Customer Reviews

Be Careful What You Pray For

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Alicia Black is the daughter of the highly controversial Reverend Curtis Black. Recently divorced, she meets and falls in love with the slimy Reverend JT Valentine after hearing him speak at Reverend Black's church. Alicia sets her sights on JT from day one and eventually, she gets what she wants. But not all that she bargained for . . .

Everyone (except the lovely Alicia) seems to know that JT Valentine is a criminal, a pathological liar and a man-whore. Trying to keep his collection of women straight isn't an easy task. As he's bilking a wealthy church member for hundreds of thousands of dollars to help him reach mega-mega church status, he's in a conniving sexual relationship with another woman named Carmen--who just happens to be an old grade school friend of Alicia.

JT's--and Alicia's--world comes crashing down after a former lover emails Alicia from prison, finally giving her the proof she needed about JT's exploits. But Alicia *is* the Reverend Curtis Black's daughter: she won't be played, and she's got a trick of her own to play.

As per usual, Lawson Roby doesn't disappoint. I really liked this story--definitely a page-turner throughout! JT was really a snake, and Alicia was a little oblivious at first, which is a well-crafted fictional representation of real relationships that move fast, and then someone finds out that the person they thought they "loved" isn't who he/she is. I think the ending was a little abrupt, but it was fitting--flowed well with the story. Recommended.

First, I am a fan of Kimberla Lawson Roby, which is why I don't think twice about buying her books as soon as one is released. This is a sequel to "The Best of Everything" starring Alicia (Curtis Black's spoiled daughter)who would do Any & Every thing to have what she wanted - (like father like daughter). In this latest novel - "Be Careful What You Pray For" Alicia meets her next husband JT Valentine, who is the "mirror" of her father and worse(or what he used to be) - though I was delighted that Alicia has matured and realizes what's most important in life, It just left me feeling BLAH! It felt like the infamous Curtis Black was back, but, under a different name. Famous "married" Pastor who loves Himself and so should everyone else - especially women...

Don't get me wrong, the story is interesting/engaging. It's a quick read and there are situations you will be dying to find out how it will play out. But, you don't have to be a Christian to figure out "what goes around comes around." For me, I would love for Ms. Roby to add a different spice to her storylines and maybe do something different from the cheating Pastor.

This book was an excellent sequel to The Best of Everything. Alicia finally got what she prayed for, however, she finally realized that what she prayed for was in fact a high price to pay. Alicia matured this time finally and she showed great stength in dealing with her situation as a mature adult. Good read. Highly recommend this book.... I was glad that Curtis Black and the rest of the family was included in the book.

I felt that this book was a great read. It showed us that ministers are no different than other men. I liked the fact that it seemed as if Alicia finally grew up and matured into the woman she should have been all along. I really felt as if her character took on a more adult role this time. The ending of the book was nice as well. All and all it was a good read and I would recommend it to anyone.

After her recent divorce, Alicia Black is determined to focus on her future and not her past. She's actively writing her first novel with the hopes of it being published, while spending time with her family. When she visits a local church with her world renowned father, Reverend Curtis Black, she meets Pastor J.T. Valentine, a pastor of his own church with a large congregation. When the handsome Pastor Valentine inquires about her upcoming book, romance between the two blossoms. While Alicia is thankful that her prayers have been answered and she marries for love, her new husband has another agenda. She learns the truth about her new husband's intentions and has to make some decisions and in doing so learn valuable life lessons.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PRAY FOR by Kimberla Lawson Roby is the continuation of the Rev. Curtis Black series. Ms. Roby offers a spell-bounding tale of love, lies, betrayal and deceit. I was enraptured in the story that I read from beginning to end in one sitting. I'm anxiously anticipating the next installment of the series!!!

Reviewed by Jaime L. Lincoln
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Alicia Black, daughter of the infamous Rev. Curtis Black, is back in Be Careful What You Pray For by Kimberla Lawson Roby. After divorcing her first husband, Alicia was not sure she would be blessed with someone else. She thinks she has found exactly what she has prayed for in Rev. JT Valentine. JT has a growing congregation and does not mind Alicia shopping and spending whatever she wants. What Alicia did not expect was that JT was a spitting image of her father in his younger days. Everyone around Alicia, including her father, knows that he is a liar and a cheater. JT is so caught up in affairs, lies, and deception that it is bound to blow up at some point. Multiple lovers decide to blackmail JT and to contact Alicia to tell her the truth. Will Alicia believe that she has married a criminal and liar? Or will Alicia stick by his side?

Lawson definitely knows how to tell a story. She knows how to create twists and lots of drama. I was able to read this in one sitting. I personally can do without hearing from the Blacks any longer. This book is a sequel but can stand on its own. I recommend for fans of hers.

This book was provided courtesy of the author for review.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub
Sista Talk Book Club

This sequel to The Best of Everything: A Novel is a riveting tale of Alicia Black's second marriage. It is clear from the inside flap that her new husband is more like her father, Reverend Curtis Black, then even she could imagine, yet the author still manages to shock and awe us as lies are exposed and the truth shines through. Starting out I felt this novel was pretty predictable but boy was I wrong! The scenarios that unfold are more complicated, corrupt, and twisted than I ever expected.

Alicia is enamored from the first time she lays eyes on Reverend JT Valentine, and within months they are married. Although their relationship is on the fast track Alicia is convinced that he is the perfect man and the fact that he doesn't complain about her spending habits has a lot to do with it. She has found and obtained the very man she's prayed for. . or so she thinks. Alicia is smitten and completely oblivious that her new husband is juggling multiple women, sometimes four at a time. While she is none the wiser, her father certainly senses that J.T Valentine is no good and only cares about himself. Curtis Black repeatedly warns his naive daughter but sadly, it only pushes her away. Alicia's rose colored glasses are soon snatched off when a stranger walks up to her in the mall and divulges unsavory information about her husband's past. Alicia is slapped in the face with accusations of his alleged affairs and even a hellish rumor that J.T had a hand in planning the terrible "accident" that killed his previous wife and unborn child.

Besides his wife, Reverend J.T Valentine has a slew of women to divide his time and body with. Carmen, the most captivated of them all, has been sleeping with him long before he married Alicia or even his late wife. She is growing increasingly tired of playing second fiddle, especially to Alicia, and is determined to finally have him to herself so she demands he gets a divorce. Outraged that he refuses and with nothing to lose, Carmen takes matters into her own hands and reaches out to a long lost friend. . . Alicia. Alicia is elated to hear from Carmen because that means she has a close girlfriend near. Before long it is like old times, Alicia and Carmen are inseparable. To J.T's dismay of course. He is worried about Carmen spilling the beans, plus it is difficult for him to keep up the charade when they are all in the same room. At one point, Alicia asks Carmen to stay in their home for a while. Talk about awkward!

I have to give it to the author, this sequel is immensely better than the former. The character development of Alicia is truly remarkable, I was so happy to see her grow. She isn't perfect of course, but shows tremendous improvement across the board and has finally bloomed into a mature woman. She doesn't fall victim to the vices that lead her first marriage to ruin, although she definitely has the opportunity. This enthralling story of past and present, lies, love, and blackmail will have you at the edge of your seat. I can't wait to read whatever else is up Kimberla Lawson Roby's sleeve.

When I read the last book I was ready for it to end, but Kimberla really came back great with this one. A new twist to this saga. A man who is a generic replica of Curtis Black, Alicia's husband J.T. Glad she finally caught the revelation and moves on. I hope it works out for her and her first husband Philip. I think Alicia truly learned a valuable lesson...money and fame isn't always worth it. But happiness is bliss!

I found this book entertaining. It was an easy read and had a couple of surprises in it. I would recommend it to those who read to get away for a day to a fantasy world. It was pure fiction in a raw form, but still entertaining. I found some of the characters relatable though - they reminded me of characters I knew many years ago. Reading this book is like going to see a movie that has a loose plot and no message.

Be Careful what you Pray For, is written by Christian Fiction writer, Kimberla Lawson Roby, who is well known for her novels about the Reverend Curtis Black. This book is a more focused story on Alicia, the oldest daughter of the Reverend. It is a good continuation of what Roby wrote about her in The Best of Everything. Be Careful what you Pray For is a page turning novel with a strong plot with surprises along the way. The book has characters that the reader will like and others that the reader will detest.

This book was not an ordinary Christian Fiction story to me. Roby shows church life, especially the lives of ministers and their spouses however the church leaders in this novel are more than pulpit ministers and women's circle presidents. They are mega church leaders who have large lives outside the church in the worlds of books, television and radio. Roby's characters are believable. They have carnal pursuits and display their darker sides. Other characters outside the church interact with the main characters so the reader sees Roby's church folks as human beings who have faith and foibles.

I think this is one of Roby's best books. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants an engaging story to read.