Rise

by D.U. Okonkwo

Librarian Note: The latest edition with updated cover of this title can be found HERE

RISE, the fascinating debut novel of how a facially scarred and reclusive sculptress breaks free upon discovering the true source of self-esteem.   No one can hide forever…

Riana “Ria” Ofor is a gifted sculptress whose beautiful creations could draw crowds. But due to the childhood accident that left her facially scarred, she avoids selling her work publicly, instead scraping a living through online sales. However, when a home repossession notice arrives, both her love of sculpting, as well as her home, suddenly come under threat. Now she is forced to step out of her comfort zone and enter the very public world of gallery showings. When she does land a gallery contract, she then finds herself the target of a rival artist after the very same contract. Using malicious lies about Ria, he intends to make her regret taking what should have been his. Now, Ria must look to find a truth that conquers all lies.

Rejection is a lie…

Exploring themes that straddle both an inspirational spiritual and metaphysical novel, Rise is a thought-provoking journey of one young woman’s attempt to be fearless and break free from the rejection of her past and finally find peace and happiness.

An ideal book club suggestion, this emotional story not only asks life’s biggest questions, but answer them. And like the book’s main character, you too will be left considering all you thought you already knew.

358 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2015

About the author

D. U. Okonkwo was born and raised in London. An avid reader from childhood, she began writing her own stories at the age of ten. She holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Business with Spanish from Salford University, and is currently working on her next novel.

Join D U.Okonkwo's Reader's Group for free content, exclusive news and sneak peaks at new books: http://eepurl.com/bbJ2CD

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Self-image, self-awareness, self-acceptance, three healing themes that everyone can benefit from, no matter if you are insecure or think you can rope the moon. There must be a happy medium that works and you’ll know when life opens its doors to you in a welcoming way. Ria was a gifted artist, but scars from being severely burned have turned her into a recluse, since it happened and she found people would react to her differently. Instead of being brave enough to show people the woman she was inside, she avoided the public, until her world started imploding around her. Forced out of the comfort zone she had created, Ria must learn to deal with the world on her own terms. Will she find the strength to accept herself through her work and finally sharing her gift of creating beauty to the world?

Ria’s journey to being successful as an artist and more importantly, as a human or a woman is well worth the read. Emotional, sometimes frustrating, but always relevant to this contemporary world, Ria takes a challenging journey learning to accept her spiritual self as well as her physical self as she must learn to stop blaming her scars for stunting her social growth.

Rise by D. U. Okonkwo will transform you into a mist that can travel through the hearts and minds of its characters. If you are looking for a high action, fast-paced read with epic highs and lows, this isn’t it. Rise is a character/emotion driven plot about a young woman who discovers the power of inner growth and positive self-esteem against the odds. Warm, even pacing and a flow like a stream in summer, there is time to ponder the messages given, and to understand either one of your own “hang ups” or those of another. This slice of life is like a three-part harmony as it becomes finely tuned and choreographed as fears turn into tools of growth and strength. A book to be savored, for sure.

I received this copy as part of RISE by D. U. Okonkwo Book Tour & Giveaway stopping at Tome Tender February 6, 2015.


Publication Date: January 5, 2015
Publisher: A Few Words Press Ltd
Genre: Literary Fiction
Print Length: 320 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise by author D.U. Okonkwo is an inspirational story that follows the journey of a facially scarred and reclusive sculptress as she is forced to come out of her comfort zone and the isolated world that she has been living, and learn to accept and embrace her true self and the world around her.

Ria Ofor suffered facial scars from a childhood accident that caused her to live a reclusive lifestyle away from the public eye. As a gifted sculptress, Ria just barely scrapes by selling her creations online, but her isolated life is turned upside down when she receives a home repossession notice, and she is forced out of her comfort zone and into the public eye. Ria embarks on an emotional journey where she will discover that she can accept her self-image, and conquer the fears that she has lived with for so long.

Rise is a wonderful story that easily draws the reader into Ria's story. You can't help but feel compassion and empathy for Ria as she struggles with her self-image, one that has left her traumatized and isolated from the world.

Author D.U. Okonkwo weaves a thoughtful story that engages the reader to ponder how they would feel if they were in Ria's shoes. As Ria embarks on her personal journey of self-discovery, you can't help but cheer her on as she learns to accept her true inner self, begins to heal and transform into a confident woman, and finally embraces the world around her.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot...

[Josselyn Radillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
I received a copy by the author herself in exchange for my honest review, thank you so much to take your time and gift me this inspirational story.
Rise by author D.U. Okonkwo instantly impressed me with the stunning cover, the blur and before reading it with the amazing tale.

A story of belief, confidence in yourself, strength, embracing yourself and happiness. That follows the journey of Ria Ofor as a facially scarred and reclusive sculptress that at one point of her career is forced to come out of her shell and the isolated world that she has been living, and learn to accept and embrace her true self and the world around her and learn how to be stronger. (When I was reading this book the song Stronger by Kelly Clarkson was in my mind the whole time.)

As a little girl she passed through a lot of hard situations like the accident that caused her to live a reclusive lifestyle away from the public eye. But one moment she was selling her pieces online and the next thing she know an agent is thrilled with her work and offer her a contract. Making Ria embarks on an emotional journey as she struggles with her self-image but realize that nothing is worthy if she doesn’t fight and face does fears.

Rise is a wonderful tale where you can’t help but analyze your fears and through the pages it helps you conquer those fears that you live with and you take your own personal journey of self-discovering and I totally love when stories do that to me, it’s like the story was made for you and helps you find inner strength and transform you into a much better human being.
I have no doubt that we’ll hear and read more from D. U. Okonkwo and absolutely love her tales.

[Nerisa Eugenia Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Rise” the long awaited novel by author D.U. Okonkwo made its debut on January 6, 2015.This highly anticipated novel did not disappoint, I was immediately invested in the story, and I think there is something in this novel that everyone can relate to.

Author D.U. Okonkwo did an amazing job of creating the world and emotions of the main character Ria. At times I found myself identifying with the emotions of the character as Ria was faced with the trials and tribulation of being forced out of her comfort zone. What Ria discovers in not only a world that she has been isolating herself from…but Ria finds herself…her strengths and her weakness and emerges a stronger version of herself.

This novel is definitely the perfect book to start off the New Year with, and definitely the perfect book to start off that new book club that you have been meaning to organize. Ria's story teaches us that the things we fear the most in life...Are the very things that will set us free. This novel was entertaining, educational, and inspirational...And I highly recommend it.

My Full Review: http://myohosisters.webs.com/apps/blo...-

[Pradeep T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed reading this book. This book speaks about a woman Ria Ofor, a sculpture artist that had an accident earlier in her childhood which tormented her confidence and how she overcame this difficulties. The books picks up really good and short chapters makes this book as a quick read.

I was much impressed with the whole story together. In between there are some serious arguments of god, jesus, bible and all those things, which you can read as a part of the novel even if you are not interested in reading God's story. As a whole novel, its a fantastic story. You can read it even if you are not a strong beleiver of god :)

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delight to read- full of expectant hope. The author brings to light core Biblical truths and makes them understandable via a modern, fictional setting, which everyone can relate to. I'd highly recommend this.

[Adam E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rita Ofor is an artist from London who creates sculptures in the basement of her home.  When she was a child she was burned in a fire that left her with scars on her face and part of her body.  This made her feel insecure in social situations and so she is very reclusive.
     She is behind on her mortgage and receives a legal letter giving her 28 days to pay back the lenders what she owes or she will lose her house.  Desperate to save her house she reaches out to an artist agent named Meg Fuller who likes Ria's sculptures and agrees to help the artist get a show at a famous London art gallery called the Almarez.
     Ria faces adversity with an eccentric artist named Adam Kelly who believes that his art is more deserving of a showing at the Almarez. He is very mean to Ria and causes her to go into a depression and to be unable to create new art sculptures.
     After a recommendation to see a therapist for her social anxiety and creative block, Ria discusses her past and present problems with Dr. Andras who tries to help the young artist with her fears.
     Ria's friend Helena Diallo who is a retired fashion model and family friend comes to London to visit and tries to help Ria break out of her shell. Helena speaks with a French accent and encourages Ria to enjoy her life.
     Okonkwo does a great job of painting Ria's character.  She has a strong connection to her family.  She has fears that need to be overcome and issues to reconcile.  Ria transforms after her brother Dom introduces her to a Church that inspires her faith.
 

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great. There are a few moments in life when you struggle for whatever reason, and books like this one are what we need to overcome the difficult time and to once again remind ourselves to put LOVE first in every situation. Prioritize love, always.

Thank you D. U. Okonkwo for the free copy and the beautiful moments I've experienced while reading your book.

[Sissy Bumpus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very moving and inspirational

[jessica hawthorn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but predictable

Enjoyed this book but it is a little predictable. It has some humour and intrigue but neither delve deep enough into the character's.

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christian fiction novel that describes a woman suffering from rejection by her father and people's abhorrence to her facial scars, finding Jesus, and coming out of the shadows.

Book was engaging, in fact, I have recommended it to at least one person. I really appreciated, too, that one of the characters in the book states that there is more than one path to redemption.

Unfortunately, the book lost a star because of the many editing flaws in it. I found about 15 errors. I had to laugh, though, when referring to a FRIEND, the book had it spelled FIEND.