K.L. Lewis' Book Blog Page

Precious Star to Host Saturday Night Live

2010-04-02T12:43:00.000-07:00

The announcement was made recently that Gabourey Sidibe, the star of the movie Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire, will be hosting the late-night show Saturday Night Live later this month. This turn at comedy will be quite the departure from the dramatic role she had as an abused, illiterate, teenager in her Academy Award-nominated performance. Many in the entertainment industry are already waiting with anticipation to see how she does in this new genre.

For those who have seen the movie Precious, you know that it is a powerful story that largely focuses on a mother and daughter relationship. Precious' mother, Mary (who is played by Oscar winner Mo'Nique), is dysfunctional and abusive in every way possible. She takes out much of her life's frustrations on her lonely daughter, even passing on that abuse to her own grandchild.

The book and the subsequent movie that was created share extreme examples of domestic abuse--physical, emotional, mental, and sexual--that most of us cannot comprehend.

Where does the hate originate that causes one person to act in such a way to their own flesh and blood? What role does the community (teachers, church leaders, social workers, etc) play in getting involved when violence such as that depicted in Precious is occurring? What are your thoughts?

In my book Kendra's Pearl, I offer another example of the long-term consequences when the relationship between a mother and daughter is shattered or at least bruised. If you haven't yet, I hope you will read my book. I would love your feedback!

Welcome, Spring!

2010-03-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

I would like to officially welcome Spring to the United States! After what seemed like an endless winter during which snow fell on almost every single state and below freezing temperatures were the norm, the sun is shining and the birds are singing.

This time of year, one of renewal and birth, is one that always gets me to reflect on changes I would like to make in my own life. Maybe the first day of spring is a more appropriate date than January 1 for all of us to make resolutions! After all, isn't this time that we open the windows in our home and do the best cleaning of the year? Aren't we more likely to exercise when it's not so cold that all we want to do is curl up under a blanket on the couch? This is also the perfect season to try the resolution of learning a new skill, like gardening, jogging, or becomes a master with the backyard grill.

Does the start of spring renew your desire to make some improvements in your life?

Spring also brings back memories of the games I used to love as a child. This was back in the day when you didn't come inside until the street lights came on. I spent hours playing hopscotch, riding bikes, or just using my imagination while sitting on the front porch with friends. We all couldn't wait until it was warm enough to escape our homes and experience from freedom outside, even if it was just around the block.

Do you have certain childhood memories that you associate with spring?

In my book, Kendra's Pearl, I like to think the title character gets to experience some of the happiness that spring brings. She lives with a mom who resents her and who makes her the focus of every regret in life. And, she is surrounded by extended family who often want to help but are dealing with their own flaws and struggles. On sunny days, I bet that a quiet porch step was one of the best places that Kendra could imagine spending her time.

Parents Who Take Out Life's Regrets on Their Children

2010-03-20T22:07:00.000-07:00

In my book Kendra's Pearl, my title character is raised by a mother who take out her life's regrets on her children. Instead of wanting her daughter to have a better life than she had experienced, she sees Kendra as representing the many possibilities she no longer has for herself. Through no fault of her own, Kendra becomes the victim of years of psychological abuse and emotional neglect.

Unfortunately, we see this type of immature and resentful behavior played out by parents all the time. How about the dad who was never able to make the varsity squad and now gets just a little bit jealous when his son is the starting quarterback at a Division I school. Or, there is the mom who stands and cheers when her daughter is announced as Homecoming Queen but, in the back of her mind, can't help but think about her own lonely days in high school. These parents are still happy for their kids and support all of their endeavors, which is more supportive of a relationship than Kendra ever experienced, but the jealousy is still there.

Of course, we all want every child to be born into an environment in which she is encouraged and nurtured, but this ideal home is often not the case. There are plenty of moms (and dads) who, for one reason or another, are unable to provide unconditional love to their children. This lack of security at a young age can affect kids well into adulthood.

Have you ever observed obvious cases of parents who take out their unhappiness with life on their children? What were the circumstances? What do you think caused the mom or dad to use their children as emotional punching bags for their own shortcomings? Please share if you feel you can.

Who's Your Favorite TV Mom?

2010-03-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

While we were growing up, I imagine that most of us had a television mother who we occasioned wished would come into our homes. Even if we lived in what seemed to be a great home, the kids on the TV always seemed to have it better. And, if our own moms perhaps did not provide the love and security that we needed, those fictional women became even more of a draw.

Here are a few of the TV moms who I always thought would be great to have around:

Claire Huxtable -- She was a successful attorney who always found time to listen to her kids' problems, support their interests, and discipline them when necessary. She taught her girls that they could do anything the boys did.

Elyse Keaton -- This mom came of age in the liberal 1960s, but she still respected and embraced the diverse opinions of her kids. And, she showed them that it was OK to engage in displays of affection with your husband after many years of marriage!

Ann Romano -- This mom, from the 1970s show One Day at a Time, was an example of a strong, single mom for her two teenage girls. On the program, this family tackled some tough issues that had not been seen a lot on TV before. Through it all, Ms. Romano always let her girls know they were loved.

Florida Evans -- The matriarch on Good Times kept her family together through her strength, compassion, and hard work. Even though times were tough, she kept her focus on raising kids with values and a strong education. She was a no-nonsense woman, but you knew that she had a fierce love for her family.

These are just a few of the many TV mothers who quickly come to mind. I'm sure that you can offer your own examples.

In my book Kendra's Pearl, my title character grows up with a mom who likely did not make Kendra the envy of the other kids in the neighborhood. Kendra's mom was emotionally abusive, when she wasn't altogether distant, and took out her life's regrets on her daughter. While not the idealized TV mom, perhaps it's a reality to which more of us can relate.

Who was your favorite TV mom? What about this woman made her such a great mom?

Redefining "Family" to Help Our Children

2010-03-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

My novel Kendra's Pearl is a testament to the concept that "it takes a village" to raise a child in our society. The title character in my book is raised by a mother who comes to resent her and who, at her best, is emotionally distant. Kendra's father is tragically killed in a motorcycle accident when she is still a young child, so she loses her other parent before much a relationship can even be formed.

However, throughout the book, readers will meet many other adults who played important roles in Kendra's development, from aunts and grandmothers to teachers and neighbors. Some offered examples of behaviors and choices that Kendra simply wanted to avoid repeating, while others simply provided the unconditional love that she desperately needed.

Kendra's situation is not uncommon. More than 35% of the divorces that take place in our country involve children. And, in 2007, around 40% of the children born in the United States came into this world with an unmarried mother. The dynamics of what we have traditionally known as a "family" are changing. I am not making a judgment on this trend as a positive or negative development, but instead stating it as reality ... a reality that we must acknowledge and study in terms of how to help our children.

What are your thoughts on the dramatic increase of children born into single parent homes? With many of these births occurring among women in their 20s and 30s, they run counter to the stereotype of the teenage mom. Does this make a difference in how you view the situation?

Please share your thoughts!

Promising Young Scholar and Athlete Shot Dead in Case of Domestic Violence

2010-02-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

If you just open any newspaper or visit any popular news website, you cannot miss the headlines that focus on the violence that occurs within a family. Just today, some of the articles on CNN.com included, "Mom stole dead child's ID," "Mom guilty of arming teen," and "Drown baby called 'suspicious'." While may automatically assume, or find it easier to believe, that most of violence are committed by strangers, the reality is that assailants are people often known to us. Sadly, it is not unusual for the crimes to be done by those who are supposed to love us the most.

Rajaan Bennett was a young man from Powder Springs, Georgia, who had just received a full scholarship to play football at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He was an honors students who was liked and respected by his peers. On February 18, he was shot dead by his mother's ex-boyfriend, Clifton Steger, while trying to protect his mom and other family members. Steger was upset about the relationship with Bennett's mom coming to an end, and decided to share his grief through the violence of a horrific murder/suicide.

So, that's it. A grown man who was depressed over losing his girlfriend cut short the life of a promising young man who hoped to use his football skills as a way of earning a degree and becoming an architect.

The homicide of Rajaan Bennett reveals a disturbing trend. While initial statistics show a 10% drop in homicides for 2009, the number of homicides occurring in the home seem to be on the rise. Many believe this increase can be linked to our slow economy. People become desperate when they cannot afford to care for the family for which they are responsible. Or, perhaps the support agencies can no longer pay the salaries of enough staff members to care for women who call in a moment of crisis.

Whatever the root cause may be, there is no justification for this senseless homicide. Still, I would like to hear your thoughts. How do tough times in the economy affect family relationships and maybe even lead to family violence? Please leave your thoughts in the comments so that we can learn from one another.

Valentine's Day and Mom

2010-02-16T18:28:00.000-08:00

Another Valentine's Day has come and gone. For some of us, it is a wonderful day to celebrate the special relationships in our lives. For others, it's a painful reminder that there is no one to bring us roses or take us out to dinner. Whether we want to admit it or not, I imagine that most women really do want to receive a gift on this romantic holiday.

When we were kids, Valentine's Day took on a completely different meaning. It provided the opportunity to pick out your favorite box of cards to hand out to classmates. Would it be Scooby Doo this year? Or maybe Barbie? The official exchange of cards in shoe boxes also came with all of that great Valentine's candy. The day would not be complete without conversation hearts, right?

And, of course, there was always the homemade card for Mom. Whether you created it while at school or did it on your own in your bedroom, these were supposed to be crafts for a parent to treasure forever. Who else is supposed to be more deserving of our love and adoration than our mom?

So, I would like to ask you this question. Do you remember a special gift that you made for your mom for Valentine's Day? Whether it involved glued macaroni, lots of glitter, or just some red construction paper and a crayon, I would love to read about your childhood memories on this topic.

In my book Kendra's Pearl, you will meet a mother and daughter who may have gone a year or two without exchanging Valentines. I hope you will read it and let me know if you can relate to any aspects of their story.

Olympians Share Many Examples of Parents Who Supported Their Dreams

2010-02-12T18:40:00.000-08:00

The Winter Olympics are beginning tonight in Vancouver, with millions of people around the world tuning into the Opening Ceremonies. It is always an exciting moment to watch the athletes enter the arena proudly representing their countries in the parade that starts the festivities. It is amazing to see nations that bring dozens of athletes to the Games and others that have only one or two men and women to hold up their flags.

In addition to the countless hours of network coverage for sports like ski jumping and curling that most of us only see every four years when the Olympics roll around, the program producers also create dozens of "human interest" stories that allow us to learn a bit more about the fabulous athletes we are watching.

We see interviews with moms who got out of bed before dawn to take their daughters to the rink before school to support their figure skating dreams. We listen to the beaming dads talk about the meaningful time they spent with their sons hitting a puck into the net over and over again.

I wonder how many kids sit and watch these stories and wish they had a parent who would be willing to devote such time and effort to their dreams. All too often, children must find their own way to reach the goals they have set for themselves in life. When that happens, it makes for an amazing story as well.

In my new book, Kendra's Pearl, my title character must find her way in life with a father who dies when she is young and an emotionally abusive mother who takes out all of her life's regrets on her girl. Kendra's determination to be successful in spite of this lack of support is a story to which I believe many readers will be able to relate.

A Mom Can Be Many Different Things

2010-02-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

The mother/daughter relationship can take on many different forms. For some of you, I am sure you consider your mom to be your best friend and you can't imagine going a day without sharing an extended phone conversation. For others, thoughts about your mom and things she might have said or done to you as a child still have a negative impact on you as a grown woman. Maybe you respect and admire your mom for the important life lessons she taught you, but you never felt a strong emotional connection to her. No matter what your specific situation may be, there is no doubt that mothers have a huge effect on who we become as adults. If the impact is not a good one, we may need to fight for years to break the negative cycle.

I spent some time thinking about the common stereotypes of moms that you see portrayed in the media, in books, and on the movie screen. Here are a few I came up with:

1. Confidante -- This mom is more important than any other friend in your life. It is her opinion that you seek first when it comes to relationships, careers, even what to buy for dinner. There are no secrets between this mother and daughter.

2. Disciplinarian -- You know not to cross this mom! She runs her home with a strict hand. You know the rules (and there are many!) and you know the consequences if you break them. This mom may seem harsh at the time, but her efforts led you to do well in school and stay out of trouble.

3. Barely-There Parent -- Did you feel like you had to raise yourself because your mom was never around? Maybe she was always out with friends instead of spending time with you? Or, maybe she was home but just couldn't make herself emotionally available for one reason or another.

4. Nurturer -- This mom makes sure that you always get enough to eat and that your clothes are always clean and folded. She seems to be a superwoman around the house, with every room clean and organized. She would make homemade chicken soup when you got sick and stay up until 1:00am helping you finish a school art project.

In my book Kendra's Pearl, the title character deals with another type of mom--an emotionally abusive one. Unfortunately, I'm sure there are some of you reading this blog who have this in common with Kendra. I hope you will read my book and discover if Kendra manages to rise above her difficult childhood. And, no matter what type of mom you had in your life, I would love to hear your stories of survival and love as well.

Mothers Who Bring the Ultimate Harm to Their Children

2010-01-06T09:01:00.001-08:00

There is a wide range of emotions that a new mom can experience when she first holds her baby and brings her home. Ideally, the brand-new boy or girl is loved and wanted and has parents who are emotionally and financially prepared to raise a child. If a mom is without work or other means of income, childbirth may bring feelings of stress. Maybe the pregnant young woman is going through the process without the support of her family or even the father of the baby. In this case, she may find herself dealing with resentment at the idea of taking care of a child all alone. In the most desperate and horrific of instances, young moms may make a decision that alters at least two lives forever.

I'm sure that almost everyone is familiar with the story of Casey Anthony, the Florida mom who is accused of killing her two-year-old daughter in the summer of 2008. Many news stories have painted Ms. Anthony a teenager who was unprepared for motherhood and who spent her nights partying while her daughter was supposedly missing. Although Casey Anthony maintains her innocence, prosecutors are now seeking the death penalty in this case that has made international news.

Another story, which broke yesterday, involves the arrest of a 23-year-old woman in connection with her missing eight-month-old son. The mom, Elizabeth Johnson, recently broke up with her boyfriend and then let him know she had killed their child and left him in a dumpster. Other evidence points to the fact that the baby boy may still be alive. The police aren't getting answers either way, though, because Ms. Johnson is refusing to talk.

What drives mothers to act this way towards their children? Do they regret losing their own youth to the responsibilities of being a mom? Did the 24-hour job of being a single mom just get to be too much? Are there other psychological problems that would have come out whether these women were moms or not?

In my new book, Kendra's Pearl, I share a mother and daughter relationship that is not as tragic and final in its results as the news stories above, but still deals with some complex emotional issues. Why do mothers take out their life's regrets on their own children? Why is the cycle of abuse so difficult to break? For anyone who has realized that being a parent ... or a child, for that matter ... isn't all about bedtime stories and board games, I believe that you will be able to relate on some level to what you read in Kendra's Pearl.

Tune into My Podcast Interview Today

2010-01-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

My interview with Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services has been posted and is ready for your listening pleasure! I enjoyed this opportunity to discuss Kendra's Pearl and I hope you will learn more about why I wrote this book when you listen to the interview.

If you enjoy the conversation, please leave a comment on the Writers in the Sky website letting them know!

The interview also is featured on iTunes, if you prefer to listen to it that way. Just look up Writers in the Sky at the iTunes store and you will find my interview listed. Listening is free!

Thanks for all of your support as we enter a new year!

Please Plan to Tune into My Podcast Interview on New Year's Day

2009-12-30T19:41:00.000-08:00

I hope that all of you are enjoying a wonderful time with family and friends during this holiday season. As we reach the end of 2009, I know that many of you are focusing on your goals for the upcoming year. For those who, like me, use a personal journal as a way of reflecting on the important moments in life, these last few days of December are a great opportunity to look both backward and forward. In the upcoming weeks, I look forward to sharing with you some of my plans for 2010.

I can let you know that I will be starting the New Year by taking part in a podcast interview with Writers in the Sky Creative Writing Services. I have been selected as their first featured author for 2010, and I look forward to discussing Kendra's Pearl with the listening audience. I plan on sharing why I decided to tackle the emotional issues that are addressed in my book and what I hope my readers will take away from reading my book.

Please check out the promotional spot that Writers in the Sky has featured on their blog for my upcoming interview. If you have read my book and you want to help me get the word out about Kendra's Pearl to this listening audience, please leave a comment on their blog. I appreciate your support!

This podcast interview is just one of many ways that I will be promoting Kendra's Pearl in the New Year. I know that this book shares a story about the complicated mother/daughter relationship that will be familiar to so many people out there. I want women to read my book and realize that they are not alone. I want men to read my book and try to recognize some ways that they can offer support to the women in their lives.

I'm excited to discover all that 2010 will bring!

Does the "Ideal Christmas" Really Exist?

2009-12-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

With Christmas coming later this week and the New Year shortly to follow, we are in the middle of what is advertised on television and in movies as the happiest time of the year. We all see images of families gathering together around a delicious, homecooked meal, people traveling from across the country to be with loved ones, and children wearing new, flannel nightgowns anxiously listening for the sound of Santa's sleigh.

But, for many people, the holiday season is the most difficult time of the year. What if your own family experience can't live up to the high expectations we set for these celebrations? Maybe you grew up in a family in which you were lucky to have any food on the table, let alone a turkey dinner with all of the trimmings. For some of you, this is the first Christmas following a divorce or the death of a loved one. What about those children who are living in abusive homes and do not have parents who want to make the holiday special?

In my new book, Kendra's Pearl, the title character probably did not enjoy any picture-perfect holidays during her childhood. She lived with a mother who directed her rage and resentment at her children. The members of Kendra's extended family, while they certainly loved her, were usually dealing with their own addictions or personal struggles.

For those of you who have read Kendra's Pearl, what do you imagine the holiday season was like for the Haywood family? I would love to read your thoughts on what the characters would be doing on Christmas.

Also, have you had any experience struggling with that ideal of Christmas that we are supposed to meet? I have shared in interviews that, while Kendra's Pearl is a work of fiction, I have pulled some details from my own life. So, I understand how this season can be difficult. Maybe your comments can be of help to someone else.

Kids Need Security and Structure

2009-12-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

Even though children may sometimes act as if they are frustrated by rules, our kids really do need and want the security that comes from structure and consistent discipline. Knowing the boundaries makes anyone feels safe, especially children who are just figuring out how the world works. And, having a loving home where they can test those boundaries and learn from mistakes is a crucial part of growing up.

So, what happens when kids are not given a nurturing environment in which to develop? They may turn to a group of friends who become a bad influence on their education and behavior. Sometimes they look for role models in people who may not have their best intentions in mind.

There also are positive outlets that children may discover when searching for that needed structure in their lives. For a lot of kids, team sports offer that sense of belonging and develop an important sense of discipline. One of the biggest movies of the year, The Blind Side, provided one real-life example of sports changing the life of a young man with a troubled childhood.

In other instances, the military gives teenagers the life management tools that they never received at home. When you are in the military, you are accountable for your location, your actions, and your appearance at all times. There are many young men and women who arrive at basic training for whom this is the first time such standards have been required of them.

In my new release, Kendra's Pearl, the title character experiences a childhood that does not provide the love and protection she needs. Instead, Kendra is raised by an emotionally abusive mother who takes out her rage and regret on her young daughter. Will Kendra find a negative or positive way to cope with the way she is treated? I hope you will check out my book and find out!

What Defines an Emotionally Abusive Mother?

2009-12-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

In my new release Kendra's Pearl, I share the story of a young girl who is raised by an emotionally abusive mother. She becomes the recipient of her mom's anger, guilt, depression, and loneliness. The unhealthy relationship starts when Kendra's dad is killed in a motorcycle accident, and the dangerous behavior by her mom just increases from there.

While both parents are capable of any type of abuse, from verbal to physical to sexual, statistics show that mothers are much more likely than fathers to commit emotional abuse against their children.

That National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect defines emotional abuse as "acts or omissions by the parents or other caregivers that have caused, or could cause, serious behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or mental disorders."

Some specific characteristics of an emotionally abusive mother include:

making the child feel responsible for her feelings
threatening the child with rejection of abandonment
criticizing
giving the silent treatment

All of these behaviors are immature displays of emotion and often make the child feel as if she is actually the adult in the home. The need for a child to feel safe and protected disappears.

Through Kendra's Pearl, I hope to help start some conversations about what is occurring between our mothers and daughters in homes across the country. If children feel more comfortable talking about any problems they are experiencing with their families, maybe they can get some support. And, if young girls can know that living with an emotionally abuse mother is not normal and not acceptable, maybe they can vow that that kind of treatment will not be carried to the next generation.

I hope you will read Kendra's Pearl and then let me know what you think about the mother/daughter relationship that I describe. Unfortunately, for many people, the scenario will be all too real.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse

2009-12-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

The truth is, for better or for worse, humans often choose to repeat behavior patterns they have witnessed simply because it is what they know. There is some twisted comfort in knowing what to expect, even if that expectation is violence and a breaking of the spirit. This is one reason, among many, that many women who find themselves in abusive relationships often grew up in a home in which they were mistreated. If you never see an example of a healthy relationship, you will not know how to demand it for yourself once out on your own.

Some women are stuck in abusive relationships and don't even realize that the situation is an unhealthy one. They may even think it's normal. Some signs that you are involved in an abusive relationship exist when you are with someone who:

1. acts jealous or possessive
2. calls you names, insults you, or puts you down
3. tries to control where you go or what you do
4. blames you for his or her behavior

And, of course, there are the more obvious symptoms of physical abuse. Any one of the signs indicates a need for change. Please contact a domestic abuse or child abuse hotline immediately. The help you need is available!

In my new release, Kendra's Pearl, Kendra becomes the victim of her mother Pearl's rage and hurt. Instead of dealing with her depression and feelings of loss following the death of Kendra's father, Pearl takes out all of her frustration on her young daughter. As Kendra grows up with abuse being the only type of relationship she knows, there is a chance that she will continue this cycle as an adult. Will she have the strength to break the destructive pattern and start a new, healthier life for her family?

I hope you will read Kendra's Pearl and then let me know if this one girl's struggle to do better than what she has been taught has meaning for you.

A Pearl is Beauty Made Out of Adversity

2009-12-05T13:27:00.000-08:00

The gemstone that is the pearl has been valued for centuries due to its beauty and the effort taken by nature to create it. A natural pearl, which forms without any human intervention, is incredibly rare. Hundreds of oysters can be gathered and opened just to find one pearl. Due to these properties, the word "pearl" is now often used to describe something that is very rare, valuable, and admirable.

The pearl also symbolizes a journey with a special significance that I have adopted into my writing. The pearl represents the ability to overcome adversity. Just think about it for a moment. The myth is that a beautiful pearl starts with a single grain of sand--a foreign object that is seen as an irritant to the hosting oyster. In order to protect itself, the oyster creates a coating over the grain until it becomes smooth. What a great concept. A pearl is the creation of beauty that results from a painful environment.

In my new release, Kendra's Pearl, a young girl must create her own path and find happiness while living in a world that is filled with abuse, neglect, and depression. Kendra must use the "irritation" to develop her life into something beautiful.

The metaphor also plays out through Kendra's mother, who is named Pearl. It is largely through Pearl's rage and irrational behavior that Kendra learns the lessons that will help her to create a beautiful life for herself. Kendra needs to decide if she is going to remain that grain of sand that she seems to be in her mother's eyes, or if she is going to become a valuable gem.

I imagine that some of you have been through situations that ultimately refined you into a pearl. When we can take heartache and turn it into a thing of beauty, we exhibit strength and an ability to thrive. I hope that you will read one example of such a transformation in my book Kendra's Pearl. I look forward to your feedback and hearing if you see a similar metaphor in your own life.

The Mother/Daughter Relationship Has Always Created Powerful Stories

2009-12-02T10:09:00.000-08:00

As I mentioned in an earlier blog post, I value the opportunity to write about issues that can reach people on an emotional level. When my characters experience heartache, abuse, loneliness, or other very real problems, I hope that the readers feel a connection and can use my work as one way of working through some of their own personal burdens. Like many other writers, I know that my book of poetry, Pure Thoughts, and my new novel, Kendra's Pearl, have been important outlets for me.

In Kendra's Pearl, I tell the story of Kendra Haywood. Her world is shattered before she even starts kindergarten when her dad dies in a motorcycle accident. Kendra's mother starts on a downward spiral of depression and failed relationships and takes her daughter down with her.

Whether or not your personal story is as tragic as the one experienced by Kendra, there is no doubt that the mother and daughter relationship is almost always complicated. The dynamics between the two has been the focus of countless books and movies. Here are just a few that come to mind:

The Joy Luck Club -- The story of American daughters of Chinese mothers struggle to find common ground on culture and tradition.

Mommie Dearest -- Here's a classic movie (based on a book) that definitely does not fit the title! Who can forget the famous line, "No wire hangers!"

Possessing the Secret of Joy -- Alice Walker's amazing work examines the difficult decisions that some mothers made in carrying on a tribal tradition that scarred their own daughters.

What are some stories about the unique relationship that exists between mother and daughter that really stuck with you? Please share your thoughts in the "Comments" section. And, I would be honored if you decide that Kendra's Pearl is a memorable book for you as well.

Kendra’s Pearl: A New Novel by K.L. Lewis

2009-11-27T07:44:00.001-08:00

Kendra’s Pearl: A New Novel by K.L. Lewis

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Book Trailer

2009-11-11T16:52:00.001-08:00

All stay tuned to watch my book trailer of Kendra's Pearl, coming real soon, hopefully this week. Hope you like.

Finally the Booksignings (change 1)

2009-11-04T17:51:00.000-08:00

Confirmed booksignings:

Borders Bookstore Killeen, TX Mall: 5 Dec 2009 from 2-4pm
Hastings Bookstore, Killeen, TX: 19 Dec 2009 from 1-until

More to come (stay tuned)

Please come out to my signings if you get a chance, see you there.
Thank you!!

Book Signings/Promotions

2009-11-01T18:36:00.001-08:00

Please stay tuned for scheduled Book Signings: Coming Soon!!!
Also follow me on twitter @ author1975
Thanks

About My Books

2009-10-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting my blog. As you may have read in my “About Me” section, I have been writing since I can remember, but just getting things started with publishing. I have been in nursing school for the last couple of years and have not been able to promote my poetry book “Pure Thoughts”, and finished the novel “Kendra’s Pearl” while in school. The poetry book entails some factual events, and things that I was feeling at the time I wrote it. I love to write and believe that it is an outlet for those of us who hang on to burdens, issues, and really don’t know any other way to express them. In the poetry book, I write about love and romance, hurt and heartbreak, and finding strength to overcome. In the novel, I tell a story of a little girl who felt alone in her childhood, endured years of abuse from her mother, dealt with extreme family issues, and had a difficult time finding herself, which in the poetry book, you will find a poem called “Who Am I”, which I believe many people can relate to.
Don’t forget to check out my poetry book “Pure Thoughts”. You can find it on www.xlibris.com/bookstore. I think you will find it interesting. Let me know what you think. I will be having more on the poetry book later, so please stay tuned.
FIND KENDRA'S PEARL ABOVE AND ENJOY FLIPPING THROUGH THE PAGES AND GETTING A SNEAK PEAK. HOPE YOU LIKE!