Customer Reviews

The Strong, Silent Type

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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Simply stated, The Strong, Silent Type by C. Kelly Robinson is one of the best books this reviewer has read so far in 2005. Although he has four novels under his publishing belt, Robinson's name is not as widely known as say, Eric Jerome Dickey or E. Lynn Harris. However, if Robinson keeps writing compelling tales like this, he will no longer be a silent bestseller, but a prominent and popular author.

While Dickey is the king of drama and Harris brings the DL heat like no other, Robinson ranks supreme in storytelling. He goes back to the basics of a well-written story and combines flawed characters and an engaging plot, with a few twists to boot. More than anything, readers will appreciate the unique and refreshing storyline.

The main character, Deacon Davis, is an ex-professional football star who works as an executive director of the American Dream Party, a political organization started by his late father. But when Deacon stutters horribly during an important nationally televised interview, he is forced to resign. Frustrated that his tongue had failed him and cost him his job, he's determined to do something about his stuttering and get back to fulfilling the duty of continuing his father's work.

He seeks professional help at the Speech Recovery Clinic, where he meets Maria Oliver, an attractive speech therapist. Before either of them knows it, they are breaking the clinic's fraternizing rule and if anyone finds out, she too, will be out of a job. Adding to her stress is another dilemma. While battling with drugs in the past, she gave her baby to her brother, Thomas and his wife to raise as their own. Now, when Maria is clean and sober with a successful career, she can't deny the maternal feelings she has. She wants her son back. Despite Thomas's litigation threats, she wants her son to know the truth, that she is his mother, not his aunt.

Maria's not the only person wanting truth revealed. Deacon's brother, Miles plans to write a tell-all book, detailing his theory that his father's mysterious death was not an accident, but an assassination. However, there are a few holes in Miles' theory, and Deacon knows the one person who can confirm or shatter Miles' suspicions.

The Strong, Silent Type is a great read. C. Kelly Robinson has a masterful way with descriptions that truly bring characters to life. The scenes are vivid and the dialogue, authentic. Robinson should not only be commended for penning an intriguing tale, but he should be applauded for enlightening a few readers, like this reviewer, about the impact stuttering has on people who have the communication disorder. If you're looking for a book that has it all--romance, suspense, drama and excellent writing--pick up The Strong Silent Type. You won't be disappointed.

In The Strong Silent Type, Deacon Davis, the son of a deceased civil rights leader, decides to seek help for his stuttering problem after being forced to resign from his father's organization. It is at a conference that he meets Maria Oliver, one of the speech therapists. As Maria is tasked to help this high profile client overcome his affliction as well as bring positive publicity to the organization, she is faced with her own problems. After her shaky teen and college years, Maria now has her life together and hopes to finally raise the child that she left in her brother's care. However, it's not as easy as it sounds. Deacon and Maria are both faced with difficult challenges but together they just may be able to overcome them.

This was my first novel by C. Kelly Robinson and I have to say that I was very impressed. Not only was it well written but contained all the elements that I look for in a great read including mystery, romance, a whole host of characters and a few different story lines. The characters were professional people who were likable, yet flawed. Although there were many characters introduced, they never became overwhelming and each added something to the story. I was drawn into every storyline and was elated when they each ended satisfactorily. The main draw to this story was Deacon's stuttering problem. This was something that I had never encountered in a novel and I was enlightened by how society treats people that stutter and how they view themselves.

I would recommend this novel to book clubs who are looking for an insightful, compelling read that deals with everyday issues. Although this was my first read by Robinson, it will definitely not be my last.

Reviewed by Nicole
APOOO BookClub

C. Kelly Robinson raises his game with each consecutive novel that he pens. This is no exception. The Strong Silent Type is a wonderfully engaging tale of two people caught up in life and all the pitfalls that it brings. Yet they manage to keep sight of the important things in life and that is a rarity. So many people harp on the negative instead of drawing from the positive.

Deacon's stuttering problem is a nice twist to a classical romance. There are many people living with that problem and others that cause them to have low self-esteem. I applaud Robinson for tackling the issue head-on and showing that what makes us different can also make us special and unique. I fell in love with the Deacon character and the Maria one was equally as unforgettable. She was a real sister who had gotten into the wrong man and the wrong things early on in life but turned her life around, which is commendable. It shows that we can overcome our mistakes and move on to achieve something more positive.

I would suggest this novel to anyone and I hope that the masses will discover it. It is truly a story that will touch people right where it counts: in the heart.

Not quite thirty, Deacon Davis failed in his attempt to leave behind his glory days as a Pittsburgh Steeler star defensive back to direct the American Dream Party when he stuttered on Fox TV News. His beloved cousin tells him that "George Bush sounds more articulate". Feeling depressed for his recent string of failures including a divorce that culminated with the on air fiasco, Deacon still has one obsession that keeps him fired up. He wants to foster the civil rights legacy of his renowned late father who died in a mysterious DC hotel fire.

He knows he must work on his stuttering problem when he has difficulty speaking at a school meeting involving his high school aged son Dejuan who is in trouble for dissing females. Deacon meets speech therapist Maria Oliver at the adult Speech Recovery Clinic. As she helps him with his impediment, an attraction explodes into a one night stand that breaks ethical rules. Yet both want more, but will either risk the chance of rejection.

THE STRONG SILENT TYPE is a terrific contemporary tale that grips readers with its deep cast especially the title character who struggles to enhance his father's legacy, but feels somewhat helpless of achieving this objective due to his stuttering. Deacon is a fabulous protagonist whose woes to include falling in love make for a fine novel; Maria is his ideal counterpart with her own baggage especially her need to tell her biological son, raised in love by a married family member and his wife, who she is. The lead couple's relationship is THE PERFECT BLEND for fans who appreciate a poignant insightful modern day character study.

Harriet Klausner

The Strong Silent Type is the story of Deacon and Maria. Deacon Davis is a former NFL star. While many see him as a man of little words by choice, the strong and silent type, he secretly battles with stuttering. Things are good for him until his worst nightmare is played out on national television as he stutters through an interview. He is forced to resign from his job and his life is turned upside down. In search of professional help, Deacon crosses paths with Maria Oliver, a speech therapist working for a renowned clinic. Maria is battling her own demons - a child she gave to her brother and his wife to raise as their own. Maria thinks she's ready to play a bigger role in her son's life. As Deacon and Maria find comfort in each other, will their baggage simply be too much? With his speech problem, can Deacon ever live up to his father's image? And is Maria's son better off not knowing that his Auntie Maria is really his mom? Walk with them on their paths of self-discovery.
Hats off to Mr. Robinson for tackling the issue of stuttering. He delivers a well-written story while making readers aware of the challenges some face. It was an eye opener for me as one never having had a speech impediment. Good read.

Before one can truly examine the issues in his/her relationship with others, they must first be aware of the weaknesses they possess both within and on the surface. It is only then that they will be capable of truly living life and following their dreams. In his January 2005 release, THE STRONG SILENT TYPE, C. Kelly Robinson has created a storyline and characters who leave the reader with a feeling of accomplishment and acceptance, as well as the inspiration that they can come to terms with what ails us.

Deacon Davis is a former professional football player, turned director of the American Dream Party; established in the interest of African-American voters across the country. He dreams of following in the steps of his father and
living up to the legacy of the Davis name. When he's forced to resign from his position as a result of stuttering through a nationally televised interview, and later has a confrontation with his son's teacher, he falters and begins questioning himself. Though he's always had problems with his speech, over the years he's learned how to hide his impediment. Unfortunately, with the loss of his job he begins to question his self-worth and comes to the realization that he needs professional help.

Deacon enrolls in a Speech Recovery Program and is assigned to Maria Oliver, a speech therapist on staff. Maria has her own problems and finds herself not only trying to keep her mind off her personal problems, but also off the attraction she has to Deacon. Because of the ethics involved, Maria attempts to provide Deacon with the guidance necessary to conquer his fears of speaking. It's obvious they both have their own personal demons and baggage, but will they be able to overcome their issues?

Most people have some type of baggage or obstacle in their lives which aid in making them feel inferior to others at time. Through this novel Robinson has clearly shown how we can all persevere through past afflictions, learn to appreciate ourselves, and continue on the path towards our dreams. Despite any type of struggle that exists, it is possible to move past it. THE STRONG SILENT TYPE is a well put together package, one I could use to help understand my own family members who stutter. The individual storylines add depth to the story and the bonus "mystery" throughout the novel adds an extra hint of suspense not normally mixed into the contemporary fiction novel. I absolutely loved the realness shown in the characters. Their flaws, weaknesses and fears intermingled well with their successes, hopes, and dreams. (RAW Rating: 4.5)

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers