The author of the #1 Denver Post bestseller and Essence Book Club Pick Orange Mint and Honey explores the connection between love and race, ...
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reviews
May 03, 2011
Beth Anne
rated it: 
ebook.
i really loved this book....probably because at the bottom of it all, the story was about family. and it seemed like a real family. the characters, the conversations, the situations...were so honest and unpretentious and raw.
the struggles of both trish and billie were expertly showcased...and it doesn't matter what color or race you are...if you read this book, you'll honestly feel the hurt that both characters have gone through. you empathize with each and eve More...
i really loved this book....probably because at the bottom of it all, the story was about family. and it seemed like a real family. the characters, the conversations, the situations...were so honest and unpretentious and raw.
the struggles of both trish and billie were expertly showcased...and it doesn't matter what color or race you are...if you read this book, you'll honestly feel the hurt that both characters have gone through. you empathize with each and eve More...
Feb 28, 2010
OOSA
rated it:
Foreseeable Future,
Trish Taylor has been finding puzzle pieces every place she goes. She'd like to believe it was a coincidence, but the fact that her grandmother loved to work puzzles has her wondering if maybe Nana is trying to connect with her from beyond the grave. Still settling back into Colorado, her hometown, after a divorce with a teenage son, Will, a house full of dogs and a job she loves working for people she hates, Trish is more than certain her imagination has gotten aw More...
Trish Taylor has been finding puzzle pieces every place she goes. She'd like to believe it was a coincidence, but the fact that her grandmother loved to work puzzles has her wondering if maybe Nana is trying to connect with her from beyond the grave. Still settling back into Colorado, her hometown, after a divorce with a teenage son, Will, a house full of dogs and a job she loves working for people she hates, Trish is more than certain her imagination has gotten aw More...
Aug 17, 2009
AuthorsOnTourLive!
rated it:
We met Carleen Brice when she visited the Tattered Cover Bookstore in Denver. You can listen to her talk about "Children of the Waters" here: http://www.authorsontourlive.com/?p=448
About this podcast:
Colorado author and former Tattered Cover staff member Carleen Brice was recently named 2008 “Breakout Author of the Year” by The African American Literary Awards Show for her debut novel "Orange Mint and Honey," which was also a selection of the Essence Book Cl More...
About this podcast:
Colorado author and former Tattered Cover staff member Carleen Brice was recently named 2008 “Breakout Author of the Year” by The African American Literary Awards Show for her debut novel "Orange Mint and Honey," which was also a selection of the Essence Book Cl More...
Jun 08, 2010
Ari
rated it:
Children of the Waters is an amazing read. Carleen Brice is unafraid to talk about tough subjects through her characters. The dialouge never feels forced, the conversations are genuine ones that people have with one another. The author does an excellent job in maintaing a neutral stance, Trish and Billie feel so differently about some things; faith, race and even family. But the author doesn't belittle either one of them, each of them is a strong, lovable and valid character. I especially admire
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Sep 21, 2009
Wow! Brice takes the subject of separated at birth to a whole new level. Again, her characters are written so vividly and her use of description and dialogue truly draws the reader into the story. As you read Children of the Waters you become a member of the family, or a close personal friend rooting for a good resolution.
The story lines are neatly packaged and work so well together! This is a must read.
The story lines are neatly packaged and work so well together! This is a must read.
Mar 19, 2011
Peggy
rated it:
We have another one of Carleen's books on our list for book club (Orange Mint & Honey), and we are trying to contact her to visit our group. This book was very good: I think she touched on a very real subject that we may not know who all of our 'family' are, but she did not pursue that vein of discussion. Her acknowledging it was profound to me. I thought she wrote a very good book.
Nov 14, 2011
Jacqueline
rated it: 
An exploration of race, what it means to be black and white, and unconditional love. The story holds tension, but most of all the author created characters that were well-rounded and with whom the reader feels completely connected. I cheered for everybody and in the end, they all won.
Jan 06, 2010
Amy
rated it: 
I'm torn about this book. While the story sucked me in and I had to finish it, I didn't love it. The ending tied all the loose strings a little too neatly, and it came way too quickly.
The other problem I had came from the way the author dealt with race, which was a major theme of the book. I forget that some people still think in terms of color.
The other problem I had came from the way the author dealt with race, which was a major theme of the book. I forget that some people still think in terms of color.
Feb 09, 2012
Robin
rated it:
This is the second Brice book that I've read, and I must say that I love her writing and how she develops her characters. They are people that I seem to know. I also connect with the spiritual elements of this story, especially as it relates to emotional healing. The correlations in the names Wilhemina, Billie and Will are striking. The way she uses Nana to play a role in her healing is phenomenal!
Brice's story is a great one -- not just because of the story line; not just because More...
Brice's story is a great one -- not just because of the story line; not just because More...
Sep 15, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
I LOVED this book. Two women, two sisters, separated by the death of a mother and the prejudice of their white grandparents. One of the sisters is white, and the other is half African American. It was really very lovely in many ways.
Jan 04, 2010
Shauna
rated it:
Contemporary fiction—two sisters who had not known of each other's existence reconnect and struggle to forge a connection. My favorite part was its accurate, matter-of-fact, nonsentimental portrayal of living with a chronic illness.
Dec 01, 2011
BkGurl
rated it:
I was already a fan of Carleen Brice after Orange Mint and Honey. This book reaffirmed that. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I didnt want to put it down as I was so interested in finding out "what happens next" to Trish and Billie. The characters and the dialogue were real and the development of the story was perfectly paced for me. It was a quick read, but the story wasn't light by any means. I laughed, cried and at points disliked the characters-- esp Nick and Will (they do redeem th
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Dec 26, 2010
Lauren
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had a great plot and good characters. i picked this up on a whim 'cause i had to buy a book on a recent visit to the Tattered Cover in Denver and ended up picking up a winner!
Jan 09, 2010
Stacey
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Eh! From the outside, the book appears to fit the label of literary fiction. Don't be fooled; it is chick lit. I'm a snob and rarely appreciate chick lit.
Oct 30, 2009
Deborah
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Loved it. Her books are based in Denver, she changes the names of the locations but if you know Denver you know where and who she is talking about.
Apr 06, 2010
Good book. Thorough read that keeps you understanding the puzzle as it becomes complete at the end. : )
Sep 20, 2011
Melanee
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Just finished reading "Orange Mint and Honey" and can say that I enjoyed that story better than this. Didn't really care about or for any of the characters and that's not usually Brice's style.
Mar 27, 2011
Wilhelmina
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I loved Carleen Brice's first novel, Orange Mint and Honey , so I was a little afraid that her second novel might not be as rewarding a read. I shouldn't have worried. Brice has written another book that accomplishes several important goals: it is accessible and enjoyable for a broad reading audience, it tells a great story, it is beautifully written, and it provides much food for thought. I read it straight through - couldn't put it down. Another winner.
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Aug 12, 2011
Judy
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Excellent story with current day biracial issues discussed quite thoughtfully.
Aug 10, 2009
Therese
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Children of the Waters was not only well written, it was illuminating. I see Children of the Waters as full-bodied “Issues Fiction,” with authentic discussions about interracial relationships, and similarities and differences that go beyond skin color-including the inner workings of family, the effect of long-buried secrets, and the importance of acceptance and reconciliation. Bravo!
May 02, 2010
Mary
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Carleen Brice sensitively captures the complexity and ambivalence of two sisters' relationship. Trish, the white mother of a biracial son, learns that she has a younger sister whom her grandparents had told her was dead; Billie, also biracial, was given up for adoption because the grandparents did not want to "raise a black man's child" after their daughter, mother to both Trish and Billie, was killed in an automobile accident. Ms. Brice, a Denver native, sets the story in her hometown
Apr 21, 2009
Jackie
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Carleen Brice's sophomore novel weighs in with a stronger, more confident voice--she's certainly come into her own. "Children of the Waters" tells the story of two Denver women whose lives are woven together by secrets, lies and racism from years ago that are now shaping their futures. Religion, racial issues, relationships and
parenting styles all come into sharp focus as the characters learn to deal with their changing, and mingling, lives.
parenting styles all come into sharp focus as the characters learn to deal with their changing, and mingling, lives.
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Feb 01, 2010
I received this book as a Goodreads' giveway. I was really excited about reading this novel, but was disappointed with the strong language contained therein. I find the f-word offensive and could not get past chapter 4, because of the peppered profanity. I will put this book on paperbackswap.com, where several requests await. :-(
Jan 03, 2010
Anna
rated it:
I loved this - thought it might even be better than Oranges... I'm so impressed with how Carleen Brice tackles such tough subjects and shines fresh light on old problems - and all while writing a great great story and fabulous characters. The only thing I felt was that the back cover copy gave too much of the story away and I would advise my friends not to read it.
Feb 12, 2011
Jenny
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I really liked this book. I cried a few times, and called my family right after to tell them how much I loved them. This was a warm, delicate exploration of what it means to be a family, in the broadest sense of the word. I thought it was beautiful.
