"Michelle Lark's dynamic literary voice is one that clearly demands to be heard.  She will definitely hold the title of one of the most prolific writers to hit the scene."

                                                       Joylynn M. Jossel

                                         Essence Bestseller of The Root of All Evil

Crisis Mode is a novella that any woman can identify with.  Michelle Larks has written a unique novella about unplanned pregnancy, mental illness, infidelity, and old age that draw the reader into each character’s world.    Crisis Mode speaks to women across American that wishes to stand up and be heard.

The Literary Café

www.literarycafe.org  

A How-To manual that teaches women across America to cope with problems, identifies fears, and become the victor.  Michelle Larks has written a book for women across all racial boundaries.

Bella Online

www.bellaonline.com 

"Crisis Mode is a brilliant series of unconditional love laden masterpieces! 

Larks dramatically captures the spirit and soul in an ingenious fashion."

-Marc Lacy

The Looking Heart

www.marclacy.com

CRISIS MODE by Michelle Larks

F&M Publishing, March 2005

Paperback

RAW Rating: 5 (out of 5)

Women in Crisis

Michelle Larks' CRISIS MODE is a compilation of four novellas that

depict women who each have burdens to bear and life altering changes to

make.  The first story, "What's a Woman to Do?" introduces the reader to

Sharita Atkins and her family.   After years of being on public

assistance, Sharita has finally taken steps to move her family from the

projects.  She has completed a nursing course and set small but

attainable goals for herself.  Then the unthinkable happens, she finds

herself pregnant with her fourth child.  Sharita resents the idea of

enduring another pregnancy and having to give up all she has worked for,

so she considers the idea of an abortion. Ultimately, heart to heart

conversations with her family and Antone, the father of her children,

provide her with insight to make what she believes will be the right

decision.

Domestic violence is the subject for the second novella, "Family

Secrets."  Jeanine Meyers has stood by and defended her abusive husband

James for years until he does the unthinkable and their son Jamal ends

up severely injured and in a coma.  Jeanine feels responsible, sinks

into a deep depression, and eventually tries to commit suicide.  After

realizing she is way past her breaking point, Jeanine gets professional

help and learns the "real" reason she has always had a low self-esteem

and why she has never really felt a part of her family.

"Letting Go" is what Desiree Cooper must do to go on with her life.

Three days before she is to marry the man of her dreams, she finds a

phone number and an opened package of condoms in his tuxedo.  Fearing

the worst, she jets off to visit with her estranged mother, Mia.

Desiree has chosen not to have a relationship with her mother, because

she feels as if her mother jumps carelessly into relationships and

because she believes that her mother chose her boyfriend over the love

of her daughters.  When she arrives, the lines of communication are

finally opened and Desiree learns a little about her mother and a lot

about herself.  She discovers what she has to do to let go and live her

life, but you have to read the story to find out if the wedding is still

on.

The last novella is "Family Meetings." Marsha Douglas' mother Anna has

been the glue that held the family together.  When Anna suffers from a

stroke and refuses artificial life support, the family is distraught to

say the least.  After much anger, accusations, and denials, they have a

series of family meetings that ultimately bring the family closer and

able to accept the inevitable.

CRISIS MODE combines realistic characters with situations that people

either go through themselves or know of someone who has had those

experiences.  The character development is so rich that at times I felt

as if I was reading about a friend or family member.  The stories were

so real that I often found myself laughing, crying, or just reminiscing.

What I enjoyed most is that each story focused on family and the

importance of communication. Michelle Lark is to be commended on her

excellent portrayal of women and families and her ability to show that

behind every dark cloud, there may just be a silver lining.

Reviewed by Latoya Carter-Qawiyy

of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

http://www.rawsistaz.com

Crisis Mode,

Author: Michele Larks

ISBN #: 0-9762383-8-1 

Crisis Mode is an exploration of the types of issues that women face each day, though this is a work of fiction, each of the characters could be a woman you know.  Sharita deals with an unplanned pregnancy, Jeanine deals with a devastating accident and then an addiction, and finally Desiree deals with past infidelity with true trust issues.  Author Michele Larks gives the reader a realistic view of some of the tough and often life changing decisions that women have to make in the name of sanity, self-love and respect. 

I look forward to reading any new releases from Michele Larks. One again, Larks has hit the jackpot with Crisis Mode.

4 stars out of 5

Reviewed by: Tanya Bates for Black Pearl Enterprises LLC

Crisis Mode is truly 4 interesting short stories dealing with everyday living. Every woman can definitely relate to all of her stories. Michelle, you go girl. I am waiting for you to come to Detroit. The book is written with exceptional taste, you have the heart and wisdom to reflect the feelings of people.  

                                                                                                       Linda S. of Detroit

Mary Women's Workshop , September 5, 2005

A Kid's Review

Crisis Mode is all about everyday life and the book touched my heart. I could relate to the characters in each story.

Michelle Larks is an extraordinary writer!

Mary Bell

A Must Read!, September 12, 2005

Crisis Mode is a book of novellas which offer an in-depth look at what happens when people reach "zero hour." In "What's a Woman to Do", Sharita Atkins is faced with the dilemma of whether or not to have an abortion. Determined to break the cycle of dependency in her family, she attends a trade school, hoping to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. She is on the verge of pulling her life together and getting out of the projects, on the south side of Chicago.

In, "Family Secrets," Jeanine Meyers is struggling with guilt over the injuries her seven-year-old son, Jamal suffered at the hands of her abusive husband, James. Jamal is now a comatose patient at a Chicago children's hospital. So distraught is Jeanine that she attempts suicide, then later moves in with her parents. During family discussions other things come to light about Jeanine and her suspicions of being adopted.

"Letting Go," introduces Desiree Cooper, who is on cloud nine about her upcoming marriage to Andre Jackson. While preparing to take his tux to the cleaners she discovers a lady's phone number in his pocket. AND...an opened package of condoms. Desiree leaves Illinois and travels to Arkansas to seek counsel from Mia (her estranged mother.) Although he's had moments of indiscretion in the past, Andre swears he's innocent.

"Family Meetings" deals with the impending death of Anna, a family matriarch, and her adult children, Marsha, Marty, John, and their families. Marsha Douglas and her husband, Howard, live in the house with her aging mother. After Anna suffers a stroke the family schedules meetings to determine how they'll manage her continued care. They're stunned when they realize she doesn't want any measures taken to prolong her life. At times emotions are strained between Marsha and her sister, Marty, but then the confessions take place!

These stories share the common thread of sisterhood and extended family. This work will definitely hold the reader's attention.

Positive Reading, September 20, 2004

This was an excellent book. The stories were all encouraging. You could relate to them as well in your own little way. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend others to do so as well. All I can say is you must read this book. It speaks on family, friendship, loving and unity

I have 3 of your books Myraid..,Who's..,& Crisis Mode. I just finished Crisis Mode & I must say it was absolutely wonderful.The characters in the stories I can relate to so much especially "Rita" &"Marsha", they sound like my family members.I'm now reading Mirrored Images & I know that its going to be just as good.Thank you so much for writing stories about women that have different crisis in life that we have to overcome withe the help from the lord up above.I am interested in reading more stories from you you now have another true fan. Thanks,Felicia   

In Michelle Larks novel Crisis Mode, portrays four short novellas of women that overcome different obstacles. These separate stories include issues of unexpected pregnancy, mental illness, spousal abuse, infidelity, aging parents and family feuds.

Each story has its own little twist, with gives each story its own life.

I cannot say enough about Crisis Mode except that it is a must read! These stories will make you laugh, cry, and even get angry. Each account gives real life situations that we can relate to that goes on in everyday society. The different novellas bring hope and inspiration and how families need to stick together during difficult times. This book was a pleasure to read and was beautifully written. Definitely a good book that will be hard to put down!

Review by: Jen Murphy

A SistaGirl Book Club reviewer