Hopefully everyone has had an opportunity to watch Sins of the Mother, the LMN movie based on Carleen Brice’s book, Orange Mint & Honey. If you haven’t or you don’t have LMN, you can now view it via the LMN site at http://www.mylifetime.com/watch-full-movies-online. So, go check it out and be sure to come back and join in the discussion once you’ve watched it.
Based on author Carleen Brice’s moving novel, Orange Mint and Honey, Sins of the Mother features Jill Scott (The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency) as reformed alcoholic Nona, Nicole Beharie (American Violet) as her daughter Shay and Mimi Rogers (The Door in the Floor) as Nona’s sponsor Lois. Graduate student Shay Dixon (Beharie) reaches a crossroad in her life when she finds herself broke, burned out and unable to cope with the stress of school. With nowhere else to go, she embarks on a journey home to Tacoma, Washington, to face her abusive, alcoholic, estranged mother, Nona (Scott). When she returns home, Shay finds Nona living life as a recovered alcoholic, with a new daughter and completely transformed. Thrown by her mother’s new path, Shay must now accept Nona’s changes and influences, including her sponsor Lois (Rogers) — all forcing Shay to move past her pent-up anger and awaken her own relationships. READ MORE
A special thanks goes out to Carleen Brice for joining us today. Congrats, congrats, to 
you! To have a movie based on your work is a wonderful opportunity and I hope the success of Sins of the Mother will open the door for more great Black books to be made into movies for television and film. This is our third Book Chat with Carleen. We featured her back in June 2009 to discuss Orange Mint & Honey and most recently in November 2009 to discuss her latest book Children of the Waters, both of which were RAWSISTAZ favorites. It’s such an honor to have her here again to discuss the movie and celebrate with her!
Visit her website at http://www.carleenbrice.com and her blog at http://pajamagardener.blogspot.com.
Now…for those who are ready to go, let’s do this!
Feel free to ask questions, share your thoughts on the movie and how it stood up to the book, which actress was your favorite and more!
Hey there, everyone! Welcome, welcome, welcome! Thanks for taking the time to stop through and join in the celebration. You can check in as the day progresses as we’ll be here until about 8PM tonight to chat about the movie. If you subscribe to the follow-up comments via the check box below, you’ll be notified when a new comment is posted.
Carleen, we’re SO PROUD of you! How does it feel?
To those who watched the movie, what were your initial thoughts? Did it measure up to the book?
(Please be sure to click REPLY under the comment you’re replying to, so we can keep on track vs posting a new comment).
I have a confession. When I saw this http://www.targetmarketnews.com/storyid02251001.htm, I started feeling a little like a pimp, as Jay Z said. LOL
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Ahahaha!! Never thought you’d feel like Jay-Z, huh?
I can’t imagine the feeling of seeing your book on TV like that. It’s a wonderful, wonderful accomplishment that I’m sure will open your books up to an even wider audience. It’ll lead folks to your efforts to get word out about your blog and the word out to white readers about Black books. Have you had any interview requests yet?
-Tee
Some good things are happening, that’s for sure. It’s funny how much a movie means to people. It seems like it seems more real than a book. And that it did so well is definitely getting it on more people’s radar screen.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I felt the movie closely portrayed the book although there was elements I would have loved to see. Like the guidance of Nina Simone’s spirit. I know it would have been difficult to have scenes with her there but if maybe Shay kept a picture of her close by and we heard a voice guiding her as it did in the book and more of her music! LOL! I watched it with my boyfriend who had not read the book and I found myself filling him in on what actually happened in the book during particular scenes, but overall, it held true to the book.
The only reason they didn’t do more with that was because getting the rights to her music is so expensive. It would have been nice. But I really liked the soundtrack. I was hugely surprised by how good it was!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I like the soundtrack too. Especially the final song in the movie. Where you involved in casting?
No, I wasn’t involved with casting or the script or anything. Can you say TOTALLY BLESSED that it turned out so well? They did me proud!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Okay, don’t laugh at me, but I was so caught up in the movie, I didn’t even think “this is a movie, I gotta hear the soundtrack.” So, I’ll have to watch again to pay closer attention to the music.
-Tee
I won’t laugh at you! But check it out. I think you’ll like it.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Don’t feel bad Tee…I didn’t pay any attention to the soundtrack either. The movie had me enthralled that I hated when the commercials came on….thank God they were short…..LOL!!!
That’s the one thing I hate about watching live is the commercials. But, after Mister Man kept interrupting me, I moved upstairs to watch it and backed up about 30 minutes and then skipped over the commercials. Gotta love technology!
I enjoyed the soundtrack as well. Hopefully, they will offer it for sale somewhere. It was just that good.
Paula, this is an element I would’ve liked to see too and I went through the same thing with my hubby. He kept asking, “so what happened in the book” or “who is she again.” I put the book on the nightstand for him to pick up.
I think they did a wonderful job with staying true to the book.
-Tee
Tee, that’s funny! He might sneak and read a few pages. LOL
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
That is funny about placing the book on the nightstand. The problem I would have is that Darrell never opens the book. I was glad that he was so interested in the movie though.
Well mine loves to read, so I’m sure he’ll read it and I’ll share his thoughts. I had to keep rewinding because he would not stop asking questions. Eventually, I went to another room to finish it. LOL
-Tee
Thank you to the RAWSISTAZ and all the thousands of book clubs and readers who supported this movie! It’s very overwhelming and amazing!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Carleen, it’s all so exciting! I wish I could’ve gotten my book club together as I would’ve love to discuss this as the movie was playing. I know I was talking to the TV all along and laughing out loud.
From the first scene, I was caught into the movie and I couldn’t quite remember how the book started off, but I liked how they introduced us to Shay and how she ended up at Nona’s.
Her character in the movie had a bit more attitude and anger than I initially thought Shay had in the book. With the book, I felt for her and sided with her most of the book. However, as a mother, I also sided with Nona and was happy for her for picking her life up. Shay didn’t annoy me as quickly in the book. LOL. In the movie, I was like “okay, already Ms Shay.”
Also, while I absolutely love Jill Scott as an actress, at the beginning of the movie, she didn’t match up with my thoughts of Nona from the book. She seemed to tiptoe around Shay and while I know the nervousness was there and knowledge of her past neglects, in the book she seemed stronger.
-Tee
I think the characters were very much like they were in the book, it’s just that in a book it’s more spread out. Even if you read it all in one sitting, it’s not as condensed as in a movie. So maybe that’s why it felt more intense?
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I think the characters were much like in the book also. There was moments in the book where I was telling Shay to let it go. And when she told her mom, it’s not all about you and I was thinking the same thing. So when it was thrown back at her, I was saying “Amen” because Shay it’s not all about you either. I felt the same attitude in the book from Shay as was portrayed in the movie.
I too thought the characters in the movie were much like the book. Shay was getting on my nerves and I had to tell her so. But I was so happy when Nona had to let her know….she was done!!!
Shay’s attitude wasn’t as overwhelming to me in the book as in the movie either, Tee. Perhaps it is due to the differences between a book and a movie as you point out, Carleen. Now having said that, I like the way that Shay’s character was portrayed in the movie. The actress did a great job.
That is Nicole Beharie and she is going to be big!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I agree here, sis! I think all of the actresses did a great job. They sold the story. No doubt about that.
Yes they did! The woman who played Ivy is Katherine Isabelle. Would love to see more from her and Matt Ward, who played Oliver!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Oliver is a little cutie and I think I’ve seen Katherine Isabella in another movie before…she plays a troubled teen or young woman in that movie too.
Yeah, I’ve guess she’s been in quite a bit of things.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Carleen, any talk of Children Of Waters being made into a movie?
Right now just talk and hopes. But keep your fingers crossed!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
After the success of this one, I’m sure it’ll happen! Would you put in a request to do a cameo appearance? LOL.
Did you see me in the church scene in Sins of the Mother? That was big fun and I would LOVE to do it again! No lines, but I am in the scene.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
ROFL!! I didn’t see it the night it aired, but watched it again last night and kept pausing and rewinding because I got caught up in the dialogue and forgot to look for you.
-Tee
I’ll have to go back to see if I can find you. Darrell and I was laughing at the older gentleman on the front row. He was acting like the Me’s from WII.
All those folks were extras in Vancouver and they were having a lot of fun!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Oh cool! I didn’t see you. I’ll have to go back and look for you Carleen!
Hey Carleen
Sistah………………I LOVED the movie!!! LOL!!! I cried, I laughed, I cried some more and laughed some more. The actresses and actor were fabulous and I love me some Jill Scott ANYWAY!!!! Of course the book is always better than the movie, but the movie was done very well.
Thanks Miss Sharon!!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Hey mamas! Just stopping by to give you virtual hugs and real love, Tee and Carleen!
Love to you too! And working on getting a gravatar. LOL
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Thanks, sis! You’ve gotta go check it out online and come back and join us. We want to know what you think too. Even if you have to come back tomorrow or later, it’s okay. Carleen’s great with following the comments, sooooooooooo….we’ll hear back from you, right?
-Tee
Yes ma’am, you will. BRB
I’m so happy about the outcome of “Sins of the Mother.†I have watched it 3 times (while it was showing on Lifetime Movie Network; will watch it again on my DVR a few more times.) I thought the actress did a wonderful job. Whoever wrote the script stayed true to Carleen Brice’s work. That is great.
My question for Carleen is oftentimes when someone buy the rights to a book, we don’t see ever see it come to the screen or stage. What did you do to assure that Orange Mint and Honey didn’t just collect dust on a shelf?
I and everyone else know that the actresses and actors did a wonderful job. For you, were they the proper choice? Would you have picked someone else to play any of the parts? I ask because I thought the person playing Oliver looked like he had been shaving for at least 10 to 15 years. In OM&H, he was only 19.
Congrats on such a great success.
Jennifer, I can’t explain why OMAH happened while so many others don’t or why it happened so fast. Really, it’s just luck or a blessing, whatever you happen to believe.
Re: Oliver, the actor was older than I had imagined. However, that’s one of the things about real people versus made-up people. Casting, especially in Canada where the movie was filmed, is probably pretty difficult. Even though he was older, I really liked him. I thought he had a lot of warmth.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Me too, Carleen!
Heyyy Jennifer, thanks for coming over. I wasn’t sure you’d see my post on the party announcement post. And, congrats on your latest literary endeavor. I haven’t read it yet, but I did purchase a copy.
-Tee
Hey Tee,
Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.
Okay, on to more of the characters & scenes. Let’s talk about Ivy. Umph umph. She worked her role too, didn’t she? And Shay, even though she was so angry at times, I loved when she would smile or laugh and as in the book, I enjoyed seeing her transformation on screen. The church scene? ROFL! I had the same open-mouthed expression and will admit this was one of the scenes I wanted to see on screen. That one and Ivy burning down the garden…
-Tee
Ivy was something else…LOL!!! But she was still a work in progress. She wasn’t ready to give it up that part of her lifestyle and she was too clingy.
The church scene probably had everyone’s mouth open. When I saw the expression on Shay’s face when her mother didn’t apologize to her…LOL…it was on!
They filmed the scene where Shay and Ivy fight, but it didn’t make it into the movie. I would love to see it!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Maybe with the success of the movie, they’ll eventually add it to the site as a special feature like some of the bonuses already there?
Do you know if the LMN movies eventually make it to DVD?
Tee, not sure about what happens with DVD. I wonder if movies that are available online would sell?
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Tee, not sure about what happens with DVD. I wonder if movies that are available free online would sell?
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I’m sure they would because they’re only online for a limited time, right? I think I’ve seen some Lifetime movies available via Netflix & Blockbuster, but I could be wrong.
I also enjoyed seeing the looks on the other people’s faces, too. Too funny!
I REALLY liked the actress who played Ivy. In the book she was biracial, but I thought this actress really got her.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Oooh, I didn’t remember that! But, this actress definitely had it down. Now…with all the talk on Bloomsbury whitewashing covers and all that, do you think Ivy was cast as she was to even out the mostly Black cast?
That’s an interesting thought Tee. At first I kept looking at her features to see if she was biracial and when I didn’t see anything fitting our ethnic profile, I was wondering why she was cast as white.
One of the issues that came up was “Oprah-worship” you know how some white women look to a black woman for leadership? That dynamic kind of played in the movie.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
No, really and truly, they went that way because they were casting in Canada, which made it easier to find white actors than black. And when her name came up the producer liked her work and she auditioned and knocked it out of the park.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I loooved the book and the movie, bought copies for my friends so they could read in advance~ sat in bed with my orange-mint tea and enjoyed every minute~ Carleen you ROCK~ congratulations and continue to produce excellent books to turn into good movies BLESS YOU~
Bless you! I still remember the email you sent when you first read Orange Mint and Honey!!!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
My favorite scene in the movie is when Shay pulls out all the memos Nona put in the prayer garden and realizes all the notes are prayers for her. I teared up big time!
Me too. My mother died of breast cancer and I always wished she would have left behind some letter or note to me. That scene came out of that wish.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Me too, Sharon! I love the whole idea itself and how the paper breaks down and then nourishes the soil? Brilliant. Makes me want to go play in some dirt.
Carleen, I’m so sorry to hear about your mother, but have no doubt she’s smiling down on you. To have the movie air on her birthday (if I remember correctly) was no coincidence in my mind.
-Tee
The movie actually aired on the anniversary of her death, which also happens to be the late Nina Simone’s birthday! Hard to believe that’s a coincidence!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
WOW!!
I know!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I wanted to see Ivy burning down the garden too.
I didn’t get to see the movie, but I’m so upset about it…I decided to join this chat anyway to console myself!
Aw Christina, don’t be sad. You can watch it online!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
!!!!!!! This is why I love you! I was so excited to watch the movie, I ran out and bought the book and LOVED it! Thank goodness for the Internet so I can enjoy this movie!
Hahaha! Glad to spread the good news!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Here’s a link to some bonus scenes. http://www.mylifetime.com/lmn/sins-of-the-mother/bonus-scenes/video
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Hi, Carleen. I loved, loved, LOVED, the movie and the book. Congratulations for getting OM&H on screen. I’m a big fan of your work. I would love to see Children of the Waters on the screen too…my, my, my.
Are you working on any new literary projects, now, Carleen?
Hi Hope. Thank you so much!!! There’s some talk about getting Waters on the screen, but we’ll see if it turns from more than talk. I am working on another book. Just got notes back from my agent this week. Sigh. So I have a little more work to do. It’s about a woman who is estranged from her father and after he dies she becomes close with his widow. The working title is CALLING EVERY GOOD WISH HOME. I’m excited about it!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
This sounds like another good one, Carleen. I can’t wait to see how you tell this story.
OOOOOOOO…that sounds like a good one!!
Thanks y’all! Hopefully I’ll be able to pull off what I want to do. It’s another story about a woman dealing with stuff from her past.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
I’m giving away books to people who send me pictures of their viewing party. Bernice McFadden, Donna Hill, Deberry and Grant and a whole bunch of other great writers have contributed autographed books. See details http://www.carleenbrice.com/newsletter.htm
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Carleen, I’ve read the book and watched the movie twice now. I still have it saved on my DVR.
I’m so glad they kept most of your story and dialogue in the movie version.
.-= Shelia Goss´s last blog ..Dorothy Height =-.
Thanks Sheila. Me too! You hear so many horror stories….
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Hello Carleen !! You already know how I feel about the work so Im just looking forward to the next project. Execellent movie and I’m ready to watch it again. I didnt see your response to…will the movie come on on DVD ?
I must have missed that question. I don’t know yet about plans for DVD. But you know soon as I know I’ll be beating the drum! LOL
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Hello Carleen, hello everyone!
Carleen, I have not read the book but I made plans to watch the movie as soon as I saw the first preview for it. I thought it was excellent! The story was deep and moving. I definitely will pick up a copy of the book and read it. Congratulations on your success!
Thanks Keva!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Hello Carleen,
I have so much to say….Ok, Tee thanks so much for providing this forum for us to discuss the movie and book. Carleen I absolutely loved Orange Mint and Honey. I must admit that was the first book that I have read that you have written, but I assure you that I wont be the last. I read Orange Mint and Honey one week before Sins of the Mother aired so I would remember it well. The movie stayed close to the script and it was interesting to watch the characters come to life before my eyes. I loved Sins of the Mother!!
Nona-Jill Scott did an awesome job bringing Nona’s character to life. She embodied that strength that Nona had to have to survive. I could really see her emotions in true form. I could see how vernerable she was when Shay came back but she didnt allow Shay to run over her or make her feel “less than”.
Sunny-That little girl just lit up each scene that she was in. She was too cute!! Hopefully, we will see her in other films.
Ivy-The young lady who played Ivy did well too. I would have loved to have seen the “fight scene” from the book in the movie….LOL….
Shay-They cast the right one for the character of Shay to because her facial expressions were right on point with the attitude. There was a scene from the book that really touched my heart. It was when Shay went to visit her friend from high school and the father answered the door and called her “Bonus Daughter”. Shay gets emotional because he was like a father figure to her and she missed hearing him refer to her as such. That was monumental to me because right then and there Shay’s tough demeanor was crushed and she allowed herself to feel true emotion if only for that moment.
All in all…..I rated the book a 5…..and the movie was off the charts for me!!!! Awesome just awesome.
Carleen I wish you much success in all of your future endeavors!!
.-= Unika Howell-Molden´s last blog ..The Unique Reviewer Welcomes the AAMBC Winter Blog Tour with Author Nicola =-.
Unika, Thank you so much!! Glad you liked the book and the movie. Wasn’t Sunny a doll?! She was exactly how I pictured her. When I saw her on the movie set, my jaw dropped!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Carleen,
I have not read the book but I did pull it off of my TBR shelf last night and plan to start it tonight. I truly enjoyed the movie. It made me cry at times but I must say it kept me glued to the television the entire time. I also DVR’d the movie as well. I also watached it again last night. I think I told everyone that I could to make sure that they watched this movie. I am so happy for you and I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavors.
Wow, very cool! Thanks!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Hi Carleen!
I saw the movie and LOVED it! But, of course, I read the book, and LOVED it, too! I’m probably repeating what everyone else has already said, but please bear with me.
I did see you in the church scene…looking good, looking good! I really enjoyed the acting (Jill Scott killed it! That woman is getting better and better on screen). In fact, the entire cast was great (is “Oliver” related to Blair Underwood?) And Shay…I just wanted to strangle her, but then again I could really see where she was coming from…up to a point.
Loved how true to the book the movie was and was so excited that LMN took the project on. I enjoy their movies, in general, but it was super WONDERFUL to see people of color featured in one of them. Hopefully, with the great ratings and everything, they will feature more such movies going forward. I hope Sins of the Mother is a ground breaker for them…starting a long overdue and much needed trend.
Continued blessing to you!
I don’t know if he’s related to Blair Underwood or not, but he sure reminded me of him too! Glad you liked the book and the movie. I think we will be seeing more from Lifetime. They recently optioned one of Kimberla Lawson Roby’s books and I bet there’s a lot more coming! Especially after we proved there’s an audience.
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
Wonderful, wonderful!!
I think Oliver looked like Blair Underwood too. And, the lady who played Shay looks like the Monica Calhoun who played in The Best Man.
Loved the movie. Glad to hear it was true to the book. Now I can’t wait to read it.
.-= Deltareviewer´s last blog ..I WON!!! =-.
Hope you like the book. There’s quite a bit in the book that wouldn’t fit in the movie, so maybe it will be like getting bonus scenes!
.-= Carleen´s last blog ..Book giveaway! =-.
What a day, what a day, huh? I’ve seen the comments coming through and want to take this time to thank each of you for stopping through. While it’s not quite “live” these chats are right there up there in the fun meter as the real thing, so thanks for sharing part of your day with us. You’re welcome to stop through and join us weekly as we continue our efforts of promoting and supporting Black books, authors, events & more.
I’m sure I speak for Carleen when I say it has been great sharing this experience and I hope to see many more in the upcoming months & years.
Carleen, you know we’re rooting for you and hope this lands your books on the New York Best Sellers list and brings more visibility to Black authors and their books. Congrats, congrats, congrats!
-Tee
Carleen,
I am so happy and proud of you as you know! I would like you to tell and reflect a little about the truly amazing journey and 6 degrees of separation you experienced. I follow you and know how blessed you were from the start. But the coincidences are phenomenal.
.-= Debra Owsley´s last blog ..What didn’t you do? =-.