Last Temptation [Paperback]

Michelle Stimpson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2010

Will a dream come true push one woman to her limits?

Sensible single mother Patricia "Peaches" Miller isn't about to follow in her mama's footsteps and become dependent on a man--no, that would be too easy. But when she doesn't see eye to eye with the man she wants to marry, she knows that returning to a life of girls' nights out, retail therapy, and chocolate peanut clusters just won't do for her. Then Raphael, her son's father, steps back into the picture--and makes it clear that his attraction to Peaches is stronger than ever. There's just one problem. Raphael has already pledged his heart to another woman.

Peaches has been praying for a perfect family for a long time. Deep down she knows this can't be God's idea of an answer--but can you blame a girl for hoping? Now, as she battles with temptation, and with her faith, she's not sure which will win. . .

"Michelle Stimpson does a wonderful job of creating characters that are believable and loveable. The Divas of Damascus Road will make you laugh, cry and laugh some more." --Good Girl Book Club

Michelle Stimpson is an educational consultant who earned her master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a bachelor's from Jarvis Christian College. She is the author of The Good Stuff, Boaz Brown, and Divas of Damascas Road, an Essence® bestseller. She has also written Trouble in My Way, a young adult novel, as well as several short stories for teens. Michelle currently lives outside Dallas with her husband and two children.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Online minister Stimpson (Boaz Brown) harps on the conflict between marital interdependence and a woman's desire to stand on her own in this frustrating novel. Patricia "Peaches" Miller, a single Christian mother trying to live righteously, thinks everything is finally going according to God's plan. Then her fiancé, Quinn, gets a promotion that would require them to move away from her stable job; her son, Eric, is diagnosed with a learning disability; and her ex, Raphael, steps back into Eric's life. Despite urging from her loved ones, Peaches refuses to follow Quinn because she doesn't want to rely on a man for support or risk "looking stupid" in a brand-new city if the marriage fails. Some readers may identify with her trust issues, but most will roll their eyes and tell her to get over it. (Nov.) (c)
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From Booklist

Life on her own terms is important to Patricia “Peaches” Miller, a more than slightly stubborn African American single mom who refuses to be dependent on any man. So when her fiancé, Quinn, is promoted and has to move to a different city, Peaches balks at going with him. After all, she has a good job right where she is, and if she relocates, she’ll have to rely too heavily on Quinn, at least until she finds a job of her own. As if the problems with Quinn aren’t difficult enough, Peaches also has to cope with her son’s learning disabilities as well as her ex-husband, who has decided to come back into her life. This faith-based novel explores the differences between true love and trust as well as the slippery slope that leads to temptation and distrust. Stimpson’s fans will enjoy repeat performances by characters from her earlier books. --Shelley Mosley

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dafina; 1 edition (October 26, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758246862
• ISBN-13: 978-0758246868
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #694,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michelle Stimpson is a wife, a mom, an educator, and the owner of one crazy dog. When Michelle is not busy procrastinating, she actually does write Christian books as well as insightful short stories for high school students. She's extremely thankful to have discovered her gift early in life and counts it a blessing to serve readers through writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, November 5, 2010

By 

Lorii "Avid Shopper" (Hamilton, Bermuda) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Last Temptation (Kindle Edition)

Another page turning tear jerker. Michelle Stimpton has been blessed with a God given gift of having the ability to weave a fictional tale that is so real you identify with her characters in a real "I've been there" or "that was be me" kind of way and intertwines it with the word of God, directly from the scriptures, not an intrepretation of, but direct from the scriptures. I always feel more hunger for an intimate relationship with God when I read her books, and Last Temptation does not disappoint. I highly recommend it as a must read, especially if you are a woman, single, married, newly converted Christian or a seasoned sister in Christ.

Thank you Michelle for allowing the Lord to use you in such a unique and creative way.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Once More, November 3, 2010

By 

Sharel Love "Sharel E. Gordon-Love, Author" (North Plainfield, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Last Temptation (Paperback)

Patricia "Peaches" Miller was finally blessed to meet the man that God had prepared for her, but the direction that He was taking Quinn's life did not line up with what was happening in Patricia's life. Besides, being dependent upon a man for everything will leave her with no identity of her own, and Patricia could not have that, in Michelle Stimpson's Last Temptation.

The stress of the job and the decision to follow Quinn as he followed the leading of the Lord was difficult for Peaches, especially since her son's father, Raphael, decided to step up and be a father to his son. Perhaps this was the very reason Peaches needed to convince herself that she should stay and raise her son with the help of his father.

In the meantime, Quinn decided to move in the direction he felt led to go and he and Peaches agreed to end their relationship when Peaches could not make up her mind as to what she was going to do. It seemed that no sooner than Quinn left, Peaches's life spun out of control very quickly, starting with giving in to Raphael's advances through the guise of caring for their son. In light of this, Peaches found herself falling away from her relationship with God and quickly falling victim to the circumstances that was created with her renewed relationship with her ex, compounded by more bad decisions.

What will it take for Peaches to come to herself and realize the position she has placed herself and her son in? Can she return to the place of serving and loving God like she had in the past, or will the life she found herself living consume her whole?

I enjoyed reading Last Temptation because the main character allowed me to come into her personal space up close and personal, and I understand how quickly yielding to temptation can take one down a path they thought not possible. But just like a GPS, God can configure our route and put us back on the right path according to His will. I recommend this book to everyone, especially those who struggle with temptation.

This book was provided to me courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.

Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO BookClub

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Last Temptation, November 27, 2010

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Last Temptation (Paperback)

Saved, sexy and sanctified fiancé. Check. Intelligent, adorable and well-mannered son. Check. Deadbeat dad resurrecting a relationship with his son and sharing financial responsibilities outside of the child support parameters. Check. Reliable income as a human resources professional with a company unaffected by the economy. Check. Peaches Miller appears to have everything a clean living, modern Christian woman could ask for, yet she is poised to lose it all.

In this tale of love requited and refused, Michelle Stimpson revisits Peaches, LaShonda and Deneissa from Boaz Brown. The main characters are developed enough to follow, but not as captivating or intriguing. LAST TEMPTATION sticks to the romance formula with one or two comical twists and turns, but the dialogue is a bit stilted at times and hard to believe for one of the male characters. Readers who have become attached to the characters will enjoy this story the most.

Reviewed by Shawneda Marks
for The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers