The Devil is a Lie

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Book Overview

From award-winning and #1 Essence bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley comes a compelling tale of love, money, and divorce gone wrong. A woman discovers the downside of good luck--and the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 1615232052
• ISBN13: 9781615232055
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Money Can Change You

A good book with a twist and it will teach you how money can change a person.

For the Love of Money is the Root of Evil

I'VE WON! I'VE WON! Nina Lawson has occasionally played the lotto on and off during the past year, always with the hope of winning. While going through a compartment in her purse, she found five dollars (she didn't know she had) and decided to play the lotto. And just like that, she instantly became a multi-millionaire. With a divorce of a year behind her and a fiancé to boot, she could finally have a little peace and happiness with her new found wealth (or so she thought). Nina did everything right in order to receive her money, but she made one big mistake; she went on TV. Out popped every relative, friend and enemy with their hands out wanting a piece of the pie. "Woe is me!" Never in her wildest dream did Nina anticipate having money would bring so many problems. So, Nina started prioritizing. She will pick up the check, give money to her relatives, pay off bills, help her fiancé get his business up and running, invest and take a much needed vacation. Everything was set. Once she and her fiancé left the Lotto office, they would keep straight for the airport and be on their way to the Bahamas. But when she gets to the office, she is told there is a problem. Nina is blown away and thrown for a loop when she finds her ex-husband sitting there; with the woman he cheated on her with, to claim half of the money. Truth be told, he is not an ex after all - but still her husband. THE DEVIL IS A LIE!!! I've been waiting a good minute for this book to hit the shelves. And I am glad to say, I was not disappointed. I love ReShonda T. Billingsley's style of writing. Her portrayal of a "down home" feeling of family with her characters keeps me coming back for more. The dialogue is excellent between the characters, not to mention hilarious (especially between the family members). The inner-most thoughts of the main characters are direct and to the point (no overly long description of this or that). Though RTB books are listed under the Christian genre, her messages are very subtle and not overly stated. In reading this book, you can understand four things: 1) we must forgive those who wrong us in order to move on, 2) hatred and bitterness cannot live where GOD dwells, 3) it ain't over until GOD says it's over and 4) though money may bring some relief, it doesn't always bring happiness. I highly recommend THE DEVIL IS A LIE to those of you who love drama, good dialogue, realistic characters as well as situations. It's well worth the money.

Good Book, interesting plot

The latest offering by Ms Billingsley will have you experiencing a whole lot of emotions is a short period of time. Happiness, indignation, sympathy and understanding among others. In this book, recent divorcee Nina Lawson discovers that she has the winning ticket to the Lottery and has won $14 million dollars. She is happy. her boyfriend Rick is happy, and her family is just as happy knowing without a doubt, their ships have come in; on the other hand is Nina's ex, Todd. Although he is happy for Nina, he stays away, but is shocked when his bottom dwelling girlfriend Pam, tells him that due to her spending his divorce fees on a handbag, he and Nina are still legally married. Oh boy. Add to that pot the fact that Todd's grandmother is in a nursing home and is need of an expensive heart transplant, and is caught between that and millions, he goes to contest the millions.And from there it is on and popping until the surprising end. First off, I believe that Todd wouldn't have contested the money at all if it wasn't for his grandmother needing the transplant. Other than that, I don't think he would have went after that in spite of the fact that they were married. I would have loved to find out how Pam ended up in the end it kind of ended abruptly and left to draw our own conclusions. But how can a woman not have one lick of ambition for herself and depend on others? I have a problem with that. As time moved on I wasn't feeling Rick either, and in the end, I felt he got what he deserved. I really liked the book and Reshonda, you have a keeper here. Good reading.

lighthearted amusing contemporary romance

In Houston, Nina Lawson is euphoric when she learns that her six selected numbers were called in the lottery, which means she has won the eight million dollars prize. Her elation quickly turns to rancor and outrage when everyone including strangers and family members she has not heard from in seemingly centuries demand a piece of the action. However, the worst betrayal is her fiancé Rick Henderson, who is spending the money even before she has officially received the check. Soon afterward, she learns that she is still married to Todd; his girlfriend Pam spent the divorce filing fee on a Fendi bag. Pam feels it is destiny and insists Todd demand his share of the loot; he agrees, but hides his reason from his shallow lover; he needs money to pay for a heart transplant for his Grams. This is a lighthearted amusing contemporary romance starring a wonderful caring protagonist who finds winning the lottery is not as life simplifying as she expected with people coming out of the woodwork like roaches demanding their share. Rick and Pam are stereotypes of avaricious users while Nina and Todd are compassionate souls. Fans will enjoy Nina's plight as winning seems more like losing but with love and God she can overcome the devils blighting her life with their greedy burden. Harriet Klausner

Valuable Lessons About Love and Money

Nina Lawson's dream comes true when she wins the lottery, or so she thinks. What she quickly finds out is that her nightmares are just beginning. Although she no longer has money problems she's got man problems, family drama, an ex-husband who's not an ex problems and a greedy chic named, Pam wants to get her paws on her money. I mean as if it wasn't bad enough Pam already has her ex-husband. (Dare I say had him while Nina and Todd were still living as man and wife.) Oh yes, Ms. Billingsley went there. This was a great story. Best lottery story I've ever read. There were lots of thoughtful lessons for all, but mostly the main message is "Money can't buy happiness". Great characters, snappy dialogue and description make for a page turner that was a pleasure to read. The story also had a real twist near the end which was a pleasant surprise. Don't let the devil lie to you and you pass this one by!

Money Answers All Things...Not!

When Nina Lawson wins the lottery, the seemingly happy life she shares with her fiancé begins to crumble as family, including her cheating ex-husband and his girlfriend, stake claims on her new found wealth. Through the heartaches, Nina soon learns that money does in fact, change people and in the process learns a valuable lesson on forgiveness. ReShonda Tate Billingsley does it again. The Devil Is A Lie is a well-crafted story that proves money isn't the answer to everything and it certainly doesn't buy happiness. I recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a well written, thought-provoking story with a flare for some good old-fashion wisdom.