Customer Reviews

Farther Than I Meant To Go, Longer Than I Meant To Stay

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3 star:		(3)
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Charmayne Ellis could probably be the poster child for full figured, saved and single women. She is successful at her job as a bank president, has good friends and active in the ministry. Beneath all the positives, she is unhappy. In her opinion, and in the opinion of her mother, sister and friends, she is incomplete without a man in her life. At close to forty, her biological clock is telling her that time is getting short, but how can she get married and start a family, when she can not even get a date. Add Travis Moon to the story and you have Tiffany L Warren's sophomore novel, Farther Than I Meant to Go, Further Than I Meant to Stay.

This novel starts with Charmayne breaking glasses and windows in her home. The tinkling sound of glass breaking soothes her frazzled soul. It also scares her neighbors who call for help and Charmayne ends up in the psych ward and subsequently on the couch of Dr. Rayna King. At this point, Charmayne relives the past to tell how she got to the present. Starting with her overly critical mother, perfect sister, seemingly supportive or non-supportive friends to Travis Moon and her down from grace..

When Travis Moon walked into her office, Charmayne found herself looking at all the qualities she wanted in a man. He was tall, good looking and employed. When he asked her out, she knew the Lord had finally answered her prayers. Was he the husband she had been praying for? After all, he was saved, a "minister in training" and most of all he loved big women. His talk of marriage and children where just what Charmayne needed to hear. In her eagerness to get married, Charmayne ignored signs from the Lord that said "Wait".

I found this book to be an easy read. I laughed, cried, shook my head and empathized with Charmayne. The one thing I thought as I was reading was the saying I heard a pastor say once. "He who findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, not she that findeth a husband". Warren did a great job of delving into the psyche of a woman desperate to please others and in the process sacrifice their values. I really liked how Warren used the counseling sessions and the reader could see how Charmayne emerged into a new and improved woman. My local bookclub had a lively discussion regarding many issues in this book. I highly recommend this book to single sisters and book clubs.

Review by Jeanette for the Motown Review Book Club.

Thirty-six year old Charmayne Ellis is successful in her career and with her relationship with the Lord. She's the president of a financial institution and is an active member of her church. However, it seems as if her life is missing something. Although Charmayne knows she's no social butterfly with her weight problems and self-esteem issues, when her beautiful best friend is on her way down the aisle, it becomes painfully clear to Charmayne that she's seriously lacking in the love department.

When Travis Moon, the hunky maintenance man at her job, walks into her life, Charmayne sees a glimmer of hope for her romantic endeavors. Beneath the surface, however, are dark secrets that could endanger Charmayne's career, finances, and friendships and further drive her self-worth into the ground.

I thoroughly enjoyed Warren's sophomore release. While it held fast to the messages of forgiveness, patience, and listening to God's advice, it was in no way overly preachy or admonishing. Instead, Warren's story spoke for itself. I was a willing participant with Charmayne, and was easily able to feel her deep emotions, frustrations, and humorous moments. This was my first time reading work by this author, but it certainly won't be my last.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Mrs. Warren gives us another book I'm sure many of us can relate to. This book came at the right time with the situation(s) I'm going through. It made me look at my situation like Charmayne had to look at hers sometimes we (women) would rather go through hell and high water to keep a man than wait for the one the Lord is preparing for us. We've all been there and done that...some still doing.

Anyway: We meet Charmayne, an over-weight, VP of a bank, living the good life, but she's missing one thing, Mr. Right. Everyone from her mom to the First Lady is pushing her towards finding the man of her dreams. Then unexpectedly she meets finer than wine, smooth talking, Travis-every woman's fantasy. Everything's going as planned, but read to see what happens when the Lord starts talking to her heart, giving her warning signs, but when there ignored everything starts to crumble even the lies surrounding their relationship.

This book is and was an eye opener-Listening to the Lord will keep us out of a lot of trouble... if only we would stop and listen.

Thank you so much Mrs. Warren!!!

Charmayne Ellis is everything that a lot of people would like to be. Attractive, intelligent, kind hearted, a Christian with a good job.

Charmayne is tired of everyone thinking that she needs a man in her life in order to be complete. Although, she's overweight, she still feels like she should have a man of her choosing. Not that she needs a man to be complete, some companionship would be nice.

The pastor's wife along with her best friend, keep trying to set her up. The men they select are either rejects or haven't had a date in years. They lack in personality, are too old, or just downright ugly. Both, her mother and sister believe that she's a hopeless case, sprouting that, in order to be considered somebody YOU must be married.

Without anyone's assistance, Charmayne meets Travis Moon, a fine, Christian, single, working brother. He's employed at the bank Charmayne manages. At first, she was skeptical about accepting a lunch date because of their working environment, but Charmayne decides against that. Now happy, people are looking at her, as if she has to BUY Travis.

Seeking prayer and guidance from God, Charmayne has asked if Travis is the man for her. God has answered her prayers and she has accepted what the Lord has said but, is she hearing correctly? Are the signs for a GO to marry this strong willed man of God, or to let him go?

Farther Than I meant To Go, Longer Than I Meant To Stay, is a very good book! I highly recommend!!!

Reviewed by: Carmen

The begining of the book was good, BUT mid-way through the book I was reading every other page. The main character Charmayne was not all that she could have been, she seemed too perfectly flawed, events leading to the climax of the story made you want to holler and not with the holy ghost! Fat girl meets good looking guy, guy is a dog and girl is hurt, with this story line more drama should have been present! I found myself skipping to parts, trying to get to the end. The end just sort of kept you dangling.

This book literally grabbed my attention from the first page and did not let it go until the end. I highly recommend this book to all women - there is a valuable lesson to be learned here.

Keep up the good work Tiffany!!!!

I can only describe this book with one word awesome! A story well told

This is a darn good read. Enjoyed every page and called friends several times to share scenes from it. I would even get to work and have the "Girl, you won't believe what happened next" talk with my coworkers. It was a fairly quick read, but you will not feel cheated. Highly recommended!

Every woman can possibly relate....This is my first Tiffany Warren book and I can't wait to read more!!! Dramatic, meaningful, encouraging, and enlightening page turner !!! Keep up the great work!!!

Tiffany L. Warren is a talented writer, this book will pull you in, I read it in night. Really Really good.