Customer Reviews

Before Redemption (Urban Christian)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Before Redemption is a VERY engaging story. It reminds me of the story of Saul who became Paul. As Paul received Jesus' forgiveness of his sins, he was able to boldly state "I have killed/wronged No Man."

This story centers around Dino and Nikki. Dino a club owner/gangster and Nikki (who was abandoned at the tender age of 13) a self-proclaimed business woman selling tapes on the street corner. For whatever reason, Dino developed a "soft spot" for Nikki and feels responsible for her well-being and Nikki has a "school girls' crush on the handsome club owner. Sounds like the beginnings of a beautiful relationship - right? Not!

Life isn't that easy; Dino is married with a child on the way and war has been declared when Dino's club becomes a target of gunfire. Losing everything dear to him (and I mean everything), Dino is set on revenge and settling the score. Just when Dino is about to do some things that will take him to a point of no return - GOD SHOWS UP! Not only does God show up but things REALLY get interesting as you see the transformation from Gangster to Prophet.

As for Nikki, she runs away and takes with her a secret. Feeling like no one has ever loved her and that "church" folks are hypocrites, Nikki is determined to not have to rely on anyone other than herself.

Sixteen years later, the two cross paths again. What in the world is God up to? Yummy, yummy, yummy. Don't you know that 16 years to God is a second out of a day? God has a plan for these two strong willed, broken individuals and its a ride you won't soon forget!

This story has it all, murder, guilt, lies, deception, anger, fear, sex, and "church folks" hee, hee, hee! I found myself seriously multi-tasking, i.e., vacumming and reading, washing the dishes and reading and just plain 'ole sitting on my bum and reading. I could not put this book down. There is a part where it became a bit redundant (how good can a person be?) or should I say "over the top", thus my four-star rating, but when I completed the story (purchased Friday evening and done on Sunday), I was heart broken.

Buy It!!!!!!!!!! You will truly get a natural high and thirst for more.

For whatever reason, businessman, gangster Dino Cochran was always protective of eighteen year old Nikki Lucas when she was selling tapes outside of his nightclub. Nikki had such a crush on Dino that it led to a one night stand with the married bad-boy.

Dino having suffered through the deaths of his pregnant wife and friend found himself near the breaking point when the corner preacher, Billy Graham saves him from a true life of crime.

After sixteen years, Dino is now Bishop Walter Dean Cochran and Nikki now living in Florida with her sixteen year old son cross paths when Dino has to vist one of his churches in the Florida city of Monroe. Divine intervention or what?

Nikki's son is accused of murder and as in the past, Dino is there to provide help to her while standing up to church members that don't want to accept the changes he is making. Although, having turned his life around Dino still has some "rough around the edges" ways when it comes to having to deal with Nikki and other characters in the story.

This was such a great read that I will surely make it a top recommendation for my book club and to readers looking for Christian romance with an urban twist.

I loved this book. Even though the female lead drove me a little crazy, I can understand her plight. To love someone for sixteen years and dedicate your life to him without his knowledge is just mind boggling. Nikki had been so used to doing things for herself for so long, that she never really wanted to accept help from anyone - even her son's father. Dino accepted Christ as his personal Savior after two major tragedies in his life and made that turn to do God's Will. It really was a very good book and I had a hard time putting it down, even while at work.

I could not put this book DOWN until 9:30 a.m. the next morning after picking it up! I read it in less than 24 hours and it was AWESOME!!! Dino and Nikki are two characters I could really relate to, and the way God turned their lemons into lemonade was beautiful to behold!

Dino, bad boy gangsta (yet college educated/track star? Wonder what happened there to turn him into a gun-toting strip club owner???) has a soft spot for Nikki, a young (but FINE) 18 year old street urchin several years younger than him. He always felt protective of her, but one night, after almost losing her in a drive by, things get out of control and he does what he KNOWS better than to do. She is innocent, in love like only a naive 18 year old girl can be (despite her street-tough facade), and holds nothing back in their night of passion.... and of course, a month or so later she realizes she's pregnant.

When she goes to tell Dino, who has been distant lately, she arrives only to get SLAMMED with the realization that he didn't mention the fact that he was married....and his wife was expecting!!

Trauma, drama, and 16 years later they meet again... and then the drama REALLY gets started!!! I highly recommend this book. Not only will you not be able to put it down... you will shout for joy at the end that proves what God knits together is for keeps, and He proves though this storytelling that what the enemy means for harm, GOD can turn around for your good!

My only complaint was that the story ended... I wanted to follow this family of REDEEMED FOLK into the next chapter of their lives.

Thanks so much for you inspiring gift, Ms. McClain-Watson!

Two lost souls one a Night club owner turn preacher with a soft spot for a bitter young woman. I have to say this is a fast read and a page turner, I enjoy this book tremendously and will be recommending it to the book club.

I'm going to keep this review short and sweet. This was the best novel that I've read in a very, very long time. Only two other books out of the hundreds that I've read can compare. If you're into Christian fiction that is full of dialogue and characters that tell it like it is and always directs you back to the heart of God, then this book is for you. Simply amazing.

Grabes u from page one to the last page. A page turner. A must read.

Awesome, Exellent, Great. I loved it.

This was a Great book I love the Characters, Dino the best, I was amazed how he turned his life around, I love Nikki's Strenght and Independence, and the love she has for her son, her and Dino's relationship was kinda strange but it worked out in the end which was the best part of the book for me this was a real page turner I am pleased to have read it.

Nikki Lewis makes a living hustling bootlegged CDs on a corner across the street from a popular nightclub. She's infatuated with the nightclub's owner, Walter Dean `Dino' Cochran. One night Nikki and Dino share moments of passion and Nikki learns she has more than memories of their night together. She prepares to inform Dino; however, she learns he's married and they're expecting a baby. Devastated, Nikki leaves town never to be seen or heard from again. Life hasn't been kind to Nikki since leaving town. Her friends try to convince her to join church and rely on God. Nikki is determined to work hard and hopes that will be enough.

Once Nikki leaves town, Dino has to deal with his guilt and heartache, but he can't forget about Nikki. Sixteen years later, Walter Dean Cochran is a born again Christian and has devoted his life to the Lord. He's the head of the national council of churches and has to travel out of town to handle a scandal at one of his churches. He expects his stay to be brief, until he learns Nikki is also living in the same town. Tragedy unites them; through God's wisdom they are able to forgive one another and leave the past in the past.

BEFORE REDEMPTION was a delightful page-turner. Ms. McClain-Watson's storytelling was humorous and light, which balanced some of the issues the characters faced. She delivered a story with religious aspects that didn't overshadow the storyline.

I have to be honest about how I discovered this book. I was at a bookstore, pondering which book I wanted, when I noticed a child. She couldn't have been more than three or four years old and was there with her parents. After a few moments she tapped me and asked if she could pick a book out for me, I told her absolutely. No joke, this was the first book she selected. After reading the description, I told her thank you for selecting what I hoped would be an intriguing read and the rest is history.

Reviewed by Jaime L. Lincoln

of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

I usually read AA Romance and I prefer my romance "spicy" - meaning without the restraints that adding "Christian" to the cover would generally add. Dino and Nikki's story was told so well that I never missed any of the components that usually help keep me engrossed. I especially liked Dino's character.