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"In Going for Broke, Melanie Dobson artistically paints the secret life of the compulsive gambler and then shines the bright light of help and hope. Bravo!"
--Mary Hunt, author of Debt-Proof Living
"I just finished reading Going For Broke. Thank you for writing about a topic that is a huge problem, but no one wants to talk about it. I look forward to reading your future books."
--Julie, Michigan
"In Going for Broke, author Melanie Dobson writes with her finger on the pulse of addictive gambling. Readers will hold their breath as bets are made, will cringe as the consequences deepen, and will ultimately smile as the grace of God pierces through the most devastating of circumstances.
Going for Broke is an intensely realistic look into the destructive cycle of the gambling addiction. Though the book focuses on gambling, it serves as a realistic portrait of the downward spiral involved with any form of addiction. As Leia falls deeper in debt, she must continue to hide her sin from the women at the local church, not to mention Ethan (her loving husband). The web gets smaller and the stakes get higher until Leia must make a heartbreaking decision. Either she must admit and reveal her destruction to Ethan or continue down a path of ever deepening darkness.
The novel had a way of drawing me in, of slowly reeling me closer and closer to the end that I hoped all along wouldn't happen. It both thrilled and frightened. It introduced me to characters whom I wanted to reach out to and help. Ultimately, the book educated me, something of which I believe the author would be proud. Going for Broke isn't a gamble at all as far as books are concerned - it's an absolute winner."
--Lauren Steigerwald, Christian Book Previews
"In Going For Broke, Melanie Dobson pens a tale that is both touching and devastating. Through each page-turning chapter, the tension builds, pulling the reader into the very core of the heroine's struggle with the addiction of gambling. A very powerful, compelling read that had me cheering at the end."
--Nancy Jo Jenkins, Author, Coldwater Revival
"Going for Broke is a fast-paced read and an addiction of its own. Melanie brilliantly captures the allure of "one more try" and the slippery slope that leads from entertainment to destruction. Take a gamble on this book--you're sure to promise yourself, "Just one more page..."
--Alison Strobel, Author, Worlds Collide and Violette Between
"I was amazed at the insight Melanie Dobson had regarding this hidden addiction. Her sensitivity, yet witty portrayal of the main character captures the reality of what many female gamblers experience. Going for Broke is a must read for anyone who has a friend or family member with a gambling problem."
--Eileen Fox, Gambling Counselor
"Going for Broke was a real eye-opener into the gambling world. You are right...it really could happen to anyone. I could have been Leia. Anyone could."
--Shannon, New York
"I just finished reading Going For Broke. It was great. I finished in one day. Thank you for writing about a topic that is a huge problem, but no one wants to talk about it. You are a fantastic writer and I look forward to reading your future books.
--Julie, Michigan
"Addiction is a difficult thing, and Going for Broke is a fabulous glimpse into the life of a decent person who develops a compulsion to gamble until she no longer recognizes herself. Much like cocaine or heroine, the compulsion will eventually take over and swallow the person whole. The author does a wonderful job of accurately portraying how someone can sink so low and go so far as to being willing to do just about anything for their 'fix.' The rationalizing thoughts, the desire to be secretive, the withdrawal from friendships and support systems...it's all there.
Like one of the endorsers wrote on the back of the book, this story is addicting. I stayed up late and woke up early until I finished. The tension just kept building and building, but not once did Leia become unlikable. Of course the reader will want her to snap out of it, but the author takes you to the place where you develop compassion for Leia, and that's not an easy thing to do. I didn't get the urge to slap Leia. Not once. I had thought about slapping her husband, though, and beating his friend senseless, but you have to read the story to find out why.
Overall, I'd say that Going For Broke is the best story I've read about the cravings that addicts have for gambling or any other vice. Gambling destroys lives and dignity and this story brings the reader right to the edge with Leia. What I liked best about the story was the honesty. There were no quick fixes, and while God holds people accountable for their mistakes, He will redeem anything and will meet us where we are if we would only trust in Him and not ourselves. I love edgy stories that illustrate how God even uses the muck in our lives to create something beautiful that will glorify Him. Going for Broke did that, and then some."
--Michelle Sutton
Edgy Inspirational Author Blog
"This book starts out light hearted and shows an average married couple in the early years. Leia has an accident and is confined to the house for the first time in her life. She is going crazy. What can she do to occupy her time? She starts searching the web. What does she find but a gambling site? What can it hurt? (she tells herself) The site lets her gamble for free. She knows her husband doesn't like gambling; they are Christians. Christians don't gamble. She tells herself it's not gambling because she is not using 'real' money.
Her husband Ethan is off on business trips and she is stuck home alone in the house with the computer calling to her. She is thrilled that she has won $10,000.00 play money one night. "Oh, how that could help them out if that were real money," she thinks to herself. Maybe she would try it with real money her husband doesn't have to know. It sure would help out since she was out of work for 3 months (the lie - the seductive trap).
As I was reading the book I wanted to stop the character from entering the trap. In the authors notes at the end of the book, she states that women succumb to gambling nearly 3 times faster than men. I was surprised to also learn in this story that a gambling "addiction" can take as little as 2 weeks to develop. It is just as bad as using a substance you put into your body. This book was very informative. The characters and their stories were very believable and sometimes tough to read."
--Nora St.Laurent
Novel Reviews Blog
