This book reminded me of a study guide. Although it is fiction, I felt it didn’t entertain me the way a novel would. (For those of you who don’t know, I’m a Christian fiction addict!) However, I did like the book and thought the author bought up a lot of points that non-Christians and Christians may ask concerning, Jesus, God, the Trinity, and salvation. The book also mentioned how the main character was angry at God for taking his father away from him.

When Nick receives an invitation for dinner at a fancy Italian restaurant, he is floored when he discovers his host is none other than Jesus Christ in the flesh! At first, Nick is convinced that his coworkers are playing a prank on him. However, as the story unfolds during the appetizer, main course, dessert, coffee, etc., Nick discovers that he is NOT on the receiving end of a joke and this dinner with Jesus is the real thing!

Nick asks Jesus several questions about his divinity, the Bible, religions around the world, and about his past disappointments with God. Nick, a workaholic parent with a troubled marriage, finds his weak faith tested as he talks to Jesus. I would recommend this book as a ministering tool to those who have weak faith, or to those who are agnostics or atheists. For more information about this novel, go to the following website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/dinner/Home.html

Stay blessed,
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
www.blackchristianfiction.com

I really enjoyed this book. The author has the perfect voice for chicklit(or momlit, not sure about the correct way to categorize this story). The story is about Claire Everett, a fairly successful romance author and the struggles she has to go through to raise her four kids as a single mother. Claire struggles to forgive her ex-husband, Rick, for his infidelity. He had an affair, and since their divorce, he’s gotten remarried. Claire finds it hard to have a relationship with Rick’s fairly new wife since Claire has a hard time separating the fact that Darcy is NOT the woman who Rick had an affair with. Subconsciously, and wrongly, she blames Darcy for her marital breakup.

As Claire deals with her issues, she suffers through two carpal tunnel syndrome surgeries, and struggles to accept Darcy’s kind offer to help. As a result of her son’s behavioral problems, she must attend family therapy with her husband and Darcy in order to discover the root to her son’s problems. She also makes a list of things to do to improve her life. She promises herself to strengthen her faith in God, as well as improve her relationship with her family. She decides to have family study time and weekly social events with her kids, hoping to bond with them.

Claire also finds herself attracted to Greg, her son’s handsome teacher. When her mother moves to another state, she is saddened. However, when Greg buys her mother’s home(down the street from her house) and moves in with his young daughter, Claire discovers he is a widower. She fantasizes about having a relationship with her son’s teacher, and he’s there for her when she goes through her anxiety attacks.

In the end, a rude awakening takes place when Darcy forces Claire to admit to her role in her husband’s infidelity. Darcy makes Claire come to terms with her mistakes, and to admit to the mistakes she’s made in her marriage to Rick.

This book was excellent. Although the family would be considered dysfunctional, the author uses her humourous voice to show how Claire deals with her problems. Tracey Bateman also shows us how, if we find our faith wavering, we need to make solid decisions about making our faith stronger in God.

Until next time,
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
www.blackchristianfiction.com