Author: Reggie Hill

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-64140-626-0 (PB)

978-1-64140-627-7 (Digital)

Reggie Hill has shown his versatility in being able to author two quite different books, a memoir, Lakewood, Reggie and Anita's Camelot, which he penned himself, and the second with his wife Anita, Sunshine's Excellent Adventures, a children's book.

Using free verse poetry coupled with several vivid warm family images, Reggie recounts how thirty-seven years ago he and his wife Anita built a special house with fond memories in the North Carolina Piedmont, which they call home.

This forty-acre magical abode was passed onto Reggie from his maternal grandparents and as he mentions, it is not just trees, a beautiful lake, and a rolling pasture, but rather a place of solace which he effectively recreates in the memoir. Reggie mentions in the opening few lines that he hopes his poems and stories of Lakewood offer readers a window to his Lakewood and a measure of serenity in this busy world, that we all share.

What begins as a picturesque poem, Lakewood: A Blessed Place, swiftly moves into rich, varied reflections weaving narrative threads that draw on a wide range of descriptive topics as boiling turtles, Lakewood deer, how Reggie's grandparents between 1942 and 1943 built a seven-acre lake and dam with only human and animal muscle as gasoline was not available for civilian projects due to fuel rationing during WWII, Lakewood's destructive beavers, a paradise for fishermen, and a host of others. It should be mentioned that most of these stories are narrated in the third person.

At its best the book is not just about nostalgic tales but rather its meditative elements that permit readers to take a moment off from their busy life to experience the wonderful tranquility that it exudes. From my own reading experience of the book, I can describe it as an exercise in mindfulness as I appreciate with Reggie the act of being present and aware as to where I am and doing, and not becoming overwhelmed with much of the noise around myself. Succinctly, it is, as indicated on the first page, “A Gift From God.” No matter how far we drift away, mindfulness is right there to snap us back to where we are and what we’re doing and feeling.

This is particularly in evidence when I read the poem, Lakewood Sunrises and Sunsets

As the morning sun peaks over the eastern horizon

The dawning of a new day takes place

Creatures of all kinds awaken and begin to scurry

The birds face the sun and shake off the night chill

Workers rise from their beds with sleepy eyes

All creatures man and animal accept the new day

And begin their tasks assigned to themselves

The nighttime fast is broken as breakfast is eaten

All creatures forage some in fields and others in fridges

The rest of the day is active and purposeful

As the sun begins to fall from grace in the evening sky

The pace slows for all

It is time for sleep and healing rest

Tomorrow will follow and opportunities abound”

In the end, Lakewood, Reggie and Anita's Camelot offers its readers many pleasures- picturesque moments, comforting words, humor, and evocative snapshots that passionately recreate the milieu of Lakewood, all of which lead to an entertaining experience.

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Authors: Reggie and Anita Hill

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

ISBN: 978-1-64028-213-1 (PB)

ISBN: 9781-1-64028-214-8 (Digital)

Moving into a different genre, Reggie and his wife Anita have combined their creative talents in crafting a children's book, Sunshine's Excellent Adventures that focuses on their kitty that shared its life with them.

The focus of the yarn involves Sunshine that was part of Momma Motley's kitten litter and whose first home was underneath a big pier on Topsail Island, North Carolina.

Upon seeing Sunshine for the first time, Anita and Reggie noticed that he was malnourished and also unique in that he had an extra toe on each paw. Immediately, they fell in love with him and decided to welcome him into their home.

Upon settling in, Sunshine met Reggie and Anita's neighbor who was an artist. One day Jack borrowed a photograph of Sunshine and painted his picture that he subsequently presented to Reggie and Anita who hung it on the wall of their special country home at Lakewood, North Carolina.

Sunshine turns out to be quite a feisty and playful kitten and enjoys chasing candy wraps in crinky paper around the room which proved to be quite an amusing delight to watch.

And whenever Sunshine felt sick, he would visit Dr. Barker who was a veterinarian and the two became quick friends.

Sunshine was quite a joy when Reggie and Anita held their annual Christmas gathering and all who attended immediately adored him.

Janice, Reggie's sister, loved him so much that a few months later Reggie brought Janice one of Sunshine's brothers from a litter that Momma Motley had been protecting under the pier.

Sunshine was also fortunate enough to share Reggie and Anita's wonderful beach house called Summerhill on the beautiful North Carolina coast and it is here where he made many friends.

As we learn, like everyone big and small, Sunshine did have a daily chore and this meant doing something every day that would make Reggie and Anita laugh.

At Lakewood Sunshine befriended a squirrel whom he named speedy as it was the fastest squirrel that he had ever seen.

The authors mention in the last page that they were never able to have children, and it is their sincere wish that their little picture book will bring joy to children everywhere.

This bright breezy animated picture book is great fun to read and ideal for teaching young readers the value of making friends which is taught in a kid-friendly way. There is little doubt that little ones enjoy looking at lively scenes, and there are plenty for them to ponder over that accompany the text.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Interview With Reggie Hill