Sunday Brunch

June 7, 2004
"God has a plan for all of us to be in certain places at certain times, to meet certain people, to grow, love, learn, share, teach, and uplift," muses Lexi, the narrator of Norma L. Jarrett's bighearted Sunday Brunch. At weekly postchurch lunches, Lexi and her four other successful Houston lawyer friends certainly share a lot over the buffet. Rich, beautiful Jermane is "disgustingly in love" with her husband, but infidelity rears its head; successful Angel thinks love is for fools until a routine checkup spooks her; Capri is on top of the world, but love might trip her up; meanwhile Jewel is a gold digger destined for a change of heart. But as God answers everyone else's prayers, will he forget about Lexi's? Clunky expository dialogue and leisurely pacing can't trip up this sweet, inspirational offering.

May 15, 2004
Five women met during law school in Houston and used Sunday brunch as a way to unwind. Since graduating, they have maintained the tradition and remained close. The storyteller, Alexis "Lexi" Parker, is struggling with her faith. She is the spiritual and commonsense anchor of the group but has not found someone to fill that role for her. Jermaine Richmond met her husband in law school. He is now a partner at her father's firm and is having difficulty balancing impressing his father-in-law and keeping Jermaine content. Capricia "Capri" Sterling is on the fast track to partner. Yet, she is merely maximizing her earning potential while assuming responsibility for her ailing grandmother and younger sister. Jewel Whitaker is a self-absorbed only child obsessed with the material trappings of success. Angelica "Angel" Capers is recently divorced and is experiencing health issues that have caused her to reassess her position on love and family. Each woman ultimately has her prayers answered by recognizing the importance of nurturing a strong faith, life, and family relationships.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)