Living Consequences (Urban Christian) [Paperback]

Brittney Holmes (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Urban Books (February 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893196925
• ISBN-13: 978-1893196926
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #989,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brittney Holmes is currently enrolled at the University of Georgia where she is pursuing Bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Psychology. She is actively involved throughout campus, participating in organizations like the National Association of Black Journalists, the Black Affairs Council and Abeenefoo Kuo Honor Society; she is also the Afterschool Program Coordinator at Rocksprings Community Center. A gifted journalist, Brittney has worked as a staff writer for "The Red & Black" (an independent newspaper serving the UGA community), serves as the Managing Editor for "InfUSion Magazine" (UGA multicultural magazine), and a writer and copy editor for "NABJ Showcase" (official newsletter for the National Association of Black Journalists). She also serves as a youth contributing writer for Global Woman magazine and a member of the Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Published through Urban Books (Urban Christian imprint), her debut novel, "Living Consequences" gained recognition from the African American Literary Awards Show where she received the 2007 Open Book Award for Best Young Adult Fiction of the Year. Along with her second novel, "Testing Relationships"--which was released in June 2008--Living Consequences appeared on Essence Magazine's Best Sellers list in February and March 2009, making Brittney a two-time National Best Selling author at the age of nineteen. Her third novel, "Grace and Mercy" was released in June 2009; and her fourth novel, "On Bended Knee" was released in May 2011. She was recently recognized for her accomplishments in Who's Who in Black Atlanta 2010.

In addition to writing novels, Brittney has also authored several poems addressing the subjects of Christianity, peer pressure, and social issues. In her free time she enjoys reading, writing, singing, dancing, listening to music, shopping, and spending time with her family and friends. When not in Athens, Georgia, Brittney resides in Stone Mountain, Georgia with her parents, Jonathan Bellamy and Kendra Norman-Bellamy and her younger sister, Crystal Holmes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Young and The Blessed...(4.5 stars) YA, May 17, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Living Consequences (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Living Consequences by Brittney Holmes is a wonderful debut novel written by a sixteen year-old. From page one, I found myself caught up in the life of Nevaeh Madison, a seventeen year-old virgin, with every intention of remaining one. Nevaeh tries to live by bible teachings and has made a pact with Ronald, her boyfriend of three years, to not have sex until married. Her best friend, Shimone, has no problems with sex outside of marriage, though she believes in sexual exclusivity within a relationship. When Shimone finds herself pregnant, her biggest concern is will her mother kill her and will her boyfriend, Marques, the campus `playa', remain by her side. Sierra Monroe is a motherless girl whose father's only interest seems to be earning money. Sierra does not know God, so she spends her time trying to find love and acceptance in the arms of any guy interested. These young people have adult decisions to make and they all learn that faith and prayer have answers and solutions.

Ms. Holmes does an amazing job of showing how young people struggle with choices and how dire the consequences can be if the wrong choices are made. Especially wonderful is how she deals with Christian youth. Her portraits are so realistic. The young people are interested in the same things all young people find appealing. The difference is in how they use faith and prayer to deal with the problems that befall them. I loved reading the passages when the families and friends prayed with and for each other. This is one of the most realistic portrayals I have read of young people struggling with what the world expects and what they know to be right. This is a recommended book for anyone interested in what is happening in the minds and hearts of today's youth or to parents concerned with what their young people are reading. Brittney Holmes offers a wonderful solution.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO Book Club

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Consequences for your Actions, March 21, 2007

By 

Dwan Abrams "Author of Divorcing the Devil" (Atlanta, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Living Consequences (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Before reading Living Consequences, I had preconceived notions about the book. I thought that since the book was written by a teenager that I wouldn't be able to identify with the storyline. That was not the case. The main character, Nevaeh Madison, promised to maintain her virginity until marriage. I liked Nevaeh because she was well-rounded and level-headed. She was the type of daughter any mother would be proud of...honor student, cheerleader and respected by her peers. She's been dating her boyfriend, Ronald, for nearly three years. Sexual tensions arise and their relationship is put through the test.

Nevaeh's best friend, Shimone, wasn't quite that wholesome. She had a loving mother who was raising Shimone in a single parent household. Like a lot of teenagers, Shimone was sexually active with her boyfriend. When faced with adversity, Shimone demonstrated maturity and strength.

Losing her mother at age two and then being neglected by her father causes Sierra Monroe to find comfort and pleasure in the wrong places. After giving herself to so many men, she finds that her actions have major consequences. As these characters go through very different dilemmas, they will learn lifelong lessons and soon find that only God's love and forgiveness can carry them through the hard times.

I highly recommend this book. Living Consequences will help parents gain insight into the world of teenagers today. Teenagers should read this book to help give them perspective that for every action there is a consequence.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - What Christian Fiction should be..., August 3, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Living Consequences (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Brittney Holmes' debut title LIVING CONSEQUENCES covers the lives of several teenagers and the situations they find themselves trying to navigate. Neveah Madison is an honor student focused on doing well in school, but she is also committed to remain a virgin until marriage. She has the normal ups and downs of a teenager, but she is covered by her faith in God and upbringing. Even though her boyfriend has promised to also remain a virgin, he begins to pressure her to take their relationship further and they must both deal with the repercussions.

Meanwhile, Shimone and Sierra have problems of their own. Shimone is Neveah's best friend and believes in monogamous relationships, but she's unsure of how her boyfriend is going to react when he finds out about her pregnancy. He's known around school for his inability to remain faithful. As for Sierra, she has no qualms with her various sexual activities and seems to reach out to boys to provide her the love missing from her relationship with her father. They all must make some very hard decisions, ones which will impact their lives forever.

Though only sixteen when this story was written, Holmes has done a wonderful job of outlining the problems and insecurities teenagers are faced with in their young lives and how one's faith helps make any situation better. The book also demonstrates how one must deal with the consequences of all decisions made and learn from them. What I really loved about LIVING CONSEQUENCES is the realness of the story. I related as an adult and know younger readers will also, because I could easily recall my teenage years and similar trials. The characters were well-developed and endearing. And, the story itself is uplifting, in that the families supported each other and strongly relied on God's guidance to get through things.

LIVING CONSEQUENCES comes highly recommended and has been one of my favorite reads for the year. I would encourage every family with teenage children or those who are educators (in or outside their churches), to read this book and discuss it with our youth.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers