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Solemnly Swear

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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

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

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....

Brett Lerner was a blackmailer who was waiting in his hot tub for the mark to arrive and give him his payoff money. Instead, the blackmailer hits Brett over the head. Brett is later found by his pregnant girlfriend Patti McCoy who starts screaming and then runs away when the police come. They find her and arrest her and put her in jail until the trial date arrives.

The members of the jury are a mixed group from a famous actress to a man who works three minimum wage jobs because he doesn't believe in his own talent. Also in the group are a former golf chairman and the wife of a doctor who operates on children for free. One of the members of the jury is pushing his/her spouse to sway the jury for a guilty verdict and though that person agrees to do so, the price paid is enormous.

Nancy Moser is a fantastic storyteller who lets her audience see into the hearts of the characters. There is nobody evil in this book, just lost misguided people making awful, not to say illegal decisions. SOLEMNLY SWEAR shows how one fabrication can spiral into many more lies and hurt other people, especially loved ones; as Sir Walter Scott proclaimed: "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." Some of the jurors learn from their experience and try to turn their lives around to become better people; none of them will be like they were before the jurisprudence experience.

Harriet Klausner

Character can be defined as who you are when no one is looking. When you are alone, do you wonder sometimes who you are? Is the person you display to the world who you are in real life? In Nancy Moser's book Solemnly Swear she introduces us to several characters that are stuck in a role. They are not true to who they really are.

Patti McCoy is put on trial for killing her boyfriend. But did she really commit the crime? It is up to the jury to decide Patti's fate. The book shows the trial through the jury's eyes, which includes a washed-up golf pro, a once famous actress, a financially struggling, honorable family man and the wife of a prominent doctor.

The roles they display to the world affects how they view Patti's innocence or guilty. But who are they when they are by themselves? How do they break out of the role the world thinks they are, and become who they are called to be?

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 received it in the mail and was up until 1am the next day reading it!!

Solemnly Swear wasn't as well written as other novels by Mrs. Moser. I've been reading her books for years, but was a little disappointed in this one.

As in many of her books, she uses many characters and vantage points for the plot. This time it was difficult to determine which character was going to take the lead.

Nancy Moser is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this was another great book from her. At this point in time, I have not read all of her books, but this one was definitely different from what I've read by her so far.

Immediately from the beginning, I was thrust into a world of deceit and arrogance from a man thinking he deserves everything. However, he's about to be killed, his girlfriend is the first suspect and she claims that she's innocent.

Switch now to the trial to determine her fate. 11 members are on the jury, and each of them has a different view on justice. The book focuses on four: a wealthy socialite who is the wife of a very prominent doctor, a "has-been" golfer, a former actress, and a husband that works 3 jobs to keep his family afloat. All along there are some jury members that follow the rules, others that don't, and deliberation time is just around the corner. Their decision could set the girlfriend free or sentence her to prison.

I loved that this book was seen from so many different angles. Not only was I reading about the trial, but I also got a glimpse into the lives of the jurors. There were some deep points that were made throughout the book, too, that caused me look inwardly to examine myself. I must admit that in some ways the book was predictable, but I won't give away why. :o) You'll have to see for yourself!

I LOVE this author. I could not put it down once I started. I definitely recommend her book(s).