The Prodigal Son (A Reverend Curtis Black Novel, 11) Paperback – February 10, 2015

The word prodigal according to Merriam Webster dictionary means ~ carelessly and foolishly spending money, time etc. But in this case it is the reverse of the biblical verse Luke 15:11-32 The parable of the lost son. What do you do when you are oldest son but not the preferred child? Do you still try to win your father's affection or do you just stand on the sideline and watch the show?Matthew Black and his wife Raquel are living LAC ~ life after Charlotte ~ with all the drama and trouble that she caused them with the kidnapping of their son MJ. Life has not been easy and trying to get back on track has been really stressing on Matthew but he loves Raquel and he is willing to try anything. When things start going sideways in his marriage once again they are really on a path that Matthew is not sure if he is willing to try to bring it back from. While he loves his wife, but is his love going to be enough this time?Dillon Whitfield is so glad to be around Curtis Black, that is all he ever wanted. He is so amazed at everything with Curtis but what he isn't amazed with is the Black children. He understands that Curtis kids have the right to be around, he doesn't want them around while he is around. They have had him all of their lives now it is his turn, he has missed out on 30 years and he won't miss out on one more day!The Prodigal Son is not what you expect from the Curtis Black series because you don't have much from Curtis himself but you DO have just as much of the Black family drama. You have the children going through their own situations with the parents in the background but they are always there providing that right amount of umph that you need to say "I know that Curtis/Charlotte has something to do with this!" You have the emotional ups and downs and it is the easy flow of the characters that you just know that it is a book written by Roby and you are glad about it and you can't wait on with it. Congratulations on another great novel!

*SPOILER ALERT*I am a HUGE Kimberla Lawson Roby fan. I purchase her books without even reading the synopsis. I'm one of those people who thinks the Curtis Black series is being dragged out but at the same time, I'm addicted to the drama. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 because I felt like it was like a lifetime movie. Lifetime movies spend 1 hour and 45 minutes with back ground blah blah blah and then rush the climax and conclusion in the last 15 minutes. AS SOON as Racquel and Dillion started messing around, I felt everything was rushed.Also, some details were left out like how did Dillion and Racquel actually meet? Their relationship was never really established. It was like they saw each other at church and BOOM they were in the bed...Also, Dillion's and Melissa's character annoyed me. VERY repetitive. OKAY. WE GET IT. HE WANTS FATHERLY LOVE. Jesus, I just wanted Curtis to hug this guy. Too much, too often. We as readers understood by the 3rd time it was mentioned. Melissa's character was a needy, repetitive character as well. Glad she was finally fed up at the ending.Besides those things, great read, great turn of events. I'll read the next one and the next one.Strictly my opinion(s)/wish would have happened in the book:I do like that the drama was not centered around Curtis and Charlotte! FINALLY they remain faithful to each other. I'm surprised Charlotte behaved herself the entire book. HOWEVER, I do think they were a little hypocritical with Racquel's forgiveness and helping her with her case. Charlotte was QUICK to want forgiveness for her scheme she pulled in the previous book. Matthew, as her HUSBAND, should have had her crazy tail committed. I have a criminal justice degree and am about to start law school so I overthink things from a legal prospective. So much went wrong with Racquel legally but it's a fiction book not a legal text so that was not considered in the rating of my review!

Who would’ve thought Curtis Black could get himself into even more trouble than he already has. Mathew is having trouble within his marriage he didn’t see coming. Dillion has something up his sleeve and surprisingly Charlotte isn’t up to something bad but some of her ways definitely hasn’t changed but it’s possibly Alicia who’s been doing good has some of the ill feelings as Charlotte does. This was a good read can’t wait to continue with this series.

I am an avid Kimberla Lawson Roby fan. I actually had the opportunity to meet her when she came to NC for a book signing. She is a beautiful person who is excellent at her craft. This book did not disappoint! Although it is over 300 pages, I was able to finish it in 2 days. The story line was so addictive, that I ended up taking my IPAD to work to finish the book on the second day!! I can easily see how she can continue the storylines for Matt, Stacey, Racquel and even Dillon in another novel. It was so refreshing to see that Curtis and Charlotte were on their best behavior this time. Normally they are so ratchet! LOL However I do agree with another reviewer who stated that even if you haven't read any of the Curtis Black series, you can still easily follow this novel. It was good to see that Kimberla evolved Matt's, Racquel's and Dillon's characters into such dynamic individuals. The drama was endless but it helps to know the Curtis Black family history as well. To see that Matt "fell from grace" so to speak and was able to see how his mom and dad made some of the mistakes that they made was so refreshing. He was able to see and experience for himself the difficulty of resisting temptation and making better choices for himself as well as his son. Melissa and Roger were a welcomed surprise as well. Melissa deserved everything she got and then some. That was sweet!!!!! I can't wait for the next read by Kimberla!

I kept reading to find out what was going to happen next. It was well written, kept my interest and had lots of drama. I have bought the next one in the series. She is a great writer and did not overload the religious aspect of the book.

The twists and turns.I felt that Dillion was suffering from mental health, and that he needed serious help. I was hoping to see that he received some help.