Center of Gravity

This book hooked me, pulled me in, wreaked havoc on my emotions and wouldn’t let me go. Even after putting the book down, I could not stop thinking about the story. Throughout my read, when I needed to leave the story to do work, I thought, wondered, worried about our main character and what was going to happen next.

I may have a slight emotional interest in this book, as I grew up in a relationship that was similar to this in so many ways. I was only a child, but so much happened and so many times I had to stop things from happening, and took the brunt of the blows, that it is something I relate to very much. As with a lot who have grown up in those situations, I also had similar relationships of my own, until I met my wonderful show more husband.

This ultimately meant that from page one I was hooked. I adored what the author portrayed, as it happens to so many people, men and women. I know that the book may be a trigger for some. There were even times when the story had me looking back on my life and crying, but they were tears of understanding, tears of joy and tears to acknowledge what my past has made me into(which I am lucky was a good turnout).

This is a dark book, in many ways, but it is also a very uplifting book, as we watch the main character start to realise her situation and aim to get herself out of it, promptly. I liked the level of detail the author had, as it was really true to such stories. I could feel and relate to all the emotions and thoughts that were running through the main characters head.

I found the pace to be really good. We were given time to find out about our main character, see the relationship, learn about its past and what it has evolved into and get a look at the leading male. From there we were thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, thoughts, actions and regretfully, excuses. The whirlwind was easy to keep up with and read, but really portrayed just what it is like in those situations.

I found the story really tackled the question ‘why doesn’t she just leave’ very well. Often in these situations the victim finds it hard to leave and many times it is for the exact reasons that the author gave us.

Overall, this is a profound and deeply touching book. It takes you on a roller coaster of emotions, from the deepest fear and sorrow all the way to inspiring. I highly recommend this read, especially if you’ve lived in an abusive/controlling relationship. Reading this was gorgeous. show less

I first heard about Center of Gravity from a discussion on a FB group. Published by Thomas Nelson, it is promoted for the Christians market. There were some comments on the page about the profanity used in the book and if there is ever a reason for it to be included in a Christian novel. Rightly or wrongly, the discussion peaked my interest, and I checked the book out on Amazon. The premise was intriguing and the 4 and 5 star reviews outweighed the 1 stars, so I used an Audible credit and commenced to listening. What I found was a un-put-downable psychological suspense novel. What I didn’t find was a Christian novel.

Ava Carson has an idyllic marriage — or so she thinks. Mother to her adopted son Jack, age 8 and her biological son show more Sam, 16 months, she has a doting and loving husband, a beautiful country club home and a life that seems to good to be true. And that’s because it is. Ava’s husband Mitchell is a sociopath and, when he snaps, he snaps BIG!

Center of Gravity is riveting. The unraveling of Ava’s marriage is unnerving and caused me to have knot in the pit of my stomach while listening. Many reviewers say it wasn’t really an enjoyable read, and it wasn’t. But it was very good despite the disturbing twists and turns. Well-written with a good sense of place (Mobile, Alabama), it is told in the first person POVs of Ava, Mitchell, Jack, Ava’s attorney Graham, and court-appointed psychologist Lucy. Lots of POVs to be sure, but it really worked. Everything about this book was good, except . . . this is not a Christian novel.

When I pick up a book from a Christian publisher there are a few things I expect — no profanity and a message of hope/redemption even if subtly woven through the narrative. I admit, I like my books with an edginess that is not always found in Christian fiction. I like real people and real problems and the characters don’t have to be Christians. But I do want a message of God’s grace or mercy or sovereignty; something that will point readers to a God bigger and stronger than the circumstances they are facing. Center of Gravity did, indeed, contain profanity. It wasn’t rampant, but it was there. But that’s not my big issue with the book. Ava and Jack were such compelling characters. There could have been so much they could have learned through their struggles if one or two other characters that had relationships with God could have intersected with their lives. The only spiritual event in the novel was when Ava shot up a prayer to “angels” or “a higher being”. Really!? Center of Gravity was a good secular novel. Unfortunately, it could have been an excellent Christian one.

Audience: adults. show less

Sometimes the recipe for a good book is an ingredients list full of Points of View. This book dishes out confusion, frustration, anger and fear and not from one main character but five! It was an amalgamation of excellence!

Center of Gravity is the story of the Carson family: Mitchell, Ava, Jack and Sam. Their brief moment of bliss is disrupted by questionable behavior, jealousy, murder and practically a complete overhaul of personality! Emotional nerves are frayed and eventually, a family broken.

McNeill wrote with fever, allowing readers to develop emotional bonds with each person involved. You either liked them, loved them or despised them. Her gift at developing personalities and situations flowed in such a manner, you felt you knew show more them and endured the situations alongside them. The narratives progressed without lag or disinterest, making for a great book. I found myself pacing about my hotel room from the last few chapters, clear through the epilogue.

If you're looking for a plot to chew on, feast on this book. This affective roller coaster will fill you to breaking point, leaving you both exhausted and extremely satisfied. show less

A special thank you to Thomas Nelson-Fiction and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Laura McNeil’s CENTER OF GRAVITY is an intense suspense domestic psychological thriller—a compelling exploration inside the walls of a Southern family, for a riveting page-turner, grabbing you from page one to the end!

Set in Mobile, Alabama it would appear from the exterior, Ava and Mitchell Carson’s marriage and family unit is picture perfect. However, behind closed doors— deceit, lies, and control; a devil in disguise, with charm, good looks, intelligence, and manipulation. Will Ava possess the tenacity and strength to protect her children, from a monster? Will the superhero loving, son Jack save the day before it is too show more late?

"Every day, somebody, somewhere, needs a hero."

Ava, a teacher meets a charming man who has recently lost his wife. She falls in love with his adorable eight-year old, son Jack, and they are soon married. She does not know much about her new husband’s past life, and does not ask a lot of questions, thinking he does not want a constant reminder of his past life. Ava adopts Jack, and soon thereafter she gets pregnant and they have a son, Sam who is now one.

Into the marriage, Mitchell, her husband, a successful man with money, looks, and charm, becomes controlling and demands she quit her job to stay home with the children. She was a teacher at the private school, where Jack attends.

Ava is a simple woman and does not need all the frills and material possessions, even driving an older jeep. However, Mitchell wants to continue buying, remodeling, and doing things to the house, to show the world he can take care of his family (true narcissistic behavior). His clothes, car, hair, and everything about him is for show and outward appearances. He is high stressed, short tempered, and spends no time with the children.

Ava is innocent, a little naïve at times and wonders if Mitchell is just stressed with work. She is trustworthy, and cannot comprehend her husband would stoop to such drastic measures. She is the only loving parent and soon finds Mitchell is not the man she thought she married. He does not even give her enough money to barely keep the house running-- another control tactic. “Sleeping with the Enemy” intensified, as now there are two children involved.

Mitchell is paranoid and extremely jealous. Cold and calculating. Ava has an old childhood friend (a cop), Mike, and Mitchell is even jealous of him. For no apparent reason, he decides to take the kids and move out. He makes Ava look bad and starts spreading lies. In the blink of an eye, he has temporary custody and Ava finds herself getting one hour a week supervised visitation with her own children. How could this have happened? Mitchell gets down and dirty - He has attorneys, the college, colleagues, judges, her old school friends, and even Ava’s own mother in his back pocket, with money to spin his story. Mitchell soon shows his true colors, and is not the man she thought she knew. How many people will he fool before other lives are in danger? Ava has to get her sons away from this mad man.

This guy is pure evil! Around every corner, he is conniving, setting up Ava to make her look like an unstable bad mother. He is verbally and emotionally abusive with the boys, and poor Jack is caught in the crossfire. (felt so sorry for the boys). Through messy restraining orders and custody battles, which are one sided, the court mandates a child psychologist, Dr. Lucy Bennett, and a mediator. Will Lucy be able to determine which one is the bad parent, in time to save the kids?

“When your children are stolen, the pain swallows you whole. Logic fades, reason retreats. Desperation. A charmed life falls to pieces. Destroyed. False promises. Lies. Emptiness.”

Soon Ava starts digging into Mitchell's past and gains the strength to fight for her children against all odds. Did he kill his first wife, the talented author of children’s books? Is she next? The more she learns, the more she fears for her children's safety. Why did Mitchell say his father was dead? What is he hiding behind this façade? Will Graham, Ava’s attorney be able to help her---before it is too late?

WOW! I was not anticipating the intensity and power of CENTER OF GRAVITY! Compelling and impressive. I happened to be packing preparing for a move, and another week of travel, and driving back to Florida from NC. This is the type of book, you want to read in one sitting, as very difficult to put down. My advice, "Do not start this book until you have the time, as it is so good." One to be read with no interruptions.

Laura McNeil's writing is pitch perfect; the pacing, character development, plot planning and a satisfying conclusion – excellent! My kind of book—possesses every ingredient for a "must read"--not a simple fluff drama marriage/divorce story.

CENTER OF GRAVITY, has depth---a psychological suspense, leaving you holding your breath, wondering what Mitchell will do next. It is so realistically shocking, knowing how many women have to face a man like this, when the legal system is not always there to protect the innocent, and everything is not as it appears.

Loved hearing from each well-developed character, flashing back and forth from each perspective (Graham, Ava, Mitchell, Lucy, Jack), getting an intimate view (especially Jack, the son). Ava grew so much from the beginning of the book, with newfound strength and confidence in herself and the fierce love of her boys, and her need to protect her family. Jack was adorable with his love of superheroes, and his younger brother, Sam --his need to protect those he loves. Mitchell is evil and mean, and Laura does an outstanding with the portrayal of this character-- his secret past, keeping you in chilling suspense. I loved Graham, the attorney, not the typical attorney, rough around the edges, his motorcycle, leaving you rooting for a happy ending.

“Everyone has a center of gravity. Every family too. It’s the tangible things that make us feel grounded and whole. And it’s different for everyone—a good job, a strong marriage, or a close friendship. Often when that center of gravity tilts with trouble or disappointment, everything becomes a little unstable. When you have a greater rift, like a divorce, it’s more like an earthquake. It takes time and work to achieve that equilibrium and peace again.”
What is normal?

CENTER OF GRAVITY is a chilling and haunting tale, yet uplifting novel of one mother’s love and a son’s determination. I fell in love with the book, and the author’s style (what a master storyteller)! She has been added to my favorite author list and fans of psychological suspense will devour this one! Highly recommend.

Upcoming Book
Cannot wait for her next book to be released April, 2016- Sister Dear, a story of a woman, Allie Marshall, who goes to prison for a crime she doesn’t commit, leaving behind a 5-year old daughter. When Allie is paroled 10 years later, she hopes to reclaim her quiet life and move on, but her daughter, now a teenager, soon challenges her innocence. In her quest to find justice, Allie discovers that the one person she trusts most committed the ultimate betrayal. (Sounds intriguing). show less

This book keeps you on edge, switching back and forth between different characters you get to see each persons point of view, their feelings and motivations. The hardest ones to read were written as if Jack, Mitchell's son from his first marriage, were talking. The struggle between loving his dad but knowing he is a monster and loving his mother Ava but not wanting to get in trouble for caring about her made my heart ache for him. I felt like the photo on the cover hanging on by a thread cheering for Ava and hoping that Mitchell gets his due.

The manipulations and insanity are terrifying because you can see how easily it could happen to someone. There were a few times I wanted to scream at Ava to wake up and realize how dangerous show more Mitchell is. The same could be said for some of the other characters in the book, but sociopaths are such likable people most of the time and rarely show their true colors in public. It is super frustrating watching Mitchell mold his world to his whim and have people fall in line believing his every word but it happens all the time.

I found myself super invested in these characters which kept me turning the pages when I really should have been doing other things. Great read, fabulous beach read (just remember to turn over every now and then). show less

At the beginning of the novel, Ava and Malcolm have a perfect marriage. She is a stay at home mom with 2 kids - 8 year old Jack (from Malcom's first marriage who she has just adopted) and baby Sam. Her husband was a widower when she first met him and he was her dream man. He is a successful college executive and treats her like gold. She loves her life, her children and her husband. And then the cracks start to appear. Malcolm becomes very controlling and manipulative and is often angry with the children. Ava explains to Jack and truly believes that it's due to his pressure at work. She thinks that her marriage can be saved until the day that Malcolm moves out and gets custody of the two children. He doesn't really want them but he show more knows what will hurt her the most is the loss of the children.
The novel is about her quest to get her children back against overwhelming odds.

I absolutely loved this book. It's told in alternating chapters by Ava, Malcolm, Jack and Ava's attorney. That sounds like it might be confusing to have so many voices telling the story but what the reader gets is a well told story from different angles that create a total view of what's going on. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a story that you can't put down until the end - and even after that, the characters stay in your mind. show less

I think this book read itself, I was turning the pages so quickly. Every Mother's fear and every women's nightmare is encompassed here. I don't think I ever wanted for a bad guy to get his, nor have hated a character more than Mitchell. Told in alternating chapters by Ava, Mitchell, Jack, the children's court appointed moderator and Ava'a lawyer, we hear all sides of this chilling story.

I loved the character of Laura, the way she took care of her children, the games she played and how she wanted them to feel happy and secure. But the real star of the book, the one who won my heart was eight year old Jack. A young boy who has seen and heard more than any child his age should. He loves super heroes and using them he works on his problems, show more plays with his one year old brother Sam and uses them both to boost his courage and take out his aggression to the things he feels he is unable to change. Absolutely wonderful.

I think the absolute scariest thing about this novel is that it all could ne true. It could happen to any of is and I am sure it has. show less