Book Review: "Off the Record" by Elizabeth White
is introducing
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beth White is the author of Fireworks and Fair Game, as well as the critically acclaimed Texas Gatekeepers serie from Love Inspired Suspense.
In her own words, she appreciate her most valued roles as wife and mom. Beth is also a second-grade Sunday school teacher, church orchestra member (She plays flute), and artist. She loves to read, crochet, sew, go on mission trips and avoid housework.
Beth lives in Mobile with her minister husband, and is currently on staff at First Baptist Church of North Mobile (fondly known as NoMo), in Saraland, Alabama.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Ambition is on a collision course with a secret from the past.
Judge Laurel Kincade, a rising political star, is announcing her candidacy for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. Her aristocratic Old South family, led by her judge grandfather, beams as she takes the podium. Then her eyes light on a reporter in the crowd…and suddenly her past becomes a threat to her future.
Journalist Cole McGaughan, religion reporter for the New York Daily Journal, has received an intriguing call from an old friend. Private investigator Matt Hogan has come across a tip…that Laurel's impeccable reputation might be a facade. Matt suggests that Cole dig up the dirt on the lovely judge in order to snag his dream job as one of the Journal's elite political reporters.
There's just one problem: Cole's history is entangles with Laurel's and he must decide if the story that could make his career is worth the price he'd have to pay.
A sensational scoop becomes a roller coaster ride of emotions. Can Laurel and Cole find forgiveness and turn their hidden past into a hopeful future...while keeping their feelings off the record?
You can't hide your love away
This book is great to read during election season. You get to see the insides of what it is like to run for office. It's not just shaking hands, and kissing babies, making promises you won't be able to keep. For Laurel it was harder because she was female. She was also a clean candidate, something the media hates because it thrives on flaws. I don't think I could ever run for office because I wouldn't want some forgotten part of my past brought out into public. I really liked Laurel's character. She was a strong female lead who did not give in easily when the going got tough. I liked Cole, I felt sorry for him at times but overall I thought he was a good guy. (The guy on the back cover who's supposed to be him looks like McDreamy!) The portrayal of the South as the setting fits perfectly with the novel. This book shows the high price of being famous and in the spotlight. It was really disturbing to see how the media will try to bring down someone. The scene when the editor says they would pay more if Laurel's career was ended by scandal was very eye awakening. It's sad to think of how money hungry the media is and even more appalling how the public thrives on tabloid news on famous people. Why are we happy when we see those in power crumble? This was not only an enjoyable read but one that made you think as well. Elizabeth White has written another winner. I'm really looking forward to her next book.
Off the Record by Elizabeth White is published by Zondervan (2007)
Enjoyed your review, Deborah. Hopefully I'll get a chance to read it soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insightful review, Deborah. I learned a lot about campaigning as I wrote, and like you said, it isn't always pretty.
ReplyDeleteBeth
Can't wait for "Controlling Interest"!!
ReplyDeleteI meant to add, too, that your readers can zip over to my website at www.elizabethwhite.net and enter to win a basket of Zondervan titles--10 of them in fact, including OFF THE RECORD.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for your review. I linked to it from my website.
Beth