Rating: 
Summary: Book Kept Me Captive!
Review: Promises Beyond Jordan by Vanessa Davis Griggs kept me sitting up until way past my usual bedtime because I was unable to stop reading at the end of each chapter. I was "hooked" by my curiosity about what plot twists would happen next, what the characters would do, and how the story would end. Ms. Griggs weaves an intriguing story and casts a powerful spell with her skillful use of suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat. Her characters are believable, interesting, and real. The themes of the book and the issues raised are spiritual ones, but Promises Beyond Jordan transcends standard labels such
as Christian fiction. Instead, the reader is presented with very real dilemmas that face everyone, such as honesty, family and love relationships, when to speak up and when not to, how to deal with the past, and how to heal the emotional scars that we all have. As a counselor, I feel that it would be helpful for couples who want to have a quality relationship to read this book and to discuss the issues that it raises. Ms. Griggs has a real knack for highlighting the subtle choices people make that influence the quality and tone of their lives. I highly recommend Promises Beyond Jordan to readers who want to read a well-written novel that will keep their attention captive, as well as leave them feeling upbeat and hopeful. This book is a winner.
Rating:
Summary: Book Kept Me Captive!
Review: Promises Beyond Jordan by Vanessa Davis Griggs kept me sitting up until way past my usual bedtime because I was unable to stop reading at the end of each chapter. I was "hooked" by my curiosity about what plot twists would happen next, what the characters would do, and how the story would end. Ms. Griggs weaves an intriguing story and casts a powerful spell with her skillful use of suspense that keeps the reader on the edge of his or her seat. Her characters are believable, interesting, and real. The themes of the book and the issues raised are spiritual ones, but Promises Beyond Jordan transcends standard labels such
as Christian fiction. Instead, the reader is presented with very real dilemmas that face everyone, such as honesty, family and love relationships, when to speak up and when not to, how to deal with the past, and how to heal the emotional scars that we all have. As a counselor, I feel that it would be helpful for couples who want to have a quality relationship to read this book and to discuss the issues that it raises. Ms. Griggs has a real knack for highlighting the subtle choices people make that influence the quality and tone of their lives. I highly recommend Promises Beyond Jordan to readers who want to read a well-written novel that will keep their attention captive, as well as leave them feeling upbeat and hopeful. This book is a winner.
Rating:
Summary: A quiet yet emphatic story of love, betrayal, & redemption
Review: Promises Beyond Jordan is an emotional, heartfelt, suspense-woven novel by Vanessa Davis Griggs and is centered upon a single question: Have you ever loved someone that you never had? Promises, commitment, and the scars of past psychological wounds pervade this quiet yet emphatic story of love, betrayal, redemption, and hope. A singularly moving read, Griggs is an author with a genuine talent for storytelling.
Rating:
Summary: Spirited and Drama-Filled Christian Fiction!
Review: Promises Beyond Jordan is an intriguing and suspenseful sophomore Christian Fiction novel from Vanessa Davis Griggs. The prologue quickly captured my attention as I tried to figure out what mystery character--Lena Patterson had to do with the characters of Theresa Jordan, Theresa's parents, George Landris and Johnny Mae Taylor. By Chapter One I was already hooked just from the opening line of "Have you ever loved someone that you never had?" I questioned why, with only nine days before his impending nuptials to Theresa Jordan, did the Reverend George Landris leave his fiancee with that statement as he rushed off to a hospital in another state to be with another woman by the name of Johnny Mae Taylor who the dear Rev. claimed was only a friend.
As Theresa waited for Reverend Landris to return she had the opportunity to ponder and stew whether or not he really loved her, but her quest for answers would have to wait as she was rudely interrupted by the arrival of the family's long-time friend Lena Patterson...a woman who Theresa despised but who knew Theresa better than Theresa knew herself. And while Theresa was questioning George's motives and desires within the week Theresa would experience some escapades that would leave her hair as well as everyone else's standing on edge...and this is only the beginning of what will happen as we travel into the new year with these characters.Promises Beyond Jordan was a wonderfully written book. I was a little hesitant about reading this book because I had heard mixed reviews about the author's first book which initially I chose not to read. Well, let's just say that word of mouth and reviews are just opinions and sometimes we have to pick up a book for ourselves to see whether or not it suits our fancy. I'm glad the author contacted me and asked me to read this wonderful book...it was a page-turner, engrossing, compelling with well-developed characters and a fluid, smooth storyline. I liked how the author interwove the lives of the primary characters and placed them in real and believable situations. I especially liked the angle that Davis Griggs used to portray the minister; it was refreshing to read about a pastor who led by example and was a man of strength and integrity. I liked that Promises Beyond Jordan was a wholesome read without much profanity or lewd sexual scenes yet the author still managed to pen a story that kept me on the edge of my seat as I uncovered shocking plot twists and turns that made me LOL, wanna slap someone and then in the next second want to hug someone. Vanessa Davis Griggs gives us a spirited and drama-filled read with Promises Beyond Jordan. I really enjoyed the author's writing style and plan to go back and read her debut novel The Rose of Jericho so that I can determine for myself whether or not I like it.
Rating:
Summary: Powerfully Moving Read!
Review: Promises Beyond Jordan is one of the best novels I have ever read. Vanessa Davis Griggs is a welcome addition to the African American Christian Fiction market. Ms. Griggs has crafted an intricate, inspiring tale of love, faith, committment and forgiveness woven with pain, fear and deception. The depth of the characters and their problems kept me on the edge of my seat as I turned page after page. I wanted to know what happened in this book so badly, I was tempted to turn to the last chapter and read it. I found myself rooting for George, praying for Teresa and truly wanting God's will for these characters. You will not regret reading Promises. It is a journey beyond the ordinary.
Rating:
Summary: Bravo!!!!!!
Review: The first line, "Have you ever loved somone that you never had," draws you in. The following chapters hold you. The continuing messages leaves you wanting. Few words can describe the feeling you're left with after every chapter of this book. I was amazed at the ease with which each it reads. I found myself anxious for the next word to come. I think we can find a bit of George and Theresa in us all. PROMISES BEYOND JORDAN.....A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Great reading!
Review: The novel reintroduces us to Johnnie Mae Taylor and George Landris. George is engaged to marry Theresa, a member of his congregation. With two weeks before the wedding, he has to rush to be by Johnnie Mae's side. We find out that Johnnie Mae's husband and daughter have been seriously injured in a car wreck. Theresa does not understand this bond that he has with this woman. Throughout the novel, we learn that Theresa is not the nice church lady that she portrays. The suspense and drama of this novel will keep you on your toes. In the end, we learn that you can love someone from afar. -reviewed for avid-readers.com by Rhonda Pope
Rating:
Summary: Great reading!
Review: The novel reintroduces us to Johnnie Mae Taylor and George Landris. George is engaged to marry Theresa, a member of his congregation. With two weeks before the wedding, he has to rush to be by Johnnie Mae's side. We find out that Johnnie Mae's husband and daughter have been seriously injured in a car wreck. Theresa does not understand this bond that he has with this woman. Throughout the novel, we learn that Theresa is not the nice church lady that she portrays. The suspense and drama of this novel will keep you on your toes. In the end, we learn that you can love someone from afar. -reviewed for avid-readers.com by Rhonda Pope
Rating:
Summary: I once was blind, But now I see
Review: This book is already two years old and I am just hearing about it, but better late than never. I was so glad to read about an upright preacher, one who was good to look at and was after God's own heart. Theresa was a selfish, self centered, all about me person, made me think of the movie Imitation of Life as she treated her mom the same way as the bi-racial girl did, mean and nasty. Although, I feel George could have been a little more informative to his bride to be and could have given her the opportunity to say if she wanted to come along to support him or stay and handle things for the wedding, but when your man say he will be home in three hours and he dont show for three days with out a call in to you, what do you expect a woman to think or feel especially when she KNOW he went to see another woman, come on now! God's business is always decent and in order and the pastor was out at this one. It is called good communication. Theresa allowed her insecurities to get the best of her and she lost what could have been and was meant to be a good thing. I cried in the end when she succumbed her nastiness to her Mother Lena, reminded me of the song about a woman that was burned in a fire when she went in to save her baby and the child was ashamed of her in her later years. I like how the author demonstrated love and understanding in the character Johnnie Mae towards Theresa, she too was going through and dealing with some storms in her life but managed to show kindness to Theresa and "B".
Good job...good read.
Rating:
Summary: Don't judgement before you know the facts.
Review: This is the first time I have read anything by Vanessa Davis Griggs. I thoroughly enjoy reading this book. I believe a lot of us have experienced loving someone we could never have. This book kept my attention so long that I was able to read it in one day. This book also hold truth that everything is not always as it seems. This is why as Chiristians we need to keep an open mind about things until we know the facts. We are always in a hurry to pass judgement on Ministers. I will look for more of Ms. Griggs' work.
|
