Rating: 
Summary: Authentic
Review: My name doesn't even sound close to J. D. Mason's but I'm offended for her by Effie C. Birdsong's review. How could child molestation, rape, promiscuity, fear of commitment, family, friendship, adoption, and a retarded man have no substance? Are you nuts?
This book was the epitome of what a good book is! Phenomenal characters, EXTREME SUBSTANCE, an easy-to-read plot, a page turner, a heartbreaker, and a great way to tell a very STRANGE love story. This story could have you close to tears one minute, ready to break something the next, and plenty of laughing moments in between.
I didn't think John was so country until he met Reesy though. I think he was showing out because she expected him to act EXACTLY like he did. But I really enjoyed this story. The one problem I had with this story was that I didn't understand the last sentence at the very end, but I e-mailed the author and found out that my guess was right. I didn't want it to be right and tried to convince myself that I was confused, but I was not.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Not only was this book well written, but the way J.D. writes makes you connect with each character. I have also read 'On the Eight Day She Rested' and am glad to say both books are "Excellent!" Kudos, Ms. Mason! I can't wait for the next book!
Rating:
Summary: Realism at Its best !!!
Review: Once I read the title "One Day I Saw a Black King" I knew I was in for a fantastic read and I was not disappointed. I am not going to give away the story, but I will say this novel actually moved me to tears. J.D. did an excellent job developing the characters and showing their tragic and humble beggining to help the reader understand what made them to be the man and woman they were as adults. Reading the plights of Connie and King at times were difficult but also joyful when they were able to fight their internal demons and learn to love each other as is. This was a realistic love story, that did not show prince charming riding in on a white horse to rescue his princess. I was about real life situations that can beat you down and build you up. I give kudos to J.D. I see her writing just gets better and better. I am now a die hard fan and I am anxiously awaiting her third installment.
Rating:
Summary: Realism at Its best !!!
Review: Once I read the title "One Day I Saw a Black King" I knew I was in for a fantastic read and I was not disappointed. I am not going to give away the story, but I will say this novel actually moved me to tears. J.D. did an excellent job developing the characters and showing their tragic and humble beggining to help the reader understand what made them to be the man and woman they were as adults. Reading the plights of Connie and King at times were difficult but also joyful when they were able to fight their internal demons and learn to love each other as is. This was a realistic love story, that did not show prince charming riding in on a white horse to rescue his princess. I was about real life situations that can beat you down and build you up. I give kudos to J.D. I see her writing just gets better and better. I am now a die hard fan and I am anxiously awaiting her third installment.
Rating:
Summary: A superb work of fiction!
Review: One Day I Saw A Black King
by J.D. Mason
Lest we forget the compelling nature of a good story where poignancy meets poetic prowess, and when angst transforms to accept accord, literary tranquility can always define the aforementioned without missing a beat. Quickly on the heels (and none too soon) of her last book (On The Eight Day She Rested), author J.D. Mason has given us another just like the other one with her newest release, One Day I Saw A Black King. Character-driven stories with personnel strong in conviction, clarifying setting to determine tone and tenor, this is a story with all of the elements indicative to keep you riveted in your choice to read this book. It's audible with just the right decibels to let you hear the author depict why she can write to be heard through her characters.This is more than just a common thread of thought uniting the discourse of this novel. Mason's book weaves an incredible but believable tale of people journeying to empowerment, casting aside the constraints of freedom, and the confidence to love again. It's about love lost, love imagined, and love gone wrong. Therein you will find the author delving into and interweaving the rudiments of child molestation, adoption, child abandonment, prostitution, and all the trials identifying with protagonistic characters, Connie and John. John, the product of a mother raped and subsequent disfellowship from the familial fold by a guilt-ridden grandmother, is forced to start life on the run. A mother he never knew is the fodder to credence to explore the past to understand the future. Connie, a taciturn and bitter child was wise beyond her years as her mother abandoned her and a younger sibling. Forced in the life of prostitution, she too endeavored to find sanctity in a world unforgiving and less accepting, but manages to live to learn what it truly meant to love unconditionally. Despite its slow beginning and without concrete bonding leading up to the crux of the story, the author in lieu of opting to give immediacy to such strong characters, decided to craft a detailed storyline to illustrate several points of view to give the story foundation one would definitely appreciate as the real story unfold. This work coupled with her debut novel, will solidify J.D. Mason a safe rung on the ladder to the top, proving to be on equal footing with her peers with this sophmore effort. Read this book and you will see why I give it five stars and wished for more!
Rating:
Summary: Will the Black King find happiness?
Review: One Day I Saw A Black King is a wonderful story about how love and time softened two battered hearts. John King and Connie Rodgers share similar history. They were both abandoned and learned through trial and error how to survive. John lives by running from town to town extinguishing any ties he made while there. Connie runs from man to man leaving a piece of herself with each one. Now these two are slowing down. They know how to survive, but not how to live. Being with one another showed them that they do actually want some stability and maybe even love in their lives; however, for them to move forward, they must confront their pasts and deal with the pains that catapulted their flights and trauma. J.D. Mason takes her time and unfolds this story. She sagaciously threads cadence, characters, and plot together and creates a searing tale of repentance, deliverance, and acceptance. I was mesmerized from the first page. The characters and story lingered in my mind long after I finished reading the book. You've got to read this book. You'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!!
Review: ONE DAY I SAW A BLACK KING IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE PLACED ON MY BEST BOOK LIST. THIS STORY WAS VERY WELL WRITTEN, IT ONFOLDED LIKE A BLANKET. GREAT, GREAT STORY. THANK YOU J.D. MASON. GOOD JOB.
Rating:
Summary: Now This Was Off the Hook
Review: REVIEW
Syracuse, NY
Now this book was off the hook. Exciting, fast paced, well written and just plain FULL of passion, soul and good lessons.
I'm too tired to retrace the plot, but trust me, this one is worth picking up.
GET WID IT
Rating: 
Summary: One Day I Saw a Black King
Review: Since the age of fifteen, John King has been running from ghosts of his past, always drifting and never settling down in one place or with one woman. John is on a collision course with what could be his destiny. With all the pain he's gone through, will he recognize it when he sees it?
At thirteen, Connie Rogers runs away from her foster home. She grows up in the mean streets and has the battle scars to prove it. Connie is rescued by a guardian angel by the name of Edwina who takes her under her wing. Edwin is a mother figure and owns and operates a restaurant. She lets Connie live in the room behind the restaurant. She repays Edwina by helping out in the diner. Trusting men and people in general still is not easy for Connie.
John and Connie must face their pasts if they ever hope to be free to find love and happiness. John goes back home to face his past. Connie greets her past head on. Will they survive the collision course they are on?
For those faint of heart, One Day I Saw A Black King is not the book for you. It's a heavy and dark story; however there is a faint glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
I felt the author harped too much on the pasts of Connie and John. Certain parts of the book were repetitive. I didn't feel all the issues either one of them had were resolved in the end. I also felt the ending was rushed and forced.
Reviewed by Sylvia Willis Lett for Loose Leaves Book Review
Rating:
Summary: Kudos for J.D. Mason!
Review: The book One Day I Saw A Black King grabbed my attention from the moment I started reading it. I loved the way the author took me back in time to visit the character John King's family history. Some heavy secrets are revealed which explains why John grew up to be a handsome, yet untrusting and lonely man. Second, the character Charlotte made me want to smack some sense into her! How could she abandon her two young girls, Connie and Reesy, for a man? They are separated--Reesy gets adopted into a wonderful family while Connie struggles with rape and homelessness. After many failed relationships for both Connie and John, I am relieved that they have found each other. They both realize that they love each other and are working to fix their internal issues. Connie and Reesy have found each other after many years, but their relationship is anything but close. Wonderful story! This story will continue in a second book. I can hardly wait for it's release!
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