Weiss Report Blog

Reviewed by Gerri Smith for Reader Views (1/06)

From beginning to end, Jane Marie Malcolm’s historical romance novel, “The Goodbye Lie”, (Greenlightwrite ISBN 0974918229) evokes so many different emotions. Many of which include: shouting, fussing, cussing, laughing, rejoicing and loving the characters.

Immaturity goes hand-in-hand with impulsiveness. If left unchecked you pay a price that is sometimes too high. Others are hurt because of it and once an impulsive act is done, your life is never the same.

Life is made up of storms, both internally and externally; both physically and emotionally. Storms are not only a natural occurrence, but there can be personal storms that are made by unthinking human beings. “The Goodbye Lie” tells of many storms caused by Breelan, the main female character.

She finds out the hard way that impulsiveness isn’t always a wise choice. Once the deed is done, the clock can’t be turned back. Breelan discovers that she must suffer dearly for her thoughtless impetuosity. Others are caught up in the lie she has to live and suffers for it, too.

Life has a way of playing a trick or two on those who act in haste. It can backfire, and undoubtedly cause a domino-effect on all that happens afterward. Breelan’s headstrong act causes heartache and pain to the one who loves her. And the circumstances she’s stuck with, leaves her life in one big mess.

Knowing that she has to deal with her life as she’s made it, doesn’t make her circumstances any easier to bear. As one unfortunate event after another keeps happening, Breelan buries her love for another and deeply suffers in an unhappy marriage because of it.

When life deals you the hand of your own making, you must make the best of it. It’s your choice whether to live with it or make your circumstances better. Sometimes you are offered a chance to start anew. Sometimes life seem to get worse. But you go on.

In living with the lie, Breelan finds courage to cope from her friends and family. In times of necessity, this may be all that makes life worth living. You can ask for forgiveness from those you’ve hurt, and pray that your life and that of the one you love is worth saving.

“The Goodbye Lie” continues to its heartwarming conclusion. The characters both male and female continue on their way dispensing cruelty, humiliation, sorrow - and love. You are saddened, thrilled, surprised and angered. And finally, the unexpected ending makes a jaw dropping jolt to the senses.

Gerri Smith is a reviewer for Reader Views. http://www.readerviews.com

This true account of domestic sexual abuse does not horrify the reader with graphic details of incest - rather it shares the repercussions of it. C.J.Wilke’s personal reactions, her recovery and interactions with family members are well documented here.

In the beginning, the survivor is counseled into finding something healthy to hold on to their sanity. For some, like the author, this crutch becomes religion; many find a passion for task, craft or artistic endeavor - for others, their hate and anger are the only things that keep them alive.

Her experiences show us that it is most important for the survivor to gain the right kind of friends. To a survivor with a desire to resist succumbing to the incredible haunting emotional and physical distresses, a good friend can help them make the first steps to recovery. A friend that shows the survivor as a valuable person worthy of friendship can be a huge healing step. Rather than friends that bring further harm and insult which only increase the victims suffering. The difficulty is having the skills to recognize the friend who really cares, as opposed to the one who ‘cares’ to the extent as what you do (or might do) for them. Recognition is only one part of it, however. One must also have the skills to deal with the situation and take on the terrifying aspect of change.

For C.J., getting married and changing her name was part of her healing process. She married a good, loving man who was also her best friend. By shedding the family name and taking her husbands’, she felt like she was refreshed, no longer the victim. Her difficult task was only beginning as she tried to learn to forgive herself. Once she had done this, she could deal with her family, as long as her strong husband was by her side.

If I was to say one thing about this book it would be that it is a very moving tale, because of its authenticity.

Publisher: Publish America, Inc.
ISBN#: 1413712282
Author: CJ Wilkes

~ Lillian Brummet - Book Reviewer - Co-author of the book Trash Talk, a guide for anyone concerned about his or her impact on the environment - Author of Towards Understanding, a book of poetry. (www.sunshinecable.com/~drumit)