The Truth about Love

We've all heard the Holy Bible teaches that love is kind, love is patient, love covers a multitude of sin and love never fails. In fact, there are several scriptures that talk about love, but the ultimate example of love is Jesus Christ. He showed how much He loved us by sacrificing His life for us on the cross so we may have a chance at eternal life. As a result, Christians are taught to strive to be like Jesus, being willing to lay down your life for your brother. But, in the world we live in, where sin, hatred and debauchery are prevalent at every turn, how do we show more love? How do we apply His teachings to our lives? How do we become an example for others to follow so they may see Christ in us? Tia McCollors ponders the answers to these and other questions about love in her latest book, THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE. Four friends who have formed a bond, based on their affiliation in a women's discipleship group, dissect the Biblical truth about love as they live their daily lives and encounter issues that attempt to disconnect them from GOD. Belinda and Thomas Stokes, unable to have a child naturally have adopted a little girl and taken in Thomas's teenage son from a previous relationship. As with most teenagers, he tests his new home unit to the limit and Belinda finds herself on the prayer offense. Recently married Zora Fields receives a shock shortly after the honeymoon---her husband, Preston, believes he is being called into the ministry. While dealing with religious issues on her job, she must now prepare herself for something she doesn't feel she is equipped to handle. Paula Manns is losing touch with her husband, Darryl. It seems as if at every turn, they are growing farther and farther apart, but she is determined to let no one and nothing take her marriage. Monet Sullivan is single, and from the looks of things with her three closest friends, she may want to remain that way. She loves her freedom and doesn't want a commitment that will change her. McCollors provides a refreshing and very candid look at love in action in different settings in this stand-alone sequel to Zora's Cry. Her approach shows how love can overcome many things such as marital strife, teenage rebellion, communications issues and fear. The author impressed upon the readers that having a right relationship with God would enable you to hear from Him and, if you listen and obey, everything works to the good. Taking things into your own hand is usually when we mess up. I benefited from getting to know the characters and growing along with them. The insights into their lives, imperfections and all, were believable and provided a guide to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. McCollors writing style, which was persuasive without being preachy. Reviewed by Brenda Lisbon of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

Four women, all different, with different problems, but fast friends. There's Paula who has just had a new baby and her husband is insisting on a paternity test. Belinda has tried to be a good step-mother, in spite of Juanita, her husband's first wife. Now T.J., her stepson, has been shot and she not only has to worry about him, but Juanita is back in their lives, big time. Zora has only been married for four months, when Preston, her new husband announces he's been called to the ministry, which is fine, but no one called her. And then there's Monet, who gave up a regular paycheck to start out on her own. She thinks her friendship with Jeremiah might be a good basis for marrige, but she's just met Savon, who might change her mind. They've always been there for each other, but now the four women might be facing problems that are too big for them. Can they trust God to work out a solution, and just what is the truth about love, anyway. Tia McCollors has a knack for getting into her characters and bringing them to life. A beautiful, well written story.

How does four women with individual problems manages to maintain against odds not suited for their survival? Are there any miracles from on High that can trickle down for added doses to remedy angst divided by four? Author, Tia McCollors attempts to give rhyme to reason in her continuing saga involving Paula, Belinda, Zora and Monet from her previous offering, ZORA'S CRY. Now comes THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE, the lukewarm sequel that lacks a sizzle and pop that gave Zora's Cry more élan. This time around we see the girls with issues akin to familial disorder, extended family headaches, the testing of the waters for newly weds, and proverbial problems with commitment or lack of same. I give the author credit for stepping a bit out marginal restrictions writing in this genre in not upsetting the apple cart to give her characters more coloring. I feel that sequels should up the ante more to add intrigue to what has already been served, but to a degree where you give readers a chance to say - "okay, give me something different!" When this is not readily identified, the story tends to stagnate, and in part becomes predictable. Albeit, the story starts out a bit slow, but not before the author paints a vivid picture of each character's flaws and assets. Not all is lost in this story, however where a few shining moments are given to good dialogue and riposte. This shows weighted value to articulate the verbal passages for the sisterhood in Christ to illustrate the author's intent for faith to be vocal and at the forefront. I contend that what makes this book a moderate success is the author's ability to weave a fabric without snags that suppress her overall message for perseverance to triumph amid, and despite adversity. To wit: Paula's dilemma is finding a way to save her fragile marriage from slipping away, and in the process reel her husband back into the center of matrimonial bliss; Belinda suddenly is a surrogate mother trying to administer to an incorrigible stepson with an agenda of his own. Her abilities has an understanding and appreciative mother is tested more than she can stand; Zora has doubts that she can be the First Lady of a church in any capacity, and has problems dealing with the responsibilities thereof. Her lackadaisical attitude is an affront to a husband that `preaches' his gospel at home to her chagrin; Monet is single and all ears to her friend's plight, further cementing her vow of not succumbing into a relationship that would compromise her sense of freedom. This story reverberates with subtle and not so subtle messages and missives catering to how right can trump wrong as long as spiritual awareness is in the forefront and not on the backburner of conscious thought. I would have liked for this continuation to give credence for more suspense to drive the need for four different views to color the canvas with hues demanding contrast unlike what has already been offered. Thus, I'm giving a rating of three stars out of five. For T

If you want to read a story that depicts what love looks like, this is the book to read. Tia McCollars did a wonderful job depicting what God's kind of love looks like as well as what it doesn't. As you're reading the book, you can't help but think, "could I love like that?" You learn so much through each of these memorable characters. The Truth About Love is a great follow-up to Zora's Cry. Looking foward to your next one Tia!

The Truth About Love is a great sequel to Zora's Cry. As always Tia McCollors delivers a story with strong characterization and a powerful faith message interwoven amongst realistic dialogue and a great plot.