200 Letters

by Amy Watkins

Readers Favorite Book Award winner, 200 Letters is an inspirational romance suspense novel that follows two people as they try to escape abusive relationships. Their paths cross and they fall in love. However, the tainted lovers from their past scheme in an attempt to break up the happy couple. This scheming leads to an unjust incarceration during which letters are written between the couple. It is through those letters they gain spiritual enlightenment and discernment. Based on true events, this page turner is filled with passion, drama, suspense, and motivation.

309 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2020

About the author

Amy Watkins was born and raised in Washington, DC. She received an undergraduate degree from Frostburg State University and a Medical Degree from University of Maryland, Baltimore. She served in the US Navy for 8 years. She currently works as a family medicine physician for the Navy. She is a single mother of three. Writing has always been a hobby for her and now she is making it into a career.  200 Letters is her first novel.

Reviews

[Lorrea - WhatChaReadin'? · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Ethan and Angela are both just getting out of bad marriages when they meet each other and fall in love. But their pasts won't allow them to be great and trying to maintain love when you have past trust issues can prove to be very difficult.

This books is described as Christian Fiction, but I'm calling it ratchet Christian fiction. I would put this in a category with Kimberla Lawson Roby although this book isn't quite as good.

It was a quick read that was hard to put down.

[Ashley Brannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

My novel for the weekend 📖.The perfect combination of a drama filled hood novel with spiritual Bible verses that correspond with every trying time you can image! A quick read with plenty of twists and turns throughout the story. This novel shows how God is always present eventhough we sometimes feel he has left us. For an drama filled book sprinkled with God's promises throughout the story check this book out!

[Samyra Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with unexpected twists and turns. Not a shortage of betrayal, adultery, drama etc

[Terry Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what can I say. This novel had me on edge through the entire read. I love how the author gives account from the different protagonists as they share their experiences in relationships. The book is amazingly written and is very much down-to-earth with real life relationship drama. At some point, I felt as if the author was visiting aspects my own past! Let's just say, it was that good. I also enjoyed how the characters developed through the power of faith, love, and perseverance. This novel is a must read and you will not be disappointed.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doc
This was a page turner. I love it

[Vijaya Lakshmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Name: 200 letters
Author: Amy Watkins
Genre: Adult Fiction

This is a story of Ethan & Angela, two people caught in separate abusive relationships. While Ethan is dealing with an incredulous, manipulative wife, Angela has a bad tempered, useless husband who is good for nothing. It is a saga of failed relationships and undying hope. The book explicates that domestic violence is not gender specific. While it is popularly believed that only women face domestic abuse ,this story elucidates that there are men out there facing the brunt as much as any other women.
As the story progresses, path of these individuals merge, however the commotion in their lives continue. The book deals with failed marriages, cheating men and women, manipulative mother and also briefly touches upon racism prevalent in our society. I am always critical of characters who are confused and all over the place, Ethan for eg. has been so frequently in and out of relationships that I was unable to understand his goodness. I mean how hopeful can you be to get into umpteen failed relations one after the other. Either you are too good a human or DUMB as hell! Through first 50% of the book I was glued and hoping it to be a great read. But I guess the author took up too many issues all at once.
The book has superfluous mentions of sexual encounters, sometimes really unnecessary. The leads of the book are practising Christians and have firm faith in god. I wish the author had stuck to issues of domestic violence & racism and cut short the unnecessary parts on carnal desires.
Having said that I would also like to mention that there are sections in the book which really stand out for eg. the account of Mr. Key was a total stellar and will stay with me forever. The story had a lot of potential which got lost in a lot of triviality.
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[Miles Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

200 Letters is a thought-provoking collection of stories interwoven with biblical insights. The stories are told from various perspectives, adding tremendous depth. Generally, the stories illustrate the many dangers inherent in close, toxic, and abusive relationships. Mental health is a common theme throughout.

I read with great interest the chapters involving imprisonment. The book would benefit from additional exploration of this topic in particular. Longstanding injustices in America's prison conditions are readily apparent to the reader.

The section on equating black imprisonment for petty offenses to slavery is excellent. My applause to the author for including it. Might I suggest exploring this topic in more detail in a future book? I would be honored to add that to my bookshelf.

The book could be shorter. Character development is often prolonged rather than concise. I get that the author is trying to show, not tell, but the work would benefit from focusing on the heart of each story. That said, the stories are well-introduced. Maybe the author could consider a second edition that is much shorter. Additionally, the cover would benefit from improvement to reach a wider audience.

The book contains keen insights on sex and human desire.

I plan to cite 200 Letters in a planned book on prisons and recidivism. My sincere thanks to you, Amy, for your thoughtful insights on the matter. --Miles Garrett

Quotes from the book:

"Since 1865, when the [Thirteenth] Amendment was passed, Black men were getting charged, set up, arrested, and convicted for the pettiest of offenses--like child support. They were getting harsher sentences than their white counterparts. That way, the cotton could still get picked and the tobacco could still get plucked. The Confederate way of making money could still survive despite the abolishment of slavery."

"Jesus did a lot, said a lot, and taught a lot, but his ultimate message was love."

"Open your heart to love again. By this, I mean biblical love (patience, kindness, honesty, peace). God is love."--Amy Watkins

[Sue Loh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a story of tumultuous relationships, written from the heart. Ethan and Angela are both getting out of bad marriages when they meet and fall in love. They’re both still tangled with their ex’s, though, and those people are crazy. In fact, many of the people in this book are crazy! This is really the story of Ethan and Angela trying to sort out what on Earth is going on with all of that craziness, and whether they can trust each other. Along the way, they use the Bible and prayer to guide their thoughts and decisions.

My biggest complaint about this book is that it needs some serious professional editing. It has a lot of spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. I get that spoken conversations are going to be in informal jargon and style with different grammar, but this goes beyond that. Also, this may just be me, but the characters refer to their own sexual acts with the F word too many times for my liking – too crude for me.

Aside from that, it’s an enjoyable story. The people are very relatable and their reactions are realistic. The ending is believable and satisfying. My favorite thing about the book is that it takes you inside a slice of life for black people in today’s America. The theological reasoning is also very reasonable (though I don’t feel nearly as conflicted about extramarital relations as the characters in this book do, but to each their own).

[S. Jeyran Main · Rating 3 out of 5]

200 letters is a romance novel written about Angela and Ethan. Angela comes from a previously abusive relationship that was causing great misery. Ethan is unhappily married, working at the same office as Angela. They meet, and a connection happens between them, causing persevering issues. The dynamic of the relationship and the choices they have to make then become the story at hand.

The story begins by providing a good solid background about how individual characters’ lives are. The foundation and the unanswered storylines then get placed together, creating a very well written story about forgiveness, love, trust, and coming of age.
I particularly enjoyed Angela’s character. Everything about her was endearing. It was hard not to want her to find the best possible outcome, and the author did an excellent job crafting that connection between the reader and the protagonist.

The literature had a steady pace, and everything was built up until the end, providing a satisfying ending. There was a spiritual aspect of the story, which was not preachy but provided the message that God is always nearby even when we think we are alone.

I would recommend this story to anyone who likes to read fiction, romance, and coming of age stories.

[Ben Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the start, I absolutely loved everything about this book and could not put it down because I had to know what was going to happen next. One of the key things that draws me in to the story is the time the author took to craft and develop real characters that any reader can relate to on multiple levels. I even found bits and pieces of myself that I can recall looking back over the story of my life.

Not only is the story one that will keep you drawn in but more importantly are the lesson(s) that we can take away from the authors’ superb writing style. Many think that once you give your life to Christ, everything will become easier but in reality; this is just the beginning. We get a glimpse of this as well as a vivid display of just how strong the power of faith is.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a solid page turner from start to finish. This book is one of those extremely rare cases where you can literally feel the raw talent of the author on every single page. You will see people that you know and love through these characters and watch as they transform and transcend over the trials of life.

[Brenda Maxwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tired

Tired is the best way I can describe myself after reading this book. There was so much drama, it just wore me out. I am a bit miffed at authors who say they are Christian, but I guess in their efforts to "keep it real" their stories are full of sex, cussing, adultery, fornication, lies, and approval of the homosexual lifestyle. Scriptures thrown in and many times misinterpreted. God knows our heart is a true statement, but we have to stop using it as an excuse in our lives and in the lives of some of these characters. Especially when there is not behavioral changes. I have the book 3 stars, because the premise was good, but the book needed some editing for misused words. I am not trying to discourage the author, but continued repetition of the he loves me he loves me not theme and she loves me, she loves me not makes my brain shut down. The story has a happy ending, but I just wanted it to end!

[Joaquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purchased this book because of the amazing reviews on Amazon and oh boy, they were all right. This book is fantastic, the story is so beautiful and full of emotions, I I couldn't put this down until I ended. The characters are so real and so well writen that you can easily find yourself or a friend reflected on them, you start to love and care for them. Amazing book.

[Bethany Camille James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all around great read

There is so much good qualities to this book. It is relatable and right up my alley in the way it is told. I felt an instant connection to the writing structure. I really like the titles of the chapters and just a well made book.

[Tabitha Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rough and true

Life isn't easy. But there's a way to navigate it correctly. This author's reflective real-world application of the holy spirit in the middle of the mess of life is on point. Very relateable. Good job!

[Patrice Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on relationships

I really enjoyed this book. It really takes you through the ups and down of a relationship. People are willing to accept countless things when they think they are in love. Abuse is not just physical, it can be verbal as well. Both women and men can relate to and learn a lot from this book. It will take your emotions on a journey through thick and thin, for better or worse.

[Amy Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

a page turner. a must read.