Serita Jakes, The Crossing - A Spellbinder

Format: Trade Paperback

   Other Formats: eBook, Audiobook

   ISBN: 9781400073030

       Categories: Fiction - Contemporary Women

About the Book:  I have to admit The Crossing is not one of the prettiest stories I have read, nor does it have the happily ever after, feel good  ending the reader might expect. Actually it is a gritty, down-to-earth, real life narrative in which B.J. Remington, a teacher and Cheerleader Coach is killed on a bus coming home from a football game. Now it is ten years later and her murder has yet to be solved and her death is still impacting those on the bus that fateful night.    Two of the students on the bus that fateful night experience symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Claudia Campbell, the bus driver, experiences increasing bouts of anxiety attacks. Casio Hightower, the police officer who responded to the call that dreadful night struggles with out-of-control bursts of rage that physically harm the people he loves most. Now, Victor, Claudia, and Casio find themselves embarking on an investigation leading to much more than they bargained for when the ADA, Victor (Claudia’s husband) re-opens the case.  As their investigation unfolds, so do many old memories and emotions, only to find in the end, that things are not always what they seem to be.

My thoughts:  I have read many books by Bishop T.D. Jakes but this was my first by his wife, Serita Jakes.  I was pleasantly surprised and although The Crossing was very different from most books I usually choose, I would highly recommend it for its honest and insightful look at how one event can change a life forever. I enjoyed reading The Crossing. The story immediately caught my attention and held my interest. Please be forewarned it is not your traditional light-hearted Christian fiction. The characters deal with real issues (Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anger issues, drunkenness, high spending, adultery, etc., etc.) and their portrayals are honest. It's probably not the story for the reader who wants a happy ending, but the depth and honesty of the characters and events makes the story magnetic.

 About the Author:  Serita Jakes has been involved in Christian ministry all of her adult life and has served alongside her husband, Bishop T. D. Jakes, throughout their entire marriage of nearly 30 years. Together, they have touched the lives of millions around the globe through various humanitarian projects, relief efforts, community service initiatives and record-breaking conferences. As an insightful speaker, Serita draws heavily from her education and background in theater and mass communications. She is affectionately referred to as “First Lady Jakes” by The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, a global humanitarian organization and 30,000-member church, where her husband serves as Senior Pastor.

Disclosure:I received a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group in exchange for my review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own and may differ from others.