Customer Reviews

Good to Me

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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

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.

Minister Charity Phillips is walking in God's vision for her life. A minister and therapist, she's just opened her dream business - a Christian counseling center for African Americans. She is the divorced mother of a vibrant son, but still has hopes that God will heal her relationship with her former husband.

As sometimes happens, troubles stir the waters of God's favored children and soon the foundation in Charity's life is shaken. She has to face the uncertainty of knowing which of the men in her life, including an imprisoned minister, is God's intended life mate for her and she has to deal with the struggles that come with raising a child with someone with which you do not share a residence or common goals.

Added in the mix are Charity's loving family and friends that add to the interesting story that develops over only a few weeks. If anything could be critiqued, it would be that the ending felt too rushed. Perhaps I just wanted to savor it a bit more. However, this was a God-centered story that was a joy to behold.

Minister Charity Phillips has worked hard to keep her walk with God pure despite her unwanted divorce. She has made a good home for her child and begun a new business as a Christian therapist, even employing her sister Iesha as a receptionist.

Charity's well laid plans for her life get rocked. She has several Godly men interested in her and is confused. When her business falters and a child custody suit is filed, she reels. Is her faith rooted and deep enough to allow her to trust God with her future? Including a soul mate?

LaTonya Mason has given this reader a glimpse into a world of faith, family and God's love. She is a breath of fresh air. No contrived plots for this writer. Thumbs up!

LaTonya Mason has penned a novel that truly reflects the grace of God. Although trials and tribulations may come, it's your faith in God that allows Him to turn those things around and make them work for your good. Such is the case with Charity Phillips. Life was nothing but downs for Charity until finding her faith in God. She has her own business (besides the many odds that were against her), she's single-handedly raising her son, and she's a minister at a wonderful church. The blessings are definitely abundant until everything that she's worked hard for is threatened. She's about to loose her practice, the custody of her son is threatened, someone is threatening her life, and she's attracted to man who is in prison. Can Charity lean on her faith and trust God to see her through all of this?

The author has done a great job with her debut novel. If you are looking for a novel that you can sink your teeth into, you won't be disappointed. I look forward to reading more from her in the future. There are a few secondary characters that would make for a great sequel. Keep up the good work.

The characters in the book were ones that we all know well. Loved the fact that the author kept everything realistic, which made the book a pleasant read. You cannot help but to be drawn into the lives of the individuals and root for them through each turning point. Charity proves that just because a little turmoil comes into your life, doesn't mean that you have to make room for it by throwing away your faith. If this is any indication of how her furture publications will be, then I truly believe Ms. LaTonya is going to make a lasting impression on the literature world. I look forward to whats to come!!

When I finished this book, I was mad that it was over. I didn't want it to end. It is truly rated among one of the best books I have read. It was too good to put down. I stayed up at late at night and took the book to work to finish reading. I couldn't put it down. Each chapter made you want more.

Each charachter was a real person, someone you know and can relate to.

I laughed, I cried, I cheered and prayed for the characters. I even talked back to the characters. Oh my goodness I can't wait till the next book to come out. Please hurry, I don't think I can wait. Keep them coming.

Charity Phillips appears to have it all. She's a minister at an affluent church, just opened a counseling center, and is mother to a 6-year old son. She has depended on her faith in God to always pull her through and feels she can handle any and everything that life has offer--whether good or bad. They say trouble comes in 3's and Charity soon finds that old wives tale may be true. She finds out she may lose the business that she has put her life-savings into, her ex-husband wants custody of their son, and her life is threatened by an unstable patient. Unable to deal and her faith, Charity finds herself in an life or death situation. It will take her strength and belief in God to pull her through.

LaTonya Mason has written a truly inspiring story that will touch your heart and have you thinking long after you put it down. The characters are realistic and they find themselves in situations that you yourself may have been in or know someone who has. It is a page-turner from beginning from end and you may find it hard to put it down. This story will not only appeal to Christian readers but also to everyone who has ever had their faith tested, lost their way, but made it through. I give this book 5 stars! It is a must-read! Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

This book is a definite page-turner. Ms. Mason is an awesome writer. The characters were well developed. Walk Worthy has been releasing some extraordinary books.