I wouldn’t exactly rate this book R, even though there are mature topics, mild language, and brief sexual depictions. Its material definitely isn’t light, but none of it is particularly graphic either — most themes are either pondered upon, or merely insinuated. I would say there are maybe one or two disturbing scenes (like the details of a suicide, as well as a parent hitting a child), but the majority of the book is very PG.
The budding relationship between Wendy and Joe, especially, qualifies as a ‘sweet’ romance. Joe has had a rocky past involving sex addiction, so occasionally he does have fleeting thoughts of her sexually, but their relationship is never fully consummated, so Inheritance isn’t at all sexually explicit. Its heavier themes mostly revolve around both of the characters’ troubled pasts, as well as their struggles to cope and recover from them in the present. As a whole, there’s a Christian undertone to it, and the ending, as well as the traditional ‘no sex before marriage’ motif, both make Inheritance, in the end, an inspirational romance.
I feel the characters were pretty likable, although shallow. Their deepest intimacies are displayed, so I felt I should have related to or sympathized with them better, but to me, they seemed too superficial. Wendy and Joe’s relationship was not believable. Within months of meeting, they decided to become engaged… but THEN started dating? Do relationships nowadays (or, ever) even work that way? Joe says, when asked about wedding plans, quote-unquote: “We’re going to court [as in, date], Father. We just met.” You don’t become engaged after just meeting. Regardless of Wendy’s immediate understanding of Joe’s bitter inner battles, I feel he didn’t have to propose to her right then and there. I have never heard of a relationship that works that way — don’t people usually date for a while first?? So this kind of was unrealistic and frankly, a bit difficult to take seriously. It seemed straight from a cheap paperback romance… and it didn’t even make sense.
Other than the basis of the romance, though, I liked this book. The secondary characters are extremely well-crafted: I either hated them or loved them, just as Barker would have wanted. Her voice is smooth and sentimental; she’s definitely an author to keep an eye on! The story moves swiftly, and is overall enjoyable. Human sins, and the raw desperation to vindicate oneself of them are beautifully portrayed. As a Christian romance, this one is a bit preachy, but I loved the turmoils and deep afflictions Wendy and Joe suffer and heal themselves from eventually. If you can stomach flawed characters and the slow (and often frustrating) journey of redemption, but still appreciate a good, chaste romance, I recommend Inheritance by Lisa Barker.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
[Book review by Tannia Ortiz-Lopes - a reviewer for CatholicFiction.net]
Inheritance, by Lisa Barker, is the dramatic story of the troubled alcoholic and sex addict Joe Taylor and the neglected but strong-willed Wendy Masten.
Joe Taylor has been single and sober for four years despite the lack of support from his family. But this year on his birthday, unable to control his loneliness and rapidly increasing lust, he attends Trish Masten's bacchanalia, held to celebrate her impending marriage to David. At his former lover's home, he would free the wild party animal locked up inside him.
On the same night, Trish's younger sister, Wendy arrives unexpectedly to announce the death of their grandmother. Wendy is not welcomed at Trish's home by David and is sent to the guest room during their engagement party. Wendy feels rejected by her only living relative and disappointed at Trish's lack of affection for her. After hearing loud voices, arguments and a fight, Wendy is scared and nervous. She decides to seek shelter elsewhere.
As she leaves Trish's house, Wendy meets Joe, who is extremely drunk and incapable of getting himself home. Out of pity she drives him home and cares for him all night long. This would mark the beginning of a new life for the two of them.
Having suffered a relapse, Joe must earn back his family's trust. At the same time, he must learn to control his addictions to conquer the heart of the woman he loves. For her part, Wendy would have to deal with discrimination by Joe's relatives for her relationship to Trish.
Joe's and Wendy's traumatic childhoods left deep wounds in them. As a result, they blamed God for their misfortune and abandoned the Church. But, it is through His Divine Mercy that Joe and Wendy find the peace and stability they so desperately seek and need.
I have been reviewing books for several years and must confess that I am always skeptical about the quality of self-published books that use venues like lulu.com. However, Lisa Barker has produced a professional quality book without any of the problems often associated with self publishing. The first item that captured my attention was the simple but profound symbolism of the book cover. She chose a picture of a single white lily on a dark background. Lilies are a symbol of redemption and rebirth while black is a symbol of death and evil. It is the perfect image to summarize the story's plot.
Although the author rated her book R for mature topics, language and some brief sexual depictions, I never felt uncomfortable with the explicit scenes. All of them were tastefully written. The author's depiction of the characters' struggles, soul searching and family relationships will keep the reader engaged throughout the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoy a great novel with a real-life story and lively characters. Although the book is fictional, the characters’ dilemmas and how they are resolved will seem very authentic to anyone struggling with addictions. For them, Lisa Barker does more than tell a good story; she brings a glimmer of hope.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Inheritance
by Lisa Barker
Lulu.com, 2011
Lisa Barker is best known in Catholic circles as a non-fiction writer. For many years, she wrote the "Jelly Mom" column and published two books of those columns. In "Inheritance," she turns her attention to fiction. This is an adult book that deals with very dark themes. Joe is attempting to recover from his father's suicide and his own alcoholism. His twin brother is homosexual and was disowned by his family. His child was aborted just after he turned thirty. Wendy lives with the guilt of wanting her Nana to die and the pain of knowing that her only sister rejected her.
"Inheritance" shares the story of Joe and Wendy's attempts to heal and move forward together. There is a very positive portrayal of Catholic counseling and marriage preparation. The importance of the sacrament of confession is emphasized.
As I stated, this is a book for adults. There is some explicit sexuality, taking the Lord's name in vain, and use of vulgarity. One can only presume that Barker was attempting to be realistic in her portrayal of the hell which Joe had lived through. The story itself is compelling and interesting and is a tale of forgiveness and redemption.
Review by
http://spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-review-inheritance.html
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
[Book review by Glenda Bixler - Book Reader's Heaven]
Lisa Barker Speaks to All Through Unforgettable Love Story...
"...Can I share something with you?" They nodded. "I have been giving your situation a lot of thought, Joe, and I think this applies to you, too, Wendy. It seems like you both have inherited quite a lot of hurt and anger. Listen to this passage from Lamentations:
The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!
Inheritance
By Lisa Barker
--Powerful
--Gut-Wrenching
--Realistic
Two individuals, caught in the life created by their families, meet...If the book was not fiction, most individuals might have questioned, "was it fate?" that brought them together. You decide. I like to think that, sometimes, miracles do happen and people are brought into another's life because, just because...If you are someone who still believes it's possible, then you will love Inheritance just as much as I did...
Joe and Daniel were fraternal twins. Daniel excelled in sports and in school and was his father's favorite. Joe enjoyed cooking and helping his mother and had even been embarrassed and ridiculed by his father questioning his son's manhood... At the same time, that father was constantly unfaithful to their mother. It is hard to tell whether their mother had started out as she was, but later in life, she had become totally critical and judgmental.
Perhaps part of it was when Daniel announced at his graduation dinner that he was gay... and immediately was disowned... Perhaps it was the constant fighting of the parents as well. but, one day, while Joe was helping his father wash and polish one of his antique cars, he was especially affectionate to Joe and that day gave him the keys to that car (which had earlier been promised to his brother).
Then, before Joe could even get into the house, his father sat in the driver's seat and killed himself...
For many years, Joe had gone completely into alcohol and sex to try to forget his past, but for four years he had been sober and was now the chef/owner of a bar & grill. It was on his birthday, at the age when his father had committed suicide. None of his family had remembered his birthday or its significance--after all, they had been predicting for years that he was exactly like his father and would probably follow his same path...
Joe was so lonely that he decided to go to the home of one of his former lovers, who hosted "get-togethers" routinely. That night he drank too much and became sick...
Wendy was at that party, hidden in a room so the guests wouldn't see her. Her sister clearly was ashamed of how she dressed and that she was part of her own history of being called "trailer-trash." Wendy had searched to find her sister since their grandmother had died. Secretly Wendy had hoped she would be met with open arms and provided a new home... Instead she had been told to leave the next morning.
Seeing Joe on the ground had brought Wendy quickly to caring about somebody other than herself. She got dressed, pulled her small suitcase and clothes together, and went out to offer help and to drive the guy, who clearly was unable to do so, home. At the same time, she would be able to leave and get some place where she could start to figure out what she was going to do.
I wish I could say that this quickly resulted in a wonderful "happy-ever-after" life... Not!
Too much had happened in their lives, leaving feelings of loss, of anger, of guilt:
"Guilt is useful because it doesn't feel good. It should stop us from doing things that are wrong or harmful to others and ourselves. And when we do something wrong, we need to feel true sorrow and then turn to God for forgiveness. The next step is making up for what we have done..."
The author has used a wonderful story to share much that all of us can ponder. This is more than a simple love story, albeit a beautiful one. If you allow yourself the time to consider all that these two individuals did "in reaction", you just might see yourself in some way...and, in turn, receive the joy and grace available...
Book Received
Via LinkedIn
GABixlerReviews: http://gabixlerreviews-bookreadersheaven.blogspot.com
