Kimberla Lawson Roby The Best Kept Secret

The Best Kept Secret

Kimberla Lawson Roby

Avon, Feb 2006, $23.95

ISBN: 0060734434

Reverend Curtis Black feels blessed as the third time is the charm. He vows to God that he will ignore life's temptations and set a pious example while running Deliverance Outreach and tending to his flock in Mitchell, a small town near Chicago. He also swears to remain faithful as he has for the two years of their marriage to his third wife Charlotte, and be a real father to their seven year old son Matthew.

However, Charlotte, on the other hand who is fifteen years younger than her spouse, wants a taste of the wild life that she thought she would gain by marrying the womanizing preacher who jumped her bones when she was seventeen. She overspends to compensate for his sudden middle class holiness, and when that proves insufficient turns to his best friend Aaron Malone for uninhibited sex. Curtis learns about her cuckolding him and confronts Charlotte, who confesses and pledges never again. However Aaron wants Charlotte back in his bed and starts a nasty campaign to succeed by telling his pal about all the transgressions committed by his wife, including hinting that Matthew is not Curtis' offspring. The reformed born again Curtis holds Charlotte culpable for his fall back to womanizing.

The three-peat of the life of Curtis Black (see CASTING THE FIRST STONE and TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING) is another well written tale starring individuals who refuse to take responsibility for their actions; it is easier to blame someone else for one's sins. The storyline is driven by the devilish triangle, as the behavior of each one spirals them into questionable activity. Fans of the series will appreciate the continual soap opera saga that stars three intriguing no soccer mom or football dad characters, whose raunchiness make for a fun read.