Still Waters (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After 13 years of marriage, Greg and Laurie Wright are at the breaking point. His job is going nowhere, leaving him at the mercy of his overly critical and emotionally distant father and at a disadvantage when compared to his successful younger brother. With six boys and no job, Laurie has little self-esteem as she struggles to keep arguments with Greg from ending in threats of violence. Job woes that eventually end with Greg relocating to Chicago give Laurie a chance at a career and a surreptitious Internet romance that make her hesitate to move the family from Augusta, Georgia. She likes her newfound independence and clings to denial that she is partly responsible for the crumbling marriage. She provokes Greg to near violence, involving her oldest son as he seeks to protect her and nursing her feelings of being a victim. Slowly, Greg and Laurie learn to rely on faith and own up to their individual responsibilities for their marriage, finally finding a way to rebuild their relationship. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

Poignant and memorable, bestselling author Patricia Haley's latest novel is an unforgettable story about a once-loving husband who has lost his way . . . and his spiritual wife who prays she can keep her marriage intact. Greg and Laurie Wright are perched at the edge of an all-out crisis -- and their only salvation is the strength of their faith.

Still Waters

When Laurie married Greg, she was certain they would live happily ever after. Greg was charming, loving, and everything Laurie thought she'd ever need. Now twelve years have passed -- and Laurie and Greg have six sons to show for it. Supporting such a large family is tough on Greg's graphic designer salary, but the Wrights made do -- until the stress of living so close to the brink takes its toll. Laurie doesn't know how much longer she can cope with Greg's moods -- or even if she wants to try.

Overworked and underpaid, Greg is itching to reach beyond his dead-end job and give Laurie and the boys everything they deserve. But he knows he can't thrive at work when he and Laurie barely talk anymore. When Laurie gets a job to help make ends meet, Greg feels like he's losing her forever. All Greg wants is for Laurie to love him the way she once did. But when things go from bad to worse, Laurie and Greg's marriage will be tested as it's never been tested before. The crossroads they face will be one with many choices. But will it lead each of them down different roads forever? --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (November 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583146237
• ISBN-13: 978-1583146231
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,670,520 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prayer Changes Things, November 2, 2005

By	J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

The saying goes "be careful what you ask for; you just might get it". Laurie Wright spent two years in church praying for God to change her husband, Greg. Greg has an explosive temper, which has gotten him in trouble at his job and at home. For Laurie, though she loves her husband he is making her miserable. In Patricia Haley's novel Still Waters, the Wrights find that God does answer prayers, but in his own time.

Laurie is the mother of six sons. While she realizes children are a gift from God, the last thing she wants is another baby. However, Greg feels his family would be complete if they had a daughter. Unable to tell Greg she does not want another child and afraid of getting pregnant, Laurie refuses Greg sexual advances, leaving him feeling rejected and frustrated. With Laurie's rejection and the loss of his job, Greg becomes more and more angry. For Laurie, it seems her prayers are falling on deaf ears.

Unemployed Greg is offered a dream job in Chicago. It seems that this opportunity would be perfect for the family. They could start anew, away from the negative vibes from the couple's family members. It would also give them a break financially. Around the same time, things start looking up for Greg; Laurie begins to make some positive changes in her life. She has a part-time job, is losing weight and has become computer savvy, spending her time in chat rooms. Greg comes home on weekends, spending his time with the boys in church and starts to become the man Laurie had been praying for. Feeling that God took too long to answer her prayers to change her husband, Laurie shuns church spending her Sundays in chat rooms. Things go from bad to worse when Laurie meets a man on line. Her secret relationship and an unexpected visitor could mean the demise of the marriage.

As Laurie and Greg find out, God does answers prayers in his own time. But, you have to make sure you are praying for the right thing and wait on God to answer. Laurie got everything she prayed for and more but when the answers did not come fast enough, she decided to take matters in her own hands. While I liked the message Haley was sending through the book, the characters had me pulling my hair. Many times I just wanted to yell, "tell the truth" or "tell him/her what you are thinking/feeling". Haley demonstrates how a lack of communication can ruin a relationship and a lack of faith can hinder your blessing. Though there were a few gaps in the story and a neat quick ending, I found this to be a good book.

Jeanette Wallington
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Book Club

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Plot Thickens from Page One!, January 5, 2006

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

Domestic violence, attempted suicide, a marriage on the rocks and dangerous family secrets...and that's just the first few chapters of Patricia Haley's new novel, STILL WATERS!

Greg and Laurie Wright have been married for 13 years. With six sons and a husband with a volatile temper and a questionable employment history, stay at home mom Laurie prays that God will change Greg. Despite Greg's faults and despite the way he was raised by his father, the less than Honorable Judge Wright, Greg strives to be a good father and husband. However, the stress of being the sole bread winner and provider for his family has taken an emotional toll on Greg. Depression and thoughts of suicide seem to be the only way out for Greg. However, no matter what it looks like, Greg loves his family and is determined to be the kind of father he never had.

When a dream job in Chicago becomes available, both Laurie and Greg feel like it is the answer to all their prayers. With Greg working out of town, Laurie begins to come into her own. Laurie's new found independence and recent weight loss cause her to look for affection and attention elsewhere. Greg's new job and improved financial status lead him to believe that whatever problems may have existed in his marriage will be resolved once his family relocates to Chicago with him. However, Greg quickly learns that money is not the only threat facing his marriage. While Greg prays that his marriage will endure this new set of hurdles, Laurie drifts further away from him and from God.

Still Waters is a deeply moving novel. The characters and the storyline remind us that forgiveness and unconditional love are crucial to any relationship.

Review submitted by Tonya S. Hall for the Good Girl Book Club and GoodGirlBookClubOnline

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Why Me Lord?, December 31, 2005

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

Set in Augusta, Georgia, Laurie Wright is a stay-at-home mother of six boys whose center is her sons and husband. This is the agreement, which eventually becomes her Achilles heel. Greg Wright is a graphic designer at a job he believes does not appreciate his talents or his work ethics. With a mortgage and six boys to feed, Greg is waiting on a promotion that is rightfully his, or so he believes. When this does not happen, all bets are off.

Patricia Haley's STILL WATERS evokes the emotional and mental behavior of an unappreciated wife and mother and a moody and emotionally abusive husband and father. The author allows us to delve into the extended family of Greg to get an up close and personal look into his demons, specifically his emotionally detached father who pits Greg against his younger brother. With a meddling mother added to mix, Greg and Laurie play dutiful son and daughter-in-law to no avail. While Spencer, Jr., does not feed into his father playing one brother against the other, mentally Greg does. This is his downfall, feeding into the competition that his father has created. In an attempt to not be like his father within his marriage, Greg fails and falls off the deep end. On the home front, Laurie is depressed, overweight, feeling unloved and stresses about not becoming pregnant with child number seven. She takes on a job to help make ends meet. When Greg begins working in Chicago and commuting back and forth on weekends, Laurie receives a metamorphous of sorts. She drops the pounds, becomes concern with her appearance and learns to use the computer. Although the money Greg is making is more than enough to sustain their household and allow for some luxuries, Laurie continues to work because this is the only stimulating adult contact she has. Though their financial situation changes, the trials and tribulations continue as their marriage is tested with unexpected visitors.

The power of God plays an important role in STILL WATERS because both primary characters call on Him when convenient but have a difficult time accepting his word. When the oldest son reveals his prayers, we witness a full-circle, coming of age that is heaven sent. Haley's writing and visualizations skills are to be reckoned with. With a pen or the stroke of a key, this story is full bodied because it elicits strong feelings and understanding of the characters. This is very good story that pushes the reader to become involved as if you know these people personally. Great prose, excellent execution!

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers