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Physician, Heal Thy Self (July 9, 2007) by Dera R Williams, APOOO Book Club

Anjuelle Floyd makes her debut in a captivating collection of interconnected stories, Keeper of Secrets…Translations of an Incident. The stories center on a group of accomplished, upper-middle class Blacks living in the Oakland/San Francisco area of California who are either acquainted with each other from the past or through the proverbial six degrees of separation.

In “Dancing Siva,” Raven Clarke, a former psychotherapist, is having dinner with her husband, Drew, an attorney and one of his clients in an elegant restaurant in San Francisco. Raven is a reluctant dinner companion, suffering from fatigue and sleeplessness, having been plagued by her infant daughter’s nonstop nightly crying. Raven has flashbacks to the night she chose Drew over Absylom, her Ugandan/Rajasthani lover. Can she get back to that place where in the distant past, visions and meditations were the key to her sanity and harmony? Will overcoming the sins of the mother be the key to reclaiming her life and restful sleep? She is jarred out of her reverie by an argument which turns violent and Raven finds herself in the middle of it with Drew hovering over her. That incident witnessed by a roomful of people triggers a series of back stories, secrets and lies from the past, and a look at the complex cast of characters.

The ensuing stories delve into the psyche of wounded, scarred and sometimes tortured souls of several individuals and families. In the title story, “Keeper of Secrets,” psychoanalyst Lahni Irete seeks psychotherapy for herself in order to come to terms with childhood demons as well as doubts about her choice in marrying a blind Nigerian financier instead of her longtime friend. In “Three Movements,” Arianne Gadsen’s faith in her ability to counsel terminally ill patients is questioned when she discovers a deceased patient was not who she purported to be. Michael Banks is a workaholic, a bridge engineer, who is losing a grip on his marriage in “The Bridge.” His life is forever changed when things spiral out of control one day on the Richmond Bridge.

All of these characters appear to have it all; they are accomplished, highly educated and successful in their fields, what W. E. B. Dubois would call the Talented Tenth of the New Millennium. Yet, there is a darkness lurking in each of their pasts that haunts, lingers and prohibits them from living their lives to the fullest. Some of them have suffered parental death or abandonment during childhood, one escaped a near female circumcision, and another denied access to her father. Some find themselves in the ironic position of healing others when, in fact, they are the ones in need of a cure.

Floyd’s collection is a formidable debut worthy of classic status incorporating elements of Edith Wharton, Andrea Lee and Gwynne Forster. The convoluted lives of upper-class Blacks break new ground in American literature which includes the dynamics of psychotherapy, religion, mysticism, and international cultures. With skillful, imaginative writing this first literary offering of Three Muses Press is sure to be a crossover hit.

Anjuelle’s Secretive Translations Unveiled! (October 17, 2007) by Alvin C. Romer, “The Jackal” (The Romer Review.com)

Psychotherapy and neurology usually are entities that would be subjective to analysis in fueling the need to confront problematic issues that are both familial and prevalent. Author Anjuelle Floyd makes a poignant case for this in the form of her debut novel, Keeper of Secrets. The subtitle, Translations of an Incident, gives a somewhat intrusive look in the what, when, how, and where for a page-turning treat. Rarely do we exist without trial and tribulation due to occurrences that color our very existence. The gist of the book revolves around a single incident in a restaurant that touches each character from those present to those not in attendance. Ms Floyd uses different hues that are connected in bringing spectrums that give her eight short stories good contrast and relevant context. I marveled at how she wrote each character that made up this volume reasonable and noteworthy. First and foremost though, technical and artistic merit should be noted relative to the style in which she wrote the book. Linked indelibly to a restaurant scene, the author manages to take personal translations of the incident and propel them toward deeper revelations, bringing the characters synonymously closer in their search for self gratification and the true meaning of their lives. This is no easy task—to have separate stories, but tie the theme relative to one train of thought—confronting your deepest fears to reveal truths that unlock the key to freedom.

Freedom in this case is the group of stories that have shared intimacy and reconciliation giving reason if not hope, for self-awareness to propel legitimacy to know that you truly belong. This is the `why’ I spoke of earlier. The characters are interwoven via eight stories with each protagonist highlighting the `secrets’ holding them prisoners. Certain questions abound that has bearing on stylistic renderings that the author took liberty to exploit. Take for instance the first story in this excellent novel, “Dancing Siva”: Raven Clarke, a former psychotherapist, is wrestling with issues of guilt surrounding an aborted pregnancy that may be associated with her infant daughter’s nonstop nightly crying, and reconciling with her mother. Is it because it’s a bad omen suggesting the wrong decisions were made concerning Absylom, her Ugandan lover? Furthermore, can she get back to that place in time that would bring solvency in the justification for a second chance instrumental in her sanity and harmony? Will overcoming implied transgressions ease her burdens in reclaiming her life? An argument which turns violent finds herself in the middle of confusion with her current husband subjected to the issue.

That incident witnessed by a roomful of people triggers a series of backstories, secrets, and lies from the past, and is the backdrop for the other stories therein. The keeper of secrets has their individual story to tell, and they do so with the reward of redemption hovering near. The other stories are just as compelling and delve into the psyche of hurt, the gullible gall of guilt, and the parameters of Karmic truth that forces the characters to bare their souls and deal with applicable initiative to garner solutions. The title story “Keeper of Secrets,” deals with Lahni Irete who seeks psychotherapy in order to understand terms of misplaced endearment stemming from childhood angst, as well as lingering doubts about her choice in marrying a blind Nigerian financier in lieu of a longtime friend. In “Three Movements” Arianne Gadsen’s faith in her ability to counsel terminally ill patients is thrown into chaos around a deceased patient allegedly not who she purported to be. Michael Banks is the protagonist in “The Bridge.” This story bridges gaps that may connect him to a successful marriage elusive to him, and give credence to holding tight on reins that may harness the truths that have always beset him. The crux of it culminates and is the coda for redeeming justice. Can Michael come to grips with his earlier confrontation allowing things to not spiral out of control one day on the Richmond Bridge?

The four other stories, “Myrandha”; “The Object of Compassion”; “In Baghdad”; and “As Far as I Can See…In a Day” all show Anjuelle Floyd’s ability to allow drama to intensify to a crescendo that lets us down easy through apertures that illustrate good emotional pictures. Each story takes on a perspective for ties to bind hidden truths, and expose concerns to confront secrets that haunt. With an adept hold of imagery and a willingness to go beyond status quo, Anjuelle Floyd has made a believer of me, and anxiously awaits the next nugget from this golden gifted writer. Take a chance on this novel, and know that good stories don’t always have to be separate to educe connectivity. Anjuelle Floyd is for real!

How People are Related (March 15, 2008) by Alice Holman of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net)

Several up-scale African-American families are in a restaurant having dinner, when an argument breaks out nearby. The argument escalates until the woman is standing over her husband with a knife at his throat. Raven, a psychotherapist, jumps up and runs to the aide of the man, talking the woman into putting the knife down. Her husband, Drew rushes over to help her. This incident, witnessed by many in the restaurant, colors the lives of those who saw it as they contemplate their own lives.

In Keeper of Secrets, by Anjuelle Floyd, there were an incredible number of characters, all in some way connected to the others who were in the restaurant that evening. There were so many, I lost track of who was who. The individual stories were interesting even if difficult to keep up with in relation to the original actors.

Breaking The Mold (August 20, 2007) by Reviewer/Dr. Linda Beed, On Assignment Reviews/Author of Business Unusual, On Assignment “Linda!” Keeper of Secrets…Translations of an Incident, by Anjuelle Floyd

In a world where cookie-cutter novels have become the norm rather than the exception—debut author Anjuelle Floyd has broken the mold.

Keeper of Secrets…Translations of an Incident, a collection of interconnecting short stories, is a literary case study in how one incident can be translated into many scenarios.

Author Floyd does a magnificent job of making the reader privy to a specific incident with tentacles that touch the lives of others. Embracing her fund of knowledge as a psychologist and grasp of multiple cultures, readers are skillfully and enjoyably drawn into the world of a diverse group of professionals and those in their close and outer circle. A majority of them are carrying luggage that should have been unpacked years ago. A variety of reasons as to why they have not is what will hold your attention.

In each story we are introduced to individuals who outwardly are living the life fairy tales are made of. With each turned page you will be exposed to past experiences robbing them of the fullness of the present. You will wonder why Raven is tortured by the cries of her infant? What is it from Lahni Irete’s childhood that led to selecting a blind man rather than the man she truly loves as her husband? Why does Arianne seek comfort in the ghost of a deceased patient rather than the arms of her husband? Will Trey’s past be the salvation for a positive future?

Told in a refreshingly intellectual tone, Keeper of Secrets, rather than excluding, invites a wide range of readers to imbibe words that stimulate, educate, and entertain.

Eight Beautifully Woven Stories (June 11, 2008) by K. Danley “of the RealLadiesRead Book Club”

One incident and numerous perspectives is what you get from Keeper of Secrets…Translations of an Incident, by Anjuelle Floyd. Eight beautifully woven stories reveal the secrets and truths that can be shaded by the color of individual perspectives. Although perfectly combined, each story stands on its own to divulge the truth of each secret in a way that not only allows the reader to relate to the characters, but to put your self in their shoes.

Through each of the stories the readers will experience love, lost, hurt, despair, confusion, and hope, exposing secrets to the full circle of its truths. Keeper of Secrets uniquely connects each story without overshadowing the importance of the next. Leaving to you to determine where the connections lie.

I thoroughly enjoyed each moment in the lives of these characters. I caught myself carefully dissecting each section, but at my conclusion I can honestly say “secrets lock up our world and truths set it free.”

Winner of the 2008 New “Real” Author Search - Real Ladies Read Book Club

Reader Reviews

Creativity Has a Name, and it is “Anjuelle” (September 6, 2007) by J. L.. Graham “Jess” (Author/Columnist/Reviewer www.creativesolutions.page.tl)

An entanglement of lives and lies, Keeper of Secrets, the newest masterpiece by Anjuelle Floyd, is a collection of works which circumvent a single event. This one event provides an opportune moment to further weave the lies lived. The stories written are believable to the extreme that you will likely wonder if this is fiction or fact. While reading Keeper of Secrets, you are taken in by the characters and the situations of their stories.

Good Read (March 13, 2008) by Malini

Keeper of Secrets is a collection of short stories (primarily) revolving around one violent incident in a restaurant in San Francisco. It weaves together the stories of a group of people who are, for a variety of reasons, unable to come to terms with events from their pasts, and are therefore unable to live in the present. The characters are linked to each other in some way, and the stories tend to tie into each other, which I really enjoyed. I loved how the characters all strive to understand themselves better, to confront their fears and unanswered questions, and ultimately, how much depth there is to each one of them. With each story, the characters’ pasts are hidden from the reader, and their secrets are slowly revealed, piece-by-piece. The courage they must gather to turn their lives around is inspiring.

My only complaint is that the stories get a little repetitive; many of the characters seem to face the same fundamental problems. And there was a brief moment when I just wanted to tell one of the characters to get over herself…

Overall, though, I recommend this book. Anjuelle Floyd’s writing is unpretentious and seems effortless, and her stories are insightful and original

Fascinating Characters (January 22, 2008) by AL

Eight stories with recurrent themes, long-held secrets that elevate tensions within complex relationship triads. The author tries to take us deeply into her characters as they themselves enter a land where words could not travel and travel deeply into the wilderness of their own thoughts. I would not call Keeper of Secrets an easy read nor will the thoughts it provokes depart easily.

Excellent Novel with Exotic Flair (July 4, 2007) by L. Meehan

I loved how this novel was made up of eight short stories, which are all interwoven with shared characters and their interpretations of one incident in a restaurant. The characters are wealthy African-American professionals of a variety of religions, but I think anyone can relate to how all of them have their pasts and baggage to deal with before they can manage their current relationships well.

Uncommonly Good (November 26, 2007) by Michelle D. Mcgriff, Author

Poetry in literary motion, this is Anjuelle Floyd’s freshman (fiction) offering: Keeper of Secrets…Translations of an Incident.

Taking you on a journey you’ve never been on before this book—8 short stories intricately threaded together to create a full-length novel that will not disappoint. For distinguishing taste, each story will take on the voice of a character who travels with Anjuelle, guiding her into the life of the next story, touching on real topics such as motherhood, marriage, politics, and war, while in fantastic settings. So uncommon is this read that you’ll find yourself pondering it for a long time.

Having heard Anjuelle read from the work it’s not hard to see her heart pouring out over Raven and her inner pain, to the blind Sahel and her inner sight—just two of the many well-developed, poignant characters.

I know I haven’t told you much about the stories but they are not easy to put into everyday words; you’d have to be where I was to really appreciate and understand how out of the ordinary Ms. Floyd’s literary work really is. Suffice it to say, I had the advantage of hearing her read the words which could only enhance your experience but trust me…I highly recommend you picking up this book and reading it yourself. It’s well worth it.