Customer Reviews

Crossing Jhordan's River (Lift Every Voice)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
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In CROSSING JHORDAN'S RIVER by Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Jhordan and Kelli Adams have been married for only 10 months and already there is trouble in paradise. Although Kelli has a deep love for Jhordan, she can't understand why her husband is so distant and won't open up to her or show her affection. She feels as if she only has a piece of his heart and she wants all of it.

Jhordan has a few crosses to bear. After being hurt by his mother and his ex-wife, the two women he loved the most in his life, it's hard for him to give himself completely to his current wife, Kelli. His fear of being hurt again is overpowering his love for her.

In order to save their marriage, Jhordan has to come to terms with his pain and allow himself to be the man Kelli needs him to be. In addition to Kelli's feelings, Jhordan has to also take into consideration the feelings of his daughter, Jazmine, who loves her new mommy and enjoys being in a stable environment.

The trials and tribulations that the Adams family endures can either break them or make them stronger. Despite the love they have for one another, problems arise that may be detrimental to the longevity of their marriage. Is their love strong enough to weather the storm? Or will they go their separate ways, searching for happiness elsewhere?

CROSSING JHORDAN'S RIVER is a poignant novel that touches on the heartstrings of those who have ever been in love. Love isn't supposed to hurt, and if the communication between the Adams family was a little stronger, their love wouldn't hurt at all. The story shows how two people from different backgrounds fall in love and endure trial after trial. It makes you step back and wonder if you would stick around during the pain or throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble, especially with the way Jhordan handles his issues. Kelli just wants to feel loved by her husband, and if he isn't capable of conveying that love, there might be someone else who is. Between these pages you see how a family that everyone thinks has it all, has their share of problems. You realize that all that glitters isn't gold.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

This is another amazing story from what I have come to respect as an amazing writer. I was introduced to Kendra Norman-Bellamy's work when I read a copy of FOR LOVE & GRACE a few months back. From there, I read A LOVE SO STRONG and that's when I knew that the world of Christian fiction had a rising star that wouldn't disappoint the genre. I couldn't wait for CROSSING JHORDAN'S RIVER to hit the bookstores here in Boston, MA. Picked up my copy on yesterday and didn't put it down until I'd read it cover to cover. This story that addresses the issues that men face when we've been burned too many times to forget is probably Mrs. Norman-Bellamy's best work yet. I thought it didn't get any better than A LOVE SO STRONG, but I like this one the most. Now since I loved FOR LOVE & GRACE so much, I can't wait until the release of BECAUSE OF GRACE in July. This author is not just cranking out books for the sake of writing, but she's cranking out some really good fiction of substance wherein a realistic story is told and an important lesson is learned. Nothing but big ups go to CROSSING JHORDAN'S RIVER!

Kendra returns with yet another powerful story of what happens when people (in this case) characters give their "burdens" to Christ. Jhordan had, like many christians, "issues" that stemmed from a painful childhood memory. This planted a seed of mistrust in him that would spill over into his adult life. This story proves that if you don't deal with issues, eventually, they will deal with you.

Kendra's an anointed author who pens stories like this one that even young readers can read, enjoy and relate to the storyline. Jhordan had to come to grips with his past and not allow it to ruin his "present"....he had to cross his own river and TRUST again. Great JOB Kendra on another bestseller.

Cheers on another great book!

Anything worth having is worth fighting for, but how hard is it supposed to be? Kelli Adams knew that marrying Jhordan, the love of her life, wouldn't always be perfect, but she never expected to be completely rejected after less than a year of marriage. Surely, a wife could expect love and affection from her husband on the regular. Crossing Jhordan's River is more than Christian fiction, or romantic fiction, or chick lit, or all the other labels we may try to put on it. It's a story that could be about any one of us, trying to live with the choices we've made without beating ourselves up over things we can't change. Jhordan and Kelli learn lessons of forgiveness in different ways. Jhordan let his past take center stage in his present. Kelli, not knowing Jhordan's motivation for doing so, allowed herself to become enamored of a man while she was at her weakest point: trying to make her husband love her completely again. Jhordan's "river of guilt" became a chasm of distrust in their marriage. As unfair as it was to Kelli, Jhordan held his love for her hostage in an effort to protect his heart. Kelli, on the other hand, seemed to hurriedly jump ship toward another man, despite warnings from friends and family. The passion, the strength, the pain, and the love could be felt on every page. Wonderful job, Kendra!

This book was beautifully written. I fell in love with all of the characters and I truly enjoyed it. My heart went out to Jhordan and all that he went through. Kelli and Jhordan were truly amazing and had alot of obstacles against them.

Keep up the good work.

I just finished reading the last two releases by Ms. Norman-Bellamy and I must say that she never ceases to amaze me with the unique way that she uses her craft. My workaholic lifestyle doesn't afford me the time to read as much as I would like to or even as much as I used to, but when my wife walked into the house recently and placed CROSSING JHORDAN'S RIVER and BECAUSE OF GRACE, in the center of my desk, I knew it was time for a break. My wife and I had read both of her previous novels and enjoyed them and these two were just incredible reads that we found hard to put down. Both of us agreed that we can see an improvement and growth in this writer's already great style and ability to tell a story. She'll always have two loyal fans in us.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I found that I could not put the book down. The characters were refreshing and easy to relate to. There was a great spiritual component as well.

What an inspirational novel about Love,Family,Friends and Relationships. Jhordan and Kelli are newlyweds and their marriage is in trouble. Jhordan is the man that every woman in life wants God to send her he is gorgeous, hardworking and a true family man but he has some issues in the bedroom that are about to take a toll on this family. This was a pageturner I could not put it down. At times though I felt Kelli was given a raw deal. This is what African American fiction is all about.

This is the third book by this author that I have read and I declare, they just get better and better! Crossing Jhordan's River is a beautiful story that opens the female eyes to the hurt that our men sometimes harbor inside. It also opens the male eye to see inside himself and gives him a storyline that he can relate to. I love the way this author tells a story. Her descriptions and character developement is amazing and her subtle way of delivering powerful uplifting messages of hope through fictional tales sets her apart from the ordinary. I highly recommend Crossing Jhordan's River. My reading group loved it and we are looking forward to more from this author.

When I picked up this book I knew I wasn't going to be disappointed. I've read work by this author before and I was just waiting for Crossing Jhordan's River to release. From the opening chapter I was hooked. Throughout the story I wanted to be angry at Jhordan for how he treated his wife but I couldn't help but feel for him for all that he went through as a boy and as a man. I loved the way the author weaved this story together in a way that made me not want to put the book down until I knew what would happen next. My favorite part of the book was the confrontation between Jhordan and Stuart. I could feel the emotions that were running high. I also loved the scenes that took place in Trinidad. While I've never been there, it was so well-written that when I was done I felt like I had taken part in the Carnival festival. This book was an excellent read and I recommend it to everyone.