Pastor Layton and Lady Natasha Briggs were destined to marry. Well, according to their parents who arranged things before they were old enough to walk. Now, thirteen years later, Layton and Tasha find themselves at odds. Love, honor and cherish have all been replaced with arguing, accusations, and domestic violence.A toxic environment that is tainting the heart and mind of their six-year-old daughter Lael.Early one Sunday morning, things take a more violent turn, leaving Lael to make a 911 call that will chill the darkest of souls. Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." But what happens when the love is lost and there are secrets behind closed doors?
Lakisha Johnson, native Memphian and author of over ten titles was born to write. She’ll tell you that “Writing didn’t find me, it’s was engraved in my spirit when I was created.” Along with being an author, she is an ordained minister, co-pastor, wife, mother and the product of a large family.
She is an avid blogger at kishasdailydevotional.com and social media poster where she utilizes her gifts to encourage others to tap into their God given talents. She won’t claim to be the best at what she does nor does she have all the answers, she is simply grateful to be used by God
We worry too much about what others think, even to the point of neglecting to get help because of how it may look. We put pastors on pedestals failing to acknowledge they're human too, with human feelings and human issues. We put on airs in public and suffer behind closed doors because we think our faith isn't strong enough if prayer doesn't work. Ms Johnson dealt with all this and more; generational curses, domestic abuse, divorce. She really made it plain. Breaking cycles takes a multifaceted approach and I hope this book motivates someone going through to find the courage to start breaking chains. Excellent read and highly recommended.
This was a good read. A man being abused by his spouse is a story we rarely read about. My bias was in thinking Layton was the abuser, then he didn’t want to get counseling to save his marriage, all the while he was the victim the whole time. Definitely a must read.
This was the first book that I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It tackled domestic violence and generational curses. But this book tackled domestic violence where the man was being abused. Oftentimes, we don’t hear about men being abused because it is reported because of embarrassment, lack of support or feelings of being less than a man. As for as generational curses, we only mimic the the things that we see and know. If we know that these things are wrong and don’t get help, we tend to follow in the same footsteps. Great eye opener.
I was leery when I was introduced to an arranged marriage in today's times... but it is done in a way that is so believable. I'm really afraid to mess up and put a spoiler in my review, so I'll say, if you want a gritty, realistic take on relationships, and a plot that has the kind of twists fit for a thriller, you found it here!
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ but I’m rounding up for overall readability. [SUPER HONEST REVIEW]
I truly have mixed feelings about this book. It’s a short, pretty straight forward read with the message of “Never make assumptions because you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors.” — The book began to really peak my interest when it drew “word for word” from a true life story told on the TVOne show “Fatal Attraction”. I’m an avid watcher of that show and it struck me because it was one of the most cold blooded killings and evidence I had seen to date on that show — A man begs to see his child one last time and she tells him “You’re going to have to crawl to her.” — Is referenced many times. Now, obviously this book changed the back story, and took some liberties to flesh it out into a different story line, but it troubled me that something so specific wasn’t credited at the end in the author’s note as the inspiration. I’m a stickler for credit being given… but also out of respect for that family who that really happened to. I would find it extremely odd if the author claimed not to know this story. So specific.
The ending was also a little lack luster for me and although I am a believer, I found myself skimming through a lot of the prayers, as they got wordy… like those prayers right before dinner and you just wanna get to the food (point) lol Lot of grammatical errors in the ebook, even the misnaming of certain characters so I had to stop and realize who they actually meant.
All in all though, it was a quick read and I think anyone I suggested it to would enjoy it. Page turner, if nothing else.
Title: Behind Closed Doors Author: Lakisha Johnson Publisher: Twins Write 2 Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: Five Review: "Behind Closed Doors" by Lakisha Johnson
My Opinion:
'Behind Closed Doors' lets one know you never really know what goes on 'Behind Closed Doors' as it was for the Briggs family. It was quite a sad read, but we know how things can go on Twins Write 2 (February 3, 2021)' Behind Closed Doors' and then having Natasha's family members [mom and dad] being also a problem. It was for sure that Natasha needed help, and I felt so sorry for Layton and their daughter Lael. How this subject was dealt with was indeed something to read in which this author did an excellent job with the topic of abuse. It was definitely a fact that Natasha was suffering from 'abuse, jealousy, and insecurity that took her completely over the edge. What would have happened if she had gotten the help she needed. Oh well, I guess that will be a subject for another time. This story was different in who the abuser was, and here is where I will say you will have to pick up "Behind Closed Doors" to get the whole story because it will be quite a story to ponder over long after the read.
Although the book was a page turner, I hated it because the woman was annoying and she played victim. I couldn't wait to be done with it. I'm glad the subject will give others a glimpse as to what it looks like for men to be abused and not the abuser. Oftentimes, men are looked at in ways that make them look less than a man but there are those who don't believe in hitting women. This subject needs to be looked at a human problem and not one that women are the only ones who suffer from domestic violence. Years ago, I saw a made for TV movie called Men Don't Tell. There were no shelters for that man to go to, the police laughed in his face and treated him as if he was lying, and there were many who made that man fee shame for being weak. That was a movie and this is a book, I pray in 2021 men are getting the help they deserve and the attitude about male victims has changed. I hated this book because of the subject matter; it didn't matter if the victim was male or female.
Pastor Layton and First Lady Natasha Briggs started out as childhood friends, married and have a six year old daughter named Lael. To the outside world, they appear to have the perfect marriage, but behind closed doors, they're hiding a secret. All is well until, that one fateful night and the 911 call that changed the dynamic of their life forever.
Be warned that there is domestic violence in this book. I was convicted, because of my assumptions, but immediately remembered that abuse comes in all forms…mental, physical, financial, etc. We sometimes forget that many people are affected by the abuse and also, hurt people hurt people.
My favorite character was Lael. This little girl endured a lot, but still had compassion in the end. My least favorite character, hands down is Natasha's mother. I couldn't believe the lengths this woman would go to, for appearances.
Another stellar job by @kishajohnson. Please go pick this one up.
This book was deep and touched on some serious topics. I loved certain parts of it and other parts I wanted a different outcome. I loved the references to scriptures and the prayers. I understand the saying that "hurt people hurt people," and that was exactly what happened with Victoria. Her actions trinkled down to Natasha. I were hoping that Victoria got some help, she needed an anger management class, a mental evaluation as well. I liked how Natasha finally admitted to her mistakes and her truth but I wanted her to be a little farther in her healing process by the end of the book. I would love to read a book on Layton finding true love for him and his daughter. Lael needs a strong mother figure and Layton needs a true love.
I recommend this book, just be prepared what happens behind closed doors is not what you going to imagine.
I enjoyed this book very much. It is fiction, however, it shines a light on a subject very often overlooked. Yes, women get abused by men, however, there are women that also do the abusing.
I haven’t experienced physical abuse in my own family, however, there is enough verbal, emotional and mental abuse by females in my circle to be able to understand how it could easily escalate to physical abuse.
We teach our sons not to hit women while showing and therefore teaching our daughters how to verbally and emotionally abuse cracking the door for it to become physical. When you know better you have to work hard to do better to break generational patterns.
I alway love this authors books and have read them all.
Generational curses can be broken, let it star with you!
Secrets! There are no secrets you can hide from God. For He is Alpha and Omega the beginning and the end. You are His creation and He knows the story of your life before you were even a thought in the womb. Your life's story has been already been written. It is just up to you to live your life. Having free will gives us the chance to live a life in truth or deceit. Don't let the lives of others dictate your story. Let God lead you. Ask Him to order your steps so that you can live out the story He has already written for you. This author gives you an example of what can happen when you try to live your life without the guidance of our Creator.
Unless you heal your childhood trauma, it will show up in your relationship as an adult
Lakisha wrote another masterpiece touching on childhood abuse, mental illness, forgiveness, domestic abuse against males, and of course, religion. The matter of male victims is very taboo, and the fact that it was noted men are embarrassed to report abuse or are made fun of when documented was fantastically written. I fell in love with Lael’s name and her strength at such young age. I wish Tasha could have seek help bc of her childhood trauma she hurt ppl she loved which in the end changed her life. I hope there will be a part 2 where Tasha seeks help, heal, and rekindle a healthy relationship with her daughter.
I was not sure what to think of this story, and wanted to like it, even love it. It had some really good things going for it. It is not common that a story is well told about a male DV survivor. This one did a really good job of that. What it didn't do well, was the excessive language throughout the book when it was not needed to tell the story. The graphic details of abuse, where it could have been told without that. The trauma to the daughter was well done, but then it had you basically playing that women that accuse of DV, are really just fakers, and didn't really address some of the abuse in the book as well as it could have been done. It was very confusing, and needed some good editing to make it much better.
I purchased this book in February 2021 and would not read it, thinking that the title suggested abuse of a woman or child. Man, was I wrong. This is an amazing story! Not excusing Natasha's character family environment and situations can create a "monster". I enjoy the author's ministry and creativity in communicating clearly a need for God and prayer, she also supports therapy. The themes forgiveness, abuse by parents, mental and physical abuse, and traumatic depression were lovingly and carefully written. Keep writing and educating. I will continue to support.
Oh my goodness. This book was so good. The intro led you to believe just what the author intended, then the whole story unfolds. I am a minister of the gospel and I know so many things Ms. Johnson writes about in her books are taboo in the church and shouldn't be. I pray that anyone reading this book (and her others) will be able to process abuse differently. By process, I mean see the whole picture while being objective. And by being objective, I mean hearing the whole story before sentencing judgment, which isn't our job any way.
Ms. Johnson, continue to let the Lord use you for His glory!
The story of Natasha and Layton was a testimony of generational damage and how it can impact your relationships. Being in a church setting bought it home even more so. As a has been often said, “ Church is a place for sick people to come be healed “. When those who need healing are in leadership of the church it has even greater impact. The planned marriage of Natasha and Layton gave the foundation for turmoil and just passed the baton for abuse. The reverse situation of the abuse was an interesting dynamic in the story. A story of love that hid truth that in the end cost everybody involved.
Whew! I started reading this and it was too good to put down. The characters were well written and I felt as though I was in the courtroom. The story reveals so much of what goes on behind clothes doors and how much our childhood affects our adult life. It states it a book of fiction but this author shows real life situations.
I really hope pastors and congregants will read this book and really learn from the mistakes we make in the body of Christ.
Lord knows I wanted to not like Layton and for him to be the abuser and they was just making Tasha out to be the bad person to cover for the preacher. REALITY he was being abused. We so use to the women being the victim and not the men therefore when u hear men speak out we think they’re lying or trying to be deceitful. It goes to show u abuse can happen with men and women. Tasha needed help. Her past as a child with her parents manifested into adulthood and her marriage.
This book was awesome. I was feeling that it was Tasha getting abused by the Pastor. But it was the other around. You never know what goes on Behind Closed Doors. I would have never thought it was headed in that Direction. Never judge a book by its cover. What I mean by that in a relationship. Again this was an awesome read/write. I wish it was a Part 2. Thanks Minister Johnson. Be Blessed
I would recommend Behind Closed Doors to everyone. What a powerful statement! We never truly think about a man going through domestic violence. The title was very appropriate, we never truly know what is going on behind closed doors. I hope the story is expanded so we can see how Natasha, Layton, Lael, and Natasha's parents are dealing with the aftermath of Natasha's deep seeded jealousy, abuse, and insecurity
This was a very informative, motivational and inspirational book. What this book is about happen in real life. A lots of these men and women suffer in silence afraid to get help until it's too late. Some will survive the drama and the beating , some will not . I pray that this book will be read by both men and women and they will understand their is no shame to reach out for help. Love me Lakisha Johnson books
Lakisha Johnson never fails. Her books are always about the things in life. She never sugarcoat anything. She allows you to see the good, the bad and the ugly. Abusive relationships are more prevalent than we care to admit. Without given spoilers this book allows you to see how one abusive relationship carries into other relationships. Hope you enjoy the read.
This author addresses a very serious topic but with aa twist. I enjoyed the contect and the motif of generational curses. I found myself in Natasha & Lael because of my past & current experience with my mother. Now I don't feel bad about walking away & know that I have to forgive & move on. But the grammar was so bad in this book that it was distracting. Lord knows I love this author but it took me longer than normal to read this book.
You always think you know a person but so we really? You just never know what people are dealing with behind closed doors. I won't say much because I don't wanna give anything away. But Layton and Tasha story really makes you stop and think. It's funny how things from our childhood carries over to our adult life. This is the first book I've given a 5 star this year. Great storyline and very well written. This was my 1st time reading this author but definitely not my last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
It was an ok read, I loved the undertone about abuse on men as I feel this topic is taboo and many authors shy away from it. It just kinda was slow then, and happened really fast. Not having alot of background on her abuse made me not understand her. I understood him as a man not wanting to be embarrassed it sad church folk have you living silent just to save faces
This was yet another awesome book by Lakisha Johnson!!!!! Discussing a stigma that people refuse to talk about. Abuse of any kind is usually kept behind closed doors, but when the the aggressor is the woman, there are no resources for the man. It is a sad commentary that needs to be corrected moving forward!!! Thanks to Pastor Lakisha Johnson for bringing this out for discussion!!!!!
I loved reading this book, it was a great read. Each time I read one of this authors books I enjoy them and I look for the next one. You can learn a lot though reading a good book. I love the way Lakisha Johnson tells her stories they keep you interested and go always learn something. Keep writing and I will keep reading and recommend your books to others. Thanks for sharing gift with others.
I chose five stars because I can't believe how I was so easily fooled by Natasha. It's scary to think how manipulative she was and how I felt compassion for her. I couldn't fathom that she would lie so deeply about Pastor briggs. I really wish there was a sequel to this book. While it's fiction, the storyline had some reality things that could and does happen. This was a therapeutic read for me and I recommend it fully.