A Million Blessings

January 11, 2010
Three popular African-American novelists address the topic of sudden prosperity in novellas that each feature characters winning the lottery, a popular fantasy for millions— disproportionately in hardscrabble neighborhoods—about acquiring millions. Benson presents Andrew Gooden, an assistant pastor with a hidden gambling problem. Griffith’s story centers on pro football player Craig Richards, who loses his career, trophy wife, and palatial home following an injury. McCollors creates motorcycle-riding Dara Knight, whose lottery win fuels her dream of refurbishing the dilapidated neighborhood where she does outreach for her church. Each writer offers nice touches of observation or dialogue that move things along in brisk and clever ways. All three offer traditional Christian ways of thinking about character redemption, using an unsubtle approach to painting the moral to these stories about how to use money. Benson and Griffith write with more satisfying arcs of resolution; McCollors’s tale just gets going as it ends. The work feels somewhat hasty, but fans will like it.

February 15, 2010
This anthology by three popular African American authors explores how an unexpected windfall changes their characters in surprising ways. In "Shower of Blessings," Christy Award nominee Benson ("Awakening Mercy") presents a pastor with a compulsive gambling problem who hits it big. Can he find the strength to fight temptation before he loses it all? Marilynn Griffith's ("Shades of Style" series, "Sassy Sistahs" series) "Second Chance Blessings" focuses on a professional football player who loses his wife and career after an accident. He finds comfort in his faith-based community, but can he resist the pull of a second chance at fame and fortune? In "Knight in Pink Armor" by Tia McCollors ("The Last Woman Standing"), a woman uses her lottery winnings to rebuild her destitute community, but will gang violence turn her away from her faith and belief in humanity? VERDICT Populated with well-developed characters, these tales ask thought-provoking moral questions. Sure to appeal to the authors' fans and a great way to introduce new readers to these writers.

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.