I Wanna Know What Love Is

 

In "I Wanna Know What Love Is," Ozalle opens her heart to reveal a lifetime of love, both the cherished bonds of family and the tumultuous waves of romantic entanglements. This intimate memoir takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of Ozalle's quest for the elusive answer to the question that haunts us all: What is love?

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With poignant honesty, Ozalle shares her earliest memories of familial affection, where the roots of her understanding of love were first planted. As she grows into adulthood, she embarks on a whirlwind journey of romance, seeking the love she believes she deserves. Her candid recollections draw us into her world, where love often manifests in unexpected and puzzling ways.

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"I Wanna Know What Love Is" is a memoir of love's many shades, the power of resilience, and the joy that arrives when we least expect it. Ozalle's story is a testament to the healing potential of love and the realization that it is not something to be chased but something to be embraced in the present moment.

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What Reviewers are Saying 

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"Love, although a basic human need, is both simple and complex. I Wanna Know What Love intricately reveals the struggles of black professional women in the twenty-first century. Many of which grew up with the perils of the crack cocaine epidemic, absent fathers, and broken homes. Dr. Toms strategically weaves in how transgenerational trauma still shows up in our everyday lives and personal relationships. From code-switching to pacify the mainstream population to shrinking our accomplishments, toning down our personalities, and quieting our voices to make others, including our partners, feel comfortable.

 

Toms states, "Despite being perfect for him, he wasn't the ideal match for me," solidifies the notion that black women must compromise our needs and desires in an attempt to find solace in settling, or we will be alone. Toms bravely defies the odds by speaking her truth; in doing so, she draws readers in and takes them on a quest to find what love means. The authenticity, transparency, and rawness of I Wanna Know What Love Is,  captivates her readers' minds and hearts by bringing them along with her on this journey of the pursuit of love, safety, and protection. I Wanna Know What Love is, is both validating and inspiring."

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                            La'Tanya Campbell, MS, LPC 

                                                                                                        Clinical Mental Health Therapist

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“I Wanna Know What Love Is”, is a courageous examination, and invariably a self-reflection, of personal relationships and their intrinsic value to one’s life. Dr. Toms’s measured, thematic approach, allows the reader to easily discern the basis for each relationship in her life and provides critical analysis and opportunities for one’s self-reflection at the end of each chapter. Dr. Toms can quantify the impact each relationship has on her life at various stages of her life, in detail. The reader understands and can interpret the difference between romantic love, perceived romantic love, and intimate friendships, and why the value, and impact, help shape one's ability to receive these different forms of love. “I Wanna Know What Love Is”,  could have easily devolved into a simple cataloging of one’s experiences in life. Rather, this well-thought-out, cathartic chronicle of personal; relationships, takes inventory of what’s been gained by each experience, and provides readers a unique opportunity for their self-reflection with modern themes that will certainly resonate with most readers. I Wanna Know What Love Is, serves as a complimentary follow-up to Dr. Tom's first book, “ Letting Perseverance Finish” and may be perceived as a continuation of the author's journey of healing and self-reflection."

                                                                              Wright R. Adams, Library Director, BA, MLS, MIS,  PLC SLNC

                                                                                                           Cleveland County Library System

 

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"Dr. Toms sifts through moments of her life with clear eyes and–most affectingly–a powerful love for her past selves, including the child who suffered abuse, the young mother, and the accomplished professional. On her journey to find and know love, Dr. Toms examines all its varieties including familial, romantic, and spiritual. Her bravery in continuing to open her heart, despite pain and setbacks, is inspiring and well-told. She recounts both heartbreaks and, in the end, the true joy to be found. We are all shaped by the search for love, and that search reveals our beauty. Discussion questions along the way make this book an excellent choice for book groups, journalers, or anyone on the quest to find and know love, both for other people and for themselves."

                                                                                    Jill Stukenberg, Professor of English, author of News of the Air

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"In her latest book, the author once again bares her soul, offering readers an unfiltered look into her tumultuous yet inspiring life. The title, reminiscent of a turbulent ride, perfectly sets the tone for what lies ahead—a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. Throughout the pages, the author's deep love for her family shines through, offering touching insights into the complexities of relationships and the bonds that hold us together in the face of adversity.

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What truly resonates in this narrative is the author's journey of healing and growth, particularly in the realm of romantic relationships. Through heartfelt accounts, we witness the evolution of love, forgiveness, and personal growth, especially in the interactions with two significant partners. These relationships serve as powerful catalysts for the author's transformation, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit in the face of heartache and disappointment. The inclusion of thought-provoking questions at the end of chapters adds depth to the narrative, encouraging readers to delve deeper into their own emotions and experiences.

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As I turned the final page, I found myself eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the author's journey. Whether in print or on the big screen!"

                                                                                                                                Charity Clark-Anderson
                                                                                                                                      Artistic Director
                                                                                                                             C. Clear Productions, LLC

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ebook $9.99    Paperback $16.99