5 Books Published by Godosan Publications on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

Vanessa – The Next Chapter opens on the same day that the first book, Vanessa – a Love Story, closes. We see a more mature, more poised Vanessa who is far better prepared to navigate her womanhood and her relationships. Both beautiful and fearless, Vanessa engages her new life in Atlanta with confidence as she appears to have recovered from the aftermath of Miguel.

With a new home and great new job, things could not be more perfect. With no intention of repeating the past, Vanessa steps into her first big social event dressed seductively to impress. But the unexpected occurs when she meets Wyatt, a man who appears to be her ideal match. Can she conduct herself in a way that is befitting a man of his stature, and is he too good to be true?

As this new relationship unfolds, life seems perfect for a while—until some past demons resurrect themselves and a few new ones arise. In the midst of her personal drama, a very serious crisis unfolds at work. Vanessa must demonstrate all of her skills professionally while at the same time determining how much she wants to fight to make her new relationship survive.

When Vanessa, a beautiful young psychology professor who has fled to New Mexico in the wake of a recent divorce, attends a literary event at her college, she is attracted to the evening’s charismatic, mysterious presenter, artist and poet Miguel Luis. As she manipulates events to place herself in his company, she unknowingly opens the door to a flurry of events that upend her life.

We see Vanessa surrounded by the beauty and bleakness of New Mexico, experiencing the dichotomy of a serene emptiness in the wake of her divorce, yet a peace to be found in this strange habitat without trees and the clutter of most cities. When she encounters Brazilian poet Miguel Luis, she is seduced by his mannerisms, art, and succumbs to her own vulnerability. Although their behavior is discreet, their sexual encounter is inevitable. What they create evolves into an uncommon relationship as they struggle to blend their different cultures and incongruent careers of academia and art. Vanessa must choose either to take risks with Miguel or to stay within her safer, familiar confines.

In its powerful conclusion, Miguel inadvertently but dramatically confronts Vanessa with his past, forcing her to redeem herself in the only way that she can.

Vanessa – a Love Story could be the story of any woman when she meets the personality and archetype seen here as “Miguel.” Although visually and emotionally written to entertain, Vanessa – a Love Story has lessons to be taught: how men and women are conditioned differently and how personality and expectations drive decisions.

In this third book of the Vanessa Trilogy, Flora’s Saga, we see Flora, Vanessa’s best friend, trying to make sense of love as she observes Vanessa at her happiest on her wedding day. Although they both met their dream man on the same day, Flora’s love agenda is not going anywhere. Brandon, a doctor, has checked off all the boxes, and Flora thought she did too. Flora is eye candy, smart and witty, a professional woman, and great in the kitchen and elsewhere. But all of that does not move Brandon any closer to making a commitment to her.

When Flora makes an inordinately generous gesture and exhibits uncommon kindness toward him, Brandon is unspeakably cruel and breaks her heart. But in her misery, something unusual happens. Another man shows up. Barry is not only kind. He promises to help her get over the man who broke her heart.

In Flora’s Saga, Vanessa and Flora change roles. Flora kept it together for Vanessa in books one and two. This time it is Vanessa who helps Flora maintain her sanity—that is, Vanessa and the man Flora never expected to see again.

Fragments of a Woman’s Life: A Memoir is an unusual look into the life and feelings of one woman. Written in an easy-to-read style and format, this book is being described over and over as “absolutely wonderful.” It is a unique collection of personal essays that examine a woman’s life in her role as mother, wife, friend, teacher, spiritual philosopher, and creative. The format of the memoir is thematic and revolves around the writer’s relationships and experiences.

In chapter one we meet “The Players” — those closest in spirit to the author. From there we venture into her “Habitat,” both physical and psychological. From there we move onto “Fragments of Memory” and “Work,” where we see into her past and present, recap childhood memories, and contrast the professional woman with the child from whom she blossomed.

Motherhood means different things to each woman. Here the author cites her joys and misgivings in an honest and thoughtful way, always demonstrating the love that has bound her family into a solid and integral part of her life.

As a creative, Sandra Manigault cites her process for writing as well as the roles that art and music play in the process; her love of “the dance” as an art form, and the incredible joy she feels when she sees her children perform.

Written in a beautifully lyrical style, Fragments of a Woman’s Life is a book you will want to read more than once. It will lift your spirits and help you acknowledge all that life is truly about.

The Book for Math Empowerment: Rethinking the Subject of Mathematics deals with the psychology of learning math. It approaches the issue of math anxiety through an affirmative process. It engages the reader by dealing with the issue of his/her belief system. The reader is encouraged to take a realistic look at false paradigms and to understand how these have encumbered him/her in the learning of mathematics.

Study skills are enumerated in depth, along with case studies of students who lost their way. Additionally, the reader is given a personal look into why musicians often make better math students; how baggage can be created inadvertently by teachers in a classroom, and parents, in the home. This is a frank and honest look as to why mathematics has been given a false mystique in American culture and what can be done about it.