He’d told Traci and Tim everything, and Simone would never forget the disappointed and disgusted look on Traci’s face. Her outrage had been so disturbing that Simone had hardly been able to stand it. And for that reason, she’d left almost as soon as Traci had told her to get out. Simone had certainly wanted to stay and explain things, but the pain and anger in Traci’s eyes had told her it wouldn’t make a difference.
If only she hadn’t tried to use Traci’s book as an outline for her next novel, especially since her own book was already receiving stellar reviews and would be published early next year, maybe their friendship could have been salvaged. Because there was no way Traci would have stopped speaking to her simply because she had the same taste in furniture and accessories. She also couldn’t see Traci judging her because of the financial trouble she’d gotten herself into while living in Ohio. Not when Simone had been treated so badly by her mother and grandmother since the day she was born. But she’d still found the strength to rise above all that she’d endured—starting at the age of eleven.
It had taken a lot of years and willpower; however, after meeting a schoolmate in sixth grade by the name of Bethany, Simone had decided right away that she was going to be better than her family. She would work hard to get good grades, and she would have everything Bethany and her parents had.
She could still remember the first time Bethany had invited her over for dinner and how she’d never gone inside a house more beautiful. She’d never met a husband and wife who treated their children as though they were the most important people in their lives. She’d never seen a bedroom closet like Bethany’s, filled with three different sets of apparel: play clothes, school clothes, and church clothes. Bethany also had shoes for every occasion. And her white canopy bed, which was covered with a gorgeous pink comforter, shams, and pillows, had made Simone want to move in with her—for good. She’d wanted to forget about her own pathetic life and live the same as Bethany and her parents. Simone had wanted this more than anything because she’d known, right then and there, that having money, residing in a nice home, and wearing expensive clothing was the real reason Bethany was so well liked by the children at school. Even their teacher, Mrs. Johnson, had regularly complimented the dresses Bethany wore.
So from that year on, Simone had made up her mind to become somebody. To watch and learn from the people who everyone loved and respected so noticeably. And over the years, she’d done okay. Sure, she’d experienced a few snags along the way, but she always overcame them. She’d lost her best friend in Ohio and done the same with Traci, but the good news was that she was making a new start. Just one month ago, she’d transferred her job again, this time to Atlanta, and strangely enough, she was also seeing a psychologist. She didn’t necessarily feel as though she was struggling with any unusual mental or emotional issues, but she did believe that maybe her mother and grandmother had done more damage to her than she’d realized. She’d decided that maybe working through some of her resentment and finding a way to forgive them might make a difference. Because, after all, she was still hoping that Traci would eventually forgive her. She knew there was a chance that this might not happen, but she remained optimistic. She was still counting on the fact that Traci had been a true friend to her, and that they had so much in common. They’d found a connection like no other friends she knew of, and Simone missed that.
Although, losing two best friends, one after the other, did make her wonder what she might be doing wrong—why she couldn’t seem to get things right in that respect. So maybe her counselor could help her with that problem as well.
Simone could only hope and pray for that, and maybe it was finally time, too, that she went to church more often and for the right reasons. Time she genuinely trusted and depended on God. Traci and her family certainly did, and they were happy. In all honesty, the same had been true of her grandmother’s next-door neighbor, the woman who had taken Simone to church when she was a child. Miss Mattie had always been a smiling, pleasant, and very caring woman who loved everyone, and Simone would never forget her.
So yes, she was going to find a church home in Atlanta, read her Bible more, and get the emotional help she needed. She would do all she could to become a better person—a fulfilled human being, and most of all, a truly happy one.
Acknowledgments
Twenty-two years ago when I wrote my first book, it never dawned on me that I would write 25 of them. So needless to say, this has been one of the greatest blessings God has given me. From the time I was a small child, my mom, Arletha Tennin Stapleton, and maternal grandparents, Clifton, Sr. and Mary Tennin (the absolute best mom and grandparents who I couldn’t have loved more and still miss tremendously) taught me to love, trust, and honor God, and I am forever grateful to them for that. I am, without a doubt, eternally thankful to God for all that You have been to me, what You continue to be, and for what I know You will be to me always.
To the man who I love with all my heart and soul, Will M. Roby, Jr. (my Roby). We have now celebrated 26 wonderful years of marriage, and nothing feels better than being able to say the following heartfelt words to you: I don’t just love you, but I am still totally and completely in love with you. You still make me smile and laugh every single day of my life, and I will never be able to thank you enough for encouraging me, back in 1996, to start my own business so I could self-publish my first novel. Being rejected by literary agents and publishing houses had certainly discouraged me to the point of wanting to give up, but with Mom insisting that I had to keep trying, and with your supporting me 150% and borrowing money from your 401K account so that I could move forward, well, that changed everything. Your love, faith, and belief in what you thought could happen made all the difference, and what an amazing journey this has been for both of us. You have traveled on every single tour for every single book, and that has given me the kind of peace and joy that I will never fully be able to explain. Thank you, my dear Roby (my love, my best friend, my confidant), for everything. You are my wonderful gift from God.
To my brothers, Willie, Jr. and Michael Stapleton (and my dear sister-in-law, Marilyn), mere words cannot express the love and appreciation I have for you, but thank you for the love, encouragement, and support you have given me since you were small boys. Yes, I am eight and six years older than you, respectively, but to hear you say from the beginning how proud you were of your big sister has always meant the world to me. Then, once we lost our sweet, beautiful mom, I saw how the two of you began to love and respect me more like a mother than a sister, which is why even as I type these words my eyes are filled with tears. I love you both with all my heart, and I thank God for you.
To my stepson, daughter-in-law, and grandsons: Trenod Vines-Roby, LaTasha Vines, Alex Lamont Knight, and Trenod Vines, Jr. To my brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Gloria Roby, Ronald Roby, Terry and Karen Roby, Robert and Tammy Roby, and James Roby (who is gone but certainly not forgotten). To all my nieces and nephews: Michael Jamaal Young, Malik Stapleton, Ja’Mia Young, Ja’Mel Young, Shelia Farris, William Stapleton, Nakya Stapleton, Kiera Holliman, Nyketa Roby, Lamontrose Love, Krissalyn Love, Bianca Roby, Shamica Newkirk, Brittany Roby, Demario Sorrells, Talia Brown, Amaya Love, Kristen Love, Malachi Love, Kasondra McConnell, Kaprisha Ballard, Kiara Bullard, and Ronald Roby, Jr. (who is also gone but not forgotten). To my aunts and uncles: Fannie Haley, Ada Tennin, Ben Tennin, Mary Lou Beasley, Charlie Beasley, Vernell Tennin, Ollie Tennin, Marie Tennin, Shirley Jean Gary, Ed Gary, Ruby Gary, Lehman Gary, Thressia Gary, Rosie Norman and Isaac Gary. To all my cousins and other family members (far too many to list by first names): Tennins, Ballards, Lawsons, Stapletons, Youngs, Beasleys, Haleys, Greens, Robys, Garys, Shannons, and Normans—I will never be able to thank any of you enough for supporting me year after year after year. Your love and encouragement have sustained me as your family member and as a writer, and I thank God for ALL of you. There is nothing like family, and I love each of you with all my heart.
To my first co
usin and fellow author who is certainly more my sister than anything else: Patricia Haley-Glass. We have shared an amazing bond and strong sisterhood since we were toddlers, and I love you dearly. You have prayed for me and encouraged me for many years, and I thank God for you. Thank you for everything, Pat. I love you, too, Jeffrey and Taj.
To Kelli Tunson Bullard (and Brian) my best friend and sister for 45 years. Our daily conversations (sometimes multiple times per day) continue to mean the world to me, and I am beyond blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for everything, Kel. To Lori Whitaker Thurman (and Ulysses), my best friend and sister for 30 years. We have had some truly great times, and I am beyond blessed to have you in my life as well. Thank you for everything, Lori. And to my cousin, Janell Green, for being my family and also for being such a dear friend. After twenty-five books, you still read every single manuscript and then call me for no less than a two-hour call with such detailed and helpful feedback. So to Kelli, Lori and Janell—I love all three of you ladies so very much, and I thank God for you.
To a few more women who have been my special sisters for years: Venita Sockwell Owens, Gwyn Gulley, Danetta Taylor, April Farris (my soon-to-be sister-in-law!), Karen Young Coleman, Mary Mack Scott, Aileen Blacknell, Veronda Johnson, Regina Taylor, Cathrine Watkins, Valerie Hanserd, Cookie Givens, Mattie Holden, Emily Sanders, Lesia Smith, Janet Salter, Pamela Hanserd, Venae Fowler Jackson, Pamela Charles, Trisha R. Thomas, Trice Hickman, Marissa Monteilh, Tanishia Pearson-Jones, Veronica Hanson Blake, and Tanya Marks Hand—thank you for your friendship, sisterhood and support. I love you all.
To the first readers of the initial manuscript for this book and for most of my other titles: Lori Whitaker Thurman, Janell Green, Connie Dettman, Dr. Betty Price, and LaTasha Vines—thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to read my work and give such helpful feedback. I so very much appreciate all of you.
To Pastor K. Edward Copeland, Mrs. Starla Copeland, and our entire New Zion Missionary Baptist Church family—thank you for all the love and support you continue to give Will and me as members. I love you all so very much.
To my wonderful spiritual mom and family: Dr. Betty Price, Apostle Frederick K.C. Price, Angela Evans, Cheryl Price, Stephanie Buchanan, Pastor Fred Price, Jr., Angel Price, and the entire Crenshaw Christian Center family—thank you for everything, and I love you all so very much.
To my amazing attorney, Ken Norwick, my wonderful publisher, Hachette/Grand Central Publishing—Beth de Guzman, Linda Duggins, Jamie Raab, Elizabeth Connor, Caroline Acebo, Maddie Caldwell, Stephanie Sirabian, Kallie Shimek, the entire sales and marketing teams, along with everyone else at GCP—thank you all for everything and then some. I am truly honored that you are publishing my 25th book and blessed to be one of your authors. To my talented freelance team: Connie Dettman (I love and miss you already, but I am so happy and proud of your new career endeavors), Luke LeFevre, Pamela Walker-Williams, and Ella Curry—thank you for doing all you can to help keep things running so smoothly with my writing career. Each of you are a God-send for sure.
To all the bookstores and retailers, every radio host, radio station, TV host/anchor, TV station, newspaper, magazine, blog, book reviewer, web site, and other online entities that sell and/or promote my work—with special thanks to the wonderfully kind Emma Rodgers, former owner of Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas, TX, Frances Utsey, former owner of Cultural Connection in Milwaukee, WI, and all the other independent bookstore owners who sold my books even when I first self-published; to independent owners Kim Knight of Between the Lines Bookstore in Baton Rouge, LA, and Donna and Donya Craddock of The Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth, TX, for continuing to host such fabulous book-signing events for me today; to Andy Gannon and Aaron Wilson at WIFR-TV and Stone & Double T at WXRX (104.9) in Rockford, IL, for interviewing me for every single book release, and the Rockford Register Star for all your support since the beginning; to Patrik Henry Bass and Essence magazine for two decades of such unwavering, awesome support; to Jeremy Mikula and the Chicago Tribune for the amazing and very kind article you wrote and published in July 2016; to Maggie Linton of The Maggie Linton Show on XM Radio, Julee Jonez at KPRS-FM in Kansas City, MO, Twanda Black at WALR (Kiss-104.1) in Atlanta, GA, Kimberly Kaye at WFKS-FM (96-KIX) in Henderson-Jackson, TN, Angela Jenkins at KBMS (1480 AM) in Vancouver, WA, and Dr. Alvin Jones of the Paradise Network for having me on your show for almost every book I’ve written; and to all the extraordinary book club members who select my novels for their monthly discussions—thank you, thank you, thank you. And to all my readers as a whole—you certainly make all the difference for me as a writer. I am only able to do what I do because of your loyal support, and for that I am forever indebted to all of you.
Much love and God bless you always,
Kimberla Lawson Roby
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: Facebook.com/kimberlalawsonroby
Twitter: @KimberlaLRoby
Instagram: Instagram.com/kimberlalawsonroby
Periscope: @kimberlalawsonroby
Reading Group Guide
Have you ever known a copycat like Simone? If so, were they copying you or someone else? How did you deal with the situation?
What emotions do you feel when you read from Simone’s point of view? Can you recognize any of your own thoughts or actions as either similar or even less extreme versions of the way Simone thinks and acts?
Simone and Chris have real disagreements about what a marriage should be. For example, they have different views about whether all finances should be joint and whether it is necessary for both partners to belong to the same church. How much give-and-take on issues should there be in a healthy marriage? How do you decide which ones to give in on and which ones to stand fast on?
In terms of marital finances, do you believe they should be kept joint or separate? Why or why not?
Do you think Chris had a right to go through Simone’s things, or should he have respected her privacy even as she lied to him? Was he right to tell Traci about what he discovered? Why or why not?
Given the way they treat her and have treated her in the past, do you think Simone still has a responsibility to support her mother and grandmother? Please explain.
Simone feels bad when she lies to Traci and is surprised and hurt when Chris leaves her. Do you think she sincerely cares about Traci? About Chris?
Simone’s identity is tied to her achievements and material possessions. Do you think our culture encourages this sort of thinking more than it used to? Please explain.
Traci struggles between her desire to see the best in people and the warnings she gets from family members and her own previous experiences with betrayal. Do you think she was wrong to trust and pity Simone and to want to be her friend? Can she be blamed for her optimistic and forgiving nature? Why or why not?
Simone ultimately views herself as a victim. To what extent do you agree with her, if at all? And why do you think she became a copycat to begin with?
Simone lacks awareness about how she is copying Traci, and she does not recognize her own actions in Reverend Black’s sermon and Traci’s newest book. Is there anything that Chris, Traci, or Robin could have done to help her see what she was doing before it got out of hand? If so, what?
At the end of the novel, how do you ultimately feel about Simone? Do you think she will copy her next friend?
Also by Kimberla Lawson Roby
The Reverend Curtis Black Series
A Sinful Calling
The Ultimate Betrayal
The Prodigal Son
A House Divided
The Reverend’s Wife
Love, Honor, and Betray
Be Careful What You Pray For
The Best of Everything
Sin No More
Love & Lies
The Best-Kept Secret
Too Much of a Good Thing
Casting the First Stone
Standalone Titles
Best Friends Forever
The Perfect Marriage
Secret Obsession
A Deep Dark Secret
One in a Million
Changing Faces
A Taste of Reality
It’s a Thin Line
Here and Now
Behind Closed Doors
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2017 by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Reading group guide copyright © 2017 by Kimberla Lawson Roby and Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Cover design by Elizabeth Connor. Photograph of locket © Michael Haegele/Getty Images. Woman’s profile © Essl/Shutterstock. Woman’s hairdo © Sarah Nicholl/Dreamstime.com.
Cover copyright © 2017 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.
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