Reviews
for
Jo Anna
Have You Hugged Your Child Today?, October 13, 2006
You will want to after reading this wonderful "from the heart" story by Edd
Voss. To lose a child must be the most difficult thing a parent has to endure,
and then to write that story must be a close second. Edd has captured the pain
and emotions that led to the ultimate healing. The final paragraphs are
heartwarming and powerfully inspirational. Excuse me now, for I have a daughter
to hug.
Phil Whitley, author of Keechie
Heart Touching, October 16, 2006
Edd has a way with words that draws his readers into his stories with the flair
of a natural born story teller. Jo Anna was told in such a way that had me
gripped with emotion from beginning to end. I admire his courage in being able
to tell his story in honor of Jo Anna.
Tory Lynn
Awesome and Poingant, October 10, 2006
This story is awesome, and I'm sure, one of the hardest this talented author
ever had to write . . . but he did it with courage and dignity. Losing a child
is the most emotional experience a person must endure on this planet; I know,
and I doubt that I could ever write my saga as Edd Voss did. Nice going old
trooper!
A grandfather revisits in his mind the death of small daughter,
December 6, 2006
Jo Anna by Edd Voss is a heart wrenching story of a man's love for his young
daughter and how he dealt with her passing. You will need a box of tissues for
this one. A truly loving story and one you will remember. I'm so glad I
purchased Edd's Amazon Short story and you will be too.
Mary E. Preece
Tears, Redemption, Renewal. Hands Holding Time., December 4,
2006
In this Amazon Short Edd Voss used prose in its purest form to express raw grief
with the barest essence of statements: "The paper blurred as the words began to
sink in."
Reading Ben Tucker's recount of feelings in his childhood, I was reminded of
another disconnected 15-year-old, a character introduced in Robert B. Parker's
Spenser novel, EARLY AUTUMN. Voss wrote about his character, "... he had always
felt like he was alone since his parents had died when he was a kid. All through
the years of orphanage and foster homes, he had felt alienated and on his own."
In Parker's EARLY AUTUMN, Paul's parents hadn't died; they lived as childless,
unconnected individuals. I mention Paul Giacomin because he and Ben each
traveled paths, as dramatized through the wisdom of a sensitive author, into
healing human connections. The steps in the journeys were different, but the
intimacy of the healing shared with readers struck similar chords.
Voss gave a touching description of grave-side sunshine contrasting his
devastation. Cool composure was etched by cracks of sad warmth visible only in
flowing tears:
>> The cemetery was bathed in sunshine as befit the southern California
summertime. While a large crowd was gathered to mourn the loss of this little
girl, he still felt isolated. In his mind all he could see was himself standing
there all alone, tall and proud in his immaculate dress uniform shining in the
midday sun. The brass on his collar and the wings on his chest reflected the sun
so that it hurt the eyes to look directly at them. From the soles of his boots
to the beret on his head he was the image of everything a soldier should be,
till the onlooker glimpsed the tears in his eyes that despite his every effort
had escaped and rolled down his cheeks. <<
Voss wrote a perfect "coming to" description, serving as an abrupt, yet gentle
transition from a reverie of long past, broken memories, to an easing of the
primal fear of damage and grief. The link to present caring was beautifully
expressed:
>> His reverie was interrupted by a hand sliding into his. Holding it up so that
he could look at it, he marveled as he always did at the beauty of her hand.
Totally feminine with well manicured nails, the skin soft as silk yet filled
with strength. He had seen that hand do all of the same work that he did and
more around the ranch, yet it still was soft to the touch. <<
This story touchingly exposed a man's loss being completed in renewal, as he
moved from disconnected childhood, to the intimacy of a soul-mate. The mood
flowed in natural patterns through a gauntlet of pain as a man, who had lost
parents through death, lost a child to the same gateway, healed the loneliness
of his youth, then rested in a blossoming new life filled by children of
children of children, and a wife.
With an exquisite economy of caring words, Edd Voss expressed the type of
healing growth possible in life. This story gave a gentle touch of that to the
reader, and could be read and reread for the feeling of grace.
Well done Voss,
Linda Shelnutt