Trice Hickman is an amazing writer and storyteller!" --Kimberla Lawson RobyEvery joy has its challenges. . .
After twenty years, childhood best friends Alexandria Thornton and PJ Brightwood have reunited--and fallen in love. Alex's artistic nature as a spoken word artist, and PJ's success as a talented surgeon promise a bright future. But their happiness brings unexpected complications for those they care about most. . .
A devoted wife, loving mother, and successful businesswoman, Victoria Thornton is a pillar of her suburban Atlanta community. But when her daughter, Alexandria, becomes engaged to the son of Victoria's former lover, her past mistake threatens her orderly life. As the impending marriage reunites both families, it reignites old feelings that test all of their relationships--and all of their boundaries. . .
Praise for the Unexpected Love series
""Looking for Trouble "is a fantastic saga about family, friendship, love, status and destiny." --">RT Book Reviews"
"Hickman hits all the high notes in this charming modern romance where love and loyalty trump race." "Publishers Weekly "(starred review) on "Unexpected Interruptions"
Prior to writing, Trice Hickman's diverse professional career included work in both corporate and non-profit organizations. Currently, she is putting the finishing touches on her second novel, and a third book is already underway. She resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband. "
Although I enjoyed the family drama, secrets, betrayal and "Christian really needs rehab" section, I now realize I read these books out of order. (Wish they were numbered!)
Nevertheless, the family reunion reminded me exactly why we don't kick our misguided, "one step from jail", relatives to the curb. We pray and fight through the challenges because that's what family is all about!
This story was so slow and boring. I thought it would be fun catching up with the characters after reading Keeping Secrets & Telling lies but it was so repetitive. I got tired of hearing about the special gift, the family history and Parker’s shenanigans. The title doesn’t go with the story. The little drama it has just doesn’t match up. The new characters needed more developing. They started out with potential but flatlined once you learned of their ties into the family.
3.5 stars: Trice Hickman's writing was good. I just thought the story was a little slow paced in some parts. Just when I was starting to feel the story was dragging on a bit, I was on Chapter 37, and all of a sudden the story ended. The ending felt a little sudden. I'm glad I finished the book though.
I liked the characters, especially Alexandria and Grandma Allene. This was my first read by Trice Hickman. I doubt it will be my last.
This installment of the Unexpected series was boring and slow. I also found Alexandra’s character milquetoast and her romance with PJ bland and unconvincing. This novel doesn’t come close to the spark of “Unexpected Interruptions”.
Alexandria has a gift that she's trying to understand. Her family recognizes her 'special-ness' and trust her. Grandma Allene had the gift and has connected to Alexandria to guide her and the family through upcoming tribulations. In the midst of this spiritual connection, Alexandria is preparing to marry her childhood sweetheart, PJ. Victoria and Ted are experiencing discord in their marriage and with their daughter's marriage comes a thorn from their past. Children misbehaving and rebellious aids to the heartache as they all fight to remain together.
Can a family trip to the place where it all began, in Nedine, really bind them together? Will the love that created these individuals be enough to pull them back to the 'good times', to a good place? What will the secrets mean for their foundation? Is the good still outweighing the bad? Is the love really and truly enough to heal all wounds? This family is inspiring in their authenticity and the spiritual core that is the mainline of this story is so magnificent. I know that this is a fictional read, but...if you relate to 'gift' in any fashion, you will truly understand as you feel something in your spirit leap in joy! Be encouraged knowing that GOD has a purpose and plan!
I wanted to like this, and there were some elements, like the obvious trust, respect, and affection between most of the couples, that I found really refreshing, but the book just wasn't strong enough to hold my attention. The main character, Alex, is so perfect that everyone who thinks about her has to take a moment to appreciate how good and kind and giving and blah blah blah she is. It was cloying to constantly hear about this polyanna paragon!
The other issue that really kept me from getting deep into this novel was the lack of refinement to the writing craft. There were a lot of filtering phrases "she thought" "she realized" "she knew" that really serve to red flag a passage as exposition and kick me right out of the flow, and the dialogue felt too polished and self-conscious to really sound like two people talking.
When I found myself reading the book not to find out what happens but just to get it over with so I could move on to something more interesting, I realized it was time to shelve it and move on.
Excellent book! When weaving a tale between past and present, it is sometimes difficult to achieve the desired outcome, but Trice Hickman nailed it! Spanning two lifetimes, this story is beautifully conveyed from both Allene and her great-grand daughter's point of view. Alexandria and Allene both have the give of prophecy, but during the struggle of learning when and when not to use it, Alexandria is directed back to her families old homestead in South Carolina. There, secrets will be buried, mysteries will be solved, addictions will be confronted, family ties will be reinforced and lives will begin anew! Hopefully, this will not be the last book in this series, as I have gone quiet fond of Victoria, Ted, Parker, Alexandria, PJ, and all of the other main characters in the Unexpected Love Series.
Finished this book overnight just because I love the writing style of this book!
I grew attached to all the characters especially because they are all related from Trice Hickman's debut novel 'Unexpected Interruptions' (o book I will never regret buying because it to this day I still read it when I have free time).
My favorite characters from this book are of course Ted, Victoria and Parker. I still love the triangle tension between them although I love it the most when Ted and Victoria are together. And I hope more stories will be developed with their characters still playing an important part.
I am a fan of author Trice Hickman and the whole Parker, Victoria and Ted storyline. With this last installment I expected more umph from the author I was conflicted as I love the storyline but was confused with the book. I was really looking for the final showdown between the trio as it was evident that the heat chemistry was still there I get the power of prophecy but don't get that we weren't introduced to the problems of Christian sooner. Also , there was a great story with Sam, Tyler and her past intertwining with her present.
Like I said I am conflicted because I love the previous novels but while this filled me it left me full I was still hungry
I really found the book to be interesting as I do believe there are spirits among us and do believe that if we are in tune with ourselves and our environments that we can reach beyond our worldly limitations. It's also all in how you deal with and handle these special gifts.
I found the story to lag in places but after you see how it all ties into together and becomes somewhat relevant to the plot and the story. It was an ok read.
A full and perfect circle. If you have read all of Trice's previous books then you are in for a serious treat. If you haven't this skilled writer made sure you were able to follow along. I stopped gifting five stars to books but this one left me no choice. A definite classic. What a beautifully written book. For spoilers or questions inbox me
While I have not read all of the book, Trice is a wonderful author, and fellow Washingtonian as well. Her 6th book is well worth reading. In Service to Community, ShiraDestinie Jones Landrac James-MEOW-Date: Sunday, August 5. 12014 H.E. (Holocene Era)
Even though I need to read the book ahead of this one, I still enjoyed this series. I love Ted and Victoria. I love the fact that Ted love Victoria with all his heart. I hope Parker find love and be able to move on. I see there will be another book coming out and I cannot wait.
This book was AMAZING. It constantly kept my attention with the characters that the author used and also the story plot itself. In all honestly I wish there was more to the story, especially when it came to certain characters in the book. But all in all this was a great book to read.