Take A Look At What Other Readers Are Saying!
Thank you for visiting my website! I feel very blessed to have your attention right now. This Can't be Life is my first novel. I took my time writing, re-writing and editing the manuscript because it was, and will always be my number one goal to entertain you and keep your attention from page one. To finally see This Can't be Life in print and on e-readers doing great and getting rave reviews is beyond amazing to me. I sincerely thank all who have read This Can't be Life and I encourage you, if you haven't already, to leave a review on Amazon and any other site where my novel is sold. It's always truly appreciated and very beneficial! Thank you again.
Shakara
Readers Reviews
What About Your Friends?
We all say we have friends, are they the type of friends that are there through thick and thin? Or when it gets thick their presence is thin? This is a story about friendships. The trials and heartaches we experience individually and collectively. We all can identify with these characters. Talise, Stacey and Simone, their stories had me on an roller-coaster, but no matter what was happening in their lives, if one was in need, they all would be there.
I loved the way the author made one of the characters male instead of all female which is usually the norm. Shakara has given us a wonderful read, emotionally charged and beautifully executed. The characters were believable and well written, their problems were realistic and the story flowed seamlessly. For this to be Shakara's freshman title, she writes as well as some of the veterans in the industry. I can only imagine what she has in store for us next!
Melody Vernor-Bartel
Reader's Paradise
5 Bookmarks
I loved the way the author made one of the characters male instead of all female which is usually the norm. Shakara has given us a wonderful read, emotionally charged and beautifully executed. The characters were believable and well written, their problems were realistic and the story flowed seamlessly. For this to be Shakara's freshman title, she writes as well as some of the veterans in the industry. I can only imagine what she has in store for us next!
Melody Vernor-Bartel
Reader's Paradise
5 Bookmarks
Simply Amazed
It is seldom that I give 5 stars reviews in anything because I believe that 5th star is representative of perfection, something which we all know is unachievable. Shakara Cannon, however, delightfully surprised me with This Can't Be Life, and is bestowed a well deserved 5th star from me.
The novel is separated in perspectives from four different characters, two women, a gay man, and an athlete. It is not easy to separate the voices of such drastically different characters, let alone develop them well enough that you can relate to something in each of them. As I read through the novel, I no longer had to read the character's name at the beginning of each chapter because each character was that well developed; I knew their voice.
Shakara did not have to use brand names or stereotypes or celebrities as a crutch for you to be able to enter her story. What each character felt, you feel. When they're angry, you're angry. When they cry, you cry. When they're happy, you're happy.
She touches on very controversial topics that are often swept under the rug in the Black community. You see gay men, undercover gay men, molestation, atheism, suicide...none of which we are supposed to speak about because it doesn't go with our "strong Black image". The truth is, we DO go through and Shakara takes you on this journey.
I found myself looking to the end of the book to make sure that I had enough pages left to read. I was quite upset that it was over. I strongly encourage you to join the best friends, Stacey, Talise, and Simone, through their seemingly calm, but inevitably turbulent lives and I dare you not see a piece of yourself in each. The friendship dynamic, the stigma of abuse and homosexuality, the ignorance surrounding atheist's beliefs will have you wondering about yourself. This Can't Be Life is more than a must read. It's a must read again because, in it's depth, I'm sure that I missed a lesson the first time.
I look forward to Ms. Cannon's future works and support her fully in her mission, one which will indisputably take her, unchallenged, to the top. Kudos!
5 out of 5 Stars
Editing Couture
The novel is separated in perspectives from four different characters, two women, a gay man, and an athlete. It is not easy to separate the voices of such drastically different characters, let alone develop them well enough that you can relate to something in each of them. As I read through the novel, I no longer had to read the character's name at the beginning of each chapter because each character was that well developed; I knew their voice.
Shakara did not have to use brand names or stereotypes or celebrities as a crutch for you to be able to enter her story. What each character felt, you feel. When they're angry, you're angry. When they cry, you cry. When they're happy, you're happy.
She touches on very controversial topics that are often swept under the rug in the Black community. You see gay men, undercover gay men, molestation, atheism, suicide...none of which we are supposed to speak about because it doesn't go with our "strong Black image". The truth is, we DO go through and Shakara takes you on this journey.
I found myself looking to the end of the book to make sure that I had enough pages left to read. I was quite upset that it was over. I strongly encourage you to join the best friends, Stacey, Talise, and Simone, through their seemingly calm, but inevitably turbulent lives and I dare you not see a piece of yourself in each. The friendship dynamic, the stigma of abuse and homosexuality, the ignorance surrounding atheist's beliefs will have you wondering about yourself. This Can't Be Life is more than a must read. It's a must read again because, in it's depth, I'm sure that I missed a lesson the first time.
I look forward to Ms. Cannon's future works and support her fully in her mission, one which will indisputably take her, unchallenged, to the top. Kudos!
5 out of 5 Stars
Editing Couture
Is This Life?
This is an entertaining, can't put down, I got tears in my eyes, page turning, can't stop laughing, heartbreaking, suspense-filled novel. Shakara introduces you to three best friends: Simone, Talise, and Stacy, all from different backgrounds, but all willing to go to hell and back for one another.
Is This Life?
Simone is a beautiful woman who is handling her business, at the top of her game and not letting her mother or anyone else break her down. Simone's mother cares more about herself than her and is not ashamed of it or trying to hide it, but when a gathering takes place and secrets are exposed, will Simone be able to hold it together or will the secrets succeed in doing what her mother has been doing the whole time? Not only does Simone have issues with her mother but she also has trust issues with men due to a previous relationship that went bad and keeps her guards up on high. A lot of men would love the opportunity to take Simone out but she shuts them down until she crosses path with Deon, an NBA super star. Not caring about who he is or how much money he has, she slowly starts to open up to him. Everything seems to be going well; however, the past can never really stay in the past. Can Simone overcome the events that are threatening to bring her down or will Deon actually be the man to put the sparkle back in her eyes?
Is This Life?
Talise believes that love can triumph over headaches and heartbreaks, even if she has to accept things just the way they are. A successful man has captured Talise's heart and will do anything for her; but when Talise can no longer settle for excuses or compromise her beliefs, love is not so grand. Realizing changes won't come unless she steps up, will Talise continue to believe that love trumps all or will she accept that some things just can't be changed?
Is This Life?
Stacy is hilarious. He is the shoulder to cry on, a very dear friend and will go to war over Simone and Talise. Stacy is looking for love from someone who also shares the same feelings in every aspect. When he is with you he is with you, no questions asked. Falling hard over someone is often detrimental to your health and Stacy is learning more about this constantly but when an eye opening act catches his attention, Stacy may have lost all hope. Will Stacy come out on top or will this be his final bow?
This is an excellent read. Shakara captures your attention from beginning to end. The storyline flows and you can feel the characters emotions and become one with them. Each character has their own issue in life and many will be able to relate to them. You will cry, you laugh, you will curse, you will be ready to fight, and you will feel the love that is displayed as well. I cannot wait for the 2nd part because .... J Cop the book and then finish that sentence. Is this Life?
This Can't Be Life! 5 Stars!
Mocha 'Kia' "Boss Readerz Book Club"
Is This Life?
Simone is a beautiful woman who is handling her business, at the top of her game and not letting her mother or anyone else break her down. Simone's mother cares more about herself than her and is not ashamed of it or trying to hide it, but when a gathering takes place and secrets are exposed, will Simone be able to hold it together or will the secrets succeed in doing what her mother has been doing the whole time? Not only does Simone have issues with her mother but she also has trust issues with men due to a previous relationship that went bad and keeps her guards up on high. A lot of men would love the opportunity to take Simone out but she shuts them down until she crosses path with Deon, an NBA super star. Not caring about who he is or how much money he has, she slowly starts to open up to him. Everything seems to be going well; however, the past can never really stay in the past. Can Simone overcome the events that are threatening to bring her down or will Deon actually be the man to put the sparkle back in her eyes?
Is This Life?
Talise believes that love can triumph over headaches and heartbreaks, even if she has to accept things just the way they are. A successful man has captured Talise's heart and will do anything for her; but when Talise can no longer settle for excuses or compromise her beliefs, love is not so grand. Realizing changes won't come unless she steps up, will Talise continue to believe that love trumps all or will she accept that some things just can't be changed?
Is This Life?
Stacy is hilarious. He is the shoulder to cry on, a very dear friend and will go to war over Simone and Talise. Stacy is looking for love from someone who also shares the same feelings in every aspect. When he is with you he is with you, no questions asked. Falling hard over someone is often detrimental to your health and Stacy is learning more about this constantly but when an eye opening act catches his attention, Stacy may have lost all hope. Will Stacy come out on top or will this be his final bow?
This is an excellent read. Shakara captures your attention from beginning to end. The storyline flows and you can feel the characters emotions and become one with them. Each character has their own issue in life and many will be able to relate to them. You will cry, you laugh, you will curse, you will be ready to fight, and you will feel the love that is displayed as well. I cannot wait for the 2nd part because .... J Cop the book and then finish that sentence. Is this Life?
This Can't Be Life! 5 Stars!
Mocha 'Kia' "Boss Readerz Book Club"
I hope there is more to come from this talented writer
From the first chapter it is apparent that the author Cannon is indeed a talented writer. This first book, which appears to be a start of a potential series (or at least a sequel) is well written, full of interesting characters, and covers the gamut of life emotions from sheer pleasure to pain to the poignant. Written in a style that could be easily adapted to the screen, this artist paints an extremely detailed picture of the characters, the setting, and the controversial issues and choices faced by Simone, Talise, and Stacie in their crazy lives...while this fast paced, page-turner is fiction, I think every reader will identify with something that hits close to home from their real life experiences. This element is key to what I dare say is an instant classic in "This Can't be Life". Bravo!
4 out of 5 Stars
D.Green
4 out of 5 Stars
D.Green
Disclaimer: This is not urban fiction,
it's an awesome book!
Finally a book I could relate to! It took me forever to finish this book, not because it wasn't awesome, but because sometimes I myself think "this can't be life". The story was great from start to finish. The main characters Simone, Talise, and Stacey held my attention from day one. Not because they were flashy or ghetto but because they were real! The storyline was easy to follow and the writer was never grasping at straws trying to hold my attention. It was a simple story about the relationship between three friends with just enough twists and turns to make you say "Damn, this can't be life!" There were several times in the book were I was reacting out loud. This one is definitely worthy of a reread and I can't for the sequel! Kudos to you, Shakara Cannon. This is an excellent debut novel.
5 out of 5 Stars
Dawn Jasper author of "Beautiful Disasters"
5 out of 5 Stars
Dawn Jasper author of "Beautiful Disasters"
Born Again Reader!
After a very long hiatus from reading, I was ready to be diligent in mapping out time to devote to my life-long hobby of reading in bed. I purchased a number of titles, read the first 2-3 chapters, lost interest, and never looked back... Then I purchased the Kindle edition of This Can't be Life, and spent my entire Saturday in bed until it was complete!! I can not wait to see what my cousin Stacey and our friends Talise and Simone will get into next!! I connected with these characters so much I felt like one of the girls! I cried, I applauded, hell, I even stressed with them! When an Author can draw me in and make me feel emotions in this way, I am hooked! This is a book for everyone! I'm telling ALL my (real) friends and family to buy it with the promise they will relate to, at minimum, one of the events/characters in the book! Not only did I purchase the kindle and download it on everything I own, I also pre-ordered a hard copy for safer keeping... I am very anxiously awaiting the follow-up to this book and would like to congratulate this new Author on a job done very well!! This book is well worth the money... You get to live, learn, and grow from it!!
5 out of 5 Stars
T. Eyeonall
5 out of 5 Stars
T. Eyeonall
Wow That's All I Can Say
This book was very good. The author did a fantastic job of pulling you into the book. Everything about the book was classy and with grace. That cannot be said about a lot of books. Every character had their own issues to deal with and yet they were always there for each other. I love the author's style of writing; the mystery, the sex, you could not pinpoint what would happen next and I am the queen of what's next. Like the other reviewers, I too am disappointed that there is no part II available. So Please get back to us ASAP with the sequel...
4 out of 5 Stars
TDMG "HAZE READER"
4 out of 5 Stars
TDMG "HAZE READER"