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Reverend Curtis Black #3
The Best-Kept Secret
At the request of her readers, Kimberla Lawson Roby is giving another airing to one of her most popular characters, Curtis Black, who was introduced in Casting the First Stone and who continued his escapades in Too Much of a Good Thing. Kimberla Lawson Roby's readers can't get enough of the Reverend Curtis Black, that self–justifying, greedy, womanizing flimflam man who is one of the biggest rascals ever to step into a church. In this outing, Curtis is starting over. He has a new job and a new wife, and of course he's convinced himself that this time he'll be good. But Curtis hasn't ever made a promise he could keep, and before long, he's up to his old tricks. The difference now is his third wife. She's unlike any woman Curtis has met before. And for the first time in his life, Curtis just might have met his match. Watch the sparks fly!
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
111 people are currently reading
2130 people want to read
About the author
Kimberla Lawson Roby
44 books2,799 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 158 reviews
January 24, 2009
In this 3rd (?) installment in the Reverend Curtis Black saga, Reverend Black and Charlotte, the mother of his seven year old son Matthew, have been married for five years. Reverend Black has given up his wicked ways. The family now lives in a suburb outside of Chicago, where Curtis pastors Deliverance Outreach, a small up-and-coming church he and his wife founded. Although he’s not making any where near the money he made before his fall from grace, Rev. Black is far more satisfied, both spiritually and emotionally. Since the love of a “good woman” has changed him for the better, he has no qualms staying truthful to his wife.
Too bad Charlotte doesn’t feel the same way. Curtis is devoted to her just the way she’d imagined, and his relationship with his son is outstanding. Still, in her mind, this isn’t the happily-ever-after she signed on for. Charlotte has absolutely no interest in church business, outside of how much tithes-and-offerings are pouring in. Despite a good job of her own, Charlotte can’t stop feeling like Curtis isn’t keeping her in the style she expected when he was pasturing a large/“super” church. In fact, she spends money like water then becomes incensed when Curtis chastises her for it.
Dissatisfied, Charlotte begins a clandestine affair with Curtis’ best friend Aaron Malone. Unfortunately, Aaron falls madly in love with Charlotte. When she doesn’t cave into his demands that she divorce Curtis at once, Aaron correctly assumes it’s because he doesn’t make enough money and sets out to make Charlotte’s life a living hell. Not only does Charlotte have to deal with a now irate ex lover, there’s also the aftermath of revealing way too much of her past to him. How will Curtis react when he finds out the wife he’s pledged to be faithful to hasn’t been faithful to him? What dirty little secrets does Aaron disclose about Charlotte? And just what is the Best Kept Secret???
This wasn’t a bad book overall, though I’m sorry to say it just didn’t appeal to me. One in a Million was so much better than this. I kept reading until the end but like Charlotte, I came away feeling vaguely dissatisfied. In my opinion the story line didn’t break any new ground as far as the crazy ex is concerned, but since I’ve never read any of the Rev Curtis Black books maybe I wasn’t invested enough in the characters for this to be a non issue. After all, very few books, including my own, actually break new ground on their subject matter; it’s the way you feel about the characters that makes the difference.
I also felt Lawson Roby spent way more time telling us about the characters’ motivations than she did in One in a Million. Too much time. Telling instead of showing is a pet peeve of mine; the only thing that turns me off a book faster is crappy editing. Generally speaking, a character’s actions will let you know his motivation. I figured out 98% of what Lawson Roby told me on my own, and would have preferred to do so. On the other hand, I haven’t lost faith in Lawson Roby as a writer: I can’t wait to read her new book The Best of Everything. I’m gonna go back and read the other books in this series first though.
Too bad Charlotte doesn’t feel the same way. Curtis is devoted to her just the way she’d imagined, and his relationship with his son is outstanding. Still, in her mind, this isn’t the happily-ever-after she signed on for. Charlotte has absolutely no interest in church business, outside of how much tithes-and-offerings are pouring in. Despite a good job of her own, Charlotte can’t stop feeling like Curtis isn’t keeping her in the style she expected when he was pasturing a large/“super” church. In fact, she spends money like water then becomes incensed when Curtis chastises her for it.
Dissatisfied, Charlotte begins a clandestine affair with Curtis’ best friend Aaron Malone. Unfortunately, Aaron falls madly in love with Charlotte. When she doesn’t cave into his demands that she divorce Curtis at once, Aaron correctly assumes it’s because he doesn’t make enough money and sets out to make Charlotte’s life a living hell. Not only does Charlotte have to deal with a now irate ex lover, there’s also the aftermath of revealing way too much of her past to him. How will Curtis react when he finds out the wife he’s pledged to be faithful to hasn’t been faithful to him? What dirty little secrets does Aaron disclose about Charlotte? And just what is the Best Kept Secret???
This wasn’t a bad book overall, though I’m sorry to say it just didn’t appeal to me. One in a Million was so much better than this. I kept reading until the end but like Charlotte, I came away feeling vaguely dissatisfied. In my opinion the story line didn’t break any new ground as far as the crazy ex is concerned, but since I’ve never read any of the Rev Curtis Black books maybe I wasn’t invested enough in the characters for this to be a non issue. After all, very few books, including my own, actually break new ground on their subject matter; it’s the way you feel about the characters that makes the difference.
I also felt Lawson Roby spent way more time telling us about the characters’ motivations than she did in One in a Million. Too much time. Telling instead of showing is a pet peeve of mine; the only thing that turns me off a book faster is crappy editing. Generally speaking, a character’s actions will let you know his motivation. I figured out 98% of what Lawson Roby told me on my own, and would have preferred to do so. On the other hand, I haven’t lost faith in Lawson Roby as a writer: I can’t wait to read her new book The Best of Everything. I’m gonna go back and read the other books in this series first though.
November 5, 2019
I was kind of disappointed in this book. seemed repetitive when compared to the 1st 2 books in the series. the only difference was that the issues were reversed based on gender. Curtis wasn't cutting up, but rather the female lead. the story line didn’t break any new ground, either. Hopefully the next book will be good
January 7, 2021
It’s these endings for me! In the middle, I got a little annoyed with the drama from both the primary and secondary characters in the book, but everything came together at the end. Ready for book 4!
March 28, 2024
This cast of characters equate to one hot mess, but I'm here for the drama! lol.
December 30, 2016
Very entertaining book, and I enjoyed it for what it was - light reading with plenty of messy drama!
In this book Charlotte is dissatisfied with Curtis's loss of status, loss of earnings and downsizing church size so decides to do the dirty on him with his best friend. Keep family close and friends even closer takes on a different meaning with the Blacks.
There are a few twists and surprises - with lots of lying, cheating and blackmail, and some, but ya'll know Curtis and Charolette just do their messiness in turns. In fact I feel genetically Curtis is polygamous and Charlotte is polandrous and perhaps monogamy is against their true nature. Or I could just say the Curtis Blacks are a promiscuous family - and this appears to be a key theme in most of the Curtis Black books I've read, including the one with the daughter Alicia.
With that said it's still an enjoyable book, and here the Blacks are still self-righteous even though they are sinning like sin is going out of fashion, and it's second nature. They also use their faith to justify their actions but I guess the lesson is - even preachers are human.
For those who take their inspirational/non secular books seriously this may not be a suitable read since even though it has 'real issues', it isn't an inspirational novel - it's just that Curtis Black happens to be a pastor. Remember this is fiction not real. If he prayed hard and learned his lessons to be inspirational he could walk in the way for the Lord - since fiction is made up. But because of a next book's storyline, he or someone in his family doesn't. Saying that if you read it as contemporary fiction it's a lot better and enjoyable. As inspirational, it can be very depressing because it pretty dark with all the adultery and focus on material wealth.
I'm looking forward to my next read.
In this book Charlotte is dissatisfied with Curtis's loss of status, loss of earnings and downsizing church size so decides to do the dirty on him with his best friend. Keep family close and friends even closer takes on a different meaning with the Blacks.
There are a few twists and surprises - with lots of lying, cheating and blackmail, and some, but ya'll know Curtis and Charolette just do their messiness in turns. In fact I feel genetically Curtis is polygamous and Charlotte is polandrous and perhaps monogamy is against their true nature. Or I could just say the Curtis Blacks are a promiscuous family - and this appears to be a key theme in most of the Curtis Black books I've read, including the one with the daughter Alicia.
With that said it's still an enjoyable book, and here the Blacks are still self-righteous even though they are sinning like sin is going out of fashion, and it's second nature. They also use their faith to justify their actions but I guess the lesson is - even preachers are human.
For those who take their inspirational/non secular books seriously this may not be a suitable read since even though it has 'real issues', it isn't an inspirational novel - it's just that Curtis Black happens to be a pastor. Remember this is fiction not real. If he prayed hard and learned his lessons to be inspirational he could walk in the way for the Lord - since fiction is made up. But because of a next book's storyline, he or someone in his family doesn't. Saying that if you read it as contemporary fiction it's a lot better and enjoyable. As inspirational, it can be very depressing because it pretty dark with all the adultery and focus on material wealth.
I'm looking forward to my next read.
April 14, 2007
What goes around comes around!!!This is a very good book, If you have read the first two book, you've GOT TO read this one. Curtis seems to have changed his ways and it is an everyday struggle, but he still has to pay for his sins of the past he had 2 good wives and mistreat both and let us not forget all those church members he deceived, so what makes him think that he could just move away, married charlotte and live happily ever after. Not saying that Charlotte is right, because I'm sure she will be paying for her sins in the next novel.
August 3, 2017
Pastor Curtis and his women never disappoint.
August 15, 2022
Well this isn’t the usual Pastor Curtis, this time he is trying to stay fateful. This time its Charlotte his third wife and the mother of his son who is up to no good. How will the good pastor handle his wife out in the streets and all in his friends sheets. You will need read it to find out. Because this book had a different take I enjoyed it.
June 24, 2019
Excellent per usual! I'm really enjoying going back and reading the books in order, though I've already read the last five and I already know the ending.
December 1, 2023
Messy, messy, messy!
November 13, 2024
Curtis is full of 💩 but this series is so good 🤭
March 10, 2017
In the third installment of the Reverend Curtis Black series, Curtis gets a dose of his own medicine. In his new marriage his wife is subjecting him to the same treatment he inflicted on his ex-wife and he does not like it. I listened to and enjoyed the audio book which kept me very interested.
December 5, 2008
Title: The BEST KEPT SECRET
AUTHOR” KIMBERLY LAWSON-ROBY
In “The Best Kept Secret” By Kimberly Lawson Roby, Charlotte Black happens to be Pastor Curtis Black wife and also the first lady of their new found church Deliverance. Charlotte and Curtis decided to move to Michelle which is a small time around Chicago to try and provide a better life for their seven year old son Matthew. Every since the time that they moved Charlotte complains about her new lifestyle and her husband’s income from his now small average size new church. Before they moved Curtis provided his wife and son with a very high class lifestyle but now Charlotte complains about their middle class lifestyle because she quotes “wants more for her and her family.” And when Curtis began his weekly “church” column in the newspaper Charlotte doubted her husband with the negative idea of it ever being turned into a book.
But to my surprise Charlotte begins to have an affair with Brother Malone from the church committee, who is also her husband Curtis’s best friend also known as Aaron Malone. She continues to have an affair with Aaron for more than three months while lying to her husband stating that “she has to work late hours”. Charlotte continues her affair throughout most of the book until one late night Aaron asks Charlotte to “divorce and leave her husband” and to come and start a life with him. Charlotte refused because she knew deep down in her heart that she still loved her husband and that she had a son who she couldn’t leave or take away from his father. Shortly afterwards Charlotte knew that she had to end this “thing” that she had going on with Aaron Malone, her husband’s best friend. Brother Malone didn’t take the break up rather well and literally threatening Charlotte for her life if she didn’t ask her husband Curtis for a divorce or either he would tell Curtis about the affair that they was having, and he was going to tell it ALL. Charlotte refuse to ask for a divorce and tried to make her marriage work, but one night out of the blue Aaron called Pastor Black while Charlotte was in the car leaving their date, and told Curtis that his wife had been cheating on him and that his only son Matthew is not his. Life for the Black family was no longer the same from there.
For the next 3 weeks Curtis refused to even look his wife in the eye and couldn’t even speak a word to her. Anxiously waiting the DNA results came in stating that MATTHEW BLACK was indeed not his, and that honestly tore Curtis into pieces. Hours, days, and weeks went by and undeniably Charlotte found out that she was pregnant, “but for who?” she thought for the longest. When Curtis found out he was filled enthusiastic but reality hit him that the baby girl that his wife Charlotte was carrying had a huge possibility of him not being the father but his ex friend Aaron Malone actually being the father.
i would recommend this book for people who like to read about "the untold true urban lifestyle".
AUTHOR” KIMBERLY LAWSON-ROBY
In “The Best Kept Secret” By Kimberly Lawson Roby, Charlotte Black happens to be Pastor Curtis Black wife and also the first lady of their new found church Deliverance. Charlotte and Curtis decided to move to Michelle which is a small time around Chicago to try and provide a better life for their seven year old son Matthew. Every since the time that they moved Charlotte complains about her new lifestyle and her husband’s income from his now small average size new church. Before they moved Curtis provided his wife and son with a very high class lifestyle but now Charlotte complains about their middle class lifestyle because she quotes “wants more for her and her family.” And when Curtis began his weekly “church” column in the newspaper Charlotte doubted her husband with the negative idea of it ever being turned into a book.
But to my surprise Charlotte begins to have an affair with Brother Malone from the church committee, who is also her husband Curtis’s best friend also known as Aaron Malone. She continues to have an affair with Aaron for more than three months while lying to her husband stating that “she has to work late hours”. Charlotte continues her affair throughout most of the book until one late night Aaron asks Charlotte to “divorce and leave her husband” and to come and start a life with him. Charlotte refused because she knew deep down in her heart that she still loved her husband and that she had a son who she couldn’t leave or take away from his father. Shortly afterwards Charlotte knew that she had to end this “thing” that she had going on with Aaron Malone, her husband’s best friend. Brother Malone didn’t take the break up rather well and literally threatening Charlotte for her life if she didn’t ask her husband Curtis for a divorce or either he would tell Curtis about the affair that they was having, and he was going to tell it ALL. Charlotte refuse to ask for a divorce and tried to make her marriage work, but one night out of the blue Aaron called Pastor Black while Charlotte was in the car leaving their date, and told Curtis that his wife had been cheating on him and that his only son Matthew is not his. Life for the Black family was no longer the same from there.
For the next 3 weeks Curtis refused to even look his wife in the eye and couldn’t even speak a word to her. Anxiously waiting the DNA results came in stating that MATTHEW BLACK was indeed not his, and that honestly tore Curtis into pieces. Hours, days, and weeks went by and undeniably Charlotte found out that she was pregnant, “but for who?” she thought for the longest. When Curtis found out he was filled enthusiastic but reality hit him that the baby girl that his wife Charlotte was carrying had a huge possibility of him not being the father but his ex friend Aaron Malone actually being the father.
i would recommend this book for people who like to read about "the untold true urban lifestyle".
June 13, 2018
The Best Kept Secret is book three in the Reverend Curtis Black series. I was introduced to this climactic series with Too Much of a Good Thing. While the second book made me hate Curtis, the third book showed Curtis getting more than he bargained for in his third wife, Charlotte. The story began at a slow pace, which initially made me worry but as it went on, the author did not disappoint. I thought Matthew’s character was so adorable, but I just know that at some point his innocence will be shattered just like Alicia’s. I admire Tanya’s strength of character as she’s clearly been able to not only move on from her own trauma but she's also been able to help Curtis to deal with his own. Charlotte is a piece of work! She’s just as bad as Curtis – if not worse. However, she ended up biting off more than she could chew with Aaron. I already have book four prepared for tomorrow. I’m really enjoying this series!
March 7, 2016
This is the third installment of the Rev. Curtis Black and I am not disappointed. Kimberla keeps the story line fresh. I loved the twist in this book it had me on edge with each page turn. I also love how the author incorporates really important issues in the story line. This one tattered on mental illness, betrayal and addiction. She also puts faith front and center in an honest way. I'm a late comer to this series but I certainly have become a fan... Serious issues and yet it comes across as a fun, easy read...
January 24, 2021
The Best-Kept Secret is entertaining, and a definite page turner. This was truly a great read, as well as all of Mrs. Roby's other ones. I loved the turns and twists. Kim did a great job picking up where "Too Much Of A Good Thing" left off. Reverend Curtis meets his match with his new wife, Charlotte. I think Roby did a wonderful job at keeping the reader's attention. I did not want to put the book down. Can't wait to read more of her work.
July 17, 2012
This book was very good. It's funny to me how the roles get reversed. Now Curtis is the victim and Charlotte is the suspect (cheater). There were so many secrets revealed throughout the book. I was very shocked about Aaron or should I say Donovan.I loved the ending though , he goes back to being the same ole Curtis from previous books. Hopefully she makes another book about Curtis and his problems .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2013
" He/She just couldn't help it" or " She/He didnt know why He/She did it" is NOT good enough of an explanation in explaining a character's behavior or actions. They themselves may not know what's wrong but even they dont go on and on about it.
To present that limited information to the reader is unacceptable
Develop your goddamn characters
To present that limited information to the reader is unacceptable
Develop your goddamn characters
August 7, 2012
WOW!! Awesome book. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down! I laughed, cried, got angry and even felt sorry for some. Rev Black is truly a complex man but Charlotte is definitely his match. Loved it can't wait to read the next book in the series!!
Currently reading
January 12, 2012The book is great I can't put it down. I almost hate to finish it.
July 2, 2012
Great book
January 11, 2011
Amazing, kept me wanting more.
Read
June 13, 2018The third installment in The Reverend Curtis Black Series makes it clear how Kimberla Lawson Roby was able to continue this story for twelve more. It was SO amusing to see someone give Curtis a taste of his own medicine, thanks to the introduction of his third wife, Charlotte, who bears all of his negative qualities, and none of his positive ones (I’m using the word positive in a *very* relative sense.)
The Best-Kept Secret really anchors itself on Curtis’ good-guy act, but I found it to be quite unbelievable, since he was still fantasizing about cheating or beating his wife every other minute, and then dismissing these as “thoughts of the devil.” I enjoyed the full-circle moments of Tanya counseling Curtis on his emotional woes, but it was unclear whether he truly recognized the irony of his situation (taking great offense at receiving what he had once doled out to others) when every other chapter had him blowing up in righteous (HIS WORDS, NOT MINE HIM) indignation. To the author’s credit, though, there is something about Curtis’ stint as a faithfully married man made every scene feel like a cliffhanger. Roby plays a good, long con with our reverend’s descent back into extramarital debauchery, and you *almost* come to believe he may be able to preserve his (third) vows.
Similarly to Too Much of a Good Thing, there is an unsettling, inexplicable turn towards mental illness on the part of the third party in the Blacks’ relationship, and without it being a character trait developed throughout the story, it seems a bit unfair to people with schizophrenia/borderline personality disorder/etc. Aaron and Adrienne don’t have to be mentally ill to be immoral and irrationally fixed on revenge, and it’s almost lazy to offer a diagnosis as a justification of their actions (the black church’s flawed logic about mental health is enough mess for a whole other 15-book series, though...)
Despite this problematic characterization, Aaron is given some moral complexity earlier in the novel. To his credit, he is nearly the only person pointing out that “Good Curtis” still holds a very bad habit of commandeering too much power in his church. I'll be interested to see how Roby will develop this financial sin in the following books, though I’m sure it will take a backseat to our characters' preferred vice, volatile extramarital affairs.
Either way, I am along for the ride, and if I can keep finding these audiobooks on Hoopla, said journey will be well above my usual speed limit.
The Best-Kept Secret really anchors itself on Curtis’ good-guy act, but I found it to be quite unbelievable, since he was still fantasizing about cheating or beating his wife every other minute, and then dismissing these as “thoughts of the devil.” I enjoyed the full-circle moments of Tanya counseling Curtis on his emotional woes, but it was unclear whether he truly recognized the irony of his situation (taking great offense at receiving what he had once doled out to others) when every other chapter had him blowing up in righteous (HIS WORDS, NOT MINE HIM) indignation. To the author’s credit, though, there is something about Curtis’ stint as a faithfully married man made every scene feel like a cliffhanger. Roby plays a good, long con with our reverend’s descent back into extramarital debauchery, and you *almost* come to believe he may be able to preserve his (third) vows.
Similarly to Too Much of a Good Thing, there is an unsettling, inexplicable turn towards mental illness on the part of the third party in the Blacks’ relationship, and without it being a character trait developed throughout the story, it seems a bit unfair to people with schizophrenia/borderline personality disorder/etc. Aaron and Adrienne don’t have to be mentally ill to be immoral and irrationally fixed on revenge, and it’s almost lazy to offer a diagnosis as a justification of their actions (the black church’s flawed logic about mental health is enough mess for a whole other 15-book series, though...)
Despite this problematic characterization, Aaron is given some moral complexity earlier in the novel. To his credit, he is nearly the only person pointing out that “Good Curtis” still holds a very bad habit of commandeering too much power in his church. I'll be interested to see how Roby will develop this financial sin in the following books, though I’m sure it will take a backseat to our characters' preferred vice, volatile extramarital affairs.
Either way, I am along for the ride, and if I can keep finding these audiobooks on Hoopla, said journey will be well above my usual speed limit.
August 20, 2020
Welcome to book 3 in the series shows our favorite pastor Rev Curtis Black in a much subdued manner than what we’ve seen in the previous two books. He has seemed to settle down and have a less dramatic life or so that’s how it appears to be. His young wife Charlotte and their son Matthew have settled into the town of Mitchell and now have a new church Deliverance which they started from the ground up. Charlotte is just as good as Curtis when it comes to lies and cheating..... Aaron was somebody she could be with to escape not being happy with the lifestyle she had with Curtis. Charlotte is aggravating to me but it’s what Curtis deserves and then some. I think in this story he gets tired of having to get frustrated and divorce a wife because of his selfish ways but this time he had a good reason but he stays. Curtis isn’t as young as he was two books ago either. Towards the end no one truly learned anything. Charlotte was still money hungry and although Curtis remained low key in this book his ways return but at random. With all the drama that exists in this story it’s enough to continue the series. On to book 4.
October 16, 2017
Not sure how I feel about this book, wait a minute. That's not true I'm just so emotionally spent after finishing this book just seconds ago. (Sigh!)
1. KLR has some skills when it comes down to weaving together a tale.
2. This book was a more informative book, she dropped some jewels of knowledge as we read the story line such as paying credit cards, getting published and much more.
and 3. the reason i'm emotionally spent. Curtis.
I really wanted to see him on the up and up. Finally being the man God called him to be, but hey I guess that is what the other books are for, to leave us hoping. This book reminds me of the first book. A little slow in the beginning, but towards the end I'm full and satisfied. The twist and turns never disappoint.
1. KLR has some skills when it comes down to weaving together a tale.
2. This book was a more informative book, she dropped some jewels of knowledge as we read the story line such as paying credit cards, getting published and much more.
and 3. the reason i'm emotionally spent. Curtis.
I really wanted to see him on the up and up. Finally being the man God called him to be, but hey I guess that is what the other books are for, to leave us hoping. This book reminds me of the first book. A little slow in the beginning, but towards the end I'm full and satisfied. The twist and turns never disappoint.
May 28, 2017
I don't think that Charlotte learned anything. She got help to make her "problem" go away. But let's be honest, Curtis hadn't learned a thing either. Both of them are selfish wh...No, I said I wasn't going to slut shame these two. I constantly had to remind myself that Charlotte was young and that a great deal of her issues with men stem from the fact that these men, Curtis and the husband of her cousin, took advantage of her youth and innocence. She was a child and children don't necessarily know how to manage sexual relationships. IMO
I liked this book. There was a lot more drama than I thought would be. Moral of this story is to not tell all your business to the side piece.
I liked this book. There was a lot more drama than I thought would be. Moral of this story is to not tell all your business to the side piece.
December 1, 2018
Well like it's said, "What Goes Around, Comes Around" I believe that's what it is. But Curtis Black got back everything he had did to others and more. Charlotte his new wife told him what she wasn't putting up with and that was other women if he wanted to see his son, but the only way he could was to marry her. So Curtis held up to his word to her and didn't mess with other women, but she couldn't do the same so she had an affair with his best friend and when she tried to tell him she didn't want to see him anymore he wanted to harm her. I want to tell more but you will have to read the book to find out more.
February 14, 2017
It never seems to amaze me, men do what they do and it's suppose to be all good; but let a lady beat them at there game and look how the tables turn. Both Rev Black and his wife needs to re-evaluate there relation with God. I know we all have sin and fell short of Gods glory in some way or another. But when you leading a flock and you keep tempting fate, don't be surprise when you reap what you sow. I'm just glad this is a fictional book. I mean, I don't know anyone who lives there life like this, do you?
Great job !!!
Great job !!!
January 4, 2024
I was just saying in my review of book #2 that I wish Curtis would meet his match. He found it in Charlotte. Charlotte is cheating on him with his best friend, Aaron. Throughout the book, it gets more and more obvious that Charlotte is also a master manipulator and Aaron is a nutcase. It made me feel bad for Curtis, which I thought was impossible.
I like that ol’ cat daddy Curtis has grown up a little and that he can always get back on his feet. He’s real entrepreneurial and faithful now. I like that Tanya is the voice of reason.
By the time Aaron busted up in the church, I was just SO tickled that this is virtually the same book over and over again (and I can’t get enough.) The poor kids keep getting traumatized though.
I like that ol’ cat daddy Curtis has grown up a little and that he can always get back on his feet. He’s real entrepreneurial and faithful now. I like that Tanya is the voice of reason.
By the time Aaron busted up in the church, I was just SO tickled that this is virtually the same book over and over again (and I can’t get enough.) The poor kids keep getting traumatized though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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