The Valentine's Day Curse Reviews:
Exceptional
This is a great short story, a tale with a twist. The author has a strong voice and smooth style. I look forward to future works from her. Great story for Valentine's Day...great story for ANY DAY! Recommended read...Enjoy!
By Brooklyn Hudson - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
A great follow up to "Fractured Facade"
I first noticed Elena's writing some years ago. I was delighted with Fractured Facade, this short story continues the excellence. If you like O. Henry, you'll like Elena's short story!
By Alton - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
A fantastic story!
This short story is proof that this gifted writer has a fantastic voice and wonderful storytelling chops. What a wonderful ending, too!
By A. Condayan - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Great story!
I loved this story, read it on Valentine's Day. The ending was just awesome. What an excellent twist in such a short story. Thank you author for showing us another side of our human frailties. I enjoyed this so much. A quick read with a punch.
By BillMac - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
I want more
Having read this soon after reading the Fratured Facade I can't help but want something more from this talented author. I will keep my eyes open for the next one!
By Margaret - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Another great read from this author!
I was thrilled to see something more from this author and was not disappointed. Another great read! A great short story leaving me wanting more!
By Nicey - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Fractured Facade Reviews
Better than some on the New York Times Best Sellers List!
I know the author through a mutual friend and got connected through reading her blogs - which I absolutely love! I was so excited to hear she was writing a book and could not wait to read it. I must admit that I was a bit leary - what if I didn't like the book? What would I say to the author? Silly me - this book was absolutely riveting! Truly better than some I have read that have been on the NY Times Best Sellers List! The author was so descriptive that at times I felt like I was right alongside Marie. It was a very emotional journey for me reading this book and I cannot imagine how the author was able to pen this. Kudos!!! I cannot wait for her next work. More importantly, WHY HASN'T THIS AUTHOR BEEN SIGNED TO A MAJOR PUBLISHING HOUSE???
by Nicey - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Highly recommended! "The story is compelling and engrossing and rings very true. At the same time it's highly educational about how to prepare for a loved one's demise. I can't tell the difference between what parts are true and what might have been fictionalized, that's how real it is.
Congrats and thanks to Elena for writing such a meaningful book. I look forward to reading more from you."
by Laurie Lamson, co-editor Now Write! Screenwriting and Now Write! Mysteries - Five Stars - Amazon & Smashwords
*****
A "Gripping", couldn't put it down, book! "I was hooked as soon as I read the overview! This book is sure to hit home for many readers. The characters come to life and you feel like you are part of their world; ready to give advice, a hug or a shoulder to cry on when you know they must have needed it. It is also an eye opener as to how the legal system may not actually protect those that need it. One can feel the frustration of the author as she recounts the events that lead to the writing of this memoir. Although cathartic, I believe DeRosa is hoping to protect others from a similar fate, so they can truly mourn their loved one with the respect that is due them."
by Mariecie - Five stars - Barnes & Noble
*****
Captivating! "Although I have never lived in New York City, after reading Elena Derosa's Fractured Facade, I feel as though I have a friend there who welcomed me to her kitchen table for a cup of coffee and an intimate, true story that she chose to tell to me alone.
Derosa's characters are so full of life that they had me laughing in agreement or frowning in disapproval and I just know I could pick them out on any given New York street. I appreciate the way the bureaucracy of death and the arresting manner of regret are handled in this book and I was sorry when I closed the last page. I highly recommend Fractured Facade and anxiously await a new title from this talented author."
by Cheryl Dolby - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"A Captivating Read - A hard hitting, authentic and transparent novel that has the ring of truth about it. Well written and a brave accomplishment. A terrific debut."
by Robert - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"Great Story! - Although we live in the same area of Virginia, I do not know the author. I have visited her blog and had a few exchanges with her on a local news/opinion blog so that is how I found out about her book. I support local writers and have yet to be disappointed and certainly not here.
It is a very interesting, and brutally honest book. Anyone who has not lost someone or who has not dealt with law enforcement, courts or family issues might not feel the gritty integrity it took to tell this story but I have had some traumatic experiences and I believed and felt every word. You find yourself trying to guess how something is going to unfold, and shaking your head a lot. It is a good read.
Excellent effort for a first book, I will look for more."
by Sandra M. Saunders - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"Excellent read for anyone who is a child of someone - This book was amazing. I could not put it down I so easily connected with Marie and felt every ounce of pain and frustration that she experienced. I have recommended it to everyone I know, it was literally my fastest read ever I couldn't put it down."
by Margaret - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
You'll think you are hiding in the closet of a Brooklyn family.
The author takes you inside a Brooklyn NY family, while investigating the unusual circumstances of the father. With many twists and turns, this book will keep you riveted.
Though we've never met, I've known Elena for many years through her writing and several forms of correspondence. Be sure to check out her short story, The Valentine's Day Curse -- A short story, she nails the O. Henry style ending perfectly.
By Alton - 4 Stars - Amazon
****
":) - Excellent Book. Written well. Couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Can't wait for next book to come out by this Author !!!"
by Janet Conti - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"Exciting tale of greed and murder - This is the type of crime mystery I love to read. It drew me in on the first page and kept me interested until the very end. Very well written and I hope to see this author in the bookstores again soon. I am already a big fan!"
by Wren - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Exceptional
This is a great short story, a tale with a twist. The author has a strong voice and smooth style. I look forward to future works from her. Great story for Valentine's Day...great story for ANY DAY! Recommended read...Enjoy!
By Brooklyn Hudson - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
A great follow up to "Fractured Facade"
I first noticed Elena's writing some years ago. I was delighted with Fractured Facade, this short story continues the excellence. If you like O. Henry, you'll like Elena's short story!
By Alton - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
A fantastic story!
This short story is proof that this gifted writer has a fantastic voice and wonderful storytelling chops. What a wonderful ending, too!
By A. Condayan - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Great story!
I loved this story, read it on Valentine's Day. The ending was just awesome. What an excellent twist in such a short story. Thank you author for showing us another side of our human frailties. I enjoyed this so much. A quick read with a punch.
By BillMac - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
I want more
Having read this soon after reading the Fratured Facade I can't help but want something more from this talented author. I will keep my eyes open for the next one!
By Margaret - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Another great read from this author!
I was thrilled to see something more from this author and was not disappointed. Another great read! A great short story leaving me wanting more!
By Nicey - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Fractured Facade Reviews
Better than some on the New York Times Best Sellers List!
I know the author through a mutual friend and got connected through reading her blogs - which I absolutely love! I was so excited to hear she was writing a book and could not wait to read it. I must admit that I was a bit leary - what if I didn't like the book? What would I say to the author? Silly me - this book was absolutely riveting! Truly better than some I have read that have been on the NY Times Best Sellers List! The author was so descriptive that at times I felt like I was right alongside Marie. It was a very emotional journey for me reading this book and I cannot imagine how the author was able to pen this. Kudos!!! I cannot wait for her next work. More importantly, WHY HASN'T THIS AUTHOR BEEN SIGNED TO A MAJOR PUBLISHING HOUSE???
by Nicey - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
Highly recommended! "The story is compelling and engrossing and rings very true. At the same time it's highly educational about how to prepare for a loved one's demise. I can't tell the difference between what parts are true and what might have been fictionalized, that's how real it is.
Congrats and thanks to Elena for writing such a meaningful book. I look forward to reading more from you."
by Laurie Lamson, co-editor Now Write! Screenwriting and Now Write! Mysteries - Five Stars - Amazon & Smashwords
*****
A "Gripping", couldn't put it down, book! "I was hooked as soon as I read the overview! This book is sure to hit home for many readers. The characters come to life and you feel like you are part of their world; ready to give advice, a hug or a shoulder to cry on when you know they must have needed it. It is also an eye opener as to how the legal system may not actually protect those that need it. One can feel the frustration of the author as she recounts the events that lead to the writing of this memoir. Although cathartic, I believe DeRosa is hoping to protect others from a similar fate, so they can truly mourn their loved one with the respect that is due them."
by Mariecie - Five stars - Barnes & Noble
*****
Captivating! "Although I have never lived in New York City, after reading Elena Derosa's Fractured Facade, I feel as though I have a friend there who welcomed me to her kitchen table for a cup of coffee and an intimate, true story that she chose to tell to me alone.
Derosa's characters are so full of life that they had me laughing in agreement or frowning in disapproval and I just know I could pick them out on any given New York street. I appreciate the way the bureaucracy of death and the arresting manner of regret are handled in this book and I was sorry when I closed the last page. I highly recommend Fractured Facade and anxiously await a new title from this talented author."
by Cheryl Dolby - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"A Captivating Read - A hard hitting, authentic and transparent novel that has the ring of truth about it. Well written and a brave accomplishment. A terrific debut."
by Robert - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"Great Story! - Although we live in the same area of Virginia, I do not know the author. I have visited her blog and had a few exchanges with her on a local news/opinion blog so that is how I found out about her book. I support local writers and have yet to be disappointed and certainly not here.
It is a very interesting, and brutally honest book. Anyone who has not lost someone or who has not dealt with law enforcement, courts or family issues might not feel the gritty integrity it took to tell this story but I have had some traumatic experiences and I believed and felt every word. You find yourself trying to guess how something is going to unfold, and shaking your head a lot. It is a good read.
Excellent effort for a first book, I will look for more."
by Sandra M. Saunders - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"Excellent read for anyone who is a child of someone - This book was amazing. I could not put it down I so easily connected with Marie and felt every ounce of pain and frustration that she experienced. I have recommended it to everyone I know, it was literally my fastest read ever I couldn't put it down."
by Margaret - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
You'll think you are hiding in the closet of a Brooklyn family.
The author takes you inside a Brooklyn NY family, while investigating the unusual circumstances of the father. With many twists and turns, this book will keep you riveted.
Though we've never met, I've known Elena for many years through her writing and several forms of correspondence. Be sure to check out her short story, The Valentine's Day Curse -- A short story, she nails the O. Henry style ending perfectly.
By Alton - 4 Stars - Amazon
****
":) - Excellent Book. Written well. Couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Can't wait for next book to come out by this Author !!!"
by Janet Conti - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
"Exciting tale of greed and murder - This is the type of crime mystery I love to read. It drew me in on the first page and kept me interested until the very end. Very well written and I hope to see this author in the bookstores again soon. I am already a big fan!"
by Wren - Five Stars - Amazon
*****
