Love So Strong

May 31, 2004
Although problems plague this novel of faith for the African-American market, a fresh twist on a tired plot helps salvage the story. Nicole and Bryan have a dream marriage with plenty of romantic passion. Both are happy in their careers—Nicole manages a successful day-care center with her best friend Sharon Gibbs, and Bryan works at a bonding company and spends his evenings counseling troubled teens. The only cloud on their horizon is Nicole's possible infertility. But when an abusive, evil woman claims Bryan fathered her 12-year-old son, Gerald, their lives become a living hell. Although "Christian couple discovers spouse had child out of wedlock" is a routine plot device in faith fiction, Norman-Bellamy admirably gives it a new spin. She also ably portrays the power of female friendship in the relationship between Nicole and Sharon. However, although Gerald is a dead ringer for Bryan, readers will wonder why no one insists on a paternity test, and unrelenting pages of dialogue and weak writing keep the story from really blossoming. Some readers may take issue with the character's views on "God's will" as they relate to Nicole's apparent inability to have children. There's not much available in African-American faith fiction, and despite the novel's troubles, it is an addition to a genre where more choices are needed.