THROUGH THICK AND THIN - Earl Sewell
BET/Sepia
August 2004
SYNOPSIS: In the wake of his wife's death, Richard Vincent convinces a dear friend to marry him to create a supportive environment for his young son. Will the arrival of a sexy ex-flame destroy the stable family life they have tried so hard to achieve?
MAINSTREAM FICTION: (3+) Alvin C. Romer
REVIEW: Earl Sewell brings us THROUGH THICK AND THIN, the sequel to TAKEN FOR GRANTED, resurrecting Richard and Nina now married and trying to get to know each other yet from another perspective. With the theme of being equally yoked and with designs of fostering a true partnership, they venture into a seemingly workable business arrangement to found a dental clinic and spa. Everything is copasetic until trouble with the name of Dr. Darlene Hayward walks into the door.
Of course, the good Doctor is no stranger to mischievous ways and has quite a few fond and unfulfilled memories of times past with Richard. With verve and derring-do, she manages to stir up enough intrigue and mischief to make life quite interesting to say the least for both Richard and Nina. As aggressive and outgoing as Charlene is, Richard struggles to hold on to all that has given him stability up until this point. Not to be outdone and to keep on track on her own mission, Charlene concocts a scheme that she feels should regain lost honor and endeavors to involve Richard in eliciting his help. Does he abide, or does he acquiesce to her manipulative ways? Moreover, can blackmail do the trick that Charlene hopes that will give her a new lease on life?
THROUGH THICK AND THIN gave me ample reason to believe that this author belongs with others who write from an order that is both believable and quite entertaining. Though the somewhat saccharine and doting relationship between Richard and his wife was a bit much, the storyline and setting more than made up for the overindulgence. What gave the book balance and a sense of worth centered on good dialogue and the strategic use of metaphor in just the right places. To me, the memorable character has to be Charlene, and I hope to see her or another reference to the same mannerisms in subsequent work.
Through it all, this is a good story that manages to employ and convey the axiom that the truth will always set you free. Buy this book, and recommend others to read a real page-turning delight!
alvin@romanceincolor.com (2nd January 2005)