Child Support and Other Guarantees

Rating:
Summary: Guaranteed Drama
Review: Jason Calliner, an aspiring CEO whose haunting past childhood experiences threatens his ascent up the corporate ladder has an even larger problem-his wife, Olga. Their expenses far exceeds Jason's albeit hefty paycheck. But if he can't keep up this lifestyle, he may lose Olga, a woman who wouldn't have given him the time of day otherwise.

Olga Calliner, a former accountant thinks she is losing her husband, Jason. He's rarely home and quite aloof. Every time she has a concern he pacifies her and their kids with gifts. When she begins to dig around Jason's world, she finds more information than she was prepared to handle. She must rely on her faith as Jason's mounting misbehavior becomes more and more dangerous and his psychological instability looms and threatens to destroy their marriage.

Gaskins weaves an interesting quagmire of corporate scandal, mysterious deaths, and baby-mama-drama. Her strong southern romantic voice shines when she parallels landscapes with faith issues. However, too many characters and too many flashbacks at the novel's opening confuses the plot. The story begins with Attorney Sadie Hall, but ends with Mrs. Jefferson. Gaskins inability to create a cohesive story frame does not create a satisfying ending and weakens her voice. This book is appropriate for faith based book clubs, southern literature buffs, romance fiction lovers and novella readers. (Nov., pp. 162 pp, $20.99)

-Dee Stewart, Reviewer





Rating:
Summary: What's Done In The Dark Always Comes To Light
Review: The first thing that came to mind when I saw the title of this book was "not another baby momma drama story ", but much to my surprise that wasn't the case at all. CHILD SUPPORT AND OTHER GUARANTEES by Laverne Lewis Gaskins is essentially a book about relationships, friendship and successful careers.

The first time Olga saw Jason she wanted to know all she could about the fine black Adonis who was at her fingertips. He too, was checking her out and couldn't wait to get the scoop on the beautiful woman before him. Jason was a very successful business executive who had everything he needed except a wife by his side. Jason always had his head in the books and was determined to become successful inspite of his impoverished childhood. Olga was a successful accountant who had a strong spiritual foundation and two supportive friends. The only thing lacking in her life was a mate to share it with. When Jason saw Olga, at a party he knew she was what he was looking for in a wife.

After a brief whirlwind romance, Olga and Jason marry and feel their lives can't get any better. Jason may be successful and fine but due to his impoverished upbringing he is also very insecure. Olga is realizing that her knight in shining armor isn't all he is cracked up to be. He also has more than a few unpleasant characteristics as well as some business dealings that aren't too legit. The man she fell in love with is nowhere to be found and the person he has become no one likes, not even Jason himself. Can the love they once shared be rekindled or is Olga fed up and ready to move on?

In addition to Jason and Olga's story we meet Precious and Tamika, who have been best friends since childhood. They are inseparable and both have a few skeletons in their closet Precious, a single mother of two sons would do anything to get the love of her life, Carlos, back. She is determined to have him for herself by any means necessary. Every since he walked out on her a few years ago, her life hasn't been the same. Will she be successful in her endeavor? What made Carlos leave in the first place? Tamika is a single mother of one with one on the way. She isn't in a relationship and hasn't been for some time. The secret identity of the father of her children can never be revealed, and as long as he is taking care of his responsibilities all things are kosher. Will the fathers of their children continue to support them? Or will Tamika and Precious end up taking care of their children without any support? A few bones start to fall out of their closets and trouble is not far behind. Can these two keep their past under wraps or will the old saying "what's done in the dark always comes to light" hold true?

CHILD SUPPORT AND OTHER GUARANTEES is a book that delves into the areas of friendships and failed relationships with just a touch of drama. I enjoyed reading the book but I felt as if I was reading two separate stories. The majority of the book was about Jason and Olga with just a touch of Tamika and Precious thrown in. The two stories didn't really connect and the attempt at the end to intertwine them just didn't work. I honestly think the stories would have worked better being in two separate books. In spite of this, overall it was an enjoyable read that ended with an unsuspected twist.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers