Confessions of a Lonely Soul

by Harold L. Turley II

A young man dies of AIDS and leaves behind a mysterious videotape for his family that exposes his tormented life of secrets and guilt in a confession from beyond the grave.



DeMarco Reid left a videotape for his family to play during his funeral, but his family doesn't realize they are in for the shock of their lives. In it, DeMarco appears in a pre-recorded message to admit the many secrets that tore his life apart, including why his wife committed suicide, how he contracted HIV, his connection to a murder, and ultimately, his quest for meaning in life.



But there are two sides to every story. Is DeMarco's tell-all actually true, or are there even more shocking secrets threatening to shake this family to its foundations?



With HIV an ever-increasing threat in the African-American community, this story approaches the topic with both refreshing candor and compassion. Confessions of a Lonely Soul reminds readers of the insidious danger of keeping secrets, and the cost of living a double-life to deceive those you love the most. In the end, are any secrets worth dying to keep?

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Harold L. Turley II was born and raised in Washington, D.C. An author and performance poet, he lives with his children in Brandywine, Maryland. Turley first thrilled readers with the critically acclaimed novel Love’s Game, touched the lives of many with Confessions of a Lonely Soul, and showed the practical glamour of the life of crime—while introducing readers to the effects and consequences of that life—with his urban fiction title, Born Dying.

Reviews

[Sheress Belton]

Good read however why such the cliff hanger when there was no need for that?

[Marcie Lemieux]

A little racy, offensive racial language

[Jamaica Collins-rice]

Very well written.

[Epiphani]

I love the premise, but the writing left some things to be desired.

[Mar'Ques Reed]

Lots of misspelled words and grammar errors. A few dull spots but overall this was a good read

[OOSA]

The End of it's Course

CONFESSIONS OF A LONELY SOUL opens at the end of DeMarco Reid's life. Instead of the run of the mill eulogy, DeMarco decides to provide his family and friends with a videotape that not only rewinds time and shines light on pieces of his life, but shocking confessions...

HIV positive, murder suspects with a baby on the way, Kalia and DeMarco have their hands full. Instead of relying on their family to support them through this difficult time, they rely solely on one another. DeMarco is confident that they still have a full life ahead of them, but Kalia finds it a little harder to cope and falls into a deep depression.

While I've never read anything written by Harold L. Turley II, CONFESSIONS OF A LONELY SOUL is energizing and very educational. While confronting the challenges of a marriage, Harold adds infidelity, HIV, pregnancy, depression, murder, politics, comedy and sex to spice the 190 pages up just right. If that weren't enough to enlighten readers, he makes it clear that someone is not happy with DeMarco's tell-all and begins their own investigation. Everyone knows that there's always three parts to every story. I can't wait to read more from Harold L. Turley II and soon.

Reviewed by: Crystal

[Sidne]

Confessions of a Lonely Soul is a compelling novel about a lonely wife, a workaholic husband, adultery, guilt, consequences and secrets. The author, Harold Turley spins a story line that involves characters dealing with the effects of AIDS and Depression, a perspective not often presented together in novels at the time this book was published.

From the beginning of the story you are presented with a different setting than most novels. The author poured his creativity into this one. We've all read novels that left us shaking our hands, brought tears to our eyes and even screamed. This novel is no different. You will engage in those same attributes and some.

A marriage is destroyed because a wife begs for TIME with her husband. The husband is so involved in work that he forgets events with his wife. Constant forgiveness is becoming a strain. Talk after talk is going in one ear and out the other, and the small gifts don't take the place of a lonely soul. Who is creeping on who? Aids and Murder! Oh Yes, this one leads to death. In the end you will just sit, think and say, 'DAMZ! This book sit on my "Deep In My Soul" book shelf.

[Stacey Frazier]

Still reading, but so far, kinda interesting...hasn't lost my attention yet.

[Sharon]

I actually gave this book a 3.5 Even though it had a few editing errors and hit a slow moment it still was a good book.

[Marlene]

i liked the book but hated how it ended he never said what it ment