Water In A Broken Glass

By Odessa Rose

Renowned, Baltimore-based sculptor Tonya Mimms focuses on her artwork to the exclusion of everything, including her thirst for love. Then one day, Tonya's firm footing in the artworld slips when she takes on a project that pushes her completely out of her artistic realm.

While running from the sculpture, Tonya bumps into Malcolm Holland, a handsome accountant with a dazzling gap between his teeth that lures her in the way a man's secrets seduces a woman's ear. Suddenly, Tonya joyfully finds herself in love with a man for the first time in her life. But Tonya's happiness turns to fearful bliss when she happens upon Satin Pierce, a strikingly beautiful bookstore owner, who has one of Tonya's sculptures on a shelf in her bedroom. Soon, Tonya becomes the centerpiece of a love triangle in which she is forced to choose between the man of her dreams and the woman destined to be her reality.

A multi-dimensional story, Water In A Broken Glass illustrates the complexity of art, love, and sexuality.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1736717308
• ISBN13: 9781736717301
• Release Date: September 2021
• Publisher: Cool Water Publishing House LLC
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Loved, loved, LOVED this book!

My only question is, why on earth is it out of print?? I am an avid reader and try to read most African American lesbian-oriented fiction that I can get my hands on. The sad thing is, there isn't much out there, and of that that is, there isn't alot that's good...or true. What's wonderful about this book is that it's both. It's great writing---strong plot, great character development and tight storyline. But more importantly, its TRUE. I could relate to every part of this story---both those that I've lived and those I've only heard about. And my partner and every friend I've told to read this book have all said the same. Please get this book back into print and then, Ms. Rose, please pick up your pen and let us know what happenend next! We're waiting with baited breath!!!

Refreshing like Water

This was definitely an exceptional novel. This book was a refreshing change from the usual love, sex, curses/slang, my boyfriend is cheating on me and I ain't right either type of African- American novels that are the majority on the market today. I am a Baltimore resident, which is where the book takes place and the accuracy and detail was amazing and could have only come from another Baltimorian. The multiple plots were very real situations told in such an accurate real way,As a lesbian I appreciated the author shedding light and truth on some very common sterotypes that plague the African-American homosexual community and that she didn't turn the main character's relationship with her female friend into a cheap(this girl is a freak) type of escapade. In the sub plots there was such warmth and realness that it left you concerned without over shadowing the main story line. Overall this was a great book and I applaud the author on her accurate detail to the setting and the situation content, Kudos for Odessa Rose!

Living by your own rules

First time author Odessa Rose's novel, WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS, is a wonderful addition to any book collector's library. The manner in which Rose writes this novel is just as vivid and colorful as a newly painted portrait while at the same time drives home the lesson of being true to yourself. She introduces us to Tonya Mimms, a sought out sculptor with the inability to commit to anything other than her art. Tonya spends the majority of her life hiding out in a studio on the third floor of America's Art Institute working on projects passed on by her mentor. She's been involved with men before, but never on a long term basis as something just doesn't click with her. Meanwhile, she's haunted by a girl (Meyoki) that she was drawn to in high school and questions her morals while at the same time trying to convince herself that the feelings aren't real. She's been taught by her mother that "women ain't supposed to run with other women" so she uses this thought as well as other teachings of going to hell if she sins in various manners. As a result, she spends all her adult life hiding from her innermost feelings and births sculptures that reflects what her mouth is incapable of saying. It is during one of her times of trying to get away from her thoughts that she meets Malcolm Holland and instantly takes him up on a challenge. Just when Tonya manages to have both love and sculpting in her life, she meets Satin Pierce, an openly gay bookstore owner. Although sexually drawn to Satin, Tonya establishes a friendship with her and teeters on the edge of fulfilling the desires stewing inside her. In spite of the comfort her sculptures offer, she quickly falls over the edge and a domino effect happens in her life causing her to lash out at the ones she loves as she deals with the decisions of choosing and following her heart or doing what she's been told is the right thing to do.Odessa Rose has painted vivid descriptions of both the characters and the scenes in WATER IN A BROKEN GLASS and has given us an engaging debut novel. Though the book touches on homosexuality, a subject that isn't normally approved in society, Rose has done it in a tasteful manner that helps the reader understand the character's feelings. The plot is driven by both the desires and the judgment of the characters while teaching us to be ourselves and not worry about trying to live our lives to the standards that society or those around us have established.Reviewed by Tee C. RoyalThe RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Hats off to you Ms Rose

This was a wonderful book. Its about time someone explored or ventured out and wrote about us African Amercian lesbians. I was beginning to think we didn't exist.It was very nice to read a book on bi-sexuality and the phobias that surround lesbians and bi womyn.If you are bi or lesbian this is a wonderful book to read. It helps with the questions of "Why do lesbians shun me? And "Why can't bi womyn committ" It touches on some really key and valid points. Now stop reading this and buy the book. I ain't selling mine.....

The new Howard Street

Water In A Broken Glass is a really good read.It gives a view of Afro-American Lesbians that is seldom addressed and it doesn't focus on the sexual aspect. It concentrates on the feelings of the people involved, their fears and expectations. Odessa Rose has really done her research and gives a real look into the lives of her characters and Baltimore City. It was great to read book that didn't have unnecessary sex or violence on every other page. I really liked it!