom in Hollywood.
Truths come out, lies are kept hidden and there is some drama along the way. Raven falls in love, Charlene also falls in love, but both of their relationships are complicated in completely different ways. Through this book we read each of their stories, from their point of view and it keeps the pages turning. This book did not disappoint and I am excited to read the second part in the series. I am so glad the author contacted me, otherwise I may never have found this great story. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a great story.
I really loved this story. It was very well written and I couldn't wait to read the next twists and turns in Charlene and Raven's stories. Charlene abandoned Raven, she then was raised by Charlene's parents. Raven gets to the point in her life where she wants to know more about her mother, and starts digging for answers. At the same time, it seems like Charlene could give a crap less about her daughter, and is only on a selfish mission to stardom in Hollywood.
Truths come out, lies are kept hidden and there is some drama along the way. Raven falls in love, Charlene also falls in love, but both of their relationships are complicated in completely different ways. Through this book we read each of their stories, from their point of view and it keeps the pages turning. This book did not disappoint and I am excited to read the second part in the series. I am so glad the author contacted me, otherwise I may never have found this great story. I recommend this book for anyone who loves a great story.
May 25, 2013
This is a story following the lives of two women, Charlene and Raven Shaw; woven together by blood, but separated and haunted by circumstance, the dark inner secrets, personal struggles, concealed demons and uncovered skeletons that taunt them and tore them apart.
Dunlap does a wonderful job of integrating drama, suspense, history, with a touch of romance while interweaving the effects of irresolute, psychological and emotional upheaval that creates turmoil within. You will become deeply involved with the lives of the Shaw family with each turned page. The end will leave you expectant and desiring more. I look forward to reading more from this prolific writer. I was pleasantly surprised of the multi-layered suspense and drama derived from the plot. Great read and definitely NOT your typical, cliché urban fiction novel.
Dunlap does a wonderful job of integrating drama, suspense, history, with a touch of romance while interweaving the effects of irresolute, psychological and emotional upheaval that creates turmoil within. You will become deeply involved with the lives of the Shaw family with each turned page. The end will leave you expectant and desiring more. I look forward to reading more from this prolific writer. I was pleasantly surprised of the multi-layered suspense and drama derived from the plot. Great read and definitely NOT your typical, cliché urban fiction novel.
January 18, 2013
good read
March 29, 2013
I really enjoyed the unpredictability of the story. The twists and turns kept me on my toes. Anyone with a highly dysfunctional family will definitely be able to relate to the characters.
August 8, 2013
This book is wonderful you could feel what they are feeling as you read the words it's amazing part two I am ready
January 9, 2014
Great story
I was so conflicted over the characters. Each of them draw you in and you feel like you're there best friend.
I was so conflicted over the characters. Each of them draw you in and you feel like you're there best friend.
May 31, 2013
This book keeps you interested and on the edge of your seat!!!
October 9, 2013
Miss Nobody
A Tangled Web of Deceit
Miss Nobody is the perfect title of the novel. The main characters Charlene Shaw and Raven Shaw can truly relate to the title as they felt in their lives they were nobody. Charlene is battling demons that she should of went to therapy for, but no, she chose to run and try to block her feelings and ended up using drugs to dull the pain of having given up her baby and a traumatic event. The memories surrounding it all are too much for her to bear. She refuses to look back as she tries to become something in life. Will she ever truly be happy?
Raven Shaw is a teenager with anger issues. Raven lives in a small town where almost everyone trashes her mother's memory. She is raised by her grandparents who won't discuss her mom so she goes searching for information. You all know the saying ‘if you look for trouble you will find it.’ Little does Raven know she is about to open up Pandora ’s Box and learns more than she bargains for.
I really enjoyed this story and it kept flipping and had me turning the pages to see what would be revealed next. I like the twists, they had me needing to know the story behind Raven Blue eyes. The obvious wasn’t what I thought it was and for that I commend the author because she kept me off balance with this one. Everyone has secrets while the characters don’t know each other’s secrets, it was told to the readers which explained a lot of the holes. But man when it does come to light oh wee! I'm sure the fireworks are going to go blazing.
While I did notice some editing issues it didn't slow me down and I look forward to see where she takes this series next. I love the cover. It is simple and classy and intrigues me. Good Job Ms. Dunlap.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
4.5 star rating
A Tangled Web of Deceit
Miss Nobody is the perfect title of the novel. The main characters Charlene Shaw and Raven Shaw can truly relate to the title as they felt in their lives they were nobody. Charlene is battling demons that she should of went to therapy for, but no, she chose to run and try to block her feelings and ended up using drugs to dull the pain of having given up her baby and a traumatic event. The memories surrounding it all are too much for her to bear. She refuses to look back as she tries to become something in life. Will she ever truly be happy?
Raven Shaw is a teenager with anger issues. Raven lives in a small town where almost everyone trashes her mother's memory. She is raised by her grandparents who won't discuss her mom so she goes searching for information. You all know the saying ‘if you look for trouble you will find it.’ Little does Raven know she is about to open up Pandora ’s Box and learns more than she bargains for.
I really enjoyed this story and it kept flipping and had me turning the pages to see what would be revealed next. I like the twists, they had me needing to know the story behind Raven Blue eyes. The obvious wasn’t what I thought it was and for that I commend the author because she kept me off balance with this one. Everyone has secrets while the characters don’t know each other’s secrets, it was told to the readers which explained a lot of the holes. But man when it does come to light oh wee! I'm sure the fireworks are going to go blazing.
While I did notice some editing issues it didn't slow me down and I look forward to see where she takes this series next. I love the cover. It is simple and classy and intrigues me. Good Job Ms. Dunlap.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
4.5 star rating
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews