Rating: 
Summary: Shades Of Romance Magazine Review
Review: A Change Is Gonna Come is the perfect title for this story about friendship, faith and forgiveness. Ms. Thomas introduces four friends who work together at St. Paul County Human Services. To the outside looking in, these ladies have their stuff together. Cordelia is a God fearing woman who has let her religion take over her life. Not realizing her actions have shut out her husband and daughter. A announcement from her daughter changes her life forever. Bonnie's life revolves around the office. She has made her co-workers her family. Afraid to live after the death of her husband. She doesn't realize she is just existing day to day until a tragic circumstances with Cordelia makes her wake up. Tangie is the perfect lady during the day and a hot mama at night. Her hatred for her mother's lifestyle has made her make decisions that will come back to haunt her. Sabrina knows every bodies' business but her own. She thinks having a rich man to take care of her will make her life wonderful. Her dreams come true only to turn into her worst nightmare. Ms Thomas shows with these ladies how the Lord works in everyone's life. He knows what they needed and he supplies it. He had to whip these friends back in shape and let them know that he had never left them even when they thought he did. He shuts one window only to open another one. These ladies were co-workers who learned to be even better friends and how to trust in the Lord. He showed them that out of their sorrow goodness comes. You just have to believe that a change is gonna come.
Reviewed by LaShaunda C....
Rating: 
Summary: Eye Opening Read
Review: I had the opportunity to read this book back in January. This was my book club's first chosen read for the year 2004 and what a way to start the year! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Jacquelin Thomas crafted quite a novel with "A Change Is Gonna Come". In it, she takes readers on a journey through the mind of one Christian woman who took the term "narrow-minded" to a whole new level. There are deep lessons about parenting, friendship, love and Christianity to be learned between the pages of this novel that everyone should be exposed to.
Rating:
Summary: Trials Come To Make Us Stronger
Review: Jacquelin Thomas is making a mark in the world of Christian Fiction; this time with A Change Is Gonna Come. In this book, Thomas looks at the life of four markedly different women who work at St. Paul Human Services. Each has her own relationship with God and lives her life accordingly. Sabrina does not believe in anything except for the almighty dollar and men who can make her fantasy life come true; the richer the better. Tangie knows about God and goes to church, but she does not feel worthy of Him because of her addiction. Bonnie is a widow and is extremely lonely. She has a strong relationship with God and is very active in her church. She always has an encouraging word for those who want to hear it. Cordelia (Dee) is divorced and the mother of a teenage daughter. She appears to have the strongest faith among the women but when several devastating chain of events happen in her life, she becomes angry and is unable to practice what she has preached for so long. I have read many of Ms Thomas work and have enjoyed them all. However, in this book there seemed to be a lack of intensity in the character's emotions. I read that Dee was angry and hurt by the things happening in her life, but I did not feel the anger and the hurt coming from the character. She appeared to be upset, not angry. I knew Bonnie was lonely, but the character appeared to be okay with it, she made some exciting changes, but did not seem excited. I think what I was looking for was the characters to state in dialogue and show in actions their feelings, instead of being told what they were feeling by the author. I believe the best of Christian fiction will have the reader thinking about what was written and how it can affect one's walk in Christianity. Thomas starts A Change is Gonna Come with the scripture Psalms 73 when David speaks of how his foot almost slipped when he saw the prosperity of the wicked. This scripture was so appropriate for this book, for it seemed as if the more wicked the character was, the better things were for them, Sometimes it seems the grass looks greener on the other side but you just hold on to the promises of God, a change will come. Thomas did an excellent job of breaking down this scripture in the lives of these women. That is what made this reading pleasurable. Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: Ladies and gentlemen...if you want a good read that is so realistic, you have to look around the room to make sure the author's not with you...then pick up A Change is Gonna Come. I have to admit that I wasn't extremely excited about reading this one because of my feelings about Singsation and The Prodigal Husband, but Ms. Thomas completely surprised me and gave us a book that is full of everyday issues and real walks with God. I appreciate her development of each character's story...little by little...making us guess a little and revealing a little. Our book club was blown away by the depth to the book and how a personal relationship with Jesus was presented through each woman--in different ways and with differing timing. Our meeting lasted 3 1/2 hours! I could go on and on about Dee, Tangie, Sabrina, and Miss Bonnie--but I'd rather you pick it up and enjoy it yourself!
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes your faith is put to the test.
Review: So far this is book #2 that I've read by Jacquelin Thomas and I am not at all disappointed.
We meet 4 employees who are semi-friends
Cordelia-Christian who judges, divorcee with a teenage daughter that cares about her reputation
Bonnie-widower whose given up on life so she smothers her co-workers
Tangie-addicted to sex have mother issues and doesn't tell any of her business
Sabrina-shameless gossip who uses men for money and thinks she's the stuff
In the beginning the book reads slowly and although it's obvious what is going to happen it was a very good read. It shows how apparent God is in all of the ladies lives, although sometimes certain lessons had to be learned. We watch as they all gradually change and realize that life without God isn't worth living. It's in their time of need that they all reach out and find that their faith is there for them. In spite of it all these ladies all grow and build stronger relationships as friends and women of God.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes your faith is put to the test.
Review: So far this is book #2 that I've read by Jacquelin Thomas and I am not at all disappointed. We meet 4 employees who are semi-friends Cordelia-Christian who judges, divorcee with a teenage daughter that cares about her reputation Bonnie-widower whose given up on life so she smothers her co-workers Tangie-addicted to sex have mother issues and doesn't tell any of her business Sabrina-shameless gossip who uses men for money and thinks she's the stuff In the beginning the book reads slowly and although it's obvious what is going to happen it was a very good read. It shows how apparent God is in all of the ladies lives, although sometimes certain lessons had to be learned. We watch as they all gradually change and realize that life without God isn't worth living. It's in their time of need that they all reach out and find that their fate is there for them. In spite of it all these ladies all grow and build stronger relationships as friends and women of God.
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Summary: Positively refreshing!
Review: The novel A Change is Gonna Come by Jacquelin Thomas started my Christmas break as I patiently prepared to endure a fourteen-hour drive down south. This book gave me a place to disappear, and also prevented me from sheer boredom as I typically watch the trees and road signs go by. The story was simple and easy to read. I felt like I was on staff at St. Paul Human Services where the novel was set. Each character in the book made me think about my life and the decisions I have made. Ms. Thomas did a great job of bringing the people alive in the story. I was able to get to know the characters and gain insight into their lives. A Change is Gonna Come reminded me of how human we all are and how we all make mistakes or "fall short." This book made me realize the only thing that redeems us is each other. As we forgive each other, it makes us better in the end. For me a sign of a good book is determined by how I feel when I finish reading it. Do the characters stay with me? Every now and again, I think of how Cordelia, Sabrina, Tangie and Bonnie Mae are doing. I wonder where they are now. I am pleased to recommend A Change is Gonna come for when you have a free weekend and you want to travel to a small town in North Carolina, work at St. Paul Human Services and meet four great and aspiring women who will change your life while they change theirs, as well as each others. You will not be able to put this book down! Reviewer: Alexandria Taylor for www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com The GOOD GIRL Book Club
Rating:
Summary: awesome
Review: The story centers around 4 women who work together and their issues. Two of the women are older and have been walking with Christ alot longer than the 2 younger ladies. Of course, the older women try to keep the younger ones on the right track. It's also a strong lesson on Friendship and Values. This book was so well written and the characters were so believable, I'm just going to be frank. I literally could not stop. I finished at 6 am the next morning and I had to go to work. A very good book. You just have to take this journey with Jacquelin Thomas. She sounds like she's from my "neck of the woods"... St. Pauls, Raleigh, Durham ... Fayetteville State .... I also like the Christian aspect of her storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: This book is a fine example of why you can't judge a book by it's cover. First Cordeila who was looked upon as a real Christian. But as soon as tragedy stikes, she bails out on everything Christlike. Second Tangy who appeared to be so innocent and sweet had a closet full of skeletons.But she was a true nice girl. Bonnie was my girl. Ms Homey flipped the script and got her life together. And last that dang Sabrina. She was a real trip. I couldn't wait to see her fate and she got what she deserved. I almost felt sorry for ole' girl.
The author did an excellent job of weaving the story together. I could hardly put the book down.
It is an excellent read.
Rating:
Summary: Changing For the Better
Review: This is a dramatic story of four friends who work together at St. Paul Human Services and the many issues that envelope their lives. Jacquelin Thomas guides you through the labyrinth of their trials, friendship, and faith.
Cordelia is the divorced mother of a teenaged daughter, Devon. She appears to have the strongest faith in God until tragedy strikes and she feels abandoned.
Bonnie Mae is lost and lonely after losing her husband. She fills the void by mothering her friends and compartmentalizes the pain she actually feels.
Tangie appears to have it all together to her friends, but has self-esteem issues from being abandoned by her mother. She tries to fulfill her need for love by having one night stands. She keeps her personal life very private.
Sabrina is extremely self-centered, materialistic and intrusive. She dreams of the time when she can really live the rich life instead of just pretending to do so. She has to pry into everyone's life to make sure she is doing better than them.
Each woman goes through a series of life changing events that could destroy them, but they keep the faith and God pulls them through. They are forced to look into the mirror and see all the flaws and insecurities that are hindering them from true serenity and a change must come.
This is one of the best books I have read by Jacquelin Thomas. She expertly intertwines the four women's lives and dots the story with just enough unpredictable twists to keep you turning the pages. I stayed up until 5:00am to finish this novel and the ending was not what I expected. This novel gives you food for thought. Take a true look in the mirror. Who do you see?
Tina
R.E.A.L. Reviewer
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