Customer Reviews

Secrets and Lies

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

It's been awhile since I've enjoyed reading a book this much. Not only were the characters believable, their personal struggles were ones many people can relate to--busy schedules, the need to succeed in the business world, balancing family and work life, feeling appreciated, doubt, family secrets, and keeping a family and marriage together. As each page submerged me more into Faith and Jonah's story I found myself rooting for them and wanting them to figure out a way to work things out. Ms. McKnight did an excellent job of tackling the subject of sexual harassment from the angle of the accuser and the accused. Great storytelling!

Faith and Jonah Morgan would be considered the ideal couple. Jonah is a well-known pediatric cardiologist and Faith is a stay-at-home mom. After 10 years of marriage, Faith has a feeling that something is terribly wrong. Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight take readers on an emotional ride of trust, faith and love.

Jonah is determined that his family will not have to struggle in the same manner he did as a child. Faith wonders why Jonah has become so distant. She thinks he is having an affair. In trying to uncover the reason, she uncovers family secrets and she begins to wonder about her marriage. After she confronts him, Jonah is accused of sexual harassment. Faith must decide whether she has enough faith and love in her husband to stand by him or walk away.

McKnight has written a very moving story. From the beginning, the reader becomes engrossed in the lives of the Morgan family. The reader can feel the pain, confusion and the lost of faith that Faith had for her husband. From a professional point of view, the legal battles, investigation and allegations of harassment were powerful and realistic. I applaud Ms. McKnight for having written a wonderful story. The story will generate wonderful dialog for any book club.

"This book was provided courtesy of the author."
Priscilla C. Johnson
APOOO BookClub

Rhonda McKnight got it right with her debut novel "Secrets and Lies". It is a page turner from the very first chapter. The story of Faith and Jonah is emotional, inspirational, insightful, and thought-provoking.

In author, Rhonda McKnight's, debut novel, Secrets and Lies, Ms. McKnight does a superb job bringing readers into the lives of the Dr. Jonah and Faith Morgan, a well-to-do married couple that endures tribulations stemming from Faith's perceived selfishness and Jonah's work ethic and ailing heart.

This story is very interesting to me because not only does the author offer a real-world storyline suggestive of marital issues, she offers plausible solutions. The primary characters in this story, Jonah and Faith, face marital challenges such as inattentiveness, time management and lack of communication. Readers will learn firsthand what brings each of these characters to make the decisions they make and act in the ways that each does. I also appreciate Ms. McKnight touching upon the subject of sexual harassment in the workplace and how things are not always as they seem.

Through various scenarios set against a medical field back drop, Jonah and Faith are brought together to face and meet many challenges. Will their love survive?

I recommend this book to anyone experiencing marital issues. Reading it may give readers a glimmer of hope in learning and knowing that with God, all things are possible. I also recommend this book to married men and women, and even single individuals thinking of marriage not experiencing difficulty in their relationships. This selection is a reinforcement of the reality of the trials and tribulations of some marriages, as well as what it takes to sustain in a marriage.

I would definitely read another selection from Ms. McKnight.

Reviewed by Tavares S. Carney

In her heartrending, drama filled, debut novel, Secrets and Lies, Author Rhonda McKnight covers a lot of ground dealing with death, marriage, faith, and the peace that comes with walking in forgiveness.

Unable to escape the demons from his past, Dr. Jonah Morgan is on the brink of losing the best thing that's ever happened to him, his beautiful wife Faith Morgan. Without THE faith to muddle through past hurts and unforgiveness, this Pediatric Cardiologist refuses to come to terms with matters of his own heart, as he drowns himself in his work and the bottle.

With a style of writing that is unquestionably, suitable for the intended audience of Christian fiction readers, I was captivated from beginning to end as Rhonda does a first-rate job of illuminating the voices of the characters and the heart of God for his children even when they doubted His Power. It truly made me appreciate just how longsuffering God is and occassionally, I found myself cheering Faith on to keep trusting and believing in her husband.

I enjoyed reading this very believable story. I laughed, I cried, and at times, I wished I could dive in the pages and shake some sense into these incredibly convincing characters, to say the least.

Again, this is Rhonda's first novel, and already I am a dutiful fan and would certainly recommend this book to all, especially to wives who are overwhelmed with striving to be the perfect, committed, and understanding wife to a faithless, secret-keeping, workaholic, husband.

I am praying for a sequel. Would love to know what happens with Ms. Jacobs. Keep'em coming Mrs. McKnight.

Ms. McKnight has crafted a book that looks at the inner workings of life, marriage, and spirit. I enjoyed reading Secrets and Lies very much and hope to be able to get another book of hers soon.

What can I say? An amazing book. I'll have to be honest, I didn't know what to expect when I started it but I immediately was drawn in to the story and started to care about the characters. The issues were so believable and Rhonda handled the issues perfectly. I could definitely relate to what Faith and Jonah Morgan were going through. Great job Rhonda. I can't wait to read her future work.

I'm hooked on Rhonda McKnight. This new writer nailed it right out of the box. She gives readers a spiritual message, but doesn't hit you over the head with it. In fact, you don't really see it coming. Great conflict and imperfect characters who are believable. I also thought she did a great job of getting into the head of Dr. Morgan, which isn't always easy to do when it comes to women writing male characters.

You Go Girl!

Author Pamela Samuels Young

enjoyed ths book, it let you know to pray, stand on his promise,the words



says he hastens to answers .

Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight - ISBN 13:978-1-60162-940-1 ISBN 10: 1-60162-940-0 - 376 pages - published by Kensington Publishing/Urban Books LLC - Paperback - Reviewed by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant, Literary Wonders! ([...]) December 29, 2009 - 5 Stars

Welcome newcomer and Christian fiction author, Rhonda McKnight with her freshman debut, Secrets and Lies. Mrs. McKnight's opening scene gives a thought provoking entry that is often rare with new authors.

The key players, Jonah and Faith Morgan, are faced with many trials throughout this page turner that will test and possibly end their ten year union.

Jonah is a lucrative cardiologist who is partner at Christian Brothers Family Health, where the main objective is to help patients who normally cannot afford healthcare. Jonah's work is his passion, and he's recently taken on the challenge of nine-year-old Amadi Lazarus. Dr. Morgan has taken a "special" interest in his new patient and within the confines of his reasoning lies a deep dark secret.

Faith, Jonah's wife and a stay at home mother, is involved with her church and its various activities, is starting to feel the strain of her husband's demanding career and becomes suspicious when she starts receiving mysterious phone calls. Her confidence is tested as she starts to wonder if the good doctor is cheating.

Jonah has given up on God and his relationship with his father. And just like his relationship with his father, he's tucked his past far, far away. So far, that he failed to tell his wife. Through warnings from his mother, God sends Jonah messages that he needs to utilize forgiveness or things are only going to get worse for him. And when Jonah starts to feel pressure at work, he feels the only thing he can turn to is alcohol.

Faith makes an attempt to try to save her marriage but is confronted with Jonah's past during a routine trip to the vital records office. Hurt and betrayal engulf her and she decides she will no longer roll over and cater to the needs of her husband.

Mrs. McKnight takes her readers on a rollercoaster of trials and tribulations, scripture, biblical and spiritual life lessons. In Secrets and Lies can Jonah and Faith find their way back to each other before it's too late? Can they both learn the true meaning of forgiveness before it destroys their family and those around them?

Secrets and Lies is an easy but powerful read that can be read in one sitting. The pages will have you turning and not wanting to put it down. Kudos to Mrs. McKnight, she truly knocked this one out the park.