Customer Reviews

A Man Inspired

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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

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!

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

Motivational speaker Jermaine Hill has been dubbed as the man with the golden voice. His speeches can excite and inspire his audiences, but he harbors a deep, dark secret that could destroy all that he has gained. Author Derek Jackson paints a picture of a tormented man who has loved and lost love all his life in the novel titled, A Man Inspired.

Jermaine Hill is good at keeping what is bothering him all inside. Who would ever imagine the infamous motivational speaker would be so unhappy and thinks suicide is the answer? Jermaine's life is full of tragedy and loss. His two best friends were killed in a car crash over a decade ago. His parents chose the crack pipe over him and his aunt who raised him is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Jermaine feels he has no one to talk to. Granted he has his agent, Super Mario and countless one-night stands, but he still feels empty. When Candace Clark is hired to write an exclusive article about the great Jermaine Hill, and has to be in his presence constantly for two weeks, Jermaine finds himself falling for the writer. Unfortunately, lurking behind the scenes is a scandalous reporter set on destroying Jermaine and his agent. When Jermaine is hospitalized, he is befriended by another patient, Ambrose Rivers, who helps a reluctant Jermaine to realize the call God has on his life.

A Man Inspired is a fairly good read. For this reader, there was too much narrative. The author did a lot of telling the story. I wish there had been more dialogue between the characters. I would have even preferred if Jermaine were talking to himself during those times when he felt he had no one to talk to. I also would have liked to know more about Candace to make her seem more likeable. However, I think the book was a good effort. It definitely had a strong message about following God's call on your life.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub

Derek Jackson Great Job!!!!!!!!!!! Jermaine Hill is a celebrity motivational speaker, making coodles and coodles of money with his golden voice and celebrity zeal and of course with the assistance of a spectacular agent. People love celebrities and a fine, well spoken brother that get you hyped about your life is unbelieveable and a thrill to most, like riding a roller coaster...the anticipated thrill. He has no problem with women and fame and fortune are his foot stools, but there is more to Jermaine Hill then what meets the eye. With his only living relative mentioned is struggling with condition that is terminal, she still has the love embedded in her to pray for him, out of sight but not out of mind for her is her beloved Jermaine. Jermaine later finds that he has much thanks to Bell. See love unconditionally flows from the heart, but before you can accept it, you must possess it yourself. This motivator learns the hard way that time runs out on everyone and on everything and when the knock on the door comes you must answer. When he agrees to do an exclusive interview with Candace Clark, and Candace Clark agrees to write the interview for a pretty much unknown magazine, nobody sees that the foundation is being set and the Prayers are going up. What the devil(Chantel) meant for bad God meant for good. Jermaine wants to give up on life, but this life is not yours to give up on when you say, see we all have a purpose on this earth and you have to find out why you are here...Jermaine was so caught up in the fascade that he didn't realize that he was destined to be Inspired. Also, we learn through Jermaine's struggle that you don't allow your unknown past govern your steps of your future. Always dwelling and reaching back to his childhood and the loses that he suffered, gave him no peace. The reality of fame and fortune is that happiness doesn't dwell in the money and popularity, but happiness dwells within. Through a realization that a man can gain the whole world, yet lose his soul and in this case with Jermaine, never know his soul is a fact. From page to page of a man inspired, you feel like you are watching Jermaine Hill and the other characters and not reading. You feel the happiness, along with the pain. You feel every characters emotion and it is so real that you may sense that you know someone or you fully understand what they are going through. Also you learn without a shadow of doubt what being Inspired really means and before you get all anxious and excited about the next motivational speaker that you hear, read this book and know what being Inspired truly means. 2 thumbs up for "A Man Inspired." Derek Jackson way to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was definately INSPIRED by this book, read it and so will you!!!!!