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'Til Debt Do Us Part - Michelle Larks
‘Til Debt Do Us Part
Michelle Larks
ISBN: 978160162994X
Urban Books
Reviewed By Tara Hopkins
Official Apex Reviews
Rating: 
Nikki Singleton is blessed in many ways: with a promising
career, a supportive family, and, last but not least, a loving, devoted
husband, she truly wants for nothing. There is, though, a craving deep down
inside her that neither her husband, her family, nor her career can satisfy:
unbeknownst to everyone, she’s a closet gambling addict – and much to all of
their detriment, her disease soon spins out of control.
After plunging herself and Jeff into perilous debt, Nikki
initially manages to keep the matter a secret from him and everyone else –
until a risky investment venture suddenly backfires in Jeff’s face one day, and
he’s forced to dip into their joint accounts for immediate relief. Much to his shock,
he soon discovers the depths of Nikki’s reckless fiscal irresponsibility, which
thrusts his trust in her – not to mention their union itself – into grave
jeopardy.
Brought face-to-face with the egregious consequences of her
surreptitious actions, Nikki must figure out a way to reconcile her broken
marriage with her lingering addiction, and the ensuing internal conflict is
more difficult to contend with than any temptation she’s ever faced…
‘Til Debt Do Us Part is actually two novels in one: at its
heart, it details the ongoing struggles of an addict at war with herself, but
it also tells the equally compelling story of the many facets of true, divine
love. When he discovers the truth of his wife’s compulsion, Jeff reacts as
anyone would: enraged at the realization that he’s been lied to, and crushed at
the thought that his trust has been betrayed; however, at the urging of his friends
and pastor, he sublimates his anger by falling back on his faith, and, by the
light of divine guidance, he is better able to manage his feelings. As a
result, he connects with Nikki in a way that helps both of them understand just
how matters ended up the way that they did between them – a connection that
would not have been possible if neither of them had overcome their baser
tendencies.
Likewise, for her part, Nikki is not a wasteful,
money-grubbing golddigger, but rather a well-meaning individual with a
propensity for a particularly unhealthy behavior the true origins of which
she’s not even fully aware. It’s only when the bigger picture of her addiction
– and its roots – is revealed to her by those who love and know her best that
she’s finally able to get a foothold on the problem and take the path to
ultimate healing.
Official Apex Reviews
Interview: Michelle Larks ('Til Debt Do Us Part)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Michelle. We're looking very much forward to learning more about your book.
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, Michelle. We're looking very much forward to learning more about your book.
Why is it so difficult for
Nikki to admit that she has a gambling problem?
Michelle Larks: It was difficult for Nikki to
admit she had a gambling problem because she was ashamed and in denial about
the extent of her addiction.
AR: Nikki has a solid relationship with Jeff, so why doesn't she open up to him sooner about her addiction?
AR: Nikki has a solid relationship with Jeff, so why doesn't she open up to him sooner about her addiction?
ML: Nikki also doesn't want to admit her gambling
problem to Jeff because she was hoping she could fix the problem before he
discovered how extensive it was, but things spiraled out of control. And also
because he was reluctant for her to handle the household accounts.
AR: Initially, Nikki does a good job a keeping the truth of her financial problems hidden from Jeff, but Jeff keeps secrets of his own from her as well. Why can't the two of them be more open and honest with each other?
AR: Initially, Nikki does a good job a keeping the truth of her financial problems hidden from Jeff, but Jeff keeps secrets of his own from her as well. Why can't the two of them be more open and honest with each other?
ML: Jeff keeps secrets for
the same reason as Nikki, neither wants to admit or talk about their
shortcomings. Jeff thought he was doing a good job of making extra money,
though both were gambling to a certain extent. His male pride was also a
factor in being able to support the family.
AR: Why does Jeff wait so long to ask Nikki whether or not she's really pregnant?
AR: Why does Jeff wait so long to ask Nikki whether or not she's really pregnant?
ML: Jeff
assumes incorrectly that Nikki is pregnant and wants her to tell him that
they're expecting their first child instead of his asking her. He's waiting for
the big announcement.
AR: Both Jeff and Nikki depend greatly on their individual faith in God to get them through their personal difficulties, so why is it so difficult for them to come together as a couple and relay their collective problems to Him?
AR: Both Jeff and Nikki depend greatly on their individual faith in God to get them through their personal difficulties, so why is it so difficult for them to come together as a couple and relay their collective problems to Him?
ML: Like most
couples experiencing difficulties, the two have to work pass the anger and hurt
feelings and decide if their marriage is important enough to each other to
save. Jeff was hurt initially by Nikki's addiction and wasn't sure he wanted to
save the marriage because of his childhood upbringing. Nikki was willing to do
whatever was necessary to save the marriage but she had to wait on Jeff to
get on the same page.
AR: You're quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about the other books that you've written.
AR: You're quite the prolific author. Please share more with our readers about the other books that you've written.
ML: 'Til Debt Do Us Part is my seventh published
book. My first book which was published by Ebony Energy Publishing was released
in 2003. Since then I've written Crisis Mode, Mirrored Images, Who's Your Daddy
and contributed to Blended Families and The Midnight Clear. Keeping Misery
Company and The Legacies were books released by Urban Books, my first foray in
Christian fiction writing.
AR: Please share more with us about your publisher, Urban Books.
AR: Please share more with us about your publisher, Urban Books.
ML: Urban Books
is owned by best-selling author Carl Weber. He features several imprints under
the Urban Books/Kensington umbrella. The authors who write for Urban
Christian Books are like family, everyone is supportive and helpful of
each other. It has been a blessing for me to work with such talented authors.
AR: Have you ever considered having your works adapted for the big screen?
AR: Have you ever considered having your works adapted for the big screen?
ML: Keeping
Misery Company is in the process of being converted to a screenplay. I was
approached by an independent film company in Chicago and Keeping Misery Company should hit
the airwaves in June 2010.
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
AR: What are your future writing/publishing plans?
ML: I plan to continue to write
books that inspire and entertain readers for years to come. I am currently
working on a manuscript titled Faith, which I hope will be published in 2010.
AR: How can people learn more about you and your writing efforts?
AR: How can people learn more about you and your writing efforts?
ML: Excerpts of all
my books as well as tidbits about me and my writing endeavors can be
found on my website, www.MichelleLarks.com.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
AR: How can they contact you directly?
ML: People can contact me at michelle.larks@comcast.net.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share with our readers?
ML: Yes, I'd like to thank
readers who have read my books and supported me through the years. I'd also
like to thank Apex for your reviews and this interview. I appreciate it!
AR: Thanks again, Michelle, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!