"Premature
Pleasures’ is a powerful story that mirrors the reality of
our urban youth in which they see themselves and their self-worth."
Director
of a national urban youth ministry
"…a
brilliant, real life story every teen girl would love reading
and be able to relate to."
16-year
old high school sophomore
"I
couldn’t put it down until I’d finished the whole book. It
was extremely easy to read and very satisfying."
18-year
old high school junior
"‘Premature
Pleasures’ is an earthy tale of a young girl’s first experience
at the crossroads of yielding to peer pressure or to common
sense. A strong message is conveyed about the need to mentor
our young girls without judging them."
Junior
high school teacher
"I
cannot thank you enough for providing me a copy of "Premature
Pleasures". I truly enjoyed it, and I am most impressed
with your writing skills. As a pediatric nurse practitioner,
I deal with adolescent and pre-adolescent females, and I am
aware of the intensity of peer pressure and the absolute struggles
these girls face daily. Your book will be an excellent resource.
It transcends your intended audience of young black females
- the story is one young girls from varying backgrounds can
relate to. I will do whatever I can to circulate and spread
the word about your wonderful manuscript. Thanks for sharing
it with me!"
"I just wanted to share with you how your book was a
really great example on how our youth are today. I really
do appreciate it because this is what they need. The main
character Trek remind me of the middle school girls
that I work with that is searching for something greater in
life. As a young adult that recently married it even brought
me back to my own childhood or preadolescents. I don't know
how the rest of the Christians will take this book but for
myself I take this book as an evangelistic tool. It's cool
how this book uses every day language and style to reach the
so called
unreachable and that is what God has called us to do. The
story line was hot and kept me interested in what was going
to happen next."
"I read it immediately and could hardly put it down.
I predict a mega-hit!"
"Premature
Pleasures was the best book i have rad this summer. I can
really relate to Trekela and her problems. i really loved
your book. Do you have any more published novels? If so please
e-mail me back and list them."
"I
have to let you know that I loved the book!!! The fact that
I read it in one weekend lets you know that! You touched on
so many issues faced by young girls and those who minister
to them that I lost count! It was good to read a Christian-oriented
novel that didn't sugarcoat the issues, words, and actions
faced by our kids. I work with a lot of kids around Trekela's
age, and it fascinated me that you were able to capture the
little nuances, feelings, and statements that kids at her
age do exhibit! It's those little character nuances that so
many new authors seem to miss, but you captured perfectly.
Because of that, I got very involved in the story and could
hardly put the book down. It reminded me of another great
book I read years ago about a young boy growing up in 1950's
Harlem called "Manchild in the Promised Land." What's
happening with our young girls is very serious and the church
can't hide with it's head in the sand and pretend it's not
happening. Lex, you've done a great job with "Premature
Pleasures", Keep on writin' and keep on moving forward!
You've got skillz, girl, you've got skillz!"
"I
just finished reading your book and it was excellent!! I really
enjoyed it and I will be sure to tell others about it. It
touched me alot, and really made me want to help guide some
young person in the right direction. Keep up the good work
and may God bless and continue to keep you.......By the way,
will you start another novel soon?"
"I
am impressed by your book. It was fantastic. I loved your
book. I enjoyed reading each page of it. Trekela was an incredible
character and her family and friends were unbelieveable. This
is a great book for kids who are not feeling love at home
and find it somewhere else. Trekela was just like any young
girl who falls into the wrong crowd. I guess it is true who
you hang out with. Whatever they do it reflects on you. This
story definitely teaches a lesson, a very important one. Trekela
struggles throughout this book until she finds a place with
the Lord which is wonderful. I wish all girls my age could
read this book. I belive they would find it interesting as
I did."
"I
am so happy for you Lex!! I was wondering what the big deal
was about your book. Then I remembered that a sheltered mind
is a pretty dangerous thing when let loose on other people.
It can demean, freely demoralize, trample on, and exclude
the very people that God wants to touch and heal in this world.
I was going to wait, but your book really touched me in a
way beyond just another story that I read or was told. Your
fictional story sucked me into this girl's life in a real
way that helped me get an understanding of life experiences
different than my own. Sure, reading a book can't replace
living through such an ordeal, but your writing made me feel
like I lived in Trekela's mind for one summer out of her life!
God is increasing your territory and can use your book in
a mighty way to touch lives you never intended to touch. My
niece had a copy and my 11 year old daughter could not stop
reading it. I never saw her so engaged in a book."
