A Man Inspired [Paperback]

Derek Jackson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005

He's the man if you're lonely, lost, or just want to feel good. He's Jermaine Hill, megahot motivational speaker who inspires people everywhere to go for their dreams and make their lives better. With a top-rated TV show, money beyond his wildest dreams, and women for the asking, he's got everything...except a reason to keep on living. For Jermaine's past taught him that life is about losing everyone you love, and the people he meets now believe friendship is strictly for mutual profit at best. Surrounded by the glitter of his success, Jermaine is in the dark and without a guide, trying to fight the depression threatening his sanity. There's only one way to happiness. He must find the faith that he's never truly known. Soon, in the face of a wrenching scandal-and a love he feels unworthy to claim-Jermaine will face his biggest challenge ever: to believe in God more than himself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Jackson, who self-published his first novel, Destiny's Cry, returns with the story of an inspirational speaker's mental anguish and its eventual alleviation through God and true love. Golden-voiced Jermaine Hill seems to have it all—fame, riches, beautiful women who can't wait to bed him, an "onyx-black" Escalade—but in fact he's so depressed he can't stop thinking about killing himself. He's still mourning the nine-year-old loss of his two best friends in a car crash, and he can't get over the irony that fame can bring isolation and emptiness. Light at the end of the tunnel comes in the form of Candace Clark, the gorgeous freelance writer who's arrived in Hollywood to profile Jermaine for a small but promising African-American magazine. Their budding romance is predictable and formulaic, but the plotting perks up when their relationship is exposed by Chantal Dixon, the tabloid gossip columnist who hires a detective to trail the couple and ends up capturing Hill's suicide attempt on camera. Jackson fails to follow through on the potential of his story line: Hill's near-instantaneous religious epiphany feels rushed, not to mention designed primarily to get him into Candace's arms for the inevitable happy ending. Clichéd scenes, stock characters and amateurish writing make this a novel better appreciated for its Christian message than its uninspired storytelling.
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Review

"Derek A. Jackson has written a powerful and inspirational piece about God's call on our lives and how to answer...This was truly an inspiring read, one that I would recommend to both believers and non-believers."

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Walk Worthy Press (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446693529
• ISBN-13: 978-0446693523
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,934,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars strong contemporary tale, January 15, 2005

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Man Inspired (Paperback)

Gifted orator Jermaine Hill has reached the pinnacle of American life. He is famous, wealthy, and has his choice of beautiful women desiring him. In spite of living what everyone assumes is the good life; Jermaine is depressed having never recovered from the car accident that killed his best friends even though the tragedy occurred nine years ago.

Freelance writer Candace Clark wants to do an article on Jermaine; he reluctantly agrees perhaps because fame has left him lonely and she is a rarity as he is attracted to her. However, Candace is a pious soul and Jermaine's lifestyle leaves him undesirable even if she desires him. Meanwhile Gossip columnist Chantal Dixon sees a story breaking with this couple; she hires a detective to trail the couple in hopes of capturing a romantic scoop, but instead captures something more valuable, Jermaine's suicide attempt.

A MAN INSPIRED is a strong contemporary tale yet falls short due to a too easy resolution at the climax to complex issues. The story line starts slow as the audience meets the interesting despondent star while gaining insight into this suicidal soul, picks up when the inspirational Candace arrives in Hollywood, and goes stratospheric when the conniving Chantal takes aim at the couple. Well written, Derek Jackson furbishes an intriguing story starring a multifaceted tortured lead character, whose salvation comes too easily and abruptly.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and thought provoking, January 24, 2005

By 

Kim Hatton (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Man Inspired (Paperback)

I had an opportunity to meet Derek Jackson at a recent book reading and found him to be funny, humble, radiant and secure in his faith. The cover of A Man Inspired was a bit misleading and does not convey the contents of the book in my opinion, until maybe toward the end of the book. Having voiced that somewhat critical observation I found the book a true "page turner". I like the characters, they provoked me to pray and reflect, they reminded me we all live in a fallen world and everyone has "issues", weaknesses and yet God is always seeking and revealing for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. I really enjoyed this book and have offered my two teenage daughters a monetary incentive to read the book. True faith in Christ ought to make a difference in how we live our lives and many of us, if we are honest, have not truly begun the process of living a life that honors and glorifies Christ. This book will challenge the one who thinks they can find peace, hope, and joy in what the world offers, or for that matter what a marginalized faith offers. I don't usually read Christian fiction, but I'm open to it now and highly recommend this book. You can learn and grow from fiction that speaks to the truth about life and enjoy it as well!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspiring!, January 19, 2005

By 

The Good Girl Reviewers "goodgirlbookclubonline" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Man Inspired (Paperback)

For many of us, success, fame and fortune are at the top of our "to do" list. But what happens when the demons of the past haven't been dealt with or overcome and they constantly haunt, taunt and terrorize.....What happens when endless streams of women; one night stands, meeting celebs and having access to the best restaurants and events available to the "rich and happening" as well as material comforts, fame and fortune cannot truly fill the void in one soul?

Emerging Christian author, Derek Jackson has written a novel that warrents time, attention and reflection with a story that many readers will relate to, for one reason or another. A Man Inspired is a delightful, engaging and thought-provoking read that inspires hope in Christ, and reveals the power of second chances, both in life and in love. I eagerly await the sequel!

Reviewed by Latesa, The GOOD GIRL Book Club www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com