Your Subtitle text
Riley Blues - Sheila Forbes
Riley Blues
Sheila Forbes
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1424104289
Reviewed By Regina Terry
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
Vera's on the run from an abusive boyfriend. Her best friend, Cheryl, desperately wants children - but they, along with real happiness, elude her in her marriage to Tony, a successful businessman. It could be because Tony saves his affections for someone else, the real identity of whom is sure to shock everyone. Meanwhile, out of the blue, the coke-addicted Kara comes into all three of their lives and quickly dismantles any sense of order any of them has ever managed to establish.
Thus goes the "Crip Notes" version of Riley Blues, a new novel by Sheila Forbes, who is obviously no stranger to drama. What's refreshing about Forbes's tale, though, is that its real impact cannot be so easily reduced. In detailed, conversational style, Forbes reveals many of the veiled secrets of everyday people the likes of which will likely remind you of someone you know - or at least thought you knew - pretty well.
Forbes's narrative delves deeply into the worlds of abuse, drug addiction, and infidelity, but in so doing her tale reads less like an episode of "Jerry Springer" or "Maury Povich" and more like a treatise on the real damage done by those suffering in such a way. She effectively displays how the lasting psychological scarring that comes from our mistreatment at the hands of others often results in the deviant behaviors that we subconsciously develop. For example, the roots of Vera's poor self-esteem rest firmly in the abuse & neglect shown to her by her grandmother, Elizabeth, who consistently blames Vera for the suicide of her daughter & Vera's mother, Sylvia - even though it happened when Vera was only two weeks old. Having grown up with the constant reinforcement that her life was subpar, Vera develops a natural sense of self-loathing that makes it easier for her to fall into an abusive relationship and refuse to believe that anyone can ever truly love her.
Likewise, Kara has the misfortune of being raised by an alcoholic & drug-addicted mother. Experiencing the pain of a drug-addled life, she vows never to become subject to their influence - which is why it crushes her like a ton to wake up one day and realize that, after carrying on with married men and trading sex for cocaine, she has, in essence, become her own mother.
Riley Blues is a heart-wrenching read, but it is compelling nonetheless. We all know that life is hard, but we often don't stop to think just how hard it can be for people from different walks of life. In her moving tale, Forbes reveals just such invaluable insight, for the edification of us all.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Sheila Forbes (Riley Blues)
Apex Reviews: Sheila, thanks for joining us for this interview, as well as for the pleasure of reading your book. It truly is a heart-wrenching tale.
Riley Blues covers everything from infidelity to drug addiction to domestic violence. Is there any of your own life reflected in the book? If so, which part(s)?
Sheila Forbes: I identify with each of the characters, but I have to say that I identify with Vera and Kara the most. At one time in my life I too, felt unlovable. Because of issues with self-worth, I allowed people to treat me poorly. Thank God that I have learned to love myself and I realize that nobody has the right to mistreat me. This is something that I teach my three daughters, because although I cannot shield them from the evils of the world, I can set a good example for them.
AR: Please comment on how big a role generational curses play in the book, particularly how they manifest themselves in the lives of people like Vera and Kara.
SF: Oh goodness, this is a subject that I can talk about all day. Generational curses are very real, especially in the case of Kara. Kara made her way out of her environment, she received a good education and had a career, but yet and still she went out and made the same mistakes her mother made. Vera suffered abuse as a child and she knew nothing else, so she allowed Leon to abuse her. We see generational curses everyday, especially in the inner cities. Some of our young men see drug dealers and the lifestyles they have, and they want that expensive car, the diamond jewelry and everything else that goes with it. A lot of these kids are in desperate situations and they only see one way out, they don't think about the consequences of their actions. Look at the character Pam, her father was a hustler and he showered her with clothes and money. Pam went out of her way to find a guy from the streets to take care of her. Sad to say but this lifestyle is glorified today, and unfortunately a lot of young ladies end up just like Pam. They go into middle-age with no work experience, no goals and broke. That is indeed a generational curse. I'd like to point out that many people grow up in hopeless situations and come out on top, but far too many others slip through the cracks.
AR: In keeping with that theme, Kara swears never to become an addict like her mother - yet she ends up the exact same way. How could she not see that coming, and how, if at all, could she have avoided it?
SF: It seems very hard to believe that Kara would go down the same path as her mother, but this is very common and that is why I put it in the book. It's the same thing with children of alcoholics, some grow up and won't touch a drop of alcohol, while others follow in the footsteps of their parent. I think depression plays a big role in drug addiction and alcoholism. For Kara, I think the cocaine was a band-aid.
AR: We've all heard much about the "DL" lifestyle (men secretly sleeping with other men) in recent years. Why do you think it is such a common practice, especially in the African-American community?
SF: I know that a lot of women are fooled by men on the DL, but in a lot of cases these men are not on the DL. A lot of women are so lonely and desperate that they go into a relationship knowing the man is gay. Some women even believe that they can change the man. I know women who have even married men they knew were bi-sexual.
AR: In addition to that, in the end Tony expresses regret to Cheryl for living such a life during their marriage and exposing her to danger. This, however, is not the common reaction of most men who engage in this kind of behavior. Why do you think they feel little, if any, remorse for their actions?
SF: Most men who engage in this double lifestyle are filled with self-hatred. They are in denial about their sexuality, so they don't have any remorse because they don't feel that they are doing anything wrong.
AR: Cheryl is protected throughout the course of her life by her parents' money and clout, yet those very things contribute to her rebelliousness and ultimate problems in life. Why don't her parentsaccept at least some responsibility for making her the way that she becomes, rather than continually bailing her out?
SF: Cheryl's mother realized the mistakes that she and Cheryl's father made, but by then it was too late. I think that Cheryl's parent's felt guilty because they gave her material possesions, but no real time and guidance growing up.
AR: What was your experience like putting together Riley Blues?
SF: It wasn't easy because when I write, my characters are very real to me. As I wrote the emotional scenes I would actually cry because I felt the characters pain. All in all writing the book felt good because I know that a lot of women will see themselves or someone they know in at least one of these women. I'm also happy that my brother had a chance to see the book completed. he didn't get a chance to read it because he died suddenly two weeks after the book was released. But I am happy that he did at least see the cover and read the synopsis.
AR: The cover of the book is beautiful and striking - and a perfect representation of the book itself. Where did you get the idea for it?
SF: You wouldn't believe the problems I had getting that book cover done. I had to send it back at least three times before it was finally done nicely. I had the characters Vera and Michael in mind when I selected it.
AR: You're currently working on your third book - care to share a little of what it's about?
SF: I'm actually working on the outline for the sequel to Riley Blues.
AR: What else would you like our readers to know?
SF: I would like your readers to know that I write to touch peoples lives in a positive way. When I get e-mails from readers who say that a particular character or a situation in the book inspired them, that just makes my day.
AR: Thanks again, Sheila, and best of success to you!
Sheila Forbes
PublishAmerica
ISBN: 1424104289
Reviewed By Regina Terry
Official Apex Reviews Rating:
Vera's on the run from an abusive boyfriend. Her best friend, Cheryl, desperately wants children - but they, along with real happiness, elude her in her marriage to Tony, a successful businessman. It could be because Tony saves his affections for someone else, the real identity of whom is sure to shock everyone. Meanwhile, out of the blue, the coke-addicted Kara comes into all three of their lives and quickly dismantles any sense of order any of them has ever managed to establish.
Thus goes the "Crip Notes" version of Riley Blues, a new novel by Sheila Forbes, who is obviously no stranger to drama. What's refreshing about Forbes's tale, though, is that its real impact cannot be so easily reduced. In detailed, conversational style, Forbes reveals many of the veiled secrets of everyday people the likes of which will likely remind you of someone you know - or at least thought you knew - pretty well.
Forbes's narrative delves deeply into the worlds of abuse, drug addiction, and infidelity, but in so doing her tale reads less like an episode of "Jerry Springer" or "Maury Povich" and more like a treatise on the real damage done by those suffering in such a way. She effectively displays how the lasting psychological scarring that comes from our mistreatment at the hands of others often results in the deviant behaviors that we subconsciously develop. For example, the roots of Vera's poor self-esteem rest firmly in the abuse & neglect shown to her by her grandmother, Elizabeth, who consistently blames Vera for the suicide of her daughter & Vera's mother, Sylvia - even though it happened when Vera was only two weeks old. Having grown up with the constant reinforcement that her life was subpar, Vera develops a natural sense of self-loathing that makes it easier for her to fall into an abusive relationship and refuse to believe that anyone can ever truly love her.
Likewise, Kara has the misfortune of being raised by an alcoholic & drug-addicted mother. Experiencing the pain of a drug-addled life, she vows never to become subject to their influence - which is why it crushes her like a ton to wake up one day and realize that, after carrying on with married men and trading sex for cocaine, she has, in essence, become her own mother.
Riley Blues is a heart-wrenching read, but it is compelling nonetheless. We all know that life is hard, but we often don't stop to think just how hard it can be for people from different walks of life. In her moving tale, Forbes reveals just such invaluable insight, for the edification of us all.
Official Apex Reviews Interview: Sheila Forbes (Riley Blues)
Apex Reviews: Sheila, thanks for joining us for this interview, as well as for the pleasure of reading your book. It truly is a heart-wrenching tale.
Riley Blues covers everything from infidelity to drug addiction to domestic violence. Is there any of your own life reflected in the book? If so, which part(s)?
Sheila Forbes: I identify with each of the characters, but I have to say that I identify with Vera and Kara the most. At one time in my life I too, felt unlovable. Because of issues with self-worth, I allowed people to treat me poorly. Thank God that I have learned to love myself and I realize that nobody has the right to mistreat me. This is something that I teach my three daughters, because although I cannot shield them from the evils of the world, I can set a good example for them.
AR: Please comment on how big a role generational curses play in the book, particularly how they manifest themselves in the lives of people like Vera and Kara.
SF: Oh goodness, this is a subject that I can talk about all day. Generational curses are very real, especially in the case of Kara. Kara made her way out of her environment, she received a good education and had a career, but yet and still she went out and made the same mistakes her mother made. Vera suffered abuse as a child and she knew nothing else, so she allowed Leon to abuse her. We see generational curses everyday, especially in the inner cities. Some of our young men see drug dealers and the lifestyles they have, and they want that expensive car, the diamond jewelry and everything else that goes with it. A lot of these kids are in desperate situations and they only see one way out, they don't think about the consequences of their actions. Look at the character Pam, her father was a hustler and he showered her with clothes and money. Pam went out of her way to find a guy from the streets to take care of her. Sad to say but this lifestyle is glorified today, and unfortunately a lot of young ladies end up just like Pam. They go into middle-age with no work experience, no goals and broke. That is indeed a generational curse. I'd like to point out that many people grow up in hopeless situations and come out on top, but far too many others slip through the cracks.
AR: In keeping with that theme, Kara swears never to become an addict like her mother - yet she ends up the exact same way. How could she not see that coming, and how, if at all, could she have avoided it?
SF: It seems very hard to believe that Kara would go down the same path as her mother, but this is very common and that is why I put it in the book. It's the same thing with children of alcoholics, some grow up and won't touch a drop of alcohol, while others follow in the footsteps of their parent. I think depression plays a big role in drug addiction and alcoholism. For Kara, I think the cocaine was a band-aid.
AR: We've all heard much about the "DL" lifestyle (men secretly sleeping with other men) in recent years. Why do you think it is such a common practice, especially in the African-American community?
SF: I know that a lot of women are fooled by men on the DL, but in a lot of cases these men are not on the DL. A lot of women are so lonely and desperate that they go into a relationship knowing the man is gay. Some women even believe that they can change the man. I know women who have even married men they knew were bi-sexual.
AR: In addition to that, in the end Tony expresses regret to Cheryl for living such a life during their marriage and exposing her to danger. This, however, is not the common reaction of most men who engage in this kind of behavior. Why do you think they feel little, if any, remorse for their actions?
SF: Most men who engage in this double lifestyle are filled with self-hatred. They are in denial about their sexuality, so they don't have any remorse because they don't feel that they are doing anything wrong.
AR: Cheryl is protected throughout the course of her life by her parents' money and clout, yet those very things contribute to her rebelliousness and ultimate problems in life. Why don't her parentsaccept at least some responsibility for making her the way that she becomes, rather than continually bailing her out?
SF: Cheryl's mother realized the mistakes that she and Cheryl's father made, but by then it was too late. I think that Cheryl's parent's felt guilty because they gave her material possesions, but no real time and guidance growing up.
AR: What was your experience like putting together Riley Blues?
SF: It wasn't easy because when I write, my characters are very real to me. As I wrote the emotional scenes I would actually cry because I felt the characters pain. All in all writing the book felt good because I know that a lot of women will see themselves or someone they know in at least one of these women. I'm also happy that my brother had a chance to see the book completed. he didn't get a chance to read it because he died suddenly two weeks after the book was released. But I am happy that he did at least see the cover and read the synopsis.
AR: The cover of the book is beautiful and striking - and a perfect representation of the book itself. Where did you get the idea for it?
SF: You wouldn't believe the problems I had getting that book cover done. I had to send it back at least three times before it was finally done nicely. I had the characters Vera and Michael in mind when I selected it.
AR: You're currently working on your third book - care to share a little of what it's about?
SF: I'm actually working on the outline for the sequel to Riley Blues.
AR: What else would you like our readers to know?
SF: I would like your readers to know that I write to touch peoples lives in a positive way. When I get e-mails from readers who say that a particular character or a situation in the book inspired them, that just makes my day.
AR: Thanks again, Sheila, and best of success to you!