Broken Conditions highlights the author's college years and chronicles key relationships, which lead to drama, adventure, hurt and poor choices into her 30s. See how growing up affects and influences almost every decision, relationship and behavior. When what she learned wasn't working, she did something about it ... sometimes!
Industry Reviews
"Broken Conditions is an honest account of the life experiences of a "clean colored girl." The author doesn't try to reinvent the wheel here. She simply tells the stories that many women, colored or otherwise, can relate to. The stories that shape who we become over and over again; growing up a product of divorce, the struggle of the mother-daughter relationship, and MEN! These are stories of failure and brokenness and growth and resilience. Johnson's storytelling is such that you'll place yourself in the back seat of that Cadillac with the trumpet player's friend as he starts to urinate in a cup. You'll experience the terror of hiding in the bathroom as a drug-addicted man kicks in the back door. You can taste the excitement of living out your dreams in Los Angeles and the fulfillment of finding God and purpose. This is a good and quick read that will leave you wanting Volume 2." - Faith Conner, Host, The Platform 314 Podcast
"The level of honesty in this book might surprise you: truthfulness about mistakes, family challenges, rush to judgment, less-than-perfect relationships. But Jo Lena Johnson shares her life-- the good, bad and ugly --with an unwavering frankness that we can all learn from. Not only will you see the author in Broken Conditions, but you will also see yourself. This is recommended reading, and I am eagerly awaiting The Lady and the Chief, the second volume of The Clean Colored Girl Chronicles!" - Daryle Glynn Brown, News Producer
"Reading Broken Conditions is like having a good, long talk with a close girlfriend, sharing secrets while sworn to secrecy. The stories are intensely personal--some biting, some tender. Though the author's experiences are unique, they're also the universal tales of wisdom every soulful woman will find encouraging and inspiring." - Mara Purl, Best-selling, Award-winning Author of the Milford-Haven Novels
"Broken Conditions is fantastic! It reminds me of books like Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert or Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan. It's real and keeps you reading. How lucky Jo Lena is to have an amazing and interesting life. She was always starting "projects," i.e. relationships, endeavors, etc. in the book that weren't always necessarily for the betterment of her soul. Just her filling the holes. Channeling this book into a movie; now that's a better project. Everyone is soul searching and will connect with her story." - Shannon Tocco
"I found Broken Conditions riveting. I hung on the author's every word which was rooted in candor and vulnerability. Jo Lena Johnson courageously shares her story with humor and truth. She inspires each of us to assess the root cause of our own broken conditions and to then, courageously, do something about it. I cannot wait for her next book!" - Nadine Roberts Cornish, Author of Tears In My Gumbo
"Frank and honest, Broken Conditions chronicles the relationships, loves, and struggles of its resilient author, Jo Lena Johnson. Jo Lena makes you feel like an intimate friend as she regales you with stories of growing up a product of divorce, her relationship failures and her career successes. The biggest reason I had trouble relating to the book is not because I'm white but because I've been married to my second-ever boyfriend since I was 21 years old, so although I've had plenty of struggles, I have little dating experience. But, like most women, I can relate to how past relationships affect future ones. And I found Jo Lena's can-do attitude when tackling a new career or project, no matter how risky, to be inspiring."- Karen L. Tucker, Comma Queen
