Diana Lee Johnson reviews

Added August 20, 2005

Hello, I'm Carolyn Nobody

Author: Diana Lee Johnson
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc
Available At: www.wings-press.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Contemporary
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $11.95 paperback, $6.00 ebook
ISBN: 1-59088-654-2 paperback, 1-59088-382-9 ebook
Author Email/Website: www.dianaleejohnson.com
Reviewer: Safiya Tremayne
Rating: 8.6 Gargoyles

Two years after her husband's death, Carolyn Tarlton decided to attend college, taking a class to help her in her job in hospital admissions. Before she steps out of her car for her first class, she has to give herself a pep talk and even then tries to remain invisible in class. This college course was just the beginning of new experiences and new friends. As part of her taking the course, she switched her hours and ended up working as an administrator in the ER. The interns, nurses and other staff all love her; the only rough spot is the Chief of Staff, Dr. Jackson, an arrogant jerk but talented physician.

Weeks pass and Carolyn has adapted nicely, even started dating again. She's dating her college professor Michael Jackson. Two very different men who elicit very different emotions. With Michael, she feels safe, comfortable and loved. Jack brings out hidden passions and desires, and promises nothing permanent.

Will she be able to choose between them? Or will a tragic shooting at the college campus make the decision for her?

At its heart Hello, I'm Carolyn Nobody is really a story of one woman trying to discover who she is. For years, she knew who she was and was happy with her life. However, after her husband died and her daughter went off to college, Carolyn knew she had to make a start at living again. Watching her date two men, decide which she really loved, and all the other decisions that crop up with being single and starting over was heart-warming. A gentle reminder that we can't stay in one place forever, we have to keep moving and changing.

One of the best things about Hello, I'm Carolyn Nobody is the way Carolyn doesn't go through a man-hating stage or hating her previous life; something most women's fiction contains. In that, I completely applaud Ms. Johnson. Thank you for showing us marriage and child rearing may have its difficulties but that is no reason to put it down when you start a new life.

For a beautiful, inspiring story pick up Hello, I'm Carolyn Nobody, it's a great way to spend a few hours.

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Added March 2, 2004

Too Late for Tomorrow

Author: Diana Lee Johnson
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc
Available At: www.wings-press.com
Publishing Date: March 2004
Genre: Romance: Historical
Format: Trade Paperback and Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $12.95 paperback, $6.00 ebook
ISBN: 1-59088-625-9 paperback, 1-59088-419-1 ebook
Author Email/Website: www.dianaleejohnson.com
Reviewer: Joyce Handzo

The Civil War divided not only a nation but families as well. Author Diana Lee Johnson takes readers back to this period in history, as her characters deal with the varied and volatile issues that made up this time. To further highlight the anguish felt within families, the author provides an unusual plot twist.

Jeremy Hamilton loves his sister, Gabriella. In fact, he loves her too much. In an effort to do what is right, he marries and moves to his own plantation in South Carolina. However, his sister uncovers a dark family secret that may prove that they are not blood relatives at all. Could they possibly have a future together, or must they remain divided forever?

Against the backdrop of a nation wondering if it will ever be united again, Jeremy and Gabriella have similar feelings on a personal level. The author skillfully shows the big issue of secession, while also giving the reader a taste of this problem on a smaller and more individual scale. Therefore, this story set in the Civil War era becomes a tale where the heart of history touches the readers' hearts.

Carefully and accurately researched, the story provides many interesting insights. The characters dramatically showed the line drawn between white plantation owners and their slaves. Prejudice, poverty, and persecution assaulted the slaves and placed an ugly mark of shame on this great nation When the war began, there was hope for a quick ending, but as the months turned to years, hope turned to ashes. The Hamilton family was shown reacting realistically to the war situation as they tried to survive on their plantation in harsh circumstances Food shortages and raiders were real problems. As the characters confront each of these issues, the reader will better understand the passion and pride that made up the people of this unique time.

The role and value of nurses in this war was beautifully shown in the life of Denise Hamilton. The soldiers may have dreamed of glory on the battlefield, but woke up to the bitter realities. Nurses were lights of hope and healing to many. The author paid a stunning tribute to these wonderful women.

Too Late For Tomorrow looks at a time in yesterday that succeeded in bringing our nation to a better tomorrow.

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