A Moment Of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Multnomah (March 1, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1576736164
ISBN-13: 978-1576736166

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I was up until two AM last Saturday finishing the novel. THAT’S MONUMENTAL FOR ME. I HAVEN’T STAYED UP SO LATE FINISHING A BOOK IN THREE YEARS!!

I’m aching to talk to somebody about it. I kind of miss the book clubs I used to belong to. When I was in the book clubs, we would all read a book a month, then we’d meet in a restaurant or somebody’s home and discuss the novel. This is one of those times I wish I could have a discussion with somebody about this!

From Amazon.com:
Book Description
Karen Kingsbury’s twelfth book, A Moment of Weakness, is a captivating story of human weakness and divine faithfulness. Jade and Tanner were childhood friends until scandal drove them apart. Then one golden summer they found each other again and shared dreams of forever. But in a moment of weakness they made a decision that would tear them apart for nearly a decade. Now, Jade’s unfaithful husband wants to destroy her in a custody battle that is about to shock the nation. Only one man can help her in her darkest hour. And only one old woman knows the secret about that summer — and the truth that can set them all free. Had they found each other again after all these years only to lose everything that matters most…?

In their own separate corners of the country, Jade and Tanner have become fighters for religious freedom. Now Jade’s unfaithful husband is determined to destroy her in a custody battle that will rock the nation and shake people’s understanding of faith and freedom. Could Jade lose her only child because of her faith? Only one man can help her in her darkest hour. And only one old woman knows the secret about that summer and the truth that can set them all free.
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On one of my writers’ listservs, we were discussing the best book we’ve read in
2007, excluding the Bible. Hands down, I felt that A Moment of Weakness is the best book I’ve read for 2007. I’ve read two of Karen’s other novels, but I like this one the best. I plan on purchasing some more of her novels and writing my views about them on this blog.

Although this is a Christian novel, I felt Kingsbury did an awesome job of showing the sexual tension between Jade and Tanner. Also, I loved the way both characters “found” their way back to each other not once, but twice. Their relationship survived huge conflicts, conflicts that didn’t seem easily resolved. This is a great novel to read for those struggling with the mistakes they’ve made in the past, mistakes made from going against God’s word, even though those mistakes were made after their salvation.

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SPOILER BELOW:
Reading the novel got me to thinking about Christian dating relationships. Tanner and Jade, against their better judgment, made love the day before he was to leave to go to Hungary for three-week religious trip. I often wonder how many Christian couples are able to have a long-term dating relationship without having intercourse. I watched the couple struggling with their deep attraction during the course of their golden summer together, and I felt that Kingsbury did a great job of showing their attraction to one another.

I also loved the way God brought the couple together as young adults. When they were reunited in their early twenties, it was refreshing to see them together, falling in love. Tanner’s mother was a strong conflict in the relationship due to the bitter feelings she has for Jade’s mother. Jade’s mother has not only hurt Jade in the past, but has also hurt Tanner’s parents.

My heart cried as the couple was ripped apart again, leaving Jade pregnant and estranged from everyone. Her sudden marriage to Jim made her problems worse, not better, and her decision started me to thinking about how we sometimes take matters into our own hands, wanting to solve our problems without looking to God for guidance.

When Jade’s marriage falls apart, and she’s in danger of losing custody of her son because of her Christianity, Tanner again appears in her life. I especially loved the courtroom scene at the end of the novel! It was powerful and moving.

As I read the second half of the book, I had to wonder if Kingsbury added Tanner’s older brother to the story after the book was written. I felt that Tanner’s older brother, who was only mentioned a few times in the story (I can’t even recall his name), was added to the story only to give Doris’s (Tanner’s mother) lies to Jade more credibility. What I mean is this: Doris hates Jade, so to break up her son and Jade, she lies to Jade, making false claims that her son is a womanizer and he has two children out of wedlock whom she sends money to each month. She shows Jade pictures of the children, who look just like Tanner. The photos cause Jade to believe Doris, making her abandon all thoughts of being with Tanner and hurriedly marrying Jim, so that she can have somebody to support her and her child. When Doris’s lies are exposed, Jade discovers that the children whom Doris has mentioned are actually Tanner’s older brother’s children! Tanner’s older brother is not in any scenes and when Tanner’s and Jade’s wedding occurs at the end of the story, Tanner’s brother is not mentioned as attending the wedding. I felt he would have at least attended the wedding. I was wondering if Kingsbury added the brother on later, to create a reason (the children who look like Tanner) to make Doris’s lies more believable to Jade. I emailed Kingsbury and asked her this yesterday, but, so far, no response.

You should read this book, if you haven’t done so already! I’m sure you’ll love this one!

Cecelia Dowdy