[Missouri-l] Accessible World presents Romance Literature Discussion Group, Friday, February 19, 2010

[Nancy Lynn]

News Wire:
Eva Rutland's semi-autobiographical novel, No Crystal Stair  will be the
subject   on the next Romance literature discussion, Friday, February 19th
at 6 p.m. pacific, 7 mountain, 8 central, and 9 eastern time. A departure
from the light romance, Million Dollar Marriage featured last month, No
Crystal Stair illustrates the deep personal side of Eva Rutland. She grew up
in a time when integration was just a dream.  In the world of the African
American upper middle class, called the elite by many, the answer  to most
simple desires in life was a resounding no. No, you cannot sit here, eat in
this restaurant, attend the neighborhood school with all the white kids. A
background of privilege was just that, even for black men, with education
and degrees that utilized their knowledge and skill. Doors for jobs in which
their intellect and ability would be employed remained closed.

What is it like to have hopes and dreams that cannot be fulfilled? How does
this affect a family? What can you do when the answer is no over and over
again? What does this do to personal pride and hope for your future? When
two become one, is it possible to hold on to love and a marriage threatened
by cruel realities neither of you anticipated or could prepare for. Without
answers, how can you remain optimistic and prepare your children for their
own future? When we hear about the struggles of segregation and the painful
slow growth that was integration, it is of the poor we think of most. If you
were raised as a son or daughter of privilege and wealth but found your
dreams turning to ashes, how would you cope? Marriages always face the
challenge of change. How   do you deal with a society that finds you wanting
for no reason other than the color of your skin? Where can you find the
strength to remain constant in loving when all seems lost? When a
 husband looks elsewhere for solace, is love gone forever?

In Eva's life, integration came finally. As a mother of a six year old
daughter, how do you send your child out in to a world that will very likely
reject her? Should your daughter be the first? What can a mother do if that
world steals her innocent happiness? We all discover  those we meet will not
love us or even like us? What would you do if you were the first to enter a
school beginning the process of integration?
Many years have passed since these events took place. In the voice of Eva
Rutland, in No Crystal Stair, she will take you there. You will bee moved.
Like me, you will think about the painful process this was in ways you never
did before.

No Crystal Stair by author Eva Rutland is available both on bookshare.org
and the nls download site. The book number is DB57455.

If you have questions, you can contact me at 740-945-6740 or email me at
bookmaven1 at verizon.net.

 I hope to see you there and look forward to discussing  a book with you
that will stimulate much conversation.

Bonnie Blose
Email: Bookmaven1 at verizon.net

Date: Friday, February 19, 2010

Time: 6:00 PM PST, 7:00 PM MST, 8:00 PM CST, 9:00 PM EST
         and elsewhere in the world Saturday 2:00 GMT.

Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to Romance
Literature Room at:

http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsfd8219297b18

Or, alternatively,

Select The Romance Literature Room at: www.accessibleworld.org.
Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.

If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing
software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download
and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen
tothe Accessible World rooms.

All online interactive programs require no password, are free of charge, and
open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer,
speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with
the presenters and others in the virtual audience. To speak to us, hold down
the control key and let up to listen. If no microphone is available, you may
text chat with the attendees.

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Accessible World Contacts:

Robert Acosta, Chair
Accessible World
818-998-0044
Email: boacosta at pacbell.net
Web: www.helpinghands4theblind.org

Joann Becker, Events Coordinator
Accessible World
617-969-1213
Email: joannbecker at pcomcast.net

George Buys, CEO.
Talking Communities
Email: buys at talkingcommunities.com

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