Secrets and Lies by Rhonda McKnight

ISBN 13: 978-1-60162-940-1

ISBN 10: 1-60162-940-0

Pages: 376 pages

Publisher: Kensington Publishing/Urban Books LLC Paperback

Reviewed by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant, Literary Wonders! (www.literarywonders.com)

December 29, 2009

Rating: 5 Stars

Welcome newcomer and Christian fiction author, Rhonda McKnight with her freshman debut, Secrets and Lies. Mrs. McKnight’s opening scene gives a thought provoking entry that is often rare with new authors.

The key players, Jonah and Faith Morgan, are faced with many trials throughout this page turner that will test and possibly end their ten year union.

Jonah is a lucrative cardiologist who is partner at Christian Brothers Family Health, where the main objective is to help patients who normally cannot afford healthcare. Jonah’s work is his passion, and he’s recently taken on the challenge of nine-year-old Amadi Lazarus. Dr. Morgan has taken a “special” interest in his new patient and within the confines of his reasoning lies a deep dark secret.

Faith, Jonah’s wife and a stay at home mother, is involved with her church and its various activities, is starting to feel the strain of her husband’s demanding career and becomes suspicious when she starts receiving mysterious phone calls. Her confidence is tested as she starts to wonder if the good doctor is cheating.

Jonah has given up on God and his relationship with his father. And just like his relationship with his father, he’s tucked his past far, far away. So far, that he failed to tell his wife. Through warnings from his mother, God sends Jonah messages that he needs to utilize forgiveness or things are only going to get worse for him. And when Jonah starts to feel pressure at work, he feels the only thing he can turn to is alcohol.

Faith makes an attempt to try to save her marriage but is confronted with Jonah’s past during a routine trip to the vital records office. Hurt and betrayal engulf her and she decides she will no longer roll over and cater to the needs of her husband.

Mrs. McKnight takes her readers on a roller coaster of trials and tribulations, scripture, biblical and spiritual life lessons. In Secrets and Lies can Jonah and Faith find their way back to each other before it’s too late? Can they both learn the true meaning of forgiveness before it destroys their family and those around them?

Secrets and Lies is an easy but powerful read that can be read in one sitting. The pages will have you turning and not wanting to put it down. Kudos to Mrs. McKnight, she truly knocked this one out the park.