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The Prodigal Husband
After the death of their daughter, Jake runs away from the situation and has an affair with his business partner Sheila, and when he returns to ask his wife Tori for forgiveness, Tori calls on God to help her know what to do.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 25, 2002
9 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
Jacquelin Thomas
122 books405 followersJacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best selling author with 94 titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
September 10, 2007
A Phenomenal Read
Jake and Tori Madison have a wonderful marriage until Jake is caught in bed with his business partner, Sheila. Sheila, who has always been in love with Jake, planned to seduced Jake and have Tori catch them in the act. Heartbroken, Tori packs up their daughter and they move into her mother's house. Jake is wants to fix things in their marriage, but when their daughter is fatally injured in a tragic accident he is unable to handle the guilt. Jake tries to escape his guilt by fleeing the country. The only person who knows his where he "hiding out" is Sheila. Jake stays on top of the happenings of his business and family through communication with Sheila. Sheila is still determined to make Jake hers, she won't let Tori or anyone else know what is going on with him. While Jake is away, Tori makes major changes within herself and although she still loves Jake, she knows she must move on. After being gone for a year, Jake decides to return home to seek forgiveness. Jake surprises everyone with his return, and Tori has to do some serious soul searching to see if she can ever forgive Jake and learn to trust him again. Their reconciliation is filled with obstacles that make them both take a second look at themselves and their marriage. "The Prodigal Husband", is a novel about forgiveness and redemption. Although everyone may not agree with the decisions the characters make throughout the novel, it will definitely give the reader food for thought about their own lives and the impact of their actions on others. "The Prodigal Husband" is an inspirational read.
Jake and Tori Madison have a wonderful marriage until Jake is caught in bed with his business partner, Sheila. Sheila, who has always been in love with Jake, planned to seduced Jake and have Tori catch them in the act. Heartbroken, Tori packs up their daughter and they move into her mother's house. Jake is wants to fix things in their marriage, but when their daughter is fatally injured in a tragic accident he is unable to handle the guilt. Jake tries to escape his guilt by fleeing the country. The only person who knows his where he "hiding out" is Sheila. Jake stays on top of the happenings of his business and family through communication with Sheila. Sheila is still determined to make Jake hers, she won't let Tori or anyone else know what is going on with him. While Jake is away, Tori makes major changes within herself and although she still loves Jake, she knows she must move on. After being gone for a year, Jake decides to return home to seek forgiveness. Jake surprises everyone with his return, and Tori has to do some serious soul searching to see if she can ever forgive Jake and learn to trust him again. Their reconciliation is filled with obstacles that make them both take a second look at themselves and their marriage. "The Prodigal Husband", is a novel about forgiveness and redemption. Although everyone may not agree with the decisions the characters make throughout the novel, it will definitely give the reader food for thought about their own lives and the impact of their actions on others. "The Prodigal Husband" is an inspirational read.
January 8, 2009
Renewed Strength in Love
This book was so magnificent. It was worthy of so many more stars. I loved it from beginning to end. The power of the fate that she has in God, her love, this book is a definition of what a marriage should be. Anyone looking to feel refreshed should read this book. Steps of a good man are pledged through God; Jake learned that lesson eventually.
This book was so magnificent. It was worthy of so many more stars. I loved it from beginning to end. The power of the fate that she has in God, her love, this book is a definition of what a marriage should be. Anyone looking to feel refreshed should read this book. Steps of a good man are pledged through God; Jake learned that lesson eventually.
March 28, 2021
A great love story about forgiveness , trust and reconciliation . Although my actions would have been different , this still was a great story
April 2, 2021
The Prodigal Husband is definitely a book of forgiveness, faith and a testimony. Tori and Jake went through a lot in their relationship and only God could help that situation. We should never say never but I don’t think I could forgive as easily as Tori and I definitely know I would have snatched Sheila a couple of times. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 2, 2022
Cherish My Love
Tori cherished her love for Jake, but Jake allowed his lust to dismiss his true love for Tori. There are so many women like Sheila, who become emotionally attached to other women’s husbands.
I really liked this book because the author demonstrated how a marriage can be destroyed so quickly,unless God is in controlled . Awesome message within this book.
Tori cherished her love for Jake, but Jake allowed his lust to dismiss his true love for Tori. There are so many women like Sheila, who become emotionally attached to other women’s husbands.
I really liked this book because the author demonstrated how a marriage can be destroyed so quickly,unless God is in controlled . Awesome message within this book.
May 20, 2015
Another great story that was a re read for a discussion. It was just as great as the first time. I am so glad that Mrs. Thomas is now part of Brown Girls Books releasing another book by herself as well as others. I am sure they will be as great as this one.
October 21, 2007
Good book. If more couples would do what this couple did, then maybe there wouldn't be so much divorce in this world. Just a thought.
Read
August 6, 2011Another awesome book! Great read!!
March 30, 2021
Author, Jaquelin Thomas, never seems to disappoint her readers. In her novel, The Prodigal Husband, is about a story of forgiveness. Main character, Tori and Jake, had marital problems due to Jake’s infidelity with his business partner, Sheila. Their marriage became an emotional rollercoaster ride, when their daughter was killed in an accident while in the care of her father. Jake could not take the guilt and face Tori; therefore, he disappeared. Tori did not blame Jake for their daughter’s death and wondered why her husband left the hospital without notice. After a year passed, Jake’s love for Tori continued to engulf him. He returned home wanting to make things right with Tori yet handle Sheila in a sensitive manner. Tori was apt to Sheila’s vindictive, sneaky ways by doing any and everything to destroy their marriage. Tory kept her faith and prayed that Jake would handle things if he really wanted their marriage to heal. Nevertheless, Jake had got a good whiff of Sheila’s motives that finally opened his eyes. Great read!!
February 22, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Tori, the main character, is likely the most spiritually strong character I've read about. Jake, her husband, needed an ass-whooping through roughly 80% of the book lol. Jacquelin Thomas told a wonderful story of true, Godly love, faith, hope, trust, and redemption. The characters were well-developed, and each had unique voices that added to the story.
I would absolutely recommend this book to others. There were times when I found myself thinking, "That is not realistic." However, upon finishing the book- and taking time to reflect- I realize that some things may have seemed unrealistic because I have more growing to do spiritually. Would I be able to forgive my husband if I found myself in the same situation as Tori? Most likely, no. That is something that I need to work on. I appreciate the author for writing a book that invokes thought, and that challenges my mindset.
I would absolutely recommend this book to others. There were times when I found myself thinking, "That is not realistic." However, upon finishing the book- and taking time to reflect- I realize that some things may have seemed unrealistic because I have more growing to do spiritually. Would I be able to forgive my husband if I found myself in the same situation as Tori? Most likely, no. That is something that I need to work on. I appreciate the author for writing a book that invokes thought, and that challenges my mindset.
June 2, 2025
Entertaining writing ✍🏾
...and storyline, I could not put this book down! I wanted to read in one sitting but not possible. I wanted to enjoy each character, word and response from the book. I'm convinced that the author had a firm perception on writing to entertain and hold my attention. The title is apropos with one drifting away from God and prayers. I have read a few of the author's recent series and was fascinated with her style, she had it 25 years ago.
I hate mentioning this after my praise but, the document must have been done by a five-year-old child. Or the person transcribing the book was NOT paying attention! However, despite these mistakes, I liked the book.
...and storyline, I could not put this book down! I wanted to read in one sitting but not possible. I wanted to enjoy each character, word and response from the book. I'm convinced that the author had a firm perception on writing to entertain and hold my attention. The title is apropos with one drifting away from God and prayers. I have read a few of the author's recent series and was fascinated with her style, she had it 25 years ago.
I hate mentioning this after my praise but, the document must have been done by a five-year-old child. Or the person transcribing the book was NOT paying attention! However, despite these mistakes, I liked the book.
November 30, 2023
Nope, this is not a good read.
H is stupid and h is so weak. It is not realistic and relies on the reader believing that God can fix everything if you just hand over control to him.
There is no big blow up scene after the H cheats and then walks out of the hospital on the same day his daughter was killed in a car accident where he was the driver. The h just takes all the crap thrown at her. There are a couple of scenes where character growth of the h was attempted to be shown but it wasn't believable.
H is stupid and h is so weak. It is not realistic and relies on the reader believing that God can fix everything if you just hand over control to him.
There is no big blow up scene after the H cheats and then walks out of the hospital on the same day his daughter was killed in a car accident where he was the driver. The h just takes all the crap thrown at her. There are a couple of scenes where character growth of the h was attempted to be shown but it wasn't believable.
March 27, 2024
A fellow reader recommended this book as a superb book, so I was happy to read it but boy I was very much disappointed, the characters are unrelatable and unrealistic, the Husband is weak and the wife is just to forgiven and blind, like how do you take a man back after banding you during your lowess point in life ( he let her bury their only child and deal with everything by herself while he enjoys his single life ) plus how the hell are you telling me you want to ask for forgiveness but still keep in touch with your mistress. I'm sorry but this was a big NO for me.
July 10, 2023
Whewwww! Jake was stuck on stupid almost the whole book! I fussed at his character the whole time. How he thought he could continue on a business relationship with his mistress was a mystery to me. I love when Tori came into her own and started living by her own terms and doing things that made her happy. Overall good book, shows that with forgiveness, awareness, and much prayer, what God put together, no one can tear apart.
May 29, 2024
So good. I absolutely despised Shelia. I appreciated the strong faith of Tori —bit, I wanted her to be more honest early on about her feelings. Jake. Words cannot correctly articulate my frustration with this man's stupidity and arrogance. (Extreme exhale) I loved how the author incorporated faith and redemption. I loved how everything reconciled towards the end.
May 8, 2022
I was absolutely shocked by this book. The characters were unrealistic. I did however enjoy the tone and the narrator.
October 18, 2023
I truly love this book. This is a true example of how some marriage are affected today. Great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2022
On yesterday I finished book 3, not knowing this was a series. Today, I started book 1, and it was a great book. The author weaved the story in such a believable manner. All the main characters had a voice and a story and Mrs. Thomas weaved all those voices and stories together to put you in the midst of their story as an eyewitness. Poor Sheila and Jake were badly confused. It’s often very difficult to get a man to see things about their female friends, and Jake was ensnared by that very problem. There are some females that cannot be friends with a man, and Sheila just couldn’t do. Her agenda was very obvious to other females and to Jake’s brother. This business partnership with Sheila ultimately caused him to become a prodigal, from both God and his wife. Jake has to wallow in some horrible pits before he could come to himself and return to the Father. I fully recommend this novel/series for the awesome storytelling and intriguing plots.
June 15, 2012
The Prodigal Husband is about Tori and Jake and what happens when their 15-month-old daughter is killed in a car wreck. Jake runs away and disappears for a year, thinking it's all his fault. The reader finds out that it is partially both their fault and then not their fault at all. Let me explain, as an inspirational (Christian) fiction book, the main focus is that everything is in God's control and that we should be forgiving of others as indicated by the title. In the parable told by Jesus in the Bible, the prodigal son asked for his inheritance early, went out and spent it up partying and such until he was destitute. Poor and ashamed, the son returns home hoping that his father will at least give him a job. However, when the father sees the son, he welcomes him with open arms and holds a celebration, giving the son back his status in the family.
Well, Tori doesn't exactly welcome Jake back with open arms. In the first place, Tori found Jake in bed with his business partner Sheila. So Tori takes her daughter and goes to her mother's house. Jake goes there and demands they come home. When Tori refuses, Jake takes his little girl and leaves. Shortly after, they are in a car wreck where the girl dies. Jake blames himself and leaves and doesn't contact anyone except Sheila for a whole year. When Tori has just about given up on Jake returning, cuts her hair, gets a new wardrobe and plans to go file for divorce, here comes Jake. As Tori and Jake try to mend their marriage, many things surface to try to keep them apart, namely Sheila who is "in love" with Jake.
I talked back to this book the entire time I was reading it. Some of the stuff going on was just not plausible. All I have to say is that these are some real Christians in this book because some of the dirt that Sheila was doing should've got her at least a slap across the face. But no, there is no slapping, just strong words. And if Jake was not as thick as a tree trunk, I don't know who is. He could not be persuaded that Sheila had any ulterior motives and that she was just a good friend. I would have left Jake's dense and possessive @$$. Sheila was not a real villain either. She was more like comic relief. Her poorly thought out ploys to break up Jake and Tori were pathetic. The subplot between Tori's cousin Charlene and Jake's brother Shepherd was just foolish. The author built up a conflict between Charlene and Shepherd which ended up falling flat for me.
The writing was ok, not very involving because I kept coming out of the story to yell at the characters. Also, it was filled with African-American history of the Carolinas that seemed forced and out of place.
The author started out with some good drama but didn't follow through. I haven't read much Inspirational fiction, but this didn't have much in the way of conflict. The characters obviously loved each other and it was just a matter of time for them to get back together. I mainly forced my why through it to see how they did it.
Well, Tori doesn't exactly welcome Jake back with open arms. In the first place, Tori found Jake in bed with his business partner Sheila. So Tori takes her daughter and goes to her mother's house. Jake goes there and demands they come home. When Tori refuses, Jake takes his little girl and leaves. Shortly after, they are in a car wreck where the girl dies. Jake blames himself and leaves and doesn't contact anyone except Sheila for a whole year. When Tori has just about given up on Jake returning, cuts her hair, gets a new wardrobe and plans to go file for divorce, here comes Jake. As Tori and Jake try to mend their marriage, many things surface to try to keep them apart, namely Sheila who is "in love" with Jake.
I talked back to this book the entire time I was reading it. Some of the stuff going on was just not plausible. All I have to say is that these are some real Christians in this book because some of the dirt that Sheila was doing should've got her at least a slap across the face. But no, there is no slapping, just strong words. And if Jake was not as thick as a tree trunk, I don't know who is. He could not be persuaded that Sheila had any ulterior motives and that she was just a good friend. I would have left Jake's dense and possessive @$$. Sheila was not a real villain either. She was more like comic relief. Her poorly thought out ploys to break up Jake and Tori were pathetic. The subplot between Tori's cousin Charlene and Jake's brother Shepherd was just foolish. The author built up a conflict between Charlene and Shepherd which ended up falling flat for me.
The writing was ok, not very involving because I kept coming out of the story to yell at the characters. Also, it was filled with African-American history of the Carolinas that seemed forced and out of place.
The author started out with some good drama but didn't follow through. I haven't read much Inspirational fiction, but this didn't have much in the way of conflict. The characters obviously loved each other and it was just a matter of time for them to get back together. I mainly forced my why through it to see how they did it.
April 13, 2015
Jacquelin Thomas returns to the Christian Fiction arena with her sophomore release of The Prodigal Husband. It's is a touching story of a couple whose life is in turmoil, but they find forgiveness, love, and the power of trusting God in any situation.
Jake and Tori's story is real and you could feel their suffering and their pain. I was so happy that Jake realized that God will never leave us or forsake us. Forgiveness is a big issue for a lot of people and I applauded Tori's effort. Her journey toward forgiving her husband was tough, but she depended on the Lord to help her get to that place in her spiritual journey.
The secondary characters were great. I think Shepard and Charlene have a story to tell themselves. I loved Aunt Kate, she cracked me up. Then there is Ms. Sheila,(the devil) to stir up the pot. She has some issues I think she could probably resolve in her own book.
Jacquelin Thomas is an excellent writer. All of her Romantic Fiction works have been great. She creates believable characters and stories. She is also emerging as a front runner of the Inspirational or Christian Fiction markets. I'm sure we'll see more extraordinary works from this writer.
Great Story Ms. Jacquie!
Jake and Tori's story is real and you could feel their suffering and their pain. I was so happy that Jake realized that God will never leave us or forsake us. Forgiveness is a big issue for a lot of people and I applauded Tori's effort. Her journey toward forgiving her husband was tough, but she depended on the Lord to help her get to that place in her spiritual journey.
The secondary characters were great. I think Shepard and Charlene have a story to tell themselves. I loved Aunt Kate, she cracked me up. Then there is Ms. Sheila,(the devil) to stir up the pot. She has some issues I think she could probably resolve in her own book.
Jacquelin Thomas is an excellent writer. All of her Romantic Fiction works have been great. She creates believable characters and stories. She is also emerging as a front runner of the Inspirational or Christian Fiction markets. I'm sure we'll see more extraordinary works from this writer.
Great Story Ms. Jacquie!
March 28, 2021
Jake and Tori’s strained marriage had suffered many losses. Infidelity and After the death of their daughter, Jake was missing for over a year.... after returning home will the prodigal husband remain in his marriage or has too much happened for them to find happiness?
A great read! No spoilers.... read it for yourself!
A great read! No spoilers.... read it for yourself!
October 12, 2013
Victoria and Jake Madison separated after the death of their daughter, which happened as a result of infidelity. Can thus marriage be saved? A better question would be, will Sheila, Jake's business partner let it go down without a fight?
March 30, 2021
Jake and Tori had a lot of turmoil in there marriage. However I feel through the power of prayer on Tori’s behalf they overcame. Jake was a little naive when it came to his business partner.
Great Read would highly recommend
Great Read would highly recommend
December 11, 2008
I've read this book about 4 times, I finally let someone else be blessed by it!
April 24, 2009
This book was wonderful!!!! I learned that when you love someone, never take them for granted.
December 20, 2009
This is a great story about love and forgiveness.
December 9, 2009
This book shows the power of true love.
June 6, 2010
Awesome. This was my first Christian novel and I enjoyed it!
January 29, 2013
not sure when i read or finished it bit i know where i was working so im thinking 2005
February 24, 2015
This book is absolutely awesome! I read this book in one day and could feel myself being captivated by each character. For sure, my emotions were all over the place. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews