Casting the First Stone

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Well-Written, Attention Commanding Book
Review: This was our [[e-mail]] first book of the month. An excellent, well-written book, Casting the First Stone, centers around the rise and fall of a Southern-born minister who is overcome by power, money and women. Because money and power rule his life, God, his family, and others are placed on the back burner.

Calvin's meager beginnings as a dedicated minister, his gradual rise to fame and fortune, and his ultimate fall will affect the reader as much as his loved ones, his congregation, and the 'other' women he used and abused are affected.

This excellent, well-written book contains well-developed characters that the reader will both love and hate. They are believable people with personalities of their own. I found myself discussing portions of the book with others who had not read it, remarking about the characters as though they were real people.

An excellent read, sums up my opinion of this well-written, attention-commanding book. Kudos to you, Ms. Roby.

Rating:
Summary: Deception, Greed, Lust
Review: "Casting the First Stone" has them all. Ms. Roby took a true topic and turned it into a novel. Reading this book really drives home that sometimes "things or people are not always what they appear to be". Tanya did very well trying to stick it out with hopes that her husband, Curtis (a minister), would come to his senses and stop womanizing and focus on their marriage. Unfortunately, Curtis is so blinded by the money, the power and the women that he realizes his ordeal too late. Ms. Roby does a good job with the two main characters and focusing on their parts in the marriage. As I was reading Curtis' thoughts, I would wonder how he could be so self-centered. Everything was about his needs and wants without regards to who gets hurt in the process. This book is a good read because of its religious backdrops and the breath of reality you feel while reading it. This is a book that can be related to in some way.

Rating:
Summary: This book is overrated!
Review: I ain't trying to hate or anything but I didnt like Casting the First Stone by Kimberla Lawson Roby. I thought the soap opera plot was built upon stereotypes of the one dimensional characters who I found completely lacking in depth. I disliked it so much that I was completely turned off by the idea of attempting to read the sequel Too Much of a Good Thing, even after I read the preview online on the authors website. I kept thinking to myself "hasnt this negro(Curtis Black) learned anything."

Rating:
Summary: One read: REAL
Review: Kimberlea L. Roby has a winner on her hands with Casting the First Stone, a tale that provides a realistic look into temptation & church corruption along with true life lessons that we currently face today.

Curtis and Tanya Black are the pastor and first lady of a prominent Baptist church. While they seem to have it all, behind the scenes their marriage is the brink of destruction with Curtis' deception, and selfishness being the forefront of their problems. While Tanya struggles to keep their marriage together she goes on a personal journey of her own, one that not only challenges her faith but leads to personal revelations that are both compelling and powerful.

If there is ever a story that is so sad but true regarding temptation and church corruption this is it. Even in the midst of our brothers & sisters that are truly doing great things for Christ (and are sincere :)) you do have your "wolves in sheeps clothing", those who are out for themselves and not God. I have seen quite a few Curtis Blacks myself and in most cases it does take a fall from grace to bring them back to earth. While some don't want to address this issue it is one that is a reality and Ms. Roby does a fine job of addressing it and its effects in this book. It is a pageturner that I recommend to all.

Rating:
Summary: The Lord Giveth and he taketh away...
Review: This was my first novel my Kimberla Roby and it was a very intertesting read. I really enjoyed the story! Casting The First Stone was about a man name Curtis who was called to preach. He was the pastor of a large church. Curtis took his position and turned it around to fit his needs and wants. He got up in the puplit every Sunday preaching the word and behind closed doors he was having not one, but two affairs on his wife, he was physically abusive to her and he was using the money of the church to do UNGODLY things for his mistresses.
Tanya his wife tried to put up with Curtis for as long as she could then she herself lost faith in God and also did some things that God would not be pleased with.

Even though this book was fiction I truly believe some of the things are happening in churches today. This novel was between and a 4.0 and 4.5. Thank you Kiimberla for a insightful read! I will be reading more work from you in the future!

Rating:
Summary: A ok book, could of been better.
Review: I couldn't get into it because the plot was dragged and dragged intil you just say no more. I finished reading the book, on the advantage I finish a book in a day or two. But with this one I slowly got done with it. But I give a A+ for writing the book, because it's very hard to be an author.

Rating:
Summary: Fiction or Nonfiction...uhm
Review: I never considered the happenings in the church would make such a great storyline! "Casting the First Stone" is listed as fiction but could easily be nonfiction by making a few name changes! This book hit close to home! I was "reeled" in by the first paragraph of Chaper 1 as the "preacher's wife" described her feelings while watching her husband in the pulpit. In my own experience, I would often look over at the "preacher's wife" and wonder what's going on in her mind or did "he" have her fooled too! Maybe her thoughts were similiar to Tanya's!

"Casting" will have thoughts racing through your mind the next time you enter the doors of the church! It may even have you reflect on how much power we are giving our church leaders and remind us of Who we are really supposed to be worshipping!

What a fantastic story! I enjoyed the book from cover to cover! I was surprised and pleased that someone took the courage to write about this very controversial topic, one that is making headlines in our world today! The characters were incredible and unpredictable! This book is an excellent choice for book clubs! I appreciated the Reading Group Discussion Guide at the end of the book. Ms. Roby definitely deserves the praise for this one!

Rating:
Summary: Another Job Well Done!
Review: Casting the First Stone is one of the most realistic works of fiction I have ever read. The characters are very real, and I applaud Ms. Roby for having the courage to finally write what we are all whispering about at our own churches. The Rev. Curtis Black never ceased to amaze me, and I simply could not put this book down. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and entertaining read. Thank you Ms. Roby for bringing the truth into perspective where corruption in the church is concerned. It was so needed.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: Once you start reading this book, you won't be able to put it down. Mrs. Roby did a great job with this book. A must read.

Rating:
Summary: Pastor Black is a MESS!!
Review: I enjoyed this book. It was a little slow at times, but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. By the time I got towards the end of the book I didn't want to stop. The basis of the book is about Tanya trying to believe and wait on Pastor Black her husband to become the husband he should be. Pastor Black says one thing in the pulpit and does the opposite as soon as he says amen. The book is a trip. How long will Tanya wait on Pastor Black? Will his ways finally catch up to him? You'll have to read it. The book is really good!