Off the Record

White's book, Off the Record, manages to combine a Christian journey, romance as well as political intrigue. Laurel Kincade is a candidate for the Alabama Supreme Court and a figure from her past, Cole McGaughton, appears. Laurel has led an exemplary Christian life, but she has one secret from her youth: a three day marriage and annulment to Cole while in law school. Cole then had been nothing but a bad influence, but has since changed his life, focusing now on God, his family and his career. But Cole's appearance is a shock for Laurel as he is a reporter and she's afraid that he might be able to blow her campaign. The book also adds campaign intrigue. After this book, I'm very much looking forward to reading other books by White.

Cole is bound and determined to show Laurel he's changed since their heartbreaking past; she's holding too much hurt to start anew. Excellent story with believable characters and a compelling plot.

This book is great to read during election season. You get to see the insides of what it is like to run for office. It's not just shaking hands, and kissing babies, making promises you won't be able to keep. For Laurel it was harder because she was female. She was also a clean candidate, something the media hates because it thrives on flaws. I don't think I could ever run for office because I wouldn't want some forgotten part of my past brought out into public. I really liked Laurel's character. She was a strong female lead who did not give in easily when the going got tough. I liked Cole, I felt sorry for him at times but overall I thought he was a good guy. (The guy on the back cover who's supposed to be him looks like McDreamy!)The portrayal of the South as the setting fits perfectly with the novel. This book shows the high price of being famous and in the spotlight. It was really disturbing to see how the media will try to bring down someone. The scene when the editor says they would pay more if Laurel's career was ended by scandal was very eye awakening. It's sad to think of how money hungry the media is and even more appalling how the public thrives on tabloid news on famous people. Why are we happy when we see those in power crumble? This was not only an enjoyable read but one that made you think as well.Elizabeth White has written another winner. I'm really looking forward to her next book.

Judge Laurel Kincaide is running for chief judge of Alabama. If elected she'll make history as the first woman to fill that role. To get there she has to survive the primary. Cole McGaughan is a religion reporter sent south to cover the campaign. The only problem, the secret in her past is tied directly to him. Their ambition is on a collision course with that secret. In this book, author Elizabeth White paints a vibrant picture of the south and politics. Each time the book threatened to fall into a cliché, she managed to write beyond it. And each time I anticipated where the plot headed, she managed to keep me interested anyway. Each thread of the book wove together beautifully. Even the spiritual thread never felt like an after thought shoved into the story to make it fit the Christian market. Instead, it was carefully written and enhanced the plot. I read this book quickly because the pull of the characters and story was too strong to walk away from. I had to know how it ended. And that ending was very satisfying.

I loooovvved this book. It was refreshing and new. The plot was excellant with twists and turns. It was heartwarming and the characters came alive. Judge Laurel Kincaid is a character not to be forgotten. I highly recommend this book!