Nothing But Trouble [Paperback]

Bettye Griffin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 2006

Both hilarious and poignant, Bettye Griffin's latest novel explores the lives and loves of three best friends who discover that there's nothing in the world they can't handle--as long as they stick together. . .

Dana Covington never thought she'd be a widow at 38--but sometimes, that's the way life works out. It's a good thing Dana's friends, Norell and Cecile, are always ready to give her a shoulder to cry on. . .even when they've got big problems of their own.

Just as Norell gives up on her dream to have a baby, she's shocked when Cecile turns up pregnant--again. Norell's heartbreak throws her friendship with Cecile into a complete tailspin. And just when things can't get much worse, Cecile's sexy younger sister comes to town. As usual, Micheline is looking for trouble--and this time, she finds enough for everyone.

With tension mounting between the trio, it seems like their friendship might not stand the test. But when all is said and done, true friends know that even their closest pals aren't perfect--and that the people who drive you crazy are the ones you love the most. . .

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Dana has always been the confidante of her friends Norelle and Cecile. Eight months after her husband dies, Dana struggles to maintain their lifestyle. In desperation, she develops a plan to raise money and asks her friends to become business partners. Her friend Norelle has been married for six months to Vic, who provides her with a very comfortable lifestyle. Yet with all of her needs being met, Norelle still longs to have the one thing she doesn't have--a baby. Cecile and her husband, Michael Rivers, are happy raising their blended family--his two boys and daughter and her three daughters. Now that eight people live in Michael's house, Cecile feels they need more space and wants desperately to remodel their home. The trouble begins when Cecile's sister, Micheline, moves to town. She moves into Dana's over-the-garage apartment and begins dating a guy she knows Dana is seeing. She even has a one-night stand with Vic. Cecile has to juggle keeping her sister's secrets while preserving her friendships with Dana and Norelle. A compelling read. Lillian Lewis
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dafina (February 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758207395
• ISBN-13: 978-0758207395
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,009,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bettye Griffin was told by her English professor that she had a gift for writing and might want to consider pursuing writing as a professional career. She promptly dropped out of college and started crafting stories...and just 22 short years later sold her first book. Bettye writes both contemporary romance and women's fiction. A native of Yonkers, New York, Bettye has also lived in Florida and Illinois, and now crafts her compelling, drama-filled tales from her home in the great dairy state of Wisconsin. Bettye thoroughly enjoys Wisconsin's contributions to the American diet and often nibbles on cheese while writing, and she celebrates a good day of writing by having a glass of the beer that made Milwaukee famous.

Since 1998, Bettye has written 6 novels of women's fiction, including Once Upon A Project (2008) and A New Kind of Bliss (2009); and 13 contemporary romances, including A Love For All Seasons (2007) and A Love of Her Own (1999). In 2009, seeing the creative and financial freedom of publishing independent projects, Bettye started her own imprint, Bunderful Books, and to date has published three contemporary romances through this outlet, Save The Best For Last (2009), The Heat of Heat (2010), and A Kiss of a Different Color (2011). Visit her web site at www.bettyegriffin.com, and befriend her at Facebook.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nothing but Trouble by Bettye Griffin, March 4, 2006

By 

Shay C (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Nothing But Trouble (Paperback)

Dana, Norell, and Cecile are friends who are about to become business partners and open their home-based business CDN but their friendship will be tested when jealousy, drama, and insecurity threaten to pull them apart.

Dana, an unexpected widow at 38 has endured tragedy all her life starting with the tragic deaths of her mother and sister in a car accident but that accident also placed a wedge between Dana and her father-a relationship that has yet to be repair but the ultimate shock is when her husband Kenny is killed in a tragic accident. Now on the verge of bankruptcy, Dana asks her two closest friends Norell and Cecile to go into business. Norell appears to have it all, beauty, happily married and financially secure. She has all the material possessions but desperately wants a baby. When Norell finds out she is unable to have a baby, it sends her on a path of self-destruction and it threatens those closest to her especially when Cecile winds up pregnant unexpectedly. Cecile, happily married to her second husband and happy to have her version of the "Brady Bunch" is ready to move to a bigger home but when she finds out she's pregnant and her estranged and trouble-maker sister Micheline comes to town, her life is about to be forever changed. Micheline is looking for the big pay-off but she gets more than she bargained for after a chance meeting with Norell's husband that may lead to the end of Cecile's friendship with Norell.

Nothing But Trouble is an endearing and touching story about the bonds of friendship as these 3 women find out what it truly means to be a friend. While the story is predictable, it is still enjoyable, as Bettye Griffin has become one of my favorite authors starting with "The People Next Door" and now, "Nothing But Trouble". I give this book 4 stars. Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks.

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read, March 11, 2009

By 

Lisa L. Hayes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nothing But Trouble (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book a few months ago. It was enjoyable and at times funny.

Dana tried so hard to make a life for herself and her daughter after the sudden death of her husband. I was glad she was able to move on. Micheline was a... (you know the word that rhymes with witch)....Self Centered. Egocentric, and just made me want to slap her. The others Cecile, and Norell were nice I felt bad that Norell was struggling with infertilty, while Cecile was fortunate enough to have another child despite already several children. I am glad that despite the drama these friends were able to keep their friendship/sisterhood in tact. Good job Ms. Griffin.

3.0 out of 5 stars Something Wicked This Way Comes, December 22, 2006

By 

M. P. McKinney (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nothing But Trouble (Paperback)

Bettye Griffin's tenth novel, Nothing But Trouble follows three friends faced with adultery, infertility, unwanted pregnancy, death and jealousy.

Dana, Cecile and Norell are three women who struggle to make the most out of their careers, family life and friendship. Dana's world is turned upside down when she finds herself a widow and instant single mother. In an attempt to get back on solid financial footing, she invites Cecile and Norell to join her in starting a transcription business. Norell is a newlywed with a fierce desire to start her own family. Her husband has children from a previous marriage and does not share her enthusiasm causing a rift in their young marriage. Norell's unhappiness is increased when she learns that Cecile is pregnant with yet another child. Cecile and her husband struggle to accommodate their growing family of eight. The unexpected pregnancy brings Cecile added tension to her marriage and her relationship with Norell. To make matters worse, Cecile's self-centered, younger sister Micheline relocates to Jacksonville. She enjoys her new life at the expense of Cecile and her friends.

Bettye Griffin's characters are real people. They are honorable, upstanding women that wrestle with feelings like jealously, envy and fear. They have a vulnerability that resonates with all women struggling to balance family, career and friendship. Griffin goes a bit overboard with details but the picture that she paints is clear and easily imaginable. Book discussion questions are included to stimulate conversation. It is a good choice for bookclubs because it invites plenty of discussion. Nothing But Trouble is a good read for the modern woman.

Reviewed by M.P. McKinney

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