45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Diabolically Intriguing!, November 18, 2004
This review is from: The Million Dollar Divorce: A Novel (Hardcover)
Nate Kenny, an African-American business entrepreneur, seemingly has it all: success, wealth, intelligence, youth, health and a wonderful marriage to his beautiful wife Monica. The only element missing in Nate's life, is what he has always wanted most - children. When Nate and Monica married, almost four years ago, he wanted to have kids right away. At age 36 he was more than ready to begin a family. His new wife, in her late 20s, was finally able to persuade him to postpone pregnancy for 3 years so they would have time alone together, to savor each other's company before taking on the responsibilities of parenthood. Three years later they learn that Monica cannot conceive. However, the doctors tell the couple, she would have been able to have children if she had attempted to immediately after their marriage.
Monica, who wants a family very much and adores her husband, is devastated. Nate, however, is enraged, and acts as if Monica has purposefully thwarted his life's dream. He blames her for her failure to conceive, totally ignoring her terrible pain and the cruel impact of his rejection. From his point of view, he married Monica, who he loved, because he believed she would make the perfect wife and mother. She has certainly surpassed his expectations as his wife - but she is batting zero as a perspective Mom. And Nate wants what he wants - all of it! He believes the only solution to his problem is a divorce. After consulting his attorney, he discovers that since he began his new and thriving business after his marriage, a divorce settlement would mean splitting $60 million dollars with his spouse. He is not willing to do this. The only allowance in their prenuptial agreement that would release him from such a huge settlement would be if Monica were unfaithful. And that would be impossible. Or would it?
On the other side of town, the nastier side, Lewis Waters is desperately trying to figure out how to bring in enough income to prevent his live-in girlfriend from prostituting herself. He and Serena live in the Ida B. Wells Housing Project with their small daughter, Layla, who Lewis adores. Serena is pregnant again and looks as if she may be using drugs...again. Lewis is not making enough money as a barber to keep his head above water. He is desperate to save his daughter from a life like her mother's.
In a quirk of fate, Nate Kenny and Lewis Waters meet and become diabolically involved in each other's lives. Lewis, with no auto insurance, collides with Kenny's expensive luxury vehicle, totaling it. At his wits end, Lewis finally agrees to accept Nate's proposal - a brainstorm Nate managed to come up with at the auspicious moment of the accident. Nate will let Lewis off the hook for causing the crash, plus he will give Lewis a substantial sum of money, a new wardrobe, loan him a classy vehicle and a beautiful apartment in the best area of town. All Lewis has to do in return is seduce Monica.
I thought at times, during the initial chapters, that the plot was much too contrived, especially the character of Nate Kenny. As I became more involved, however, the entire convoluted, bizarre storyline became totally believable. It all meshed. And the characters turned three-dimensional as the author fleshed them out. There are many minor characters, whom I have not discussed, that play important roles in "The Million Dollar Divorce." RM Johnson brings them to life and really gives them motives and souls. It is not difficult to like or to really hate some of these people. Mr. Johnson also manages to juggle various subplots without distracting from the primary story. There is a dark, edgy feel to this novel, which gives it depth. The author paces his narrative well, building the tension effectively. I had never read anything by Mr. Johnson before and will certainly seek more of his work out now. Highly recommended.
JANA
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For Love Or Money?, September 19, 2004
This review is from: The Million Dollar Divorce: A Novel (Hardcover)
Nate Kenny is a multi-millionaire who seems to have it all. He has his own company, a beautiful wife, and wonderful accoutrements of his wealth, but he is missing one thing - a child. In THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE, we discover how a dream can be crushed by lies and how it affects one's better judgment.
Nate's lovely wife Monica is the perfect compliment to her husband. She is beautiful and supported her husband when he decided to start his own business. When she married Nate, she knew he wanted children badly but she suggested they wait and enjoy each other first. Well, waiting was the wrong answer, and now not only are there no children after almost four years of marriage, there can never be any. She is devastated by the news and concocts a lie that sends Nate into an abyss. He feels bitterly betrayed and loses trust in his wife.
Because of the betrayal, Nate wants a divorce however, after speaking with his attorney, Nate realizes he may have to give Monica half of his 60 million dollars. He is outraged, no way is he giving Monica any money for lying and cheating him out of a family. Reminded of the prenuptial agreement Monica signed that stipulated that if she has an affair she gets nothing, Nate devises a devious plan. When an unfortunate accident occurs, he bullies the homeless and nearly hopeless Lewis Waters into becoming an accomplice in an unbelievable scheme. Lewis, not wanting to suffer the consequences of possible jail time, agrees to the ploy. Yet, Lewis gets more than he bargains for.
Will Nate's plan work or will it backfire? Will Monica catch on to the ploy or will she fall victim? How far is Lewis really willing to take the plan? How does money outweigh one's love for another? RM Johnson ponders all the consequences of lies and greed. Readers will be surprised at the extent Nate will go to in order to maintain his fortune. In the beginning, readers will empathize with Nate, but near the end heads will be shaking in dismay over the extent of a person's guile. For fans of RM Johnson, THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE is a marked difference from his previous novels. He takes betrayal to another level and still enables the reader to garner the novel's message. This is quality writing at its best with strong characters and fast paced structure. RM Johnson will definitely gain new followers with this novel.
Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ™Reviewers
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT!!!!! GREAT !!!!!! GREAT!!!!!, September 1, 2004
This review is from: The Million Dollar Divorce: A Novel (Hardcover)
This wonderful work by author RMJohnson should be commended. The Million Dollar Divorce is definitely a page turner. I could not put this book down. It's a book that keeps you on edge and it is truly unpredictable. As you start to read this book it sounds and feels like a fairytale for most women. However, as you continue to read, you get a glimpse of a dark and scary side of powerful rich people. It also takes you on journey of what powerful people will do and the lengths that they will go to, to have it all. The characters all seemed very real, especially Tabetha. I think most women will be able to really relate to Tabetha (a close girlfriend of one of the main characters in this book) who gives advise that she believes will bring her friend true happiness. This is another wonderful work of the very talented RMJOHNSON. Keep them coming.
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