The Legacies

As THE LEGACIES begins, readers are introduced to Noah and Morgan, two very different characters, who meet by chance, but share remarkably similar burdens. Both are about to embark on their freshman year of college and feel bound to follow the path their parents have plotted for them. Noah is the son of a pastor and has spent all of his life deeply involved in the church. The expense of college is a strain on the working-class family, but Noah's biggest pressure comes from the expectation that he should follow in his father's footsteps and pursue the ministry after graduation. Morgan, on the other hand, has always been pampered. So much so that she arrives at Bradley University in a limousine. She, too, is expected to follow in the footsteps of a parent. In her case, upon graduation, she is expected to take the helm of the mysterious, yet less than savory, family business. Fate causes the two to cross paths and a romance quickly emerges. As the story develops and Noah and Morgan try to find their way, it becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems on the surface.Michelle Larks has crafted a thoughtful tale about the burden of legacy, and the characters in THE LEGACIES demonstrate how people are often compelled to carry the weight of family history throughout their lives like unwanted baggage. Christian themes are woven into the story like a whisper; a refreshing change from the sometimes too "in-your-face" preachy approach that has become common in this genre. As Noah and Morgan struggle to discover the plan for their lives, it is easy to relate to their joys, difficulties, and mistakes. Even the secondary characters were multi-dimensional, and with few exceptions, they were all more complex than they originally appeared. The complexities of the characters, coupled with the constant uncovering of new layers of truth, led to a story that was engrossing,well-paced, and full of twists and turns. Ultimately, THE LEGACIES is a moving story that reminds readers that we are bigger than the generational blessings (and curses) that follow us, if only we allow God to work freely in our lives.Reviewed by Stacey Seayof The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I really enjoyed this novel. It was my first time reading one of Ms. Lark's books, and I do plan on checking out others she has written. The storyline was amazing; I loved the way she captured the "family business" by allowing us to see how emotionless and ruthless one has to be in this business. Morgan and Noah's romance was adorable and without them becoming intimate, helped them to see the real heart of each other. The twists towards the end were page-turning and believable. I wish there was a part 2! Great read!!

This book was very good. First book by the author and it kept me interested throughout the whole thing!

We are all predestined to do something in our lifetime, planned before the conception of our life. It is our duty to follow what God has in his master plan, even if it is not what we believe to be the right direction. The Legacies by Michelle Larks is a written testimony of God's will finally being done.Growing up in a family where certain laws are in place which include; who is to take over control of the family business, to not get too close to anyone outside of the family and other such rules would prove to be very difficult for Morgan Daniels-Foster. She was an only child with a legacy she had to fulfill after she completed college; a legacy she had been groomed for since birth. On her way to college she comes across a young man, Noah Oliver Stephens and his parents, stranded along the side of the road. Noah grew up in the church, and was expected to stand beside his father in the pulpit. Noah and Morgan, each running away from their future, even if is for a little while, trying to be what they consider to be normal for a time. Was it by chance they met, shifting what was already in store for them? Or was it already a part of God's master plan?Two young people from two different walks of life, falling in love for the first time, Noah the preacher's son and Morgan, the next in line to run her family's drug trade business. Are they still compatible or will their lifestyle differences be too much, and will they have to let go what they share?The character development was great; when the story began Morgan was seventeen years-old and Noah was eighteen, they had the behavior of typical teenagers and their first love. As they became older, the maturity was evident in their behaviors and the manner in which they spoke. Every time I thought I knew where the plot was going, another shocking twist took me in a different direction. There were some errors within the galley copy I read, however, I hope Michelle Larks had the book properly edited before it was printed. I believe The Legacies has two genres it could fall under; Urban Christian Fiction and Urban Fiction, and I would recommend it to readers of both genres.Jennifer CoissiereAPOOO BookClub