Kimberla Lawson Robyis the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Reverend Curtis Black series as well as many other novels and novellas. She lives with her husband in Rockford, Illinois.
In Roby's latest novel about the infamous Rev. Curtis Black family (after Sin No More), Alicia, the first-born child of Black, is the one who continues the family's drama. At 22, Alicia marries the man of her dreams-the handsome, educated assistant pastor of her father's church-and he treats her like a queen. The couple believes their love is enough, but Alicia has a stronger love-shopping. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she's used to the finer things in life, and she's not about to give them up because of her husband's meager salary. Alicia will find someone who'll support her habits, someone like Levi Cunningham, a big-time drug dealer who long ago was on the receiving end of her father's disapproval. But Alicia's growing debt and Levi's deep pockets draw her closer to him. This like-father, like-daughter tale is predictable and all too familiar. Still, fans of Roby and the series will embrace this addition to the Black family saga. Recommended for all public libraries and African American fiction collections. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/08.]-Carol Johnson, Cleveland P.L. Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
Roby's disappointing sixth entry in her Rev. Curtis Black series (after 2008's Sin No More) focuses on Alicia Black Sullivan, his beautiful and spoiled 22-year-old daughter. Accustomed to getting anything she wants, Alicia shops like daddy still picks up the tab. This is a source of endless agitation for her new husband, young pastor Phillip Sullivan, a genuinely good man. Though he tries to set limits, Alicia stubbornly plows forward, and her self-centered ways result in deceit, infidelity and, finally, divorce. Unsurprisingly, Alicia learns nothing from her tragedy except that she should strive to marry a wealthier man. Roby's message of Christian forgiveness, a common theme in her work, doesn't succeed here: characters tolerate situations until they become untenable and then walk away. Alicia's selfish behavior is alienating, and her unwillingness or inability to learn from her mistakes leaves readers wondering why they should care at all. (Feb.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
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