D. Y. Phillips

Title: One Pale Summer
Author: Debra Phillips
Publisher: D.P.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:
'One Pale Summer' by Debra Phillips

My Sentiments:

One thing is for sure...this author gives the reader a fascinating read starting in her acknowledgments..." as she thanks anyone for working to end the plague of racism in a world filled with so many horrible things to focus on. We all should strive for a world where we love everywhere, not for the color of their skin, but for the color of their character."

Now, let's get into the story that, for me, was sad about what had happened to two small children being left behind as their mother left them with a person who wasn't even a step-parent. But what did this person Curtis do? He drove these children to Killen, Texas, to their mother's sister by the name of Sassafene Galloway...known as Miss Sassy.

After being dropped off and treated horribly by their mother's sister [Aunt Sassy], who had her reasons for how she acted toward Evee, who was eight, and Mina, only four, who had to sleep in a closet on a mattAunt Sassye floor, oh well, I will stop at that point and say wow! What had happened in Sassy life that caused her to be so mean, especially to these children? Oh well, moving on, there was some good from it when Mr. Bo moved into the rented room, and things did get livable somewhat for these kids due to him being so nice to them.

But these kids had to work hard around the house as their aunt Sally sewed all the time and cooked somewhat the same foods until Mr. Bo came into the picture.

We find Evee was friendly as she made friends with a girl named Cutie. And close lovely, as will come to light in the story as she meets an older lady named Isabelle Ickleberry and her dog Digs. What will happen in and to that friendship when everything comes out? Did this have anything to do with how Evee looked in her treatment by this old lady?

I will stop at that point because as you pick up this good read, you, the reader, will find what Ms. Ickleberry was all about.

I did enjoy seeing Evee wanting to know about life, the plants, and what she did about her aunt's yard, only wanting to make it beautiful using the flower seeds her mom had left her with; however, that got into quite a mess before things came to a head of that situation. What was up with that pond that appeared? I will stop hand-read to learn about what took place in that situation in the backyard of their aunt Sassy.

Evee, bless her heart, didn't know things and was trying to figure out why certain things were happening, and in trying out, she kept lots of secrets from her aunt Sassy that would eventually all come out. What happened to this specific person had me laughing so hard, and you will have to read to find out what Evee did that she thought would help, and that's all I have to say about that...other than saying karma happens to those who deserved it as this person did. I was reminded not to tell too much; I'm working on it! So, I will stop here!

Now, at the end of the story ...will Evee and Mina's mom ever show up to get her children from her sister Sassy's place in Killen, TX? Well, I will say ... pick up this good read, "One Pale Summer," to find out if Clarice, their mom, comes for them and to see if the reason why Sassy hated her sister so much.

The title of this book had me puzzled for a minute, but as I read through the story...I understood why it was called 'One Pale Summer.' By picking up this good re, all your questions will be answered by the end of the story.

This was an excellent read... from sad to a little bit of happiness...back and forth, but by the end, the reader will get a complete story of what it was all about. There is no place in our world for the hatred and racism that we see going on in our world today. All that is left is prayer because I don't see anything else that will fix this situation.

'One Pale Summer' was an exciting read I am sure the readers will love long after the read. It tells quite a story out there in the world we live in that is very much needed.… (mehr)

Title: Bitter With The Sweet
Author: Debra Phillips
Publisher: D.P. March 15, 2012
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Bitter With The Sweet" by Debra Phillips
My Opinion:

'Bitter With The Sweet' was quite an exciting story of how this family treated each other. Of the three sisters, it only looked like one had any good sense of treating one another. Yes, this was quite a dysfunctional family that will leave one shaking their head and saying, wow! And with them having a sick mother, this gives the reader a complete package for this family. Although it was awful what one sister did to her child and husband, I can say she did receive her karma in the end. For the other sister Pearl, wow is all I have to say about that one. It was good to see one sister finally taking charge of her life and doing what she wanted to do with her writing. Yes, it was about time that the two sisters eventually grew up. At least it seems like Leeray finally got loose from that crazy wife. I am still not sure about that sister at all! I still think she is hanging on by a thread. As for the other sister Pearl, now she has responsibility for a .... all is left is to wish her the best. Glad to see the mom doing better because they will need her prayers for this family.

This author gives a complete story with twists and turns and drama all over the place that will leave the reader saying, wow... now that was some story...'Bitter With The Sweet.'… (mehr)

Title: Things I Never Told
Author: Debra Phillips
Publisher: D.P.
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Things I Never Told" by Debra Phillips

My Opinion:
After reading 'Things I Never Told,' I was left thinking by the end of this story...only if it had been told maybe a lot of things wouldn't have gone array the way, things ended up for Perchelle, Torrie, and baby Casmere. The story was sad and started with Perchelle Prentice on New Year's Eve, where some horrible happened. For some reason, Perchelle [Chelle as she was also called] didn't tell a soul this secret, and it seems her life went down from there. Also, it seemed like Chelle was one for holding on to secrets...not only from her brother who had his own secret but her best friend, Torrie, who also carried secrets too. With both of these ladies having a secret that only if they had shared would their life have gone somewhat better and in a different direction than it did? It was so hard to believe that both of the girls who were best of a friend didn't want to share something that would have changed their lives completely...oh well, I guess that is the way life can be. It brought tears to my eyes as I kept reading and hoping things would change by the end.

Now, I will stop here and say this is an excellent read to pick up and see how well this author brings it out to the reader. The story gives the reader something essential to realize long after reading why it was so important to know when it's time to share...I don't care how hard it is...find someone to talk to, and maybe help one along the way. The title: 'Things I Never Told' was precisely what the story was all about, with the first five chapters actually happening...and I would highly recommend it for reading.… (mehr)