Things Are Not Always What They Seem

For Darryl and Catina Jones the fairytale life they envisioned quickly turns into the nightmare most marriages don’t survive. As bleak as the outlooks seems, it will be the combination of their love, faith and strong friendships that will see them through their trials.

In Sickness and In Health by Maxine Billings speaks to a matter that is not often written about. She also sheds light on the unexpected emotions that can directly and indirectly sabotage relationships and purpose.

                            DIALOGUE with the AUTHOR

 

One of the most exciting things about reviewing books is the opportunity to converse with the author. Below is a bit of what author Maxine Billings would like to share with her readers. Enjoy!

LUBF - Please introduce us to your story.

MB - As most people probably know, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH is my sequel to THE BREAKING POINT. In The Breaking Point, Darryl and Catina had met through their respective friends, Evan and Justine. In Sickness and In Health begins with the two couples celebrating Darryl and Catina’s one-year wedding anniversary. During the celebration, Darryl and Catina surprise their friends with the news that they are expecting their first child. As with most newlywed couples, they are in such a state of marital bliss that they feel nothing can ever separate them from one another’s love. But when Darryl loses both of his legs due to a car accident, their love is put to the test in ways they never imagined.

Darryl, feeling like less of the man he was before his terrible loss, can no longer give his wife the love she still desperately needs and craves. But Catina vows to stand by him even though he is no longer receptive to the love she obviously still has for him. However, just when he gains the courage to move on with their lives, she is confronted with another test of just how far she’s willing to go to keep her marriage together.

LUBF - What was the reason for writing this particular story?

MB - When I wrote The Breaking Point, I knew there would be a sequel. I also knew it would be Darryl and Catina’s story, but I had no idea what the conflict between them would be. Since my ideas come from real-life issues, the thought just popped in my head one day to let Darryl experience the personal tragedy of losing both of his legs. In this way, I could show how a health issue of that nature would affect his and Catina’s marriage—really put it to the test.

My reason for writing this particular story was to show just a few of the ways that I imagine a marriage in this situation might be tested. As I’ve already mentioned, usually when a couple is newly married, they feel that nothing can separate them from each other’s love. They say their vows, but in their minds, they’re not considering that anything will ever happen to cause their love for one another to cool off. But if something does happen, how might they respond?

LUBF - Darryl and Catina's best friends were truly a blessing. Do you feel that friendships today lack the fortitude to overcome what these couples endured?

MB - I do feel that some friendships are lacking in this area because everyone is going through something. Sometimes we can get so caught up in what we personally are going through that we don’t always have the strength or the patience to help someone else get through their troubles. But truly loving our family and friends and keeping in mind the Golden Rule will help us in our determination to always try to be there for them no matter what. It doesn’t mean we will always do or say the right things, but we try because our motives and intentions are good.

LUBF - You provided great information in terms of the needs for Darryl. Overall, what would you like your readers to take away from this book?

MB - It’s one thing to say you love someone. It’s a whole other thing to show you love someone. As the saying goes, action speaks louder than words. Sometimes we’re like children who just have to have that toy in the store. Mama or Daddy may tell us no, but we want it so bad that we keep pestering them until they finally get it for us. Well, what do we do when the newness wears off or something on it breaks? Do we throw it aside and ignore it? Is the love we had for it at first no more? Marriage can be like that toy. Do we treasure it as much as we did in the beginning? Even if something in it gets broken, do we cherish it enough to try to fix it?

LUBF - Your works tend to focus upon family issues. Is that the impetus that drives your muse?

MB - Yes, family/relationship issues definitely stimulate my muse and keep my writing juices flowing. Family relationships are especially important to me. All relationships present challenges, and I find it very interesting how people interact with one another in any relationship.

LUBF - Share with us your latest news.

MB - I have another short story that I’ve written. I’m considering publishing it as my next new release, and I’ve already started on its sequel. I’ve also started a sequel to my first published novel A MEASURE OF FAITH. In the works, too, is my first young adult novel. After the release of In Sickness and in Health  this past April, I came up with the idea for another Breaking Point sequel. It will be titled FOR RICHER OR FOR POORER and will be Justin (Justine’s brother) and his wife Shayna’s story.

LUBF - Please share a little about yourself with us.

MB - I’ve been married for nearly twenty-nine years to a wonderful man and have two wonderful children. I have worked for the State of Georgia for over thirty years and am looking forward to retiring in the next four years. I enjoy cooking, gardening, dancing, and listening to jazz and R & B music.

LUBF - How can readers reach you online and/or request you for their event?

MB - My Web site address is www.maxinebillings.com

My e-mail address is maxinebillings@yahoo.com

Thank you so much for allowing us into your world Maxine. I look forward to your next work.

Sight Before Seeing

Choosing To See takes us inside the private world of Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. It is a world sprinkled with the good, the bad and the ugly that life metes out, yet through it all, their faith has been the thread holding them together.

The loss of a child is nothing any parent can prepare for. Rescuing the family from the aftermath is a journey that can only be made with God. With God the Chapman’s are making the journey back to wholeness. The trip has not been without stumbles, pain, depression and many shed tears. It is however one Mary Beth has chosen to tell via the sharing of her most private thoughts letters, and personal events.

This is by no means an easy read, but one that can be of help to those dealing with tragic family loss and depression. Mary Beth is to be commended for her courage and her generosity is Choosing to See beyond human sight.

Making the Puzzle Fit

Piecing the Puzzle Together by Brian Ganges is a read that is sure to provoke as well as open the necessity of ‘studying to shew yourself approved’.

Throughout his work Author Ganges applies biblical truths to life situations. In doing so he sets the stage for readers to open their hearts and minds to the truth; that truth being the value that God has placed on our lives. Written from the point of exposing what has always been, Piecing the Puzzle Together has the ability to spank, encourage and heal with the depth of its content.

Dialogue with the Author

LUBF: Introduce us to Brian Ganges – the man –the son of the Most High.

BG: I am a man on a mission from God. I’m real, relevant and I love ministering the Word of God in both the spoken and the written forms of communication. I am also a very balanced person. I don’t just read the Bible all day long, I also enjoy writing, spending time with my daughter, playing games on my Playstation, going to sporting events, and watching the Three Stooges.

LUBF: You are a contributor to The Soul of A Man Anthology. Tell us about your stories.

BG: I wrote two stories: “Manning Up with God,” which is my abridged autobiography. It deals with my divorce and some other challenges that I had. It is a candid piece that shows the struggle and the victory in overcoming my dilemma. The other story is “A Sense of Faith and Community,” which is a fictionalized account of some of the events of my life. It is written in and narrated from the perspective of my grandson. He gives a college speech about how I influenced his life by demonstrating to him the importance of giving back to your community and reaching out to people.

LUBF: As the author of Piecing the Puzzle Together, when did you see the fragmented pieces? What drove your need to help others pull their pieces together?

BG: I saw the fragmented pieces years ago, and still do today. Like many people, I was discouraged by much of what I was seeing and hearing in the church: controlling people, judgmental people, false doctrines, etc. and as a younger Christian I was looking for answers. This drove me to seek the answers to the questions that were in my heart, even though I might not have been able to articulate them exactly.

LUBF: Share your view of what a completed life puzzle looks like.

BG: A completed life is a balanced life. Our human lives consist of spirit, soul and body. Each of these three elements needs the proper amount of attention and nurturing in order to grow. So the completed life will give the proper amount of food, water, sunlight, exercise, etc. to each of these areas. Everyone is different, so some might need to give more attention in some areas than others, but the balance of these three will manifest a completed life puzzle.

LUBF: What thought would you like to leave with the readers of this interview?

BG: I want readers to know that their situation is not unique, and that there are many people (Christian or not) that feel alone, incomplete, lost, a failure, or as if they haven’t accomplished anything in this life. People just have to find the spiritual footing necessary to build a strong Christian life. Unfortunately, many people aren’t taught how to truly ground themselves in the truth. But with some study, a prayerful and open heart to the truth, God will reveal His Word to anyone that seeks Him; and He will manifest Himself in a way that each individual will understand it.

LUBF: What’s next for you in terms of your writing?

BG: I am currently working on my next book, which is a follow-up to “Piecing the Puzzle Together,” entitled “Lord, Deliver Me from Church Folks.” It is an expose' dealing with many of the misconceptions and things that are keeping many in the church bound by the traditions of men.

LUBF: I want to thank you for taking the time to share your work and yourself with us. We look forward to your stopping by again.

BG: Thanks Linda!

To find out more about Brian, keep up with his work and how you can request him for your literary event visit him online at: http://www.bringanges.com/

Delay Is Not Denial - Or Is It?

It is said that delay is not denial. That may be, but in the case of Don Mitchell, delay may be the ultimate price to pay for the possibility of obtaining the coveted position of CEO of DMI.

In Chosen, the first in this Biblical trilogy from veteran author Patricia Haley, readers became privy to the in-fighting and personal tragedy that fragmented what should have been the solid Mitchell dynasty. Destined continues the saga of the embroiled family as it reveals the pitfalls of the arrogance and disobedience of Joel Mitchell – the Chosen one. On the opposite side of the struggle for control are two mothers fighting for what they believe is the birthright of different sons; a traumatized daughter on the run and one caught between affections for family, two women and obedience to God.

With precision Ms. Haley weaves an international tale of intrigue that is compelling, entertaining and provocative.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PATRICIA HALEY is the trailblazing, #1 Essence bestselling author of seven faith-based, novels, including Let Sleeping Dogs Lie, No Regrets, and Chosen. She’s a project manager with degrees from Stanford University and the University of Chicago. She is a born again believer and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Patricia lives with her husband and daughter in Philadelphia.

Visit her on www.patriciahaley.com  or become a fan of Author Patricia Haley on Facebook.