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LaDonna M. Cook is an Author, Writer, Poet, and Motivational Speaker. She published her first poem in anthology: Whispers with The League of American Poets in 2007. In 2010 she self published her first book Expressions of the Mind, Body & Soul. She received a Certificate of Congratulation from Congressman Bennie Thompson 2nd district of MS. She was inducted Who's Who in Black Mississippi in 2012. In 2013 she released her 2nd book Until Tomorrow Comes. She is apart of the Sibella Poetry Magazine for 2014, and also she is in Anthology: The Gospel According to Poetry. UTC was awarded Honorable Mention in the 2014 Paris Book Festival and 2014 DJ Gatsby Book Club Literary Award in Poetry. She is also a Finalist in 2015 Diva Author / Writer for Divas of Colour International Award. She is a 2015 Finalist for National Indie Excellence Awards, received Honorable Mention in New York Book Festival, Red city book awards Finalist and Bronze Readers' Favorite Winner. She also placed in New England Book Festival Honorable Mention.
Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
Lessons II: Mirror Conversations by LaDonna Marie is a book of freestyle poetry in four parts: Things never said; Awareness, The Shift, and Lessons. They present half a lifetime of conversations that a woman call Abby holds with her reflection in a mirror. "Things never said" touches on the views of a child, but as seen from the adult Abby looking back. "Awareness" shows Abby as a mother of two daughters: she wants to put her unhappy past behind her and focus on her children, her career, and her search for God. "The Shift", as the title implies, is when Abby understands that she must learn to love herself, and be happy. "Lessons", which is the shortest section, concentrates on what Abby has learned: to have faith in God and to believe in His unconditional love.
I read Lessons II: Mirror Conversations with great interest; it shows a journey from despair and lack of a sense of self-worth to a strong belief in God that enables Abby, in “I vow to be powerful”, to end with “You will overcome your Adversity”. The poems that meant the most to me are scattered throughout the four sections, but the beautiful title poem, Mirror Conversations, stands alone. Others are “I’m frustrated”, which includes “There is no Romeo for this Juliet; “Deliver me”, “Dear Broken Heart”, “Dreams”, “Tainted Views”, “The Darkness”, and “The Experience”. LaDonna Marie’s “Face the music” is the moment when Abby truly understands what is missing in her life; success comes in “Love Unfulfilled”. Lessons II: Mirror Conversations is a book to be treasured by Christians, and a perfect gift for anyone uncertain about their faith. The book is beautifully presented.
