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Here and Now
In this powerful classic by New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby, two sisters as different as night and day must find the light in each other amid their darkest times . . .
Brilliant and vibrant, Marcella Jones had the whole world in her hands, until she gave her heart to the wrong man. Tyrone was handsome and charismatic, but he left her destitute, raising two small children alone--and yearning for the kind of life her dead-end job will never provide. Marcella's elder sister, Racquel, lives in a fine home, has a fulfilling career and the love of Kevin, her handsome, successful, supportive husband. Yet her desperate longing for a child is driving her into a deep depression, and away from Kevin.
Marcella and Racquel are so hungry for what the other has, they are tearing their lives apart. Only with each other's help can they heal the hurt and celebrate the joy of everything that's been given to them.
"Kimberla Roby is a true writer, a storyteller at the top of her game. With unforgettable characters like Marcella and Rachel, Here and Now reminds readers about their own lives."
--Eric Jerome Dickey
"Roby writes with high-octane levels of emotion."
--USA Today
Brilliant and vibrant, Marcella Jones had the whole world in her hands, until she gave her heart to the wrong man. Tyrone was handsome and charismatic, but he left her destitute, raising two small children alone--and yearning for the kind of life her dead-end job will never provide. Marcella's elder sister, Racquel, lives in a fine home, has a fulfilling career and the love of Kevin, her handsome, successful, supportive husband. Yet her desperate longing for a child is driving her into a deep depression, and away from Kevin.
Marcella and Racquel are so hungry for what the other has, they are tearing their lives apart. Only with each other's help can they heal the hurt and celebrate the joy of everything that's been given to them.
"Kimberla Roby is a true writer, a storyteller at the top of her game. With unforgettable characters like Marcella and Rachel, Here and Now reminds readers about their own lives."
--Eric Jerome Dickey
"Roby writes with high-octane levels of emotion."
--USA Today
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
117 people are currently reading
1050 people want to read
About the author
Kimberla Lawson Roby
43 books2,788 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 49 reviews
March 11, 2013
You know when you've just finished reading a book and you say to yourself "I wish someone would've told me not to waste time reading this"? Well...this is that book. And I am that someone.
This story is overly underdeveloped. There is a lot of 'stuff' in this book that just doesn't go anywhere. Also, I found the diction to be awkward and out of context at times.
With that being said, I realize this book was published in the 90's and, therefore, I'm not willing to jump the gun and write the author off completely. This is the first book that I've read by Mrs. Roby, but because I've heard such good things about her, I'm willing to give her books another try. Starting with a more recent title this time…
This story is overly underdeveloped. There is a lot of 'stuff' in this book that just doesn't go anywhere. Also, I found the diction to be awkward and out of context at times.
With that being said, I realize this book was published in the 90's and, therefore, I'm not willing to jump the gun and write the author off completely. This is the first book that I've read by Mrs. Roby, but because I've heard such good things about her, I'm willing to give her books another try. Starting with a more recent title this time…
February 18, 2019
It was mostly about Racquel and she was obsessed with having a baby but she couldn't and she thought the reason she couldn't was because of the two abortions she had . She never told her husband because it happen before she met him, but he heard her talking about it on the phone and their marriage started going down hill. It had gotten so bad till Kevin was talking about a divorce. Before that happened she ended up pregnant, but when she was about six months she lost a baby girl which she named Karlia, and she wasn't the same after it.
Marcella was her sister and she had a a daughter named Ashley and a son named Nicholas that ended up dying from a brain auresyn. This was a good book but it centered around Marcella and her sister Racquel.
Marcella was her sister and she had a a daughter named Ashley and a son named Nicholas that ended up dying from a brain auresyn. This was a good book but it centered around Marcella and her sister Racquel.
March 6, 2016
I enjoyed this book, had several life lessons in it such as be thankful for what you have, never judge a book by its cover. Never take life for granted.
March 31, 2017
I definitely shed some tears! Loved this book
February 22, 2018
Quick read but I have never wanted to reach inside a book and slap the main characters so much! Both women got on my nerves. But I was glad that it worked out in the end.
September 14, 2020
I was extremely confused by this book. I thought it was a new release and purchased it on my kindle. There are grammatical and formatting errors. I am not sure why the electronic version contains so many errors. This isn’t the quality that I normally receive when reading a book by Kimberla Lawson Roby. Even if I don’t like the plot, her books are always formatted well and definitely don’t have misspelled words.
The story is depressing. I couldn’t find a single character to love. I thought both of the sisters were over the top and ridiculous. The men were terrible as well.
I did love the family theme. No matter what, the core family members supported each other. I love family, so this book was perfect in that sense. I also related to Marcella’s daughter. There’s a situation that’s directly from my rebellious teenage years.
Overall, Kimberla Lawson Roby is great for entertainment, drama and her books polished. I think this is an outlier. If you’re a new reader start with the Curtis Black series. That’s a wild ride!
The story is depressing. I couldn’t find a single character to love. I thought both of the sisters were over the top and ridiculous. The men were terrible as well.
I did love the family theme. No matter what, the core family members supported each other. I love family, so this book was perfect in that sense. I also related to Marcella’s daughter. There’s a situation that’s directly from my rebellious teenage years.
Overall, Kimberla Lawson Roby is great for entertainment, drama and her books polished. I think this is an outlier. If you’re a new reader start with the Curtis Black series. That’s a wild ride!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2021
Life Lessons
I gave this book 5 stars because it's a very well written book. It's written like the people and situations brings to mind the people you encounter daily who go through these same things. The loss of loved ones is very devastating and I can relate to that on a personal level because I've lost two daughters, one recently and the other a few years ago. Both are just as painful now as it was when it happened. But life goes on and we have to come to terms the best way we can. I certainly know plenty of dead beat dad situations and it's a shame that children have to go through that. Yes, I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next Kimberla Lawson Roby book.
I gave this book 5 stars because it's a very well written book. It's written like the people and situations brings to mind the people you encounter daily who go through these same things. The loss of loved ones is very devastating and I can relate to that on a personal level because I've lost two daughters, one recently and the other a few years ago. Both are just as painful now as it was when it happened. But life goes on and we have to come to terms the best way we can. I certainly know plenty of dead beat dad situations and it's a shame that children have to go through that. Yes, I really enjoyed reading this book and am looking forward to the next Kimberla Lawson Roby book.
July 19, 2013
I stayed up until 5:30am to finish reading this book, and I feel strongly there could have been a better use of my time. Overall the characters were restrained which was disappointing considering the events that transpired in the main character's lives. This is no book which approves of a recipe comprised mainly of rose colored glasses and sex. That in an of itself was refreshing; however, this book just didn't get better for me. I felt underwhelmed after reading, but, for finding it at the price of $0.50 at the public library's used book store, it was well worth the money!
March 25, 2017
This book was awesome. It was heart breaking, yet it was my life, your life or someone you may know. Things were happen that you never saw coming. But they were things that made you stop and realize life goes on. Gods plan will be carried out, weather we're ready for it or not. Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burdens are light. We will have burdens, trials and challenges in life. But Gods grace, wow! I loved this book because it was just like the title. Here today but gone tomorrow and we live for now!
July 18, 2019
Normally I am a big fan of Roby’s book. She has a way of making unlikeable characters compelling enough to visit time and again. She has never shied away from talking about hard topics. And she does it through distinct black characters. All things that I’m here for. But, not this time. I love the fact that Roby takes a stereotype of a black woman (single mother with two kids and a deadbeat dad) and goes deeper and brings reality of the situation to the forefront (mom is a really good mom, sacrificing to do what’s best for her kids). But, over and over again the character talks about how she shouldn’t do something but yet still does it. It’s not a regretful thought after the fact, could then blame it on impulsivity. They go in eyes wide open that they’re making a mistake. Both sisters do this, even though they have different problems. And then there’s the obsession over a pregnancy, and bad decisions because of that. The resolution for that is pretty much glossed over. While i didn’t particularly enjoy this one, I will continue with her other works.
February 21, 2023
Life Learning Experiences
The book was well written about different choices that we often make in life!! It had choices of the females that is a struggle of right and wrong decisions that females go through in daily living!!! The generations of family members were there for one anther through the good and the bad!!! But in the end there was life learned experiences for everyone of the characters!!!
The book was well written about different choices that we often make in life!! It had choices of the females that is a struggle of right and wrong decisions that females go through in daily living!!! The generations of family members were there for one anther through the good and the bad!!! But in the end there was life learned experiences for everyone of the characters!!!
July 27, 2020
This one could have been better. I was excited to start this one because she is one of my favorite authors. Yes this was a story of resilience and how to pick yourself up when everything is against you and how to hold on through bad times in your marriage and make it work but... this book wasn’t nearly as good as some of her others.
November 19, 2020
Awesome!,,,,
Another amazing book. Mrs. Roby has a way of capturing your attention from beginning to end. I find myself looking forward to running back to continue my reading day to day. She is one of my favorite authors and I have read EVERY book she’s written.
Thank you for another remarkable piece of work
Another amazing book. Mrs. Roby has a way of capturing your attention from beginning to end. I find myself looking forward to running back to continue my reading day to day. She is one of my favorite authors and I have read EVERY book she’s written.
Thank you for another remarkable piece of work
August 24, 2021
Life! Life!
Here and Now was the most realistic book ever. This book made me angry, sad, cry, and smile at times. I wished a million times as I was reading, that the author could have allowed some insignificant characters die, but realized that life happens to all of us. This book will forever have a place in my heart and memory.
A job well done!
Here and Now was the most realistic book ever. This book made me angry, sad, cry, and smile at times. I wished a million times as I was reading, that the author could have allowed some insignificant characters die, but realized that life happens to all of us. This book will forever have a place in my heart and memory.
A job well done!
February 22, 2022
This book grabbed my attention in the first chapter and held it until the very last word. In true Kimberla Lawson Roby fashion she made you fall in love with each of the characters. I cheered and cried for Marcella and Racquel during various stages of the book. I found myself fully invested in their lives and wishing them well. All in all, a must read!
November 29, 2022
Candid story
Disturbing and poignant, to realize that this storyline is an actual fact of life. I trust that no family experiences the magnitude that this family experienced. Very difficult to finish reading but, the hard topics were approached with truth and grace.
Disturbing and poignant, to realize that this storyline is an actual fact of life. I trust that no family experiences the magnitude that this family experienced. Very difficult to finish reading but, the hard topics were approached with truth and grace.
June 27, 2019
This story had my feelings all over the place. Lots of sadness and shockers!!!! But the ending was worth it!
July 9, 2019
This book had a very slow start but it began to pick up around page 100. This was a very good book despite the slow start. Lots of life lessons throughout each page. :)
January 12, 2020
Great read about sisters and real life trials and tribulations.
August 21, 2020
Great read. Hated putting it down.
December 10, 2020
Good book! Enjoyed these real life situations that happens to all of us!
February 8, 2021
Awesome read
As always this Kimberla never fails to provide an amazing reading experience! Thank you again! I loved this book! Next...
As always this Kimberla never fails to provide an amazing reading experience! Thank you again! I loved this book! Next...
February 26, 2021
Enjoyable.
June 29, 2021
Although I was tired of the pain and issues faced by the sisters, I enjoyed the story.
September 9, 2021
A Journal of Life
Gave it 5 stars hard to quit reading but very very enlighting dealing in relationships with love ones! Good reading
Gave it 5 stars hard to quit reading but very very enlighting dealing in relationships with love ones! Good reading
October 8, 2021
Another great book
I haven't read one of your books in a while and I wasn't disappointed.... Life is full of ups and downs and this book hit on some of them....
I haven't read one of your books in a while and I wasn't disappointed.... Life is full of ups and downs and this book hit on some of them....
February 28, 2022
excellent book
April 15, 2022
Here and Now
Great drama. I cried so over the loss of Nick. Corrine was one strong woman but both her daughters missed the boat. Good read.
Great drama. I cried so over the loss of Nick. Corrine was one strong woman but both her daughters missed the boat. Good read.
May 7, 2022
Very good, very different book. Written from black/African American family point of view, very good at explaining that life is not always what it appears to be.
May 16, 2022
Good Read!
This was a good read. Enjoyed the family dynamics and the sister's struggles. Some parts were pretty heavy and I had to take breaks, but overall, I enjoyed it.
This was a good read. Enjoyed the family dynamics and the sister's struggles. Some parts were pretty heavy and I had to take breaks, but overall, I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews