Beck Valley Books: “Have No Shame” by Melissa Foster Book Review/Giveaway(Ends 6/30) WW

By Ruth on June 24, 2013 in book, giveaway, historical fiction, review
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The racially-charged prejudice of the deep South forces eighteen-year-old Alison Tillman to confront societal norms—and her own beliefs—when she discovers the body of a hate crime victim, and the specter of forbidden love turns her safe, comfortable world upside down.
Alison has called Forrest Town, Arkansas home for the past eighteen years. Her mother’s Blue Bonnet meetings, her father toiling night and day on the family farm, and the division of life between the whites and the blacks are all Alison knows. The winter of 1967, just a few months before marrying her high school sweetheart,
Alison finds the body of a black man floating in the river, and she begins to view her existence with new perspective. The oppression and hate of the south, the ugliness she once was able to avert her eyes from, now demands her attention.
When a secretive friendship with a young black man takes an unexpected romantic turn, Alison is forced to choose between her predetermined future, and the dangerous path that her heart yearns for.
HAVE NO SHAME is an emotionally compelling coming of age novel featuring a young woman who cannot reconcile the life she wants with the one she’s been brought up to live.Have No Shame will
resonate with anyone who has ever fallen in love, and those who have been forced to choose between what they know in their hearts to be true, and what others would like them to believe.
Buy the book from…… 
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Have No Shame by Melissa Foster

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When it comes to civil rights, I have to admit that this is something that really stirs my soul deep within me. I never get tired of reading about it, watching films about it, or just studying it. And no matter what, I am always newly horrified at the atrocities my race did to others only because of the color of their skin. And Melissa Foster has written a fantastic novella that captures a time in our history that should never be forgotten.

The story told within these pages is a rollercoaster of emotions, and I connected with the story on a very deep level. The fact that the story is told in first person makes it even more involving. The author has done something quite unique in that she has offered two versions of the story. I read the first version without the Southern dialect, but there was the option to read it with the Southern dialect. I did not attempt the second reading. I am pretty sure I could have, but I can assure you that it would have taken me much longer to do so.

I tried to think of any criticisms to record concerning this book, and I really have very little to say in this area. There was some profanity, but I am so grateful that the Lord’s name was never used in an inappropriate fashion. I am grateful that the author chose not to give any details of sexual encounters although they occurred. I can’t really fault the characters for being intimate outside marriage. This is historical fiction, and I am sure those kinds of things went on. There are derogatory terms used in the book, but these terms are historical in nature. I honestly did not feel offended as I read this book, and that is a good sign.

What did the author do right in the book? Everything! I almost couldn’t put the story down, and you will find that the book ends sooner than you expected. The characterization was outstanding, and I never struggled to keep any details within the book straight. I hope to read more from this author in the future.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.

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About the Author

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International
bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Cafe. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children, she’s written for Calgary’s Child
Magazine and Women Business Owners Magazine, and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa’s interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes
comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest
or her personal website.

 

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About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

3 Comments

  1. SHARON MARTIN June 24, 2013 Reply

    This was such an enthralling read, could have read so much more, totally loved it.
    SHARON MARTIN recently posted…NEW BOOK RELEASE – Desolation by Travis J SimmonsMy Profile

  2. Melissa Foster June 24, 2013 Reply

    Hi Ruth, thank you so much for featuring Have No Shame! I’m honored to be on your blog today and so happy that you enjoyed my book!
    xo,
    Melissa

    • Author
      Ruth June 24, 2013 Reply

      Melissa, it was an honor to review your book, and I have updated the post to reflect my actual review!

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