Love and Lies [Hardcover]

Kimberla Lawson Roby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 30, 2007

Truth and lies . . .

At long last, the Reverend Curtis Black appears to be living the straight life. The all-too-human preacher is a bestselling author now, and he and his wife, Charlotte, are raising two adorable children. But the ever-suspicious Charlotte doesn't trust that Curtis has put his womanizing past behind him. While he's on the road promoting his latest book, she knows that there just needs to be one extra-devoted fan in his flock for him to stray.

Secrets and lies . . .

Still, Charlotte is no angel herself, and she's been keeping plenty of secrets from Curtis while he's been away. For one thing, their daughter, Marissa, is behaving bizarrely, reminding Charlotte a bit too much of the man with whom she had an affair five years ago—an affair Curtis won't let her forget.

Then there are the disturbing visits from her so-called brother-in-law, a man once involved with drugs and the law. Curtis has forbidden the family to see him, but the guy simply keeps turning up on Charlotte's doorstep no matter how hard she tries to keep him away.

Charlotte believes with all her heart that things will be better once Curtis comes home.

Love and lies . . .

But Charlotte should be careful what she wishes for. She thinks love is enough to untangle the web of lies she and Curtis have woven for themselves. What she doesn't know is that when her husband finally returns, she'll have some tough decisions to make if she wants to save her soul and salvage her marriage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For Charlotte Black, there are some good things about being married to the "world renowned" Rev. Curtis Black (whose flashy, trashy life Roby has dished in earlier works). Her husband's bestselling books and flourishing ministry allow her a life of luxury, but Curtis is always away on publicity tours, and Charlotte suspects he's cheating. Of course, she's cheated, too, but Charlotte hires a private detective to catch Curtis in the act. Meanwhile, Charlotte's best friend and co-narrator, college professor Janine, has man trouble of her own. A farcical array of misfortunes (a death, a near-deadly stabbing, etc.) rock the cast as the book lumbers toward its conclusion. Astonishingly, none of this gets in the way of the happy ending; all the trouble, it turns out, was worth it. Readers may not be so sure.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is the New York Times bestselling author of fourteen acclaimed novels, including Be Careful What You Pray For, The Best of Everything, and One in a Million. She lives with her husband in Illinois.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (January 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060892498
• ISBN-13: 978-0060892494
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #473,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Love, Honor, and Betray, Be Careful What You Pray for, A Deep Dark Secret, The Best of Everything, One in a Million, Sin No More, Love & Lies, Changing Faces, The Best-Kept Secret, Too Much of a Good Thing, A Taste of Reality, It's a Thin Line, Casting the First Stone, Here and Now, and her self-published debut title, Behind Closed Doors. Her 16th novel, SECRET OBSESSION will be released on Tuesday, September 6, 2011. She lives in Illinois with her husband, Will.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hopefully the Conclusion, March 2, 2007

By 

J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Love and Lies (Hardcover)

The Reverend (Rev.) Curtis Black and his wife, Charlotte, are back in Kimberla Lawson Roby's fourth novel about the wayward preacher, Love and Lies. After a long absence from home, Curtis returns and professes his love for his wife and children. Charlotte, however, continues to scheme behind his back, as she has to cover lies and half-truths of the past twelve years. Not only is she working overtime to make sure the truth does not come out, but she has to deal with a daughter who is exhibiting disturbing behaviors, unwelcome phone calls from a former lover and a long lost "brother-in-law" who is intent on causing trouble.

Janine is Charlotte's best friend. After shacking with the unemployed Antonio for the past two years, she finally tires of supporting this able-bodied man. Antonio finds the idea of working to be ridiculous, after there was no employer who would pay him what he and his associates degree was worth. Once Janine gave him 30 days to vacate her home, the real "Antonio" emerged. He began threatening and harassing her even as she took steps to take back control.

This reader has enjoyed the saga of Curtis Black and his family and in my honest opinion, his time has run out. I have read all I care to about the good Rev. and as much as I like Kimberla Lawson Roby's novels, I probably would not read another Curtis Black book. It appears evident that Roby has run out of ideas for him, as in this novel, he became more of a secondary character. As an avid reader, I feel I can now draw my own conclusions about the outcome of the Black family. With all that being said, this is still a good read. While Janine frustrated me to no end there were several twists in the plot that made me sit up and pay attention. I am sure Curtis Black fans will be pleased with this offering.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best work!, February 2, 2007

By 

Victoria Christopher Murray (Inglewood, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love and Lies (Hardcover)

I love to see writers grow with each book and Kimberla Lawson Roby is that kind of writer. In fact, this is Kimberla's best book (although I said that about Changing Faces, too.) In Love and Lies, Reverend Curtis Black is back. And he is really trying to live right. (Who would have thought it!) But then there's his wife, Charlotte, who is making that a difficult task. Love and Lies is filled with twists and turns and a shocker that left me with my mouth open. You'll love it, hate some of the characters, and be thinking about it long after it comes to an end. Great job, Kim.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not What I had Expected, February 13, 2007

By 

LuvsLabs09 "Nunya" (Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Love and Lies (Hardcover)

I have read and enjoyed all of Roby's books. Its entertaining to read all the trouble her characters get into. Curtis Black is a piece of work.

This book, however, is about his current wife, Charlotte and her friend Janine. Curtis is not a main feature at all. In fact he is gone so much traveling, he doesn't really seem to have a place in the story. While these two women get themselves into the typical amount of trouble you expect from these books, I found myself irritated with how weak and ignorant they were. Allowing a free loading man to live with you, take advantage of you, and then deal drugs in your own home is ridiculous. Janine was afraid of her boyfrend, and let him get away with everything. I had no respect for the character at all.

The part about Charlotte's daughter having problems seemed an odd fit for the story.

The book was ok, but not near as good as the others. I think its time for new characters.