Customer Reviews

Even Numbers

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The mark of good literary fortitude is how stories are written to elicit the apt attention of readers. Authors would do themselves a great service to this small entity if and when they can write using unique methods for the work to stand above and beyond status quo. Barbara Grovner does this by using a fly on the wall for the best seat in the house to narrate a quasi-omniscience voice in telling a poignant story. EVEN NUMBERS is the name of this innovative read, and it has vestiges of quality that demand time and space. In addition to the uniqueness of how this book was written, the author illustrates how sexual abuse, molestation, incest, and the sick predatory ways that propels a modus operandi for manipulation to fuel a compelling story.

Basically this is a simple tale with two main characters - James and Dominga, which gives the book substance as opposed to a de facto storyline without rhyme and reason. It centers on a dysfunctional family, including a sexual predator, his naïve wife and circumstances surrounding the exploits of the former. Chapters One and Two introduces the omniscient voice of the fly who laments the fact that premeditated plans has let a man use and dominate his wife and stepdaughter in order to carry out a malady that is so prevalent in our world. It doesn't take long for the book to take on the persona of the subject at hand when Dominga loses both her parents at an early age and is forced to live with a cousin of her father's. This alliance would prove to produce blatant sexual abuse that propels bouts of depression. The life of a loner usually calls for desperate measures to bolster self-esteem, love and accept which is a turning point in this drama.

Enter James, the consummate soother smooth operator whom she feels is the Adonis that has been missing from her life. James has a sickness that feeds the addiction to young girls, and he use single women with young daughters to feed that fire. James wastes no time in providing Dominga everything she has ever wanted...but James has eyes for Olivia - Dominga's daughter. When will James commit a faux pas? Will the hunter eventually get caught by the game?

I liked the way the author told the story, and if there was regret it would be that I would have liked the storyline to have had much more substance to drive intrigue with a better plot and back story. Kudos however, for the fly on the wall that made sure that James would never again be able to destroy innocent women and their precious little girls again. Alas, you will love how this tale ended, and I dare not spoil your anticipated verve! The bottom line is that Ms Grovner left something to bridge the road to another book in this realm should she choose to. I had no qualms in giving five out of five stars for my rating.

EVEN NUMBERS by Barbara Grovner held me hostage for 4 hours. I craved page after page, refusing to put my kindle down until I was done! While I was thoroughly entertained with the story, I kept waiting to hear more from Mr. Fly. To pen a tale narrated by a fly on the wall is creative genius. It's what grabbed my attention.

Despite my desire to hear more from Mr. Fly, I thoroughly enjoyed EVEN NUMBERS and would highly recommend it. It's been a while since I've read a book in a day but EVEN NUMBERS kept my attention and I'm sure it'll keep yours, too. You won't be disappointed.

A man who touches a little girl deserves to be in jail because that is wrong. Olivia should have told on him right away but because she didn't James went on with life, touching other little girls. The fact that Olivia had to live with her stepfather touching her and her mother not believing her affects Olivia for the rest of her life.

I enjoyed reading this book. I will talk to my friends about it!

Shrelle Herman in South Georgia

I always love when an author is unique. You know, uses something a little different to draw our attention. In this book our author uses a fly. Yes, that's right. Our story is told by a fly on the wall, and what a story he has to tell. Great idea!
We are taken into the life of a woman named, Dominga. A woman who has low self-esteem and desperately needs love. Unfortunately her need becomes the focal point of her life, and does not allow her to see the destruction it brings about to her own daughter, Olivia. The man she falls in love with is a predator of the worse kind, a child lover, and her daughter's life will be destroyed for his pleasure. How sick is that? And quite disturbing.
I found this books to be quite an eye-opener. I loved the way the author takes us into the mind of the predator, his manipulation, his cunning ways. I never realized anyone would go to such lengths for their perverted pleasures, but now I do. It is a disturbing tale, but one I am sure is played over and over again in countless homes in countless countries. Sad, but true. We need to wake-up and protect our children from this garbage. This book should be read by everyone who cares about children. A great read, very well done, with an ending to the Predator that will bring a smile to your face, at least for a moment. Way to go fly!

The author, Barbara Grovner did a wonderful job of depicting one of the most intolerable things in life. A child abuser.

Through descriptive accounts of very serious events occuring from several calculated meetings and "dates" with unsuspecting females with low self esteem. James is able to step in and be the hero. Even if it is only for a night. These women share mounting and seemingly overwhelming responsibilities with no relief in sight. In comes James, with an ear and a shoulder to cry on. A good guy in these women's eyes and harmless enough to take home they figure.

James, the culprit in this novel actually seeks these characteristics out in women and use their misfortune against them and their innocent children.

Dominga, having lost most of her family, is looking for love and security, and James is thought to be just the man she needs in her life to make things better for her and her daughter Olivia. Only it's not a dream come true. It's a nightmare!

Grovner has done well at profiling a predator and the women they prey upon. She has shared the characteristics of both individuals in this shocking and thought provoking narrative.

Great read!

Reviewed by:
MissyT
"The Romantic"
Babes on Books Bookclub

" Even Numbers" by Barbara Grovner was short and straight to the point. It is the story of Dominga and her daughter,Olivia. Being a single mother is a struggle for Dominga...that is until she meets her knight in shining armor..or so it seems.
Even Numbers delves into the world of one of the sickest people to walk the Earth, a sexual child abuser. This book was an eye opener, especially for single mothers looking for love in all the wrong places.It was a quick read told by a fly on the wall. At times it was overly descriptive. I loved the information that was presented at the end of the book. Looking forward to reading more from this author. 4.5 stars

~Black Faithful Sisters and Brothers Book Club~

Even Numbers was a great book! At first, it seemed a little slow to me, but once it picked up, boy did it pick up!! I couldn't believe that Dominga's husband was molesting women. I felt really bad for Oliva. The book made me mad, but it was a great book!! I can't wait to see what is next from this author!

Even Numbers is a book that I think EVERY single mother... better yet every woman needs to read. Actually, this is a book that should be a mandatory read in late middle to early high school years. So many lives could take a different course if this was talked about early on. The subject is very disturbing, yet very necessary to be acknowledged. Ms. Grovner has dared to tackle a taboo subject that many pretend doesn't exist. She did an excellent job of telling the story of James, Dominga and Olivia (being the subjects for this all too real tale), provoking a range of emotions to cause one to analyze their own life. I also loved how the cycle of perpetuation has been demonstrated.
Although I stated "the elephant in the room," the story is being told by a fly in the room, but the elephant being a subject that many know to exist, but choose to not see. I would love nothing more than to recap this story, but I don't think my own words would do the story any justice. This story held my attention for 3 ½ straight hours, brushing people off of the phone so I could continue with my reading. I will say this, Even Numbers is a MUST READ!!!! And after you read, TALK ABOUT IT!!! and then talk about it some more. This subject needs to be talked about, and I applaud Barbara for having the courage to boldly write about this. Bravo!!!

This book will having you feeling every emotion possible, both good and bad. But once I got to the first page, I could not put it down. I had to know what happen to that devil!! And I know that once you read it, you will not stop until the last page! This is a great book and a must read for sure!!

Although the topic of this book was a difficult one for me to read, child molestation, I was able get through it because of how well the story was told. I loved how the story was told from the Fly on the walls point of view. I also enjoyed how we were given the background on the character Dominga. James was a low life calculating snake who preyed on weak single mothers. Being a single mother myself the thought of a man preying on women like this boils my blood. Anyway this was a great read and I will recommend it to everyone I know. Great job Barbara.