Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian) [Paperback]

Nicole S. Rouse (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Urban Books (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601629451
• ISBN-13: 978-1601629456
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,988,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

When Nicole S. Rouse's parents decided to name their firstborn after their favorite literary icon, Nikki Giovanni, they hadn't expected their daughter to share the same birth date as the famous poet. They also had no idea their child would one day become a published author.

Developing a passion for writing at a young age, Nicole graduated from Temple University, with a Bachelor of Science in Early and Elementary Education. As a classroom teacher, Nicole took every opportunity to incorporate her appreciation of various forms of writing into the curriculum. She became a member of the Northern Virginia Writing Project, where she promoted and encouraged writing in mathematics. She was also a founding member of a literacy team that created plays for students to perform and developed workshops for parents to help their children excel.


During a Career Day presentation for her students, the speaker turned to Nicole mid-speech and said, "It's never too late to follow your dream." Nicole took those words literally and decided to relocate to "The Windy City" in pursuit of making a mark in the publishing industry. A year later, she was offered an editorial position at a major educational publishing company. The blessings did not stop there. Two years later, while waiting to present at a writer's workshop, Nicole was led to introduce herself to the executive editor at Urban Christian. After a brief conversation, she was encouraged to send in a few chapters of her novel. Months later, Nicole was offered a two book deal. "Happily Ever Now" is her debut novel and has ranked consistently on the Top 25 Christian Independent Publishers Best Sellers list. "Happily Ever Now" received the EDC Creations 2008 Best Book Award.

Nicole participates in literary events across the country where she encourages women to follow their dreams and push past their fears. She also participates in church-related events and continues to teach writing workshops. Nicole has been a guest on numerous radio and internet shows. Her sophomore novel, "Someone to Love Me" was picked up by the Black Expressions Book Club(R) before its release date.

Nicole resides near Chicago and is currently working on her third novel, "Be Careful What You Pray For". (tentative November 2010 release date).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars With God, Anything is Possible, January 18, 2008

By 

OOSA Online Book Club "O.O.S.A. Gets It Read!" (World Wide Web, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Meet the Thomas family. Married young, two sons, and well, the happiness, it appears to have dried up some time ago. You know how it is; husband and wife seem to be slowly drifting apart. Resentment, anger and lack of communication have allowed Renee, the wife, to be absorbed in work. Dedicated to her newfound success, she's a hard worker, and while she's great at being a mother, she's lost her drive for being a wife. Jerome, the husband, is about the same. He's one of those men who feel he's unwanted because the wife is making more money and climbing the corporate express. Instead of trying to better himself, he allows alcohol and Taylor to soothe and comfort him. Their house is far from being a home. Is there anyway these two people can become one again, or has too much happened?

`Happily Ever Now,' written by Nicole S. Rouse, is a good first read. While the drama isn't as thick as I would've preferred, and there are some editing issues, `Happily Ever Now' is a refreshing look on love, forgiveness and hope. I look forward to reading more from this author and soon.

Sisters, God is truly able!

Reviewed by: Crystal

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Three Is One Too Many, November 7, 2007

By 

Angelia Menchan "acvermen.blogspot.com" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Happily Ever Now by Nicole S. Rouse is a contemporary, Christian novel that realistically looks at a marriage in trouble and many of the reasons why. Renee and Jerome have been married almost seventeen years, since high school. Though no one believed they should be married they thought love would be enough. The years brought major success for Renee and mediocre accomplishments for Jerome. To deaden the feeling of inadequacy he turned to alcohol and eventually another woman. For years, Jerome and Renee have been living in a home divided.

Taylor has looked for Mr. Right for years and not finding him she is trying to find love in the arms of another woman's husband. Jerome has convinced her he is going to leave Renee but never does. Though she has friends to talk to she tries to keep the relationship, even when she discovers that Jerome is attached to his wife. A series of embarrassing situations and even a new man does not stop her from longing for Jerome.

Ms. Rouse has a wonderful way of revealing what these characters are going through and how they are struggling to make proper choices. I loved the way she dealt with a common issue of how men feel when their wives is more successful. She also allowed us to see that the relationship outside the marriage is never quite as simple as it may seem. Though we can see how allowing God to work in their lives is the best way to handle complicated relationships, a few twists allow us to know it is never as easy as just believing.

Happily Ever Now is recommended for all who love a realistic, well-told story.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!!, December 10, 2007

By 

Alice Henry "luv 2 read" (Mt. Prospect, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Happily Ever Now (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

I am an avid, yet VERY picky, reader of just about everything - mostly fiction. So when I heard about this book I figured I'd add it to my long list of books to read. I was in for quite a ride!
Nicole Rouse is a fresh new talent on the Christian Fiction scene who is an incredibly gifted storyteller.
Happily Ever Now is a fictional tale (or is it?) about Renee, a married woman whose marriage is slowly falling to pieces as her husband Jerome breaks his marital vows and has an affair with another woman, Taylor. Renee's dilemma, as a Christian woman and mom of two boys, is how to handle this traumatic situation as God would have her to handle it.
This book is told from the points of view of jaded wife Renee, her cheating husband Jerome, and the scandolous mistress Taylor.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way Nicole weaves such a magnetic story together and had me up late at night, turning pages and needing to know what happened next. Her characters come to life and you can truly identify with their feelings.
Nicole has a gift and I'm anticipating more from her in the future!