Reading For Life

A Review of

Denying My Mother’s Eyes

True Life Louisiana

Written by Marius Domingue Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight

If you don’t know Marius Domingue, it would definitely be worth your while to become familiar with him. Marius grew up in Erwinville, La. living in poverty with his parents and brother. His Spanish/Dominican Republic heritage gave him a dark skin tone which in turn gave license for his family and him be discriminated against, and to be treated just as horrifically as African Americans were. His father was a sharecropper and barely made ends meet. More often than not, they went hungry. Though they had a roof over their heads, there was no running water. Rain was captured in tanks that were usually contaminated with bugs and rodent feces. This was the setting for Marius’ early life.

Through trials, triumph, and heartache, we get a vivid picture of a boy who grew into adulthood to be an impartial witness to life and to love his hometown, despite the prejudice he experienced. Domingue became a successful contractor and then went on to serve as a Sheriff’s Deputy and protect the area that gave him such a hard time. You will not be disappointed to take a glimpse into the life of Marius Domingue. I encourage youth, especially, to read about a man who accurately recounts history without bias.

Marius still enjoys being involved in law enforcement but looks forward to retiring and spending more time with his family. He will continue to research, read, and spread awareness of unwritten histories. In his spare time, he writes music and hopes to continue improving his skills on the guitar. His book can be purchased at denyingmymotherseyes.com

Kelli is the owner of illuminated Designs Studio, specializing in graphic design services. She received her Liberal arts degree from LSU and has lived in Baton Rouge for the majority of her life. Kelli loves great stories, so reading and writing have always been passions of hers. over the course of her career she has written for several publications throughout Southeast Lousiana. Find her on facebook: facebook.com/kellissimeauxk

Baton Rouge Christian Life MAGAZINE

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A Review of Captian Deadeye The Bully Shark

August 1, 2017July 31, 2017 baton_admin

By NICK JOHNSON

A Review of

Captain Deadeye

The Bully Shark

Written by Dianne De Las Casas and John Couret

Illustrated by Stefan Jolet

Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight

Local Louisiana writers, Dianne de Las Casas and John Couret, present an imaginative book that expresses a wonderful message for kids through middle school. In Captain Deadeye , the main character, John, is entering fourth grade and excited to start a new school. Instead of the first day being exciting, it is terrible because the school bully decides to pick on him because John has a lazy eye.

Many think of self-control as an internal struggle but, what happens when there are elements, such as a bully, that can’t be controlled? One’s reaction to a bully is the only thing that can be controlled. Captain Deadeye shows a situation is always better when we respond in a more positive way. With the help of family members, John takes on a new persona – “Captain Deadeye.” He finds, just like sailors, he must learn to navigate “rough seas,” which in his case is a bully. He can’t control the bully, but he can control how he responds and that he can create a positive experience.

Captain Deadeye is available on Amazon or you can visit diannedelascasas.com.

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July 2017, Reading For Life

A Review of: Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, & True Tales from Home

July 1, 2017July 1, 2017 baton_admin

A Review of

Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, & True Tales from Home:

stories from Residents and staff of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries

Written by the Residents & Staff Edited by Julie Cupples and Marc Eichelberger Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight

Do you love a good story? If you’re like me, and you are thoroughly entertained by amazing, actual accounts of everyday people, then you will thoroughly enjoy Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, and True Tales from Home: Stories from Residents and Staff of Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home & Family Ministries

I happened upon this jewel of a book and was drawn in by the title. The book is a collection of remembrances from the children that lived at Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home, the staff, and photos over the years. The stories are simply charming. One account from Allen C. White, who lived there from 1918-1930, is told by his daughter and she tells the story of when the home was moved from Lake Charles to Monroe. The children had to ride the train. She says according to her father it was the fastest he had ever gone and he fretted that the train might crash due to the rapid speed! So many other stories have just as much personality. During the early years, many of the children worked in cotton and sugarcane fields to help support the ministry. As they think back to those times, their memories are overtoned with goodness and appreciation, not tainted with any bitterness. They felt fortunate to be influenced by Christian values and learn life skills through education and work.

The children’s home is still a vibrant ministry that fosters many children in tough situations and is still located in Monroe.
Dinner Bells, Pecan Shells, and True Tales from Home was independently created and published. It can be found on amazon.com.

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June 2017, Reading For Life

A Review of Choices

June 1, 2017 baton_admin

By NICK JOHNSON

A Review of

Choices

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Written by Paula Abbott

Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight

Choices The Good, The Bad and The Ugly is the life story of Paula Abbott. From birth she was thrust into a world of rejection. Her biological mother didn’t want anything to do with her and she ended up in the arms of strangers at six months of age. Eventually she was adopted. Her adoptive mother offered her love and comfort. Her adoptive father was abusive and never accepted her, resulting in a craving for acceptance throughout her life.

She explains that there is a false life and a real life and the real life is only found through Christ. Her false life was filled with
drugs, addiction, unplanned pregnancies and a longing for acceptance. Using cowboy analogies, John Wayne comparisons, and farm references, Paula describes in depth how her fake life was empty.

For years she put herself above church and God, thinking eventually her way would be a better way. But she travelled the same path over and over again. Finally, she humbled herself to Jesus and rejected the life she led as an addict to drugs and an addict seeking the acceptance of people instead of Jesus. Once she accepted Jesus, things changed; she felt whole.

Choices is a very short book. It’s written in such a manner and tone that Paula’s voice can be virtually heard as it is read. Her personality shines through each sentence. She uses the book as a platform to demonstrate to others that God wants for us all to become humble and choose what He offers us without reservation and explains, through her own example, making that choice will lead to a happier existence.

Choices is published by Bookcrafters and can be found at bookcrafters.net or on Amazon.

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March 2017, Reading For Life

A Review of Just Choose

May 1, 2017July 27, 2017 baton_admin

By NICK JOHNSON

A Review of
Just Choose

Written by Michael Phillips

Reviewed by Kelli M. Knight

To live the life God wants one to live is a goal many seek. However, at times, it is difficult to know if we are in fact, living the life prescribed by God. There are distractions, there are questions, there is the busyness of life, and there is impatience when results aren’t obvious and the fruits of our labor take days, months, or years to see.

Michael Phillips has written a guide, using his own life as an example, showing how to find what God is asking and how to choose to live that life. The book is a quick and simple read; just about anyone can get through it within a couple of hours. It’s easy to relate to as the trials and sufferings he writes about are similar to ones many people undergo. He uses his experiences to teach methods that disarm the enemy, the devil, who wants the church to lose sight of God.

The book is written as a weapon to disable the enemy and bring people into being one in Christ.

Just Choose is great for anyone, whether a person’s life isn’t going “as planned” or if a person has life “on track” but feels something is missing. Michael’s writings can help to filter out the distractions making it easier to choose the path God has planned.

Phillips is the founder and President of the All In Movement, a Christian ministry dedicated to refreshing and reigniting the heart of the church.

Just Choose can be found at www.justchoose.org.