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The Splendor of Us - Lotus and Bird
"2025 Firebird Book Awards Honorable Recognition"
The Splendor of Us is an exclusive two-book series that explores a maze of people and their relationships.
Lotus and Bird - The journey from childhood to adulthood can be exhilarating, steep, and often winding.
Observing the life cycle of a plant and the characteristics of an animal can give a greater understanding of the triumphs, tribulations, and transformations to become a woman of substance.
The Splendor of Us is an exclusive two-book series that explores a maze of people and their relationships.
Lotus and Bird - The journey from childhood to adulthood can be exhilarating, steep, and often winding.
Observing the life cycle of a plant and the characteristics of an animal can give a greater understanding of the triumphs, tribulations, and transformations to become a woman of substance.
568 pages, Hardcover
Published February 19, 2025
4 people want to read
About the author
O'Shan Waters
6 books45 followersO’Shan Waters is an award-winning indie African American author from the Pacific Northwest. She uses this pen name to create thought-provoking, captivating characters and epic stories that do not fit into a single genre.
Inspired by Toni Morrison’s quote, "If there is a book you want to read that hasn’t been written, then you must write it.” These are not just words on a page. O'Shan's multi-genre fiction novels are all complex, emotional, diverse, and fascinating. Cleverly, she opens doors to a broader lens, alternative perspectives, and the discovery of lessons while traveling through a sensory experience.
Her debut novel, Moments With You won a Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award for New Fiction in 2023.
To date, books in The Moments Collection received acclaim from literary judges and numerous book awards, including a Next Generation Indie Book Award, International Impact Book Awards, BookFeast Awards, Book Excellence Awards, HFC Awards, Firebird Book Awards, Independent Author Network Award, and a five-star recommendation from The Historical Fiction Company.
The entire Moments Collection and the multifaceted Splendor Series have received Firebird Book Awards Honorable Recognition.
Inspired by Toni Morrison’s quote, "If there is a book you want to read that hasn’t been written, then you must write it.” These are not just words on a page. O'Shan's multi-genre fiction novels are all complex, emotional, diverse, and fascinating. Cleverly, she opens doors to a broader lens, alternative perspectives, and the discovery of lessons while traveling through a sensory experience.
Her debut novel, Moments With You won a Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award for New Fiction in 2023.
To date, books in The Moments Collection received acclaim from literary judges and numerous book awards, including a Next Generation Indie Book Award, International Impact Book Awards, BookFeast Awards, Book Excellence Awards, HFC Awards, Firebird Book Awards, Independent Author Network Award, and a five-star recommendation from The Historical Fiction Company.
The entire Moments Collection and the multifaceted Splendor Series have received Firebird Book Awards Honorable Recognition.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 26, 2025
Things I loved about this book
It can fall into many genres..
.. it has plot angles and story reveals that will SHOCK you… it has steamy moments…i mean it deserves some hype on the pepper scale cause trust it doesn’t have to be smutty to bring heat OKAY!!!.
…the story has dark moments that are represented in the life of these characters and done so in ways to make the book relatable to a large group of readers
Don’t think that I wasn’t going to speak on the music references and playlist for this story.. nostalgia overload.
I say all this to say that this book contains many different reading pleasures and its all in this beautiful story written by a talented story teller ….she is in a league of her own…
you -can’t touch -this -type of author.
I laughed so hard ….I felt empathy …I felt joy ..and that ending I feel the next story coming soon…
The book goes beyond the 5 star rating scale hands down.
Check out www.oshanwaters.com author of the Moments series
It can fall into many genres..
.. it has plot angles and story reveals that will SHOCK you… it has steamy moments…i mean it deserves some hype on the pepper scale cause trust it doesn’t have to be smutty to bring heat OKAY!!!.
…the story has dark moments that are represented in the life of these characters and done so in ways to make the book relatable to a large group of readers
Don’t think that I wasn’t going to speak on the music references and playlist for this story.. nostalgia overload.
I say all this to say that this book contains many different reading pleasures and its all in this beautiful story written by a talented story teller ….she is in a league of her own…
you -can’t touch -this -type of author.
I laughed so hard ….I felt empathy …I felt joy ..and that ending I feel the next story coming soon…
The book goes beyond the 5 star rating scale hands down.
Check out www.oshanwaters.com author of the Moments series
May 13, 2025
This will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions.
The dialogue and banter is some of the best I’ve ever read. I laughed out loud so many times, but also felt the sadness and heartaches.
I think I may need some therapy after this 😅
O’Shan did it again and freaking played with my emotions!
But I absolutely devoured and loved every single minute of this!
It’s an amazing story about friendship, family, love, betrayal, tragedy, heartbreak and growth. The connection you develop with these characters is unmatched.
I can’t wait to continue this story ♥️💕
The dialogue and banter is some of the best I’ve ever read. I laughed out loud so many times, but also felt the sadness and heartaches.
I think I may need some therapy after this 😅
O’Shan did it again and freaking played with my emotions!
But I absolutely devoured and loved every single minute of this!
It’s an amazing story about friendship, family, love, betrayal, tragedy, heartbreak and growth. The connection you develop with these characters is unmatched.
I can’t wait to continue this story ♥️💕
May 16, 2025
I had no doubt that any future novels from O'Shan Waters would be a beautiful journey. This one a journey of friends that sustained time and growth no matter what occurs between either of them. The support without question. The family and spiritual ties that guide them through life are strong and deeply woven. There is heartbreak, tears, some will make you angry. Most will make you feel along with them. Because you tend to reflect on your own life, childhood, adulthood and notice everyone has a story. Some most worth sharing may never be written. Sure glad this Author wrote and shared her story with me. And I get to read the next part of these wonderful beings journey in the second book. Till then, live life full and purposely!
May 7, 2025
This book was everything!!! It will have you reeling in with all kinds of emotions. It grips the heart strings at every end.
This exclusive literary artwork of O'Shan Waters was a delight to read. I must say after reading her prior series and then this one, I truly will read anything she creates! She is an exquisite Storyteller!! It is relatable in so many ways.
She has the ability to make you join the characters along their journey and have conversations as if you were experiencing every aspect.
This review has no spoilers. You must start from the beginning of her collection to appreciate. IYKYK!!
This exclusive literary artwork of O'Shan Waters was a delight to read. I must say after reading her prior series and then this one, I truly will read anything she creates! She is an exquisite Storyteller!! It is relatable in so many ways.
She has the ability to make you join the characters along their journey and have conversations as if you were experiencing every aspect.
This review has no spoilers. You must start from the beginning of her collection to appreciate. IYKYK!!
May 26, 2025
Oh My Goodness! O’Shan Waters has done it again! This new series creates another set of characters to fall in love with, feel their pain, triumphs and life experiences! I truly enjoyed all the references to the Pacific Northwest having been born here and raised my family here! Can’t wait to start Reminiscent of Water.
September 19, 2025
Being selected to read this book was a privilege and O’Shan did not disappoint.
I have never read anything like this before. The format is unique with references to flowers and birds interconnecting to the melting pot storyline.
This author does an amazing job with character building. And there a lot of them. Love referring to chart and the exclusive playlist of music.
I knew to read slow and savor the details but it took me a while to get used to the multiple POV and jumping around.
There was nothing to go on when I began my read of Lotus and Bird. It took me a while to figure out who the main characters were. There are several. Love this has short chapters I couldn’t put it down trying to know if or what I wanted to happen does or not. I was surprised throughout.
From the start I was laughing, tearing up and angry with someone and it kept happening as I continued. Emotional rollercoaster following the lives of these characters.
I love this author’s style. It’s like talking to a friend. I feel like I know these characters as children and as adults.
Anxious to read the next part of their lives.
I have never read anything like this before. The format is unique with references to flowers and birds interconnecting to the melting pot storyline.
This author does an amazing job with character building. And there a lot of them. Love referring to chart and the exclusive playlist of music.
I knew to read slow and savor the details but it took me a while to get used to the multiple POV and jumping around.
There was nothing to go on when I began my read of Lotus and Bird. It took me a while to figure out who the main characters were. There are several. Love this has short chapters I couldn’t put it down trying to know if or what I wanted to happen does or not. I was surprised throughout.
From the start I was laughing, tearing up and angry with someone and it kept happening as I continued. Emotional rollercoaster following the lives of these characters.
I love this author’s style. It’s like talking to a friend. I feel like I know these characters as children and as adults.
Anxious to read the next part of their lives.
September 19, 2025
Growing up in 80’s reading this felt very nostalgic. I was excited, laughed, cried and even yelled in anger. It’s a lifelong journey to being a woman. The stage is set for what comes next. Recommend.
Update: I read this book again and changed from four to five star based on my second reading. The author is masterful in teaching and exploring while engaging and entertaining the reader. This story like her others are to be digested slowly and carefully thing about even after you have read more. The levels of detail and complexity of the lives of the childhood friends gave me a deeper connection and broader scope to the life challenges and the psychology presented in this story. Highly recommend for those who enjoy human puzzles.
Update: I read this book again and changed from four to five star based on my second reading. The author is masterful in teaching and exploring while engaging and entertaining the reader. This story like her others are to be digested slowly and carefully thing about even after you have read more. The levels of detail and complexity of the lives of the childhood friends gave me a deeper connection and broader scope to the life challenges and the psychology presented in this story. Highly recommend for those who enjoy human puzzles.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews