Reviewer: Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" - See all my reviews Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views
As the title tells us, "No Love Lost" is a practical and spiritual guide for women who never want to know the agony of lost love. Although small at only 32 pages, "No Love Lost" is well worth picking up and reading. It is broken into an introduction and conclusion, plus seven chapters, each offering a new principle on how to avoid lost love.
Kimberly Clark points out that one need not be a beauty queen to apply the principles she presents in her book. The guidelines presented do make a few assumptions though-both parties are at least somewhat interested in pursuing a romantic relationship, and also, the men we are dealing with are assumed to be reasonably sane and well-adjusted men. If your man does not fit these criteria, Kimberly tells you to run as fast as you can away from this type and to NEVER look back.
In each chapter, Kimberly tells us what NOT to do, what we SHOULD do, and what we NEED to know. She ends each chapter with a Bible verse offering support for her ideas presented. The handbook is grounded in the word of GOD, which I find very appealing.
"No Love Lost" is written for women who want to understand the male-female relationship. I believe the information would be helpful to all married women and any female dating or in any relationship with a male. The book is written for those weary of experiencing breakups and for those wondering why some women seem to have all the luck with men and relationships as opposed to others who always seem to experience agony and loss. Explaining the differences is Kimberly Clark's goal. Even if you get along fine with your man, you may learn something to improve upon what you have. Clark's handbook is very practical, but it is also spiritual and sensible. I found myself thinking, "Of course it's true, I just never thought about it." The basis for her principles is supported in the word of GOD-the Bible, but Non-Christians can readily apply the beliefs.
A principle I found memorable was that Clark says we must concentrate on letting our man know exactly what we expect from him and how we want to be treated. She says woman should be cherished as the gift from GOD that she truly is. Women are the gift. "And what is more, man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man." (1 Corinthians 11:9 NWT) The verse commands women to respect and be in subjection to their husbands. In return, a husband should love his wife, and a wife should respect her husband.
I found "No Love Lost" to be very informative and beneficial. Clark explains that emotionally, men are without a doubt the weaker sex, and therefore, this is why as females, we should not cry over everything. She also tells us why we will fail if we yell. Well-adjusted men view anything of an emotional nature as sneaky and underhanded, and they hate to lose at anything. Clark shares her belief that the single worst personality trait a woman, hoping to avoid lost love, could ever have is low self-esteem. Men need our strength and security, as it provides them with encouragement. I can recommend "No Love Lost" without a doubt.
Book Blurb: "Save It For Ya Momma, is a great novel that invokes laughter, sadness and joy; a wonderful; touching story."
- - Books2Mention Magazine
Book Review:
SAVE IT FOR YA MOMMA BY KIMBERLY CLARK "Save It For Ya Momma, by Kimberly Clark is a novel that depicts how unresolved emotional scars can stifle one from being able to successfully move forward in life. Holding one as a prisoner to their past tragedies."
"The main character Kenya Curtis is a very successful woman with a loving husband Malik, who simply adores his wife. However, the sexual abuse that Kenya endured by her stepfather as a child prevents her from being able to truly open up to her husband about her unresolved feelings. This is due to the traumatic relationship that Kenya has with her mother Renita. Kenya has fears of abandonment due to the absence of her mother and unwillingness to believe that her daughter suffered at the hands of an individual that she brought into their home. The feelings of abandonment impacts other relationships in her life."
"The culprit of this abuse is released from prison early and returns home to live with her mother. This ultimately awakens all of Kenya insecurity with her mother."
"There are also hidden secrets within the family that Kenya is not privy to. Secrets that have cost several family members the opportunity to truly be there for Kenya. These secrets if revealed, could very well deliver a life changing blow to an unsuspecting Kenya."
"Kimberly Clark does a wonderful job with this touching story. She has created a great novel that explores to what extent a family will go to prevent the truth from being revealed. This novel will invoke laughter, sadness and joy to see a young woman become able to move forward with her life, leaving those emotional scars behind, not forgotten, but simply behind in order to truly live the life that she deserves."
Practical and Encouraging by Crystal L Kennedy Though this book includes scripture passages, it's just as useful to non-Christians. It's practical, but encouraging, in that it describes what should be done in a relationship along with examples of what shouldn't be done. Mrs. Clark's conversational, personal writing style and sense of humor, as well as her openness to share her own experience, make this book a joy to read.
Dear Mrs. Clark,
My name is LuAnn Kennedy, and I'm also a Lulu author. I've read both your books and enjoyed them very much! Your first book, thankfully, I read before I became engaged. I'm now happily married, and your book along with God's guidance helped me choose the right man. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom with others!
I admire your novel as well. I could relate to Kenya in some ways, and your writing style is fresh, entertaining, and conversational. I also loved how you used slang and other things to bring your characters to life. Totally cool book!
I'm looking forward to reading more of your work! I check back at your Lulu storefront from time to time to see if you've posted any more!
God bless you and your family!
Sincerely,
LuAnn Kennedy, Author of Balance Your Life - The Complete Guide to Managing Work and Family and others: www.lulu.com/KennedyPoems
"Save It for Ya Momma" is a novel about a young African-American woman named Kenya who has a college education, successful career, good friends and a loving, supportive and good-looking husband named Malik. On the surface, it appears Kenya has it all, but sexual abuse suffered by Kenya as a young child at the hands of her evil stepfather, Lech Henderson, has left Kenya with deep emotional problems that have far-reaching effects.
Kenya has never felt loved, supported, or protected by her mother throughout her lifetime. She feels she has always been inadequate to her mother and a disappointment in her eyes. Kenya cannot understand why her mother has always taken the side of her mentally ill stepfather over herself, just letting Kenyabe abused and humiliated. Kenya is finally pulled from the abusive situation by her Aunt Sierra and Uncle Rodney.
The story takes some interesting turns of fate when some tragedies and circumstances change the way both Kenya and Malik's families view the whole picture. Grandmother Baker is certain God has a plan for everyone and knows what is best. Can a lifetime of deceit and underhanded motives be changed into a positive? Can relationships be mended and healing begin? The chain of events is almost unbelievable. We have all heard that at times it seems the world is a small place, but in this novel the chain of events is quite mind boggling and incredible. What a small circle we sometimes live in!
Kimberly Clark writes a good novel that will keep you interested in how the story will unfold. It is appropriate for adults who can handle the knowledge that unfortunately, there are evil and abusive people in this world who sometimes only care about themselves. I think African-American females might find it even more appealing, as Kimberly relates quite well through the character of Kenya and her female family members and friends. I found the addition of pinpointing God as the pillar of strength a very positive aspect. This is a story of how what appears totally bad may sometimes bring joy and goodness in the end.
I believe Kimberly Clark may have written this novel to help other victims of abuse know that all is not lost if a terrible act has left one feeling damaged and hurt. Severe emotional scars can be healed. Future successful relationships can be experienced after crippling emotional and physical mistreatment, if help is received. And sometimes, we just never know how God will use us to further his mission! All things are possible for those who believe and trust in him. Just know that God is in control. Kimberly also stresses to us how important a mother's unconditional love is to her child. A mother's love is a necessary and essential part of a child's upbringing, and the lack thereof can be harmful.
A big fault, and actually the only fault, I found with this novel was its obvious lack of editing. I emphatically recommend editing before this book's next printing. Otherwise, I consider this book most worthy of reading! Kimberly Clark is a talented author.
It is very rarely that a sample chapter with only three pages could make me laugh so hard and be so engaged. I just got through watching the new pilot proceeding "Girlfriends" and the guy who couldn't catch the football reminds me of the Adonis in this book. From the first sentence, I feel like I want to meet him! And the narrator's voice? This author is great at being real to her characters and true to their souls. Great job!
