The true measure of our existence begins with the way we view the world.
Jerusalem "Jay" Jones has experienced the uglier side of life. As an Iraq war Veteran, he is a hero for bravely putting his life on the line to serve his country. But that unselfish act resulted in him lying in a Veteran’s hospital with injuries he sustained from the war. His present circumstance should be a cakewalk for Jerusalem considering what he has witnessed both as a child and while in the heat of battle. The pleasantries of love, laughter and life have always seemed to elude him. From his early days as a child growing up abused and terrorized on the tough streets of Newark, to being all that he could be in the military, Jerusalem’s life has been anything but pleasant and attractive when viewed from the surface. Now, vulnerable and reclusive, he must face the world he joined the military to escape, armed with only dark secrets from his past, a bruised and burdened psyche and limits to him physically.
Jill Lopes longs to fix the wounded and broken, but before she can heal the sick, she must first mend her own battle scars of unhappiness and resistance, and find a way to push past the experiences that haunt her. When fate boldly steps in and introduces itself into Jerusalem's and Jill's lives, they realize that the challenges we meet in life hold the power to open us to a higher, more meaningful existence. Will they both be able to view the world for what it really is under the clear truth of who they are and what they are capable of becoming together? Does beauty really lie in the eye of the beholder? Experience the power of love on this redemptive journey where the purpose of the tribulations in one's life, will be empowered to reveal the gifts they bring.
National Best Selling Author, Publisher, Screenwriter, Model…
Empowering, Enlightening, Engaging and Inspirational, Elissa Gabrielle is a powerhouse in the literary industry. Respected by many, revered in the highest regard, Elissa Gabrielle maintains a spirit of excellence in all she does. She is known to have the midas touch. The sky is the limit for this sassy, sundry and prolific author.
Elissa Gabrielle has broken the ceiling of literary excellence with her gift in the skill of multi-genre writing. The author of multiple poetry books, numerous novels and contributor to several anthologies, Elissa has proven herself to be well-versed in artistic creativity.
Elissa Gabrielle has published well over 150 books and launched the literary careers of more than 25 authors in her 15-year career as an independent publisher. She has also won prestigious awards over the years.
Elissa Gabrielle hails from Newark, New Jersey where she was born and raised. Elissa Gabrielle is a National Best Selling Author, Publisher, Screenwriter, Brand Ambassador, Certified Natural Health Professional and Certified Life Coach.
Elissa Gabrielle has the uncanny ability to take newcomers and mold, shape them into literary superstars and has created multiple award-winning authors and best-selling books in the process. Elissa Gabrielle’s award-winning novel Eye of the Beholder was recommended by USA TODAY and she won Female Author of the Year for the novel by the African American Literary Awards.
Her colloquial and imaginative creations have led to sensual and seductive inclusions in Zane’s Purple Panties, Erogenous Zone: A Sexual Voyage, Mocha Chocolate: A Taste of Ecstasy, The Heat of the Night, Historie Chocolate D’Amour, Pillow Talk in the Heat of The Night, Zane’s Busy Bodies: Chocolate Flava 4 and more.
But, Elissa Gabrielle is so much more…
As a Literary Entrepreneur, Elissa is the founder of the former greeting card line, Greetings from the Soul: The Elissa Gabrielle Collection, collaborator and creator of The Triumph of My Soul, and publisher of Peace In The Storm Publishing. Elissa has managed to turn relatively unknown authors into household names and has molded and shaped the careers of some of today’s brightest literary stars.
In addition to these innovative achievements, Elissa has graced the covers of Conversations Magazine, Big Time Publishing Magazine, Black Girl Powerhouse Magazine, Disilgold Soul Magazine and has been featured in Urbania Magazine and Black Literature Magazine. Elissa Gabrielle has also been featured in the Huffington Post and Madame Noire.
Peace In The Storm Publishing and Elissa Gabrielle have been nominated in over 30 literary awards and have won multiple awards individually and collectively for the publishing house, include the 2020 Independent Publisher of the Year Award for the 16th Annual African American Literary Awards.
In 2015, Peace In The Storm Publishing expanded to include additional publishing imprints: After the Storm Publishing, Jessica A. Robinson Presents, Imani Faith Publishing, and the former, The Imprint Mass Media. The latest imprint is Renewing Your Mind Ink.
Elissa Gabrielle is also the President of Real Life Real Faith Media. In that role, Elissa publishes five magazines: Real Life Real Faith, Men of Faith, Women Walking by Faith, Journey to Wellness and Wisdom for Everyday Life.
In 2020, Elissa Gabrielle turned pain into purpose by launching Elissa Gabrielle Naturals. Initially the brand will focus on hair care, and in following with Elissa’s experience as a certified life coach and certified natural health professional, Elissa Gabrielle Naturals will launch skin care, health and wellness seminars, life coaching and naturopathic services under the Dr. Elissa brand in the future.
An advocate for Black Men, Elissa Gabrielle often brings awareness to the positive influences that embodies the black men in society that deserve a spotlight. She vigorously an
Smooth like jazz, this work of art, Eye of the Beholder, has a poetical feel that wraps around your senses leading you into a captivating trance trying to inhale all the words written on the pages. Very vividly written with imagery so strong that you are able to feel every emotion of the characters within as if you are one with them, this page turner is a must read. This instant classic is enthralled with love and pain, desire and passion, perseverance and encouragement, and a true pathway as to how the hardest of test and the biggest of doubts can be overcome with real love and strong faith. Elissa Gabrielle has managed to intertwine poetry and jazz together to bring forth a riveting tale that all walks can relate and feel down to the souls of their own being making them a part of the lead characters, Jerusalem and Jill.
“Eye of the Beholder” by Elissa Gabrielle is a compellingly poignant journey of trials, tribulations, caring, love, healing and acceptance. As I experienced this masterfully penned soul stirring tale of spirit, redemption and love, I became completely immersed in the emotional depths of these characters.
Jerusalem "Jay" Jones grew up being abused after a family tragedy and chose to serve our country in the Iraq war to escape it and the mean streets of Newark, NJ. This veteran ended up being severely injured when his vehicle was attacked. While in the Army Hospital, he meets Nurse Jill, who attempts to aid his body in the healing process while soothing his spirit, thoughts, fears, and pride as she administers physical therapy.
Jill Lopes has passion for helping and fixing, through tenderness and care, the wounded, broken, and sick. During many occasions, she is thrust back into her own unrelenting sadness and haunting experiences of her life.
Now these two are becoming embroiled in each other’s lives where they are met with challenges and emotionally combustible situations that deal with understanding, forgiveness, compassion and redemption. As their lives entwine, things unfold and throw them into journeys where they face the unfortunate circumstances of their lives alone with the individual vulnerabilities that this brings forth as well as that of them possibly being together. Will they be successful?
Ms. Gabrielle penned an explosively emotional and thought-provoking tale that represents the power of love, redemption, and growth of two people that aid each other on these paths. The raw, hard hitting truths in this novel makes one take note and brings a state of appreciation and gratitude. This is a very inspiring read.
This whole story is a testament to the love of God. It emphasized the importance of not making your current situation your final destination. Death by natural causes and tragedy created unique tribulations for two innocent lives. Man failed them over and over... Just when they were ready to give up, everything turned around for them. There are so many gems to receive throughout. Reading this may result in self-discovery. Most importantly it encourages hope and black awareness! Great job! 💯🎉🎊🍾
Are beauty, pain, freedom, love, and life truly in the eye of the beholder? Is physical beauty or inner beauty in the eye of the beholder? What about the person who is scarred, physically or mentally? Is the mirror in the face of the beholder or the actual person who is scarred physical or mentally?
This is a contemporary love story that flows spilling with love and affection that grows as time goes by. Jerusalem and Jill are not your average boy meets girl. Jerusalem is a wounded war veteran who is scarred physically. Jerusalem is angry yet withdrawn. His actions show that he is pulling away due to the scarring of his face. He should be grateful to be alive but at this time he does not see the blessing. Jill is the nurse in charge of caring for Jerusalem who is emotionally wounded from the actions of parents who don’t know how to love and could only worry about what society thinks of them.
How can two people who are scarred the way these two are make it in a relationship? Add some tea, some poetry and loving friends and anything is possible. Care, comfort, love and affection grow between Jerusalem and Jill and you cannot help but fall in love with them and their story.
I gave this story five stars for the romance, comfort and visual. I could see the relationship grow and was rooting them on as they became a wonderful couple. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder as well as the person looking in the mirror.
Two unlikely characters are bought together, in this poignant romance, through tragedy and dysfunction and face the demons of their pasts and ultimately the joys of their present and future. A chance meeting between Jerusalem and Jill begins this love story, he a wounded soldier and she, his nurse.
Jill, as a skilled nurse, presents a keen sense of compassion for her patients. Upon being assigned to Jerusalem she is met with trepidation, resistance, and sorrow. Utilizing her humanistic skill set, Jill vows to assist with the physical, as well as the mental and spiritual healing of Jerusalem. The story continues with a beautiful poetic prose and the soft touch of jazz, and spirals into their past-filled pain. The dialogue between the characters is realistic allowing for a vivid picture of the experiences written. Secondary characters are an important part of this story and provide a well-rounded definition of their lot into the main characters’ lives, both past and present.
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER highlights when love is good and the ensuing results; it emphasizes how negatives lead to positives through faith and devotion. Losing themselves in each other forces Jerusalem and Jill into finding themselves by examining their lives and what it is they presume to need to survive and what it is they want from life and each other. In essence, who and what will make them happy. Visualize poetry in motion, set to the fine tune of smooth jazz, EYE OF THE BEHOLDER by Elissa Gabrielle delivers.
Jerusalem and Jill creates love in the midst of pain with a musical prose of poetry in Elissa Gabrielle’s Eye of the Beholder.
Jill loved to care for people and touched lives of many, but when she met Jerusalem and showed him a love he had not experienced in a very long time; healing of the body, mind and spirit was inevitable. The journey to wellness was not an easy one, but Jill never wavered and Jerusalem was finally able to receive love he was not sure he deserved.
Life had not been a crystal stair for Jill, from childhood to adulthood, but she was determined to find true happiness in spite of it all.
Jerusalem and Jill are poetry in motion, as Jerusalem weaves his life story of discouraging events to an undercurrent of floetry and jazz that you can hear as a backdrop. Jill is the artist, drawing from her personal life to add fuel to who Jerusalem is becoming, not allowing him to wallow in his current condition, with her true compassion and love for what she does. Eye of the Beholder draws you into the world of these two people from the very first sentence, carrying you with them from their pasts into their present.
Jerusalem and Jill creates love in the midst of pain with a musical prose of poetry in Elissa Gabrielle’s Eye of the Beholder.
This is one review I should have written a long time ago, because Eye of the Beholder is a beautiful story that every romance lover should know about. It reminded me of an updated version of Beauty and the Beast. Jay is the injured soldier and Jill is his nurse and their progression from this relationship to one of romance is quite captivating.
While Jay has the visible scars due to his profession, he also has feelings of self-doubt which makes him question if anyone would be willing to look past them and see what’s on the inside. Jill also has scars, but hers are emotional. Eye of the Beholder explores what happens when we let our guards down and allow someone to enter into our lives and see past the facade.
I am embarrassed to admit that this was my first time reading a book by Elissa Gabrielle. Her writing style is quite poetic and just like fine wine, the flow is smooth and soothing to the soul. Eye of the Beholder is how romance should be written!
Smooth like jazz, this work of art, Eye of the Beholder, has a poetical feel that wraps around your senses leading you into a captivating trance trying to inhale all the words written on the pages. Very vividly written with imagery so strong that you are able to feel every emotion of the characters within as if you are one with them, this page turner is a must read. This instant classic is enthralled with love and pain, desire and passion, perseverance and encouragement, and a true pathway as to how the hardest of test and the biggest of doubts can be overcome with real love and strong faith. Elissa Gabrielle has managed to intertwine poetry and jazz together to bring forth a riveting tale that all walks can relate and feel down to the souls of their own being making them a part of the lead characters, Jerusalem and Jill.
I heard great things about Eye of the Beholder. So when I received it as a complimentary copy in exchange for a review, I was excited to read it.
Eye of the Beholder had to do with a man by the name of Jerusalem Jones who winds up in the hospital after being injured in war. God spared his life, however, his face and parts of his body were severely damaged. He was in pain physically and emotionally. He was despondent and lost all hope, in a way, he wished he had died. But, in walks Jill, the nurse assigned to his care. She sees he has given up, and is determined to change all that. She slowly nurses him back to health; not only physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually too. In the process, they fall in love.
This book is awesome. I strongly recommend everyone reads it. Oh my God! This author takes you captive guiding you deep into soul! I have a more deeper respect for Veterans who survived the traumas of war. And, I have a beyond words respect for the nurses who nurse their wounds emotionally, spiritually and physically. "Eye of the Beholder" is alive and for sure will become your friend. Elissa is anointed in the power of words. She put them together to create a work of art that will never be forgotten. I literally had to take notes. The nuggets of wisdom are keepsakes. You will never be the same and trust me it is a good thing. Thank you Miss Gabrielle, you nailed the human experience.
Eye of the Beholder by Elissa Gabrielle was a mindblowing genius, poetry set to jazz. Her words flow as smooth as velvet. The story tells about how life can be everything you want it to be, only to have it snatched away in the blink of an eye. It swept me away and I felt instantly caught up with the characters, and found myself feeling as though I was watching a movie. Thank you to Elissa Gabrielle for such a well-written book, with relatable characters, and a delivering such a heartfelt message. This book gave me life, and will absolutely not be my last read by the author! I’d definitely recommend it to everyone!