Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
As We Lay, March 3, 2008
If I had to give a one-line summation of Xavier Knight's The Things We Do For Love it would be "What we do in the dark will definitely come to light." With his re-entry to the literary game, C. Kelly Robinson, under pen Xavier Knight, delights readers with this uncloaked story of two couples, Jesse and Dionne Law and Coleman and Suzette Hill. Knight introduces readers to the playboy, Jesse, who eventually turns his life over to God after having lived a whirlwind, fast lane life in the secular music industry; innocent church girl, Dionne; perfect husband, Coleman and wife, Suzette. The seemingly happily married couples, at surface, have dark secrets that lie beneath. Through primary supporting characters, Vanessa, Adrian and Earl, readers are taken on a reading rollercoaster as they discover "the things people do for love."
As a member of a successful gospel singing group, a secret from Coleman's past threatens to destroy his livelihood, as well as the lives of fellow group members, one of which includes Jesse Law. After admitting his sin as well his convictions publicly, Coleman and Suzette's marriage is strained and tested in the worst way any woman can imagine. As for Jesse and Dionne, Dionne allows her emotional imbalance to drive her husband away. The separation proves to be a blessing and a curse. As the storyline develops, issues of homosexuality, infertility, infidelity and blackmail are introduced.
This book is a very good read and delves deep into the emotions of the characters and the attitudes of Christians and other support groups pertaining to the aforementioned issues. It was a very interesting, yet realistic novel. I recommend this novel and would consider other titles from this author.
Book Description
Ten years ago, Jesse Law was a twenty-year-old with the world at his feet. After surviving a painful, often lonely childhood as the youngest child in a music dynasty, he forged a high-profile career, blazing a path on the charts later followed by the likes of Usher and Justin Timberlake. Those heady times are far in the past now, and Jesse's life is far richer thanks to his emerging values, the love of his wife, Dionne, and a lower-key but fulfilling career as lead singer of the gospel group. As far as he has come, though, Jesse's days are burdened by a shameful reality.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
(RAW Rating: 3.5) What's Love Got to Do With It?, July 22, 2008
THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE takes readers on a ride into the lives of two couples whose Christian beliefs are tested as the secrets in their relationships are revealed. The secrets will cause heartache and it is going to take faith for them to overcome the trials they must face. And the result of these secrets has far-reaching implications.
Jesse Law is a former R&B singer who has found his way back to gospel music and is married to Dionne, who is a minister and was influential in guiding him back to the covenant of God. However, their marriage has had its ups and downs, one being infertility, but God has now blessed them with a child to adopt. It is this child who will test the Law's marriage.
Coleman Hill is one part of the gospel group he helped build with Jesse. His life has been inspirational and his marriage and three lovely children is enviable. However, his past harbors a secret, that even his wife, Suzette, may not be able to move past. Being the devoted husband and father may not be enough when Coleman's secret is revealed.
With the scriptures as part of the justifications and implemented throughout this story, readers will be forced to examine their own beliefs in regards to homosexuality, adultery, judgment of others and religion. The characters were realistic, even if I found them to be judgmental at times. The arguments presented will engage readers and will continue to grab their attention until the final chapter. Learning to separate the sin from the person seemed to be an overall theme, but knowing it may take time to move past the issues was real. Although the story began slowly, the questions asked increased the pacing. Xavier Knight has penned a novel that will be perfect for any book club discussion. Those familiar with his writing as C. Kelly Robinson, will be in for a surprise at the new direction for this author in THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE.
Reviewed by Cashana Seals
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
well written character driven drama , May 20, 2008
Jesse Law grew up lonely as the youngest sibling in the first family of music. He became the most famous member of the Law brood with many hits by the time he turned twenty-year-old.
A decade later, his rise to the top is in his past. Yet he feels the happiest he ever has been due to his beloved wife Minister Dionne Favor and performing as lead singer of a gospel group. The both want a child, but she has not been able to conceive so they decide to adopt, but by doing so a skeleton hidden in his closet threatens their relationship as do secrets the media reveals about his friend and teammate Coleman Hill, the perfect husband and father. The media threatens to destroy everyone he cherishes.
This is a profound Christian drama in which devoted pious people face personal and family crisis. The key characters are fully developed so that fans will wonder whether Dionne can live up to the first half of the mantra to forgive is human; because she is human , to forget is divine seems out of reach once she knows Jesse's secret, but also realizes the child should not be the victim. A secondary subplot involving homosexuality and Christianity needs to be required reading for those who demonize sexual preference. Throughout the well written character driven story line is the underlying message that people make mistakes, but God is forgiving so why can't we forgive ourselves, our loved ones, and even strangers.
Harriet Klausner
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