Soul on Fire [Paperback]

Skyy Banks (Author), Giovanni Dortch (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2011

Dana Taylor is 29, a beautiful, well- educated, rising star in corporate Atlanta. Dana lives life on her own terms, no matter the cost. She can have any man she wants, but often finds herself in the throes of one unhealthy relationship after another. Not until she has retreated into the emotional shelter of various unavailable men, ruined a marriage, and jeopardized a friendship does she look inward to find the source of her self-destructive behavior. To reclaim herself and find redemption, she must unlock the demons of her past and confront those that stole her innocence. Soul on Fire chronicles one woman s journey for inner peace and happiness; neither of which comes without a price.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Soul on Fire, Banks premier novel, is set to be released October 2009. It is an exploration of the torment of abuse and the consequences of self-hatred and self-destructive behavior, and it sheds light on why so many women sabotage relationships and friendships that mean so much. Before Soul on Fire, Banks shared her works with the world through free-lance writings. She is a native of Arkansas who now calls Atlanta, GA her home. Banks enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Banks uses her writing as a platform to encourage her readers to explore taboo subjects and engage in dialogue to find solutions. She is a self-motivated woman and knows the world is waiting for her greatness. The only limits are the ones I place upon myself; I don t have any.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: UrbanEdge Publishing; 2 edition (December 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981532659
• ISBN-13: 978-0981532653
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,835,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Before Soul on Fire, Banks shared her works with the world through free-lance writings and continues to do so. She is a native of Arkansas who now calls Atlanta, GA her home. A staunch activist for HIV/AIDS awareness in women and teens, Banks is driven to educate and empower others on positive life style behaviors. She enjoys reading, writing, and traveling. Banks uses her writing as a platform to encourage her readers to explore taboo subjects and engage in dialogue to find solutions. She is a self-motivated woman and knows the world is waiting for her greatness. "The only limits are the ones I place upon myself; I don't have any."

Meet Skyy Banks and read her blog Skyy View at: www.skyybanks.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ...ALMOST DOES COUNT!!!/Not "Lesbian Fiction"!!!, September 20, 2010

By 

Blessed One "SeriousBookCritic" (Maryland) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Soul on Fire (Paperback)

This is the first title I have read by Skyy Banks. The book started out as a very interesting read, however, the more I read the more bored I became. The book WAS NOT BAD, it was just ok. The plot was clear, but I had a hard time following the author. Chapters were not adequately marked. Banks switched from 1st person to 3rd person, without warning. This was kind of confusing. Additionally, she didn't take enough time to develop the characters. Many of the characters in the book had no point. Many of the things she did, with and pertaining to the characters, had no relevance.

RECOMMENDATION 1: I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in reading 'lebian fiction.' It is categorized under 'lesbian fiction but a scene or two, involving intimate moments shared between two woman, hardly classifies it as 'lesbian fiction.'

RECOMMENDATION 2: I WOULD RECOMMEND this book to anyone who wants to learn more about child sexual abuse. As a victim, I was able to connect with the myriad of emotions experienced by both Dana and Mya. In my connection to the main character, Dana, I had an "ah hah" moment-which was wonderful!! This title is good for anyone who desires to gain some insight about the psychological impact of sexual abuse...specifically how it affects a child's transition into adulthood.

CAUTION...This Book Could Result In Digression For Someone Battling Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder!!

Again, it was not a bad book but books have to be good. Sitting down to read a book can be a pain-staking process if the book is not a page-turner. It took me weeks to get through a 241 page book that usually takes me a day (or less) to read. The beginning was fine, but I had to push through the book to get to an end that left much to be desired. I just felt like Banks got tired of writing, and was trying to get to an end.

It is my understanding that Ms. Banks is a new author. Thus my recommendation to her would be to try harder to write from the soul. I didn't feel the literary craft I feel when I read books. I would like to encourage her to build upon her characters more...make them more real to the readers...make those referenced characters relevant...be clear about who is speaking and when....don't jump between 1st and 3rd person with such inconsistency....and take the time to write it all out. Ms. Banks has the potential to be a great writer. She just has to believe that greatness lies within, and then tap into it (without force).

MS. SKYY BANKS: Let your drive to write, from the core of your being, be the motivating force behind the movement of the pen. If you need to take your time, than allow yourself that benefit. James Cameron took 10 years to craft a movie ("Avatar") that "wow'd" the world and broke every box office record known to mankind. You CANNOT rush perfection!!!

3.5 Stars From Me!!

Blessed "Serious" Book Critic

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1st Time at bat - Homerun, October 28, 2009

By 

Hemphill4 (Marion, AR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul on Fire (Paperback)

I actually went to one of Skyy's book reviews - to say I was blown away to learn that this was her first book. Skyy Banks made all of her characters so real, it was as if I was Dana's friend. I felt her pain and laughter. The characters were great, the plot even greater and the ending was awesome.

This is truly a must read. I am eagerly awaiting her next book. She may be new to the scene but she is definitely here for the long haul.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A girl child ain't safe in a house full of men's., August 16, 2010

By 

Readers Paradise "Book Club" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Soul on Fire (Paperback)

The secrets that we keep when we talk in our sleep. what makes us keep this dirty little secret, that manifests into problems or behavior we don't understand or acknowledge?

Dana Taylor beautiful successful, any man or woman would love to have, but she carries a deep dark secret that impales her future and invades her dreams an poses a threat to her being.

Becoming involved with various relationships with her man de jour, different scenarios with the same outcome, Dana finds herself alone again, her body used and her mind abused. Her relationship with her best friend Michelle is even at risk.

But when the tragic death of her sister Mya brings her back home to Cleveland, memories that once were buried, slowly start to overwhelm her.

Dana finds herself in need of a therapist, and with her help Dana realizes her worst fears when she remembers what has been done to her in her childhood, and by who.

Dana's and Mya's story is one that we hear about and some of us have lived through. How many more little children need to live with the shame of sexual abuse, finding ways to hide or endure. Will we ever see the light?

Skyy Banks, approached a very sensitive subject with care and sensitivity while still being enjoyable. I still recommend it, someone may learn the signs of sexual abuse and not just see it, but actually do something about it. Thank you

Melody Vernor-Bartel

Reader's Paradise

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