Off the Record

by Elizabeth White

Judge Laurel Kincade has it all---brains, beauty, and an aristocratic Old South family to back her up. A political rising star, she's ready to announce her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
Journalist Cole McGaughan has ambitions too. Working as a religion writer for the New York Daily Journal, he longs to become a political reporter. Then his old friend Matt Hogan, a private investigator, calls with a tip. The lovely young judge may be hiding a secret that could derail her campaign. Would Cole like to be the one to break the story?
Cole sees a clear road to his goal, but there's a problem. Laurel's history is entangled with his own, and he must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he'd have to pay. Can Cole and Laurel find forgiveness and turn their hidden past into a hopeful future---and somehow keep it all off the record?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Suspense, Mystery

Audiobook

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Also publishes under the name Beth White

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this one one Kindle, another freebie. I started to get irritated with this one pretty quickly, because it's clear that the two main characters have a "history" but for the first 1/3 of the book, they never speak to one another. There's all of this angst about how broken up they are about each other from years ago, but as the reader, you're kept in the dark. Irritating. If the back history is so important to where they are right now in the story, then you need to clue us in, at least a little bit, or at the very least, let them at least have a conversation or a shouting match with one another.

[Christian Shelves · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest; in terms of incredibly romantic books, this one is pretty high on my list for being swoony (and that was before I knew that term!). Having two highly ambitious characters who try to balance career with family and faith along with a hint of mystery and suspense creates a fresh reading experience each time. As much as I love discovering new authors, I also enjoy returning to familiar ones, and Elizabeth/Beth White is one of those authors for me. Although I've never been to the Deep South, her books easily transport me there, granting me cultural and historical insights into a part of the world that is largely unfamiliar to me. With Laurel and Cole's story, the added layer of the judicial system is written in such a way that outsiders can still peer in and comprehend what's happening, and what's at stake.

It's hard to categorize this book through tropes as it was written quite some time ago, and because Laurel and Cole are larger-than-life characters who go through so much to get to where they are. Their chemistry is palpable through the pages and their funny banter gives the impression that being in their relationship is like walking on a tightrope, taking you on quite the journey. Laurel and Cole's interactions are memorable and lasting, coupled with their individual desires to seek God's will for their lives. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, Off the Record delivers just that by telling the story of two strong characters who only become stronger with God's help.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, a bit scattered, but cute

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book managed to be ultra conservative and weirdly sexual at the same time. It’s a no from me.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started but never finished. Didn't find it interesting.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read with likable characters and a pretty good plot, though predicable (which for me is not necessarily a bad thing). I am giving it a 3 star only because I can't give it a 3.5. This is the first I have read by this author, but I have had my eye on her books for awhile. I really enjoyed it and liked her writing style.

There were a couple things I didn't care for in this book. The first was she used several references (i.e. a reference to the Princess Bride). In the example I cited, she told us where the reference came from, but some of them I had no idea what they were. The other thing that was a bit of a negative for me, was some of the word usage (no swearing). Others may not be bothered by it, but some of it got to me a bit. That is just a personal thing for me and may not be an issue for others.

I really liked the characters. She did a good job showing their problems and letting us walk through them with the character. Renata was a fun spunky character. Matt was obnoxious (not in an irritating way) but redeemed himself in the end. I was pleased to see that she has another book giving us more of Matt's story. Our hero and heroines, Cole and Laurel, had their flaws but were able to overcome. I did feel that Laurel's change of heart and attitude was a bit rushed at the end of the book, but not enough to be a turn off.

Over all I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judge Laurel Kincade is not only a "your honor" but a woman of outstanding honor, with an impeccable public record of fairness from the bench. However, when she announces her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, the one corner of her past that she prefers to remain hidden threatens to announce itself from the street corners; in the person of New York journalist, Cole McGaughan.

Cole McGaughan has not seen the beautiful Judge Kincade in eight years, so when he attends a press conference as a covert favor for a private investigator working for her opponent, he is unprepared for the roller coaster of emotions that paralyze them both. Laurel and Cole find themselves in a tangled web of regrets; will it become their prison or will they depend on the God of faithfulness to lead and guide them towards the truths that will set them free?

This is a nicely written book with interesting minor characters and a story line that accelerated at a satisfying pace.

[Andrea Montack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it..

I really enjoyed this book. Writing was great,story flowed and the characters were real. I loved the clean romantic slant ,and although the main characters were Christian the author managed to not make the book preachy.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little slow in the beginning, this story picks up toward the end and I couldn't put it down. The intrigue of a secret and a campaign scandal with a (Christian) love story thrown in. The Christian overtones in the novel were subtle, but still resonating a difficult feat in Christian fiction where it is easy to come off as preachy and overbearing. Elizabeth White manged to stay firmly on the other side of the line with a very enjoyable read and love story. I loved the setting; Mobile, Alabama, Mississippi and some great Alabama politics thrown in. Overall a very enjoyable read and I will definitely be reading more Elizabeth White in the future.

[Sarah Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second Elizabeth White book, and I was already acquainted with the two main characters from the other book, Tour de Force, so I knew from the get-go how this was going to end. I still liked seeing Laurel's and Cole's relationship as it blossoms. Nothing much really stood out to me as highly suspenseful, even though the NoveList Plus database identifies its genres as including "political thriller" yet doesn't provide a summary of the plot.

[Jessie Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must have read about this book somewhere, because it’s been on my Amazon wishlist a long time. Who knows? When it went on sale for Kindle, I decided it was worth the $2. And I really, really liked it. As I’ve mentioned a million times, when my brain is tired, I turn to Christian fiction. This is the story of Lauren, a young woman running for chief state justice in Alabama. Surrounded by family and with a reputation of being highly conservative and big on family values, Lauren’s world is shaken up when former love interest Cole comes to report on her campaign.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Some of the reviews say that it's a predictable story...well, yea...it's Christian Romance/Fiction, what do you expect? :) I've also read "Fair Game," by this author and I liked that one too. I'm planning on reading more of her books.

I love the characters, the storyline and was very pleased with the ending! This is a great, easy read and I found myself constantly wanting to finish to get to the resolution/happy ending.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had read "Fireworks" by this author, and enjoyed this second one as well. This one is about a woman running as the first Supreme Court Justice in Alabama, and a relationship from the past that suddenly surfaces to haunt her daily life and threaten her chances of success at being elected. It has several surprises along the way, and paints a good picture of why honesty and not keeping secrets is the better way. A good read.

[Ocean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book. It was a simple, predictable story of two people falling I love. That would have been just fine if it hadn't been for all the religion. Everything they decided to do was because of God. God even talked to them and told them what to do, it was just too much religion for me!

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Hallmark movies you'll like this book and I'm a sucker for them! Romance but more to it than most. Well written.

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[Caron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like those Mormon romances, except for baptists. There's a lot of parts where she talks about how she's praying about this guy in her life, and wants to follow the spirit and do the right thing.
It's a cute story, but a little predictable.

[Jas]

I get it, she's a conservative judge ffrom Alabama, but oh my lord did she have to 'speak with the man' for every teeny tiny little thing? It got to the point where I considered making the references to god into a drinking game.

[Ashley Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of the book, I was curious about this past that is being hinted at. Towards the middle, I'd just fallen in love with Cole. And towards the end I was frustrated with Laurel! So many things to love about this book!

[Dramamama]

Sooooo good! One of the best books I have read in a long time!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

God works in mysterious ways

[Jacquelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light mystery with a christian romace thrown in. Light fast read, but interesting enough that it made me keep reading to find out what happens

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story of two people trying to live their lives according to God's will while keeping their past a secret.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, it was a cheesy love story and very predictable, but I like cheesy love stories!

[Kindleclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janet...I enjoyed the story. It had some religious overtones, but not to overdone.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

A halfway decent story but full of religious patter.

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Great story and I love that it takes place in good ol' Mobile, AL!

[Noelle Marchand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! The hero is this was fantastic! The plot kept me guessing. This is definitely one I'll read again and again.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It was predictable and the "big scandal" was lame. It was a free download and sometimes you get what you pay for.

[Amber Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good read. Laural and Cole will make you want t o laugh with them and cry with them. Very cute book.

[Becca Biggs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy.