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Book of Roses, Rain Clouds, and Reflections

by Kelvin Williams

103 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #05-0613; ISBN 1-4120-5715-9; US$15.00, C$16.70, EUR12.00, £8.50

Everyone has lost or stolen memories. Well read this book and reclaim yours.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

Imagine a book so interesting that from the time you lay eyes on the cover, until you have diligently read the last page, you will not want to let it go. Well this is what the author, Kelvin Williams, wanted to achieve with his first novel; Book of Roses, Rain Clouds, and Reflections. This book is comprised of numerous, thought provoking poems and several unique short stories. Book of Roses is geared towards African American males ages 17 to 70. Although each story may take a practical look into a man's life, he uses elements of fiction and bits of humor to entertain the reader, while still getting the point across. Yet with all of this attention to males, his book maintains an appeal that any women could love and appreciate. Book of Roses is even unique in style. It has been written in a style that maintains the integrity and traditions of writing, but its format gives the reader the feeling they are reading an edgy, underground manuscript.

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About the Author

Kelvin Williams grew up in Birmingham, AL and is a graduate of Alabama A & M University, in Normal, AL. Kelvin currently resides in Atlanta, GA. Kelvin is a former Social Studies teacher, and has been working in the school system since 1998. This is Kelvin's first book, The Book of Roses, Rain Clouds, and Reflections. In this book Kelvin hopes to reflect on life and all its "Pleasures and Pains."

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Reviews

BOOK REVIEW FOR OUR SAY MAGAZINE

Book of Roses, Rainclouds and Reflections by Kelvin Williams. Trafford Publishing (www.trafford.com). 103 pp.

"I" may be the smallest word in spoken or written text, but huge and powerful in meaning, it gives the user the means to flex. . . It takes determination and dedication to change things, yet it starts with the person known as. . .I."

Beginning with the poem I, Williams' compilation of his original poems and stories range from hard-edged to gently spiritual, but they all follow a common thread. They are intended to motivate and encourage African-American men to achieve their full potential.

Written in both ebonics and "the King's English", the stories and poems range from tragic with a twist (Society's Child) to hilarious (The Terrible Two), each is wrapped in a message. Williams summarizes Roses in the poem, Why I Try: "Remember, Failure only consumes those who will not try."

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Excerpts

Cynthia & Sam

You know, in our lifetime we meet every kind of man, creature, and beast. Half of these people take pleasure in the misuse and abuse of our minds, bodies, and souls. The rest concoct every scheme, every strategy known to man to empty, and turn out our pockets, leaving nothing more than a ball of lint collected from the long absence of money. What's worse, they turn you into a broken, lumpy mound of flesh, never feeling, never trusting again. Now to meet someone like this would surely put a shield around your consciousness and a barrier around your heart. But what is the magnitude, the impact left on one's soul, if this happens in every relationship, every attempt to find that one and only true soul mate! I'd expect the walls would be as long and high as the Great Wall of China. In summation, basically impossible to penetrate.

Cynthia, 28, a very pretty, intelligent African-American woman who is a hairstylist at the House of Hair, has played this game of hit-and-miss relationships all too long. Every guy she has dated, whether white-collar businessmen or blue-collar factory worker, have been full of S.*.*.T.—Selfish, Hoeish, Ignorant, and Trifling. You see, in Cynthia's last relationship what she thought was going to be a marriage proposal, a fancy house, and companionship turned out to be abandonment, an unplanned pregnancy, and numerous attempts to obtain child support. Although not planned, Tevin who's 3 now, is the joy of her life; but with a track record like this it's probably next to impossible to break through her walls of contempt.

Well, in life they say that every dog has their day. This is all too true sometimes; whether we realize it or not God smiles at us, and every now and then places his hand on our souls, individually answering our prayers. Cynthia, whether she's ready or not, is about to experience the gentle hand of fate. But the question is, will she recognize it and if so will she receive his blessing? Ah, well, let's take a peek at a prayer being answered.

"What's wrong ?" Sam asks.

"I have a cramp in my arm and neck. I guess it comes from being on my feet all day."

"Well, don't move." Sam comes over, stands behind Cynthia and gently massages her neck, then her back. At first she tries to remain calm, keeping her neck and back rigid. But Sam knows that, with a full belly, a red wine-induced buzz, and a massaged back this would soon be his night, Ah, yes the sweet subtle signs of submission. Cynthia's eyes close, her head begins to sway and her breathing is much slower, and much deeper now.

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Catalogue Information

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