Past Presence

By Gaye Newton

A tormented woman...a buried memory...a terrified girl...a disturbed apparition. The hidden truth...revealed. "Will you marry me?" he asks one night in 1996. For 35-year-old Anitra Leigh Cole,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970084900
• ISBN13: 9780970084903
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Galibren Written Treasures
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.8" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

Wow!

Sit down and relax and get ready for a story that will keep you reading until you get to the last page. This is a wonderful book about the sins and mistakes of the past and how they they live to affect the present. Want powerfual emotion? Past Presence has it. Want mystery? This book has it. Want strong characters and a strong ending? This book has it. It left me saying "Wow!"Kimberley Wilson, author of 11 Things Mama Should Have Told You About Men.

An Intricate and Well-Written Tale

Gaye Newton seamlessly travels back and forth through time and space to write her novel, Past Presence, a story about buried memories and the woman who must face her fears in order to reveal them.Past Presence introduces us to Anitra Cole, a woman who has just been proposed to by her boyfriend. She should be on top of the world, however,the simple opening of the ring box causes Anitra to freak out, to remember well-hidden secrets that travel far beyond her birth...to the year 1927. A letter written in 1974 and a secret held between two young children in 1927 are the keys to unraveling a mystery that has plagued Anitra's family for decades, though no one has been brave enough to discuss it. Anitra wants to change that, and through the help of her lifelong friend, Carrie, she aims to do just that. Anitra travels through the past, while a family member travels to the future, both in search of the truth that can finally enable their family to recover from the tragic events of the past.The book is so intricate that to reveal more would be to spoil this terrific read for the reader. I have to say, I've never read a book with so many time changes, but that is written in such a smooth way, you don't get confused while reading. Newton does a good job in bringing Anitra's "voices" out, as she moves from adulthood to childhood and back, you can hear the change in her dialogue. The story is very unique, and that alone makes this book a definite must-read. My only problem - though small - was that I felt rushed in the end, like conclusions were drawn due to time or space, and I felt I needed more. Aside from that, Past Presence is a wonderful read, and it's on my SHOULD READ list for others.

This Is A Sure-Enough Classic

Being an avid and faithful reader since my childhood, I have come across many, many wonderful stories. The Hardy Boys kept me on edge and at every yard sale in search of another great mystery. After Curious George, the Hardy's were my favorite. As an adult, I immediately declared "Along Came A Spider" by James Patterson my favorite. I read all 16 books by Donald Goines in about 3 months and was throughly satisfied with each one. "Past Presence," sat on my bookshelf for months before I decided to pick it up and read it. From the first paragraph and every word after, I was, am, and still, because I have 40 pages left, left with a feeling of complete awe, respect, and admiration, for first time author Gaye Newton. Her writing style is easy, free-flowing, and so... EXCELLENT!!!! I am thoroughly impressed. I see this as a novel in Oprah's Book Club, in school systems around the country, and HBO's movie of the week. To write such a compelling story that I call a mystery, without the use of foul language, broken English, or Ebonic laced dialect, only adds to Gaye's skill as a truly gifted writer. I have no doubt, eternal life is her's, because "Past Presence" will stand the test of time and be read for years, decades, and centuries to come!!! Praises to you Gaye! Please keep the excellent literary works available to those of us who love and appreciate a great read!

Best Read This Year

This is a very good book. I enjoyed the story, and the characters were presented and developed with easy reading fluidity. I had never read a story which combined real life with the supernatural in a way which was so comfortable, and at the same time, suspensful. Great work, Gaye. My friends will get copies for the end of year holidays.

Definitely worth reading

I really enjoyed Past Presence by Gaye Newton. The author has created an exciting book that grabs you from the very beginning and keeps you guessing about its mysteries and secrets until the end. I especially enjoyed the author's accurate descriptions as we journeyed through time.In addition and as an African American myself, it was refreshing to read a entertaining book based on middle class African American characters without focusing on race issues or the African American experience.