Nothing but the Right Thing: A Novel (Paperback)

by Stacy Hawkins Adams (Author)
Key Phrases: art coalition, Standing Rock, Deacon Ames, Sister Grady (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Erika Tyler Wilson finally decides to leave her abusive husband and finds a women's shelter near an old friend, Serena, in this bland tale of contemporary African American women. It looks as though Serena will have to rescue Erika, but the seemingly serene Serena has her own problems. Granted, Adams loads her down with stellar success as a real-estate agent^B and a lapdog husband who jumps to her every whim, but she wants to drop out of the fast lane and have a baby. So will helping Erika ruin all that? And--what's this?--her perfect husband has some problems, too? It's hard to praise a novel in which the most interesting character is an abusive husband, but for those who find Kimberla Lawson Roby--or Zane--too risque, Adams' mix of chick lit and moral instruction may be just right. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review
"After leaving an advertising career to start a family, Serena McDaniels finds things don't always go the way we plan. When she has to help a good friend escape an abusive relationship, Serena finds she has to postpone her dreams once more." -- Library Journal

"I am a HUGE fan of Stacy Hawkins Adams. In Nothing but the Right Thing, Adams writes with a human touch and delightful storytelling ability, and conveys a powerful true-to-life message of life and love that every woman of every age must read. I was captivated and deeply moved from the first to last page. If Adams keeps writing novels this good, this inspiring, this soul stirring, she has a long career ahead of her and I will always be the first in line to buy her book!"--Marina Woods, founder and editor-in-chief, Goodgirlbookclubonline.com -- Good Girl Book Club Online

"Stacy Adams has written a page turning novel of truth faced by many in the pews. Socially pleasing sermons with candy coated words. Abuse raining down even in the high society classes. She's tackled these issues with a sweet story of redemption and peace. I thoroughly enjoyed her work and look forward to more." -- Road to Romance

"Stacy Hawkins Adams addresses the hard-core non-fiction of real life in her fictional novel, Nothing but the Right Thing. Her real character's struggle with real problems demonstrates the need we all have for God's guidance through the junk life so often presents. Nothing but the Right Thing inspires faith, hope and a renewed passion for God's calling." -- Novel Reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Revell (April 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800730976
• ISBN-13: 978-0800730970
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,970 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 3.5) - A good God, June 13, 2006

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

NOTHING BUT THE RIGHT THING is a moving story about faith, friendship, forgiveness, and God's love. It's the story of two completely different best friends; one tall one short, one struggling with her faith and the other questioning if there is a God.

Serena is happily married to a minister, and desperately wants to have a child, but after two ectopic pregnancies her faith has been weakened. An added burden comes when her husband's church votes to join a televised church community, and he stands alone, the only one who opposes the vote. The couple awaits the decision of the church officials.

Ericka, married to a successful attorney, has endured four years of physical abuse and has finally found the courage to leave. As she questions her decision, she learns she is pregnant and in no position to care for her baby. An estranged relationship with her mother makes it impossible for Ericka to seek help there. The one person who comes to mind is Serena. But they have not talked in four years, not since Ericka's husband forbade her to attend Serena's wedding. Will Serena still welcome her friend?

NOTHING BUT THE RIGHT THING shares how God will lead our lives if we would get out of his way. It shares the drama that happens in and out of the church, which stymies our spiritual growth. Ms. Adams uses real characters, a simple story, and several scriptures to encourage people to let go and let God. This was an uplifting read with lessons for persons on both sides of religion.

Reviewed by aNN
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing But The RIGHT Thing, May 29, 2006

By	S. Williams "book worm" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I could feel REAL unconditional love, pain that has no respect of person, Christian or not. The way Serena and Micah shown their true feelings (without cursing God) through their tests shown how much they truly loved God. It reminded me of
Job (before he began to curse his own existence). There was so much coming at Job that he was in despair.

It was refreshing to see that Serena and Micah's relationship hand't changed from home to church. I was amazed how they interacted with one another. I could feel the love through the pages. The unconditional love that he shown Serena despite their pain of infertility. He didn't judge her and that was love alone. He still loved her. He had a pure heart of godly love. God also had shown me the balanced lives that they were living together and with Him. I had a personal issue with this because I have always heard things about women digging for time to spend with God after being married. It was a bit discouraging and scary. But there is a God and He gives us balance. I love how both Serena and Micah sought God everyday. That reminded me that their relationship was a success because they kept God first. Obedience was the key word I continued to hear while reading this book. Micah was obedient, and so was Serena. Oh, the humility they must have felt to have moved from their new home to Serena's mother's home. They did the things that they did for one another because of the love they possessed inside.

The only thing that I could detect from Micah (starting his own ministry) was fear and feeling alone as if God wasn't there. I believe that's what many of us feel when God tells us to do something out of our comfort zone. Something out of the box. And the only thing that I found easy about the birthing of the ministry was Micah taking the first step of faith (obedience again) and believing that God would not leave him hanging by a thread.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, Inspirational, Powerful!, April 20, 2006

By	The Good Girl Reviewers "goodgirlbookclubonline" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Nothing but the Right Thing continues the story of Serena, Micah, Erika and Elliot, characters Stacy Hawkins Adams introduced in her debut novel, Speak to My Heart.

Serena and Micah are happily married and have just moved into their dream home. After praying to God for direction, Micah is blessed to be the pastor of a large church. However, it soon becomes evident that the God given vision he has for the church and the vision some of the church members have are very different. Tension within the church builds and it isn't long before Micah and Serena find that their marriage and their faith are severely tested.

To everyone on the outside, Erika has it all. She is married to a handsome successful lawyer. She lives in a beautiful mansion and lunches at the country club with the wives of other successful lawyers. She everything a woman could ask for. Or does she? After a particularly brutal beating from her husband on what was supposed to be their anniversary, Erika makes a brave decision. With only a few hundred dollars to her name, she boards a train and begins a journey that will introduce her to people and places she never imagined. Along the way, she will discover that there is one special friend who has been in her corner all along.

This novel moved me in so many ways and on so many levels. I read this book while waiting for my dad to come out of surgery. By the time he was done and in recovery, I had finished the book. This was exactly what I needed to get through a difficult time. It was inspirational, uplifting and powerful. I found myself crying and praying right along with the characters. Do the right thing....get this book today! You will be blessed.

Reviewed by Tonya S. Hall for GoodGirlBookClubOnline & The Good Girl Book Club Worldwide