Customer Reviews

It's A Thin Line

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sydney has the most loving husband, yet she finds it difficult to make love to him. Gina has a husband everyone loves to hate, yet she can't stop loving him, or his abuse. Rick lives with his fiancee' who only wants him to love her enough to set a date.

Three siblings, each very different and seeking a solution to their situation. They share a mother who suffers a stroke and has a brain tumor but do the siblings share the responsibility of caring for their mother?

Exploring domestic violence, fear of commitment and deep dark childhood secrets, It's a Thin Line is a must read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you haven't attended a booksigning by Ms. Roby you must come out when she is in your town again. She is friendly, personable and shares her journey from being a self-published writer to becoming the author of the #1 Black Board Book of the Year.

I've read ALL of Kim Roby's books and It's a Thin Line is by far the best (and I thought Casting the First Stone was da bomb!) This books holds a special place in my heart because of the mother's terminal illness as was the case with my own mom's illness and the caregiving my siblings and I had to deal with...Kim 'puts her foot in this one' again with the complexity of caring for one's mother, the issues of the physical abuse of Gina at the hands of her husband (you wonder, why doesn't she just leave - but then you applaud her in the end!) and the brother, Rick, his own issues with commitment (a lot of brothers, I know are feeling this!)...Sydney, the eldest daughter appeared to have it altogether as far as her mother is concerned, but of course, there was always this "lurking" shadow that she just couldn't seem to get rid of, until....Oh, man, you gotta read the book!!!!Can't wait for your next one, Kim, 'A Touch of Reality' due out next spring...Write on my sista, write on!!!!!!!

Kimberla Lawson Roby fan's will be happy to know that she's back with another drama filled saga that touches nerves and emotions and that rings true of real life situations. It's a Thin Line is dedicated to anyone who has ever taken care of an ill or elderly relative, any woman who has ever experienced domestic violence and to everyone who has ever concealed a deep, dark childhood secret.

Lawson-Roby introduces us to siblings Sydney, Gina, Rick and their mother, Delores. When Delores suffers a debilitating stroke, it requires the helping hands of her 3 adult kids to assist in her recovery. As the wear and tear of taking care of a sick parent takes its toll the bond that once held the siblings together quickly disintegrates. They might share the same bloodline, but the similarity ends there as we get to know these 3 very different siblings. True to birth order, Sydney as the oldest is the most responsible sibling; Gina as the middle child has a hard time realizing that she can't please everyone and she can't make everyone happy; and Rick is portrayed as the weak-minded, indecisive younger brother. As such, Sydney is left to shoulder most of the burden of taking care of her mom, since Gina is dealing with a physically abusive husband, and Rick is agonizing over what appeared to be a small/petty matter...whether or not he should marry his long-time girlfriend, live-in fiancée.

It's a Thin Line is a book that makes you think about what you would do if you were in the same situation as the characters. As always, Lawson-Roby continues to give us a compelling story with memorable characters and one that will stay with you long after you've read the book. There were interesting sub-plots and the storyline could have ended up going in any number of directions, however, it appears that Lawson-Roby decided to focus on domestic violence. What a roller coaster ride that was; I felt like I was suspended in mid-air on an emotional roller coaster as I read Gina's story. In fact, Gina's story tended to overshadow the other characters and I was slightly surprised that it dominated the storyline until the very end. It would have been nice to have deeper relationships with the other characters, as well, especially since they each had equally interesting sub-plots. All In All, I believe that true Lawson-Roby fans will feel that It's A Thin Line was definitely worth the way.

This was the first book I have read by this author and I must say it was an excellent book. I finished the book in 1 day. I just couldn't put it down. The issues Sydney is dealing with taking care of her mother alone when there are other siblings, is one we all can relate to. Rick taking a non-commital stance with his finance is all too real. The abuse Gina suffers happens more often in america's households than we can believe. At first I was mad at Gina and thought that her character was stupid, but unless you are in that person's shoes, you have no idea what they are actually going through. Deloris' character was one we all know, if you have a loving mother who has a strong faith in God. This is a book that I would recommend you read. It's an easy read and once you get started, you will not want to put it down until you are finished reading it. Please do not pay any attention to the reviews by the so-called critics, they have no idea. Read the book!

Whoever said, "three strikes and you're out" has not read the prolific writings of author, Kimberla Roby. In her fourth novel, It's a Thin Line; she creates another moving tale about family, love and endurance. I can imagine that Kimberla rolls up her sleeves as if preparing for boxing match going round for round ending with the ultimate KNOCK-OUT ending as only she can.

In one corner we have, oldest sister Sydney, middle sister Gina and baby brother Rick. In our opposing corner we have sexual and physical abuse, and commitment phobia. Who will come out the winner?

Can the branches of this family tree maintain the heavy weight of life's most difficult moments?

Round One: On the night that should be a new beginning for their mother, Delores, tragedy strikes. In a matter of moments their lives are turned upside down. It's the classic case of what happens when a parent becomes ill? Well, in this case, Sydney's siblings decide she's the appropriate person to care for their mother until she recovers.

Round Two: Sydney's family doesn't realize that having an office at home does not equate extra time. On top of being a loving wife, mother, and freelance journalist, most of her energy is devoted to keeping secrets lock away in her subconscious memory. What is she hiding?

Round Three: On the other branch of the family tree is Gina. A Corporate Dynamo, proud mother of twins, and a weekly punching bag for her abusive, overly jealous husband. Gina struggles with the decision, should I leave, and if so, how? While she thinks her family members are unaware of what's going on in her home, she finds out otherwise the night their mother is taken to the emergency room. Her husband's obsession is so deep he refuses to allow Gina to visit her mother while she recovers. It is then that Gina realizes she can't live this lie anymore. What will she do to rectify the situation? (You don't want to wait too long to find out)

Round Four: Dangling on the end is Rick, the classic brother afraid of commitment. He has the best of everything, a fiancée he's been keeping at bay for years, sisters that adore him and a mother that needs him to acknowledge that its time to take the blinders off regarding her health. What will Rick lose before he takes a stand?

Round Five: The foundation of the family tree is Delores, a hard working, doting mother who wants the best for all her children. Like any mother she suffers when they hurt Her biggest dream is to see her children stand on their own two feet without her. Will she accomplish her goal?

Stay tuned as the answered to this wonderful moving tale about family is revealed throughout the pages of It's A Thin Line. Its one fight you don't want to miss and I will gladly put my money down on Mrs. Roby again and again. I hereby crown her the Heavy Weight Female Writer of the Year.

A Prolific Writers Network Reviewer

Chicago is the setting for this story of 3 siblings who are forced to be the caregiver for their mother who becomes seriously ill.

We meet Sydney who is married, mother of one. She is the oldest of the 3 and the bulk of the care is on her. She has a secret that threatens to ruin her marriage to her husband Wesley. Will she have the courage to share this secret with him or will she go on hiding it.

We then meet Gina who is the middle child. She is married to Phillip & is the mother of twins. She seems to have the perfect life---nice home, great job, everything. The only thing is, is that Gina is being physically, mentally & sexually abused by...her husband. Will she come out of this situation dead or alive?

Then there is Rick---the baby brother, he is engaged to Samantha but unwilling to make the full commitment to marriage. He is detined to lose the true love of his life if he doesn't make a decision.

Ms. Roby tells the tale of a family being brought together and almost torn apart by tragedy. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to Ms. Roby's future books. Continued success and blessings to you.

I would give it 100 stars if it was possible!! This book was such an eye opener and real book!!! I can say enough about the way it touched me both inside and out. It is definitely a THIN LINE. Gina, you GO GIRL!! Sydney was a strong sister even with all her trials and tribulations. Rick, finally woke up, before it was too late. All I can say is read this book and definitely add it to your collection!!

This novel really hits home.
I can relate to all the characters.
I stayed glued to the book following the family's life as if they were my own.
Three siblings who have their own issues.
Sydney who is happily married but having problems with sex.
Gina whose husband has been emotionally and physically abusive to her for years.
Rick who is living with his fiancee but refuses to set a wedding date.
Their problems are about to get even deeper when everyones worse fear is confirmed their mother is terminally ill and requires all of their attention.
This book deals with every day situations domestic volience, family secrets, fear of commitment, caring for an ill parent.
I enjoyed this novel as well Casting the first stone and look foward to reading many more from Ms. Kimberla Lawson Roby.

There's a very thin line between so many of life's opposite
emotions. And this story touched on several of them. The
family secrets are so potent, they are slowly eroding the
foundation the siblings thought they had. Sydney, Gina and
Rick have their individual thin lines. Sydney is the oldest
of the three siblings and her thin line is between enjoying
sexual intimacy with her husband and not wanting it. For some
reason Sydney always has an excuse and it is beginning to
affect her marriage. Her sister Gina's thin line is really
between love and hate, as she struggles with severe domestic
problems. She is too ashamed and too afraid to tell her family
or seek a solution. And Rick's thin line is between commitment
and fear. He and his live in fiancée are at odds about marriage,
she wants to and he's not ready.

When their mother suffers a debilitating stroke the effect
reverberates through the family and places their lives in a fish
bowl. Left with the task of providing most of the primary care
for her mother, Sydney begins to harbor ill feeling toward her
siblings. Before the resentment can fester, they share some
heart wrenching secrets that force them to pull together in a
way that strengthens their bond and helps them regain their
closeness. They finally put to rest the negatives that
threatened to destroy the family.

Kimberla Roby has again penned a realistic and heartfelt story
about real human problems. Her books touch your heart in a
profound way, and they have you anxiously awaiting the next
volume. It's A Thin Line will make you appreciate family.

Reviewed by aNN

This is one of Mrs. Roby's best works. It took me a long time to finish this book; I suppose it was because I just didn't want it to end. I had been dealing with a lot of stress in my life, and I needed the comfort of someone else's life to make me forget the emotional upheaval of my own. It seemed like Mrs. Roby was peeking into my life because the message of this book came at a point when I needed it most in my life. The characters (brother, sister, mother, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law) all had major drama in their lives. It seemed like everything happened in a domino effect. When one thing would happen, something else would happen. The oldest daughter didn't or wouldn't find time to make love to her husband, not because she didn't desire him but because of a major problem that she had thought she had blocked from her childhood. The middle child had her own major issues of domestic violence, and the youngest child was afraid to commit to his live in fiancee of 3 years. I have been there with Samantha and Rick. I felt the same way as Samantha. And on top of everything their mother is diagnosed with a non-cancerous tumor in her brain. Although these were some major obstacles, Mrs. Roby's strongest character (Delores-the mother) never gave up her faith in God. Through the power of prayer, she was able to deal with any obstacles. This is the first work of fiction that I was able to look at and say, "Wow, I'm going through the same thing, and it could be because I'm not putting my faith in God". Thank you Mrs. Roby for reminding me that God really doesn't give us more than we can handle, because in the end each and every character with time would be all right.