Par for the Curse [Paperback]

Toyi Ward (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 3, 2009

Stormy has grown up with the warning that she is cursed. Raised in a family of eight women with twenty-four husbands among them, she has managed to escape the family's legacy thus far. Things begin to change once she is given the details concerning a hex that was cast upon her great grandmother over eighty years ago. Managing the antics of her adulteress young cousin, Riley, exhausts Stormy. Comforting the heartbreak of her older cousin Lourdes, angers her. After a devastating turn of events on par with her birthright, Stormy decides to seek a remedy for the family's plight. She travels to New Orleans determined to find answers. Along the way she faces a quilt of obstacles and a set of choices that challenge her reality. Will she reveal the information or continue playing the hand she was dealt by an angry young woman in the Bayou? Par for the Curse reveals the influence of voodoo and the impact of generational secrets on family, life, and love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

What a refreshing story. For popular fiction the sentence structure is strong and could easily be literary in nature. The plot is well done and the ending does not disappoint. This is a genre busting display of originality. It's obvious the author conducted extensive research in palm reading to provide the back drop for this story. Even I tried to interpret my own hand while reading the story.

The character development is some of the best in popular fiction. Though the characters are mixed race African-Americans, their plight and appeal are universal. The depth and complexity of the family dynamics are perfectly crafted in a tale of love, support, and typical family tension. The character behavior is consisten throughout the novel and there was never any place that I felt a disconnect between character and behavior.

The plot had several underlying stories, all that were wrapped up by the end of the story. Unlike a lot of popular fiction, this novel develops, nurtures, and closes the plot at all levels of the story. It's funny, thought-provoking, and pure entertainment. I give this story an "A" and Toyi Ward a red carpet into fiction writing. --Journey Reviews, March 2009 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

As a former book reviewer for Gospelcity.com, I've read a lot of first time authors' work. This is the rare exception. It is not only well-written but it has a compelling storyline centered on the subject of family generational curses. Welcome Toyi Ward into the fold as an emerging talent, one who has many more stories in her being and one who will be around for a long time. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Naphtali Books (February 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615268196
• ISBN-13: 978-0615268194
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,458,993 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Toyi Ward (1972-), born Toyi Elizabeth Price, was raised in a small town on the banks of the Ohio river. After a ten year career as a Fortune 100 sales & marketing executive she leveraged her corporate achievement into a budding entrepreneurial career as a writer.

Toyi Ward, the author, released her debut novel, PAR FOR THE CURSE (Naphtali Books) which examines the issue of generational curses in today's family. The story explores the influence of secrets on family, life, and love. Her follow-up novel, BUTTERFLY FALLS, is expected to release in 2010.

As a media host, the "intelligent and provacative" Toyi Ward tackles issues of race, politics, and religion. TOYi-Talk's insightful commentary and candid style hopes to inspire listeners to be authentic in their daily lives by developing well-informed opinions for themselves. TOYi Talk discusses life as it is, not as you want it be. Guests say that the show is "simply smart and fun".

As a speaker, Toyi draws upon her extensive experience of achievement and training to facilitate workshops and lectures for social, corporate, professional, and civic organizations. Her intuitive style and keen intellect earned her the distinction of NJ BIZ Magazine's Top 50 Women in Business and National Who's Who Among Business Women.

She holds executive seats at The Center for Research on Violence Against Women (CRVAW) and The University of Kentucky Women & Philanthropy Leadership Council. She's an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Jack and Jill of America Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AAMBC Book Reviews, June 14, 2009

By 

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

This review is from: Par for the Curse (Paperback)

Throughout the story, I am reminded of the women being cursed. The secret was let out by their Grandmother Lila before she died. She explained to her mature granddaughters that the scar on her ring finger happened when her best friend, Marie Williams, slicked across it at seventeen years old. She carved two uneven lines, believed this is where the heart line is, and that love will never run its course in her life. How does this curse continue in her genealogical line? Marie also whispered the curse in her ear after cutting the lines on her ring finger, saying, "The men you love will never love you. The men who love you, you will never love." Who wants this type of curse for their own life and their kindred? Wait until the truth is unleashed.

Stormy is aware of the curse, as well as her husband, Brandon, but they still divorce. He wanted children, and Stormy would not provide until after they are divorced. Now, she has to watch Miley come in the picture, who proposed to her husband and pregnant with his child too. She wants to break the curse. Can it be broken?

Riley and Stormy are "double cousins". There mothers are sisters who married twin brothers. Their fathers died at a young age, which they united as "sisters" due to the loss. Stormy keeps Riley adulterous secret with a married man. Sadly to say, Riley does not appreciate the man who loves her, Damon, and falls in love with a married man, Kendall. This character thus far upsets me the most. Do you know how many women would love to have a good man that loves them and to be committed (marriage)? Yet, there are scandalous women out there, only out to get theirs! You will read how many times she has been married too.

Lourdes is tolerating Ray's other children outside of their marriage. Ray may not fathered one or two of his children, but still claim them and Lourdes still accepts them as his. She has even moved in his son, RJ (Ray Jr) and his mother in their home. What!

Toyi Ward brings out some great points of faith, hope, and love...we need to break generational curses. I believe God can break any of these curses (Deuteronomy 28), yet some people that curses only happen if you believe in them. The author also points out religion aspects to see if this is a method used to break curses.

During my read, at first I felt I was rushed into scenes and had to re-read, but mid-way through the book...it took me on a roller-coaster ride of drama and deceit that some of the women put on themselves. Women have intuition and can see the "red flags", but still allow the mess to unfold in their journey of life...worth the read!

Adrienna Turner

AAMBC Reviewer

4.0 out of 5 stars intriguing and original, February 28, 2010

By 

A. Allen (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Par for the Curse (Paperback)

First, what's good. Toyi Ward wrote an intriguing story spanning several generations that is accessible to many women (though I'd venture not as many men). In reading the book, I learned more about different cultures and religions (Voodoo and Hoodoo are two real and separate practices!) and gained an understanding about why some women behave in relationships the way that they do. It was a page-turning, quick read, with a "mystery" that ends in a satisfying manner.

What's not-so-great. I found myself frustrated with the women in this story, often thinking in exasperation that they each just needed to be stronger. That being said, weaker women exist in the world and should indeed be written about--their stories told, their lessons learned (or learned by others), their experiences commiserated with. In the end, although I felt frustrated by many of the actions of the women and the decisions that they continually made, I felt that the stories were well-told and worth being told.

As a side note, it took me a few pages to realize that the characters spoke in an "accent" that I do not think in. Before coming to this realization, attempting to "hear" the characters in my inner voice was annoying; however, once I realized the tone and adjusted my inner voice, the reading came much more easily and enjoyably.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, November 7, 2009

By 

lms (cleveland, ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Par for the Curse (Paperback)

A friend told me about the book, "Par of the Curse" and I was pretty intrigued about the generational curses portion. I am pretty impressed w/ Toyi Ward's writing because I was able to complete the entire book within 1.5 days...that's with being married and raising 2 little children. The book was quite the page turner...I didn't want to put it down because I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next. It's something how some women always seem to want what they can't have. It's almost like a game or something to them and the men are no better who entertain these types of behaviors. I think the most I took from this book is that our tongues have the power to speak life and death into a situation. We need to be mindful of that power we are given by God and be selective and mindful of our words. Harmful things we speak over our children and our families can have a negative effect on them for the rest of their lives. It took Stormie, Riley and Lourdes to go thru so much abuse to finally get to the bottom of the matter and dispel the curse. In actuality...we all have the power in Christ to dispel any curse, whether it's supposedly generational or not. We have to exercise our faith to believe that our lives are destined for greatness.

I feel Ms. Ward did a great job giving enough detail on certain matters to keep the intrigue...but not going too overboard to become bored. Each page kept you wanting for more.

Get this book...you will not be disappointed.