Stackhouse,Ink proudly annouces the release and publication of Mother's Milk-July 19, 2013. Please purchase the book directly from this site by clicking the "Order the Book" button. This will allow us to track performance and most importantly please share your feedback on our "Contact Us" form. We would love hearing about your reading experience. Enjoy!
Mother's Milk
Book Excerpts
The Neighborhood- the Family The neighborhood in Detroit where the Brightmeyer’s raised their family was, for Jesse, a place of charm. In the early fifties, the City of Detroit was a destination spot. Jobs were plentiful, and people from around the globe came to enjoy the bounty in the place known then as, “The Paris of the mid-west.” A Grand Boulevard, that circled the inner-city, lent itself to this reputation. The boulevard was indeed grand with its many fine brick homes as it snaked its way ‘horse shoe’ fashion to and from the river making a serpentine loop around the less grand, but comfortable housing. The area it encircled was populated by a diverse group of humanity consisting of Slavic Europeans, Lebanese, Mexicans, Chinese, poor Whites, and Blacks up from the south. They all lived within this loop. There was no racial tension in this particular enclave, at least none that could be felt. Most of the adults stayed to themselves, honoring their own closed traditions; but the children played as children do, without the madness that plagued the adult world around them. Sounds of laughter could be heard everywhere, in and between the small houses, as the children of many colors found ways to embrace each other. The streets were lined with modest houses that the under-employed occupants did their best to maintain. Lawns and yards were neatly cared for, and in the spring and fall the indigenous trees would do their ancient dance of color. The apple and cherry blossoms matched steps on their way to full verdancy. Chestnuts, sycamores and cotton woods stood proudly erect, and each of them arched as if they owned, or protected a particular house. Twice a year they would carpet the quaint neighborhood in hues appropriate for the season. These colors came with equally lively scents, and were enhanced by the mixing of aromas wafting from the various kitchens throughout the neighborhood. A sensorial cocktail, the sensations of which Jesse had no way of knowing, would stay with him for all of his days, and make this place, this tiny neighborhood, a small village inside Detroit, the most precious place to ever make its way into his heart or his memory. 2013 Stackhouse Ink. © |
Book Summary
MOTHER, LOVE, DEATH: these three words, when combined, are among the most compelling in the English language. Mother's Milk is a moving human drama about a young minister who finds no way to cope with the death of his beloved mother. He loses all sense of his former life and plunges into a grief induced apathy-a crippling journey toward recovery that would last more than fifteen years. His behavior was unexpected and without question unacceptable. The response to her loss by this "prodigal son" will likely surprise, disappoint, enrage, and bewilder the reader. During that time, his world crashes down around him, but his life's journey takes a riveting look at some of the most puzzling mysteries of an "oridinary" society. Based on a true story and told by a narrator whose overview is enhanced by revealatory dialogue, the reader is taken on a spectacular and most unpredictable journey - weaving in and out of past and present moments to reveal the depth of familial love and the pain of grief. It stayed that way until the forces of that unrestrained bond between a mother and child came to console him once more. Can this lost soul ever find salvation? A surprising and most unlikely redeemer finds a way to him. Anyone who has ever lost a loved one and could find no way to cope will most likely find this book a “must read.” When death comes unexpectedly the ensuing trauma can be a torture worse than the death itself. He fell from grace and from his senses. During that period he suffered through some of the most baffling circumstances, and behaviors that could ever befall a “good” son. While in the process, he came precariously close to ruining everything and every life that mattered to him. Every page promises to take you to places you’ve not imagined. Places of quiet childhood reflections, love, anticipation, horror, disbelief, shock, anger and disgust. There are moments of calm, triumph, and elation; loving moments of family. You will find for yourself – in yourself - a reason to cling to the goodness in life, to endure, to trust in the love shared, the lessons learned, the unforgettable memories and the redemptive powers of love through a “Mother’s Milk.” Update: The book launch of Mr. Stackhouse's first novel, Mother's Milk, was very successful delivering a sell-out performance of the initial order within the first month, excluding any online book purchases and e-books. Book events, book clubs and private showings required us to more than double the initial order to facilitate the requests. Mr. Stackhouse is humbled by the reaction and here at Stackhouse,Ink., we are excited about this and his future work.
With the upcoming release of Mr. Stackhouse's new book, Forever My Heart Desires, Stackhouse, Ink takes a candid look at the author and the man. An interview with "Skip" , as he is more commonly known, will be published in a three part series beginning in February of 2014 in celebration of Black History Month. If you would like to participate and submit your questions for the author, please submit them to us via the "Contact Us" page on this site not later than January 31st, 2014. Best Wishes Stackhouse, Ink. |