Reviews

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
There is no doubt fiction makes a better job of the truth and William H. Cole in his book The Spirit of Want has shed light on this saying. He has dug deeper on the gaping social issues, and who are we not to praise his work.
The narration of the book is brilliant and intricate as the reader finds themselves entangled in the rigmarole. The book has a one of a kind storyline keeping the reader’s attention up to the last page of the book. The characters are well explored and completely fleshed out hence contributing to the compelling drama of the book. I cannot deny that Lucy(protagonist) was well developed making it easier to grasp the book. The stunning twists and turns are riveting and the dialogue and banter between characters are top-notch. The weighty occurrences also added a lot of flavor to this amazing book.Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The book is fiction and the story is set up in the 1980s. The content of the story revolves around the strong desires and emotions of an attractive and married woman toward a man who has a darker side to him. The book describes the constant inner struggle and guilt of the woman, which later on is overpowered by her carnal desires. The story has a lot to offer to the readers. It talks about relationships, betrayal, acceptance, forgiveness, and love.
The book contains narrative writing with dialogs. It is easy to read and has an interesting plot. The book is an irresistible page-turner. It has been professionally edited and has no flaws. I would recommend it to readers from all walks of life, and those who want to read an exciting fiction. I would give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
There are many things I like about this book. All the scenes are extremely descriptive, for one. I felt as though I was going through the events with the characters, especially during the tense scenes. When Lucy was driving under the influence, for example, I could almost feel the anxiety radiating off Luke, whose overwhelming emotions are described perfectly as he attempts and fails to get Lucy to slow down. I also find that the topics that the book discusses, such as racism, social status and how it affects one’s personal and professional opportunities, and the faults in the justice system, to be very important ones that the author did a fine job of spreading awareness about.
The thing that I love most about the book is the way that the characters are demonstrated. The book successfully presents each character’s personality, intentions, history, and development in such a way that the readers feel they have known the characters their entire life. Even though Lucy was presented as a hostile, stubborn, manipulative liar, I found myself sympathizing with her and truly understanding the motivation behind her actions. Finally, the book has clearly been professionally edited since it has no spelling or grammatical mistakes. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles could not have chosen a more appropriate title for his book. He was able to create this constant tension in the relationships between people by exploring their perverse and inexplicable need to self-immolate. It is not easy to create such complex protagonists that force the readers to plough internally for some sense of empathy. He meticulously uses his character developments to shine a light on the narcissistic behaviors of human beings. This is particularly evident in Elizabeth’s willingness to be a donor even though Lucy who would not have even considered it if the roles were reversed. The lack of remorse or sense of accountability is almost borderline psychopathic. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I was fascinated by the author’s unique writing style in which each chapter focuses on a particular character giving a detailed manifestation of events for a particular duration. The story is well balanced and its progression from the onset is quite enthralling and smooth. Even though it is fictional the touching storyline is quite genuine and can be viewed in real life as the events in Lucy’s life and that of his lover Hower Bain’s together with his work is notable in our daily lives. The most interesting part of the book was the evangelism of Hower which is quite an eye-opener especially around the issue of faith, healing, and deliverance as well as earning and spending money as a church. I also liked how the author gave a glimpse of organizational politics and the importance of connections in workplaces which are quite realistic issues happening in our daily lives.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The story is well balanced with the fascinating unfolding of events, twists and turns together with room for imagination. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles created a really beautiful story with a lot of relatable content and I couldn’t help but keep reading. He gave his main character everything that is normally longed for in life and then went on to make her choose the one thing that is mostly sacrifised in life, contentment. He put her contentment on one side, all supposedly good things on the other side and then made her choose. This created a roller coaster of emotions in me because I would hope for her to never have to choose between those but rather have one as a result of the presence of others. I found myself getting in her shoes and having a really difficult time.
I absolutely loved the book and I am already recommending it to everyone I know who loves reading. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The Spirit of Want is a character-driven story that engaged me just from the beginning due to its omniscient character description, realistic and constantly guessing storyline. There is never a dull moment in the story. The multifaceted characters, changing perspectives, and diverse rituals are the prominent features of this book. The element of hypocrisy, jealousy or greed exist in almost every character at the personal or professional level. In the whole story, Lucy appears as the root cause of all troubles; but in reality, every person connected to her has his share of hypocrisy, and they feel contented with this. For instance, A.J.’s professional dishonesty, selfishness, and domestic abuse never let him become a likable person. Another arrogant character is of Hower Bain, whose greed, lust and contumacy put his venerated status to the lowest ebb. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The Spirit of Want is written in the third person but with different points of view. It has a steady pace and is very engrossing. It is a story of love, lust, deceit, desire, ethics, loss and disappointment. I find every aspect of the book interesting and likable. What I like most about the book are the characters; they reflect reality. The characters show how we, humans, make decisions based on wants and the urge to satisfy them irrespective of what we really need. The irony that runs through the book is something we experience in everyday life. Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is a book full of intrigues that will keep you reading to the very end. The book does an excellent job of intertwining the lives of three characters, Luke Osbourne, Lucy MacMiel, and Lucy’s younger sister, Elizabeth.
I give The Spirit of Want a 4 out of 4 rating. The story line is not like most fiction, boy meets girl, boy and girl break, boy and girl get back together. I could not anticipate each character’s next steps, and when I tried, I was usually wrong. It made me want to keep reading. Anyone who likes a good romantic novel with a little mystery thrown in will enjoy this book.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
Humans are creatures with many layers of complexity. William H. Coles paints, in “The Spirit of Want,” a vivid picture of how complex humans can be. Lucy MacMiel has no real love for Luke Osborne and none for her family either. She initially does not want her baby, Jennifer, and she goes a step further to abandon Jennifer and travel across the world to be with Hower Bain, the man who wrecked her career and whose unchecked wantonness cost her dearly. Luke is a surgeon and works in the same institute as Lucy’s father. He is faced with the option of “looking the other way” when things begin to go wrong or confront his father-in-law and do what is right.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The book was quite interesting. There were no monologues dedicated to character development, the author gradually unveiled his characters as the book progressed. The author’s characters remained true till the end. For example, Lucy portrayed a selfish individual who sought after her desires without considering the consequences of her actions while Elizabeth portrayed the contrast of Lucy. The book’s editing was next to impeccable, I only spotted very few typographical errors. The book’s twist was mouth-gapping. I could hardly guess the end or what will happen next even if I had tried. Even the book’s end was unexpected and I had a hard time accepting or believing it.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The story is interesting and thought-provoking. I felt that it was quite close to reality. It really makes you ask questions to yourself about what love actually is. Is it alright to hurt others in the process of loving someone? The characters were flawed which made them believable. I was able to relate to them. I liked how the author narrated both personal and professional experiences of the characters.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
All characters are well-built. The characters manifest the spirits we witness in the world today. For instance, A.J (Lucy’s dad) is a qualified ophthalmologist. He is arrogant, egoistic, and violent. His greedy attitude caused him to lose focus. As a result, he was caught up in a scandal that even his son-in-law, Luke, couldn’t save him. These qualities couldn’t let him have a healthy relationship with his colleagues at work and his family too.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I love Coles novels because he uses descriptive writing. The type of writing style that describes people, places and events in such a way that the reader is able to create a clear image in their mind. For instance when he describes Lucy, he writes, ” Lucy had cured-leather tan skin; dark hard eyes; reddish-brown, shoulder-length hair. She was about five feat five, and her figure was thin and muscular, yet indisputably feminine, and her clothes were perfectly tailored, in contrast to Elizabeth.”
The author has also used third persona omniscient point of view which has allowed him the freedom to enlarge the readers spectrum. The reader is able to get inside the mind of multiple characters and excavate deeper into emotions and relationships. Reading through the chapters of this book I was able to see how different characters react and interpret events.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because the story and the characters were well developed. Topics of sexuality, love, romance and infidelity suggest a more mature audience for this dramatic novel. There is no doubt that it was professionally edited as there are no typos or errors through out the content.

Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
Coles demonstrates the spirit of want on all characters, Lucy wants a place where she feels she belongs, how Luke wants true love in his life, how Elizabeth wants her own children and family, how AJ MacMiel and Hower Vain want power, how Agnes wants her freedom from a suffocating marriage.
The author focuses on Lucy and revolves around family drama, politics and legal, love and passion and a bit of religion.I love that the author does not sugar coat all these experiences and he demonstrates it to us in the raw form. Forget Romeo and Juliet, the author shows the aspect of relationships, from young and growing love to the gruesome break ups leading to divorce.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
This book discusses a range of issues in our society today. How people in high places take advantage of those they should be taking care of. William H. Coles talks about religion and a reader can relate the story to real life. My favourite theme was on family. The author wrote a plot where the value of family is taken for granted by some characters. And if they had stuck with their families maybe they’d have had different results in their lives. It is an educative and entertaining book that relates to life and the nature of human beings.
This book has no grammatical errors. The editing is well done. I didn’t encounter any instances of profanity. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is a tragic story with a lot of drama and is most appropriate for a mature audience.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
First of all, I admire how Williams H. Coles changes the scenes where the reader gets to know what’s happening in different places at the same time. For example, the reader gets to know what was happening in Georgia when Lucy was in Ghana.
I also admire the use of many vocabularies which tend to broaden the minds of the readers and to polish up their fluency in English.
The Spirit of Want is also educative as it focuses on the dangers of making decisions in a rush or before investigating thoroughly. Lucy wouldn’t have married Luke if she had taken to know him and to know if her feelings for him were true.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The storyline is such an interesting one as it unravels mysteries and unimaginable storylines. It is full of suspense and must-read for book lovers. Why would Lucy decide to abort their baby without considering her husband’s opinion or any other persons? among many other questions is one to look forward to.
I rate this book The Spirit of Want 4 out of 4 stars because of its very interesting and unique breakdown. The author Williams Coles made use of understandable and expressive terms to drive home his imaginative description.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The story is so well-thought-out that I could not find fault. The editing was professional, the cover is superbly done, and the wording couldn’t be any better. There are concepts about faith that may disturb conservatives. However, the author was careful to construct these concepts in a manner that the reader can learn about other perspectives regarding religion and God rather than incite negative feelings. Conversely, though I believe that the author ought to have detailed a bit more on the lessons gained and their impact on the characters’ personalities.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
What I liked most about this book is the fact that it is educative and as one reads the book there is emotional touch of the story that makes one feel the reality of the story. Coles has brings out the theme of desire, family, crime and among others so well. Again, I have to appreciate his writing style. William prefers to use dialogue to narrative which I felt its essence in the entire book as it is engaging and makes the book a page turner.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
One of the things I liked most about the book was how fast-paced it was. I never got bored reading it. The book is divided into three sections. The beginning introduces the reader to all the main characters and basically shows Lucy’s life before Hower Bain and at the start of her time with him. The second part involves time Lucy spent in Ghana and in the third part, Lucy helps with a political campaign. The story was constantly changing. Just when things seemed like they were calming down, something unexpected happened. I actually said “oh my gosh” out loud at a few different points. Coles includes many subjects in this book including love, hate, murder, rape, medical malpractice, death, alcoholism, and tough family dynamics. The story kept me engaged the entire time.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The blend of all these Characters brings out the beauty of the story. The book is indeed a easy read without much grammatical errors. I liked how the book was filled with suspense and eagerness of what would come next as you read through it’s pages. It is difficult to tell what I disliked about the book as it was exceptionally flawless. The characters are depicted in an extraordinary manner and the storyline is intriguing.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I would definitely recommend this book as it is most suitable for young and older adults who will enjoy a mix of drama and suspense. The book is well edited and I enjoyed reading it.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The book is a literary drama and romance novel and I feel Mr.Coles did a great job. I feel like I am in a character’s heart and I felt original while reading this. The whole story goes in very suspense and flows that inspired me to read it more and more day after day. There are humorous moments, some philosophical and some sad and it was definitely different from what I read before.

Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I liked the novel. It kept me interested to see how it would end. If she would find her true love? Would she be redeemed from past hurt? The characters felt real and believable. The only complaint I would have is I felt the author added some useless information in the story. I felt it dragged the story on instead of adding any significance to the story. I liked that the point of view of the story was not only from Lucy’s perspective but other members of her family that was involved in her life choices.
The novel kept me entertained. I was drawn to the characters wanting more of each character. I wanted to see how they felt about how a situation was happening. I could not put this book down. I felt Lucy’s loneliness and need to feel wanted. I felt her confusion on who she was as a person, as a daughter, as a mother, as a wife. I understood her anger.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The theme of the book predominantly explores the depraved nature of man, especially those who command respect in society. There are consequences for those who treat others unfairly as well as those who do the right thing. The capacity for those who are at the apex of trusted institutions to succumb to actions beneath their social standing is real. We see it in real life on the news and in the grapevine, but the reader of this book will get to see it ‘from the inside’. I recommend the book to a mature audience who enjoy some drama and intrigue in their books, as well as those who need some great entertainment.
I found the story informative and entertaining, with great editing on the epub review copy. It was easy to read and I think it will be relatable to people from all walks of life. I give the book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles has never disappointed in his work. His ability to create a story full of drama and twists without forgetting the unpredictability of the sequence and characterization. The Spirit of Want is that book that fully captures your attention from the beginning to the end. It fills your mind with many questions and eagerness to know what happens next, this will keep you opening the pages up to the last page.
I really liked reading the book but what I liked the most in the book was the unpredictable nature of events. It was hard to guess what happens next hence I just had to read in order to find out.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The styles used in the creation of the novel enhanced its taste. The author uses suspense, vivid description, comedy and irony, and dialogue in creating the novel. They enhanced the taste of the novel in different ways. I was particularly moved by the comedy in the novel. I could not help but laugh at certain comical scenes in the course of the narration. Characters like Hower Bain are just comical. He is a pastor but the manner in which he goes about his preaching duties was just hilarious. He was always a recipe for comedy. The comedy broke the monotony of the narration.
Lastly, I award this novel 4 out of 4 stars. The book has a compelling and amazing content that is highly educative. The author discusses the society where the readers live in. He thus creates a connection with his readers. That was excellent. I recommend this book to all person from the human family. There is a lot about love and family to be learnt from the leading character Lucy.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I loved the themes discussed by the author in this novel. In addition to the theme of love, the author discusses themes like family and marriage life, divorce, religion and hypocrisy, effects of drug abuse and rotten justice system. These themes are self-evident in the society today. Avid readers can easily identify with them. I was awed by the theme of love, family and marriage as a result of their interconnectedness. The leading character, Lucy is just insensitive to family. Her insensitive nature is the reason for her broken family. She abandons her young family to pursue her fake love for the evangelist, Hower Bain. She represents a faction of people in the society who break up their homes for petty reasons and go out in search of greener pastures only to find themselves lost in the wilderness. This book spreads the value of family amongst the readers. I believe that was excellent.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
Clear your diaries! Clear your schedules! And cancel all social plans. Because once you start reading The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles, you won’t be able to stop. Set in 1980s Atlanta, the story follows the romantic trials and tribulations of the beautiful, but oh- so exhaustingly difficult, Lucy MacMiel. On the surface, she is the quintessentially fierce career woman who has it all. She has the looks, the brains, the marriage and her own little family. So, what is the problem? Surely, that is the ultimate goal for most people. Well, Lucy MacMiel is not most people. Unsatisfied with her life and blinded by the influential charms of Hower Bain, a TV – evangelist accused of child molestation, she flees to Africa to start a new life with him. Suddenly, the cracks begin to show as she questions her new lover’s true motives and his true character. Feeling deeply embarrassed and ashamed, Lucy heads back to Atlanta with hopes she can rebuild her career and gain back the trust of the family she left behind. Let me say this, I devoured this book in 3 days flat! I only had to ready the opening lines of the book’s description and I knew I was in for a real treat. Addictive is the best word I can use to describe this remarkable piece of work.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The title of the book, “The Spirit of Want” is truly justified. Throughout the book, you might hate Lucy for certain parts but in the end, you will always come back to feeling sorry for her as you understand her pain. One of the few sentences in this book that has gravely touched me is when Elizabeth (Lucy’s sister) is talking to Luke about Lucy having abandoned her family. She says, “and what might have happened if Lucy could have known she had real family, a sister, a father.” “That she was loved enough to know how to love others.” It shows us how important love is in a person’s life, and how it shapes our lives. And how Lucy had never known love, in order to be able to give it to someone else. And so, she undestood only the language of lust,needs and wants.
By the time you reach the end of this story, your heart might have skipped beats several times! But that is what I look for in a book, its ability to hook me to it and have me reading it till 3 am, eager to finish it and yet hold onto it at the same time.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I really enjoyed this book. Lucy is a complicated, but very human, character. She is both ruthless and vulnerable. She makes poor choices, and the reader will root for her while also being angry with her. William H. Coles develops Lucy perfectly. He shows how she can both reject and desire love. He shows us her insecurities and how she manages them — sometimes in disastrous ways. We see how she is a strong, beautiful, and intelligent woman, yet she is fallible to her heart’s wants, as irrational as they may be.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles in The Spirit of Want weaves Lucy’s romantic adventures. She is a lawyer by profession. The impression that a reader forms when she first appears, is that of an arrogant and a proud woman with an I-don’t-care attitude. She ends up with an accident the first night that she drives with Luke. She marries him. She takes up Reverend Bain’s case – underage molestation. She loses. Well, what does she lose? What does she gain in the bargain? What does she have to give up? Many such questions would only be answered if you read the book.
Readers who like romance would definitely want to read this. However, this is not a regular story where a boy meets a girl, they fall in love, they get married and they live happily ever after. Hence, though it is a romance, I would not say it is meant for those who like reading Mills and Boon stories. This novel does not have elements of historical romance or fantasy. It takes you through Lucy’s emotional journey and her romantic adventures. So, if you like reading such a text, this is for you.

Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic characters and the unpredictable plot this story brings. I believe that anyone in the legal or medical field would truly enjoy Coles’ work. I also would recommend it to those with sisters or mothers as the story revolves around the sisters’ complicated relationship and a mother of daughters would have an interesting perspective while reading.
I found little errors and believe the story to be well edited. Due to the characters and their development, the plot, and the authors writing style I give The Spirit of Want, by William H. Coles 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend to readers everywhere.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
Coles did a great job of developing a complex protagonist that plays with the reader’s emotions. I found myself sympathizing with Lucy one moment and then questioning everything I thought I knew about her the next. Additionally, the plot was suspenseful and unpredictable, yet had a very believable and natural flow. Strategic time jumps take the reader through the years of Lucy’s life and create a window into the long-term impact of her choices. There is a lot of thematic material to sift through, from socioeconomic status to gender roles to morality; Lucy very much struggles for, against, and with each of these, and I found myself pulled into the struggle with her again and again. The book was very well edited.
Read the entire review here…

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles tells the story of the MacMeil family and how they affect the people they meet. A.J. is a patriarch and gifted surgeon, his wife Agnes is his faithful companion and they have two daughters. Lucy is a Puerto Rican beauty who was adopted before they had their other daughter, Elizabeth. Luke Osbourne works for A.J. and has met the family briefly but finds himself accepting a lift from Lucy under difficult circumstances. Luke finds himself embroiled in the MacMeil family ethos and the drama that ensues. Lucy finds herself drawn to a client, an enigmatic TV evangelist, who is facing charges of underage sex with a young girl, and forgets the commitments she has made to Luke and her family. Traveling to Africa, she abandons everything to be with Hower Bain, her former client, and only escapes when illness forces her to leave. Lucy returns to the US and is forced to work as an aide to a Congresswoman who is incompetent and unfit for the position she seeks. Will she find happiness with Bain as he returns to the US or will it all end in tears?

This is a great read. The MacMeil family is a fascinating mix of characters that will keep you guessing to the last page. This story runs the full gamut of human emotions and will have you burning the midnight oil as you read just one more chapter. Adoption and parenthood, marriage and sibling relationships are all examined and uncovered; raw human emotion at its very best. Lucy is a fascinating character who will take you on a journey as you decide if you love her or hate her, but one thing is sure, you will never forget her. The Spirit of Want is an amazing saga and William H. Coles is an amazing storyteller.

There were some really good parts to this story and I thought the characters were generally interesting, though it didn’t feel like the reader got to know them very well, and there seemed to not be a lot actually happening through the plot. The entire party scene where Luke and Lucy first meet, as well as them getting married, seemed really fake and even though this is pointed out later that it was fake for Lucy, it was strange that Luke fell for it when he had such strong reservations before. Lucy seemed like an odd character and, since she’s the main character, this definitely impacted the entire story. It was difficult to understand her because she seemed to be completely different people throughout and she jumped from one thing to the next with little understanding.

The plot of her leaving Hower and then being drawn back in makes sense because she’s looking for something, but the kidney failure and even before that her daughter having leukemia seemed like they were just thrown in for no reason. Jennifer really had no important place in the story, other than it left Lucy with a little bit of regret (though seemingly not much), and it was the entire cause of Elizabeth and Luke getting together. So really it seemed like she was only there to form a segue for Luke and Elizabeth and then she was gotten rid of like an extra character.

I think the plot needs a little more focus. There doesn’t seem to be anything really big that happens here. Lucy’s changes in her life are all treated as minor and she seems to get over everything really quickly, which makes it seem like these aren’t important plot points – but she’s the whole focus of everything. And the finale seems to trail off to something that could be a second book to find out what’s going to happen to everyone, but there hasn’t been enough action to really draw readers in.

The spirit of want is what drives most of the primary characters in this literary fiction novel by William H. Coles. The beautiful, but deeply conflicted lawyer, Lucy, isn’t sure what she wants. But after she marries Luke, a doctor who wants Lucy from the day he meets her, she knows Luke isn’t what she wants. Lucy’s gentle and loving half-sister, Elizabeth, wants a husband and children. The girls’ mother, Agnes, wants a grandchild; their father, a top surgeon, wants money and status. And then there’s the charismatic preacher, Hower, whom Lucy is hired to defend in a rape case, who ends up bedding her to get what he wants: to escape imprisonment and ultimately regain his power and hold over his devoted followers. When Lucy succumbs to Hower’s power, all hell breaks loose in both her professional and personal life. She abandons Luke, her child, and her family, believing Hower will satisfy the spirit of want that drives her, only to have her wants, like her, die unfulfilled.

As in most of William H. Coles’ novels and short stories, the focus is always on the flaws and fragilities that make the mighty fall. This was the case with surgeons McDowell and Otherson in two of Coles’ other novels, and such is the case with Lucy in The Spirit of Want. Coles enjoys exploring the psyches and personality traits of those driven to succeed who reach the top. But, as is often said, once you reach the top, there’s only one way to go. So Coles fires on, showing readers how pride can destroy, and reminding us there is much to learn from others on that downhill slide. One of the difficulties readers encounter in reading The Spirit of Want and other novels by Coles is his tendency to address many different social, religious and political issues while telling the story. He does this by introducing lots of characters and situations as the story develops. While each of these situations and the accompanying exchange of ideas between the characters is interesting, and prompts readers to think about more than just the plot of the book, some readers may find these digressions distracting. Thankfully, since Coles’ primary writing device is dialogue, rather than narration, we are not distracted for too long before the plot leaps forward again.

In The Spirit of Want, one of the transitions in situations for which the reader was quite unprepared was Lucy, the lawyer, becoming sexually and romantically involved with Hower. In one chapter, after visiting with him to probe deeper into the rape allegations, she comes away disliking him with such intensity she hopes she never has to meet with him again. The next time the reader hears about Lucy and Hower, she has been disbarred for conduct unbefitting her professional role as a defence lawyer…and the reader had no idea they had even met again under any circumstances. That is enough to make readers flip back through the pages, wondering if they’d missed a chapter! One other element that makes The Spirit of Want, in fact all of Coles’ novels, interesting is what he reveals about what goes on behind the scenes in the medical profession. Knowing that Coles is himself a retired doctor, there’s no reason to believe that what he presents is merely creative fiction. It’s eye-opening and often not very nice at all. As in all the works of William H. Coles, there is much to learn about many things in The Spirit of Want.

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is a spellbinding novel that explores legal themes, romance, family, and one woman’s unconventional pursuit of happiness. Lucy MacMeil is a defense attorney, happily married to her father’s subordinate, surgeon Luke Osbourne. But when she takes up the case in defense of a charismatic and magnetic TV evangelist accused of sexually abusing a girl, everything changes. She falls in love with her client and when the evangelist loses the case, he flees to Africa, awaiting an appeal. Lucy abandons her family, her husband, and her little baby and follows the evangelist. But upon meeting him again, she discovers the man isn’t the person she believed him to be. Coming back home doesn’t put her back in the good graces of her family, so she takes a job that ends badly. Can she find a foothold and rebuild her life again.

This is a dramatic story that reflects the reality many couples experience. Lucy is a typical woman who loses her ability to think her choices through, focused on her passionate love for a man who betrays her. This is an engrossing tale with many twists. The characters are multidimensional and very complex, especially the protagonist and the TV evangelist. The author shows a great understanding of con men who hide their evil behind the veil of religion to take advantage of others. The Spirit of Want is told in a captivating voice, emotionally charged, with strong hints of a psychological thriller. William H. Coles makes it real. 5/5 Stars

The Spirit of Want is a work of literary dramatic fiction penned by author William H. Coles. This sweeping work of life, love, passion, money, deceit, and romance focuses primarily on the life of Lucy MacMeil, a defense lawyer who seems at first to have it all. When she marries surgeon Luke Osborne, the busy couple have a daughter and begin their life together, but Lucy’s head is turned by a charismatic evangelist whom she is defending on abuse charges. Lucy abandons her whole life just to be with the Reverend, and it’s then that secrets and truths unravel her new passionate fantasy life.

Want is a great theme for fiction, and this work achieves a realistic sense of what untamed want and greed can do when a person is always looking for the grass to be greener on the other side. The prose is superbly crafted to construct the atmosphere of the different people Lucy encounters in her life, and the narration gives little away about the truth of each one until it’s too late. This makes for a compelling page-turner that has you physically reacting to the decisions made, and though you may not like Lucy as a central figure, she is certainly realistically formed and leaping off the page. Author William H. Coles has crafted an intelligent read on many levels that has a lot to say about human nature, the power of money, forgiveness and family ties, making The Spirit of Want an all-round enjoyable dramatic novel. 5/5 Stars

A character-driven story, The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles explores the thrills and perils of desire, following one woman’s quest for pleasure and the consequences of her choices. Lucy is a successful defense lawyer, who is married to Luke Osbourne, a surgeon practicing under her father. When Lucy takes on the defense of a TV evangelist accused of sexually assaulting a girl, she isn’t aware it will be a perilous path for her and her marriage. She falls in love with the evangelist who loses the case and flees to Africa while awaiting the appeal. She leaves everything behind, including family and work, and follows the evangelist to Africa, but what she discovers is enough to make her question everything she thought she knew about this man of God. She runs back home in shame, but the damage has already been done. Read on to discover what other choices she makes in desperation. Can she really find redemption and regain her reputation? But where and how?

I enjoyed this story a lot and loved the way the author handled the theme of longing, crime and investigation, and family. The characters are awesome and it is easy to follow them throughout the story. Lucy caught my attention from the very start. She came across at first as flirtatious and flippant, someone who may not take herself seriously, and this aspect of her personality gets to be fully developed throughout the story. It was surprising for me to note that she could fall so low, in spite of her apparent intelligence, background, and education. The writing is superb and it flows with unhindered fluidity. I enjoyed the prose as much as I enjoyed the compelling plot with the powerful cast of characters. William H. Coles’ The Spirit of Want explores the anatomy of desire in a brilliant manner; it is entertaining in an insane kind of way. 5/5 Stars

In The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles, a TV evangelist and leader of a church needs the best defense lawyer to get him off a charge of sexually abusing a girl. Lucy MacMeil gets the job. As one of the top lawyers for her firm and a woman, she is the best lawyer to defend the evangelist’s innocence. Then they lose the case and Bain escapes to Africa while waiting for an appeal. But Lucy has already fallen in love with the charismatic and handsome man of God during the trial and she abandons Luke Osbourne, her husband, a surgeon, her family, and friends, and follows her lover to Africa. But is Bain who he claims to be? The revelations are shocking and when she decides to come back home, she discovers no one wants her. She moves to California and accepts a job as advisor to a woman running for Congress, but the job ends badly with Lucy getting fired after a failed campaign. Can Lucy rebuild her life and win back the trust of her family and the husband she abandoned in search of romance?

William H. Coles’ work is filled with drama and from the witty and exceptional conversations between the characters, and the courtroom drama, the reader gets a wonderful array of situations that are exciting and filled with entertainment. The characters are deftly handled and written with emotional and psychological depth. We follow a woman who makes emotional choices that cost her the respect of her family and everyone she holds dear. Bain is a sleazy character who reflects the hypocrisy seen in many contemporary churchmen. While The Spirit of Want is dramatically engaging and a fine literary piece, it castigates the hypocrisy of modern evangelists who are more concerned about their personal pleasure and the wealth they build than spreading the word of God. Themes of family, marriage, hypocrisy, sexual abuse and the quest for personal fulfillment are skillfully developed throughout the story. One of the best novels I have read with family drama and legal underpinnings. 5/5 Stars

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is a mix of romance and general thriller with the primary theme of family and betrayal. Lucy MacMeil is hired as the defense lawyer for TV evangelist Reverend Bain, a charismatic man, little knowing that she is headed towards doom. She falls in love with the evangelist while defending him. After losing the case, the evangelist flees to Africa while awaiting an appeal. Unable to live without him, Lucy abandons her husband, surgeon Luke Osbourne, her child, and entire family and follows Bain to Africa. It is not long before she discovers she has been fooled. Evangelist Bain isn’t the man she believes him to be. She has to run back home, but what awaits her isn’t a welcome. Follow her as she is shunned by friends and family and seeks to rebuild her life.

William H. Coles is an expert in building drama and scenes that are focused and emotionally charged. The courtroom drama is intense with exchanges that are intelligently composed and cross-examinations that are witty and lively. The author’s gift for character and thematic development is exemplified in this narrative. The story has a powerful premise — a married and respectable woman falling in love with her client is a complex issue. When the illicit romance begins, the reader watches its evolution, expecting that the protagonist will eventually discover her error and make a turnaround, but things escalate quickly into a serious conflict. The Spirit of Want is an engaging story with rock-solid characters. The writing is bold, balanced, and focused, and the characters are real. 5/5 Stars

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is the story of a woman who is successful yet, when a man comes into her life, she loses it all. This is the story of Lucy MacMeil, the daughter of a successful doctor and the wife of an equally successful surgeon. Lucy is a defense lawyer by profession and she really enjoys her job. However, her life is changed completely and for the worse when she takes up the case of a TV evangelist who is accused of raping a girl. When she takes up his case, she had no idea that she would fall in love with this man.

She tries her best at saving him, but the case against him is too strong and he loses. Seeing that he has no way out, the evangelist runs away to Africa and Lucy leaves everything behind, including her husband and a very young infant, and goes after him. She left everything for him, but when Lucy reaches him, he tells her to go back. Shocked, dismayed and terrified, Lucy has no idea what she will do. Can she go back and try to salvage her marriage? Or will she stay back in Africa and hope that the man she loves will accept her?

This novel was hard to read, not because it was written badly, but because of how real it felt. Lucy’s emotions were raw and real and you could feel them in your heart and in your soul. William H. Coles described emotions so well and that gave depth to the characters. Sometimes this novel was so heart wrenching that I had to stop for a few moments. The Spirit of Want is definitely a novel I really appreciated because it made my inner literature lover very happy! Fantastic, simply fantastic! I am lost for words. 5/5 Stars

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is a powerful story that is emotionally charged and intense, a tale with psychological depth and emotional insight. When Lucy MacMeil accepts the sleazy TV evangelist accused of rape as a client, she couldn’t imagine that this case would rock her entire world, including her profession and marriage. While working the case, the defense lawyer falls for the evangelist, but he loses the case and runs away to Africa. Unable to live without him, Lucy follows the man, abandoning her husband and family, but she is confronted with dreadful truths about the so-called man of God that will test everything she knew about him. Shaken, she packs her stuff and returns home to her husband and family. But things aren’t going to be the same for her anymore. She has to face shame, and the loss of her job and reputation. Read on to see how far desire can drive the human heart.

Here is a book that many readers will relate to, a story that plays out very often in real life. Reverend Bain is a character I don’t want to meet in real life; he seems to exude a deep-seated duplicity and a charm that overrides it, especially to gullible women. I loved him as a character and the way he is developed throughout the story. Lucy is another compelling character and one could say she is a case the author uses to explore the depth of human desire. William H. Coles creates a powerful plot, punctuated with intense and emotionally charged episodes. The writing leaps off the pages with elegance and the dialogues are intelligent, natural, and utterly entertaining. The Spirit of Want was an exciting read for me, another brilliant and realistic story from a gifted writer. 5/5 Stars

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I totally loved this book! It’s a book that tells a great story and reinforces, without preaching, one of the most basic lessons in life: be careful what you desire as actions and decisions have consequences.
The author successfully delves into the worlds of law, medicine and religion and introduces us to a core of well rounded and believable characters. Before you know it, you’re drawn into their world and taken for a literary ride where initial perceptions are drawn and then driven on their heads as characters and plots are taken into different directions.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I like the novel because it is unpredictable. This makes the reader to keep reading the book till the end as it can not be predicted. Another thing is that the plot of the story is well defined with good timely explanations thus helping one understand the time between each of the events and to understand the geographical location of the scenarios.
“The Spirit Of Want” has 62 chapters with each chapter dedicated to Luke and Lucy. I notice that the book, “The Spirit Of Want” is professionally edited with no noticeable grammatical errors. The grammar used in the novel is simple, easily understood and neither complicated nor ambiguous. I hereby rate “The Spirit Of Want” by William H. Coles, 4 out of 4 stars because of its beautiful story and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys reading a good book to read.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I think this book is a wonderful read. Interesting plot, complex characters, very discussed themes, deep understanding of the human nature, unexpected turnovers- all these will make your reading unforgettable and very fast pasted.
The author masterfully examines love. This is one of my favorite subjects, so explored and yet, every time with new nuances in the way it is revealed. William H. Cole has the talent to present this feeling in so many aspects- as love towards family, friends, children, opposite sex, fame, money, career. The writer demonstrates how we all like to receive love, but not all of us like to give love; how love can be self-giving, but also can be self-centering.
I completely and totally love the book and will recommend it to everyone that loves novels with deep meaning. On my opinion The Spirit of Want absolutely deserves all 4 rating stars, so I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. Thank you, William H.Cole for the wonderful book. I hope everyone will enjoy it as I did!
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
There is nothing wrong with books the purpose of which is simply to entertain. I read lots of them, and I have no more regret than I would after watching an entertaining TV show. But every now and then, I run across a book which not only entertains but leaves me with something to ponder for a while, and those are the books that stick with me. The Spirit of Want is one of those books.
Who is the book suited for? Anyone who views reading the way I do. Mr. Coles did not even fall back on sex or violence to make his book entertaining. I cannot find any faults and give the book 4 out of 4 stars.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I was fascinated with how the author eloquently wrote about the greatest battles that we encounter most specifically, the war in our minds. Despite the fact that Lucy was very much well learned and educated, she was not able to overcome the rejection experienced from her own family. She lost herself in a whirlwind of forbidden love and being a lawyer could not really save her from herself. In the middle part of the story, I have grown to love Elizabeth. Her consistent and stable emotions helped her overcome her worst fears and weaknesses. As Lucy slowly degraded into less of a human being, Elizabeth soared like an eagle, conquered her dreams and victoriously lived her life.
This book is something that I love reading since I work in the legal field and I have family members who are in the field of medicine. I am focused on maintaining the integrity of the legal process and in doing what is just, fair and right so I was able to comprehend the depth of the lessons foretold within this story and how we could all learn from the wrong decisions made by some of the characters. There were a few grammatical errors that I noticed in some of the chapters that would not be easily noticed because such mistakes are only minor. Even so, I will rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because I was entertained and I have learned lessons that I could apply in my life as a paralegal.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
At the beginning of this story, I never had an idea that it would end the way it did. This explains the mastery behind William H. Coles writing.
This story is extraordinary in many ways. The writer knows how to hold the audience in suspense, no matter how hard I tried to guess, the story was not predictable. For the character development, the characters true colors are gradually brought out and we get to understand why some of the characters are the way they are. William uses vivid descriptions to explain his thoughts. When I was reading the book, I often found myself thinking out loud mostly in disgust; some characters were too disturbing for me, Hower being one of them. Elizabeth turns out to be my favorite character, she is the voice of reason in the family, and she makes us see how wisdom is better than just being smart and beautiful. The book tackles themes such as love, divorce, betrayal, religion and pain.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I would recommend people to read this book especially those who are passionate to know what really happens in our societies. This book has clear descriptions of what is happening at what time. It has a good and smooth flow and one does not have to strain to understand the book. No one can be put off by this book as it covers a wide range of things that vary. This book can guide one on day to day encounters by helping one decide on what to do when presented with some hard situations. The plot and characters of The spirit of want are well developed. I found the book very helpful. Therefore, I give this book 4 out of 4 stars.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
One of the things I like this novel is that it is unpredictable. This motivates the reader to keep turning the pages in order to know what happens next. I also like the way the writer presents the characters and describes the emotions of every scene such that the reader is able to understand and get immersed fully in the story.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. This is because the book was professionally edited and I didn’t spot any grammatical errors anywhere. Lawyers and doctors will find this book interesting. I would also recommend this book to religious people. This book describes the weird lifes that some families and pastors live.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
One of the motifs of the novel was over-ambition versus selflessness. Where Lucy and A.J trampled on people in order to excel and attain their desired height, Luke and Elizabeth were ready to make sacrifices for others’ well-being. The theme of giving versus taking kept reoccurring in the book.
William’s writing style was impeccable. The arrangement of the book followed chronological order which made it easy to understand right from the beginning. His choice of words and grammar were excellent. I therefore, rate this book 4 stars out of 4. I recommend it for all book lovers.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles is a born storyteller, in all the three parts his large cast doesn’t feel faceless. This is because, he carefully brings out each character’s traits. There’s a well crafted relationship between characters and there’s a seeding out of important issues affecting society such as, fake religion, law and religion- which actually caught my attention, love and selflessness.
The writing style is very entertaining, with dialogues and narrations seamlessly placed throughout the novel. I was never bored. However, there were a few typos in the book. By the end of the book I felt invested in the characters, and drawn to sympathize on Lucy. I came to partially understand her insecurities and self sabotage. I linked it to the hostile upbringing she was brought up with, with her tough dad, and the hostility of those around her due to her mistakes. The book was a real mind opener, and the issue on how law was used to protect religious malpractice was really interesting.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The Spirit of Want is an interesting read for the author has taken ample time to develop each character. Additionally, through several twists in the book, Coles lets the reader understand the true characters of the people involved. The author causes the reader to inquisitively question the true motivation behind what people do for a living ‘The Spirit of Want.’ Am particularly impressed by the fact that the author lets the reader that the choices of our lives have consequences and that everything that is done in the dark surely comes to light. This is particularly seen through the exposure of Bain as fraudulent televangelist & womanizer and AJ MacMiel as an irresponsible and corrupt surgeon.
The book is well written with no grammatical errors. The writer also ensures that the story flows nicely that the reader understands the different turns and twists that develop the plot of the story.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The best part about the book is that the suspense and thrill of the story remain throughout to the end of the book. I loved the writing style of the author especially the language which is easy to understand and I also found the narration to the point. I didn’t spot any major spelling or grammatical errors in the book. The book looks well edited by the professional editors. I haven’t read any book by the author before and hence, I have to say this book after reading ‘The Spirit of Want’ by the author makes me want to read more by him in the future.
I didn’t find anything that was bad about this book. From the book title, book cover to the author’s writing style, narration, language, and plot of the story has been balanced out really well in the book. I highly recommend this book to the readers who are interested in reading Suspense and Thriller Novels.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
This fast-paced plot, kept me enthralled, as I followed the protagonist on a journey of forgiveness and love. While romance plays a big part in the story, this is portrayed by the author’s clever use of feelings within his characters, rather than explicit sex scenes. I felt drawn to Lucy, even though at times I was exasperated by her decisions, which I felt were prompted by the powerful men in her life. Tragedy and misfortune seem to plague the MacMiel family, the outcomes leaving you teetering with anticipation as the drama unfolds. The ending is clever and completely unpredictable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, unable to put it down until the end. Very well written, I rate the novel 4 out of 4 stars and recommend it to fans of romance drama fiction.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
Each character has a strong personality in their different fields; all of which have been researched and portrayed in an interesting manner. Some you love and others you positively loathe due to their attitude to the people in their lives.
I can honestly recommend this book to any reader who enjoys going on a journey; of exploring the lives of various people and the places that they work and live in. This is suited to the more serious reader as you will have to keep your wits about you to keep track of what’s happening. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars a I truly enjoyed every page of this book.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
This book is skillfully written and constructed. William Coles seems to have done many researches in the medical, legal, and religious fields to come up with this brilliant book. In The Spirit of Want, you will find a vivid picture of reality. By using action verbs and powerful adjectives, Coles manages to successfully deliver his story to the reader. Although the mood of the novel is serious and tense, the writer uses some literal devices which adds a touch of beauty on it. The writer was successful in choosing The Spirit of Want as the tittle of the novel, since want and desire control all the characters of the novel. Lucy, Luke, Elizabeth, and even A.J. are all led by their want and desire, each in a different way.
This book deserves 4 out of 4 stars. It is a hard-to-put novel. You can feel the efforts that Coles has exerted to come up with this novel from the first page. It is a book that deserves to be remembered. You will experience many different feelings while reading it.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The revelations in this book will shock you. Each time you think you have Lucy figured out she surprises you. There is sibling rivalry between Lucy and Elizabeth and this creates drama from the start right till the end.
Few people in life will ever be as passionate as Lucy. She has her faults but she is unforgettable. In life she always chooses the path less trodden unlike her husband Luke who is quite passive. Not many people would run off and start a new life at the drop of a hat. That is exactly what she does when she runs off to Africa with Hower Baine. It turns out that she and Howie are quite similar in many ways.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
This is really a great book. I love the individual characteristics and the scenes were engrossing. Their unique characters let the readers, like me, felt like I’m also a part of the story. How can a family stand the test of time if they don’t know how to communicate each other, appreciate each other, and listen each other? A happy family is one of the main factors in raising a good child. I can sympathize what they’ve been through, their decisions, and the consequences that they all faced because of their actions. Some were self-centered, ambitious, and some were career driven that they often forgot to value their family and the people who should matter to them.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I was very impressed with the character development which was very realistic and credible; each character had multiple dimensions and none was portrayed as entirely evil or absolutely righteous, rather, they were portrayed as having different characteristics in their “human nature”. I also like how the characters are independent in their developments and yet having similar traits; for example, Elizabeth and Lucy both had insecurities but of different forms and on different levels. It could also be observed how they reacted to their insecurities; Elizabeth becomes better, overcomes and manages hers, while Lucy allows hers to drive her into a lot of bad decisions. The author has an amazing way of placing readers inside the mind of the characters, making them understand the actions of the characters and the reasons behind them.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles is a gifted writer who has authored many amazing novels. His novels often contain characters similar to the persons we frequently spot around us. They are relatable and charming. The Spirit of Want by Coles is a literary romance fiction that includes a breathtaking, powerful, and realistic plot. I found this novel irresistible. I could not detach myself from the book until I finished reading the entire story. This novel has psychological depth, intense emotions, and insightfulness; it shows the author’s marvelous creative ability as a writer. I can’t wait to read more novels by Coles.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
This tantalizing fictional tale will make you question the basis of values in the Christian faith and whether the preachers genuinely care for their congregation or are only there for the money. It will also have you question the integrity and professionalism of professionals and the impact of some decisions on the life of others. It will also help you gain knowledge on politics, law, and medicine among other areas in life. This thus encourages people to not only see the problems that exist in our communities but to also understand that our desires can greatly influence our actions. Seeing how all these factors affected Luke and Lucy’s life and how it affected her family makes you question your actions and its outcome on others. William has the ability to make you blend in with the characters, understand their feeling and make you feel part of the story and he also ensures that a reader fully understands by giving comprehensive details.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
What I liked about this book is that the characters of Lucy’s family were developed in such a way that the reader can get an insight as to why Lucy was so desperate to be loved by Hower Bain. However, the character of Hower Bain is not fully developed. He remains an enigma not only to Lucy but to the reader as well.
I also liked the way the author treated the additional characters from Hower’ s church. I feel that the author did his research adequately on the evangelist churches and the people who attend these. Some of the people seem to be disillusioned with their preacher but cannot break away.
Although the main character in the book is Lucy, her father A.J seems to have been overdeveloped. His work issues take up too much time in the book making me want to skim over them quickly to get back to Lucy.
Notwithstanding the above , I would still give this book a 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend it as a good read. It is not the run of the mill romance but still has some romantic elements. Although fictional it has some real life situations which effectively convey the emotions of the characters.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The Spirit of Want is undoubtedly the most interesting novel by William H. Coles.This book which is a thrilling marriage of ethical and emotional narration takes the romance genre to a new level. Unlike traditional love stories that are filled with tender loving and care, intimate affection and erotic magnetism, we find here emotions that are sometimes like fiery lava, at others like tepid stagnant pools and still at others like tiny rocks on a barren plain. The love play seems lustful, infatuated, awkward and unprepared.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
The plot of the book was simple and easy to follow. The author uses words that are simple and in cases where he uses vocabularies, he puts them in his writings in such a manner that the reader will be able to easily find their meanings. The writing style was also captivating. Validly, the plot and writing styles of the book were the key things that made me like the book. Apart from these two, their are other things, that I will sum up, which I liked in the book. The narration was not dominating over the dialogue, they actually seemed to be in balance. The book well describes the weird lifes that some families and pastors live.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
What I liked about this book was the emotional connection I had towards the characters. You just feel being part of what was going on. The best way of describing how a reader feels connected to characters within this book is, “a reader can’t help it but just finds him/herself being like those nosy neighbours who know everything about other neighbours”. I also liked the way this book was structured; at the beginning of each chapter, there is an indication of the character in focus. This makes it very easy to follow the story from the first chapter to the last. Something I also found interesting about this book was, whenever medical situations were pointed out; they were considerably described making it possible for non-medics to understand.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. I especially love it because it has genuine and complicated characters. Its plot was original and intelligent; and its numerous twists were unpredictable. The book would appeal to people who are impulsive, the easily forgiving, those with the school of thought that everything that happens to man is destiny as well as those who sees love, attraction and passion as a controlling, incapacitating emotion, that leaves the bodies of humans helpless and complacent. These groups of people would always excuse Lucy’s deeds and indeed see her as heroic since she died at the end of the book. This book might not appeal to moralists, the judgmental and the ‘not so forgiving’. For them, the character of Lucy might be too thought provoking.
On a general note, I think it is a book most people would enjoy reading. It is a memorable book and I absolutely love it.
Read the entire review here…

Review from OnlineBookClub.org
William H. Coles expertly portrays the legal, medicinal and religious battles in this thriller. It is no wonder this book has induced so many feelings. Lucy, the central figure in this story, is somehow involved in all of these themes. This enamors me to the book. The realistic and simple way in which William H. Coles explains everything without delving very deep into technical terms is the mark of a true writer. I felt dread for Lucy, hatred for her, pity then love. The prowess of such writings to induce all these emotions has captivated me to the story. I have never read a book with such strong character representation, yet with the quality of vulnerability.
Read the entire review here…

Coles demonstrates the complexity of relationships in many different ways. Marriage is not just built on love, but also on history and need. It is not always easy to guess which marriages will survive and which ones will flourish in The Spirit of Want, as the complexities go far deeper than the surface. True love can be found, but it is not always obvious and is often surprising. Relationships between family members can be strained when the adopted child feels left out, or when one is hiding a huge part of their life from the ones they love. Medical issues among the family members add to the development of both the characters and the various relationships.

It is clear that Coles has done vast research on the three major fields. The legal discussions and proceedings show the legal process at work in a very realistic manner. The descriptions of various types of medical issues and the associated care go well below what is typically seen in a novel. The complexity of big religion is stunning, yet very authentic. It is not just about faith, and sometimes, it is not about faith at all.
Read the entire review here…

The Spirit of Want provides the story of a lovely lawyer who falls in love with an unlikely prospect: a client accused of rape. As Lucy’s involvement with this “bad boy” causes her to lose her license, her family, and her mind, she follows him on his flight from justice to Africa; there to learn that sometimes one can go home again – only in a different way.

… Read moreD. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

– Well-written, creative, and thought-provoking, “The Spirit of Want” by William Coles is a great read for fans of literary drama and romance novels. This book has a cast of great characters and plenty of unexpected intrigue and twists to keep us interested. We really feel like we are in the characters’ head and heart, and I feel Mr. Coles did a great job of bringing in a fresh voice to a literary genre and it felt original, both in plot, voice, and narrative style. I didn’t feel like I’ve read this million times before. It is very character-driven and fast paced (almost TOO fast at times), with great dialogue and conversations that engage us in Luke, Lucy’s, Bain’s, and the others’ story. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the ending, though… kind of sad and the epilogue just sort of ‘summed up’ everything. Would have preferred to see it play out more. And it could benefit from some better editing – because the pacing, while fast, was erratic (lots of dialogue talking about not much, then some narration that rushed over some very important events). Things like that. Nothing terrible, could just use some smoothing out. Overall an engrossing and complex story and I’d love to read more from William Coles. Happy to see he’s written several others! (4-5 stars)
… Read moreread 34 more reviews for The Spirit of Want

The spirit of want is what drives most of the primary characters in this literary fiction novel by William H. Coles. The beautiful, but deeply conflicted lawyer, Lucy, isn’t sure what she wants. But after she marries Luke, a doctor who wants Lucy from the day he meets her, she knows Luke isn’t what she wants. Lucy’s gentle and loving half-sister, Elizabeth, wants a husband and children. The girls’ mother, Agnes, wants a grandchild; their father, a top surgeon, wants money and status. And then there’s the charismatic preacher, Hower, whom Lucy is hired to defend in a rape case, who ends up bedding her to get what he wants: to escape imprisonment and ultimately regain his power and hold over his devoted followers. When Lucy succumbs to Hower’s power, all hell breaks loose in both her professional and personal life. She abandons Luke, her child, and her family, believing Hower will satisfy the spirit of want that drives her, only to have her wants, like her, die unfulfilled.
… Read moreReviewed By Viga Boland for Readers’ Favorite

A character-driven story, The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles explores the thrills and perils of desire, following one woman’s quest for pleasure and the consequences of her choices. Lucy is a successful defense lawyer, who is married to Luke Osbourne, a surgeon practicing under her father. When Lucy takes on the defense of a TV evangelist accused of sexually assaulting a girl, she isn’t aware it will be a perilous path for her and her marriage. She falls in love with the evangelist who loses the case and flees to Africa while awaiting the appeal. She leaves everything behind, including family and work, and follows the evangelist to Africa, but what she discovers is enough to make her question everything she thought she knew about this man of God. She runs back home in shame, but the damage has already been done. Read on to discover what other choices she makes in desperation. Can she really find redemption and regain her reputation? But where and how?
… Read moreRomuald Dzemo

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is a powerful story that is emotionally charged and intense, a tale with psychological depth and emotional insight. When Lucy MacMeil accepts the sleazy TV evangelist accused of rape as a client, she couldn’t imagine that this case would rock her entire world, including her profession and marriage. While working the case, the defense lawyer falls for the evangelist, but he loses the case and runs away to Africa. Unable to live without him, Lucy follows the man, abandoning her husband and family, but she is confronted with dreadful truths about the so-called man of God that will test everything she knew about him. Shaken, she packs her stuff and returns home to her husband and family. But things aren’t going to be the same for her anymore. She has to face shame, and the loss of her job and reputation. Read on to see how far desire can drive the human heart.
… Read moreReview by Arya Fomonyuy for Readers’ Favorite

The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles is the story of a woman who is successful yet, when a man comes into her life, she loses it all. This is the story of Lucy MacMeil, the daughter of a successful doctor and the wife of an equally successful surgeon. Lucy is a defense lawyer by profession and she really enjoys her job. However, her life is changed completely and for the worse when she takes up the case of a TV evangelist who is accused of raping a girl. When she takes up his case, she had no idea that she would fall in love with this man.
… Read moreReview by Rabia Tanveer

The year is 1984. Widower, Dr. Luke Osborn works as an eye doctor specializing in retinal surgery for the new Eye Institute. For a new doctor it is a privilege to be apart of mingling with the ultra-rich whose generous donations created this new facility, but Luke feels that he does not belong. He has never possessed that much money or lived twitch extravagance.

… Read moreThe Spirit of Want review