Korika L. Johnson’s debut novel,
Joy Comes in the Mourning, is very appropriately titled. Ms. Johnson takes us into the lives of Tonya Monroe, who lost her mother in a alcohol related accident at the age of 14. Tonya was left in the care of her alcoholic father. Most of her care was relegated to her “aunt,” Carolyn Wright. Carolyn also happens to be the person driving the night Tonya’s mother was killed. Joy Comes in the Mourning takes us through the lives of Tonya and Carolyn, who is now a devout Christian, and a self declared “woman of integrity.” Carolyn is quick to judge others and hold them accountable, but refuses to be held accountable for her actions, especially the one that took the life of Tonya’s mother. When Carolyn is involved in a scandal at her church,
Straighter Way Baptist Church , she starts to see herself the way others have seen her for years. The wedge that has come between Tonya and Carolyn begins to lessen when Tonya is diagnosed with a life threatening illness.
I am a lover of Christian fiction, and Ms. Johnson weaves a wonderful story that includes all of elements of a great story. By reading this book, we do learn that Joy Comes in the Mourning. I would encourage you to add this book to your list of summer reads.
Readers may learn more about Korika Johnson at her website
http://www.korikajohnson.com/
Reviewed by Deniece C. Shelman
About the Reviewer
Deniece Shelman is a member of
SistahFriend Book Club and the Site Leader for the Greenwood, SC branch of the club. She is married and has three children. To learn more about
SistahFriends visit their site at http://sistahfriends.com/
A copy of this book was provided by the author for the review purposes.
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