I absolutely love all of Ms. Billingsley novels. She always leaves you wanting more. I hate when the story ends. I'm like a fein when it comes to her work. Very powerful stories that always leads the characters back to the WORD.

As `Can I Get a Witness?' opens we're introduced to Vanessa, a divorce court judge hearing a case about a cheating husband. Every day it was the same case, just different participants. The only thing that was appeasing was that this was simply a stepping stone to her political career. But what happens when, suddenly, the case being heard involves Vanessa and her husband? Not so ordinary now is it?

Rosalyn, the older sister, appears to have it all right. She's married to a preacher, with one son, cooks cleans and works. Her life is flowing correctly. But what her sisters don't know is that she's dabbled with the wrong and is now an advocate for what can happen. Will her sisters heed her advice?

Dionne has the ideal relationship, or so she thinks. Well it has a few flaws, but they are manageable. When Dionne finds out that in addition to her boyfriend being married that he has a girlfriend, she is no longer able to idly sit by. Will a decision she makes in haste destroy her plans?

Aunt Ida, the matriarch of the family, has a way with words. Despite what the girls get entangled in and whether or not they want her assistance, she's there; ready, willing and able to get them in order verse by verse.

`Can I Get A Witness?' is a wonderful novel about family, marriage and forgiveness. This is just one of those feel good reads.

Like all her other books, this one was fantastic as well. Very well written. Made you laugh, made your cry. I could really relate to the characters.

Sisters Vanessa and Dionne seem to have trouble all over them. Older sister Rosalyn may not be in much trouble now, but she's seen her share and tries to assist as they try to get their selves in order.

Vanessa is brutal in her courtroom. She has dreams and her marriage sometimes collides with her time. When her husband is no longer capable of excusing Vanessa's missing in action tactics, she's caught up with pride and having to learn to not only forgive, but adjust. Is this marriage worth it?

Dionne, the baby of the trio, is used to being smothered with attention. She's in love with a man who hasn't vocalized his emotions for her. She knows he's married, but they are divorcing and Dionne is ready to be the newest Mrs. However, when love plays a cruel joke with her heart, Dionne is hell bent of seeking revenge. Will the woman scorned have love again?

I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything by ReShonda Tate Billingsley prior. I was engaged throughout the entire book and loved the way the bossy, intrusive aunt had her say. This is a book I'd easily recommend to all.


Reviewed by: Peaches

ReShonda Tate Billingsley wrote a great novel when she wrote "Can I Get A Witness?" She wrote a very inspiring and heart touching story. ReShonda takes you to Houston into the life of Vanessa and Thomas. She leads you on a journey of heartbreak and decit. Vanessa is heart broken to find the news of her husband's Thomas' affair and the resulting effects of that affair. ReShonda did very well in writing this intriging story. It's an awesome page turner from the first page til' the last page!

Thanks for sharing ReShonda!!!!

Judge Vanessa Colton-Kirk is all business when it comes to setting the precedence in her courtroom. Agenda seeking, Vanessa tosses caution to the wind and in her effort to secure a seat in the senate someday she causes a rift in her marriage. While Thomas is always bending, forgiving and easy going, he can no longer stand by and allow Vanessa to walk over him. When Vanessa finally relinquishes her pride to go after her man, another woman, who is willing to offer Thomas what Vanessa keeps denying him, has already made an appearance. Can Vanessa stop the devil from destroying her marriage, or will her divorce become another case in her courthouse?

Baby sister Dionne is in love with being in love. All she's ever wanted was a man. A man to love her, marry her and give her babies. The man currently in her life, Roland, is married, but that's in name only. While he can't say it, Dionne knows that he truly loves her. Well she hoped he did. When an ex shows up and Roland, Dionne's knight and not so shining armor, is chased out of his home. Will that be enough to convince Dionne he's Mister All Wrong? Or is love so blind that drama keeps creeping in?

"Can I Get A Witness" by ReShonda Tate Billingsley is about faith, love, forgiveness and dealing with life along with its ups and downs. I truly enjoyed this story from beginning to end and would definitely recommend this read to others. I would love an update on these characters in the future.

You can weather any storm with God in the center.

Divorce court judge Vanessa Colton-Kirk presided over a countless amount of divorces in her courtroom, but she never thought she would end up in a courtroom getting a divorce from her own husband Thomas. She pushed Thomas one too many times by putting her career before her marriage. Thomas wanted desperately to start a family with Vanessa, but she always said it was not the right time in her career. The night of their anniversary was the last straw. When she came home late from a political function and completely disregarded his feelings, it was time for him to leave. Little did she know that there was more to the story than she thought. In the last attempt to save her marriage, Vanessa and Thomas were court ordered to attend a spiritual retreat. Vanessa makes sure that there's nothing spiritual about this trip, and makes poor Thomas miserable. Will her stunts cost her to lose her husband, or will she finally understand that God is in control and not her?

In almost the same situation as her older sister, Dionne was ready to get married. She thought the man that was in her life right now was the one. But then his wife and girlfriend called! Dionne was so consumed with anger that she vowed revenge against the man that she wanted to be her husband. Dionne does some things that she is not so proud of to get her "man's" attention while attempting to win him back. Dionne finds out something that will either bring her man back to her or push him away. But will she be able to survive her last stunt? Or will she pay the fatal price?

In Can I Get a Witness, ReShonda Tate Billingsley does an excellent job with the storyline. At some point in the book, you think you know where she's going with story, but then it takes an unexpected twist. This book is a real page turner because of some things that happen that you never would have thought would happen. There was never a dull moment from the start of the book to the end. You will laugh, cry, and get angry with the characters. While reading the book, you can tell each emotion and expression that the characters have. The detail of the book was great. It was not too much detail, but it was just enough to know what was going on. I would like to congratulate ReShonda Tate Billingsley on a job well done.

Reviewed by Jackie
for Urban Reviews

What a blessing!!! That's my first words I feel about this book. I love Reshonda's books. I have not been disappointed yet. I truly enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end. For people who are going through in marriages and relationships, this book would help you in some sort of way.

This book is Reshonda @ her finest. This book really made me want to forgive some people for things that they have done to me. I love all of her books becuase they all have a meaning behind them. I just can never wait for the next one to come out. She is an awesome writer.

As always, ReShonda has written a book that makes you get involved with the characters as though they were your friends. You can feel the pain that Vanessa must feel, but you can also symphathize with her husband. And her sister is the kind of friend/sister we all know that wants to get married and does not want to wait for God to send them their husband. They have to make it happen NOW. ReShonda Tate Billingsley is one of my favorite authors and she never fails to make you get involved. For Houston readers it is even more enjoyable because you recognize the places mentioned and it makes the book and characters more real.

I'm a witness that ReShonda is one of my favorite authors. She knocked the ball out of the ballpark with this one. Each character was so well developed that I felt like I knew each of them individually. Vanessa, the main character, her sisters and aunt, all felt like family members. I love ReShonda's writing because she has a way of twisting a story and turning it so many different ways (like a rollercoaster ride) until you don't want the action to stop but when it does, you're ready to go again. I've read all of her books, and each one keeps getting better than the last. I don't know how she keeps coming up with so much drama but one thing for sure, it keeps coming. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work because I know that she's probably writing while I'm writing this review.

I won't recap the storyline, but if you're looking for a fast, exciting read, filled to the brim with family, church, sinning, and a lesson on forgiveness that won't soon be forgotten, give this one a try. I read the book in two days flat, and I don't normally buy novels that are over 300 pages...

Barbara Joe Williams

I'm not one for giving specific details. but I will say that RTB does not disappoint. This novel like her others are true page turners, she consistently gives her readers her best.

Reshonda Tate Billingsley truly has a talent for writing.
"Can I Get a Witness" is a spiritual up-lifting novel that will hook you in and have you crying at the end.
I read this book in two days and just couldn't set it down. I was hooked on page one and loved every page. This novel has so much drama in it that you can't imagine actually happening in real life.
What I loved about this book was the focus on God. No one is above Him and this book clearly explains that. Revenge can be sweet but letting God handle it in His own way is a blessing in its own.
I recommend this wonderful, sophisticated novel to everyone!

On the surface, the Colton sisters all seem to have perfect lives. They are a close-knit family led by matriarch, Aunt Ida and her bible. Vanessa Colton-Kirk is married to Thomas Kirk and is living a fabulous life on the way to becoming a judge. Rosolyn is happily married to her pastor husband and the mother of a young son. The youngest sister, Dionne, is not quite sure what she wants to do with her life but one thing she is certain of is her love for Roland. Can I Get a Witness by ReShonda Tate Billingsley gives us an inside look at the lives of these sisters, showing that things are not always what they seem.

Vanessa is thirty-five and wants nothing more than to become a judge. However, Thomas wants to be a father more than anything and is tired of waiting for Vanessa to make a decision about motherhood. More than anything he is tired of waiting for her to make him and their life a priority. Thomas makes a decision that could potentially alter their lives forever, causing them both to make decisions that change the direction of their future.

On the surface, Rosolyn appears to have the perfect life. She has been happily married to her pastor husband, Henry for years. They have a young son and everything indicates they are living a spirit-filled life with no trials and tribulations. Dionne and Vanessa are stunned to discover that their seemingly perfect sister has been hiding a secret for years. The question becomes will her revelation help them with their lives?

Dionne is head over heels is love with Roland, though she know he is still married. She is convinced that once he is divorced they will be married. Dionne is convinced she and Roland will be together but a hasty decision she makes in anger may come back to haunt her.

Can I Get a Witness is a wonderful novel about family, marriage and forgiveness. Ms. Tate Billingsley has produced another winner that I highly recommend to all who enjoy the written word.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub