Customer Reviews

Faith (Urban Christian)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Monet and Marcus Caldwell almost have it all: a beautiful home, jobs they love, family and friends, faith, and love. The only thing they don't have and the thing Monet desperately wants is a baby. After twenty years of marriage, they have been unable to conceive and doctors have not found a medical reason. One dreadful day, Monet is attacked and the unimaginable happens; Monet is finally going to have a baby. She is overjoyed with the news because she knows the baby is Marcus'. Marcus is extremely upset about the news because he doesn't believe in Monet's gift or the message she's received. Deep in his heart, he believes the baby is the result of Monet's attack. Monet's pregnancy causes strife in the marriage to the point that they become mere roommates and nothing more. Through it all, Monet stands on her faith that Marcus will come around and accept the baby. She also stands on her faith that their marriage and family will get back on track.

In addition, to the unexpected pregnancy, the Caldwells are also dealing with the return of Monet's long lost father. He walked out on Monet, her twin brothers, and her mother over thirty years ago. Will they welcome him back with open arms or will they tell him to go back under his rock?

FAITH by Michelle Larks shows that undying faith can help you through anything. I enjoyed the overall theme but felt the characters lacked depth, growth and understanding. I was amazed Monet never looked at the pregnancy from Marcus' point of view, not one single time. I was also amazed at other aspects of the story, but I do not want to give away the story.

Reviewed by Tawana Price

of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

In Faith by Michelle Larks, Monet and Marcus Caldwell have the perfect marriage except they are not able to conceive. Monet is an exceptional nurse who takes pride in her work. Marcus is an excellent police officer who follows his oath to protect and serve. He receives an unexpected phone call that his wife, Monet, has been attacked and it changes the Caldwell's world forever.

After some time passes Monet receives what she believes is good news, and plans a beautiful dinner to share the news with her husband. She is holding strong that God has blessed them, but her plans do not go as expected and the night ends with Marcus leaving their home angry. The couple's emotions are in turmoil and it seems nothing will be resolved. Marcus is too stubborn to listen and Monet will not go against God's will.

Wade and Liz are longtime friends of the Caldwells and are always available to provide words of encouragement and prayer. Monet's twin brothers, Derek and Duane, have also been supportive until an issue with their deadbeat father comes to the forefront. Now, an additional problem has been brought into the Caldwell home, placing more fire on an already burning flame. It is now clear the Caldwells are going through a test that requires strength, guidance, forgiveness, and togetherness, but will they listen to God's plan for them?

Faith is an outstanding novel with strong characters. I was fascinated within the first three chapters. The reader will discover that undying love and the power of faith will help you overcome. While reading this novel, I had a sense of God's presence throughout the novel, but it did not overpower the storyline. I highly recommend this novel to those who believe they cannot get through their pain or have lost their faith.

Teresa Beasley

APOOO Book Club

I just recently returned from a vacation in Costa Rica. I brought the book to read on my flights going and coming. I did not expect to read this novel once I landed and all night. I literally could not put it down. I finished this book in one day. I've read all of Michelle's novels and have not been disappointed at all. Her characters are believable. I really loved how the characaters when facing adversity hold true to their faith and convictions no matter they may lose in the end. Really loved the book. Can't wait for the sequel to "Keeping Misery Company"

Author, Michelle Larks, invites readers into the lives of Monet and Marcus Caldwell, a middle-aged happily married couple, whose years of fertility woes have left the couple feeling hopeless of ever being able to conceive a child. Just when everything seems to be going well for the couple otherwise, Monet and Marcus' world is rocked by a devastating turn of events. Shortly after, Monet discovers she is with child.

The particular chain of events occurring about the same time as Monet's conception arouse the issue of paternity, which threatens to tear the Caldwell's marriage apart. With friends Liz and Wade, as well as Reverend Wilcox, by their side to support the couple through their tribulation, the Caldwell's manage to work through their individual beliefs, exercising varying degrees of faith.

This was an interesting read for me. I empathized with both primary characters - Monet, as a mother who believed she would never conceive and Marcus, as a man feeling torn between his wife and feeling forced to love a child that may not be his own flesh and blood. I was very interested in learning how things would pan out between Monet and Marcus and was quite pleased with the story's ending.

I will definitely consider future offerings from Ms. Larks.

Reviewed by Tavares S. Carney

*Review copy provided by author.

The book showed a true testament of faith. An excellent story from beginning to end. You will not put the book down once you start reading it.

This book was great! I couldn't put it down. One minute you are in suspense, another you're in tears..your feelings run the gamit. Ms. Larks definitely paints a picture for you...you feel you know the characters. I definitely recommend this book.

Michelle Larks Faith is a truly awesome book. It shows you how a marriage is tested and through everything you still have to have faith. Monet was a strong woman and even though she had a horrible experience she still believed that her husband was the father of her unborn child.

Great great book.

Marcus a detective and Monet a neonatal nurse have been married for twenty years. As avid Christians the Caldwell's live a comfortable life having achieved most things they've desired. The only thing they both want that would make their life perfect is a child. Having been through countless clinical tests, it's conclusive that there is no medical reason why this couple can't conceive.

Marcus and Monet are now content with leaving it up to God to bless them with a child when the time is right.

One horrible night the Caldwell's lives are uprooted and tossed into the belly of a tornado when Monet is attacked. She never see's her attacker but as a detective, Marcus vows to catch this villain and bring him to justice for the violent attack on his wife.

While Monet is recuperating she finds out she is pregnant.

Overjoyed, she shares the news with Marcus who is shocked and immediately tells her to terminate the pregnancy. Monet refuses insisting that she is sure the child is Marcus's and she wants to bring the pregnancy to full term.

Battle lines are drawn in the Caldwell's household.

Upstairs is a happy, yet sad Monet, who stands firm in her faith that God finally blessed her marriage with a child that is biologically both hers and Marcus. Downstairs Marcus is pained, selfish, and stubborn as he upholds his pride.

The couple's close friends Wade and Liz try their best not to take sides, as do Monet's twin brothers Derek and Duane.

Although a predictable story, author Michelle Larks did a fine job with a couple whose marriage has stood the test of time only to be shaken to the core by something they both dearly wanted but under the most unsavory circumstances. I liked the subplot with Monet's dead beat dad who I felt stated his purpose and hoped his children would forgive him. Loved the friendship between Wade and Marcus, I kind of felt sorry for Wade who is also Marcus's partner and had to really put up with Marcus attitudes.

I was pretty much torn between the couple. On one hand I totally understood Marcus's point of view... I also understood Monet's too! BUT by the end of the story I was upset with Monet who was selfish in her own beliefs and totally refused to at least look at the situation from her husband's point of view! Marcus seemed to have lost faith during this time and I felt as a supportive wife Monet should have made more of an effort to understand his feelings instead of hiding out.

A recommend read which will serve up as a great discussion piece.

Locksie

ARC Book Club Inc.

The story is about Monet and Marcus Caldwell. They have wanted a child for years. One day after work, Monet is violently raped. It is confirmed that she is now pregnant. Monet is excited but Marcus orders her to have an abortion because there is a large possibility that he is not the father. Monet decides to continue the pregnancy and Marcus tells her that she is on her own. Their relationship suffers and Marcus is detached from the whole pregnancy even though Monet insists that this is his child. The book was good because it shows the difficulty of a mans ability to raise another man's child.

With a beautiful home, stable, secure jobs, and the love of family and friends, Marcus and Monet Caldwell seemingly have it all - that is, except for a child that they've been trying for twenty years to conceive. After Monet is brutally assaulted one day, though, she learns the news that she's waited years to hear: she's pregnant; however, Marcus is less than thrilled at the revelation, specifically because he refuses to believe that the child is his. In the midst of all the strain and drama that ensues, can the two of them summon the faith required to weather the storms of pain, doubt, and confusion...?

A riveting tale drawn straight from the pages of everyday life, Faith is a heartrending read. Though her central premise may seem a bit predictable, Larks' engaging writing style enables her to hold the reader's interest until the very end, when the real truth is finally revealed. Also, by incorporating a host of other challenges that add to the already considerable strain on the Caldwells' marriage, Larks expounds even further on the key issue of faith and just how it plays out in practical terms when we're faced with the prospect of living it - and not just talking about it.

Another solid offering from a now seasoned literary talent, Faith is a recommended read for anyone struggling to cope with the spiritual difficulties - both seen and unseen - of their own lives.

Renee Washburn

Apex Reviews