November 2002
 Dark
Side of Valor
by Alicia M. Singleton
Read
Interview
The mere subject
matter of this book is enough to keep this a page turning
delight. As such, it catches your attention as you read
the prolog for things to come. Dark Side Of Valor,
though its a debut offering, reads like a narrative that
makes you appreciate good writing and how an author has
truly done his/her homework for viability.
Alicia Singleton
should be applauded for telling a tale that echoes familiar
tones dealing with the subject of homeless children and
runnaways. The main character, Lelia is a lesson in perseverance
and having the determination to stick and stay despite the
pitfalls in her wake. Child advocacy and helping those less
fortunate will always endear those that are truly receptive
to the plight of children forced into circumstances beyond
their control a necessary truism. The genesis of the book
meets Leila when she as a teen forms the ideologics in her
manning the moniker of The Street Angel -- giving hope to
the hopeless, inspiring others to believe.
I completely
lost myself within this book. Emotions ran rampart as I
found myself caught up in the moment where tears flowed
freely and allowed me to interject myself wholly into Lelia's
pysche for understanding. The compelling nature of this
story is underlined when Lelia refuses to give up her aspirations
of a better life despite having to witness and be party
to the despair that controls her mother's life. With continued
consternation, Lelia decides to run away from home and discover
that life on the street is more than she bargained for.
But like others who embrace an idea and turn it into a defined
signature, she challenges and thrives to beat the odds that
for some reason seem to elude her no matter what choice
she makes for the good.
What I liked
about the author's choice in her writing style was the way
in which she captured your attention to want to keep the
book in your hand. In doing this she allowed each chapter
to end with a cliffhanger type effect to entice one to not
abandon this tale. To add intrigue to this storyline was
the introduction of different scenarios sending the heroine
to such outposts as Zaire, where she meets the protagonistic
Elijah Dune, a lothesome man with a mean steak of hate and
a revengeful disposition. Ironically, this pair end up unwittingly
fighting a battle side by side a dual enemy with pretentions
of past and present dire straits that has the power to destroy
them both. Albeit, Lelia holds on to show why the Dark
Side Of Valor is not an oxymoron, but a way to a justified
means. You will not be disappointed in reading this book!
About
the Author
Born
and raised in Philadelphia, the Howard University graduate
embraced the written word at an early age and allowed it
to proliferate into a labor of love. Alicia Singleton is
the recipient of the National Association of Women Writers
Award Of Excellence (Maryland Chapter). Her writing credits
include, book reviewing for Black Issues Book Review, past
Editor-In-Chief of The Trumpeter, Co-founder of The Heart
and Sword Critique Panel, and she is a member of The Black
Writer's Alliance, and the Maryland Black Writers Guild.
A past lecturer and Sales Consultant for Kinetic Concepts
International, she is currently in the process of completing
her next novel, Returned To Bondage due out Summer
or Fall 2003.
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