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Sacred Vows #2
Their Separate Ways
Forgiveness is a beautiful thing when you experience it in marriage... But what if you don't?
Tony Perotta and Hope Williams are each recovering from their affair and trying to work things out in their marriages. But what happened when they went their separate ways? Did they heal enough to enjoy their marriages as before, or were they worse off after their sin was exposed?
Their Separate Ways takes a close-up look at their hearts and their family situations as they reflect on the painful memories resulting from that devastating choice and they attempt to return their lives to normal. Experience with them the vast difference between couples who know true forgiveness and hope, and those who don't.
Tony Perotta and Hope Williams are each recovering from their affair and trying to work things out in their marriages. But what happened when they went their separate ways? Did they heal enough to enjoy their marriages as before, or were they worse off after their sin was exposed?
Their Separate Ways takes a close-up look at their hearts and their family situations as they reflect on the painful memories resulting from that devastating choice and they attempt to return their lives to normal. Experience with them the vast difference between couples who know true forgiveness and hope, and those who don't.
- GenresRomanceChristian Fiction
246 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 2011
About the author
Michelle Sutton
41 books420 followersMichelle has written over two dozen edgy, inspirational novels. She is a book reviewer and a retired supervisor for the State of Arizona. She currently lives in North Carolina. but will soon be moving to Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 24, 2011
The sequel to Never Without Hope is without a doubt, very good. This book follows the lives of Hope and Tony after they split up. Each chapter goes from Hope, then Tony, which I found cool. It was addicting and didn't take me too long to finish, but I couldn't give this a perfect five stars. Hope and James are doing well, even though Hope can't help thinking about Tony from time to time, and at one point in the book when Hope receives a call from Tony, which is seemingly kind of innocent from his part, she tells her husband James and he storms out of the house and comes back having been drinking. They make up, and James is still practically a saint from when he changed in the last book. So they are still solid, but have a few moments.
What I didn't expect in the book was Hope's best friend Angie's husband to cheat on her, and then, to have Angie's husband's new girlfriend cheat on him and Angie reluctantly take him back after they divorced.
There was even a part in the book I think when James overhears someone else cheating in their marriage and I thought that was a bit overkill. It seemed to say 'everyone is cheating' and that simply isn't true. With Tony's story, he occasionally thought about Hope too as a friend and as a lover. He promised his wife Brenda he would stay faithful and make the marriage work because he didn't want to lose his son. Brenda had a crazy streak in her, but after awhile she changed and was affectionate toward him and he accepted it, wondering how long it would last.
Well, Brenda being pregnant again, changed on him again like she did with her first baby. When her child is stillborn, she tunes out again, and what I loved is that Tony finally took a stand and forced her to get help in the hospital, and when she was violent with him again, he finally became a man and realized he needed to let her go. The bad part is, yes, he cheats again with his 'sexy'(how could she not be?) next door neighbor. And, she is perfect mind you. He admits he loves her, and she loves him and all is well until the last three pages. Miss perfect who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with is far from perfect and, Tony now divorced from Brenda is afraid to be alone. So, guess what? He goes back to her.
So, my only negatives in this book was saying everyone cheats, and Tony taking a huge step forward, only to take one back. That left a bitter taste in my mouth.
If only Tony would have found someone at the church, even if the door was locked, say someone walked up to him, then he talked to them and accepted God into his life, it would have been a resolved and more positive ending.
What I didn't expect in the book was Hope's best friend Angie's husband to cheat on her, and then, to have Angie's husband's new girlfriend cheat on him and Angie reluctantly take him back after they divorced.
There was even a part in the book I think when James overhears someone else cheating in their marriage and I thought that was a bit overkill. It seemed to say 'everyone is cheating' and that simply isn't true. With Tony's story, he occasionally thought about Hope too as a friend and as a lover. He promised his wife Brenda he would stay faithful and make the marriage work because he didn't want to lose his son. Brenda had a crazy streak in her, but after awhile she changed and was affectionate toward him and he accepted it, wondering how long it would last.
Well, Brenda being pregnant again, changed on him again like she did with her first baby. When her child is stillborn, she tunes out again, and what I loved is that Tony finally took a stand and forced her to get help in the hospital, and when she was violent with him again, he finally became a man and realized he needed to let her go. The bad part is, yes, he cheats again with his 'sexy'(how could she not be?) next door neighbor. And, she is perfect mind you. He admits he loves her, and she loves him and all is well until the last three pages. Miss perfect who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with is far from perfect and, Tony now divorced from Brenda is afraid to be alone. So, guess what? He goes back to her.
So, my only negatives in this book was saying everyone cheats, and Tony taking a huge step forward, only to take one back. That left a bitter taste in my mouth.
If only Tony would have found someone at the church, even if the door was locked, say someone walked up to him, then he talked to them and accepted God into his life, it would have been a resolved and more positive ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2011
Their Separate Ways by Michelle Sutton follows the lives of Hope and Tony in the aftermath of their illicit love affair, chronicled in the book Never Without Hope. In the first book, we get an intimate glimpse into the life of Hope, who despite the fact that she is a Christian, finds herself attracted to another man. She soon falls headlong into a steamy love affair with Tony, an attractive Italian immigrant. Both Tony and Hope are married, however, and in the second book, Their Separate Ways, we alternate between Tony’s point of view and Hope’s as they each struggle to put their marriages – and their lives, back together.
Most of the conflict centers around the two couples’ sexual lives. Make no mistake – this is one steamy book, especially given the Christian message it espouses. Sutton includes an introduction where she explains her motivation for writing the book and warns readers of the explicit nature of some of the sexual scenes. Given that warning, readers should be able to skim the parts that they find too graphic and get to the real crux of the story – the marked difference between the way the two couples try to handle the stress of the affair and ultimately find healing.
I especially appreciated the way Sutton treated the relationship of Hope and her husband James. Although they had God on their side, it was not an easy road and there were no pat answers. It took time for healing to take place, fraught with many trials, doubts and stumbles along the way. I found this to be very true to life. As long as readers aren’t put off by the sexual content, this book is an excellent source of hope and encouragement for people struggling with sexual sin, or any other form of trial, for that matter.
Most of the conflict centers around the two couples’ sexual lives. Make no mistake – this is one steamy book, especially given the Christian message it espouses. Sutton includes an introduction where she explains her motivation for writing the book and warns readers of the explicit nature of some of the sexual scenes. Given that warning, readers should be able to skim the parts that they find too graphic and get to the real crux of the story – the marked difference between the way the two couples try to handle the stress of the affair and ultimately find healing.
I especially appreciated the way Sutton treated the relationship of Hope and her husband James. Although they had God on their side, it was not an easy road and there were no pat answers. It took time for healing to take place, fraught with many trials, doubts and stumbles along the way. I found this to be very true to life. As long as readers aren’t put off by the sexual content, this book is an excellent source of hope and encouragement for people struggling with sexual sin, or any other form of trial, for that matter.
April 29, 2011
With two couples who are hurting from the devastation of an extramarital affair which couple is going to survive, and which wont.
Brenda, Tony's wife is determined to remind him of his SIN at every turn, not even giving him a chance to WANT to make things right with her. When she finds out she is pregnant, something she is excited about and she becomes more amorous in the bedroom, that doesn't do anything but help their "physical" relationship; and not really, because it's just sex. Their emotional, and spiritual, relationship is a mess.
On the other side of the pond, James, and Hope are working on their relationship. They are given tickets from their good friends for a cruise and while they are on it they play like two young kids in love! James and Hope are definitely wanting to have their marriage work. That doesn't mean that Hope doesn't have flashbacks of her affair, she does, and when she does, she immediately tells James and they pray about it. Hope and James are a beautiful example of forgiveness, grace, and love in action.
When their friends, Angela and Kevin subcomb to the same devastation that they did, Hope and James are right there to help them, and their family put the pieces back together again!
And be on the look out for a SURPRISE ending that you will never see coming!!!!!
I highly recommend this book!!!!
Brenda, Tony's wife is determined to remind him of his SIN at every turn, not even giving him a chance to WANT to make things right with her. When she finds out she is pregnant, something she is excited about and she becomes more amorous in the bedroom, that doesn't do anything but help their "physical" relationship; and not really, because it's just sex. Their emotional, and spiritual, relationship is a mess.
On the other side of the pond, James, and Hope are working on their relationship. They are given tickets from their good friends for a cruise and while they are on it they play like two young kids in love! James and Hope are definitely wanting to have their marriage work. That doesn't mean that Hope doesn't have flashbacks of her affair, she does, and when she does, she immediately tells James and they pray about it. Hope and James are a beautiful example of forgiveness, grace, and love in action.
When their friends, Angela and Kevin subcomb to the same devastation that they did, Hope and James are right there to help them, and their family put the pieces back together again!
And be on the look out for a SURPRISE ending that you will never see coming!!!!!
I highly recommend this book!!!!
April 10, 2011
WOW! Michelle never disappoints. This book is by far hotter than, Never Without Hope, the first book in the series. Wow. I loved seeing the contrast between Hope’s life with her family after the affair and Tony’s with his wife. Seeing how Hope and her husband slowly rebuilt their relationship again, with God at the center of their lives. While Tony and his wife’s relationship was in a shambles. Crumbling all around him. Michelle did an excellent job showing the differences in a marriage with God at the center, and a marriage without him, after an affair. How one is able to survive the betrayal while the other is ravaged by it. Tony is still a pig in this book too, but there are moments when I do feel for him. Being emotionally and physically abused by his wife definitely left me feeling for him. The man did not have it easy. In the end I was glad he stood up to his wife and said no more, even though he hadn’t changed his ways at all. Lastly, the ending of the book was quite perfect. A great way to end the series. Awesome job, Michelle!! Loved it!
November 8, 2011
This is the second book in the Sacred Vows Series and Michelle does not dissapoint. The series continues to follow Hope/James and Brenda/Tony a year after the affair between Hope and Tony. Both couples go in diametrically different paths. Hope and James dig deeper into their Christian faith to help stregthen their bonds of marriage, with Christ being the center. Tony and Brenda take the humanistic road and are in constant conflict. Not only do Tony and Brenda not have Christ as the center of their marriage Brenda is also emotionally challenged, needing medication. As the perspective couples continue on their paths different outcomes occure.
Michelle is Biblically "spot on." I liked the chapter concept of alternating between Hope and Tony. It was easy to follow and difficult to put done. This second read could be read as a quide to help others whose marriages been challenged through infidelity. Michelle, thank you for your insight and placing into words that others dared not.
Michelle is Biblically "spot on." I liked the chapter concept of alternating between Hope and Tony. It was easy to follow and difficult to put done. This second read could be read as a quide to help others whose marriages been challenged through infidelity. Michelle, thank you for your insight and placing into words that others dared not.
July 1, 2011
I graciously received a signed copy of this book for free through first reads giveaway.
Let me start out by saying I never read the first book in this series.
I found the book an easy read, but not as enjoyable as I was hoping.
The first thing that drive me crazy was that the one couple was only able to make things work because they had god. What about just believing in marriage? I knew a pastor who was very religious and got a divorce without even trying to seek counseling. And the character even admits to leaving him if he had erection problems again... What happened to for better or for worse?
Another thing that drove me crazy was that every single person in this book cheats... It's not that common people!
like I said, it's easy to get through and never gets boring, but is way over the top in my opinion
Let me start out by saying I never read the first book in this series.
I found the book an easy read, but not as enjoyable as I was hoping.
The first thing that drive me crazy was that the one couple was only able to make things work because they had god. What about just believing in marriage? I knew a pastor who was very religious and got a divorce without even trying to seek counseling. And the character even admits to leaving him if he had erection problems again... What happened to for better or for worse?
Another thing that drove me crazy was that every single person in this book cheats... It's not that common people!
like I said, it's easy to get through and never gets boring, but is way over the top in my opinion
August 11, 2011
I started reading Their Separate Ways when I received it yesterday and I could not put it down. Their Separate Ways is a continuation of Michelle Sutton's book Never Without Hope. This book examines the feelings of people who have gone through an extramarital affair and the choices they make following them, as well as their own relationships with their families. The intimate details shared with the reader endear you to the agony that each character experiences. I found myself cheering for a particular character in the story and was not disappointed with the outcome. I would encourage anyone to read this new book by Michelle Sutton.
June 7, 2012
THEIR SEPARATE WAYS contains way more sex than I like to read about, honestly. It isn't offensive to me, it was just too much. The message of God's redemption comes through clearly despite that.
I liked book #1 Never Without Hope much better. Though it did contain a lot of sex, the storyline was more real. I'd imagine that the tension involved in having an illicit affair would be enough to make a couple sex-crazed and irrational in their need and lust for each other.
Decision to love is next on my book shelf.
I liked book #1 Never Without Hope much better. Though it did contain a lot of sex, the storyline was more real. I'd imagine that the tension involved in having an illicit affair would be enough to make a couple sex-crazed and irrational in their need and lust for each other.
Decision to love is next on my book shelf.
June 8, 2012
This book is a continuance of the first in the series and will take you through some incredible highs and lows. Love is not always easy or fun, but when it's worth fighting for, it's an adventure. Hope, Tony and James each have their own journey to deal with after affairs, fights and events that could potentially tear people apart forever. What I love about this is that God's love can heal ANYTHING, no matter how dark it looks. Michelle's book will lead you through some real-life heartbreak and then show you how redeeming God's love can be in the end--I highly recommend it!
April 21, 2012
Loved this story. Michelle did a wonderful job of depicting the ongoing struggle to rebuild a marriage after something as traumatic and difficult as an affair. The struggle to trust. The struggle against suspicion and fear Satan wants both parties to feel to undermine the relationship. The struggle with insecurity. She also illustrated so well how God can use even our biggest foul ups to build something great and to help others when we repent and turn those sins over to Him. Outstanding!
April 10, 2011
I know you aren't supposed to play favorites with books, but I had so much fun writing this one. The twists and turns. All of it!
August 6, 2017
I liked the book and yes the book is about adultery but I thought the sex scenes were too much for it to be labeled Christian. I had read book 1 In the series and yes I am going to read book 3 and plan on reading book 4 because I have to see how the series ends and if Tony comes to Christ. And because I feel sympathy for Brenda. I think this story could have been written and told without all the sex scenes and I feel the language was a little strong but I realize that most of the characters aren't Christian and was happy to read that the characters that were Christians the author just wrote they swore and cussed but didn't use the words. And all the couples had at least one spouse cheating, I know cheating and adultery happens alot but Not EVERY COUPLE HAS THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR MARRIAGE! The book does stress Biblical principals to some degreed. The author doesincludes an introduction where she explains her motivation for writing the book and warns readers of the explicit nature of some of the sexual scenes.
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April 18, 2011
In a sequel to last year's Never Without Hope, Sutton explores the aftermath of an affair, alternating between the viewpoints of the two parties. Strong Christian themes, coupled with a realistic view of marriage and communication provide thought-provoking drama.
SUMMARY: After the implosion of her affair with Tony, Hope has been diligently working with her husband James to rebuild trust and intimacy in their relationship. Tony, on the other hand, must carefully navigate the waters of his life. His mentally unstable wife is pregnant again, and cannot come to terms with what Tony has done. She threatens Tony with violence and the removal of his children if it happens again. What will be the ultimate consequences both Hope and Tony will have to pay for their infidelity?
SUMMARY: After the implosion of her affair with Tony, Hope has been diligently working with her husband James to rebuild trust and intimacy in their relationship. Tony, on the other hand, must carefully navigate the waters of his life. His mentally unstable wife is pregnant again, and cannot come to terms with what Tony has done. She threatens Tony with violence and the removal of his children if it happens again. What will be the ultimate consequences both Hope and Tony will have to pay for their infidelity?
January 25, 2012
I LOVE this book. It's the second in the series and it immediately draws you in. Within the first few pages, you find yourself befriending the characters and cheering for them to make it. Although it's considered Women's Fiction, it reads like a romance with a message. It has great relationship lessons and I love the story of healing and forgiveness. I highly recommend this book for pleasure reading and for bible study.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews