Customer Reviews

Love and Lies

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

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

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.

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.

I finished this book in two days. I kept waiting for something to happen. It was a total bore. The book was really about Charlotte and her friend Janine. And nobody could be as dumb as her friend, Janine.Curtis was given a very small and boring part. The book lacked any suspense or thrills. It's like Mrs. Roby just plain ran out of ideas. Curtis Black needs to definately be put to rest............

This was the fourth book written about "Curtis Black" and it was the least entertaining. This was not what I expected at all. The book was actually boring and lacked all of the excitement that the first three books provided.

THis is more of Charlotte Blacks story: She is married to the infamous Reverend Curtis Black and if you remember in The Best Kept Secret, Curtis had reverted back to some of his old ways after finding out that Charlotte had played just like him. In Love & Lies, you find the same tenacity and spontaniety that is so intriguiing with Kimberla Lawson Roby's style of writing. She has introduced us to another scenario with Janine and her situations as she tries to get rid of Antonio and finds out that it is not as easy to lose a love then it was to gain it. Sometimes Love is so crazy especially in these non-working, too good looking to be with men. Curtis has been keeping his own secret and holding a grudge, but Charlotte is playing a dangerous game, just to find out that she should have listened to Curtis and she finds herself once again having to forgive and forget to move on...she has told so many lies and one particular lie and deception actually costs her dearly with her daughter. Curtis told her that you can't play a player and he was right, he was always one card deal ahead of her and unfortunately for her, it doesn't come out like she wanted, but then again Curtis is just so good for all the wrong that he has done, he is once again the one who has the upper hand and charlotte has to give in and deal with situations. The story is fast paced and interesting, but it lacked the explosive Curtis Black appeal, you actually see Curtis in a different light, and even though he has been up to some of his old games, he is no where near the same old Curtis Black that he was in Casting the First Stone. Curtis Black is not dead and I don't think that we have heard the last of the Black Family...still so much to do here and I look forward to reading more of the Infamous Curtis Black.

I was completly disappointed with this book! After reading the first two, I rushed out to buy this one the day it came out. Normally, I will read a "good" book in a day or two, this one took me a week and a half! It just did not hold my interest. I thought Jannine's character was so weak and shallow. How do you let a man treat you like that in YOUR HOUSE WITH YOU PAYING ALL THE BILLS!! The excuse of her sister being killed by her abusive boyfriend was not strong enough to warrant her putting up with Anthony's mess.
As for Charlotte, when will she learn about the lies. The marraige that she and Curtis have is so phony and unbelieveable!
Another major problem that I had was that Curtis was supposed to be a man of God and Charlotte is supposed to be his helpmate, but they didn't seem to have GOD anywhere in their lives!
The book was totally predictable and did not live up to the first two! I was deeply disappointed!!!

I thought the book was just ok. There isnt really anything else that Curtis or his wife can do to make another book. I think the aurthor should have just let it be with the previous book...

"Love and Lies" was just ok to me, the story line read well but I was expecting more from Rev. Black. (more of his input, thoughts and concerns to critical matters)

Well, first I would say I've been a fan of Rev Black sagas since Casting the first stone! I loved the next two books following, but this book seemed like a contractual obligation being fulfilled. Rev Black evolvement could've been discussed more and he was barely in this book. I don't like reading about gold diggin heffa's and thats what Charlotte is still!! Roby is an excellent author, but maybe it wouldve been best served to stop at three....