When Things Appear To Be Real They're Usually A Form Of Disillusion
Haelo Barring...a successful young lady trying to find her way in mainstream America in the South. Birmingham, Alabama to be exact.
Tarion Anderson...Haelo's former live-in lover that hasn't accepted the fact that their relationship is over.
Immensely surrounded by the drama that unfolds in their lives, Haelo and company find themselves shifting away from their goals and dreams. Will Tarion ever be able to forgive himself for the destructive path he paved? Can Haelo bear the true meaning of her name? The Universe provides pertinent information -if only they choose to listen.
Excerpt
Haelo
Today, things just changed. Out of the clear blue sky, things have now been changed. Yesterday was just an ordinary day. Today is totally different. I can’t believe what is happening to me. I just wish I would cool off. I’m so hot. I wish the sweat would stop pouring down my face and seeping into the corners of my mouth. It tastes like anger and fear at the same time.
I just busted a bitch right in the face. Not a female dog, but a grown-ass man! There is a tooth lying next to my foot on the floor to prove it. It was not a premeditated move. It just happened. I don’t know why my fingers formed a fist and my knuckles touched the face of a man I thought I loved, who was twice my size, but I did it. I just did it. I guess you can say I snapped.
Silence was in the air. I didn’t hear anything, but I could feel the tension.
Okay, let me collect my thoughts. Better yet, let me recollect on what just happened. Dayum.
I remember coming home. I remember walking through the door and setting my purse on the sofa. I remember turning on the light in the kitchen and looking through the mail.
Let me sit up so I can think. Why am I on this cold-ass bathroom floor anyway?
As I start to sit up, I realize I am sore. I am hurting and blood is on my fingers. I still taste the sweat, which found permanent taste buds to rest on inside my mouth. Bracing myself, I grip the toilet and finally stand up. I glance in the mirror as it all comes back, slowly, but it’s coming back. The mirror reflects the horror in my face. My almond-colored skin is blotched with blue spots. My natural, light brown hair is mangled and tangled. All my teeth are still in place.
I was lying on the cold bathroom floor because I asked him to leave. I asked Tarion to leave my apartment immediately. I was tired of the bull. This was the last straw of the broom. This was the end. I meant it and I said it.
“You must leave now!” I screamed. “I don’t have anything else on my mind but wanting you to get the hell out of my life. This is what I have wanted to say to you for a long time now. It’s been thought about. It’s been planned out, and the time is right for you to leave and get the hell out of my life. I now remove you from my life, my heart, and my house. Get the hell out, Tarion!”
“Haelo, you’re a null and void bitch anyway. I’ve wanted to tell you that, too, for a long time. Figured I had absolutely nothing to worry about the whole time but getting my shit together. You’re an easy bitch to train. I did a damn good job of it and off I go into the wind, owing you nothing. I’m free and clear and out of here,” Tarion replied, with an attitude that after five years I’d never seen before.
That’s when the bullshit began. Before he left, he swung. Yep, he swung. Then I swung. Then we swung back and forth at each other until things got out of hand. Shit in the house got broken. The décor changed a bit. Now, I was waking up in the bathroom on this cold-ass floor, sore and sour. I had lost track of time. He was gone, but you could tell he had been here. I HATE HIM!
Haelo, stop crying, is what I am thinking to myself. Breathe slower, Haelo, and try to calm down. Control your breathing.
I can’t. I just can’t. I can’t stop the tears. I can’t remove the wounds. They will probably be here for a very long time, and some even forever.
After about two hours, I was able to move around. After sitting on my soft, cuddly couch, I began to somehow start picking up the pieces, literally.
Slowly, but surely, I got things back in order. I swept up all of the glass. I took the trash out and Swiftered the floor for remnants of glass that I may have missed with the broom. After loading the dishwasher, I then went to my lift-a-spirits drawer and picked out two Nag Champa incense and two soy sage candles. If nothing else helped distress, deodorize, and remove bad tension from within my house…well, apartment…these two things always did.
Since my legs were sore and my hands were shaky, it took me about two and a half hours to reorganize my home and remove all signs of such a lowdown, never-forgiving, son-of-a uugghh! There was no way I would be able to make it to work tomorrow. Mentally and physically, I was a total wreck. So, I called my boss, Cindy, and told her that I wasn’t feeling well and would not be able to make it to work in the morning. No problem with that. I hated my job, but I was also a dedicated person.
Just as soon as my teapot sang its song, my phone rang. The caller ID read Atlanta, Georgia. It was my best friend Cruze. Since I didn’t feel like talking, I let it ring. Fifteen minutes later, and a good, steaming hot cup of chamomile tea gone, my cell phone rings again, and it’s the same person! I just didn’t feel like being bothered. I didn’t feel like talking, and I needed to be by myself. So, I turned my cell off and tossed it on the floor.
My whole life was about to change. Well, my whole life has changed. It’s not going to be the same as it was before. I’d have to get used to it ‘cause I ain’t turning back. I’m scared, though. I gotta stay cool for sure this time before somebody gets hurt.
Professional Reviews
Million Dollar Book Reviews
By Million Dollar Book Reviews - See all my reviews
Reviewed by: Leandus Poe and C. Adams
CEO/Author/Critic
Titles: Strawberries and Blackberry Cheesecake and Diminishing Love
Companies: Million Dollar Boys Club, Million Dollar Book Reviews
5 Stars
First and foremost it was a pleasure meeting Kanika A. Reese, The Matchless Novelist on Myspace. She is a graduate of Wenonah High School and later attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama. She strongly encourages individuals to find and follow their dreams and passions in life. Her motto is simple to follow, "think, act, and do! Her debut novel entitled "Disillusion" was one book that I couldn't wait to read and find out the reasons behind the title. When I received her book and promotional materials in the mail I could tell a strong force was behind her guiding the way. It was by far one of the best packages I have received thus far. Nu Cherte Publishing is definitely leading the way by signing the best and brightest authors in the game. In other words, it's not just about the book. It's about the presentation as well.
I said that, to say this "when I opened the book and read page one, I was choreographed perfectly into the life of Haelo Barring, the main character of the story." And I quote " today things just changed. Out of the clear blue sky, things just changed. Yesterday was just an ordinary day. Today is totally different. I can't believe what's happening to me."
In essence, those very words describe and outline the entire novel. Haelo, is the customer service supervisor for a small technology firm in Alabama, trying to hold together a life that's about to change. After 5 long years her relationship with Tarion ends abusively all in the same night. Since that night she has been trying to put the pieces of her life back together. She has no family members to turn to for help.
All she has is Cruze her best friend, who later confesses, he's also in love with her. Nestled amongst the drama that unfolds in their lives, Haelo finds herself drifting away from her goals and dreams, along with her immediate circle of friends. Although Haelo has a good heart she finds herself ready to do bad things to get out of debt and help her friend David, at the same time.
This story has true to life characters, superb description, combined with a great talent for storytelling. I was pulled into the story immediately and was not disappointed by the ending.
This is a Million Dollar Book Reviews recommended read!
Readers With Attitude
Friday, May 29, 2009
Book Review: Disillusion
Category: Writing and Poetry
Readers With Attitude
Disillusion
Author: Kanika A. Reese
Rating: 5
Haelo has to decide whether she wants to let go of the past, forgive or live in the past forever. What will she do when things don’t go her way? Will she press past the things that pull her back or look past the disillusion?
I loved this book. It was not predictable. I love that about a book. Not knowing what is going to happen in the next chapter is what keeps me glued to the pages. My favorite part is when Haelo finds it within her to forgive the people who hurt her in the past in order to move on with her life.
There was absolutely nothing that I didn’t like about the book. I loved that this book had lessons to be learned. My favorite lesson is in order to be happy or loved you have to love or make yourself happy first before anyone else can do that for you.
UrbanFireBooks
DISILLUSION BY: KANIKA A. REESE Kanika A. Reese is debuting in the literary industry with her page-turner novel "DISILLUSION." Disillusion is a fast paced novel that is very captivating and graphic. I started reading this story the same day I got it via email. I was so upset when my computer crashed and wasn’t able to read more about Haelo and Tarion. This novel had so many twists and turns that you don’t know what’s going to happen next. Kanika went above and beyond with this storyline, especially in her debut novel. The real life characters, the intense plot with so much detail you would actually think you were there scene after scene. I believe Disillusion will satisfy every readers needs and wants in this novel. Be on the look out for this novel, its not out as of yet; fortunately I was honored enough to read the manuscript before it drops. I definitely will support this author to the fullest and wish her all the best of luck this is a definite 10. Shaifire Urbanfirebooks <
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