Amazon Right_sides Lounge Category:  Young Adult/Teen Publisher: Lulu Publishing ISBN-10:  1435726200 Type: Fiction Pages: 172 ISBN-13: 9781435726208 Love Laws is Ms. Muhammad's first book for Young Adults. Shanty and Jessie have known each other all their lives. They shared most everything, at least that's what Jessie thought until she learned things about Shanty she never new. Wanting to be successful, Jessie embarks on a long time dream of her grandfathers and takes it in another form to the worst part of her home towns neighboorhood. being under the watchful eyes of Dustin and Russell Jessie finds herself up to her throat in Love laws. Excerpt Jessie? Have you decided on what you want to do for your birthday Saturday, sweetheart?” Mrs. Jackson asked, as she entered the kitchen to make a cup of tea. Jessie was just finishing her breakfast. “I really hadn’t thought of it, mom.” Mrs. Jackson looked surprised from her daughters answer. Placing her hand on her hip, she turned to look at her daughter. “Jessie, I must say you are no ordinary girl if I ever saw one in my life! Every girl is always excited about her eighteenth birthday, and you, young lady will have a special one, too! Now, let’s just talk about this and see if we can’t find out what you’d like to do to celebrate. Your dad and I talked about it last night, and we’d like to take you out. I really want to make it special since you will be leaving for college soon.” Jessie placed her dishes in the dishwasher. Turning to her mom she voiced her opinion on the subject. “Mom, if you and dad want something special, it’s fine with me. What do you have in mind?” Jessie sat down at the table to hear her mother’s thoughts on what would be Jessie’s special day. She knew that whatever they came up with, it would be nice for them to spend their quality time together as a family. “Well, your dad mentioned something about a nice lunch at Bindley’s, and then we would go over to the mall and look around for an outfit for your graduation. We then can have an early evening at the skating rink if you want, before dinner, instead of waiting to go Sunday. I can make some of your favorites. What do you think?” Mrs. Jackson asked, before sitting down across from Jessie at the table. “Sounds fine to me mom, but I really don’t need another outfit. I can wear something from my closet. I just bought a few things that will be fine.” Jessie finished her orange juice and wiped her mouth. Standing she walked to the fridge and poured herself a glass of water. Drinking it all, she placed her glass in the dishwasher before sitting back at the table next to her mom. “That may be, honey,” Mrs. Jackson continued, “but I want to get you something nice anyway. Do you think Shanty would like to come along to the mall with us?” “Are you kidding? All you have to do is mention mall and Shanty will be there before us,” Jessie laughed. “I’ll call her and set it up. I’m sure she’ll join us for the skating, too. She’s dying to see you and dad skate since she knew of your skating challenge.” Mrs. Jackson laughed as she replied, “Sweetheart, that wasn’t a challenge; that was a night of lounging for your father and he’ll never admit it, although he has found new strength since then.” They both laughed as they left the kitchen. While her mom went to the basement for laundry, Jessie grabbed a book from the bookshelf and went to the back yard. Sitting in the lounge rocker with feet up, she started to read. This was a rare time that she enjoyed for herself. It was a warm, Saturday morning, and Jessie wore her green shorts and a pullover green t-shirt. She enjoyed the warmth on her bare feet and legs. Being absorbed in her book, she was unaware of the company she received. “So, what are we reading?” Dustin spoke, startling Jessie. “Dustin, one of these days I’m going to hurt you for tipping up on me so much. Can’t you announce yourself like most people?” Jessie replied, a little irritable at his sudden presence. “Oh, now you’re saying I’m not respectful? I think I’ve shown you nothing but the highest respect, considering the circumstances.” Dustin replied, as he sat besides her, stretching out his legs. Grabbing her pillow, he placed it behind his head as he relaxed. Jessie looked at him in amazement of his actions. Snatching her pillow back, she hit him with it. “Why are you here, Dustin, and why don’t you call before you drop in on a person. I may have had company or something,” Jessie spoke, while repositioning herself on the lounge swing. Dustin pulled his green and white cap down over his eyes and ignored her comment. His long legs moved back and fourth, rocking the swing slowly. He wore a green and white short set, which matched his gym shoes. Jessie noticed the hair on his legs resting from dampness. She thought he must have been running again. Dustin shifted, and the warm breeze sent the smell of his morning cologne up her nose. Lightly scented, she thought he smelled nice. She propped her pillow under her side as she sat back and pulled her shapely legs under her. Immediately, Dustin pulled out her foot and began to massage it gently. She tried to pull her foot back, and he tightened his grip “Chill, Shawty, and let a brother show yah some love,” he spoke, never looking out from under his cap. Jessie relaxed under his strong, firm hands as they massaged her foot. “Why are you here, Dustin?” she asked, looking at him. “You saying you want me to leave?” He responded, still not looking at her. She felt the perspiration on his hands, as he continued to massage her foot. “I’m asking why you came by; surely you weren’t dying to give me a foot massage,” she spoke, as she shifted onto her buttocks, releasing her other foot from the now uncomfortable position. Dustin raised his head to look at her from under his cap, while he took her other foot and continued the massage. He never satisfied Jessie with an answer, but soon kissed her small foot, raised his cap from his eyes, and gave her a long look that had Jessie wondering if something was wrong with him. “You have anything cold to drink besides water?” he finally asked, his eyes never leaving her gaze. Jessie pulled her foot from his hands as she rose from the lounge swing. Dustin, too, rose to his feet and followed her into the house. Pulling out two tall glasses, Jessie walked to the fridge and took out a carton of Strawberry Kiwi juice and filled both of them to the rim. Handing Dustin his, he drank it before she could even begin on hers. Giving her the glass, he stood looking in her eyes, making her lower her glance. Jessie placed the glass in the sink and turned to walk back out side, when Dustin grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. They both stood staring into each others eyes. Pulling her closer, Dustin kissed her gently on her lips. Jessie found herself submitting to him. Releasing his hold, he looked at her. Jessie turned and walked back outside to sit in the lounge rocker with Dustin on her heels. He stood over her as she sat down, and again placed her bare feet beneath her. “Jessie, I would like to see you more,” Dustin spoke to her. “I know you don’t feel much for me, and I understand why, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t care about Latajsha, nor do we have anything between us.” Jessie looked up at Dustin to see the sincerity in his eyes, but she also didn’t hear him say what she had hoped. Getting no response from her, Dustin sat beside her. “Jessie, I did like Shanty, but I saw she was interested in Richard some time back, and he and I are close, so I didn’t step in the way of it. Shanty is cool, and I know she and I are good friends; I don’t want to end that. Most importantly, I don’t want to keep pushing you away.” Jessie looked over at him, sat up straight and started to respond, when he pulled her close and kissed her again. “Dustin, I need time to think about this. You can’t just turn your feelings on and off about someone overnight.” Interrupting her, Dustin stood and pulled her up with him, holding onto her. “Jessie, my feelings weren’t that serious to begin with. I liked her; I didn’t say I was in love with her.” he spoke, as he held her glance. For awhile, Jessie didn’t know what to say to him. “I still need to think about this,” she finally said to him, as she sat back on the lounge rocker. Dustin stood, looking at her with his hands in his pockets. Suddenly, he turned and walked away. Jessie didn’t look at him; instead, she sat back and exhaled. Her thoughts were racing in wonder of what brought all that on. She wondered if he had spoken to Shanty, and if Shanty had encouraged him. She went inside to call her and put her questions to rest.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Jessie and her best friend, Shanty, are within weeks of graduating high school. Jessie can't wait to get on with her life and fulfill her dreams of becoming an architect. She is surprised to learn that her grandfather (whom she never got to know) was also an architect, and one that brought many benefits to her town of Muskegon. His vision helped build a much needed medical research facility.

When Jessie notices a building the town has slated for demolition, her brain starts firing ideas at her. She creates a new use for the old building and puts her ideas onto paper. With the help of a local couple who encourage the area teens, Jessie is determined to see her ideas come to fruition.

In the meantime, Jessie has had her eye on Dustin. But she's positive he doesn't even know she exists. To make matters worse, Dustin seems to show interest in her best friend! Jessie is honorable and would never dream of cutting in on her friend's territory. But Shanty is sweet on Richard, an up-and-coming musician. And then Russell, a smart, college, law-bound boy, starts to show interest in Jessie.

The romantic entanglements are too much for Jessie. All she really wants is to have fun and not worry about a serious relationship at this time. When Dustin keeps approaching her with sweet gestures but then hanging out with Latajsha, Jessie has no clue what is going on.

Ms. Muhammad writes a story focusing on Jessie, a girl with a strong and moral center. It was wonderful to read a story based in the city that doesn't have a depressing overtone. Instead of hearing a "poor me" theme, Ms. Muhammad creates a character that knows what she wants and isn't afraid to keep to her dreams, no matter what is going on around her. Jessie grows up in a loving home with both parents who are still very much in love and supportive of Jessie. With the guidance of her parents and her best friend, Shanty, Jessie grows into a beautiful young woman.

The author leaves the reader hanging with teasers in her postscript. Will there be a continuation to Jessie's story? Will she give Dustin a chance? Or will things develop with Russell? Ms. Muhammad spoke of a forthcoming sequel.

Reviewed by: Jaglvr

Wonderful book to read
LOVE LAWS
Author: Mary Muhammad
Cover Illustrated by: MJ Daley-Prado
Publisher: LULU
Reviewer: Jane Ferris
Author of: Irreversible Damage

Love Laws is a fiction novel based on two long-time friends, Jessie and Shanty growing up in their home town, each one of the girls knows the other parents and gets along with each other.
They each share their lives as best friends would, they study together, go to the mall, hang out with their friends Dustin and Russell after school, and keep secrets from each other.
Jessie and Shanty are focused on exams, excited about going to the prom, graduating from high school. They both have high expatiation's on college and their pursuit to successful careers.
Jessie finds more information on her Grandfather, his legacy that change the town, and his contributions to help save many lives. She is proud to follow in his footsteps, and awaits news on the outcome of her blueprints on a new community center.
It's a wonderful book to read, it touches on relationships, family, dating and most important; knowing who you want to become and setting goals for success. I can't wait to read the next Love Laws!

A Surprisingly Great Read!
Littlefoot’s Library

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Title: “Love Laws”

ISBN: 98-1-4357-2620-8

Publisher: Lulu/Mary Muhammad

Genre: Young Adult

Author: Mary Muhammad

Reviewer: Thom Cantrall


As a reviewer, I am often asked to read and discuss books outside of my usual and accustomed reading area of interests. Most often this has not been a pleasant experience. There have been times that it was most difficult to render an unbiased and fair review on a book that I would not normally pick up off the shelf, let alone read with enough care and concern to render an opinion as to its worthiness. This book did not fall in that category in any way.
Although I would seldom choose a young adult novel by preference, I found this work to be most enjoyable. The main characters, Jessie and Shanty soon become larger than life, bigger than real teens. I was quickly captured by the charm of two above average teens as they wended their way through the intricacies that are life in the final days of a girl’s High School life.
That this all occurred in an inner-city, large school environment so totally foreign to someone who graduated from a tiny high school in a semi-rural farming area only compounded the aura of mystique surrounding the characters.

I found the story interesting and the character development exceptional. That Jessie and Shanty were life-long friends and were devoted to one another was obvious. Less obvious but none-the-less as important were their interactions within their “crew”. Russell, Richard, Dustin and Crystal all had their places and all were part of growing up.

Ms. Muhammad did a wonderful job of using the vernacular or black youth in a large city to bring her characters to life in a stirring and pleasing way. While I don’t believe this will supplant works like “Gone with the Wind” or “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in literature, I did find it a very pleasant read and I eagerly look forward to the coming of the next chapter in this ongoing saga.

Thomas D. “Thom” Cantrall

Reviewer