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March 25, 2016

SECOND HOUSE FROM THE CORNER by Sadeqa Johnson

SECOND HOUSE FROM THE CORNER
A Novel
by
Sadeqa Johnson

Second House from the Corner

BOOK DETAILS
(from Night Owl Reviews)
  • Number: 9781250074140
  • Release: February 9, 2016
  • Author: Sadeqa Johnson
  • Availability: Print-Book
  • Genre: Mainstream
  • Tags: Diverse Books, Women's Fiction
  • Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Felicia Lyons, a ­­­­­­­ stressed out stay-at-home mom, struggles to sprint ahead of the demands of motherhood while her husband spends long days at the office. Felicia taps, utters mantra, and breathes her way through most situations, but on some days, like when the children won’t stop screaming her name or arguing over toy trucks and pretzel sticks, she wonders what it would be like to get in her car and drive away. Then one evening the telephone rings, and in a split second the harried mother’s innocent fantasy becomes a hellish reality. The call pulls her back into a life she’d rather forget. Felicia hasn’t been completely honest about her upbringing, and her deception forces her return to the Philadelphia of her childhood, where she must confront the family demons and long buried secrets she thought she had left behind. From a phenomenal fresh voice in fiction, comes the compelling story of what happens when the dream falls apart. It's the unforgettable tale of love, loss, rediscovery, and the growing pains of marriage.

AUTHOR
Sadeqa Johnson is a former public relations manager who spent years working with well known authors such as J.K. Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan, and Bishop T.D. Jakes before becoming an author herself. Her debut novel, LOVE IN A CARRY-ON BAG, was hailed by Ebony.com as "this summer's hottest read."  It was the recipient of the 2013 Phillis Wheatley Award for Best Fiction and the 2012 USA Best Book Award for African-American Fiction.  Originally from Philadelphia, Sadeqa Johnson currently resides in Virginia with her husband and three children. SECOND HOUSE FROM THE CORNER is her second novel.
REVIEW
This second book from Sadeqa Johnson will touch you with realisms.  It could very well be any mother who stays at home with three kids.  We know what that's like. Don't we? Felicia Lyons' marriage is on the rocks big time.  She has hidden a dark secret from her husband.  He has no idea until a call comes from a man he doesn't know.  The past can never stay tied up in a neat little box.  Eventually that tie comes undone.  And then what?  
Felicia feels that all the children and household chores are strrictly hers. Preston,  her husband works long hours, and when he is home, he's not much help. To put it lightly, she's on her last nerve.  Stressed to the hilt.
Then the past starts to creep in.  That neat little box has come untied.  Demands are made on Felicia that starts to lead her down the wrong path. Even though Felicia has tried to keep her dark past hidden, when Preston gets that call from a strange man, he refuses to listen to her at all. He wants her out of the house, but where will she go.?  She ends up at Gran's house and she tries to put things together.
 Felicia is constantly from young to adult, making those wrong decisions.  She somehow doesn't learn.  In a way she has created some of the stress by having all three children involved in every activity there is.  She also coddles her husband a bit too much. With her frustration over Preston's long hours, she needs an escape.  In trying to forget her problems she only makes it worse, with one bad decision after another.
Will Felicia grow up and realize what is happening?  Will she somehow find Preston again and make things right, or will her marriage dissolve into hopelessness?  What about that second house from the corner?  How will that change Felicia's life?  Will Preston be there for her? 
A very down to earth reality read.  You can place yourself in the scenes with the characters.  You can relate to them. It's not a lot of razzle dazzle to cover up the bad things, but straight forth honesty. The author gives you the story in real life even though some of the scenes are difficult.  Pick up a copy and put Felicia's shoes on.  Each page will bring something new.  A very good novel.
 I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, Ms. Johnson and Night Owl Reviews in exchange for my unbiased review. No other compensation took place.

I would give this book 4.5 STARS.


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