The Crisis Before Midlife

by Mario D. King

Malcolm Turner is a single father with the weight of the world on his shoulders. As he approaches the age of 30, he finds himself having an identity crisis, as well as lacking in self-confidence and begins to feel the pressure of becoming the man he is meant to be. In the midst of being a single father—Malcolm finds himself trying to juggle relationships, friendships, and family all while trying to find some spiritual peace in the journey called: The Crisis before Midlife.

319 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 24, 2013

About the author

Mario D. King, born in Memphis, Tennessee, is the author of several books about the complexities of everyday life, including The Crisis Before Midlife, and the Where Do We Go From Here series with Jae Henderson. Mario currently lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. Low Reign is King's latest work that was published in 2019. He's currently working on a new release for Fall 2020.

Follow: IG (@mariodking) / Twitter (@WriterMDKing) / FB (@thewritermariodking)

Reviews

[Norwood Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

What A Man Wants

I had the pleasure of meeting Mario D. King while he was promoting his debut novel at the Black Writers and Book Clubs Literacy Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. Mario was also honored for his community service to literacy. His novel The Crisis Before Midlife is a romance and while it has some flaws the author has done a commendable job as a male writer in the romance genre showing what a man wants in romance.

The protagonist a young man, Malcolm Turner is a teacher, an aspiring writer and a single parent. The Crisis Before Midlife is a romance chronicling his search for love. It's often a given what the female protagonist wants, that perfect man, the perfect love, a home and a lasting relationship. And Malcolm Turner is no different. Malcolm an eligible bachelor has the same desires but too many distractions i.e. women and the remnants of too many failed relationships. So when Malcolm finds the one relationship he wants to work it gets derailed when an ex comes on the scene. The resulting assignation destroys his chance or does it? Malcolm has hopes and plans for the future and a young daughter who needs a mother.Mario D King

There are few men writing romance literature though it is the most lucrative genre of all the contemporary books sold today. And there is a reason men don’t dominate in this field. It requires delving into deep emotional territory an experience men often find saccharin and sappy. Mario King has done a good job of showing what a man wants in a relationship and the challenges a man faces when woman find him irresistible. King captures his home town Memphis with vivid descriptions of local spots.

Authors like Mario are helping to take urban fiction to a higher level. This is a very good first book but I had some problems and they were all editorial. The first glaring warning came in the Author’s Note stating the book is a fictional novel, the classic faux pas of an untrained editor. Those in the know, know “fictional novel” is a no-no redundant term, all novels are fiction. Also some of author’s fashion descriptions and music are not organic to the scenes and often unnecessary and will date this book. I also thought the stylistic choice in diction could have been improved with a competent experienced editor.

Nevertheless kudos to Mario D. King. All in all it’s a good and interesting read though slow at times. It could have been better had he amped up the conflict. The few flaws I found could have been addressed by any good developmental editor. I look forward to Mario’s next book. I think he has a great potential and I like would like to follow his development. I give it 4 stars.

[RYCJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story. Yes I did. Sort of reminded me of hip-hop movies that came out in the 90's starring comedians like Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy, except reading this type hip-hop in book format made the experience ten times greater.

I absolutely loved the way the characters were treated, each of them, from Malcolm's (Mac) daughter, to mom and dad, his mother in particular, though dad wasn't all parsley, especially giving his relationship with Mac, and that ending making for the extra treat.

I also found it interesting reading how much energy the young men put into finding `the right lady.' I mean, these guys spent quite a bit of time worked up into thinking about`the one' they would settle for. The trips to the altar, Pastor Taylor, the physic (too comical), and even taking wisdom from the friend (William?) who was happily married were nicely woven into the story. But can I throw in how much I simply adored Chris, who was just plain ridiculously hilarious!!! Actually, the humor all the way around was entertaining. The female characters too, I really admired--very likable, even if I was behind the book near shouting, `forget what he thinks! Check the sex credentials first!'

...And I'll be dern it, sure enough, if I wasn't on to something, aside from none of what I was on ever spelling out in the story. But it was what had me rooting, or rather on pins and needles, all the way to the very end where a Martian on Pluto could've heard my cheering the woman who got the man! Oh man! That was so, so, beautifully drawn out...the best part... what made reading The Crisis Before Midlife FUN well spent!

This debut novel is definitely worth a try.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm Turner is a single father whom is questioned by his daughter about the whereabouts of her mother. Malcolm begins dating, Navil Shabazz, a beautiful and intelligent teacher from Philadelphia. Just when Malcolm thinks his life is headed in the right direction his past returns.
Toya, the mother of Malcolm's daughter wants to be involved in their daughter's life.

Jazmine a lawyer is an old flame who wants to rekindle their relationship.

Kameesha a realtor , a good friend is there to assist in putting the pieces of the puzzle back together.

As Malcolm decides to take that long walk towards matrimony who will he pick?

This was a excellent book.

I loved the characters and the story line were very well developed. Mario made the characters stand out as if you knew them.

The story will capture your interest until the end. The story line flowed very well.

I would recommend this book , please add to your list of books to read this year.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you Mario D King for a wonderful story.

[C. Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never in a million years did I think I'd read a book that could make me go through every emotion imaginable. I cried, I laughed, I was upset, I was happy, it was just as if I was literally the main character. Amazingly enough, I could relate to a lot that Malcolm was experiencing and going through. The book was very well written, and I was drawn to each person, from Aliam and his struggle to find truth, to Malcolm coming to God and finally deciding what he wanted in his life, to Kameesha and Navil's genuine loving and strong personalities. I like how Mario was able to capture 5 years of life without dwelling on one situation but still capturing highlights and providing enough information that the reader could still follow the story. I look forward to many more books from Mario.

[Lani Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story, but the grammar brought it down a level.