Good to Me [Paperback]

LaTonya Mason (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2005

This debut novel from a fresh new voice is full of unforgettable and imperfect characters who hope against all hope for perfect lives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Walk Worthy Press (October 24, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446696455
• ISBN-13: 978-0446696456
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,916,930 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Saved But. . ., July 30, 2006

By 

Karen Lemmons "APOOO Bookclub" (Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good to Me (Paperback)

Good to Me, written by LaTonya Mason, is a drama-filled story about Charity Phillips. Charity rises above her unpleasant childhood to become an ordained minister, a certified therapist and a businesswoman. The story begins with the opening of Charity's business, Horizon's Christian Counseling. We see Charity's strong belief in God and how she applies her Christian beliefs in her counseling sessions. However, her faith is tested and she learns about the frailty of the human spirit.

A series of events, happening all at once, really push Charity to the edge. She cannot handle all these events and is ready to give up. However, Charity's family and friends rally around her, giving her all the support and love she needs to see her through her circumstances. Her faith in God grows and she accepts the fact that she cannot do it all by herself. God works through people and Charity discovers that the people in her life are there ready and willing to love, support her and keep her balanced.

Mason writes very well, and the story is easy to follow and read. She integrates scriptures and prayers so seamlessly into the story that they are not contrived or an afterthought. As easy as this story is to read, however, some of the events have credibility issues. Without going into specifics and revealing too much of the plot, some of the events are just too convenient. One example is when Charity's circumstances causes her to cry out for help, it is convenient that the person she just happens to talk to is related to someone else. Some other events are just as convenient.

For those of you who want to read a story that shows how God works through people and the importance of family and friends, then give Mason's book a try. The scriptures and prayers alone will inspire you to keep the faith, believe and trust in God.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Why does it have to be so hard?, December 31, 2005

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good to Me (Paperback)

GOOD TO ME by LaTonya Mason opens when Charity Phillips starts her own business as a therapist. She hires her rather ghetto acting sister, Iesha as her administrative assistant. She is praying that Iesha will work out in the position, come to know the Lord and clean up her act. In addition, Charity's husband has divorced her and while she feels she still loves him, she is beginning to move on with her life. An inmate in a prison is writing to her and she feels an attraction to him but she questions what she's doing by answering his letters. Charity is also a new minister in her church and has the ability to really inspire the congregation. As things start going well for her, her life unravels. The therapist she hired seems to have a strange sort of Christianity going for herself and Charity feels it is her duty to minister to her. Then she gets word that the building where she has her practice has been foreclosed on, her ex-husband is hitting her with a custody suit and a patient is threatening her life. Her world spins out of control. Will she be able to handle all the stress?

LaTonya Mason's tale of how a Christian woman handles a ton of bad news is an interesting story that has many twists and turns. Mason handles the suspense well and makes you sit on the edge of your chair wondering how Charity will handle each new crisis in her life. On the other hand, Charity, as a character, is so involved in being a righteous Christian, to the exclusion of everything else; that it makes it seem as if she's in a cult rather than a standard church. In fact, all the characters are too into long prayers, hand waving praise and righteousness and manage to become unreal as human beings. More development of the characters as real people with foibles would greatly enhance the story and bring it into the realm of reality with which readers can identify.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!!!!, November 29, 2005

By 

Tony Roberts (Cha. NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Good to Me (Paperback)

LaTonya Mason's "Good To Me" is one of the most inspiring novels I have read in quite some time. With a perfect fusion of eloquent yet realistic writing, Mason brings to life the highs and lows of a faith journey through her characters and how God mercifully walks along beside them(us). This book will have you flipping the pages to discover what's around the corner while laughing one minute and gasping the next! You will read the last word with an undeniable impression. I can't wait for the next novel.