He’s Saved But Is He For Real by Kimberley Brooks

Amazon Rating: 5

Review by Tavares S. Carney – Inspire, Motivate & Encourage

Wait For Love, You’ll Get Your Chance

This is the continuation of Kim Brooks’ He’s Fine But Is He Saved?, where friends Michelle, Liz and Sandy continue their quest for love. In He’s Saved But Is He For Real?, Brooks allows her readers to accompany these three women as they continue their respective searches for “the one.” Complicating matters in each of their respective searches, Michelle is in a relationship at the time “fine as ever” Pierre Dupree resurfaces, begging her back in his life after having duped her at the alter two years ago. Liz finds herself vulnerable and insecure in her new relationship; later finding that something from her past is withholding her from truly being able to love like God intended. Sandy is still falling for the same old tricks, not only does she continue hurting herself, she hurts those closest to her.

Michelle’s strength and obedience in this story is truly amazing. The character trait I liked most in Michelle was the supernatural ability to forgive after having been wronged by someone close to her. Liz confronts her past in order that she is released for her future and Sandy, well she’s still Sandy with a lot of growing to do. I think Brooks’ next novel in the series just may hold the answer to Sandy’s fate. With the help of friends and family, and obedience to God’s word, each of the ladies learn that she must let go and let God in finding true love.

Another point I’d like to mention is that while “ . . . Is He For Real?” is the continuation of “. . . Is He Saved?,” this book can stand alone for people like myself who did not read Brooks’ first release. I particularly liked Brooks’ writing style and the story progression. I’d definitely recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.

Book Description

It's been almost two years since Michelle Williamson's boyfriend, Pierre Dupree, walked out on her to marry a minister's daughter. Since then, Michelle's friendship with her church buddy David has deepened into something sweet and special, but learning that Pierre has called off his wedding throws her into confusion. When Pierre wants Michelle back, she's forced to make a choice—one she may regret.

Liz Coleman has two great blessings—her calling as a minister, and a saved man who truly loves her. But Liz's insecurity and jealousy are eating at her peace of mind and threatening her relationship.

Sandy has found the strength to get her ex out of her life. But meeting a loving, spiritual man to replace him isn't easy, and soon her loneliness leads her to the one brother who should be off-limits.

With their hearts and souls on the line, Michelle, Liz and Sandy are learning that a good, saved man isn't always easy to find—but he's definitely worth waiting for….

Network with author, Kimberley Brooks:

Kimberley Brooks

Product Details

Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: Kimani Press (February 1, 2008)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0373831234

ISBN-13: 978-0373831234

The Kneeling Mind by Eric A. Lambert,Jr.

Reviewed by Tavares S. Carney

Amazon: 5

Live the Joyful Life

Pastor Eric Lambert discusses the 10 Attitudes for Victorious living in The Kneeling Mind – Acknowledging Christ; Studying the Word of God; Thanksgiving; Representing Christ; Prayer; Praise; Fellowship; Prosperity; Giving; Chasing God’s Heart and the “Final Attitude.” The book is written in a progressing fashion in order that one is informed how to develop and display appropriate Christian, Christ-like behaviors and ways of thinking during his or her spiritual journey. Beginning with the first attitude of acknowledging Christ, Pastor Lambert explains how one’s thinking patterns and thought processes will allow for total control of the physical according to God’s word. A mind submissive to God’s word will never mislead; thus, the kneeling mind. Pastor Lambert quotes scripture, gives real-life examples and is straight to the point. This book is easy to understand and a relatively fast read. This is a book to read again and again for inspiration, motivation and encouragement.

A New Season In Word: Inspirations for Divine Living by Julia A. Royston

Review by Tavares S. Carney – Inspire, Motivate & Encourage

Echelon Book Rating: 9

Amazon Rating: 4.5

This 96-page book is written in two parts, the first being the poetry section and the latter, short inspirations.

Get ready to be uplifted. Reading A New Season in Word is like a reflection upon one’s life and a breath of fresh air the same. Julia Royston’s poetry is sure to be heartfelt by many. Readers are sure to find several of Julia’s writings relative to their own life experiences and will find themselves thinking, reflecting, smiling and hopeful. Julia captures the true essence of emotion within and so eloquently expresses what many of us think through various seasons of our lives. Julia touches upon seasons of doubt, seasons of triumph, seasons of joy, seasons of pain, seasons of anxiousness and more. Her inspirations are short and easy to understand as she shares Biblical perspectives on everyday living, things and situations.

A New Season is a fast read and readers are sure to be edified.

Network with Julia Royston:

JuliaRoyston.com

Julia on Myspace

Reviewed by Tavares S. Carney
Echelon Books: 8
Amazon: 4

Love Lost, Found and turned Upside Down

The storyline of When I'm With You centers on main characters, Caitlyn Thompson and Marcel Baptiste, an unlikely pair given their upbringing. While the two may be from opposite ends of the track, what they share in common is the very thing that brings them together - a heart for helping others. Caitlyn, being an executive director of a youth center and Marcel, the mystery philanthropist.

As circumstance would have it, Caitlyn stumbles into the auto dealer headed by none other than Marcel, who'd already reviewed a proposal for the youth center and, prior to their chance meeting, had already decided to fund youth center programming. Marcel knew who Caitlyn was, but she not he. After funding the youth center as the "mystery" philanthropist, Marcel quickly learns that Caitlyn's emotions are not to be played with. Suffering from a horrible experience from her past, Caitlyn drives a hard bargain in the "trust men" lane.

Smitten with Caitlyn, Marcel Baptiste is determined to make Caitlyn his one and only. This is a romance story; however, the dramatic subplots have thematic significance and draw the reader in. Caitlyn is avoiding a stalker/abuser ex and Marcel is in a business bidding-war, in addition to helping Caitlyn locate her biological father. Through various occurrences and as scenarios presented themselves, Marcel continuously proved himself and his love for and to Caitlyn, who eventually lets all guards down.

I especially enjoyed the fact that Marcel did not allow money to be his main priority or go to his head. Instead, his character displayed genuineness and sincerity.

The book contains topics such as philanthropy, family and marriage, as well as unhealthy and healthy male/female relationships.

A Love So Deep by Suzetta Perkins

Genre: Inspirational Romance

Rating: 8 (EchelonBooks); 4 (Amazon)

Review by Tavares S. Carney

“Family, Friends and The Ex-Factor”

Meet Graham Peters, recently widowed husband of Amanda, to whom he was happily married for 40 years – also father to two adult daughters, Liz and Deborah, all of whom are coping with the sudden loss of an adoring wife and mother. Two months have passed since Amanda’s death and Graham finds himself still in the doldrums, unable to function at all. After narrowly escaping a suicide attempt, Graham finds himself cooped up in the house he shared with his now deceased wife, only to be constantly reminded of the love he feels he’s lost with all of her memory still in place – from family pictures, to the home’s décor and even Amanda’s apron still hanging up in the kitchen. Wallowing in sorrow and self-pity, Graham does not bathe, barely eats and never leaves the house for a time. Then enters his best friend, Charlie Ford, to help Graham pick up the pieces to what’s left of his life. An invitation to a local jazz club, The Water Hole, proves to be just that, Graham’s ticket out of his misery. Not the normal choice of environment to the man known as Deacon Peters at the big church on Market Street, The Water Hole eventually became Graham’s passageway to finding his new love – sultry, jazz singer, Ms. Rita Long.

Unbeknownst to Graham, his best friend, Charlie, has secretly admired Rita for quite some time but never had the galls to let it be known. This is where the plot thickens. Graham and Rita, after a short time, discover that there is such a thing as “love the second time around” - Graham, learning to live again after his wife’s death and Rita, letting her guard down after suffering a tumultuous relationship with ex-husband and NBA player, William Long.

When everyone gets wind of the rapidly-maturing relationship between the two, all hell breaks loose. Sister Mary Ross from the big church on Market Street practically throws herself at Graham, to no avail. His daughter, Deborah, refuses to give Rita even the slightest chance and his best friend, Charlie, has become outright jealous of his and Rita’s relationship. Rita’s ex-husband, the washed up NBA player, William Long, also has a few schemes up his sleeve. It seems as if everyone and anything that came against these two, did. Through strained relationships and other misfortunes, Graham and Rita learn that true love will sustain all things and prove the things which are really meant to be.

Suzetta Perkins does a great job with her descriptiveness and imagery. I’ve never been to Oakland but I felt like I was there while reading this book. I also felt the emotions of the characters all throughout. The storyline was very intriguing and some deep, dark secrets are revealed at the end. These revelations shed light on some of the things that transpire throughout the story and perhaps will give the reader a better understanding as to why some things were, including the main character, Mr. Graham Peters, himself. This novel deals with issues of death, parenthood, friendship and trust.

Network with the author, Suzetta Perkins, here:

Suzetta Perkins

The Ups and Downs of Being Round by Monica Marie Jones

Genre: Self Help/Inspirational

Rating: 9 (EchelonBooks); 4 (Amazon)

Review by Tavares S. Carney

“Yo yo, No no”

The Ups and Downs of Being Round is the coming-of-age story of little Madison, otherwise known as Miss Piggy since the day she first started school. This was the day Madison discovered it wasn’t cool to be the “fat” or the “big” kid. Wanting to be accepted and considered “normal,” Madison began working to get her body in order – exercising and dieting. Experiencing considerable weight loss, Madison is soon the center of attention and discovers what she calls “the new me.” She quickly learns that dropping the weight and keeping it off will require more than a temporary phase of exercise and diet. Madison eventually gains her weight back and discovers that weight loss may not be the key to acceptance, true friendship and happiness after all. When Madison finds the one true love that will accept her as-is, she makes a conscious decision to maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep the weight off. Will the attention she once had be the demise of her newfound love and relationship, or will she realize that genuine love “as she is” is better than having to hide her past? I recommend this book to anyone who has dealt with esteem issues relative to weight maintenance. It will also give readers an inside look of the emotions overweight individuals deal with and how society as a whole can be more supportive, focusing on health and inner happiness rather than "what other people think."