Bernard L. Dillard

Lemonade: Inspired by Actual Events Bernard L. Dillard

"I grabbed a magazine during the wait and also to keep from having to look at people who walked by my general area. It felt like every eye in that wing of the building was on me. They knew I didn't work there so I had to be visiting for the other reason. Indeed, I was making more out of it because whenever I glanced up, people were minding their own business, not even realizing I was there. What I was feeling was my own sense of paranoia. Surely, I was experiencing my own type of illusion of grandeur. I was reading some issue in Ebony about how Mo'Nique was on the come-up. I was so enrapt in the article that I hadn't realized that Judge was standing at the door, holding it open, trying to get my attention. 'Bernard!'"

"I entered and the door closed behind me. I followed him into his office, and he gave further instructions. I sat down and just observed my surroundings. To the left were a race track, some Lego pieces, building blocks, and other toys. Sadly, his clientele obviously included little boys who hadn't managed to escape this harsh reality. I started to tear up a little because of this, but thank goodness Judge was one of those whose job it was to intervene and help them gain some sense of normalcy back."

Nominated for a 2013 Global eBook Award, Lemonade chronicles the gripping story of Bernard L. Dillard's tenuous journey to manhood.  The scene above provides the backdrop for one of the many challenges that he faces in the book, a coming-of-age story, which highlights his persistence, faith, and triumph as he journeys through the maze of life. Exposed to the goods, the bads, and the straight-up ugly of Dillard's world, readers can't help but sympathize with, cheer for, and laugh out loud at a man, who is trying his best to find the most stable path that leads from boy to man. Written like a novel and presented in bite-sized chapters, Lemonade is indeed a page-turner.

Through vulnerability and candor, Dillard exposes wounds that he has held close to the vest over the years. Using modern-day, pop-culture references and side-splitting humor, he confronts serious issues that find themselves at the forefront of national discussion, especially absentee fatherhood, drug addiction, and sexual abuse. Lemonade also gives women a behind-the-scenes peek at the making of men like Dillard and sheds light on why some men struggle often when it comes to investing in relationships and making them work. 

In a nutshell, Dillard stands in life's kitchen, gathers his ingredients, and shows readers what to make when all there seems to be is a basket full of lemons.

Got lemons? Read Lemonade.

(May not be suitable for those under 18.)