Fifteen Years [Paperback]

Kendra Norman-Bellamy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010

Jonah (JT) Tillman, the son of a substance dependent and neglectful mother, spent most of his childhood years in the custody of the State, living in foster homes throughout Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of fourteen, he was taken from  the foster family that he had grown to love, the Smiths, and returned to his negligent birth mother. Enduring the hardships faced while living with his birth mother JT manages to makes something of his life.  However, fifteen years after being taken from the Smiths and at the peak of success, he finds himself feeling empty and at his lowest.  When he decides to reconnect with the Smiths, JT finds his faith in God renewed and discovers his attraction to his foster sister.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

KENDRA NORMAN-BELLAMY is a national best-selling author and the founder of KNB Publications LLC. She is the organizer of Visions in Print, an Atlanta-based national organization for faith-based writers, and The Writer’s Hut, an online fellowship for African American Writers. She is the founder of Cruisin’ For Christ, a groundbreaking at-sea ministry that celebrates writing, gospel music and other God-glorifying arts, and also serves as a motivational speaker.

Kendra and her award winning titles have been featured in such magazines as Essence, Upscale, EKG Literary, and HOPE for Women. She has been a contributing writer for HOPE for Women, Precious Times, and Global Women magazines. Kendra is the author of One Prayer Away, Crossing Jhordan’s River, and A Love So Strong. She was the winner of the 2008 Best Christian Fiction Award and the 2008 Best Anthology Award from the African American Literary Award Show in Harlem, New York.

A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Kendra currently resides in Stone Mountain, George with her family. For more information, visit www.knb-publications.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Lift Every Voice (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802468853
• ISBN-13: 978-0802468857
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #794,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kendra Norman-Bellamy (www.KendraNormanBellamy.com) is the national bestselling author of numerous faith-based titles. She is best known for her fiction writing, but is also the author of one nonfiction title, "I Shall Not Die," an empowerment book that was inspired by her own life experiences.

In addition to her writing, Kendra is the visionary of KNB Publications (www.KNB-Publications.com), Cruisin' For Christ (www.CruisinForChrist.org), and The I.S.L.A.N.D. Movement (www.IShallNotDie.org).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ingenious Storyline!, March 6, 2010

By 

Venus Mason Theus, "Author of Brown Paper Bag" (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fifteen Years (Paperback)

I am in awe at KNB's ability to hit a home run time after time! In "15" we meet Josiah Tucker, a bright young man with a seemingly dim future. The only bright spot in his formative years is when he is taken out of his mother's custody and placed in a foster home for several years. During the period of time he spends in the home of Thomas and Joanne Smith, he is introduced to, and accepts Jesus Christ as his Lord and savior. Having been returned to his mother as a teen, it is his spiritual connection to Christ that kept him from being pulled into the abyss of drugs, crime and poverty that was prevalent in his neighborhood. Josiah's mother battled incessantly with "demons" that rendered her incapable of properly caring for her son. Any love she may have had for him is far from apparent. Given the absence of any notable parenting skills, Josiah reverses roles with his mother and secures meager employment while attending high school so that he can provide them with the bare necessities of life. Even with the weight of the world on his young shoulders, Josiah still manages to maintain a GPA high enough to receive several generous college scholarship offers. On the very day of his high school graduation, Josiah receives life altering news about a close family member.

Fast forward to adulthood. Josiah Tucker is the man most women dream of - handsome, accomplished, modest and grounded in faith. However, with all Josiah has going for himself on the surface, he is haunted by his troubled childhood and guilt-ridden for being angry with his mother. His closest friends convince him to consult with a minister/therapist about his emotional turmoil. Bishop Lumpkin helps him realize that he has to confront his troubled past so that he can embrace his bright future. His assignment is to find his foster family, a task that seems impossible. However by divine providence Josiah does in fact locate the only real family he ever knew. With much soul searching, truths and shocking revelations, for family ties are reconnected and love abounds.

"Fifteen" ends with Josiah finding love on a level he never expected, from a source he never imagined possible.
Fifteen Years

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It All Starts At Home, April 5, 2010

By 

Donnica Carter "AKA DCSquared" (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Fifteen Years (Paperback)

In FIFTEEN YEARS by Kendra Norman Bellamy, Josiah "JT" Tucker is living the dream life. He has just been promoted in his job, closed on a new home, and has a luxury vehicle. His best friend, Craig, tells him he needs a woman to share this with. At the advice of his pastor, JT makes a journey into his past. He has to overcome his past to embrace his future. His mother was an addict and he was in and out of foster homes. JT was in the home of foster parents, Thomas and Joanna Smith, for six years. He considers them to be his parents. He is overjoyed that when he returns they welcome him with open arms. JT is caught off guard with all the different types of love he experiences. Will this be the trip he needs to finally find love?

Bellamy delivers a story that is true to the biblical principle that one part of the body can not function without the other. We all need someone. We need family and people around us that love us. I enjoyed the many lessons and the honesty of the characters. At times, I felt the story may have jumped around but overall it is a great read.

This book was provided courtesy of the publisher.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub
Sista Talk Book Club

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are You Whole?, March 12, 2010

By 

L. Bishop - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fifteen Years (Paperback)

Fifteen Years is an awesome engaging story. Like many kids Josiah grew up being moved around, a mother struggling with drugs and dirt poor. The difference is he had a foundation - GOD! As it is written, "Train up a Child in The Way (God), he should go and I've never seen the righteous begging bread." This story illustrates how God has a plan for our lives and though at times it seems like He has abandoned us or that our Prayers go unheard, HE is always there. Though, life may not be easy, if we would just HOLD ON, and HEED to his voice "All things Will Work Together For our Good."

Josiah's adult life is a dream come true and from all appearances looks FABULOUS! But, he's not whole. How often do we want better for ourselves, only to achieve it OR for God to finally bless us with the desires of our heart and still not be content? Sometimes there is a longing inside each of us, a haunting past, or unforgiveness in our heart; all things that only God can answer and complete. Are you Whole?

Truly an inspirational story! You won't be disappointed.