Amazon Delicious Books Category:  Drama Publisher: chaklet coffee book ISBN-10:  098504750x Type: Fiction Pages: 208 Copyright: Feb 2009 ISBN-13: 9780985047504 Filled with drama.The anticipation will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's funny how your past is in the past, but not forgotten. Out of the ashes of your past,events often loom like ghosts to haunt your present. good friends who become  enemines, the trials and pain of  lost first loves, and the shame of hidden dark secrets are but a few of the ultimate betrayals when the past is not forgotten. Journey back in time to the Knox Hill Projects in S.E. Washington D.C. where you will laugh and cry, sharing in the bitterness as harsh, emotional teen angst is revisted when adults meet in "What's past Is Not Forgotten"       Excerpt The week had finally ended. On Friday, coming from school, Jerome took a detour and ended up in Anacostia Park. He parked the car in a secluded area. Then he got out of the car to open the door for Nina. Next, he went to the trunk, returning with a blanket and some snacks. After settling down by the cool water, they embraced. Jerome started kissing her forehead, then her eyes and nose, continuing to outline her lips with his tongue, gently inserting it into her waiting mouth where her tongue met his. The kiss was soft, warm, and sensational. Nina felt her emotions slowly oozing away from her. Jerome placed his hand on one of her breasts and she gently moved it to her waist, letting him know she did not feel comfortable. “I'm sorry, baby! Didn’t mean no harm. It’s just you feel so soft and warm, I couldn't help myself,” he said apprehensively. “I like the way you kiss and don't mind you touching me, I was having these feelings that needed to be put under control, that’s all. It was nothing you did.” “What kind of feelings?” he asked, wanting to understand her sensations. “It’s hard to explain.” Her thoughts frantically ran back to the Doctor and how he made her feel. She remembered his face and the rise and fall of his labored breathing. Guilt and shame overcomes her and she started to cry. Jerome grabbed her and held her in his arms. “No, baby, I’m sorry.” He pleaded, “Please don’t cry!” “Its not you, Jerome...” She prepared herself to tell him the secret only she and Joi shared for so long. With a napkin, Jerome wiped her tears away. “Then what is it that brought you to tears tonight if it wasn't me?” “My mother doesn’t even know about it. You will be the third person to know what happened to me when I was fifteen.”

Real life characters and story that reads like a movie
5.0 out of 5 stars real life characters and story that reads like a movie October 25, 2009
By Matthew Arnold
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The novel opens with one woman's betrayal of the worst kind by another and then jumps back to tell the story of how the two met as young girls, became best friends, and came in and out of each others' lives. The drama involving them together as well as their separate lives is well balanced between the good (strength of family, forgiveness/acceptance, friendship, value of education) and the bad (unwanted pregnancies, abandonment of family, testosterone fueled violence, death).

The characters are well developed before the drama unfolds so it is all strongly conveyed and realistic. In a few spots, the language and scenes are somewhat graphically profane but in a way that is consistent with the characters and adds rather than detracts from the story. I have zero personal experience with most of the issues in this book although by working in a diverse high school, I do know many kids who come right out of the book, but I see it all from an outsiders point of view. This novel gave me an inside view and I feel enriched having read it. The author brought genuine characters to life and told an engaging story about them.


A well written Novel
4.0 out of 5 stars A well written novel! April 23, 2009
By Million Dollar Book Reviews
Format:Paperback
First and foremost, it was a pleasure meeting author Gayle "De-licious" Johnson on myspace. I came across her website and was intrigued to know more. She told me her inspiration and passion for writing dates back to her teen years. Emerging from the inner city of South East Washington D.C. in the late 60's, she is a product of some very interesting memories and experiences. Wisdom is gained through trial and error I always say. Since then, Gayle has resurrected herself into the modern day authoress. In 2006 she began writing What's Past Is Not Forgotten.

What's Past Is Not Forgotten is a fictional story based on true characters according to Ms. Johnson. Upon receiving her book I was very intrigued by the title. From an artistic perspective the illustrated cover was effective in the way of transferring a story through still images. The artwork connected the meaning of the title to a visual effect that introduced the storyline. As an author myself, I appreciated the illustrated cover as opposed to a traditional one. It shows originality.

When I started reading her book my attention was immediately grabbed. What's Past Is Not Forgotten is a book that's written well. Author Gayle "De-licious" Johnson did a great job reconstructing the relationship of two best friends from past to present. Her main characters Nina and Joi are very much different when it pertains to men but somehow seem to fit into the same spectrum. Nina, also known as "Ms. Goody Two Shoes" is a workaholic that attempts to hide her pain through long work hours at the shelter. She's a social worker at a prominent women's shelter for unwed mothers. Though working a lot helped it still couldn't heal the deep emotional wounds she felt inside from being betrayed by Joi, her sex-crazed best friend. Like many of us, we often choose the option to forgive our friends in hopes of a better friendship. Nina and Joi are on a lifetime roller-coaster ride reciprocating their differences yet maintaining deep dark secrets from the past at the same time. Both have dirt on each other but promise to never tell another soul. What's past is not forgotten, and so are the long kept secrets.

I give this book 4 diamonds!! <> <> <> <>

Enthralling, gripping,story of love and compassion, hat and pain
Enthralling, gripping story of love and compassion over, hate and pain! May 9, 2010
By The1Essence, Author
Format:Paperback
Gayle "Delicious" Johnson's character Nina is the epitome of the strength and character all women possess to conquer the demons of our past and live in the light instead of drowning in the darkness.
From, domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, homelessness, bisexuality, low self esteem, abandonment, love, new life, to death and poverty this story touches on so many subjects that it could have literally been ripped from any city's local headlines just this morning! Ms. Johnson does a phenomenal job showing the reader the consequences of actions and that we all have the ability to move forward in our lives without taking the pain of the past with us.