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Parallel Pasts
This debut novel offers a no-holds-barred account of two young lovers fighting their pasts for the chance of love and family.
Love is the one thing missing from Fatima's life, beginning when her parents left her at the age of four. Usually she enjoys calling the shots in her love life, but when she runs into a mysterious man on a night out, everything changes. Cory Hines would give anything to undo his childhood. Growing up with an abusive father and distant mother left him wary of family and relationships. And as he tries to straighten out his life, the nightmares return and send him down a drunken spiral. His siblings force him into therapy, but it's not until he meets Fatima that he begins to learn what commitment is all about. Though their pasts continue to haunt their relationships, it is their common problems that draw Cory and Fatima closer. In the process of getting their lives on track, they find out more about themselves and their pasts than they bargained for and realize they must rid their demons for good in order to survive. But just when Cory and Fatima get comfortable with each other and the idea of a relationship, news of an unexpected pregnancy sends them both running back to the familiar. Full of raw emotion and a vulnerability that pulls you in, Parallel Pasts offers an inside look at what it takes to escape a history of domestic abuse, as Cory must suppress the urge to fight anything that gets in his way, and the women who love him through the process.
Love is the one thing missing from Fatima's life, beginning when her parents left her at the age of four. Usually she enjoys calling the shots in her love life, but when she runs into a mysterious man on a night out, everything changes. Cory Hines would give anything to undo his childhood. Growing up with an abusive father and distant mother left him wary of family and relationships. And as he tries to straighten out his life, the nightmares return and send him down a drunken spiral. His siblings force him into therapy, but it's not until he meets Fatima that he begins to learn what commitment is all about. Though their pasts continue to haunt their relationships, it is their common problems that draw Cory and Fatima closer. In the process of getting their lives on track, they find out more about themselves and their pasts than they bargained for and realize they must rid their demons for good in order to survive. But just when Cory and Fatima get comfortable with each other and the idea of a relationship, news of an unexpected pregnancy sends them both running back to the familiar. Full of raw emotion and a vulnerability that pulls you in, Parallel Pasts offers an inside look at what it takes to escape a history of domestic abuse, as Cory must suppress the urge to fight anything that gets in his way, and the women who love him through the process.
- GenresContemporary
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2013
2 people are currently reading
309 people want to read
About the author
Julia Blues
5 books24 followersBettering lives univer(soul)ly every story. Find out how at www.juliatwilliams.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 5, 2023
A very poetic novel that dives into relationships, trauma, and day to day occurrences in black culture. A story with life long lessons embedded within the plot 5 stars 🔥
November 3, 2013
Lemme first say Julia Blues did the daggum thang!
I read this book at the behest of a fellow book brat. I'm sooooo glad she talked about it so much that made me go ahead and buy it. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!
Meet Fatima...a girl who is torn from having no parents in her life. Not one, but BOTH of her parents walk out on her at the early...EARLY age of four! She's been looking for love in all the wrong places....and does her best to distance herself from anyone who tries to make any sort of commitment to her. On the outside, she has it all together, but on the inside, her poor lil heart is doing a thing to her mind...and she is just...hhmm...well...bless her heart...her really CAN'T....So much is going on with her and you just have to read it...because if I say more...I'd be giving away spoilers...so...yeah...
Then comes Cory...Poor Cory...He has his mind made up of how he does not want to turn out...he also knows a lot about women. Cory has us down to a science. Usually, when a man says, "you women..." I tune them out because I'm not a part of those generalizations. Cory though, has lived and learned and his observations are probably some that I've seen...(and probably thought too...) dang it! He has some things he needs to work through as well.
When Fatima's path crosses Cory's...something wonderful happens. They realize that they might sorta kinda need each other...kindred spirits with parallel pasts...drawn to each other...can they work? What's standing in the way? Oh Em Gee....when I tell you...you HAVE to read this book? Believe me! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!
I will say I'm kinda mad with Julia Blues though...y'all know I'm kinda mad when a good book ends...but this time...I was truly pissed! PISSED! lol...but I really, really loved this story...Get ready for a roller coaster ride...Grab a box of tissues...your journal...and the number to someone who's wronged you...because by the time you finish, you'll have cried...had a revelation about yourself....and wanna forgive someone...
Love never fails...read this book...
I read this book at the behest of a fellow book brat. I'm sooooo glad she talked about it so much that made me go ahead and buy it. I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!
Meet Fatima...a girl who is torn from having no parents in her life. Not one, but BOTH of her parents walk out on her at the early...EARLY age of four! She's been looking for love in all the wrong places....and does her best to distance herself from anyone who tries to make any sort of commitment to her. On the outside, she has it all together, but on the inside, her poor lil heart is doing a thing to her mind...and she is just...hhmm...well...bless her heart...her really CAN'T....So much is going on with her and you just have to read it...because if I say more...I'd be giving away spoilers...so...yeah...
Then comes Cory...Poor Cory...He has his mind made up of how he does not want to turn out...he also knows a lot about women. Cory has us down to a science. Usually, when a man says, "you women..." I tune them out because I'm not a part of those generalizations. Cory though, has lived and learned and his observations are probably some that I've seen...(and probably thought too...) dang it! He has some things he needs to work through as well.
When Fatima's path crosses Cory's...something wonderful happens. They realize that they might sorta kinda need each other...kindred spirits with parallel pasts...drawn to each other...can they work? What's standing in the way? Oh Em Gee....when I tell you...you HAVE to read this book? Believe me! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!
I will say I'm kinda mad with Julia Blues though...y'all know I'm kinda mad when a good book ends...but this time...I was truly pissed! PISSED! lol...but I really, really loved this story...Get ready for a roller coaster ride...Grab a box of tissues...your journal...and the number to someone who's wronged you...because by the time you finish, you'll have cried...had a revelation about yourself....and wanna forgive someone...
Love never fails...read this book...
July 22, 2017
I was gifted this book from the author. I expected nothing less than an emotional rollercoaster filled with the silhouette of poetry vibes. Parallel Pasts is beyond entertaining. The words touches your soul and commands your presence to the storyline. Reading about Cory's trauma, struggles, and journey was downright painful. But his ability and determination to seek help as a man, a Black man, was incredibly beautiful to me. I found it harder for myself to connect to Fatima as her character made it difficult for me to relate to her childhood situation. Which is what surprised me when she basically cried throughout the entire story. I yearned to learn more about Ruby and her background with Grandma Pearl. I would definitely read that book. I also would love to read Cora's journey as I feel she has a story to share as well. Overall, this book held a singular tone with a powerful message of overcoming the past. Thank you Julia Blues for allowing me the opportunity to read your work. And as before, I love the "Reflections from the Author" part. It always brings both awareness and closure for me.
November 19, 2013
I won this book through Goodreads giveaway.
Julia Blues has impressed me with her incredible writing and especially her sensitivity toward her characters. The book dealt with tragedy and hope in a mature and realistic manner. I highly recommend this book.
Julia Blues has impressed me with her incredible writing and especially her sensitivity toward her characters. The book dealt with tragedy and hope in a mature and realistic manner. I highly recommend this book.
November 2, 2019
A good Hard To Put Down Book! Real Life Story In A Fiction Story Sort Of Way Good Book So Far ! Pain, Love, Hope And Forgiveness is the book message! Very good!
September 16, 2014
I usually love reading the first creation of a debut author. I see Julia Blues focused on character development: Fatima and Cory. As I started reading, you see two people who engage in intimacy and oops someone gets pregnant. Ironically, she doesn't know until she is 5 months pregnant...my mind first says, come on. I hear this happens but it is usually because a woman is in denial, not for knowing something different is going on with their body. Secondly, Cory made it clear in the beginning of the friend-relationship that it's just drop those panties, no commitment and we always hear about a woman getting pregnant and hoping the man will step up...Cory seems to play the same ole game most single brothers play: I wore protection!
The novel started to tug at my emotions since every one not only has a past, but something that is making them unhappy because they keep rehashing it or bringing it up such as the moment Lauren was explaining about her marriage on its wits end, then Fatima unleashes what is bothering her the most.
Quotes that stuck with me: "the past will last as long as you let it (p. 112)."
"Don't let their mistakes keep you in this unhappy place (p.113)."
I loved how the Julia Blues touched on the abortion piece in the novel, which was so life-like and situations some of us women had to make when we did get pregnant for unforeseen reasons and had to make the dreadful decision that never leaves us if you care to admit it.
So far this novel reads as contemporary-romance via relationships, sadly it takes a lot for me to typically enjoy or like these type of reads. There are horizontal and circular relations: mother and daughter, son and mother is horizontal, and circular are those relations that come around when you need them the most such as other relatives or friends, or people which happened for both Cory and Fatima.
If you enjoy dynamic relationships between families even after being broken, chemistry between male and female, or a bit of romance with a twinge of drama then this will be a great read. Good character development which kept my interest to read to see how things would play out.
I received a copy from the Simon and Schuster publicist for a book review. ARC 6/2013.
Adrienna Turner
Dream4More Reviewer, www.dream4more.org
The novel started to tug at my emotions since every one not only has a past, but something that is making them unhappy because they keep rehashing it or bringing it up such as the moment Lauren was explaining about her marriage on its wits end, then Fatima unleashes what is bothering her the most.
Quotes that stuck with me: "the past will last as long as you let it (p. 112)."
"Don't let their mistakes keep you in this unhappy place (p.113)."
I loved how the Julia Blues touched on the abortion piece in the novel, which was so life-like and situations some of us women had to make when we did get pregnant for unforeseen reasons and had to make the dreadful decision that never leaves us if you care to admit it.
So far this novel reads as contemporary-romance via relationships, sadly it takes a lot for me to typically enjoy or like these type of reads. There are horizontal and circular relations: mother and daughter, son and mother is horizontal, and circular are those relations that come around when you need them the most such as other relatives or friends, or people which happened for both Cory and Fatima.
If you enjoy dynamic relationships between families even after being broken, chemistry between male and female, or a bit of romance with a twinge of drama then this will be a great read. Good character development which kept my interest to read to see how things would play out.
I received a copy from the Simon and Schuster publicist for a book review. ARC 6/2013.
Adrienna Turner
Dream4More Reviewer, www.dream4more.org
October 21, 2013
“The more you are able to forgive then the more you are able to love.”
― Stephen Richards
Our past can cause us to become prisoners of our own private hell. The hardest thing about writing a review is when you read a book that is so close to “home." I’m a firm believer in… when a student is ready – a teacher/master will appear, but in this case – it was a book.
Parallel Pasts introduces us to Cory & Fatima – who are so consumed by their pasts it causes them to be afraid to live in the now. They are each fighting their own private demons, and that’s one of the things that connect them. Before they can truly get to know each other, they have to come to terms with their pasts. Will they be able to move forward? Or will they let their pasts consume their lives?
Proverbs 4:23
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Julia Blues has delivered a beautifully written novel that’s heartbreaking, inspiring, and most of all honest. This debut novel has a solid believable plot, along with dialogue that is rich in detail. The Author did an extraordinary job of creating characters that will stay with the reader long after you have read this novel. I really enjoyed Cory & Fatima’s journey of growing, learning, and loving. One thing Author Julia Blues seems to do so effortlessly is introducing readers to numerous characters and having them fit together perfectly in the story.
I finished this book feeling a sense of renewal. Life is definitely a journey filled twists & turns, but we have to continue to hold on through it all.
God has not promised me sunshine
That's not the way it's going to be
But a little rain
Mixed with God's sunshine
A little pain
Makes me appreciate the good times – Walter Hawkins
Excellent debut – Julia Blues...
June 11, 2013
I won this book in a "giveaways" on Goodreads.
I'll start by saying that the editing was quite good. I didn't find any "outstanding" errors, be in spelling or anything else. And I am usually quite fussy about that. There might have been some, but I was so "wrapped up" in the story that they slid by me.
This first novel by Miss Blues, started off almost from the first page having me wondering what was to happen next. While in an earlier review I commented that I didn't care for the writer's style of different chapters being from different characters, that doesn't hold true in this novel. It didn't bother me at all.
The story is about two young people whose backgrounds were not good. Fatima was raised by her grandmother after being deserted by both parents. Cory had grown up with an abusive father. These
factors played a major role in the book. Fatima was looking for love, Cory, on the other hand was
leery of it. Still when they meet, they keep being drawn together. They both make discoveries along the way that are hard to overcome, but to move forward, they must.....
It's hard to say more about the book without giving away too much, so I'll leave it there....but
I absolutely recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I'll start by saying that the editing was quite good. I didn't find any "outstanding" errors, be in spelling or anything else. And I am usually quite fussy about that. There might have been some, but I was so "wrapped up" in the story that they slid by me.
This first novel by Miss Blues, started off almost from the first page having me wondering what was to happen next. While in an earlier review I commented that I didn't care for the writer's style of different chapters being from different characters, that doesn't hold true in this novel. It didn't bother me at all.
The story is about two young people whose backgrounds were not good. Fatima was raised by her grandmother after being deserted by both parents. Cory had grown up with an abusive father. These
factors played a major role in the book. Fatima was looking for love, Cory, on the other hand was
leery of it. Still when they meet, they keep being drawn together. They both make discoveries along the way that are hard to overcome, but to move forward, they must.....
It's hard to say more about the book without giving away too much, so I'll leave it there....but
I absolutely recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 16, 2013
“When my parents left me, I left me as well. Figured, if my own mother and father didn’t love me, how could I? What is love anyway? Nothing more than an overused four-letter word synonymous with pain.”
Parallel Pasts is the story of Cory and Fatima. They are both very broken people who have not had the best luck at love but they find themselves drawn to one another. There are abandonment issues, childhood abuse, among other issues that have left psychological scars on them. As they get to know one another, the walls start to come down but it is not a smooth ride.
I truly find it hard to believe that Parallel Pasts is Julia Blues first piece of work. The writing and storyline are practically flawless. There was never a dull moment and how could you not like a man that is willing to show his vulnerable side as Cory does?
“I want to be with you, Fatima. I want to right the wrongs in your life. Shit, I want to right the wrongs in my own life. It’s going to be hard for both of us, but does that mean we can’t try? We can’t give up, we’ve come too far.”
Julia Blues: You have a new fan in me and I can’t wait to read your next book!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Parallel Pasts from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Parallel Pasts is the story of Cory and Fatima. They are both very broken people who have not had the best luck at love but they find themselves drawn to one another. There are abandonment issues, childhood abuse, among other issues that have left psychological scars on them. As they get to know one another, the walls start to come down but it is not a smooth ride.
I truly find it hard to believe that Parallel Pasts is Julia Blues first piece of work. The writing and storyline are practically flawless. There was never a dull moment and how could you not like a man that is willing to show his vulnerable side as Cory does?
“I want to be with you, Fatima. I want to right the wrongs in your life. Shit, I want to right the wrongs in my own life. It’s going to be hard for both of us, but does that mean we can’t try? We can’t give up, we’ve come too far.”
Julia Blues: You have a new fan in me and I can’t wait to read your next book!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Parallel Pasts from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2014
There are only a few things a debut author has to worry about when they release there first book, quality, price, plot, and message. Blues delivers on every note and more. Readers will fall in love immediately from the first page. Blues has created characters that are not only humanly flawed and authentic, she channels the raw emotions of overcoming obstacles in real life. An easy read that pulls on readers heart strings. There are no spoilers here to note!! You have to read this book!! Book clubs will devour eat and girlfriends will not want to give this book back. Get your own copy and add it to your shelf. Fans of urban fiction , romance, and women's fiction will find the lively pulse of a fresh voice permeating the pages of Parallel Pasts. Blues provides a crispness in her creative approach to living our lives and crossing paths with others. Poetic in tone and rhythmically passionate are all I say about this lovely piece of art. Blues, is a welcoming fresh voice to the literary community. Do yourself a favor and buy this book!!
July 14, 2013
Damaged Souls
Fatima was abandoned by her parents when she was four and raised by her maternal grandmother. Cory Hines grew up with an abusive father and a mother who was distant. The chemistry between the two was great from the start. Their pasts have scarred them to the point of not knowing love. Will these two damaged souls continue to run from their pasts?
I couldn't believe this was a debut. “Parallel Pasts” pulls you in from the beginning and holds you till the end. Even though the characters have individual issues, the book flows well. The emotions are raw, making you feel as though you're present during all the turmoil. Once you learn of their pasts, you understand why decisions are made and the difficulties associated with them. Julia Blues penned a highly recommended story that leaves you wanting more.
Reviewed by: Jas
Fatima was abandoned by her parents when she was four and raised by her maternal grandmother. Cory Hines grew up with an abusive father and a mother who was distant. The chemistry between the two was great from the start. Their pasts have scarred them to the point of not knowing love. Will these two damaged souls continue to run from their pasts?
I couldn't believe this was a debut. “Parallel Pasts” pulls you in from the beginning and holds you till the end. Even though the characters have individual issues, the book flows well. The emotions are raw, making you feel as though you're present during all the turmoil. Once you learn of their pasts, you understand why decisions are made and the difficulties associated with them. Julia Blues penned a highly recommended story that leaves you wanting more.
Reviewed by: Jas
January 20, 2015
I was intrigued by the description of this book on Amazon, and initially, was completely in love with it. About 100 pages in however, it began to lose me. I love the premise of the book, but I got impatient as they began to talk about the pain each was carrying with each other. That went on for too long for my liking. Then the book moved on to quite a few twists and turns, some of which I liked and others I felt were unnecessary and adding more complications than I thought would be realistic. I liked the ending however. I loved that it ended on a happy note, but not in a clichéd, everything is now perfect way. The ending was messy just the way life is. Overall good, and I am going to look into the author's other novel, hopeful that the second novel will outdo this one, though it was an decent read.
January 12, 2016
Rich with emotions, a layered storyline, and characters on a quest to make sense of their life's journey, Parallel Pasts reads as if you've been privy to a front row seat to the unfolding of lives of people you just may know. Although a work of fiction, it subsumes elements of truth that stays with you like nuggets of wisdom after the reading is complete. The story of Cory and Fatima makes for a compelling debut novel from author Julia Blues and I look forward to reading the next one she pens!
July 7, 2013
Thank you so much for the ARC Goodreads giveaway!! The writing in this book draws you in. I couldn't wait to find out more with each chapter. I enjoyed the way each chapter was written, in sections regarding each character and each facet of their character's life. As for the story. Wow. What a great read. It was like looking in the mirror of my own torment of my past haunting me through my 20's!! The story is as real as it gets. I will be looking forward to more books from this author!!
September 21, 2015
I love this book
April 7, 2016
I really liked this book, and the ending was good.
February 16, 2016
It was a good read, it didn't suck me in as much as I was hoping it would though.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews