at Patricia Haley New Spirit parts June 2002 $15.

at Patricia Haley New Spirit parts June 2002 $15.00, ISBN 1-583-14299-1

Although told by means of a cast of one-dimensional characters, Patricia Haley's modern Christian fiction novel, No lamentations offers an inspiring reminder that it does not "profit a body to gain the world and nothing else to lose his [or her] soul"

When we suitable Karen and Johnny Clark, the main characters, we learn that their initial succes in achieving a share of the "American dream" was not enough to prepare them for the devastation of Johnny's infidelity and Karen's curvature with cancer.

In the first several chapters, Johnny and Karen sink deeper into a period of blame and denial, each refusing to recognize their avow contribution to the marital discord. While they find encouragement and hardness in their friends Connie and Tyrone a seemingly finished couple, Karen's girlfriend, the stereotypical male-bashing Tina shows nothing but negativity. She doubts God's ability to heal Karen and all men's ability to be anything exclude "lying, cheating, no-`count" dogs.

As Karen's health deteriorates and the married pair teeters on the brink of divorce, it becomes clear that barely God can save Karen's life and marriage. In paces the quintessential Big Mama, a matriarch at Karen's house of worship the Anointed Vision Christian Center Relying forward her unwavering faith, Big Mama prays for Karen's healing and leads Johnny back to God

granting the characters never rise far above their one-note stereotype a twist at the cessation and a hint that the past may puzzle yet more problems for the Clarks save the story from a pat ending and give it a stronger message.

main division clubs may find it useful that M Haley reinforces the book's message by the agency of providing questions for discussion at the extremity of the book, urging readers to revolve in the mind topics raised ranging from breast cancer awareness to the warning signs of a disastrous marriage. Without these questions, there might be little for difficult discussion since readers are practically spoon-f the book's message. Overall, No repentances relates a predictable story of a timeless message.

--Tracey D Weaver is a freelance writer living in Washington, DC

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