Customer Reviews

Finding Me

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just finished Darnella Ford's Finding Me and find myself struggling to grasp the words that will give this book and its author the praise they both deserve. I've said before and at this point can't imagine not saying again that Darnella Ford is one of the most gifted writers on the scene at this time. I like to call myself a writer but what she does is something on a completely higher level than most wordsmiths.

I believe that she is the first and only author I have read who truly never settles when it comes to her writing. What I mean is, Ford seems to carefully...no precisely, choose each word she laces together in order to make sure every sentence says exactly what she means. As a writer I know that is no easy thing to do. Every once in a while, most writers have to say that's close enough. I don't believe Ford has ever sold anything she's written short in that fashion.

Now the book, I found myself totally and completely and helplessly lost in Finding Me. This is possibly the 21st Century's version of Their Eyes Were Watching God, My favorite love story of all time. But to simply call it a love story falls short of doing it justice. It is about romantic love, family love and most of all the love of self. I could go on for days but time and space won't permit; so I'll simply say that any lover of books and great writing should absolutely purchase this book as soon as possible.

Have you ever read a book that took your emotions on a ride? Have you ever read a book that made you stop and wonder? Have you ever read a book where the author made it so detailed you found yourself IN the book instead of being the reader? THIS is that book! Finding Me is one of the best books I have read for the year of 2009!

The book is narrated by a eleven year old girl, Blaze James. She is definitely eleven going on twenty one at the beginning if this book! She is the identical twin of Aerial James. Aerial is the complete opposite of Blaze. They are both beautiful but nothing alike. Blaze is known as a bed wetter and wetting the bed is what saved her life one night when a gas explosion occurs in their home.

After her mother falls apart, her father dies in the explosion and her twin sister is burned far from recognition it is then that Blaze James becomes the strong one of the James family.

While her sister and mother are in Baton Rouge getting treatment for her twin sister's burned body, Blaze stays behind with neighbor Felicity Hardway. Once Blaze meets and gets to know Felicity her simple life will never be the same!

The author takes readers on an EMOTIONAL rollercoaster ride! One minute you're screaming at Blaze to shut her mouth, the next you're laughing at her, the next you're crying for her and then with her and the next all your emotions are on the edge and you don't know which one to express or use!

Darnella Ford is an exceptional writer! I never in my life read a book like this. It was hard to put this book down at times, but I forced myself to think about the situations Blaze had herself in. Blaze Deloux James seem to be on her own since eleven years old and where ever she went she was never forgotten. She left everlasting impressions on people and she will definitely have you thinking about her long after you've read the last word on the last page of Finding Me.

HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended! Darnella Ford is now one of my favorite authors and its a MUST that I order and read ALL of her books. Crave, Choke, Naked Love and Skin. I can't wait to read them! Amazon doesn't have enough stars to rate this one!!!

I give this book two thumbs up. I finished it in two days. There were many twists and turns. Things happened that you never thought would happen. I definitely would reccommend this to all my friends.

I read this book in 2 days!

11 yr old identical twins, Blaze and Aerial are extremely close and protective of one another. Blaze is direct and impulsive while Aerial is subdued and reflective. Blaze is a bed-wetter, but this condition, ironically, ends up saving her life.

After the twins' home burns down (where their dad is killed and Aerial is badly burned), the mom leaves Blaze with Miss Felicity while she moves Aerial 250 miles away so that she can get treatment for her burns. Miss Felicity is the single woman who lives down the street that men find fascinating. Blaze moves in with Miss Felicity and quickly learns that Felicity is outspoken, she's gritty, and she's strong -- the complete opposite of Blaze's mom. These two, Blaze and Felicity, manage to find their way for about 8 months, until Blaze is reunited with her mom and Aerial (if you can call it that).

The 'reunion' is bittersweet and the weak-minded mom ends up making decisions that forever change their lives AND the relationship between Blaze/Aerial and the one between Blaze/mom.

Once Blaze becomes an adult, she lives an 'authentic' life refusing to apologize to anyone for who she is. She's very beautiful on the inside and out, and when she loves, she loves HARD and COMPLETELY.

I REALLY liked this book, particularly the 'honesty' of Blaze's character. While waiting for my flight at the airport, I read one chapter that, LITERALLY, had me in tears from laughing so HARD. After returning home, I read the chapter to my husband and he even had a belly laugh over it, no tears mind you, but a GOOD belly laugh.

Its a great story rich characters, but i did not like the ending at all it was like the worse way to bring closure and alot was left out that i find myself wanting to know about

Truly talented writer, but I hate that I can't give "Finding Me" 5 stars because of some parts of the story; I simply couldn't relate to. To be honest with you, I had to skip them because it was disgusting to me. Also, Nate's character was a bit unrealistic. Nonetheless, the writer is brilliant and she brings creative characters and a vivid imagination to her storytelling.

Ms. Ford, you keep writing and I'll keep reading, even though I don't necessarily care for some of your subjects, but again, your awesome writing keeps me coming back. :)

Overall rating 4.5

Oooooohweeeee!!!! I loved this story/book! (-:

I love Darnella's sytle of writing, her subjects, and how she draws you in with her words. She is my favorite writer and storyteller by far. Just love her. When I found out, two years prior to the release of the book, she was coming with this one I was so excited and impatient. (-: When I finished reading "Choke" I prayed that she would hurry with her next masterpiece. And I was simple blown away, in a BIG way, reading "Finding Me". I was shocked and when I got over the shock I was delighted, shocked again then delighted, then left in shock! (-: I cried some and I laughed a lot.

If you have never experienced seeing and touching the characters in stories you've read, be prepared, Darnella Ford takes you there. If you are in a bookclub it's definite bookclub read: the discussions would be exciting and interesting.

Darnella is a poet, spokenword; and it definitely shows in her books. The way she uses words is magical. She really knows how to tell a story, and she has an imagination for characters like no one else I have experienced. God has blessed her with an awesome gift, and I'm so glad she is sharing it with us. Oooooohweeeee!

I was a litter nervous about picking a book I knew nothing about, since I try and research the books I read first.
Book starts off GREAT and then I got scared when I seen where the book was taking me. So I put it down for a day but was eagerly wanting to know what would come of Blaze, so I decided to press through "those parts" in the book. Well............... I'm so glad I finished this book!! It was a wonderful, well written, thought out book. I hope I will enjoy many more of her writings - but I think I will have to press through those parts...

I just happend upon this book because I liked the synopsis on the back. I read it in 2 days. Darnella Ford is an excellent writer and I will be getting her other books to read.

This is an amazing story told from the viewpoint of Blaze and trust me, her name suits her. When the story starts Blaze is a pre-teen with a sassy, feisty & fiery attitude with a mouth to match. The story takes an abrupt turn, separating Blaze from Aerial, her beloved twin. The book deals with tragic and serious subjects matters, but Blaze brought humor and sarcasm to even the most dire situations. As Blaze grows so does her distance with Aerial and her mother, whom she's always resented.

The author did an excellent job with this book. There were lots of twists and turns but none were predictable. The people and places were so descriptive I could picture the characters with my mind's eye. This is a must read!