Checkered Fences is not only a novel of remarkable insight, but a tribute to our world?s changing social and political climate. Author Alma Hudson writes with extraordinary vision and clarity, bringing racial issues to the forefront with delicate balance and thoughtful compassion. It?s the late...  more

Checkered Fences is not only a novel of remarkable insight, but a tribute to our world?s changing social and political climate. Author Alma Hudson writes with extraordinary vision and clarity, bringing racial issues to the forefront with delicate balance and thoughtful compassion. It?s the late 1970s in California; a time of racial turbulence, but change is in the air and Diane Jones, an African-American 18-year old honors student will come face to face with those changes. Diane takes a job as a nanny to a prestigious white family, Jerry and Ann Shaw, before entering college. She quickly becomes a respected friend and member of their blended family, paying special attention to their eight-year old son, Chad, Ann?s son from a previous marriage. Their eldest son, David returns home for the summer and an immediate attraction sparks between Diane and David. They began a secretive love affair. Can Diane?s proud, traditional family accept a white man as Diane?s love interest and will the Shaw?s value her as their son?s potential partner? As their love affair blossoms, they decide to make their relationship public. This story of an interracial love during the turbulent 70s deftly explores the ugly racism that propelled our nation?s conscious to change toward a more diversified culture. Written with sophisticated realism, Hudson?s novel stands out as a literary piece of significance during our present-day political climate.

Sondra's only dream in life is to complete college and make her family proud. But when she moves into an apartment she can barely afford near the University of Southern California, her dreams start changing. After paying for school with an academic scholarship and barely surviving with very...  more

Sondra's only dream in life is to complete college and make her family proud. But when she moves into an apartment she can barely afford near the University of Southern California, her dreams start changing. After paying for school with an academic scholarship and barely surviving with very little money, her suspicious and somewhat creepy neighbor Vick shows an interest in her. But Sondra still has her mind set on the goal of completing college. After Vick's many attempts to force his attentions on her, she gives in and starts a relationship with him, a relationship filled with domestic and sexual violence. Sondra thinks that if only she could change Vick, their relationship would work and she could finish her education. Will Sondra be able to change Vick's violent behaviors and settle back down into the life she's always wanted for herself, or will Vick end up changing her forever? Many people don't know that domestic violence crosses all walks of life and affects rich and poor alike, young and old, all languages and cultures, and both women and men. Author Alma Hudson wrote The Trouble With Change to let everyone suffering from domestic violence know that there is hope even when you think things are hopeless. Hudson works as a supervisor for a legal department in Lancaster, California, and was motivated to write this book from her own personal experiences with domestic violence.