Customer Reviews

Children of the Waters: A Novel

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Children of the Waters was an interesting read for me as I don't really like themes of abandonment but I found myself caught up in the story if for no other reason to see the outcome of the characters Carleen Brice so brilliantly created and wrote about. I was most interested in the character named Billie who had for me the most to deal with in the story. Billie has lupus and is in LOVE with Nick who has his own demons to deal with that affect the relationship in ways that almost had me turning to the end to see what and how they were going to deal with it. Several issues crop up for Billie and the way Carleen writes the story, I'm sure you'll be rooting for her as I was. Carleen has done it again with a story that has real life themes that keep you turning the pages just like I did when reading Orange Mint and Honey. I look forward to the next book by this author who is now one of my favorites.

Bestselling author Carleen Brice returns with a powerful narrative of two sisters bound by blood but separated by the forces of society and prejudice that we all either endure or encourage.

CHILDREN OF THE WATERS is one of those books that will truly fit the bill for men and women who want a literary masterpiece to discuss issues of race, self-esteem and acceptance (from others and even ourselves). It's not a book just for black folks, though you might have to go to your African American section of your favorite bookstore to find it. It's a book with real-life characters that reflects America: imperfect yet striving to find the very best of itself, no matter what the circumstances.

Thank you, Carleen, for giving us what all true lovers of words expect from a talented author: a book that will leave us changed forever.

I so loved Carleen Brice's debut novel that I wasn't sure how I could love CHILDREN OF THE WATERS as much as I did ORANGE MINT & HONEY. After finishing this novel in two sittings, I found there was nothing to worry about. Brice has outdone herself.

The book's chapters alternate between two half-sisters with very different experiences and backgrounds.

Brice handles both sides of a silent conversation about race that for most of us is remains a one-sided dialog. I feel like I often times am Trish -- the white character who, despite having black friends and family she loves will still never be able to experience things from their perspective. Brice forces the sisters to work through the often unrecognized issues that in what some are calling a "post-racial" age, almost everyone continues to struggle with.

Brice has again given us the fantastic Denver backdrop that she writes like no one else does. CHILDREN OF THE WATERS is a great story that's beautifully written.

Carleen Brice's newest work, Children of the Waters, centers on two sisters that find each other as adults. This story had me from page one as a secret is revealed that changes the way the sisters view each other, race and family.

Billie, an African American woman with lupus and Trish, a Causcian women with an interracial son, are both richly drawn and complex. Through the discovery of their family bond, the reader is forced to examine their own core beliefs about race and family. Told through alternating narrative between the two sisters, I rooted for these strong women to embrace each other as sisters. The conclusion of the story reveals that the definition of family goes deeper than blood and race is only a color to describe the package and not the person.

Carleen Brice follows up her excellent debut, Orange Mint and Honey, with another outstanding piece of work. I look forward to the next novel from this author.

I loved Carleen Brice's first novel, Orange Mint and Honey , so I was a little afraid that her second novel might not be as rewarding a read. I shouldn't have worried. Brice has written another book that accomplishes several important goals: it is accessible and enjoyable for a broad reading audience, it tells a great story, it is beautifully written, and it provides much food for thought. I read it straight through - couldn't put it down. Another winner. I'm eagerly looking forward to Carleen Brice's next book.

Carleen Brice's Children of the Waters is s book that will immerse readers in so many thoughts and possibly memories. The premise of the story is two sisters, one white and the other bi-racial, are separated for years due to a decision made by their grandmother. However, there are so many layers to this story that are at once so simple, yet so complicated. Before saying another word about the storyline I would like to recommend Children of the Waters to all who can read, understand and enjoy well-written literature.

Trish Taylor is separated from her husband and doing everything she can to raise her 16 year-old son, Will. She is struggling with her weight, she is lonely, but one thing for sure is she loves her child. She discovers though, that love will not protect him from some things, considering he is a teenage boy and bi-racial and she is a white woman. But she will do the best she can. She is also discovering some inconsistencies about the death of her mother and baby sister. Trish is in store for the surprise of her life.

Billie Cousins life has been wonderful, though filled with challenges. She was brought up in a loving family and has a good life. She has struggled with a life-threatening illness, but she is doing well and has discovered she is pregnant. However, there is a small problem, the father of her child, Nick, is not happy about becoming a father; he has other concerns. What Billie does not know is that Nick is about to be the least of her concerns. Discovering she was adopted and has another family is more than she is ready for.

Ms. Brice does a wonderful job of bringing us the story from the perspectives of Trish and Billie and allowing readers to see how complicated the issues of race, love and family can be. I cannot say enough about how this book touched my heart and made me think and I will recommend it to everyone within the sound of my voice.

Angelia Vernon Menchan
APOOO BookClub

Out of separation bonding may come, but to get to the bonding stage a series of events must take place in order for the circle to be complete. CHILDREN OF THE WATERS by Carleen Brice is an atypical account of two sisters, Trish and Billie, one white, one bi-racial and their journey towards each other. Born to a drug addicted mother and black father, Billie was adopted at birth by a prominent Denver family. Never knowing her parentage, her seemingly complete world is shattered when Trish comes along in search of her younger sister. With a story to tell and hopefulness in her heart, Trish's world is turned upside down when she is forced to deal with the issues of race, religion and abandonment.

CHILDREN OF THE WATERS highlights age-old questions of the role of race in our society and what comprises a family. The story reads like an exploration of self as both sisters traverse the loves of their lives and the meaning of family by their definition and that of others.

Told in alternating chapters of both protagonists, the dialogue is heartfelt, humorous, witty and grief-filled. The joy and pain celebrated is captured and makes for a perceptive and discerning study of the human condition where love, race, prejudice and religion are combined. CHILDREN OF THE WATERS delves into the heart of the matter- to truly be complete in mind, body and spirit you must first know and understand your source.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Carleen Bricce is like a painter with paint but instead she uses word to show you the landscape. Her writing really draws you in so you can smell the smells and hear the nuances in the chracter's voices. Adoption is not easy for either side of the table. This books shows how we are livng with about six degrees of separation.
It also talks about lies and secrets and how keeping things in can hold us back.
It is a must read. ----Joy Keys- Host of Saturday Mornings with Joy Keys. [...]

Carleen Brice's second novel, Children of the Waters, is poignant and thought-provoking. Brice deftly explores the nature of prejudice, relationships, spirituality, and what it means to be a family in our modern melting pot society. The vivid characters are utterly believable, with spot-on dialogue, as they struggle with real-life challenges of love and loss in the past, present, and future. I smiled and cried along with Billie and Trish, half-sisters separated by time and culture, and the Children of the title, who learn they're not so different after all.

I had read Carleen Brice's first book Orange Mint and Honey, and thought she could not write another book that I would enjoy as much. I was wrong. Ms. Brice has created two very interesting characters and this book left me with very peaceful and warm feelings at the end. The story of Trish visiting the cemetary and not finding her sister's grave rang true with me, because that did happen in my husband's family. Both Trish and Billie's characters feel like young women you know everywhere and add much to the reason I read this book in one day. Ms. Brice seems to have a habit of writing books that can't be put down until they are finished. I do not like having to say goodbye to the characters in any of her books. I have gifted this book to many of my friends and happily recommend it to the readers.