Solemnly Swear [Paperback]

Nancy Moser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2008

Patti McCoy, a kitchen worker at a local resort, is accused of killing her boyfriend, Brett Lerner, the restaurant's maitre d'. But was she simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? It's up to the jury to decide. Each member comes from a different background, but one in particular has a lot at stake by being on this jury. The circumstantial evidence against the accused piles up, yet Patti McCoy isn't the only one who has to deal with innocence and guilt. Or judgment.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the heart of this absorbing, Grishamesque Christian novel by Christy Award–winner Moser (Time Lottery) are four Branson, Mo., residents who are chosen to serve on a jury hearing a manslaughter case. Bobby is a young husband and father, working three minimum-wage jobs and deferring his dream of becoming a professional woodworker; Abigail is a has-been actress; Ken is a middle-aged, divorced golf pro always on the prowl for a one-night stand; and Deidre is the wife of a prominent surgeon, Sigmund Kelly. In the course of the trial, each of the four learns powerful life lessons, but this is not merely a feel-good inspirational read. It is also well-paced and suspenseful: early on, it becomes clear that Deidre and her husband have a deep investment in the outcome of the trial. Readers will be eager to discover the Kellys' secret and will also want to learn whether the divided jury is able to reach a verdict. The subplots about the jurors' personal lives—is Sig having an affair? will Ken reconcile with his son?—add another hook. Still, the book isn't perfect. The prologue, which spotlights the killing, is forgettable and confusing rather than intriguing, while the requisite religious awakenings of several of the characters feel forced and largely superfluous. (Jan.)
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Review

This book offers mystery and suspense. Moser has always been a favorite author of mine, since her Sister Circle Series. She has a way of displaying every day lives being transformed by a merciful and powerful God. This book is no different. Run--do not walk to pick up Solemnly Swear by Nancy Moser, I was up until 1am the next day reading it!! -- http://www.christianwomenonline.net/BookBuzz.htm

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Product Details

• Paperback: 355 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414301634
• ISBN-13: 978-1414301631
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,244,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty novels that focus on the characters discovering their unique purpose. Her genres include both contemporary and historical stories. Her latest release "An Unlikely Suitor" was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011". Both "An Unlikely Suitor" and "Masquerade" are set in the Gilded Age of New York City (see a book trailer for "Masquerade" below.) Coming out in 2012 is a Christmas/Quilt antholgy,"A Patchwork Christmas", containing three novellas by Moser, Stephanie Grace Whitson, and Judith Miller. Moser's contemporary books are known for their big-cast utilization of multiple points-of-view and intricate plotting. Some titles are "John 3: 16", "The Sister Circle", "The Good Nearby", and "The Invitation." Her historical bio-novels allow real women-of-history to share their life stories: "Just Jane" (Jane Austen), "Mozart's Sister" (Nannerl Mozart), "Washington's Lady" (Martha Washington) and "How Do I Love Thee?" (Elizabeth Barrett Browning.) Her time-travel novel, "Time Lottery", won a Christy Award and "Washington's Lady" was a finalist. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She's earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Said So Sister Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She paints canes voraciously, kills all her houseplants, and can wire an electrical fixture without getting shocked. She is a fan of anything antique--humans included. Find out more at www.nancymoser.com, www.sistercircles.com. and her historical fiction blog at: http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A talented "faithful writer", July 15, 2008

By 

FaithfulReader.com (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solemnly Swear (Paperback)

In her author's notes, Nancy Moser quotes a phrase that embodies the recurring theme in this inspirational story: Characters live to be noticed; people with character notice how they live. As the tale unfolds, her characters become people of character who graciously hold up a mirror for us to reflect on our own foibles. Revealing the masks we wear and the roles we play in order to protect ourselves from the judgment of others often keep us from being the real person we were created to be.

Patti McCoy, a naïve resort worker, is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend, Brett Lerner, an arrogant opportunist who had his share of dark secrets. As Patti proclaims her innocence, a jury is empanelled, and we are introduced to four of them, each with a unique interest in the case and each with a lesson to learn about his or her own character. Each one has flaws that many of us struggle with. Among the demons of Ken Doolittle, a former golf pro, are pride, lust and fear. Deidre Kelly, the wife of a prominent pediatric surgeon, wears the mask of a perfect society wife and mother while living in fear that her past will be discovered. Abigail Buchanan is a lovely actress who, at age 77, still longs for fame and fortune. And Bobby Mann, a father of two who works three jobs to provide for his family, is filled with self-doubt and fear, and refuses to accept the faith that his wife holds out to him.

The author deftly moves among these characters and their stories while providing interaction during the jury deliberations. Each one is clearly defined and easy to follow in short, fast-moving chapters. As the secrets and character flaws of each are revealed, the themes of hope and redemption recur, sometimes offered by friends and relatives, and sometimes by the testimony of wise pastors. The mother-in-law who provides love and stability, the wife whose faith encourages and never waivers, the soft, still voice of God whispering words of hope, the son with AIDS who has been changed by God's love, all hold up the mirror to the characters and to us. Though the Biblical message of salvation is clear, it is never contrived nor does it distract from the story.

It is exciting to discover yet another "Faithful Writer" who is talented, timely and witty without resorting to the more graphic and gritty style of fiction. I am eager to read Nancy Moser's Sister Circle series, three books about a widow who is forced to open her Victorian home to boarders. Sounds like it will be full of possibilities!

--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Multilayered fiction that does NOT disappoint!, February 20, 2008

By 

Deena Peterson "The Deena" (Marysville, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solemnly Swear (Paperback)

You just never know what will happen in a novel by Nancy Moser...and that's a very good thing!

Patti McCoy is on trial for her life. She's accused of killing her boyfriend, Brett Lerner. Did she do it? Or did she just show up at the worst time ever?

The jurors listen to all of the evidence, and then begin to deliberate. Among the twelve, we get up close and personal with several of them...and discover that this story is about far more than just Patti's trial...

Ken, the washed up golf pro, has a choice of reuniting with his estranged son or living the life he pretends he wants. We also meet Abigail, a starlet in her time...now trying out for roles that really shouldn't be hers--question is, what will she do about it?

Bobby works three jobs and is supporting a wife and three kids...and hiding from a past that makes him hang his head in shame. Can he overcome the obstacles in his way and succeed in life, or will he hang onto what is known, even if it's destructive?

Finally, we meet Deidre, wife of famous surgeoun Sigmund Kelly...striving to have the perfect life she's always wanted and has finally earned...right? What lengths will Deidre go to in order to keep her family whole and complete?

What we thought was about a murder trial turns out to be so much more...and that's just like Nancy Moser! A muli-layered author who always surprises with so much more, you just can't go wrong with her novels.

I'm giving "Solemnly Swear" five out of five bookmarks with a gavel as a charm...and an order to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...I loved this book, and I think you will as well!

Happy Reading!

Deena from A Peek At My Bookshelf

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Order In The Court!, February 2, 2008

By 

Katy McKenna (KC, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Solemnly Swear (Paperback)

If you're considering giving Nancy Moser's latest novel a read, allow me to Solemnly Swear to my belief that you'll throughly enjoy it.

From the prologue (which I found entirely engrossing) on, Moser had me spellbound. Seldom have I wondered about the personal backgrounds, life experiences, and motivations of jurors, but in Solemnly Swear we get a glimpse into the lives of four such people. And we end up realizing how one misconception, one slight, one lie, and one missed purpose could unite to condemn (or possibly free) the accused.

If you've ever thought you might have what it takes to be an impartial and fair jury member, read this gripping tale. And then if you get called to jury duty, remember it....