It's a Thin Line

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: "It's a Thin Line" is the first book I have read that is written by Kimberia Lawson Roby. The story is excellent. I was so enthralled during the entire course of reading the book, so much so that I never could put it down. It is not often that I bring myself to read, but this book was shocking. It explored so many issues, such as hate, incest, deception, domestic violence, intimacy, distrust, commitment, sibling rivalry, devotion to beloved ailing person. Besides, Kimberia wrote with an honesty that is inspiring. The relationships Sydney had with her mother and husband are amazingly depicted, and the roles of the brothers are uncommon around. In fact, it stirred mixed emotions in me. I could laugh and brood in turns.
Another important point about this book is that it is well written. I could easily follow it. The pace of the story is fast and the characters are so real that I could easily relate to them. Now, I have made up my mind to read the other books by this author. There are issues in the book that people are faced with in their everyday lives. From this book one can find ways to have meaningful discussions on all interconnected issues. You will not regret reading this book.
Also recommended: THE USURPER by Janvier Tisi, DISCIPLES OF FORTUNE, SWEET SAME GIRLS

Rating:
Summary: Not Kimberla's best
Review: I am a huge Kimberla Lawson Roby fan, enjoy and have all of her books but this one just didn't do it for me. I have to agree with other, it left me kind of flat, I think the characters should have been developed and explored a little more. They all had serious issues, maybe we could have seen where these problems started, and why they reacted to situations they way they did. Sydney's issues was thrown in and not really addressed at all. Just didn't feel this was her best work.

Rating:
Summary: A must READ
Review: I was lost for words once I got to the end of this book. I just couldn't wait when I got almost half way through. I needed to call someone to find out what was going to happen. This book had humor, drama, and a bush of mystery.

Rating:
Summary: DRAMA, DRAMA, DRAMA
Review: iF YOU ARE A FAN OF LAWSON-ROBY AND HER PREVIOUS BOOKS YOU WILL DEFINITELY LOVE IT'A THIN LINE.

In this book Lawson-roby introduces us to the Mathis family 3 siblings who are very close Sydney, Gina Rick the baby of the family. They share everything but like all family's they have there problem. Sydney is the oldest out of the threee she is the responsible one she is married to a Wesley a very understanding man and they hve a daughter Victoria. Gina is married to Rick the real pain in the behind he's more than that but I can't say it here when you read it then you will know exactly what I'm talking about. Gina on the other hand needs to just pack up and leave that good for nothing husband of hers take her twins and leave him sitting on the curb he's a no good man. Rick he is loving and and in love with Samantha is fiance, she is ready to tie the knot and he's not trying to hear it so she deciides to pack up and leave then he come to his senses and they are happy. Delorse the mother of the three is a hard working women who's getting ready to retire and enjoy her life right as she is speakingat her retirement party something drastic happens........ooops can't review no more now it's your turn to get the book and find out what all the dramm is about. SO GET OUT THERE AND GET THIS BOOK NOW!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: I am just NOT into this author's works!
Review: In "It's a thin line" Roby deals with real issues of all types of abuse and dealing with sick loved ones. This book relates to what many women in abusive marriages have to go through including the beatings, threats and sexual abuse.

Each of the three siblings obviously experienced something tramatic to have the personality that was exposed from each of them. The book reveals each of their problems and as usual the middle child has the most.

In the book Gina asked the question, is it considered rape if you husband forces himself upon you? Yes, every woman is entitled to say no. The things that Phillip forced Gina to do in this book should be labeled as sodomy. It seemed like when Phillip was mad that's when he wanted Gina to do all those awful things to him sexually.

Then there's Delores, the mother of the three siblings Sidney, Gina and Rick. Her illness brought the family together in a sense. But Gina's abusive relationship actually kept her from really being able to spend time with her mother the way she wanted to.

As usual Roby tells about life issues. Roby tells this story as truthfully as it can get. Anyone who has experienced any type of abuse should read this book. At the end there are numbers to hotlines that can help you in your given situation.

Although I myself have not had any tramatic experiences as the people in this book had, I do know other people and family members who have. I will certainly recommend this book for reading and help in their situations.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome read
Review: One word to describe the is book would be AWESOME. I was so enthralled in this book. I could not put it down. This book expolored so many issues , such as incest, domestic violence, intimacy issues, commitment issues, sibling rivalry, caring for an ailing loved one....

This book was well written. It was very easy to follow, I could not put it down. It took me only 2 days to read!. The characters in this book is so real and I could relate to most of the characters in the book.

Do not walk, run and get this book....I guarantee you wont be mad you did.

Rating:
Summary: KLR Does It Again...GREAT novel!
Review: Sydney, Gina and Rick are siblings with a very tight bond, despite their unique characteristics: Sydney is the eldest and more responsible, Gina is the middle child, high in her career yet too proud to acknowledge some glaring mistakes in her life, and Rick is the baby and hasn't learn the word COMMITMENT yet.

When the matriarch of their family, Delores is stricken down with a stroke, the three must come together in a way they never have before. The responsibility of taking care of an ill parent pits the siblings against each other, and as the tumultuous obstacles of their individual lives culminate, the question becomes, will the siblings ever be able to reconnect like they once had?

This was an excellent read. I've thoroughly enjoyed Roby's novels in the past, and this one connected with me on a more personal level. The storyline of the strickened parent rang so realistically in the novel, that you find yourself pulling out the tissues to share in the pain of the children. For anyone that has taken care of an ill loved one, this novel will provoke many emotions for you. The individual obstacles that the siblings faced -- sexual abuse, domestic abuse to name a few -- were told in a touching and frighteningly true-to-life manner.

Roby weaves through the various plotlines with ease, and her dialogue is tight, description and action painfully vivid. With three bestsellers under her belt, IT'S A THIN LINE is sure to be her fourth consecutive hit. ...

Rating:
Summary: It's a Thin Line
Review: The family drama has been the mainstay of many of today's book writers. The story of the African American Family trying to keep it together through life's various struggles has been the way to approach social issues often prevalent in our families, relationships and our communities.

"It's A Thin Line" is a story focusing on the lives of three siblings and how they react to their mother's sudden illness while dealing with their own stressful problems that negatively impact their everyday lifestyles.

Sydney, the oldest daughter is coupled with the burden of performing the arduous day to day tasks involved with caring for a sick mother. While trying to maintain a successful freelance writing career, teenage daughter, and sex starved husband her mother's condition wears her down emotionally and physically as she receives little help from her siblings. As if Sydney's day to day problems weren't enough, she battles with haunting memories from her childhood and how these memories are affecting her marriage.

Rick, the youngest sibling, is involved in a loving relationship with a wonderful woman who adores him as much as he adores her. Content with the living situation as is, Rick ignores his fiancee's pleas for him to set a wedding date. Dealing with his seeming inability to commit and the failing health of his mother brings their relationship to a crossroads where his lover feels her last option is an ultimatum.

Gina, the middle child, is dealing with the most serious problem all; a husband whose insecurity and short temper repeatedly erupts into violent rage directed at her. Being isolated from her family and the wear and tear on her self esteem causes her to reevaluate her volatile relationship and the long term affects on both her and her two kids.

"It's A Thin Line" gives a lot for readers to swallow at once and it provides a telling look into the life of the family under siege. While I do feel that this book deserves to be read because it deals with so many different topics, I personally felt that it tackled too many issues to the point of compromising its realism. If the problems that face these characters parallel your life as the reader, then this novel would most likely have a greater affect on you; however, I often found the sequence of problems and their end results to be slightly predictable.

To Kimberla Lawson Roby's credit, her interactions between Gina and her abusive spouse did seem vividly realistic and well written but the novel as a whole was not enough to keep me enthusiastically turning the pages.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Reading
Review: This book is a must read. It was interesting from the beginning until the end. I personally could relate to Sidney in this book. I especially loved the relationship that Sidney and her mother had (reminds me of my relationship with my mother) I wish that everyone could experience relationships this strong. Sidney's husband was great and believe it or not they do have supportive black brothers out there. This book had me laughing and crying from start to finish. I couldn't wait to finish it to pass it on to my mother. I would recommend this book to everyone and hope that they are just as satisfied as I was. This is the first book by this author that I have read now I intend to read all of her books with the expectation to be just half as good as "It's A Thin Line"

Rating:
Summary: Women need all the support possible and there is help.....
Review: This book was very good and very suspenseful. I have heard a lot of comments that people don't like these kind of stories.
But this happens to be the real issue of today. There are too
many women that are abused. We all need the family unit to be aware that all need to keep in touch with all problems that exist within relationships and marriages. Some of us are so afraid to let someone know there is a problem of abuse and that they need help. We must be patient and understanding to the needs of our moms, sisters, daughters and all women we know.

This story touched me and also made me aware of all the things that can happen when abuse is the issue. When lives are at stake we need to step up and assist where needed. Naturally we don't want anyone to be killed, but that is one thing that will happen if help is not there. The women of today should be aware of all the support groups, agencies etc. that are out there to assist with these types of issues. No woman or child should have to endure any type of abuse.

The thought to call 911 and keep them on the phone is what helped in this situation. And then the man's family always wants to put the blame on the woman.

This is another book that should be on Oprah's book club list.

This story also made me cry. Keep up the good work on these good novels to dedicate to all women and children.