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Reverend Curtis Black #10
A House Divided
THE 10TH REVEREND CURTIS BLACK NOVEL!
Life is close to perfect for Charlotte and Curtis Black--except that their son Matthew's girlfriend, Racquel, is eight months pregnant and Racquel's mother, Mona, and Charlotte can't stand each other.
On the day of Racquel's baby shower, Charlotte and Mona have a major blow up and the stress sends Racquel into early labor. Curtis is displeased with Charlotte's behavior, something that slowly but surely drives a new wedge between them. At the same time, Curtis is consumed with church business, and trying to uncover who is behind a series of mysterious letters that threaten to expose Curtis's biggest secret. Increasingly furious with his mother, Matthew gives Charlotte an ultimatum--treat Racquel and her mom with respect or she'll be cut off from seeing the baby altogether. This sends Charlotte down a road of revenge. Once again, the Black household is torn apart, and it will take a miracle for anyone to recover.
Life is close to perfect for Charlotte and Curtis Black--except that their son Matthew's girlfriend, Racquel, is eight months pregnant and Racquel's mother, Mona, and Charlotte can't stand each other.
On the day of Racquel's baby shower, Charlotte and Mona have a major blow up and the stress sends Racquel into early labor. Curtis is displeased with Charlotte's behavior, something that slowly but surely drives a new wedge between them. At the same time, Curtis is consumed with church business, and trying to uncover who is behind a series of mysterious letters that threaten to expose Curtis's biggest secret. Increasingly furious with his mother, Matthew gives Charlotte an ultimatum--treat Racquel and her mom with respect or she'll be cut off from seeing the baby altogether. This sends Charlotte down a road of revenge. Once again, the Black household is torn apart, and it will take a miracle for anyone to recover.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2013
131 people are currently reading
2028 people want to read
About the author
Kimberla Lawson Roby
43 books2,789 followersNew York Times Bestselling Author, Speaker, Encourager of Women & Podcast Host, Kimberla Lawson Roby, has published 30 books which include her faith-based, nonfiction titles, THE WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally and THE WOMAN GOD CREATED YOU TO BE: Companion Workbook & Discussion Guide, as well as some of her novels, such as CASTING THE FIRST STONE, SIN OF A WOMAN, A SINFUL CALLING, SISTER FRIENDS FOREVER, A CHRISTMAS PRAYER, THE PRODIGAL SON, THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, THE REVEREND’S WIFE, IT'S AS THIN LINE, and her debut title, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, which was originally self-published through her own company, Lenox Press. She has sold more than 3 million copies of her books, and they have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, Publishers Weekly, Essence, Upscale, Black Christian News, AALBC.com, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, The Dallas Morning News, The Austin Chronicle and many others. Kimberla is also the host of The Woman God Created You to Be Podcast.
Over the years, Kimberla has spoken to thousands of women at conferences, churches, expos, workshops, luncheons, libraries, colleges, universities and bookstores. She shares her own personal journey straight from her heart and has a strong passion toward helping women become all that God created them to be.
Kimberla is the 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2017 SOAR Radio Trailblazer of Honor award, the 2017 Southwest Florida Reading Festival Distinguished Author award, the 2017 AAMBC Christian Fiction Author of the Year award and the 2014 AAMBC Female Author of the Year award, the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 African-American Literary Awards Show (New York, NY) Female Author of the Year award, the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and in 2001, Kimberla was inducted into the Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame (Rockford, IL). Additionally, in August 2020, she was named by USA Today as one of the 100 black novelists you should read, and in February 2021, her nonfiction book, The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional, giving her 4 NAACP Image Award nominations in total.
Kimberla’s books deal with very real issues, including women empowerment, sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, problems within the church (and the consequences), Christian/family/moral values, drug and gambling addiction, marriage, infidelity, single motherhood, breast cancer, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, and the care-giving of a parent to name a few. In addition, Kimberla’s books offer a message of redemption, forgiveness, and the realities of everyday life. Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.
To share your thoughts with Kimberla regarding her work, please e-mail her at: kim@kimroby.com
Over the years, Kimberla has spoken to thousands of women at conferences, churches, expos, workshops, luncheons, libraries, colleges, universities and bookstores. She shares her own personal journey straight from her heart and has a strong passion toward helping women become all that God created them to be.
Kimberla is the 2013 NAACP Image Award Winner for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction, the recipient of the 2017 SOAR Radio Trailblazer of Honor award, the 2017 Southwest Florida Reading Festival Distinguished Author award, the 2017 AAMBC Christian Fiction Author of the Year award and the 2014 AAMBC Female Author of the Year award, the 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 African-American Literary Awards Show (New York, NY) Female Author of the Year award, the Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award in 2001 for CASTING THE FIRST STONE, and in 2001, Kimberla was inducted into the Rock Valley College Alumni Hall of Fame (Rockford, IL). Additionally, in August 2020, she was named by USA Today as one of the 100 black novelists you should read, and in February 2021, her nonfiction book, The Woman God Created You to Be: Finding Success Through Faith—Spiritually, Personally, and Professionally, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional, giving her 4 NAACP Image Award nominations in total.
Kimberla’s books deal with very real issues, including women empowerment, sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, problems within the church (and the consequences), Christian/family/moral values, drug and gambling addiction, marriage, infidelity, single motherhood, breast cancer, infertility, sibling rivalry, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, mental illness, and the care-giving of a parent to name a few. In addition, Kimberla’s books offer a message of redemption, forgiveness, and the realities of everyday life. Kimberla resides in Illinois with her husband, Will.
To share your thoughts with Kimberla regarding her work, please e-mail her at: kim@kimroby.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
June 8, 2018
I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla and followed along with my paperback. This book had me wanting characters to die. I've never felt such strong emotion. Charlotte is the worst, but so is Rev. Black. The only difference is the Reverend did his dirt in the past and Charlotte is bat sh-t crazy in general. I feel bad for Matthew and if I were him I would take my family and keep them far far away. I hate that I've read these books out of chronological order. I know things I shouldn't and don't know things I should.
August 28, 2013
Great job Kimberla!! If you love the Curtis Black series, then you will love this book. I highly recommend it. We may ask God to forgive us for our sins, and He will. But we have to remember, the consequences of those sins will still have to be faced and dealt with. We can do it with God on our side every step of the way.
May 7, 2013
A House Divided is the 10th installment in the Rev. Curtis Black series by Kimberla Lawson Roby and if you have been keeping up with this series you know that there is excitement and twists around every corner.
Life seems to be repairing itself for the Black family since we were last here. Curtis and Charlotte are doing well in their marriage after surviving yet another fiasco. They are embarking on a new adventure in their lives - preparing for the birth of their first grandchild, and they couldn't be more excited. Matthew, Curtis and Charlotte's son and his girlfriend Raquel are about to give birth to their baby boy and couldn't be more happy and scared at the same time. Matthew is continuing his education and away at Harvard while Raquel is home in Mitchell, IL, so the stress of being so far apart during this time is stressful enough without adding the stress that has already begun between Charlotte and Raquel's mother Vanessa. In typical Charlotte form she wants things her way, but she has run up on a mother that will not allow her to walk all over her or her daughter and we definitely see the explosion that is building within that situation. Curtis and his ministry at Deliverance Outreach are growing and doing great but when Curtis receives a anonymous letter from his past this worries Curtis. Curtis is well aware of his past and what additional problems it may cause him and his family but if he could just figure out what this mystery person wants, maybe his skeletons won't fall out of the closet, this time. With the luck that the Black family has had with visitors from the past, Curtis just knows this could cause major problems for him.
A House Divided is a very eventful read. There are twists in there that make you speak out loud because you can't believe that this just happened, but you definitely don't want to stop reading until you get to the end ~ just remember to breathe because I found myself holding my breath when I got to certain parts! Roby doesn't disappoint with this installment, she keeps us on the edge of our seats with her strong story line and feisty characters that mesh so well together it is more like watching tv than reading a book. I enjoy Roby's work she is the continued professional and friend that is writing for US! Keep up the great work, I look forward to more of your drama!
Life seems to be repairing itself for the Black family since we were last here. Curtis and Charlotte are doing well in their marriage after surviving yet another fiasco. They are embarking on a new adventure in their lives - preparing for the birth of their first grandchild, and they couldn't be more excited. Matthew, Curtis and Charlotte's son and his girlfriend Raquel are about to give birth to their baby boy and couldn't be more happy and scared at the same time. Matthew is continuing his education and away at Harvard while Raquel is home in Mitchell, IL, so the stress of being so far apart during this time is stressful enough without adding the stress that has already begun between Charlotte and Raquel's mother Vanessa. In typical Charlotte form she wants things her way, but she has run up on a mother that will not allow her to walk all over her or her daughter and we definitely see the explosion that is building within that situation. Curtis and his ministry at Deliverance Outreach are growing and doing great but when Curtis receives a anonymous letter from his past this worries Curtis. Curtis is well aware of his past and what additional problems it may cause him and his family but if he could just figure out what this mystery person wants, maybe his skeletons won't fall out of the closet, this time. With the luck that the Black family has had with visitors from the past, Curtis just knows this could cause major problems for him.
A House Divided is a very eventful read. There are twists in there that make you speak out loud because you can't believe that this just happened, but you definitely don't want to stop reading until you get to the end ~ just remember to breathe because I found myself holding my breath when I got to certain parts! Roby doesn't disappoint with this installment, she keeps us on the edge of our seats with her strong story line and feisty characters that mesh so well together it is more like watching tv than reading a book. I enjoy Roby's work she is the continued professional and friend that is writing for US! Keep up the great work, I look forward to more of your drama!
December 6, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
It was formulaic but still a slightly new formula.
It was formulaic but still a slightly new formula.
September 7, 2013
Who names their child Curtina? Talk about a dysfunctional family, Charlotte was a hot mess. The main characters Charlotte & Curtis Black are both very selfish individuals who did not think of the consequences of their actions or how it would impact their family. Charlotte was extremely manipulative and she treated other people as if they were beneath her. The writer is creative in the way she wove the story lines together although at times it was extremely predictable. I was not a fan of this book at all. Maybe I did not like it because it was the 10th book in the series and I read it as a stand alone book.
August 20, 2013
*Never read any previous works by Kimberla Lawson Roby*
Ugh. Drama! Drama! Drama! I just didn’t give a damn about any of these people so it was hard for me to even care about their shenanigans. I couldn’t even care about MJ because he is growing up in a train wreck of a family. These are the most disgraceful batch of Christians involved in the church that I have read. The story wasn’t even that interesting it was all because of bitter and mentally unstable women. If you are going to write a soap opera story at least come with some unique elements. BTW I hate soap operas. 2 stars, only because it wasn’t so horrible.
Ugh. Drama! Drama! Drama! I just didn’t give a damn about any of these people so it was hard for me to even care about their shenanigans. I couldn’t even care about MJ because he is growing up in a train wreck of a family. These are the most disgraceful batch of Christians involved in the church that I have read. The story wasn’t even that interesting it was all because of bitter and mentally unstable women. If you are going to write a soap opera story at least come with some unique elements. BTW I hate soap operas. 2 stars, only because it wasn’t so horrible.
August 31, 2013
This was a good subject to explore. I picked it up because the author had been on the cover of Writers Digest. I was disappointed. The characters were predictable and flat.
June 24, 2018
A much-needed breath of fresh air in the 15-book saga of Curtis Black, better known as Greenleaf: The Novels!
With Curtis and Charlotte's raging (sexual) hormones finally taking a break, we're getting all sorts of new shenanigans and church drama, the kinds that almost make you grateful for their son's premarital activities. There are kidnappings, Child Protective Services calls, and good old fashioned in-law feuds, all of which re-energized a series I thought had no more legs left (I was WEARY of the same old affairs, y'all.)
The "big revenge subplot" in A House Divided is especially indulgent for those of us who have read all the previous novels—MANY long-lost characters reappear to give the good reverend their two cents (or fists...), and Kimberla Lawson Roby's newfound willingness to reach back into her arsenal of semi-villains pays off at just the right moment!
With a couple of quick changes, Kim Roby has made this a series to stick around for. I think I read a bit of the next novel, The Prodigal Son, sometime in high school, but I'm sure there will be even more delicious train wrecks to dig into.
With Curtis and Charlotte's raging (sexual) hormones finally taking a break, we're getting all sorts of new shenanigans and church drama, the kinds that almost make you grateful for their son's premarital activities. There are kidnappings, Child Protective Services calls, and good old fashioned in-law feuds, all of which re-energized a series I thought had no more legs left (I was WEARY of the same old affairs, y'all.)
The "big revenge subplot" in A House Divided is especially indulgent for those of us who have read all the previous novels—MANY long-lost characters reappear to give the good reverend their two cents (or fists...), and Kimberla Lawson Roby's newfound willingness to reach back into her arsenal of semi-villains pays off at just the right moment!
With a couple of quick changes, Kim Roby has made this a series to stick around for. I think I read a bit of the next novel, The Prodigal Son, sometime in high school, but I'm sure there will be even more delicious train wrecks to dig into.
October 24, 2015
Reverend Curtis Black is finally free from all the drama or he hopes. Charlotte is more than eager to welcome her grandchild in this world,but is having mixed emotions about his name. Matthew's girlfriend Racquel mother is not too fond of Charlotte, desiring to do things her way. Charlotte behaves more like a mother than a grandmother, but she thinks that Matthew is too young to know what it means to be a father. Against her better judgement, she spends more time with MJ doing is pleasurable to Racquel and her witch of mother, Vanessa. The tension has caused Matthew a drift between his mother and his son. Matthew thinks that his mom is acting like an obsessive lunatic that needs to get help. Curtis is not trying to hear any of it, but he does not have time to devote his time and energy persuading Charlotte to back off.
Lies after lies is discovered in this dysfunctional story about how Curtis Black image is once again questioned.
I will hate to be Reverend Curtis black, it seems like he cannot get a break. Matthew was getting on my nerves too, then you have Charlotte crazy antics. Truth be told all these characters needed to get smacked, but that is what makes great characterization.
Another winner by Roby, she has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
Lies after lies is discovered in this dysfunctional story about how Curtis Black image is once again questioned.
I will hate to be Reverend Curtis black, it seems like he cannot get a break. Matthew was getting on my nerves too, then you have Charlotte crazy antics. Truth be told all these characters needed to get smacked, but that is what makes great characterization.
Another winner by Roby, she has quickly become one of my favorite authors.
August 27, 2013
I did not finish reading this book and I will not. The main character is over the top superficial and mentally unstable. Obsessed is not the word. Does the plot thicken? no. Its a huge mess. I have not read any of the series but from reading this book, you will get caught up; not in every detail. I dont think I could have read the entire series; as I work in the social services field and I deal with many personalities and by reading this book I felt I brought home 1 of those personalities. CANT AND WILL NOT FINISH
September 9, 2013
Ugh...too much uninteresting & unnecessary drama. Crazy women, strippers, baby mommas & bastard children...ridiculousness!
July 4, 2024
Ok, I don’t like Charlotte again. She stays tripping. SMH
March 22, 2015
Sometimes there are characters in a book that you forget are characters and you just HATE them! That is what Charlotte did to me.
As the wife of a Mega Church Pastor you would think she would always want and try to take the high road. Not her son's baby. Yes! You heard me. Don't worry I am not spoiling it for you at all. Most of this book is about back stabbing, ruthless first lady Charlotte Black making over the top efforts to take her son's baby from the mother while he is away at school. Racquel, the baby mama, is a young mom living with her rich parents (her father is a Neurosurgeon) and is doing well with the help of her mother Vanessa. Did I mention Charlotte hates Vanessa? For no real reason at all.
There is so much choas and drama in the book that I wanted to throw it. I had to stop myself and see what the hell was going to happen to these awful people. Yes! I won't spoil it but there is so much more "crazy" going on besides Charlotte. I don't watch Hip Hop Wives, The Real Housewives, and Basketball Wives because of the amount of crazy going on. It makes me mad to see it and now to read it.
I have to say that I enjoyed Be Careful What You Pray For (Review) much better than this one.
I did half book and half audiobook on this one too!
Audiobook: 8 hours and 49 minutes
Narrator: Gwen Hughes
I really was put off by this narrator and her staccato voice. I don't think a book with so much emotion and drama mixes well with an almost computer generated voice. I would have had someone else narrate it and another person to narrate the male voice of Reverend Black. Having a woman memic a deep male voice is almost comical. Just get a man with a rich, silky, deep voice.
I took one star away for the narrator and one for the unjustified ending. You have to read it! But the ending SUCKS. I want real Justice! and a "Come to Jesus" moment. Lord! These characters are a hot mess.
As the wife of a Mega Church Pastor you would think she would always want and try to take the high road. Not her son's baby. Yes! You heard me. Don't worry I am not spoiling it for you at all. Most of this book is about back stabbing, ruthless first lady Charlotte Black making over the top efforts to take her son's baby from the mother while he is away at school. Racquel, the baby mama, is a young mom living with her rich parents (her father is a Neurosurgeon) and is doing well with the help of her mother Vanessa. Did I mention Charlotte hates Vanessa? For no real reason at all.
There is so much choas and drama in the book that I wanted to throw it. I had to stop myself and see what the hell was going to happen to these awful people. Yes! I won't spoil it but there is so much more "crazy" going on besides Charlotte. I don't watch Hip Hop Wives, The Real Housewives, and Basketball Wives because of the amount of crazy going on. It makes me mad to see it and now to read it.
I have to say that I enjoyed Be Careful What You Pray For (Review) much better than this one.
I did half book and half audiobook on this one too!
Audiobook: 8 hours and 49 minutes
Narrator: Gwen Hughes
I really was put off by this narrator and her staccato voice. I don't think a book with so much emotion and drama mixes well with an almost computer generated voice. I would have had someone else narrate it and another person to narrate the male voice of Reverend Black. Having a woman memic a deep male voice is almost comical. Just get a man with a rich, silky, deep voice.
I took one star away for the narrator and one for the unjustified ending. You have to read it! But the ending SUCKS. I want real Justice! and a "Come to Jesus" moment. Lord! These characters are a hot mess.
May 29, 2013
I was able to knock this book out over the long weekend. As always, Roby delivered a fast paced drama filled read. She writes well and her work is always clear and consistent.
The only issue that I have is the same one that I mentioned in my review of the last Black book. The formula is predictable and that is why I am giving the book 3 stars. I knew without reading the blurb, that someone from the past would be out to get the Blacks' and Charlotte's behavior would be terrible.
I will say that I guessed (wrongly!) that Charlotte was right about Vanessa and Racquel because crazy is good at recognizing crazy, but I pretty much figured out the rest of the story early on. Does that mean it is a bad book-absolutely not, but after 10 Curtis Black book's the stories are getting a bit redundant.
I stick by what I said in my last review, I'd love to read a story from Matthew's point of view. Give Charlotte and Curtis a rest, like the Elder from their church, I'm so over their antics.
It's still a good read and if you are a fan of her work-pick it up. If you have never read any of the Curtis Black books head to your local library and start from the beginning.
The only issue that I have is the same one that I mentioned in my review of the last Black book. The formula is predictable and that is why I am giving the book 3 stars. I knew without reading the blurb, that someone from the past would be out to get the Blacks' and Charlotte's behavior would be terrible.
I will say that I guessed (wrongly!) that Charlotte was right about Vanessa and Racquel because crazy is good at recognizing crazy, but I pretty much figured out the rest of the story early on. Does that mean it is a bad book-absolutely not, but after 10 Curtis Black book's the stories are getting a bit redundant.
I stick by what I said in my last review, I'd love to read a story from Matthew's point of view. Give Charlotte and Curtis a rest, like the Elder from their church, I'm so over their antics.
It's still a good read and if you are a fan of her work-pick it up. If you have never read any of the Curtis Black books head to your local library and start from the beginning.
July 10, 2015
Boy did this installment end in a mess! Reverend Curtis Black and First Lady Charlotte just can't seem to shake their pasts or unholy ways. They sure know how to bring the drama home! Poor Matthew, Curtina and now MJ... I will continue with the series to see if there have been any change in hearts from the many damaged relationships and what other drama can be developed because it wouldn't be a story otherwise lol.
Read
March 31, 2013Author Kimberla Lawson Roby, has managed to craft and develop one of the most selfish and despicable characters in this 10 th installment of the Reverend Curtis Black series - and her name is, Charlotte Black. Oh, and as far as I'm concerned, Rev. Black isn't too much better.
★☆Review is forthcoming★☆
★☆Review is forthcoming★☆
May 11, 2013
Once again, Kimberla Lawson Roby has delivered a story filled with palpable emotions. Anger, disappointment, disbelief, sadness, joy...you name it this book delivered it. Thank you Mrs. Roby for once again giving me a chance to visit with my imaginary friends in Mitchell. Can't wait to read what happens next with them.
January 5, 2017
This has to be the worst book I've ever started. I say started because 1/3 of the way through I gave up. The writing is terrible and the characters are so unlike able they are irritating. Thumbs down on this one, it is going to hit the trash.
June 14, 2013
Another great job by Mrs. Roby! I can't wait for the next installment to see what happens with the Black family.
May 27, 2014
The Rev. Mrs. Charlotte Black is a PSYCHOPATHIC Witch who needs a good old fashioned “James Evans” butt whoopin’!!!!!!!!!!
February 7, 2018
This is a long series but somehow Kimberla always manages to keep my attention. I wonder what's to come next. I enjoyed this book and seeing the characters again. In this one, Curtis and Charlotte are once again up to shenanigans. Matthew (the son) finally has his kid by his girlfriend Racquel and Charlotte seems to take an almost obsessive liking to her grandson. Of course Curtis has some type of secret that has to be revealed during the book.
I don't know if I will continue with the series---I just don't know how much more trouble the characters can get into without the plot being repetitive.
I don't know if I will continue with the series---I just don't know how much more trouble the characters can get into without the plot being repetitive.
March 27, 2020
The best book in the series thus far! Maybe Lawson Roby finally heard the fans and decided to change things up. Either way, this entry was fast paced and refreshing.
on to the next one
on to the next one
December 7, 2023
Charlotte needs to be in n jail for 6 was, her childish behavior is to much
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2024
I have really come to dislike Charlotte.
And poor Matthew...Charlotte and Curtis do not deserve him.
And poor Matthew...Charlotte and Curtis do not deserve him.
January 7, 2017
This book is a HOT mess where the Curtis Black family hit a new all time LOW, and I’ll say that Kimberla Lawson Roby (LKR) has out done herself, so much I’m giving it 5 stars. This was like watching a slow motion car crash - very toxic, but one is unable to look away.
This book gives the KLR familiar themes of secrets in the past catching up, mentally unstable characters, and blackmail WITH plenty of twists and surprises. No real adultery though.
Charlotte Black
In this book, Charlotte's behaviour reaches a new level of toxicity.
The basic plot is about Charlotte’s scheming to keep her grandson to herself, this is where KLR plays her mentally unstable card. Normally it’s other characters who are unstable but this time our favourite villain - the lying, scheming and selfish Charlotte Black hits a new low in her obsessive behaviour which includes heavy flirting with her son’s baby momma’s father (sounds like a Jerry Springer Show or ghetto reality show, right?).
Saying that Charlotte Black is one of the best fiction villains, I’ve read in a long time. She is pure bad, in fact evil at times, and which is ironic given it’s supposed to be in a Christian environment!
Given the problems Curtis had had with Charlotte (e.g. Marissa,Curtina, Matthew and her cheating and alcoholism etc) I’m surprised he didn’t tell Charlotte to see a psychiatrist - she’s not normal - maybe that will be the theme for another book. They keep on excusing her behaviour as self-controlling, selfish, and scheming but something ain’t right. Perhaps she was acting on delayed post-natal depression because she never really grieved for Marissa.
Still I love me (or love to hate) some Charlotte Black….As I said she is one of the best fictional villains around today.
Curtis Black
In this book, Curtis is the victim of blackmail because he had MORE secrets in his past. We find out Curtis isn’t the upstanding man we thought however was he ever? However this secret is another new all time low, with a great climatic build up, and a violent shocking ending.
And you can bet again Kimberla Lawson Roby is saving some of it’s reveal for another novel. Because at the end only part of secret was revealed.
Potential future cliffhangers on our Favourite Soap Opera series
The true extent of Curtis Black’s secret. When will all be revealed?
Will Charlotte get the medical help she needs so much - as I said I’m playing the delayed-post natal depression card since she never really grieved for her lost daughter?
When will Matthew find out he’s not Curtis’s true son - or has that been resolved in another book - I may have skipped a few.
What is happening with Janine and Carl - she hints trouble in their perfect world.
This book gives the KLR familiar themes of secrets in the past catching up, mentally unstable characters, and blackmail WITH plenty of twists and surprises. No real adultery though.
Charlotte Black
In this book, Charlotte's behaviour reaches a new level of toxicity.
The basic plot is about Charlotte’s scheming to keep her grandson to herself, this is where KLR plays her mentally unstable card. Normally it’s other characters who are unstable but this time our favourite villain - the lying, scheming and selfish Charlotte Black hits a new low in her obsessive behaviour which includes heavy flirting with her son’s baby momma’s father (sounds like a Jerry Springer Show or ghetto reality show, right?).
Saying that Charlotte Black is one of the best fiction villains, I’ve read in a long time. She is pure bad, in fact evil at times, and which is ironic given it’s supposed to be in a Christian environment!
Given the problems Curtis had had with Charlotte (e.g. Marissa,Curtina, Matthew and her cheating and alcoholism etc) I’m surprised he didn’t tell Charlotte to see a psychiatrist - she’s not normal - maybe that will be the theme for another book. They keep on excusing her behaviour as self-controlling, selfish, and scheming but something ain’t right. Perhaps she was acting on delayed post-natal depression because she never really grieved for Marissa.
Still I love me (or love to hate) some Charlotte Black….As I said she is one of the best fictional villains around today.
Curtis Black
In this book, Curtis is the victim of blackmail because he had MORE secrets in his past. We find out Curtis isn’t the upstanding man we thought however was he ever? However this secret is another new all time low, with a great climatic build up, and a violent shocking ending.
And you can bet again Kimberla Lawson Roby is saving some of it’s reveal for another novel. Because at the end only part of secret was revealed.
Potential future cliffhangers on our Favourite Soap Opera series
The true extent of Curtis Black’s secret. When will all be revealed?
Will Charlotte get the medical help she needs so much - as I said I’m playing the delayed-post natal depression card since she never really grieved for her lost daughter?
When will Matthew find out he’s not Curtis’s true son - or has that been resolved in another book - I may have skipped a few.
What is happening with Janine and Carl - she hints trouble in their perfect world.
July 26, 2017
Is it me, or is Charlotte's behavior getting worse? Honestly, this woman needs to be FORCED to see a shrink. She just didn't get it. I wanted to use the excuse that she was young, but she is 30+ and there are some things at 30 that are just suppose to click. You shouldn't behave the same way as you did at 20 when you are 30. Everyone around her was giving clues that her behavior wasn't acceptable, but SHE couldn't see it. And her mother, Noreen, is an enabler. As a mother, SHE should have set her daughter straight. But no, she hyped her up to do what she did.
I kinda felt bad for Curtis. Matt excommunicated him based off of something from his past that he had forgotten about. And had the "The Prodigal Son" come to Curtis, instead of scheming the way he did, I am sure Curtis would have been open with him. Well, I like to believe that he would have been open. This is the Black's we are talking about. They do dirt and then try to hide it to keep their image clean.
I will say this, the actions are starting to become predictable. When the perpetrator's first dialog appeared, I already knew who it was. Besides, we hear about Tanya all the time, but NOT about the other one. This novel was full of juicy reads, however, I was disappointed in the lack of character development.
3½ stars
I kinda felt bad for Curtis. Matt excommunicated him based off of something from his past that he had forgotten about. And had the "The Prodigal Son" come to Curtis, instead of scheming the way he did, I am sure Curtis would have been open with him. Well, I like to believe that he would have been open. This is the Black's we are talking about. They do dirt and then try to hide it to keep their image clean.
I will say this, the actions are starting to become predictable. When the perpetrator's first dialog appeared, I already knew who it was. Besides, we hear about Tanya all the time, but NOT about the other one. This novel was full of juicy reads, however, I was disappointed in the lack of character development.
3½ stars
June 18, 2023
Loved it! Rev. Curtis Black and his wife Charlotte- oh boy! 🤔
If I had a mother in law like Charlotte- I’d go nuts!!!
She is something else!!
Could not put it down!
I only wish our library had the entire series!!!
If I had a mother in law like Charlotte- I’d go nuts!!!
She is something else!!
Could not put it down!
I only wish our library had the entire series!!!
May 16, 2013
Kimberla Lawson Roby is a wonderful author and I truly enjoy her writing. This is the 10th book in the Reverend Curtis Black series. I have only read 3-4 books from this series, however it is the kind of series where you can do so and not feel lost. She does an excellent job of writing the books in such a way that they truly could be stand alones.
Unfortunately, A House Divided left me feeling divided. I enjoyed the writing, but the storyline was just too much for me. After ten books and still so much drama. I think Charlotte's deceitful ways were more than enough this time around. The drama with Curtis seemed like overkill. When will these two stop? They really have not choice but to stay together, cause no one else in their right mind would want them. Who knew two people could cause so much dysfunction. I did agree with Curtis' decision in the end. Charlotte, I have my doubts she will ever truly change. It will take her losing "everything" and not just some minor brush with the law.
Unfortunately, A House Divided left me feeling divided. I enjoyed the writing, but the storyline was just too much for me. After ten books and still so much drama. I think Charlotte's deceitful ways were more than enough this time around. The drama with Curtis seemed like overkill. When will these two stop? They really have not choice but to stay together, cause no one else in their right mind would want them. Who knew two people could cause so much dysfunction. I did agree with Curtis' decision in the end. Charlotte, I have my doubts she will ever truly change. It will take her losing "everything" and not just some minor brush with the law.
May 25, 2013
Rev. Curtis Black and First Lady Charlotte need to go somewhere and hideout. Their drama is over-the-top and totally uncalled for...I so wanted this story to have a positive slant for the Black's but no. The plot to take a small child away from his mom, lies from years past, the possibility for another affair, and outside children was one unbelievable moment on top of another. The ending left me hanging and the possibility for another book makes me gasp for air. We should Rev. Black & Charlotte rest in peace in a dark old mansion...enough is enough.
June 29, 2019
A quite strange book, set in a family headed by a high powered pastor who has become very rich through his church members, and his radio and TV audience. An incredible first lady character and skeletons from the Reverend's past combine to cast a pall over the happy family. But the entire scenario is very strange, and did not get better even though I persisted to the end, in hope that it might.
So I gave it a fair go, but I will not be reading any more of the Reverend Curtis Black series, nor any other works by Ms Roby!
So I gave it a fair go, but I will not be reading any more of the Reverend Curtis Black series, nor any other works by Ms Roby!
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