Off the Record (Paperback)

by Elizabeth White (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Judge Laurel Kincade’s Personal history is entangled with journalist Cole McGaughan’s of the New York Daily Journal. When Laurel announces her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Cole must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he’d have to pay.

From the Back Cover
Judge Laurel Kincade has it all—brains, beauty, and an aristocratic Old South family to back her up. A political rising star, she’s ready to announce her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

Journalist Cole McGaughan has ambitions too. Working as a religion writer for the New York Daily Journal, he longs to become a political reporter. Then his old friend Matt Hogan, a private investigator, calls with a tip. The lovely young judge may be hiding a secret that could derail her campaign. Would Cole like to be the one to break the story?

Cole sees a clear road to his goal, but there’s a problem. Laurel’s history is entangled with his own, and he must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he’d have to pay. Can Cole and Laurel find forgiveness and turn their hidden past into a hopeful future—and somehow keep it all off the record?

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310273048
• ISBN-13: 978-0310273042
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #610,503 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful foray into Southern Politics and Romance, August 4, 2007

By	Cara Putman (Lafayette, IN) - See all my reviews

Judge Laurel Kincaide is running for chief judge of Alabama. If elected she'll make history as the first woman to fill that role. To get there she has to survive the primary. Cole McGaughan is a religion reporter sent south to cover the campaign. The only problem, the secret in her past is tied directly to him. Their ambition is on a collision course with that secret.

In this book, author Elizabeth White paints a vibrant picture of the south and politics. Each time the book threatened to fall into a cliché, she managed to write beyond it. And each time I anticipated where the plot headed, she managed to keep me interested anyway.

Each thread of the book wove together beautifully. Even the spiritual thread never felt like an after thought shoved into the story to make it fit the Christian market. Instead, it was carefully written and enhanced the plot.

I read this book quickly because the pull of the characters and story was too strong to walk away from. I had to know how it ended. And that ending was very satisfying.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Fairly Engaging Love Story, September 30, 2007

By	Anna (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews

This was the first novel I've read by Christian fiction author Elizabeth White, and about the fourth inspirational romance novel I've read in a row! Even though I'm not a huge fan of this genre, this book made it more enjoyable. Laurel Kincade is running for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, and reporter Cole McGaughan knows a secret about her past that will make her conservative, family-focused supporters think twice about voting for her. I love to study how stories develop, and this one continues to gain momentum and build interest throughout, with a touching and surprising ending.

The "inspirational" aspect of this book was also a surprise. Too many times books are labeled "Christian fiction" because the author claims to be a Christian and the main character has some sort of shallow relationship with God. It's more like deism than anything else. But the spiritual development of the characters in this novel is excellent and not forced or cliche. It obviously comes from a deep place in the author's own life.

Again, a few discernment issues on this one. I know it's a love story, but lately I've noticed a trend in Christian romance to allow more and more non-discreet details to slip into the pages. I don't know that it's always necessary. It depends on the context. And I noticed a few instances of that in this book. So be aware of that before you read.

All in all, though, a well-written and absorbing read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smart Romance- Clever and Sassy, July 27, 2007

By	Pamela Sayer (Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Will Judge Laurel Kincade win her bid to become the first female Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court? Or will journalist and former love interest Cole McGaughan drop a gavel on her plans?

Off the Record is a feel-good read which will have you smiling all the way through. Author Elizabeth White does a wonderful job of including humorous observations and clever one-liners which reveal more about her characters and their perspectives than a paragraph full of description. One of my favorites: " "Catfish, please," she told the server. Most of the world's ills would be cured if all its bottom-feeding scavengers were fried to a crisp and served with hushpuppies."

Isn't that the truth!