Hostage of Lies by Maxine Thompson

Book Review by Leigh McKnight

Suspenseful, Educational, Enjoyable, Powerful—All that and more
Returning home after seven year, Nefertiti is faced with a number of unresolved issues with the men in her life, including her father who did the unthinkable—forcing her to give up her daughter at birth. Though she returned home seeking answers, she also knew she owed some answers as well—her husband from whom she had kept a secret that could have ruined her marriage.

Hostage of Lies is a powerful portrayal of African-American lives with all the ingredients for a best seller. Maxine Thompson engages you from page one to page 310 with a rich mixture of love, lies, secrets, believable characters, rich African-American history, skeletons, betrayal, pain, racial issues, status, humor, lost loves, infidelity, mental illness, black sheep in the family and many other family issues that leave you wanting more—much more.

Titi’s quest to find her daughter after decades is very real and moving. It lets one know that very often when love is involved, time stands still. I was deeply touched by the warm spirit, perhaps the forgiving or just moving forward and live attitude of Zora Desiree Fairchild, Nefertiti’s daughter.

The structure of this story was brilliantly and flawlessly executed by Thompson, the voices of the characters were strong and believable and I love all the back story that brought me to where Nefertiti’s journey ended. Hostage of Lies is so rich in African-American history that it wouldn’t surprise me if it becomes a required reading piece in schools. This story crosses all kinds of lines. Any and everyone will enjoy.
Fantastic Maxine Thompson—–5 *****

Being able to read a book in a matter of hours speaks volumes of said book. However, reading the book and talking about said book for days speaks volumes about the author. And this is exactly what readers will experience once the read Rosalyn’s latest release. While there are many great authors and books who tell great stories, Rosalyn McMillan and her book “We Ain’t the Brontes” will take their rightful place as a great book and an even greater author. I have read and enjoyed all of her previous books and this book is clearly one that will give her another chance to reach her goal of becoming one of New York Times bestselling authors. Thanks for showing us that although sibling rivalry between sisters may exist, it does not negate the fact that eventually love really does cover all. And while you may not be a Bronte, you are an inspiration to us all.
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***** SAVE THE DATE: The next taping of the Loretta McNary TV Show in Memphis, TN is Friday, November 12, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the new “McNary TV Studio”. For more information visit www.LorettaMcNary.com *****

Loretta McNary,
TV Talk Show Host/Empowerment Speaker/Author
The Loretta McNary TV Show
info@lorettamcnary.com

Check out the book
www.rosalynmcmillan.com

Reviewed by Author, Leigh McKnight

Returning home after seven year, Nefertiti is faced with a number of unresolved issues with the men in her life, including her father who did the unthinkable—forcing her to give up her daughter at birth. Though she returned home seeking answers, she also knew she owed some answers as well—her husband from whom she had kept a secret that could have ruined her marriage.

Hostage of Lies is a powerful portrayal of African-American lives with all the ingredients for a best seller. Maxine Thompson engages you from page one to page 310 with a rich mixture of love, lies, secrets, believable characters, rich African-American history, skeletons, betrayal, pain, racial issues, status, humor, lost loves, infidelity, mental illness, black sheep in the family and many other family issues that leave you wanting more—much more.

Titi’s quest to find her daughter after decades is very real and moving. It lets one know that very often when love is involved, time stands still. I was deeply touched by the warm spirit, perhaps the forgiving or just moving forward and live attitude of Zora Desiree Fairchild, Nefertiti’s daughter.
The structure of this story was brilliantly and flawlessly executed by Thompson, the voices of the characters were strong and believable and I love all the back story that brought me to where Nefertiti’s journey ended. Hostage of Lies is so rich in African-American history that it wouldn’t surprise me if it becomes a required reading piece in schools. This story crosses all kinds of lines. Any and everyone will enjoy.

Fantastic Maxine Thompson—–5 *****

Hostage of Lies by Maxine Thompson
A Page Turning Experience

Hostage of Lies is a compelling family saga that is rich with history that goes back generations and brings the characters’ lives current. Not only is Nefertiti ‘s story educational, realistic and provides a fascinating look into human lives and how lies and secrets impacts lives, it is also easy to follow and entertaining.

The lives of some of the characters are paralleled with the lives of people I know, which caused me to compare fictional accounts with real life situations.

The book is tastefully done. People of all ages, race, cultures and backgrounds can read this book and thoroughly enjoy it.

Maxine Thompson did an absolutely fabulous job of structuring this story and developing believable characters who are real , colorful, strong, yet flawed, sensitive and compassionate. I enjoyed Titi’s journey.

After being away seven years, forty-something-year old Nefertiti returns home. Not so much to attend her father, the mighty Reverend Godbolt’s huge upcoming seventy-fifth birthday celebration, she comes home primarily to find her daughter whom she gave birth to at a very early age, but was forced to give up for adoption to prevent shame from being brought on the Godbolt family name.

Titi struggles with unanswered questions about her life, family past and secrets that have nearly paralyze her to freely move forward with her life. How was she going to find her daughter? Why had her father treated her differently than her other siblings? She wondered about the special relationship she shared with her uncle Tiger. Titi realizes it is time to confront her fears, stand up to her father and demand answers to questions she has lived with much too long.

There are so many levels to Hostage of Lies and Thompson did a fabulous job educating us, weaving back stories, the good, the bad, the ugly, along with the pure evil to show the deep dark place where a mind can go when one feels her relationship with her man is threatened by the return of his former love. It is interesting to see how the author cut through generations riddled with lies, skeletons, pain, racial issues, humor, status, lost loves. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder as demonstrated by Isaac and Pharaoh, who still love Titi and who would give their lives for her love.
I enjoyed this wonderful page turner with the educational aspect, history, suspense, surprises and revelations from cover to cover. The end will leave you saying to yourself, ‘I didn’t see that coming.’ I was caught me so unaware. This book should be a reading requirement piece in schools.

FANTASTIC——5 *****