Walk a Straight Line

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Two friends. Two brothers. Two weddings. Too many secrets.
Colleen MacGregor rededicated her life to God when she met and married Terence Hayworth. However, her happily-ever-after will have to wait, because she has some serious dragons to slay to sustain her marriage and keep her friendship with Gina Price intact. After fifteen years of friendship, Colleen must now draw the line and stop telling Gina everything.
What did God do to her friend? Gina finds it hard to deal with Colleen's newfound faith. She thinks Colleen has become self-righteous, subjecting Gina to her holy tirades whenever the mood strikes. When Gina begins dating one brother, while simultaneously falling in love with another, boy, does she get an earful! Gina, however, is way too busy trying to sort her way through her own murky feelings to worry about her soul. Her heart wants what it wants.
Michelle Lindo-Rice explores the complicated world of female friendships. Can a friendship survive when one friend becomes saved?

Genres: Christian Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2013

About the author

Michelle Lindo-Rice is the bestselling author of the "Able to Love" and "On The Right Path" series, an Emma Award Winner and a Vivian Award finalist. Michelle enjoys reading and crafting fiction across genres. Originally from Jamaica West Indies, she has earned degrees from New York University, SUNY at Stony Brook, Teachers College Columbia University, Argosy University and has been educator for over 20 years.

Reviews

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from beginning to end. I found it emotional in relation to the issue of abuse. I loved Colleen and Gina's relationship. They were such good friends that shared almost everything. Then the love triangle. Who will she marry was the question? You will have to read the book to find out.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it in a day. I could not put it down. I loved the author's writing style. I was drawn into the book from page 2. Now that is what I call a good read.

[Ellowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle did a great job with this story. The story line was great and just when you think you know what is going to happen there is a twist. This story had you wanting more until the end. Great page turner. I am looking forward to the continuation of this story.

[Dawn Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Talk about exploring the many challenges of relationships. This hits everything from control to obsession, lust to love, duty to true feelings. One theme stands out most...forgiveness. This is such a powerful story.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! I couldn't put it down. I'm looking forward to reading her next book, "My steps are ordered."

[Carol Hornsby-mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I read the series out of order (2,3 then 1). But it was just that intriguing. Never say never! Only God knows the plans he has for your life.

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cost of friendship can be hard in Walk A Straight Line by Michelle Lindo-Rice. Colleen MacGregor turns her life over to God after her marriage to Terence Hayworth is sealed. Colleen works to be the best helpmate she can be while struggle to keep her friendship together with her best friend, Gina. Colleen soon realizes that she has to draw the line at some point. Colleen has a lot of her plate because the man she fell in love with is not the man she married. Colleen’s world takes a dark turn and she has to come to some harsh decisions.

Gina Price loves her best friend but the bible toting and holy than thou act is getting on her last nerve. Gina feels Colleen judges everything she does not that she hasn’t done some questionable things, but her friend should always support her. Gina also does not care for Terence because she has a feeling there is more to him than meets the eye. Gina is dealing with her own issues and does not need a lashing from her friend. Gina is dating Michael but has desires for his brother Keith. The attraction for Keith is one that cannot be ignored but what is she to do especially when Michael has proposed. Gina finds herself in a sticky situation, which will she choose?

Terence Hayworth has been preparing for the ministry and now has a wonderful wife to complete his look. Terence’s mother gives him advice as any mother would until he marries Colleen. Terence’s mother will do whatever she can to get rid of the new Mrs. Hayworth. Terence has a momma’s boy mentality that just may cost him everything especially when his wife puts her foot down at the situation. Will Terence learn his lesson? Or will he let his mother ruin his marriage?

What I Did Not Like: Terrence’s mother drove me crazy with frustration.

What I Did Like: It was about friendship, family and marriage. It expressed how hard it can be to have friends that are not saved. This book had well-developed characters, drama and suspense. The author does a wonderful job showing Colleen and Terence’s marriage evolving as the book progressed. I also love the fact that both Colleen and Terence had issues that caused them to stand up for themselves. I definitely recommend Walk A Straight Line to others.

This book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
5 Stars=Non Stop Page Turner

[Kimyatta Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two friends. Two brothers. Two weddings. Too many secrets.

Yes indeed. Meet Colleen. She has just become saved. Thanks in part to her new husband Terrance for introducing her to the Lord. They seem to be the picture perfect couple. But something is amiss. Before long, Colleen wonders if she's made a mistake in marrying Terrance. Stuff just stops making sense to her. She hopes not to become one of "those" women, who has to stay in a marriage because she feels like she HAS to be married. Never mind that her best friend Gina (who isn't saved yet) has had misgivings about Terrance from the beginning. It didn't help that they only had a 4 month courtship! Oh...did I mention that his mother Francine HATES her? As if the husband going a lil loo-loo wasn't bad enough, she also has to deal with a loo-loo mother in law. Good grief Charlie Brown!

Now, Gina, is the girlfriend we all need. She gives it to us straight but she knows us well enough to know when to talk and when to shut up and let you stick your foot in your mouth. At her girl's wedding, she meets the handsome Michael Ward. They hit it off. He proclaims to be a reformed player. Gina is a little unsure at first, but she thinks he might be worth her time. Then...she meets his brother Keith. Man do the sparks begin to fly! It wouldn't be such a problem if Keith had not expressed to Gina his feelings for her. What he wanna do that for?! MERCY!

Now...what's a girl to do. Colleen has problems...and she can't talk to her best friend about them. Gina has problems...and she can't talk to HER best friend about them. How will they manage? Will Colleen be able to stand in her marriage? What is she supposed to do about Terrance? His mother? How is Gina supposed to handle caring about two men...BROTHERS!!! What on earth will these two sister-friends do? Well, you just need to pick up a copy and find out. The ladies and gents in this book are ready to take you on a wild ride. And you will be into it right up until the last page.

At one point, I remember being mad at every last character in the book. I mean...I'm talmbout tiiiiiiiiiiiiicked off! Then. I alternated being mad at different ones. Get involved. You're going to be wondering about this bunch long after you finish reading the last page.

Can't wait until the next one!

[Desiree Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read from this author and it was phenomenal! I couldn't put it down!!!! Colleen and Terence are married, but Terence's mother is pulling the strings in this marriage. Whatever she tells Terence to do, he does it. When Terence hits Colleen one too many times, she fights him back and later learns about the abuse of Terence at the hands of his mother when he was a young boy. She vows to forgive him and they try and work things out. When Terence's mother brings in a girl from Jamaica to try and break them up, that's the last straw and Colleen leaves Terence, vowing never to come back.

Then there is Colleen's friend, Gina, who is dating Michael but in love with his brother Keith. They work on a case together and neither one of them can deny the attraction they have for each other. Try as they might, they just can't fight it, and eventually they give in and have a passionate night of love making. They decide once and for all, they will tell Michael that they are in love and hopefully he will get over it. Before they can, Gina catches Michael's old girlfriend Karen coming from his apartment and leaves him. Michael decides to come after Gina and gets into a car accident. Once Gina sees Michael laying in the hospital, she decides she can't just leave him like that and blames herself for the accident. She is resigned to stay with Michael even though she knows deep in her heart she loves his brother.

This book was an excellent read. Read: March 2014

[Tanishia Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Walk A Straight Line by Michelle Lindo-Rice

Colleen and Gina have been best friends for years! They have always told each other everything. As life would have it, this has changed. Each woman encounters interesting circumstances that makes her rethink revealing certain information. Michael Ward is the new man in Gina’s life. She loves him but is love enough? Michael’s previous choice of women wasn’t top-notch but he believes Gina is the one.
Terence and Colleen are newlyweds who are settling into their new lives but their situation is far from blissful thanks to his intruding mother.
Keith, Michael’s brother is handsome, successful and appealing the wrong woman’s eye.

In this novel, there is quite a bit going on but one thing is for sure somebody knows the Lord and this knowledge becomes the key to figuring what shall be. Michelle Lindo-Rice eloquently penned a story of love, faith, hope and trust. What happens when the past resurfaces and threatens your future? Each character in this story embarks on a journey toward their destiny.

The characters were well developed. You could feel the emotions as they progressed through out this book. If you’re looking for a good story with great characters that is free from bad language, this is your book. I enjoyed this story and I’m looking forward to the next installment in the On the Right Path Series. I give it four stars.

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely L-O-V-E-D Walk A Straight Line! Colleen and Gina are lifelong friends whose friendship comes into question when one of them decides to have a closer relationship with the Lord. Many questions arise such as can one still love their friend if they choose not to walk the same spiritual path as you and can a friendship remain intact if a person decides to live life on her own terms instead of following God's Word?

"Colleen stopped her cold. "You'd better get out of my face, or you'll be picking your teeth up off the floor." She knew she was saved, but she meant every word. It was eye for an eye time, and she wasn't going to turn the other cheek - except to slap it."
I applaud Michelle Lindo-Rice for showing that even in Christian fiction it is ok to portray your characters as having real-life emotions and reactions. She doesn't gloss over anything and make it seem like Christians live a life void of drama. Walk A Straight Line was a dream to me. The words flowed effortlessly off of every single page. Every time I flipped a page it built upon the last one and moved the story forward. Walks A Straight Line is so far one of my favorites of 2014!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Walk A Straight Line in exchange for an honest review.

[LaCeasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. I am still rooting for #TeamGinaandKeith. We will see what happens in the next installment. Gina blamed herself for something that was not her fault and not realizing that she is not the blame caused her to make a decision that I'm sure in the next installment will cause more heartache than would have been caused had she decided listen to her heart and others who could look into her eyes and see the truth.

All I can say about Francine is that she is truly a piece of work and for her son to allow her to manipulate him into treating his wife the way that he did was almost hard for me to imagine someone to ruthless. I hope in the next installment that we see more of Colleen and Terence because I'm sure they still have some issues to work out with his controlling mother. However I'm glad for forgiveness for these two.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two Friends. Two Brothers. Two weddings. Too many secrets.

Collen & Gina have been best friends for years, more like sisters, who tell each other everything. That is until Collen marries a man after only 4 months of dating, Gina meets a good man at the wedding and their lives start to change. Collen sees her new husband in a different light & is dealing with the mother in law from hell, while Gina has fallen in love with her new boo's brother. Talk about a page turning, wondering what happens next story.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It is thought provoking about forgiveness and giving up something you want for a specific reason. It is a religious book and it shows Christians in real life situation making decisions.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters with personalities that draw you in, a storyline that grabs your attention and neither one let you go until the final page. Excellent storytelling with no errors. Looking forward to so much more from this author.

[Teri Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

could not put this one down! cant wait to read the next one.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

I loved seeing God's will prevail in the lives of these characters. You will appreciate the chance to get life lessons through the words as well.

[Tamika Polk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, after reading it, I wanted to read more by this author.

[Hyacinth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I now understand the backstory of Michael, Keith, Colleen, Terence and Gina. I did not stop reading until I finished. I had to pray about Francine but still having a hard time justifying her bebavior. The relationship between Gina and Colleen was a relationship that I pondered. I think about my relationships with my sistergirls and thank God for what they bring to my life. I believe that we can have healthy relationships but they require honesty. It's tome for us to build each other. I like how they worked their way back to sisterhood and lightened their behavior. That is what healthy relationships look like.

[Dhakirah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. I had to take a break halfway through after a situation between Colleen and Terrence, but I'm glad that I finished it because it reminded me of the importance of forgiveness. I didn't realize that this book was the prelude to the author's other book, My Steps Are Ordered, which I didn't like as much as this one, but I think I would have liked it better if I read this one first.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Read it in a few hours. It provided everything, i.e., love, subtle sex, dysfunctional marriage, physical child abuse and the after effects, betrayal of the utmost between two brothers and one woman. The plot seemed to have gotten lost somewhere, but it all came together in the end. Nice read.

[Keesha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this might have been the author's first novel. I struggled in the beginning with the writing and thought I would not finish it. While I did finish, I just did not find it as satisfying as other novels I have read in the Christian genre. I did like that the characters had committed some very hefty offenses and still found forgiveness, though. Some of the actions were just way over the top and unbelievable. I do not feel compelled to read the sequel. Good effort, though.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I'm going to be as transparent as possible....

I AM COLLEEN....There I said/wrote it for the world to see. I also consider myself a survivor & this book quickly became an emotional rollercoaster that I couldn't stop reading. A very good book Ms. Lindo-Rice.

[Angela S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about getting lost in a book! Man, Michelle Lindo-Rice has the mojo! I am never disappointed with her work. On to book 2.

[Ebony Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Selected as EyeCU Reading & Social Network's May read, this is my first Michelle Lindo-Rice novel. Upon reading the synopsis of "Two friends... Two brothers... Two weddings...Too many secrets..." I was too hyped! But after struggling to get through layers of drawn out messiness, I now sing a different tune. "Walk a Straight Line" had all the fixings for a good storyline but unfortunately became unnecessarily wordy, repetitive, blotchy and redundant. "The Gina & Keith Show" was played out entirely too long to only have very little explosion!

I will say....With the exception of Gerry (who was sweet as pie) the author does great at making the reader evoke emotion towards the characters! By the end, you're sure to want to fight the entire gang for stupidity!

Colleen & Gina...... Self-righteous friend in love with the idea of being a wife & Confused Playa Playa
Terrance.................Mama's Boy
Francine.................The Mother-In-Law FROM HELL
Michael & Keith......Dumb & Dumber
Karen.....................Super Cray-Cray
Eve.........................Baby mama drama

Ebony EyeCU Reading
2.5

[Fhughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story, excellent characters, just needed a bit more info