Sade's Secret by Sparkle
YA Novel for Teens
"Sade’s Secret is a very timely story that should be read, by mothers and daughters, men and educators and discussed widely. Kudos to Sparkle for a story that could have been dark and heavy but was relatable and interesting at the same time."
-- Reviewed by Angelia Menchan
Fifteen-year-old Sade Washington has been harboring a secret from her two best friends, Crystal and Dena. Her secret is threatened to be revealed when she discovers she’s pregnant. Once Sade’s secret is out, it causes a wedge between her and her mother Joyce. Distraught at her mother’s reactions, Sade toils with a love/hate relationship with her.
Joyce struggles with keeping peace in her household. The relationship between her daughter and live-in boyfriend, Calvin has her in an emotional turmoil. Joyce is determined to make their home a happy one by any means necessary.
Sade attempts to have a normal teen life, but as she turns sixteen, reality hits her head on. She must make choices that will not only affect her future, but that of her unborn child. Sade’s Secret takes the reader on an emotional ride as it deals with a strong subject matter and the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sparkle is the pseudonym for Essence Magazine bestselling author Shelia M. Goss. Shelia is a 2012 Emma Award Finalist and has over thirteen books in print. She writes in multiple genres: Christian fiction, romance, women’s fiction, suspense, and young adult. Sade's Secret is the first book by Sparkle. USA Today says, “She has an easy, flowing style with her prose…”
Book Reviews for Sade's Secret
SADE’S SECRET FIRST BOOK REVIEW. Ratings: Amazon: 4 Stars / Mosaic Stones: 4.5
As children, we tend to look to our parents for protection, happiness, and some wisdom their parents are too out of touch to know. What happens when a parent allows the safety and happiness of her child to be the last thing to cross her mind? Sade Washington in Sparkle’s Sade’s Secret knows all to well what happens.
Sade and her mother, Joyce, attempts to live a normal a life as possible. Once Joyce allowed her boyfriend, Calvin, into their home life permanently, Sade’s life changed. This was the beginning of Sade keeping many years of secrets from her mother and her two best friends, Dena and Crystal. The things Calvin was doing to Sade made her change rolls with her mother for five years. Sade had now become the protector, instead of the protected. What was Sade protecting her mother from?
Joyce felt as though the one person who could possibly love her unconditionally was taken from her and Calvin was the only hope she had left. In trying to please Calvin, she missed the signs of things in her life going terribly wrong. Joyce’s wake up call showed up in the form of an empty pregnancy test box. In confronting Sade, Joyce got some answers, albeit not what she was hoping for, but answers nonetheless. When she asked who the father of Sade’s baby was, Joyce was caught off guard. Who was Sade’s baby father? How would they make it through such a difficult and stressful time?
Sparkle took me on an emotional ride within Sade’s Secret. If I could have killed or maimed a person or two, I would have. The main subject matter was very strong and at times upsetting. Sade and Joyce’s story provided a glimpse into the life of a mother depending on a man to provide her with all the love she needs, while sacrificing the sacred bond between a mother and her daughter. I recommend Sade’s Secret to readers of family drama and mother-daughter relationships.
The author provided an uncorrected proof for review purposes.
- - Reviewed by Jennifer Coissiere of Words Mosaic Review
5 Stars Review of SADE’S SECRET
Sade’s Secret by Sparkle is the kind of contemporary fiction that grabs you from the first page and won’t let go. Sade is a smart, fifteen year old, living with her mother Joyce and Joyce’s boyfriend Calvin. Joyce works at night and Sade is left in Calvin’s care from age ten. Calvin is a heartless, calculating man with no sense of morality and he treats Sade like property, using threats and money to keep her in line.
Joyce on the other hand, suffers from low self-esteem and spends her time working and supporting a man. A man who disrespects her and who she places before her child. I spent much of the book screaming at Joyce to wake up. Sparkle had me so involved in the storytelling I felt I knew the characters. There are also well developed supporting characters.
Sade’s Secret is a very timely story that should be read, by mothers and daughters, men and educators and discussed widely. Kudos to Sparkle for a story that could have been dark and heavy but was relatable and interesting at the same time. I completed the book in mere hours. Highly recommended.
The author provided book for review purposes.
--- Reviewed by Angelia Vernon Menchan
Meet the Author
"Sparkle, you're an excellent voice for urban youth!"
Kiesha with The Reading Circle
Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over thirteen books in print and over seven books as ebooks. She writes in multiple genres: Christian fiction, romance, women’s fiction, suspense, and young adult. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…”
Some of her book titles are as follows: My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, Hollywood Deception, Delilah, Savannah’s Curse, and Ruthless. Her young adult book series is The Lip Gloss Chronicles: The Ultimate Test, Splitsville, Paper Thin, and Secrets Untold.
She also writes under the pen name Sparkle and has a new young adult series scheduled to be released in 2012: The Sweet Sixteen Diaries. The first book in the series is Sade’s Secrets and readers will delve into the dynamics of a mother/daughter relationship.
Besides writing fiction, Shelia is a freelance writer. She’s also an Essence Magazine best selling author, the recipient of three EDC Creations TOP 100 BOOKS awards, the recipient of three Shades of Romance Magazine Readers Choice Multi-Cultural Awards and honored as a Literary Diva: The Top 100 Most Admired African American Women in Literature.
Although Shelia has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, her passion for writing has always been there. Shelia decided to pursue her life-long dream after being down-sized from a fortune 500 company. She’s received many accolades since embarking on a writing career, view them all here: http://sheliagoss.com/about
Besides writing fiction, Shelia is a freelance writer. She writes articles on relationships, writing, and entertainment. She also interviews celebrities for various print and online media outlets. For links to past entertainment news, reviews & interviews: www.espot.wordpress.com. Media – For an online media kit, go to: http://www.sheliagoss.com/mediakit
Order Sade's Secret by Sparkle Today
Publisher: Wahida Clark Presents YA
Family saga; Mother/Daughter relationships
ISBN-10: 1936649438; ISBN-13: 978-1936649433
BUY NOW AT AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/Sades-Secret-Sparkle/dp/1936649438
BARNES AND NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sades-secret-sparkle/1040599402
Intimate Conversation with Sparkle
Sparkle is the pseudonym for Essence Magazine bestselling author Shelia M. Goss. Sparkle and has a new young adult series scheduled to be released in 2012: The Sweet Sixteen Diaries. The first book in the series is Sade’s Secrets and readers will delve into the dynamics of a mother/daughter relationship.
Shelia M. Goss is a national best-selling author and a 2012 Emma Award Finalist. She has over thirteen books in print and over seven books as ebooks. She writes in multiple genres: Christian fiction, romance, women’s fiction, suspense, and young adult. USA Today says, “Goss has an easy, flowing style with her prose…”
Some of her book titles are as follows: My Invisible Husband and Roses are thorns, Violets are true, Paige’s Web, Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, Hollywood Deception, Delilah, Savannah’s Curse, and Ruthless. Her young adult book series is The Lip Gloss Chronicles: The Ultimate Test, Splitsville, Paper Thin, and Secrets Untold.
Besides writing fiction, Shelia is a freelance writer. She’s also an Essence Magazine best selling author, the recipient of three Shades of Romance Magazine Readers Choice Multi-Cultural Awards, three EDC Creations Top Books awards and honored as a Literary Diva: The Top 100 Most Admired African American Women in Literature. Although Shelia has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, her passion for writing has always been there. Shelia decided to pursue her life-long dream after being down-sized from a fortune 500 company. She’s received many accolades since embarking on a writing career, view them all here: http://sheliagoss.com/about
BPM: Tell us about your journey to publication.
I’ve been writing since I was 9 years old. When I was in elementary school, my teachers submitted my poems to Seedlings. In school, I’ve been on the yearbook staff, newspaper, etc. I decided to pursue writing as a career back in 1997. My first book outside of school was actually a collection of poems. Writing was always something that I wanted to do, but I originally had planned on waiting until I retired. After losing my dad and hearing of Princess Diana’s death, it dawned on me that life was too short and I shouldn’t wait to pursue my dreams.
So, while I was still working, I would write at night, during my break, at lunchtime, etc. When the right opportunity came, it was just the right time to go ahead and put everything I had into it. Since writing professionally, I’ve been fortunate to have books published in multiple genres.
BPM: Why is SADE'S SECRET written under your pen name SPARKLE, instead of Shelia Goss?
I write in multiple genres and I've always wanted to write more bold and gritty stories under a pen name. I felt now was the time to make that transition.
BPM: What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write SADE'S SECRET?
It saddened me to hear of so many stories of women (young and old) who experienced sexual abuse in their earlier years. One of the things that was common in the stories I heard was that when it was going on, they were either afraid to tell or if they did tell, they weren't believed. I don't want any young woman to feel like she has no voice.
BPM: Take us inside the book. What are two major events taking place in SADE'S SECRET?
In the first chapter, readers get a chance to see how the abuse started with Sade at the hands of her mother's boyfriend. The novel is told from Sade's point of view and from the mother's point of view as they both deal with the situation of abuse.
INTRO: SADE'S SECRET
Fifteen-year-old Sade Washington has been harboring a secret from her two best friends, Crystal and Dena. Her secret is threatened to be revealed when she discovers she’s pregnant. Once Sade’s secret is out, it causes a wedge between her and her mother Joyce. Distraught at her mother’s reactions, Sade toils with a love/hate relationship with her.
Joyce struggles with keeping peace in her household. The relationship between her daughter and live-in boyfriend, Calvin has her in an emotional turmoil. Joyce is determined to make their home a happy one by any means necessary.
Sade attempts to have a normal teen life, but as she turns sixteen, reality hits her head on. She must make choices that will not only affect her future, but that of her unborn child. Sade’s Secret takes the reader on an emotional ride as it deals with a strong subject matter and the dynamics of mother-daughter relationships.
BPM: What are some of their specific issues, needs or problems addressed in this book?
Besides dealing with the abuse, Sade's a teenager dealing with every day issues teenagers deal with. Readers get an inside view into the head of Joyce, Sade's mother, who seems to care more about a relationship with her man than she does her own daughter. Sadly, some women put men before caring for their children, which stems from low self-esteem.
BPM: What do you want readers to know about you?
I am quiet and laid back. I love to listen to music. I love my family and cherish my friendships. I’m a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. I’m a Louisiana native – home of good food and good people (smile). I’m also an alumni of Southern University and last but not least, I love stylish purses (smile).
BPM: How can our readers reach you online?
Sparkle is my pen name. I can be reached at: www.sheliagoss.com or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/shelia.goss
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