Customer Reviews

The Devil Is a Lie (Pocket Readers Guide)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When Nina Lawson wins the lottery, the seemingly happy life she shares with her fiancé begins to crumble as family, including her cheating ex-husband and his girlfriend, stake claims on her new found wealth. Through the heartaches, Nina soon learns that money does in fact, change people and in the process learns a valuable lesson on forgiveness.

ReShonda Tate Billingsley does it again. The Devil Is A Lie is a well-crafted story that proves money isn't the answer to everything and it certainly doesn't buy happiness. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a well written, thought-provoking story with a flare for some good old-fashion wisdom.

Ever wondered what it would be like to never have to worry about finances again? Nina Lawson is a step away from claiming millions after winning the lottery. Even though she fantasizes a bit with Rick, her fiance', she stays level-headed. She is set on saving some money, helping out her family, and ensuring Rick gets his own business up and running. She is thrown for a loop when her ex-husband pops back into the picture, with his new woman in tow, the one he cheated on her with, and they're claiming half of Nina's fortune. I'm sure you're wondering how, with him being the ex and all? Well, he really isn't her ex since the girlfriend went shopping with the money he gave her to mail his paperwork for the divorce.

Nina soon finds out that with all the scheming going on, money can't buy everything, especially happiness. While trying to figure out how to handle her relatives with their hands out, her ex, and her fiance', with his increasingly rude attitude regarding the money, she learns that sometimes things aren't what they seem. She also learns a lot about herself in the process, and in the end about family; how they might just surprise you when you least expect it.

ReShonda Tate Billingsley has a knack for portraying the "down home" feel of family and the dynamics between them. I would highly recommend THE DEVIL IS A LIE to readers with an interest in heart-warming stories with realistic characters and situations. Though the drama is abundant, it doesn't overshadow the story; the message is clear, even before completing the book. THE DEVIL IS A LIE is a wonderful read showcasing how important it is to stay true to yourself, and that even during what should be happy times, the devil will show up and try to show out. In spite of this, in the end, love always prevails.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Nina and her ex-husband, Todd, were high school sweethearts. Against the advice of family and friends they married young. It seemed like they had proved everyone wrong as they were married for about ten years, but then Todd got the wandering eye and wondered what it would be like to experience another woman. Todd files for divorce and becomes involved in a relationship with his new woman, Pam. Only, Todd soon finds the grass is not greener on the other side. Pam is irresponsible, money hungry and selfish. Pam's character flaws lead to the demise of their relationship and to Todd being able to help the person he loves the most, his grandmother. In ReShonda Tate Billingsley's newest novel, the Devil Is a Lie, Todd and Nina must come to terms about their respective relationships and the problems that greed brings.

Nina can hardly believe that she has the winning lottery ticket. In her mind, she makes all kinds of plans for the money, including helping her new man, Rick Henderson, open his gym. She even has a plan to help out her money-grubbing relatives, even though they can hardly wait for the check to clear before they are at her door holding out their hands. However, on the day she was to get her check, things come to a screeching halt as Todd and Pam are also there with papers stating they are entitled to half of her winnings.

When I first saw the title and synopsis of this book, I thought, okay drama and more drama, but I was surprised. Todd turned out to be a sensitive and caring person with a conscious. Nina and Todd's gullibility at times was so aggravating, and I found it a little hard to find compassion for both of them. I really liked that Billingsley took this subject and did not give it the usual neck rolling, argumentative twist. I think readers will like this book and the lessons learned by Nina and Todd, that money is not the cure all or end all.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club

Nina Lawson's life has changed dramatically within one year. She got a divorce and got engaged to her personal trainer, but one thing she was not counting on was winning the lottery. She had played the lottery occasionally, but when she found five dollars, she thought maybe it was her lucky day, and it truly was. She won $16 million dollars. Her and fiancé Rick Henderson could finally have the life they deserved. She would pay off her debt, help Rick get his gym off to a good start, and take a much needed "all expense paid" vacation to the Bahamas.

Once word got out that Nina had won the lottery, family, friends, and even some enemies came out of the wood work with their hands out. What she was not expecting is to see her "ex-husband" Todd Lawson waiting in the lottery office with Pam, the woman he cheated with and the reason they got divorced. Well, come to find out she's still married to Todd due to her divorce papers were never filed properly. Todd is demanding half of her winnings, and there's nothing she can do about it since they're technically still married. Even though Nina thought her luck had changed for the better, all it did was bring more drama than she could ever afford.

I have always loved reading books by ReShonda Tate Billingsley, but The Devil Is A Lie was not one of her best. The story was just a little too predictable for my taste. You kind of figure out halfway through the book what is going to happen. It dragged a little in certain parts of the book, but the story does try to pick up towards the end of the book. Even though the book was very predictable, I still continued reading The Devil Is A Lie because Billingsley is such a great author. That is why I'm still looking forward to her next book. I just hope it's better than this one.

Reviewed by Jackie
for Urban Reviews

The latest offering by Ms Billingsley will have you experiencing a whole lot of emotions is a short period of time. Happiness, indignation, sympathy and understanding among others. In this book, recent divorcee Nina Lawson discovers that she has the winning ticket to the Lottery and has won $14 million dollars. She is happy. her boyfriend Rick is happy, and her family is just as happy knowing without a doubt, their ships have come in; on the other hand is Nina's ex, Todd. Although he is happy for Nina, he stays away, but is shocked when his bottom dwelling girlfriend Pam, tells him that due to her spending his divorce fees on a handbag, he and Nina are still legally married. Oh boy. Add to that pot the fact that Todd's grandmother is in a nursing home and is need of an expensive heart transplant, and is caught between that and millions, he goes to contest the millions.And from there it is on and popping until the surprising end. First off, I believe that Todd wouldn't have contested the money at all if it wasn't for his grandmother needing the transplant. Other than that, I don't think he would have went after that in spite of the fact that they were married. I would have loved to find out how Pam ended up in the end it kind of ended abruptly and left to draw our own conclusions. But how can a woman not have one lick of ambition for herself and depend on others? I have a problem with that. As time moved on I wasn't feeling Rick either, and in the end, I felt he got what he deserved. I really liked the book and Reshonda, you have a keeper here. Good reading.

In Houston, Nina Lawson is euphoric when she learns that her six selected numbers were called in the lottery, which means she has won the eight million dollars prize. Her elation quickly turns to rancor and outrage when everyone including strangers and family members she has not heard from in seemingly centuries demand a piece of the action. However, the worst betrayal is her fiancé Rick Henderson, who is spending the money even before she has officially received the check.

Soon afterward, she learns that she is still married to Todd; his girlfriend Pam spent the divorce filing fee on a Fendi bag. Pam feels it is destiny and insists Todd demand his share of the loot; he agrees, but hides his reason from his shallow lover; he needs money to pay for a heart transplant for his Grams.

This is a lighthearted amusing contemporary romance starring a wonderful caring protagonist who finds winning the lottery is not as life simplifying as she expected with people coming out of the woodwork like roaches demanding their share. Rick and Pam are stereotypes of avaricious users while Nina and Todd are compassionate souls. Fans will enjoy Nina's plight as winning seems more like losing but with love and God she can overcome the devils blighting her life with their greedy burden.

Harriet Klausner

Nina Lawson's dream comes true when she wins the lottery, or so she thinks. What she quickly finds out is that her nightmares are just beginning. Although she no longer has money problems she's got man problems, family drama, an ex-husband who's not an ex problems and a greedy chic named, Pam wants to get her paws on her money. I mean as if it wasn't bad enough Pam already has her ex-husband. (Dare I say had him while Nina and Todd were still living as man and wife.) Oh yes, Ms. Billingsley went there.

This was a great story. Best lottery story I've ever read. There were lots of thoughtful lessons for all, but mostly the main message is "Money can't buy happiness". Great characters, snappy dialogue and description make for a page turner that was a pleasure to read. The story also had a real twist near the end which was a pleasant surprise. Don't let the devil lie to you and you pass this one by!

I have been a reader of Mrs. Billinsgley for awhile and love her Christian themed books. This book was a good read but it took me longer than I usually do. I cannot believe how gullible she made the main character though. Man!!! I wanted to shake her myself, but it was for the greater good of the end of the story that was a bit rushed to me. One minute her andh er ex-husband are talking, then next thing they are on the island together again where she just happens to "run into" Rick, who acted like a big baby from the minute she got the money and she never became wise to him.

Give me a break, I cannot see real people actually being that stupid. I mean his character did a 360 whereas the looney that his ex was with stayed true to form the ENTIRE book. And I forgot how idiotic his character was concerning her as well. Anyway, I would recommend the book as a day at the beauty shop read (all day project for some). I normally read books twice later on bbut this one will not be re-read.

I'VE WON! I'VE WON! Nina Lawson has occasionally played the lotto on and off during the past year, always with the hope of winning. While going through a compartment in her purse, she found five dollars (she didn't know she had) and decided to play the lotto. And just like that, she instantly became a multi-millionaire. With a divorce of a year behind her and a fiancé to boot, she could finally have a little peace and happiness with her new found wealth (or so she thought). Nina did everything right in order to receive her money, but she made one big mistake; she went on TV. Out popped every relative, friend and enemy with their hands out wanting a piece of the pie. "Woe is me!" Never in her wildest dream did Nina anticipate having money would bring so many problems. So, Nina started prioritizing. She will pick up the check, give money to her relatives, pay off bills, help her fiancé get his business up and running, invest and take a much needed vacation.

Everything was set. Once she and her fiancé left the Lotto office, they would keep straight for the airport and be on their way to the Bahamas. But when she gets to the office, she is told there is a problem. Nina is blown away and thrown for a loop when she finds her ex-husband sitting there; with the woman he cheated on her with, to claim half of the money. Truth be told, he is not an ex after all - but still her husband. THE DEVIL IS A LIE!!!

I've been waiting a good minute for this book to hit the shelves. And I am glad to say, I was not disappointed. I love ReShonda T. Billingsley's style of writing. Her portrayal of a "down home" feeling of family with her characters keeps me coming back for more. The dialogue is excellent between the characters, not to mention hilarious (especially between the family members). The inner-most thoughts of the main characters are direct and to the point (no overly long description of this or that). Though RTB books are listed under the Christian genre, her messages are very subtle and not overly stated. In reading this book, you can understand four things: 1) we must forgive those who wrong us in order to move on, 2) hatred and bitterness cannot live where GOD dwells, 3) it ain't over until GOD says it's over and 4) though money may bring some relief, it doesn't always bring happiness. I highly recommend THE DEVIL IS A LIE to those of you who love drama, good dialogue, realistic characters as well as situations. It's well worth the money.

This is the worst Billingsley book I've ever read & I've read them all. I finished it in about 2 hours, which is usually a good thing, that means its a page-turner. Not the case w/ this book. I literally skipped 8-10 pages @ a time for the story was so predictable & dragged. I basically read this book by flipping through the pages & still got the storyline figured out. She must have writtent this in a rush! I hope her next work is much better. I'm glad I got it used!