Family Pictures [Paperback]

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: LuLu.com
• ASIN: B0027YWLXQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,675,652 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rachel Berry was born Sarah Rachel Gaines in Newark New Jersey. She grew up in Newark, East Orange, and Orange school systems. Rachel later moved to Virginia and is now a mother of 4 adults, wife, grandmother of 3 gorgeous girls, a published author & poet, motivational speaker, radio talk show host, indie book publisher, book coach, mentor, business woman and a community leader.

Berry worked as a government employee for 25 1/2 years before retiring and starting her own business.

As founder and president of a social community group, this artist juggles a full schedule. "Black Pearls United INC"(an African American sister-circle) was founded in 2000. For a short time "WOMB" (women of many blessings) a support group for single-mothers was also a program she founded in 2004.

Rachel is also an alumni member of Toastmasters International where she has served as Sergeant at Arms and was awarded Toastmaster of the Year.

Mrs. Berry's speaking engagements include ILMW (The International League Of Muslim Women), Hampton Social Services, The Red Hat Society, Sixth House INC., to name a few.

As a wife, mother, grandmother and caregiver to both of her parents Rachel puts family first and enjoys life in Virginia. When she's not writing, she also enjoys reading, dining out, traveling and watching movies. She accredits her gain in blessings and achievements to her relationship and guidance from her creator, association with great women, positive family members, loyal friends, the upbringing of an amazing woman-her mother, and the support and love of her husband and children.

Rachel's book 'From The Heart And Heat Of Me' is a selection of poetry and prose on the many settings of life & love. The poem "Give Her A Chile, So She Know," holds a special tribute to single-mothers.

'A Slip In The Right Direction,' is part 1 of Berry's Clifton Henderson series: a coming-of-age series written for tweens and teens.

Berry's new trilogy release & novel 'Family Pictures - Written Photographs of Jealousy, Lies & Secrets,' is the saga of two women from the same family but with different life styles, educational backgrounds and age groups. Though close, these two women unrepentantly face emotional challenges because of revealed family secrets that not only affect them but the people they call family. This story is a pictorial & literary ride into relationships, betrayal, hidden secrets, jealousy, revengeful relatives, lies, patience, understanding and self discovery.

Be on the look-out for Rachel Berry's upcoming novels 'Between The Tears And The Laughter' and 'How Easy We Forget.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under Exposed, December 29, 2009

By 

Jennifer Coissiere "The Tough Critic"... (Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Family Pictures (Paperback)

When I first received Family Pictures by Rachel Berry, the size of the book was a little intimidating. Who would not look twice at a 667-page book? Well, the size was big but the story was bigger. In all families, there is some sort of scandalous truth hidden within pictures others can see or the memories of those who witnessed it. Berry tells the story of the Lo-Verde family history from the viewpoint of Regal, Emma Jean, and a friend; the friend is eventually revealed but not before most of the family secrets are known.

Regal and her aunt, Emma Jean, are alike in a few ways. Regal sees a therapist to keep a handle on her life that keeps delivering her some curveballs. Emma Jean was in a mental institution once due to her hard childhood and adult life. These two women have a strong relationship with each other, even though Regal's mother, Soul, speaks badly of Emma Jean every chance she gets. In Soul's opinion her brother, Winston, could have done much better than that crazy woman.

As Regal made strides toward getting married, two women wondered what they could do to keep the nuptials from taking place. All it took was the content of a sealed envelope to change the plans of various members of the Lo-Verde family. Regal goes to get the answers she so desperately needs from Emma Jean. Will all the members in the family make it out of the despair unscarred? Will the stories Emma Jean tells Regal be enough for Soul to finally get her wish of getting her daughter to stay away from her crazy sister-in-law? Or, will the lives of the Lo-Verde family go on as though nothing has happened?

Every time I thought I had been shocked for the last time, something else was revealed that had my mouth wide-opened in awe. I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. They reminded me of any family because of the internal jealousies, hatred, and those members who feel the need to control everything. If the plot was not fast-paced and filled with much drama coupled with believable characters, I would have put the book down due to the lack of proper editing. If and when the story is properly edited it would move along even faster. I received Family Pictures for review from the author. I recommend this selection from Ms. Berry to readers who enjoy reading family drama with multiple twists and turns on almost every page.

Jennifer Coissiere
APOOO BookClub

4.0 out of 5 stars AAMBC Book Reviews, December 23, 2009

By 

African Americans on the Move Book Club "AAMB... (San Antonio, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Family Pictures (Paperback)

Do you think its possible for a family to have secrets? Of course we have the occasional moments when we choose not to tell the truth. But this book made me wonder, does my family has secrets that could change everything? This was my first time reading works by Rachel Berry and I must say it was a enjoyable introduction. Although, the book is very long consisting of over 600 pages this is the type of read where if it was over at page 200 you would of wanted more. This is a saga on life. The many tears we cry, the anger and distrust we overcome, but most of all this book is life. We live life not placing it in comparison to others but not realizing just how similar we may be. Rachel Berry was real with her suspense and drama that when you discovered the truth it shocked you. I couldn't see Ms. Berry revealing the story any other way and I recommend this book as top shelf.

Dalfanie Jamison
AAMBC Book Reviewer