When Morning Comes

Hidden Legacy/A Family Affair #2

by Francis Ray

In her unforgettable new novel When Morning Comes, Francis Ray delivers an emotionally powerful tale about the families we build, the choices we make, and how we find love and family along the way.

Dr. Cade Mathis learned early that he was not the son of the man who raised him. His adoptive father, a cruel, bitter man, had always been quick to tell him that he was a bastard and an embarrassment to the rich society family whose daughter got pregnant with him. So when Cade received a full scholarship to college, he was only too happy to leave the only home he had ever known behind and never looked back. Now a successful doctor and one of the best neurosurgeons in the state, the only thing he still wants are answers about where he came from. What he doesn't expect to find is Sabrina Thomas, the new patient advocate at his hospital, or how this woman will lead him to the family he has been searching for and a love he never expected to find.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary

340 pages, Paperback

First published June 5, 2012

About the author

Francis Ray was a New York Times and USA Today bestselling African-American writer of romance novels. Her literary fiction series – Taggart and Falcon, the Invincible Women, Grayson Family of New Mexico, and Grayson Friends – have consistently made bestseller's lists. She was born in Richland, Texas, and studied nursing, receiving a bachelor's degree from Texas Woman's University in 1967. She began writing in 1987, while continuing to work as a nurse, and had her first book published in 1992.

AWARDS
Romantic Times Career Achievement
EMMA
The Golden Pen
The Atlantic Choice
Romantic Times 2008 Reviewers' Choice Award Winners for AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE Reviewers' Choice Awards – Best Books Not Even If You Begged, St. Martin's Griffin (February 2008)
Borders 2008 Bestselling Multicultural Romance Award for Nobody but You
Written's 2010 Readers Choice Book of the Year for If You Were My Man

Reviews

[Lady Raven RAVE! · Rating 5 out of 5]

THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this book. I felt like I was getting two stories and four lives entwined in one. The author did a great job conveying everyone’s’ emotions. Chapter one sets the pace for Cade and Sabrina in the story once their interaction begins.

Cade was definitely emotionless in the beginning as the story begins, which for me was good because I didn’t want him to be perfect because he was a doctor. I will think his emotionless and stern state as a doctor and a person stems from his background. Sabrina is an advocate for patients at the same hospital Cade works for. Sabrina is very passionate about her job and this leads to their first encounter with each other with a great story about the past and what both Sabrina and Cade will endure.

I was excited about Kara, Sabrina’s best friend. I always always always, find it a bonus when reading another story within a story. Tristan and Kara was a nice way to weave in and out between the main characters. Their encounter with each other was as interesting and good as it produced a nice chemistry.

You will not be disappointed with this story. I fell in love with everyone and the meaning behind the story. I expect no different from Francis Ray. Well done.

Storyline: GREAT
Enjoyment: GOOD


View more reviews for this authors review page on RNJ.
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[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have very conflicting thoughts on this book. This novel is actually two different stories woven together through the two female protagonists being best friends. Other than that, and the very unrealistically ending, which tied everything up into a nice, neat, happy little package, they are almost completely separate. I not sure how I would normally feel about this arrangement but in this book it worked OK because I was really irritated by the secondary female lead character and it was nice to be able to separate the two in my mind.

Sabrina and Cade's story was one I would have really enjoyed. There were two strong characters, engaging plot, very interesting subplot, and who doesn't love a happy ending?

Kara and Tristan's story was not at all enjoyable. Tristan was an awesome male lead, strong, supportive, rich, handsome, trustworthy, etc. Kara on the other hand drove me crazy. I understand what Ray was trying to do with her character but it just angered me. Kara was such the victim and continuously allowed it to happen. It was to the point where I didn't believe she deserved the guy. There was even a fairly substantial plot point that was never wrapped up.

Ray would have done well to keep the two stories separate. Unfortunately she didn't. I give When Morning Comes as a whole 2 1/2 Smiley, Sabrina and Cade's story 3 1/2 Smiley. If you like chick-lit and romances I wouldn't say don't read it. Give it a try yourself. I think everyone will probably have a different reaction to this story. If you read it I would love to hear your opinions on it!

I will definitely read another book by Francis Ray if given the chance!

[Racquel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book stands apart from other novels written by Ms. Ray. I was surprised that she took the story THERE. The plot involving Sabrina and Cade was bold and not what I expected from Ms. Ray. Nonetheless, I enjoyed it and appreciated the twist in the story.

I like the roles that Sabrina and Tristan took on in their pursuit of lust and how it developed into love. Kara's mother is one of those characters that you don't want to admit is good because you dislike her so much. I would've liked a more in depth "trace-off" than the one Kara gave to her mother; it was too short for such an ugly character.

I was going to give the book four stars until I neared the ending which was getting cornier by the paragraph. And I cringe at the harshness of my opinion because Francis Ray is in my top 5 of favorite authors and I love all of her work. But the way the book was winding down irritated me. It was lackluster and so overly typical.

Other than that, it was a quick read that I don't regret.

[Brandi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I have read from this author. Halfway into the book, I realized that it was a romance. The story started off pretty interesting and believable but once all the characters began to experience true love, it became a bit much. I also found the book hard to read most times. Quite a few sentences didn't make sense to me in the text so I found myself re-reading it several times to make sense of what the author was trying to say. I'm not really into romance novels so I don't think I will be picking up anything else from this author.

[Laverne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazon Headline: Joy comes in the morning....

Kara Simmons works as a Social Worker at Texas Hospital with Sabrina Thomas, who’s a patient advocate. Rather than flying on the wings of her family prestige, Sabrina moved to another state so she could make a name for herself. She and Kara both are single and become fast friends and neighbors. Abuse has left both women emotionally stunned but each have a different way of handling their pain.

Dr. Cade Mathis is known for his straight-forward persona and business like beside manner, and he's the best neurosurgeon at Texas. His success is the end product of the demons that haunt him.

Tristan Landers begins and end his role as a supportive character however the role he plays in Kara’s life and the life of Dr. Cade’s patient quickly bumps him to one of the protagonist in this strongly written book that I absolutely recommend.

So much is happening in the lives of these four characters you will not be able to turn the pages fast enough so you can find out WHY.
When Morning Comes, is a fast-paced novel with an underlying message of faith in God. The characters are believable and totally honest about their flawed and complex natures.

Each character had so many levels, as a reader it was fun peeling away until we got to their hearts, and those characters who showed their hearts up front keep us wondering what was next.
Excellent read

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of this review

Missy
5 book mark
Readers Paradise

[Dafort · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Morning Comes is a follow-up to I Know Who Holds Tomorrow and it did not disappoint. Dr. Cade Mathis is a man with a past filled with hurt and emotional scars which followed him into adulthood. His past has left a bitter taste and mistrust of people that does not make for a good "bedside manner". In steps Sabrina Thomas, a woman that on first sight knew Cade was the one for her and was determined to shower him with love and show him that love and family conquers all. There was also a secondary story within this book featuring Sabrina's best friend Kara Simmons and the issues she endured with her mother and trusting the wrong man. That is until she encounters Tristan Landers, a man determined to move on from a bitter divorce but fights his growing feelings for Kara.

When Morning Comes was an outstanding read that pulled at your heart strings and emotions to where the reader wants to strangle Kara's mom and hope Cade's biological father gets hit by a mack truck. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next installment

[Revae · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Morning Comes highlights the lives of two single women: Kara Simmons and Sabrina Thomas, social workers at a local hospital. Sabrina falls for the top neurosurgeon in the hospital, Cade Mathis. Cade has a hard time reciprocating Sabrina's feelings because he struggles with abandonment issues from the socialite mother who gave him away. When Tristan, the friend of a patient, decides to bring Kara's hidden talent of painting to the forefront along with making her his girl, Kara has to finally deal with the ever present issues between her and her mother. Francis Ray interconnects characters and tells a quaint story of people finding hope through love. This is a great read for the beach. Well since summer is coming to a close, then a rainy weekend. It's definitely worth reading.

[SassyMama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly CAPTIVATED by the budding romances between Cade and Sabrina; Tristan and Kara...I LOVED every minute of this HEARTWARMING tale...I laughed, cried and CHEERED as the couples navigated through some SURPRISING twists...I can't wait to meet the rest of A.J. Reed's off-spring...and it's a WONDERFUL treat catching up with the cast from I Know Who Holds Tomorrow...a definite MUST read...Mrs. Ray did NOT disappoint!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great book! I loved how Francis Ray intertwined the lives of two women and two men. All of this while calling attention to adoption.

[Rosalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book!

[LaTonya Nevels · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Francis Ray's books. They make you think. They make you feel! Two women, best of friends with different stories find love with two men who allowed pain to dictate their lives. Does love win or is the pain from the past too painful to move on? Everyone has a story but its all about how they chose to find their own paths.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awful. Storyline was ridiculous, I hated pretty much every character in this book, but especially Kara and her mother. However, I picked this up at a used book store and didn't realize it was a romance novel. Stupid plot, stupid characters, definitely not my thing at all... though it was kinda funny just because of how unbelievable and ridiculous the plot was.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly inspiring ✍🏾

The storyline and characters were well thought provoking and the message from the characters are exciting and soul stirring. The book is not classified as a "Christian contemporary romance" but I think it should. Topics of love, family, adoption and greed. The twists in the story are bombshells. A must read!

[Glenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was usual. Kara let her mother bring her down. Her mother did nothing for herself but shop. Sabrina was a determined woman. I don't like the relationship between her and Cade, but it's too late. The story ended with everyone happy, but not happy with Cade and Sabrina situation.

[Wandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved Francis Ray

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching story

An engaging tale of love and perseverance. Family influence can often make or break you. Ms Ray showed both the ups and downs with heartfelt accuracy.

[Alisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too slow. I didn't care about any of the characters except for Kara and her narcissistic mother but I didn't feel invested in finishing this book.

[Kim]

Francis Ray is my favorite!!!!! I love every single one of her books. They all end up happily ever after, but it doesn't matter. I love them all!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

MsLady

What can I say wow I love this book. So many twist and turns and a lot of love. Ms Ray I’m so glad I rediscovered your books. I used to read your books many years ago.

[eugenia benn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I enjoyed this book tremendously.I am going to read the next book in this series but the price has to come down some.

[Kayla Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was kind of like reading a soap opera. It had some good parts that definitely kept me reading but was a little too predictable/dramatic at times.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends Sabrina and Kara live on the same street and work in the same hospital. However, they have completely different viewpoints on love and the pursuit thereof. Sabrina is physically scarred from horrific childhood abuse and Kara is emotionally scarred from an abusive adult relationship with her mother. However, Sabrina sets her sights on Cade Mathis, the brilliant but emotionally reserved (stunted?) neurosurgeon who ALSO has a history of childhood abuse, and Kara is pursued by a wealthy and highly attractive writer/blogger/house flipper.

Things I liked about this book: 1) The heroines weren't awful. Kara really needed a backbone, which she eventually found but watching her dealing with her mother throughout the book was just painful. I wanted to throttle both of them, for completely different reasons. However, her love story (b story though it was) was more interesting to me than Sabrina and Cade's, although that really comes to the kinds of romantic relationships I prefer, rather than the actual writing. Despite that, she's a decent enough character, and so is Sabrina. I have a real pet peeve when the female character is illogically nasty, all in the name of creating resolvable conflict for plot.

2) The writing wasn't flawless, but Francis Ray is proficient. While that seems like faint praise, I promise, it's not. There are so many terrible writers out there, proficiency makes me do a happy dance.

Things I didn't like about the book: 1) Kara's mother. On the face of things, she's just awful, but looking beyond the obvious awfulness, she's rather one dimensional. Oh, there's some explanation for her attitude ("I grew up in a house with 14 kids and I never got what I wanted, but mostly in the form of material possessions....") but frankly, that wasn't enough for me to explain her pervasive and unrelenting, damn near insane behaviour.

2) Typos. There were a few. I know I read an ARC, but god, I hate typos. At one point, Sabrina answers her phone and identifies herself as Sabrina Mathis. Mathis is the HERO's last name, not hers. It's not even supposed to be a Freudian slip, because HE was calling her and they could have had a marvelously awkward conversation about whether she's been doodling his name in her Trapperkeeper or something. Nope, it's just a mistake.

3) Sabrina seems a little.... inconsistant to me. She's horrifically scarred, and both of the her previous boyfriends (in high school and college respectively), are so turned off by the scarring that they immediately dump her and as a result, she doesn't date and she enters her relationship with Cade as a virgin. At the same time, we're supposed to believe this strong-willed, otherwise totally beautiful and obviously determined woman would let that put her off? Evidence: she ardently pursued the one doctor in the hospital that didn't want to date her, even when he rejected her at first..... Seems to me like Cade Mathis couldn't have been the one and only man in the world who would have appreciated her for what she is, not if she's everything she's supposed to be. Maybe I'm oversimplifying this, but I feel like the virgin card is overplayed and unrealistic in contemporary romances.

4) The all-too-convenient plot tying itself together. Sabrina and Kara are best friends. They start dating two men Cade and Tristian, but it turns out 1) Cade is Sabrina's adopted mother's biological son, who she gave hiim up rather than raise a child out of wedlock and 2) Cade's long lost, recently identified half biological brother on his father's side is actually... Kara's boyfriend's (Tristian's) buddy. What next? Will one of them discover an evil twin? Perhaps someone will fake their own death, only to be discovered later in Figi, living a secret life..... So soap opera. I like connections between characters, but this was just too much.

Bottom Line: I like the book better than several other contemporary romance novels I've read lately, but there are still some things that didn't quite fit. While I won't say that it's my favorite, I wouldn't have a problem recommending it to other people.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Angie
Book provided by the publisher for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

I admit it, the cover is pretty much the main reason why I chose to read and review When Morning Comes. Isn’t it gorgeous?!

When Morning Comes is the first book in the Family Affairs series and covers the goings on of best friends Kara Simmons – who is brutally walked all over by her ferocious mother – and Sabrina Thomas – who is madly in lust with the totally eligible, but completely hands off Dr. Mathis.

I loved getting to see both signs of the adoption coin – a horribly abused young girl raised by loving adoptive parents, and a man who was the product of an illicit affair who was adopted by cruel, hard-working parents who beat him down mentally every day until he was old enough to escape. Ms. Ray frankly, but lovingly took us up and down both sides before she stepped on the gas and went around a curve you never saw coming – or at least I didn’t really see it coming until it was nearly too late. Either way, it just added to the story.

I wanted more long before the book was over. I agree with what I have read from some other reviewers – the ending is too neatly wrapped up and leaves you wanting more, but I still give this book the highest rating I possibly can.

Ms. Ray is extremely blessed with a writing skill too few possess; the ability to keep you reading page after page until you realize it’s the next day and you still haven’t slept yet and oh my goodness, someone PLEASE make a pot of coffee, I’m almost done!

I especially loved how tactful she was with the love scenes; they were there, but they were quick and tastefully written. This isn’t a book about sex, it’s about facing your demons and giving your heart a chance even though you really just want to hide away in your comfort zone being miserable.

I look forward to not only more from the Family Affairs series, but other books by Ms. Ray as well.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two women, two men – what could be simpler? Yeah, right, you know that won’t happen. Two patient advocates (the girls) live on the same street and work together. One of them, Sabrina, doesn’t take insults lying down and Kara is keeping a vow she made to her dying father: she’s taking care of Mom. Mom, of course, does not appreciate anything done and doesn’t hold back when it comes to telling Kara how she feels.
Cade Mathis is the drop-dead gorgeous neurosurgeon at the same hospital. Too bad his looks don’t match his personality. Cold, unsmiling, expecting to be obeyed living a whole flight of steps up from where he came from: a battering, cruel adopted father who brought up Cade’s illegitimacy every chance he got and he got lots of chances. Tristan is the nice one, caring for an old friend down on his luck, rehabbing houses and wants Kara to spend more time painting and less time being Mom’s slave.
Sabrina and Cade are like oil and water. Stubborness wins out eventually and they begin spending time together until something comes up that shatters both their realities. Are Kara and Tristan strong enough to buck Mom? Only time will tell. And When Morning Comes some things may never be made whole again.
An excellent start to your summer reading! Great beach book, great porch book, great book! Enjoy!

[Vonetta Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is about forgiveness, loyalty, love, finding your worth, friendship, and truly what it means to be family.

Cade and Sabrina make a great couple. The start of both their lives were similar but unfortunately Cade's did not get any better until 18. Sabrina was eventually adopted into a loving family and Cade was not. Once Cade opens up and starts to forgive, he got the family and love he needed, wanted, and deserved. He went from having no one to a fiancée, a brother, sister in law, niece and nephew, parents, and grandparents not to mention new friends in Tristan and Kara.

Kara's mother was a piece of work while Tristan's mom Vera was everything. Kara's mother was greedy, entitled, and mean. She never worked a day in her adult life and felt like she was owed everything because she was raised poor. I agree with one reviewer who stated the confrontation between Kara and her mother was too short and it took too long for Kara to get there. Tristan and Kara deserved the love they got from each other. Also, Kara will finally have the mother/daughter relationship with Vera that she deserves.

I bought the eBook to enjoy again and again.

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHEN MORNING COMES by Francis Ray is an interesting contemporary romance. It is the beginning of a new series,”A Family Affair”. A touching tale of family,forgiveness,secrets,love,friendship,choices we make,the consequences they bring and the love we find along the way. A powerful beginning to what will hopefully bring a powerful series. Follow Dr. Cade Mathis, a Neurosurgeon,who was adoptive by a cruel and bitter man and Sabrina Thomas,a patient advocate as they navigate through an unexpected love,and finding family. Ms. Ray as always as written a powerful and complex story that will leave the reader wanting to find out what awaits “A Family Affair”. If you enjoy multicultural romances,contemporary romance full of emotions than you do not want to miss “A Family Affair”. Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at the author’s website,St. Press,and My Book Addiction and More.

RATING: 4

HEAT RATING: MILD

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina Thomas and Kara Simmons are friends that work at Texas hospital in Dallas.  The ladies are both fighting demons of their past and looking for love.  Dr. Cade Mathis (notable neurosurgeon) and Tristian Landers (award winning journalist/blogger) not only made moves in their respectful career fields but were easy on the eye.  Interactions at the hospital would bring them all together but could love keep them.

Ray includes issues of adoption, abandonment, forgiveness, and acceptance in this story.  I have to say Ray can write a story and she has worked for years perfecting her craft.  I thought this story started a bit slow but the ending was near perfect.  We should all be so lucky to find the unconditional love of a mate and bond with family we didn't know we had...be careful of the choices you make.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read by this author and I can't get over how different the books were. Even though the book's description is all about Cade and Sabrina, it feels like more of the book is devoted to Kara and Tristan. I really didn't mind it because both stories were good, but I felt like the book went off track a little near the end in an attempt to wrap everything up. There was some good romance, but she definitely wrote steamier scenes in the last book I read from her.

Overall, if I could do half stars, I'd probably give this a 3.5. I can't say I loved this book, but I don't feel I wasted my time either. I think I would have liked this book more if it focused solely on one couple - either one and the other couple had been given a separate book.

[Natalya | TheIslandReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

While Francis Ray released When Morning Comes almost three years ago, I only read it about two weeks ago. I saw it pop up on my recommendations a few times on Amazon, partly because I have read some of her other books, but didn’t really pay it much mind.

it was a solid book but unfortunately not one I would read again or necessarily recommend. It had all the necessary components that fans of Francis Ray have come to love, however, I have conflicting thoughts on this book. Though Cade and Sabrina are mentioned in this description, this book actually has two separate stories. The other couple features Sabrina’s best friend, Kara.

Read the rest of my review here:
http://marieslist.com/review-when-mor...

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kara and Sabrina are two professional women who are trying to live their lives the best they can. They have both have experienced hurt and betrayal from those who are supposed to protect them. In comes Tristan to show Kara the true meaning of trust and love. While Sabrina shows Cade that the past doesn't have define him and trust is possible.

Like every Francis Ray book I read, this one kept my attention from beginning to end. This book made me happy, sad, and mad all at the same time. She told a good love story about getting over the past and accepting the happiness that is placed in front of you. I will be continuing to read books from this author, as I have now become a fan