Ever wanted to read a book because of the cover alone? Well I have and Who Is He To You is at the very top of that list. It is one of the most striking and breath-taking covers I’ve ever seen and I immediately wanted to know more about the book after seeing it.
Debut author Monique Mensah is joining us today with a discussion of her book which is BOOK 12 from our Holiday Reading Challenge. We posted a Q & A with Monique last December, so I have no doubt we’re in for a treat today. She is one of the most engaging and passionate-about-the-craft writers I’ve met in my 9+ years in the industry.
We will be discussing the book in detail, but for those who haven’t read it, please check it out.
The main message resonates clearly. You do not need a man (or anyone else for that matter) to complete you, to validate you, or to determine your own love for self!
A portion of the book synopsis is below:
As the shattered lives of three very different women collide, they find that they have one thing in common: They’re all in a desperate fight to hold on to love. Experience their emotional journey through to the shocking end where these women will experience injury, imprisonment, and even death while crafting new lives from the ashes of their ruination. MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Monique D. Mensah is a native Detroiter with an innate love for the written word. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan she completed her first manuscript, Who Is He To You. Shortly after, she launched Kisa Publishing and published her debut novel.
Monique now resides in Southfield, MI where she is raising her daughter and working full-time as an enrollment counselor for a private university. She is also a freelance copywriter and copyeditor and is currently working on her second novel. Visit her website at http://www.MoniqueDMensah.com.
Heyyyyyyyy everyone! Welcome to the discussion. Let’s get our RAW on!
Monique, thanks for joining us again on the site and taking part of our Holiday Reading Challenge. I know we’ve already chatted with you some on the site, but for those who didn’t participate, share a bit about you and how you became a writer. And, also please tell us more on this fabulous cover! I love, love, love it!
-Tee
The cover was my concept. The novel is very bold and dramatic and I wanted the cover to reflect that. The indistinguishable half face represents all three of the women. I wanted it to be so close up because I wanted it to be bold and in your face. The silhouette of the man in her represents the focus these ladies have on the men in their lives. The blood tear stands for the pain and bloodshed these men cause.
I could see all of this, though I was kinda wondering (initially) why she didn’t have green eyes. Then I realized it wasn’t necessarily just Simone on the cover.
-Tee
Tee & Monique,
I agree, the cover is very striking. I love it.
Brenda
Ladies, I’m running out the door to an appointment and will be out until later this afternoon, but I will definitely be back to discuss the book. So, feel free to post any comments or questions you have for the other readers or Monique, but I’ll get us started:
1. What was your initial take on the cover (and title of the book)? What did you think it was about?
2. Of the characters, who was your favorite and your least favorite? Why?
3. Had you been in the characters various situations, what do you think you would’ve done and would it have gotten to the point it did with each one of them?
4. Opening up, we see what each character is going through. Could you identify with any of them? Was any of it too close to home OR simply almost too hard to get through?
-Tee
1. What was your initial take on the cover (and title of the book)? What did you think it was about? I loved the cover of the book. to me the cover represents pain and blood.
2. Of the characters, who was your favorite and your least favorite? Why? I enjoyed all the characters except Anthony Ross and Jessica’s mother.
Thanks for your feedback Sharon, I actually enjoyed writing Jessica’s mother’s character and the scenes involving her. One of my favorite scenes is at Wanda’s funeral! Loved it! (okay I know it was my book so I love it all, but that was one of my favs).
MDMensah
I loved that scene too and applauded Jessica for her performance.
Jessica deserved an Academy award for that scene…LOL!!! I wondered when she was going to get up and squash it all…LOL
1. What was your initial take on the cover (and title of the book)? What did you think it was about?
The title made it think the book centered around a man and that he would be the main character. The cover let me know that women were involved.
2. Of the characters, who was your favorite and your least favorite? Why?I could not stand Anthony Ross Pembroke. I wanted to choke life from him and bring him back and choke him again. Jessica’s mother rocked my nerves too. Of the 3 women Simone was my favorite. She was just and innocent girl that wanted some peace in her life.
3. Had you been in the characters various situations, what do you think you would’ve done and would it have gotten to the point it did with each one of them?
The closest to the characters I have been is Ryan. My situation didn’t get as far as hers but I have had to deal with a lying cheat but he got the boot much sooner than Ross.
Girl yes…Anthony just makes your skin crawl!!!!
That’s a nice way of putting it!!!!
A very nice way of putting it
Yes Anthony/Ross was the ideal character to loathe, but it wasn’t good enough to just hate him because he was a bad guy. I wanted you to get some understanding and insight into why he was the way he was. You can’t be that messed up without a reason right? That’s why I dedicated three separate chapters to Anthony, Ross, and Simone’s father.
MDMensah
I liked that you did as it definitely gave that extra insight to all of them.
I loved the cover, absolutely loved it!
Anthony/Ross was the devil incarnate~ characters dont often make me mad but he had me sizzling~ there were so many hotbrand issues with him for me~
I can’t say I have necessarily been in the situations but I have counseled and mentored many who have and are~ and getting past and dealing with it is work~
Now that I have tried to answer the Qs I must say I absolutely loved your book Ms. Mensah, my daughter and law and I had our own discussion about the book once she was done~ thanks for making me feel and think about the characters~ Brava~
angelia
Angelia,
Thank you for reading and providing awesome feedback. That is my goal, to get you talking and thinking. I wanted to create characters that stick with you and won’t leave you alone. I’m glad you liked it.
MDMensah
Sorry! I’m late answering, but I’m going to jump in here anyway and at least give my two cents on some of the comments!
I’ve talked about the cover so much, that everyone knows I love it, so I won’t go on and on, but it really caught my eye and made me want to read the book. It immediately made me think of pain & suffering, but in a subtle kind of way. I didn’t read the book description on the back, but I wanted to read the book. The title, I didn’t really think too much on it until reading the book…the cover had me that captivated.
-Tee
See what I mean? I got all excited thinking about the cover, I forgot to answer the other questions. OOPS!!
My favorite character was probably Simone because her story was so heart-breaking and she was so young. I wanted to swoop in and save her. Least favorite was definitely Ross–trifling, trifling!
I don’t even want to think about being one of the characters, but I can say with Ryan and Jessica, no I don’t think I’d have ever gotten to their level. For one, I can’t deal with trifling men treating women like that. (And I don’t like desperate women either. While I understand they were a product of their environment, I just can’t see myself staying with men like that.)
The opening was very hard as I really don’t like to read about or see people being mistreated; especially people without the capacity to defend/protect themselves.
-Tee
Good morning, and thank you for joining us today, Monique. Also thank you for spelling my name correctly on my book, it’s much appreciated!!!!
Ha! Trust me Jaime, I am sensitive to name spellings. People get my last name wrong all the time! So I am extra careful
MDMensah
Oh Im jealous..::grin:: I wasnt able to read your book..they dont have in the library and Im not working and unable to purchase books but soon as I can I plan to as it sounds like a wonderful read PLUS your right above me (Im in Ohio) and just maybe you can join our Raw-Central Ohio one day
OOOO…Linda that sounds like a great idea!!!
Now I’m a little envious!!!! I might have to follow your lead Linda and start a local chapter here and invite Monique to my neck of the woods. In the meantime I can lend my book to you if you like, just let me know.
Hey Sis,
Send me your address. I can let you borrow my copy. Its just that good!! Let me know. Send it to me at our yahoo groups email address.
Aww! Sharing the book love!
That’s what I like to see.
LOL. Jaime.
Monique, I just wanted to stop by and say hi. That cover is awesome. Congrats.
Dyanne
Welcome Monique:) Thank you for chatting with us today!!!
I read your interview you did with RAWSISTAZ a few weeks back and you stated that you are a bold writer and descriptive writer, and like to write about real life situations….well girl you brought IT!!! I LOVED IT!!!! My kind of book!!!
Girl, didn’t she bring it? The drama was there from the beginning to the end. My nosey kept turning pages thinking about what was going to happen next.
Thank you ladies! I write the kind of novels that I like to read. I want to be taken on a journey of new experiences and I want to be so into the book that I’m actually talking to it. So that is what I strive for in writing WHO IS HE TO YOU.
MDMensah
Monique:
What inspired you to write this story?
Sharon,
That’s kind of a hard question to answer. I started with a general idea. I knew that I wanted a wife, daughter, and mistress, but I had no idea where I was going with it until I began writing. I knew that I wanted to take these frequently discussed themes and put a “Monique” spin on it to get readers thinking about some of these situations in a way they may have never thought about them before. I wrote this story to entertain, but I am finding out now that so many women are touched by the story and learning a lot about themselves. That makes me smile!
MDMensah
This book definitely rated higher than a 5 for me. You definitely put a spin on it. I even shed a couple of tears for Simone.
That makes sense. Sharon, I did the same thing when I read Simone’s scenes. My first question when I met her was where is her mother and does she know.
You know…I figured out that Jessica was her mother early on, and I felt sorry for all of them, and then mad at them.
-Tee
Wow !!!
It’s funny because while writing it, I did not think it would make this type of impact. Again, I wrote strictly for entertainment, not really realizing how deep I was going. Thanks for the feedback!
MDMensah
Honestly, Monique?? I wouldn’t really consider this an entertaining read. I hear authors all the time saying they write for entertainment, but this just wasn’t that type of story. The message alone stopped it from being that for me. Now, there were some entertaining parts…lol. But, the story as a whole? Nope. Not for me.
-Tee
I’m realizing that now. I am entertained by drama. I love it. Some people even consider me to be a little twisted (considering some of the things I like to watch and read). So I went in thinking it was going to be entertaining, not realizing that other people would perceive it differently. It’s amazing what comes out of you when you right. I didn’t think I was being all that deep either until I went back and read the manuscript in it’s entirety. That’s when the message(s) came out for me. I was weaving a message into this novel without even knowing it. I guess that’s why writing is my therapy.
MDMensah
1. What was your initial take on the cover (and title of the book)? What did you think it was about?
The cover is awesome and I absolutely loved it. I know Monique has mention the inspiration for it in the past, but can you please let us know again the inspiration for the cover?
2. Of the characters, who was your favorite and your least favorite? Why?
All the ladies at a special place for me, there were time when I felt their pain and kept wondering what was the common thread connecting them. I’m going to try and be nice when talking about my least favorite character which was Anthony Ross Pembroke. The man was pathetic and a nasty man, I have other choice words for him but I will refrain…for now.
3. Had you been in the characters various situations, what do you think you would’ve done and would it have gotten to the point it did with each one of them?
Really not sure, how I would have handled it…but I didn’t have harsh feelings for Jessica actions once she found out what was going on.
4. Opening up, we see what each character is going through. Could you identify with any of them? Was any of it too close to home OR simply almost too hard to get through?
To a point yes.
1. For those that read what was your initial reaction once you finished reading?
2. When did you realize the common bond between the three ladies?
1. For those that read what was your initial reaction once you finished reading? I LOVED IT!!! I really love descriptive books that draw out my emotions, with real life situations.
2. When did you realize the common bond between the three ladies? Almost to the end of the book. I realize Anthony was Ryan’s boyfriend when someone began following her….I then knew it was Jessica.
1. For those that read what was your initial reaction once you finished reading?
When I finished reading I felt some relief b/c Anthony Ross Pembroke was dead. I was pleased overall with the book and the turn of events.
2. When did you realize the common bond between the three ladies?
UUUHHH, I cheated. My nosey instincts were getting the best of me so I skipped some pages. I wanted to know what was up with why this man kept lying to Ryan. I knew he had to be married. So I put him with Jessica but I didn’t put Simone as Jessica and Anthony’s daughter.
LaDena!
You cheated??!! Shame on you! But I know the suspense must have been killing you. I took a risk writing the book that way where it took so long to make the connection. Some readers will get frustrated and put the book down. That’s why I made each character’s individual story so dramatic from chapter to chapter to push you to keep going despite the lack of connection.
MDMensah
LaDena…..I knew he was married too but at first not to Jessica until noticed the first time someone was following her. I definitely didn’t know Jessica was Simone’s mother…to me there was no indication at all.
I meant to write the first time Ryan was being followed.
Sharon, you’re right there was absolutely no indication that Simone was Ross and Jessica’s daughter. I did that on purpose because I didn’t want you to find out until I was ready to tell you. That is why I wrote the novel as three separate stories.
MDMensah
Maybe it’s the editor in me, but I saw the connection early on in the book. Sorry.
When he started acting flaky & lying, I figured out he was married, then when Jessica came on the scene, that kinda told me her role and the only thing left was for Simone to be her mother (especially when they mentioned how proper the mom was and how she expected Simone to be perfect.) It fit. Now, had I not known there was a connection, I may not have put it together, but then again, I probably would have because I would’ve wondered why the various stories were going on.
That said, I really liked how you connected it and how the story progressed. The ending? Initially, I didn’t like it because I wanted him to kill himself…LOL. But, after finishing, I saw why it was done that way and appreciated it.
Great, great book! I really enjoyed it.
-Tee
Thanks for the feedback, Tee. I bet you won’t figure this next one out!!
Girl, I do that from time to time and fought doing so with this book. It was a tough fight, though!!
OMG! I can’t imagine doing this!! That would spoil the book for me. This is one of the things I don’t like when reading clients’ work. I have to read the detailed synopsis, so I already know the ending, but since that messes it up for me, I do try to read the book before the synopsis, but that’s our secret, okay?
It’s almost pointless for me to read the book if I already know what’s going to happen.
-Tee
1. For those that read what was your initial reaction once you finished reading?
I had too many emotions going on. I was sad, but mostly pissed off at that Anthony/Ross!!!!
2. When did you realize the common bond between the three ladies?
I was about halfway thru when I got suspicious and for some reason I kept repeating the title, then began to put the pieces together.
Good job Jaime!
You would be only the second person I know of that put it all together ahead of time.
MDMensah
Thanks for the warm welcome Tee! I am excited to get this chat going. It’s going to be a great one.
For those of you who are not familiar with me, I am a new author, but a lifetime reader and writer. My talent for writing was discovered at the early age of eight. That’s when I decided that I was meant to be a published author. Throughout my life I have always loved the craft and I often wrote for self expression. As we all know, life happens and sometimes we get sidetracked so I put my dreams of becoming an author on hold while I earned a business degree from U of M and had my daughter. In 2007 I was prompted by my best friend to get started on pursuing my dream and write a novel. As a result WHO IS HE TO YOU was born. I created my own publishing company, Kisa publishing, and created what we have here today. It has been an awesome experience and I look forward to a long career as an author. I am currently working on my second novel, INSIDE RAIN.
You can expect all of my novels to be very raw, dramatic, and emotionally charged. My goal is to take the readers through a journey of mixed emotions that provoke audible reactions and maybe some self-evaluation.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on WHO IS HE TO YOU!
MDMensah
Like I said…one of the most engaging authors I’ve met! I LOVE chatting with authors who give more than the 5 word or one sentence answers. So, thanks, thanks!
I can’t wait to get back and jump in, but I’m gonna head out before I’m late for my appt.
-Tee
Greetings and thanks for chatting, Monique!
Going from this quote:
“The main message resonates clearly. You do not need a man (or anyone else for that matter) to complete you, to validate you, or to determine your own love for self!”
I love this theme, and I wish more stories made this clear.
QUESTION: What do you do to keep your writing chops sharp? Is it all about practice? Are there any writing books that resonated with you?
Candace, that was my quote as I tried to sum up the book, but I definitely look forward to Monique’s reply.
-Tee
That quote is a good way to sum it up. We should never look outside of ourselves for happiness. Your happiness is contingent on nothing but your ability to focus on your growth opportunities and realize your self worth and value.
As far as my sharp “writing chops”, I read a lot! I do a lot of writing manuals or how to books because I do not want to fit into any type of formula. I read books and learn from the best out there. Then….I write! I have been a writer all my life, with no classes or workshops beyond the basics that were provided in grade school and college. I do believe that it is a natural God-given talent and I am eternally grateful for receiving it.
MDMensah
Hey Monique, thank you for joining us. I really enjoyed the book and wanted to knock out some folks but I kept my cool LOL
Right LaDena!!!
LaDena,
Thank you for reading! I know what you mean about wanting to knock some heads. Trust me I felt the same way writing it! Some people mistake this novel for a male bashing book. Although there were some pretty bad guys in there, it’s really not about the guys. It’s about Simone, Jessica, and Ryan and there journey to self-love. They just had a tough time getting there!
MDMensah
A lot of women have a tough time getting “there” but when they do, they shine!
Monique
Can you tell us a little bit about INSIDE RAIN and when will it be released?
Sharon,
INSIDE RAIN is Crazy! It is a psychological suspense drama that will have you screaming at the end. Hopefully (if I can keep myself on track)m, it will be released by summer 2010.
Rain witnessed her mother’s brutal murder when she was five years old. As an adult she is living in a two family flat with her two siblings, Carmen and Danny. The story about their individual struggles with their mother’s death and the internal conflict and sibling rivalry it causes.
MDMensah
I can’t wait to read
Oh I can’t wait to read this!!! Stay on track now….LOL!!!
How can I reserve my copy? This sounds intense and I can’t wait to read!!!!
Jaime,
I will be taking pre-orders for INSIDE RAIN in the next couple of months. I have your email address so consider yourself informed!
MDMensah
I’m informed, thanks!
Oh goodie, I cannot to read Inside Rain.
If you need a RAWSISTAZ reviewer:::hint:::hint::: LOL!!!
Haha! I wish I could pick my reviewers. WHO IS HE TO YOU got 3 stars from RAWSISTAZ…
Hi Monique, this is your fan for life. I’m so excited and proud to have met you. You are defiinitely a force to be reckoned with in the literary world. I am anxiously awaiting the debut of Inside Rain. I was so hooked with “Who is he to you” I couldn’t put the book down until I finished. I am an avid reader of books, and what I like about your writing, it pulls the reader into your world. Being a writer myself, I have the utmost respect for you.
Good luck,and God bless!
Authoress Gwen Cannon
The cover is awesome. That’s what caught my attention. Now I have to play catch up and read the replies. (smile)
Dyanne
Thank you. I know how important the cover of a book is (I judge books by their covers all the time). So I knew the cover had to be eye catching and dramatic.
MDMensah
Monique, girl you had me going with the Jessica and Ross scene making love in front of the mirror. While reading I was so wrapped up in the moment and thinking how erotic that was, then to find out what was happening all I could say was wow! Where did this scene come from?
You know what Jaime,
That scene kind of came out of no where. I wanted to show Jessica’s desperation and her desire to have her marriage back to the way it was. I also thought I’d add a little humor to the mix. I just thought it was down right funny. I actually got the idea from one of EJD’s books, CHASING DESTINY. There is a scene in there where one of his main characters is dressed in her wedding gown, watching a video of her wedding and acting it out. I thought it would be a nice twist to add to the novel.
MDMensah
How far would you go, as a woman, to change for a man?
Jessica was into getting plastic surgery and just changing herself completing to satisfy Anthony.
I’ve never done it
First of all I change for no one but myslef, so making changes for a man is not in the book for me!!!!
I would never change my looks or get a facelift or some such, but I am going to say that to be coupled we all change~ before marriage there were many things I did that I didnt do once married because it was no longer a me but an us~ on the other hand we have to make sure we are not hooking up with some knucklehead~
Discussion Question:
When did it hit you Jessica was Simone’s mother?
It took me a while to figue that out
I figured it out when Simone went to the homecoming dance. Just the description of how she was dressed, made me think about Jessica and how she was trying to improve her looks for Ross.
Monique
How hard for you was it to self-publish?
Sharon,
It wasn’t hard at all. I actually did a lot of research to prepare myself for the process so I was ready. I planned a budget, made my contacts and got to work. I made a few mistakes along the way, but overall it was a very satisfying and enjoyable process.
MDMensah
I’m so glad you self-published this book as I’m not sure the cover would’ve been so striking!
Monique:
WIHTY touched on quite a few issues that most Black women keep to themselves and try to handle them their own way. Because most of us were taught waht goes on in the house stays in the house………
Do you think this is generational?
I don’t know if it is generational. I think it may be more of a cultural thing. When researching for this novel, I learned that the number of African-American women that suffer from abuse (sexual, physical, mental) almost parallels that of Caucasian women. The difference between the two is that Caucasian women are more likely to tell someone and seek help and black women are more likely to keep it to themselves. This is so dangerous because it can cause us to self-medicate (as all three of these women have done). Simone coped by cutting, Ryan by using drugs, and Jessica by just being crazy! LOL!
MDMensah
Well pointed out! But Ryan did seek help but kept being in denial.
Right, which means she really wasn’t open to getting the help that she needed. She went to therapy because she knew something was wrong with her, but she was not ready to acknowledge the cause of her problem. She wanted to treat the symptoms instead of the illness.
MDMensah
Hey Monique,
Thanks for chatting with us today! You already know how much I loved Who Is He to You. Your writing style rivals most seasoned authors and you have truly inspired us aspiring authors. There are some out there who dont take new authors seriously but you have shown that with a vision and perserverance you can publish authenic work. Who Is He to You was engaging and suspenseful and dealt with some serious issues that are somewhat controversal in the African American community.
1. What was your initial take on the cover (and title of the book)?
The cover of Who Is He to You is eye-catching and would make the average person take a second look.
What did you think it was about? I wasnt sure what it was about by looking at the cover, but I knew that it would be good. What really caught my attention what the blood stream tear.
2. Of the characters, who was your favorite and your least favorite? Why? Of all of the characters, Simone was my favorite because of her vulnerability and what she went through. My least favorite character was Anthony because he was arrogant, conceited and basically ruined everyone’s life without remorse.
3. Had you been in the characters various situations, what do you think you would’ve done and would it have gotten to the point it did with each one of them? Simone-I really couldnt say what I would have done had I been in Simone’s situation. She was the character that I empathized with the most. Ryan-If I had been in Jessica’s situation, I may have gotten help before my situation got so out of control. Jessica-If I were in Jessica’s situation I do know that the end result probably would have been the same……LOL…Im just saying….
4. Opening up, we see what each character is going through. Could you identify with any of them? Was any of it too close to home OR simply almost too hard to get through? Personally, I could not identify with the characters, but I was intrigued and so caught up while reading the book, I could almost feel their pain. The scene descriptions were so intense I could feel my own heart and pulse racing while reading certain parts.
Thank you Unika!
You were one of my first reviewers and it was awesome. Thank you for the great compliments. It really solidifies that this is my purpose in life.
MDMensah
1. For those that read what was your initial reaction once you finished reading? My initial reaction was…Man….The is the first book that I have read in awhile where I experienced so many emotions. I was really emotionally spent in a good way. It left me wanting to tell somebody about it.
2. When did you realize the common bond between the three ladies? I realized that toward the end, but then I thought that I missed something and had to go back. It really threw me once I discovered who Simone’s parents were.
WoW! When I got to the end of the book I was screaming! I never saw it coming. This was one of the best books I read in 2009. Keep up the good work Monique. There has to be a sequel. We all have to know how this kid turns out and what her relationships were like as an adult.
Thanks Ella!
I have been thinking hard about doing a sequel and I think I’m going to go ahead and do it after I finish this second novel. I’ve been getting a lot of pressure to do so. It would be very interesting to write about how Simone turns out. You know it’s gonna be drama!
MDMensah
A sequel sounds good. I would like to know about Simone…actually all three of them.
Did anyone buy that excuse that Ross gave Ryan about not showing up for their date?
I didn’t when he was spilling that bag of lies. When Ryan fell for it, I wanted to shake her and let her know he was lying. Then when he showed up for breakfast and performed I want to shake him. Look, man that was not the time to be playing…he would’ve gotten the boot!!!!!
I sure didn’t. It just didn’t come off right.
When he canceled the trip to Las Vegas and she went wild on him, I was like yes thank you. I was so upset with the way she treated her girlfriend that tried to get Ryan to open her eyes to see the truth.
The way she blew up at the doctor because the doctor was trying to get her to realize Anthony was healthy for her, I wanted to shake her then. Girl, no one is fighting the fact that you deserve love and happiness but it’s not with him…that’s what they were trying to get them to understand. So by time the Vegas trip blow up happened I was like she finally gets it.
Typo correction: Anthony wasn’t healthy…
It’s the shame situation when you know your girlfriend’s boyfriend is a complete sleaze and you try to tell her and she just want listen and she has to see if for herself. Some women wake up and smell the coffee after seeing it for themselves…others don’t.
You’re so right about that one, Sharon. It’s worse when the sleeze is her husband and she continues to deal with it.
Yeah…I wanted to knock some sense into her too. And then him starting to turn things around and get angry at her when she didn’t answer here phone…he was truly a buttwipe!!!
@LaDena…..she did treat her friend, Lauren wrong…but Lauren is a good friend and hung around in the background b/c she knew it was just a matter of time before Ryan will walk into the light.
Good to have friends like Lauren.
Yes it is, especially when there are snakes in the midst!!
Several times throughout the book, I wanted to slap Ryan so that she could wake up and see Anthony for who and what he was not the fairytale that she so wanted to believe.
Believe it or not ladies, a lot of those lies were actual ones that I have been told by one particular guy! The DUI, the Vegas trip…All 100% true! Hard to believe right?? They say truth is stranger than fiction. I’m at the point in my life now where I can laugh (and write) about it, but that man put me through it. Ryan is actually an exaggerated version of me. I’ve never been addicted to prescription drugs, but her and Anthony’s relationship was based off one I had in the past.
MDMensah
I think we all have experienced the lies…but some can be extreme.
Girl, please don’t tell the morning scene was true, too. If it is, glad you kicked him to the curb, cause that’s all he deserved after that performance.
LOL! Well, the next morning did not actually happen. I kind of threw that one in there.
LOL!!!! Sharon and LaDena listened to my thoughts about that scene yesterday, poor ladies, cause I was not happy about that scene. Who has time to be played with at a time like that? I for one sure don’t!!!!
We listened ALL Day. Jaime was not a happy camper that is for sure LOL
Not happy is putting it lightly….LOL
Greetings….
I didn’t get a chance to read the book yet but I have added it to my TRR list for January. I wanted to stop by and just she what the buzz was. From what I have read, and I tried to skip over all of the book spoilers for me, it seems as though this book has ranked high on all’s list. Can’t wait to get my copy.
Shantel
Thanks for joining us on today, Monique. Wow…I haven’t had a chance to read the book, but will definitely be adding it after reading this discussion. I will also be on the lookout for Inside Rain when it’s released.
Thanks Hope. I do hope that you enjoy!
The most emotional scene for me was when Simone’s father was in the middle of raping her and she experienced her first orgasm. All that nasty bastard could say was that’s right baby. He was beyond sick at that point to me, to rape your daughter and get a thrill cause she naturally responded. Oh, but Simone got an applause from me when she fought back and all his nasty behind could do was get up and walk out of the room.
Then the nasty bastard insisted on putting her on birth control because I guess he felt above wearing a condom while being with her. Then told her to lie to the doctor when asked who she was having sex with. He was too strong with that one. I wanted a moment with him so he could see my wrath!!!!
How did you feel when you read these scenes?
Pissed and sick to my stomach…that’s why I HOORAYED when he got his just reward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The fact of Simone experiencing orgasm made the story real because people have got to understand that because someone has PHYSIOLOGICAL response that does not mean it is not rape. I remember years ago a young soldier was attacked orally by a couple of men. I sat across from an officer with her who asked “Did it feel good, did you respond” I almost hit that woman because that didnt matter, two men held her down and performed a sex act without her permission. We have got to make folks understand that rape isnt alway brutal and when it happens with children it is rape and sick seduction~
angelia
That’s really sad, it’s only naturally to respond when you’re being sexually manipulated. It doesn’t matter if it feels good or not, it was done against your will, that’s what matters.
Jaime,
it is past sad and is one of the hardest issues for women to overcome~ that is why so many say nothing because their bodies respond so they feel it is in some way their fault and the perpetrators manipulate that~ arrrgh, this is one of my biggest missions and issues~
Another character who had a short role I felt sorry for was Kristen. How did you all feel about her?
OOps…wrong place!! LOL!!
Jaime,
That was a very controversial scene that I almost deleted from the manuscript because I thought it would be too perverse and mistaken as glorification for molestation. But my editor and I decided to keep it because no matter how perverse it is, it’s real! It happens. I didn’t want to make Simone’s situation a simple one. It’s easy to say that she hates her father because he is raping her. That’s simple. But life and people are not that simple. So I wrote that scene to further show her conflicting emotions about what was happening to her. I also wrote it in a way to make the reader feel the same way she did at the time. On one hand, it’s a steamy sex scene, but on the other hand this is a man having sex with his daughter! So reading it, you may not be sure of how to feel and find yourself wanting to stop reading because it is so disgusting, but not wanting to stop because it’s kind of juicy!
MDMensah
I was so pissed at him b/c he was making her feel a body sensation that she didn’t quite understand.
This was a scene to be reckoned with, as stated on one hand it steamy and the other it’s sickening. I was livid by his response. The poor child didn’t know what she was experiencing, and it was at the hands of her father no less. I wanted to beat him unitl the fat meat showed in his head at that point. Then I got upset, because as stated this is happening daily in children’s lives, how is the cycle broken? That’s what I’m still pondering.
Hi Monique,
I’ve it before be it bears repeating. Your first novel is great. My question today, at least two of subjects touched in your novel could be the focus of one complete novel: Child sexual molestation and depression. Based on your blogs, I know you’ve had depression. Some people, however, require much more than Ryan in order to come to terms with this disease. Is this something you will be examining in more depth in the future? The same question relative to sexual molestation. The occurrence of this in one’s childhood could result in several psychoses as an adult. Any possibility of seeing you explore this in future novels. I definitely look forward to reading what’s next.
Great questions!
These are two topics that definitely need to be discussed more frequently and in more depth so that women can feel more comfortable getting it out in the open and begin the healing process. I’m being pressured to create a sequel to WHO IS HE TO YOU, so I think it would be an appropriate platform to go more in depth about molestation and depression. Ryan went about it the wrong way and Simone chose to cope the only way she knew how. It would be interesting to research effective solutions to these issues and writing about them in a future novel.
MDMensah
How did you all feel about the three chapters for Anthony, Ross, and Simone’s father? Did it open your eyes to why some of these men may be the way they are? Did you (dare I say) feel any sympathy for the men at all? What emotions did those three chapters bring out of you?
MDMensah
Again, I want to choke Anthony and Ross but wanted Simone’s father to get some help. Yes, I did feel some sympathy for Simone’s father b/c only a troubled soul would do that.
You do know Anthony Ross Pembroke was all three men? Right?
I think she knows that. But I wrote the chapters as three separate men and told three separate stories, so one may have mixed emotions about that one man.
MDMensah
Yes, I know they are all the same.
No I felt no sympathy at all for Anthony Ross Pembroke. Those chapters brought out anger, hatred, sympathy (Ryan, Jessica, Simone)
I agree with you, Sharon. I had no sympathy for him especially when he revealed that he was in love with his mother. I wondered how we would have to wait for that to be revealed and once it was, Anthony/Ross didn’t know how to react to it. Then when Simone was born he lost it, he was a sick and twisted man!!!!
Well he couldn’t keep it at bay like he thought he could. Remember he showed her so much love and attention that Jessica became jealous and he was getting out of control as time went on.
I hear you. I couldn’t stand that man. Everytime he entered the book, I was compelled to read it only to see what that scumbag was up to, I wanted strangle him from the jump. It really had me thinking how delusional pedophiles really are! Just walking around all self-righteous. Okay, I’m getting upset all over again!
Girl…that’s ok…he just takes you there….a loathesome kind of man!!
How did you all feel about the three chapters for Anthony, Ross, and Simone’s father? Did it open your eyes to why some of these men may be the way they are? Did you (dare I say) feel any sympathy for the men at all? What emotions did those three chapters bring out of you?
Monique,
First let me commend you on a job well done by making this one character have so many faces…and in actuality he was 3 in 1 and that made him real and believable because men do live double and triple lives…..I had no sympathy for Anthony and Ross at all. They were buttheads. But, I was concerned for Simone’s father. The scene where after he raped Simone, he stopped at her door and looked at her with tears in his eyes, proved that he was sick. He truly couldnt help the desires that he had for his daughter. He really loved her….although displaced….he showed genuine feelings…..Now I am in no way excusing what he did, because he was sick and he knew it..
How did you all feel about Jessica’s identity issues. She was a white-looking bi-racial woman, that hated and secretly envied “real” black women. She was somewhat racist, but she married a black man. Hmm….
MDMensah
Now could she have done that to get back at her mother for mistreating her all those years?
Now that was my take on it Sharon.
Hey Monique,
I just stopped by to say Congrats on your success with the book. I read this book until my eyes fell out. LOL. I was mesmerized. Again I say you are an awesome writer. You know how to fashion words together.
I must say after reading the book I had a bunch of emotions about it. I was surprised Anthony and Ross were the same person. When I looked back, I said Hey that is him. LOL. SMH. Recently, I read Kimberla Lawson Roby’s book, A Deep Dark Secret. It was similar to your book. I am noticing more authors are delving into incest and rape, such taboo topics.
Has anyone ever compared some of your book to Push(Precious the movie) by Sapphire book?
No I haven’t heard any comparisons to Push. I do see a slight similarity in that Precious had mixed feelings about her sexual relationship with her father too. She liked the physical feeling it gave her, but she still knew that it was wrong and causing her pain. I have read a few books that dealt with incest and molestation and it is something that I believe needs to be written and read about more often, especially in the African-American community. As a culture, it is not something that we openly talk about, so maybe this will get people talking.
MDMensah
I hope so too..b/c there are so many broken spirited women and men due to incest.
Come to think of it, Who Is He to You would be a good movie…..a really good movie…
Ditto that!
Who do you think could play Simone, Anthony Ross, Jessica, and Ryan’s characters?
KeKe Palmer could play a good Simone
LOL…that who I thought too…and Gloria Rowell (I think that’s her name) as Jessica, and Gabrielle Union as Ryan
I like KeKe Palmer. I think she is sooooo cute. It would be hard to cast Simone though because I do not have an image of her in my mind (as strange as that sounds). I just pictured her as the most beautiful young girl I could imagine, then I had a hard time imagining it!
MDMensah
Your book trailer was soo amazing, it looked like an authentic movie trailer. I remember waiting for the action to start!
Thanks Nakia!
We self-published authors have too do what we can to keep the costs down. So I actually created the trailer myself using Windows movie maker. It was hard work to create one minute and eighteen seconds of video, but it was fun!
MDMensah
Another character who had a short role I felt sorry for was Kristen. How did you all feel about her?
I had mixed emotions about Kristen. I felt she needed some guidance in her life from a very good mentor. I was very upset with the way she treated Simone at the party/after party and the boys. That sent my emotions to anger for one minute then I went back to saying she need some help and has many issues within herself that will lead to self-destruction if the help isn’t found quick.
That’s how I felt too. She had to invent all these lies b/c she came from a broken home and just wanted love and attention and was going about it the wrong way.
Exactly. She was going through it too and being an adolescent (thinking she was grown) she didn’t know how to properly deal with her insecurities. So she did what a lot of high school kids do, she took it out on someone else. A lot of these bullies in school have home issues and it’s unfortunate that someone else ends up suffering right along with them because of it.
MDMensah
So true Monique. That was a very realistic part of your book. I can just see our kids in real life getting caught up in a self-destructing web. It’s important to teach them how to handle situations like these. I think you would make a great teen writer. You really have an inside scoop on the youth. Where does that come from?
Nakia,
I actually do have aspirations to become a young adult author. I think it may be a little difficult to find a balance between the very adult content that I usually write and that which is appropriate for teens. I probably need to read a few YA books to get me going. As for my inside scoop on youth…I’m not sure where it comes from to be honest. I just envision myself as a teenage girl (putting myself back in that place) and play the role. I remember what it was like to be that age and I just tap into that.
MDMensah
I had to remember that she was a child and may not know any better. But if Simone wanted me to I would kick her in the neck along with Brandon. Now who I did like was Darius and how he reacted to the situation and actually saved Simone from another traumatic experience.
ROFL…you’re violent…you always want to kick somebody in the neck…LOL
LOL!!!! I’m not violent, unless I need to be!!!
Monique are you interested in writing in other genres? If so which ones?
Jaime,
I do plan to venture off into Young Adult fiction somewhere down the road. Also, the more I write for INSIDE RAIN the more it is turning into a psychological suspense novel. I didn’t even know it was going to go down that road until about chapter four. LOL! So I definitely see myself exploring more genres in the future.
MDMensah
Who Is He To You was a great debut, Monique! A gutsy move, to develop a complex plot that can fail miserably if not executed properly. I enjoyed this book.I sympathized with Simone, wanted to knock some sense into Kristen’s head (the friend, right?) and let’s not get started about Ross Anthony. Jessica? Mixed feelings about her. You may have alrady answered this because I didn’t read all the posts, but have you gotten feedback from cutters who relate to Simone? I don’t hear talk of this a lot in communities of color…
Hey Lutishia!
Thank you for the compliment! It’s a very high honor coming from you. I knew I was taking a risk in writing this novel, but I was also confident that I could pull it off. I’m happy that it worked out!
I actually have not received feedback from any cutters as of yet. I was one that asked the question, “Do black people cut?” I know that cutting does exist in the black community, but I am not sure how common it is. Is it just as common as in other races or is it like the molestation and abuse issue where it is just as prevalent, but we don’t talk about it. Because cutting is somewhat unfamiliar to the African-American community, I thought it would be an interesting topic to introduce in my debut.
MDMensah
Monique, it was great chatting with you today and I hope I didn’t run you ragged with my questions for that was not my intent!!! I’m really not a violent person, please pay no attention to what the others may say or said. I look forward to your next release, so please keep me posted. Tee should be stopping in shortly. Have a great evening!!!!
Jaime,
Thanks so much for participating. I loved your questions and I look forward to discussing the next book with you!
MDMensah
Whew Lord! I am so tardy for the party…lol. Thanks so much for participating everyone! I’m going to figure out what’s up for dinner, get the family settled and come back to catch up, so hopefully I’ll get to chat it up with some of y’all.
-Tee
Okay, I’m still trying to play catch up, but am going to have to step away yet again, so I wanted to make sure to thank ALL OF YOU for participating in Monique’s chat. I’m still having a good time even though I missed it yesterday, but it’s good to see everyone enjoyed themselves.
Monique…thanks so much for giving so freely of your time. Hopefully you’ll join us again when the next book comes out.
-Tee