Kimberla Lawson Roby

Kimberla Lawson Roby

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Roby is a New York Times Bestselling Author

Kimberla Lawson Roby is author of the critically acclaimed, best-selling novels CASTING THE FIRST STONE, HERE AND NOW, and her debut title, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, which was originally self-published through her own company, Lenox Press. She has completed three national book tours and is currently attending book club discussions, expos, writers' conferences, colleges, universities and other literary events throughout the country on request.

Her novels have frequented numerous bestseller lists, including those listed in Essence Magazine, Emerge Magazine and The Dallas Morning News, and both BEHIND CLOSED DOORS and CASTING THE FIRST STONE were #1 Blackboard bestsellers for four consecutive months in 1997 and 2000 respectively. In addition, Ms. Roby's first novel was nominated for Blackboard's 1998 and 1999 Fiction Book of the Year Award, and she received the 1998 First-Time Author Award from Chicago's Black History Month Book Fair and Conference.

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Ms Roby's first three novels each dealt with very real issues---social status, gambling addiction, and infidelity in BEHIND CLOSED DOORS; single motherhood, infertility, and sibling rivalry in HERE AND NOW; and corruption within the church in CASTING THE FIRST STONE. In IT'S A THIN LINE, the tradition continues with the story centering on domestic violence, sexual abuse, and care-giving of a parent.

After receiving bids from seven major New York publishers, Kimberla Lawson Roby has agreed to sign a "substantial" 2-book deal with Dutton, a large imprint of the mega publishing house, Penguin Putnam Inc. Roby, who is author of three Blackboard African-American bestsellers, including the #1 CASTING THE FIRST STONE, will join company with bestselling authors such as Tom Clancy, Terry McMillan, Patricia Cornwell, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Robin Cook who are also published under the Penguin Putnam umbrella.

Roby began her career in 1996 when she self-published her debut novel, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, and sold 10,000 copies within the first six months.

A winner of the prestigious Blackboard Fiction Book of the Year Award, Kimberla Lawson Roby is the author of the bestselling novels Too Much of a Good Thing, A Taste of Reality, Casting the First Stone, It's a Thin Line, and Behind Closed Doors. She lives in Illinois with her husband. Kim may be emailed at kim@kimroby.com

One in a Million
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Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (June 17, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 006144295X

In the first novella by the New York Times bestselling author of the Reverend Curtis Black series, a wife and a husband receive a surprise that will change their lives forever

Kennedi Mason thinks she's the luckiest woman on earth. She loves her job, she has a wonderful best friend, and she's been married for ten years to her soul mate. There's nothing she can think of that could make her life any better.

Then one fateful day Kennedi receives a piece of news that will turn her world upside down. She's excited about it, and she knows that her husband, Blake, will be over the moon. He has always dreamed of this one thing happening, and she can't wait until he comes home so she can tell him.

But when she sees Blake that evening, he has a special announcement of his own. It shocks Kennedi into silence and wipes the admission she was planning to make right out of her mind. In an instant, her life and her marriage have changed, but not at all in the way that she had expected.

A poignant and satisfying story of hope, Kimberla Lawson Roby's One in a Million beautifully shows us the difference between what we think we want and what we actually need to be truly happy.

Sin No More
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Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (January 22, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060892501
ISBN-13: 978-0060892500
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches

A man who once thrived on wickedness and counted on forgiveness, Curtis Black has changed his ways. Back in the heart of his congregation and his family, he will no longer stray from the beaten path. Or so he's promised his long-suffering wife, Charlotte.

Sin No More Book Trailer

But the sins of the past have strange ways of coming to light. First, Curtis's former mistress shows up with their newborn baby daughter—named Curtina—and insists that Curtis be a part of their lives. Charlotte has forbidden her husband to have anything to do with them, but the trouble is, Curtis's newfound conscience is leading him to have uncomfortable thoughts of responsibility.

Also, the interim pastor who took over while Curtis was on a book tour is threatening blackmail. He's gotten too used to life at the pulpit and will do everything in his power to stay there.

Meanwhile, Charlotte has her own previous transgressions to deal with. The man who claims to be her son's biological father has turned up and wants to make amends for the past thirteen years. If Charlotte gives in to his increasing requests, she may lose the only child she has left.

However, Curtis and Charlotte have been through too much together to give up now. They must work harder than ever—as a mother and a father, as husband and wife—to save their family, their marriage, and their souls.

Changing Faces
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ISBN: 0060780770
Format: Hardcover, 288pp
Pub. Date: January 2006
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Meet Whitney, Taylor, and Charisse, three women who have been best friends since high school.

Whitney is a plus-size woman who just can't turn down a box of Krispy Kremes or find a man who will stay put.

Taylor is in a long-term relationship with a boyfriend who's allergic to commitment.

Charisse is married, with two adorable children, but somehow doesn't have what she really wants -- or needs.

Then suddenly, Charisse spins out of control. Her husband threatens to go public with a secret Charisse had hoped to keep hidden, especially from her interfering mother. Desperate, she decides that only a very risky scheme will save her.

One constant for these women has been the support they've offered one another. But this time, how far can friendship go?

In this witty, rollicking, deeply poignant story, Kimberla Lawson Roby demonstrates the storytelling magic that has won her legions of adoring fans and made her novels bestsellers.

The Best-Kept Secret
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ISBN: 0060734434
Format: Hardcover, 272pp
Pub. Date: February 1, 2005
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Following the phenomenally popular Casting the First Stone and Too Much of a Good Thing comes a mesmerizing tale featuring rascally preacher Curtis Black

Too good to be true ...

It was love to hate at first sight when Kimberla Lawson Roby's readers met the Reverend Curtis Black, surely one of the cleverest ministers ever to set foot in a church. Now Curtis is starting over. He has a new job as founder and minister of Deliverance Outreach, a new wife (again), and a newfound will to follow the straight and narrow path of righteousness.

True love versus passion ...

Or so he thinks. While his spirit may be willing, the wayward preacher has a particular weakness when it comes to female flesh. Curtis has never made a promise he could keep, and before long, he's tempted to be up to his old tricks. The difference now is his third wife, Charlotte, mother of his seven-year-old son, Matthew, and a woman unlike any he's ever encountered. For the first time in his life, Curtis just might have met his match. Charlotte has her own hidden desires and is every bit Curtis's equal.

Secrets always have a way of surfacing ...

Struggling to make their marriage work, Curtis and Charlotte may have finally found the strength to stay together. But just when it looks like life for the Black family is getting back to normal, an explosive surprise ending will leave readers stunned.

Shhhh ... Don't tell.

Too Much of a Good Thing
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ISBN: 0060568496
Format: Hardcover, 288pp
Pub. Date: January 2004
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

A riveting tale about a philandering preacher that readers will love to hate. Curtis Black might be a man of the cloth, but with his good looks, seductive charm, and charismatic personality, he's beloved by his female parishioners — and almost every other woman he's ever met.

The trouble is, Curtis is married. He tries to resist temptation, but not for long. His appetite for women quickly gets the best of him. Overwhelmed by his sizzling love affairs and busy trying to convince the deacon board of the need for an ATM machine in the back of the church, Curtis has his hands full. Meanwhile Mariah, his second wife, is discovering that beneath the loving facade of their marriage a storm of lies and betrayal is about to burst.

In addition, Curtis' already shaky relationship with his teenage daughter, Alicia, has reached the breaking point. Alicia searches for solace in the arms of a stranger, and before long she finds herself in a dangerous situation.

Eventually, the women in Curtis' life find that with a little careful planning — sneaky and otherwise — they can help Curtis reap the punishment that he so richly deserves. In this captivating and dramatic sequel to Casting the First Stone, Kimberla Lawson Roby sets sparks flying with her trademark wit and insight.

It's a Thin Line
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Format: Hardcover, 304pp.
ISBN: 1575666294
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Pub. Date: May 2001

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From the Publisher
When Kimberla Lawson Roby burst onto the literary scene, her fresh, wise, and witty voice grabbed the attention of readers and critics everywhere. Now, with three Blackboard bestsellers to her credit, including the #1 Casting the First Stone, she is back with her most absorbing work yet It's a Thin Line.

Sydney, Gina, and Rick are siblings who have always shared a special bond, and yet their lives are as different as can be. Responsible eldest sister Sydney has everything she's ever wanted-a sexy husband, an adorable daughter, and fulfilling work. But, little by little, the demands of her writing career have mounted, leaving her little time or energy for family life. Meanwhile proud middle sister Gina is struggling to raise her eight-year-old twins-and protect them from the increasing fury of their volatile father. Impulsive brother Rick, the baby of the family, is living the high life-dodging commitment with his longtime girlfriend and wondering if the grass is greener somewhere else.

When their beloved mother Delores suffers a debilitating stroke, all three suddenly find the tenuous threads of their individual lives at a breaking point. A dark childhood secret threatens Sydney's secure world; Gina is swept into a maelstrom of domestic violence; and Rick comes to a dramatic crossroads in his relationship with his girlfriend.

Worst of all, the burden of caring for a parent is tearing the siblings apart, shattering their faith in one another. Now, as Sydney, Gina, and Rick struggle to overcome daunting obstacles and rebuild their lives, they will discover something they've never let themselves believe: that their most stable-and most cherished-relationships have always been with each other.

Once again, Kimberla Lawson Roby has woven a compelling saga that could come only from a genuine storyteller. Alternating between moments of poignancy and humor; filled with complex and recognizable characters, It's a Thin Line is sure to delight her faithful readers, and win countless new fans.

Casting the First Stone
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Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Date Published: December 1999

Book Description
Tanya Black had deeply believed in her husband's call to preach. And when he asked her to marry him she'd felt blessed to be part of such a future. Sitting in the second row of his Chicago church only a few years later, she is unable to bear listening to his sermons or understand what happened to their shared dream.

Blackboard best-selling author Kimberla Lawson Roby takes on one of the most controversial issues in America: corruption and temptation within church leadership. An electrifying read, CASTING THE FIRST STONE goes behind the scenes of a fictional Chicago church and its struggle to keep faith and commitment alive in the face of ambition.

This is the third novel of this author whose previous books have won her dedicated fans and a connection to readers coast-to-coast. Her works bring to life Black women whose lives are complex with jobs, children, spouses and lovers - in short the kind of lives her readers themselves live. Giving voice to the women who share their concerns with her has always been Roby's aim in each novel she has written.

CASTING THE FIRST STONE listens in on the heart of a woman torn between loving who her husband was and hating who he has become. Roby weaves a fast-paced story about faith's challenges in a world made up of material desires and other physical temptations. Taken right from the headlines, Roby's cautionary tale looks at the other side of church politics and the emotional toll it takes.

Here and Now
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Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Date Published: February 1999
Format: Trade Cloth

Brilliant and vibrant, Marcella Jones had the whole world in her hands, until she gave her heart to the wrong man. Tyrone was handsome and charismatic, but he left her destitute, raising two small children alone - and yearning for the kind of life her dead-end job will never provide. Marcella's elder sister Racquel, lives in a fine home, has a fulfilling career and the love of Kevin, her handsome, successful, supportive husband. Yet her desperate longing for a child is driving her into a deep depression and away from Kevin. In the tradition of Waiting to Exhale and Big Girls Don't Cry, Here and Now is the poignant story of two strong, intelligent women facing tragedy, surviving loss and terrible sorrow, and ultimately learning that only with each other's help can they heal the hurt and celebrate the joy in their lives.

Behind Closed Doors
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Publisher: Black Classic Press
Date Published: October 1997
Format: Trade Paper

Best friends since childhood, Regina Moore and Karen Jackson have everything two "just-turned-30" women could possibly want--beautiful homes in an upper-echelon Chicago suburb, loving husbands, and financial security. But are their lives really as wonderful as they seem?

Related Links

Kimberla Lawson Roby Website
http://www.kimroby.com/