Keeping Misery Reviews

God never put more on you than you can bear and Ruth is holding God to His Word. Ruth has lived her entire life in the shadow of her parents, Bishop and Queen Esther, as the poster child of Preachers kids. After over 30 years of marriage, she realizes that her husband was stepping out on her. Ruth woke up from the haze that had become her life to realize that life threw her a drastic curve ball.

Keep Misery Company is an exceptional read. The storyline is full of twists and turns while dealing with everyday issues – homosexuality/AIDS, forgiveness, teen pregnancy, adultery, homelessness, and drama in the church. The character development is on point as the reader can easily relate with the realistic characters. Keeping Misery Company was a combination of The Color Purple and Diary of a Mad Black Women – running the emotional gamut while illustrating God's ultimate sacrifice. Definitely one of the BEST and ORGINAL CHRISTIAN FICTION books this year!

Deltareviewer

Reviewing for Real Page Turners – www.myspace.com/realpageturners

The Skeletons Are Out the Closet!

Amazon: 5

APOOO: 5

This has got to be one of the best Christian Urban fiction novels I have ever read. Keeping Misery Company by Michelle Larks is mind-blowing, compelling and a gripping tale, reaching such levels of intensity that I could actually feel the characters in this novel.

The storyline is great, the character development is on point, and the scenes feel like something from a Tyler Perry movie. Bishop and Queen Clayton are trying to raise a well-bred Christian family. They are running a well-founded ministry and trying to keep their families secrets just that, a secret. But it seems like time has run out for them when the prodigal son reappears, with a deadly secret of his own.

Ruth Wilcox, the daughter of the Claytons’, has run into some family problems of her own, mainly the demise of her thirty-five year old marriage. Trying to keep up with the times, and not allowing menopause to slow her down, Ruth is in for a surprise when Daniel decides he has other things on his mind than reconciliation. Can this family pull together and face their adversaries? Will the walls come crumbling down on this well-loved Christian family?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this family, their struggles with their faith, love and guidance. The love that was shared throughout this story was very real, and touching, with twists and turns that made me forget it was a Christian fiction book. There is scandal in the pulpit! It did not take away from the storyline, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that I read from an advanced reading copy, and there were a few missed words, and some misspellings that I hope the editor or author catches before the book goes to final print. I would recommend this book to everyone, not just Christian fiction readers, but readers who believe in faith, praying, and blessings.

Reviewed by:

Cheryl H

APOOO BookClub

http://www.apoo.org

Keeping Misery Company (5 out of 5)

Ruth and Daniel Wilcox were your typical married couple. They were married for 35 years and had three children. Unbeknownst to Ruth, Daniel had a wondering "eye" for the ladies. He had been seeing someone else for years. When things started to dwindle between him and Ruth, he started to hang out more with his brother Fred, who was a womanizer. One night, Daniel didn’t come home until the next day. All hell broke loose because he had another woman's scent on him. Daniel did not hide the fact that he wasn't happily married anymore. Things started to move quickly in Ruth's life. She was a minister's daughter and she was firmly placed in the church. But her life was spinning out of control. Her estranged brother Ezra had came back into her life, but only for a short time. Ezra had AIDS, and he lived an alternative lifestyle which his parents did not approve of. It was time for Ruth to gain the strength that God had given her. She had reconciled with her brother in his last days and everything was going well until a dark secret came to light.

Meanwhile, Daniel had it made. He was in love with his mistress Lenora who had plans of her own. Once Ruth and Daniel's divorce was finalized, Lenora thought it was time for her to become the next Mrs. Wilcox and she did....THE NEXT DAY!!! This information crushed Ruth and her children, because not only was Daniel married, but he had became a father again to his and Lenora's son. As Ezra’s time on earth became shorter and shorter, he made peace with his family including his parents. When Daniel finally had the courage to talk to Ruth about the events that had happened in his life, she only made one comment. "What goes around comes around, and Daniel, your time is coming." Daniel will soon learn that you reap what you sow, and he will pay the ultimate price. Ruth will learn that God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.

Michelle Larks did an outstanding job when she created Keeping Misery Company. I enjoyed how she tied the plot in with the day to day family drama. The novel was free flowing, never missing a step. You could feel the pain and suffering that each character had to endure. There was never a time while reading this book that you would lose your way or get confused about anything. This is the first Christian fiction book Ms. Larks has written, and she's done an exceptional job. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone that loves Christian Fiction.

Reviewed by Jackie

for Urban-Reviews.com

Keeping Misery Company*****

By: Michelle Larks

Keeping Misery Company is an intriguing tale of love, loss, forgiveness, and

disappointment. The main character, Ruth, is faced with the horror of divorce

after nearly thirty five years of marriage. To add insult to injury, her foolish

husband takes up with a young sex kitten. Trying to hold her head up and seek

comfort in her faith in God, Ruth tries to focus on other things like taking

care of her mortally ill brother, an emotionally turbulent

daughter/granddaughter, and an over bearing mother.

Larks’ characters are real and very easy to relate too. I felt as if I knew

these people personally and felt myself feeling their emotions. Ruth evoked

instant empathy as her husband Daniel evoked instant pity. The Bishop was a man after God’s on heart and Ruth’s best friend Alice was a pillar of unending

support. I was pleasantly entertained by Larks’ intricate and clean cut story

telling abilities. I sincerely loved this book from start to finish.

Respectfully yours,

VIOLETTE L. REID

www.VioletteReid.com

http://www.myspace.com/violette_peaches

Tiffany Review, September 25, 2007

Reviewer:

Tiffany R "Tiffany" (Memphis, Tn) - See all my reviews

This is a wonderful book to review. Once I got to reading the book I couldn't put it down. It's a must have book.

5 stars

From the moment Ruth Clayton laid her innocent eyes on Daniel Wilcox, she knew in her heart he'd be her devoted mate for life. On the other hand, Daniel believed he could mold the good school girl into his ”perfect wife.“ Against the wishes of the Reverend and Queen Clayton, the two marry, determined to live a life of bliss together. However, after years of poor communication, domestic duties, and unequal spiritual yokes, a disappointed Daniel looks outside of his marriage of thirty-plus years to satisfy his carnal desires. When dark family secrets are revealed, Ruth searches deep within herself to resurrect not only the spiritual strength she needs to free herself from self-blame but also the willpower and guidance to help heal family wounds.

In Keeping Misery Company, Michelle Larks presents a heartwarming story of a Christian family, unjustly placed on a pedal stool of perfection, struggling to cope with betrayal, blame, and spiritual doubt. She even tackles hot issues that arise in many families such as living with AIDS, illegitimate children, and self-esteem. At times, I felt I was a part of the Clayton-Wilcox family, grieving with Ruth and yearning for acceptance right along with Ezra. Spiritually uplifting, Larks delivers a powerful message of faith and forgiveness.

3 1/2 Sistah Hugs

www.sistahfriend.com

Tasha Martin

Keeping Misery Company

Michelle Larks

Midlife Crisis!

Daniel and Ruth Wilcox have been married for thirty-five years. Ruth has been a stay at home wife and mother for the entire time raising their three kids Sarah, DJ and Naomi.

Now in their fifties; the Wilcox’s sex life is nil as menopause has come knocking on Ruth’s door and she is feeling very insecure with what comes along with the dreaded ”M“. Daniel thinks Ruth puts the kids and Church over his needs and anyway she’s not looking or acting too appealing lately so the fact that the couple now sleep in separate bedrooms is ok by Daniel.

Daniel is a sly one…he’s getting his needs met by young Lenora! Only a few years older than his eldest child, Lenora’s number one priority is pleasing Daniel.

When Daniel’s infidelity slaps Ruth in the face and rips her whole life apart, she is devastated and seeks comfort in her father’s church and confides in her best friend Alice.

The Children seeing their mother so upset know their father is to blame although Ruth will not speak ill of their father or tell them exactly what’s wrong. Needless to say the children have their own suspicions…and they do not like it one bit!!

Meanwhile even in her unfortunate predicament, Ruth opens her heart and home to a lost family member…but will taking on this big responsibility alienate her church and her parents?

As this story unfolds a Pandora’s Box of long kept secrets is about to be opened along with some new revelations which may send this family to breaking point…

The key to a long lasting relationship is communication. Author Michelle Larks takes the reader inside the marriage of an upstanding Christian family where from the outside looking in everything seems perfect, but on the inside things are falling apart. The husband and wife both knew it was time to bring their feelings to the table for discussion; but both choose the easy way out…silence…which in turn brings resentment to the forefront of this relationship.

Ms Larks did a fine job with the characters especially Ezra.

I loved Ruth’s parents Bishop and Queen Ester although Ester was very cold hearted!

Judging from the conversations Lenora had with her sister Felicia I felt there was WAY more to Lenora’s character… the author teased us with that notion but never really explored Lenora’s past more clearly.

Once I started reading this novel I couldn’t put it down. I was caught up with this family and all the secrets. I had to laugh when Daniel confided in his brother Fred about why he wanted to see a doctor!

A recommended read with an excellent discussion guide for us book clubs!!!

Locksie September 16th 2007

ARC Book Club Inc.

Star Rating 4.5****

Ruth Wilcox is the middle-aged daughter of a prominent Chicago minister. She has spent her life taking care of her children, her husband and her duties at the church. Feeling neglected by Ruth, Daniel Wilcox looks for love in all the wrong places. When Ruth finds out about his wandering activities she puts him out.

Deep down Ruth hopes that in time it will all blow over.

Daniel on the hand, moves forward with his Mistress, his very young mistress but soon learns that the grass isn't always greener.

Family secrets come of the shadows for this prominent family of faith. A tale of family, love and loss and the secrets that bind them.

A gripping story so full of emotions that it will rock your very soul.

Dawnny

Mahogany Book Club

Mahogany Media Review

Albany, NY

Date Reviewed: Jul 30, 2007 <<pre-publication>>

For the love of God

Ruth Wilcox has just ushered her youngest child off to college and is now ready to focus on her life and marriage. Her husband, Daniel, has been keeping long work hours and staying out late at night hanging with his single brother. She hates to think the worst, until the evidence of an affair is too strong to ignore. Being the daughter of the pastor of one of the most prominent churches in Chicago, the embarrassment of a divorce is something she wants to avoid, but Daniel has moved on with his life and is not open to reconciling.

Another reason for Ruth’s reluctance to divorce Daniel is her mother’s reaction to the drama it will bring to the church and the first family. Queen Esther Clayton has ruled the lives of her husband and children for the sake of keeping up appearances. She turned her back on her son, Ezra’s homosexual lifestyle and addiction to drugs, and she encouraged her husband to do the same. Now, Ezra is dying and Ruth has invited him to her home to live out his final days. The results are the revelation of long-held secrets, the purging of past hurts, and the strengthening of familial love.

KEEPING MISERY COMPANY is a touching, spiritual and intimate look into the heart of family. While coming together in times of crisis, the family was reminded of their loves, their losses and their lives. Restoration and redemption is the overall theme of the book. Falling in the category of Christian fiction, the tone was more liberal than most books in the Christian fiction genre and the issues are very real ones with which Christians often struggle. KEEPING MISERY COMPANY comes highly recommended.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson

of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Keeping Misery Company

Michelle Larks

ISBN: 1601629486

Urban Christian Books

Reviewed By Marcus Harris

Imagine this:

A man and woman have been married for thirty-five years. They have three beautiful children, even more adorable grandchildren, successful jobs, supportive friends, and an extended family network that helps them weather every storm. Their life couldn't be any more perfect, right.?

All of a sudden, skeletons start coming out of the closet like it's Halloween: surreptitious affairs come to light, decades-old simmering grudges begin to heat to the point of explosion, and even the paternity of one of their three kids gets called into question.

You'd think that things like this only happen to people on Jerry Springer: low-class, amoral pleasure-seekers looking out only for themselves who couldn't care less about love and forgiveness and don.t give a second thought to going to church on Sunday, right...?

Wrong. Meet the Wilcox family: husband & wife Daniel & Ruth, and their three children DJ, Sarah, and Naomi, all avid church goers - even heirs to the throne of one of the largest, most influential churches in the greater Chicago area...for those who think that Christians are somehow above the day-to-day drama that we all tend to face, Keeping Misery Company is sure to change your mind.

What's most impressive about Larks's tale, though, is the humanistic light in which all its characters are presented. There are no exaggerated demonizations here; only realistic portrayals of how we truly become the products of our own choices, living examples of cause-and-effect. Rather than simply being written off as a heartless, duplicitous cheater, Daniel evokes sympathy - and even some empathy - from readers who can relate to his abandonment by a wife who devotes more time and energy to pleasing her church than her man. Likewise, Ruth could easily be seen as a frigid pseudo-homemaker were it not

for a deeper understanding of the prolonged restrictions of her upbringing. Larks's deft, sensitive presentation of her characters as well-rounded, flawed individuals makes it more likely that we'll see our own lives reflected in theirs as opposed to pointing a judgmental finger in their direction.

Which, of course, leads to the greatest lesson of Keeping Misery Company: the inescapable consequences of karma. Given the fact that we are products of our own choices, we must in turn accept responsibility for the choices that we make - no matter how painful that responsibility may be. Larks shows this immutable fact in a number of ways: from the agonizing, AIDS-related death of Ruth's brother, Ezra, to the disownment of Daniel by his own kids, even to the surprise fate that awaits Daniel himself, coupled with the question that he should have asked himself long before...

Keeping Misery Company is a refreshing addition to the Christian fiction genre, one that should be welcomed for both its raw candor and unflinching honesty. Mostly, though, it is a humbling reminder of the common humanity that unites us all, reflected most poignantly in these profound words from Naomi, the babe of the Wilcox clan:

I always thought our family was perfect, especially because Bishop and our forefathers are ministers...now I'm finding out that we.re no better than anybody else..