Customer Reviews

A Measure of Faith

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

By any onlookers standards, Lynnette and Robert are an ideal couple. The two have been together for 21 years, have a beautiful home and two teenaged children that would make any parent proud. In addition, they both have their own small businesses, Lynnette is an interior designer and store owner. Robert has his own construction business, and he frequently works with his wife. When Lynnette gets what she considers to be devastating news regarding her health, life as she knows it begins to change. Her once stable marriage is suddenly shaky and less fulfilling. Many of the things she once considered top priorities no longer seem important. As the story progresses, the family tries to adjust to the tumultuousness that the changes in Lynnette bring and just when they seem to reach a turning point, the family is slammed with even more shocking news.

A MEASURE OF FAITH is a somewhat predictable story and it lacks the powerful spiritual message that is the hallmark of Christian Fiction. The characters attend church and occasionally refer to God or Christianity but this was more of an afterthought instead of being central to the story being told. I found it difficult to relate to and feel for Lynette, she came across as overly whiney and self-centered. I think the author did a reasonable job developing the character of Lynette and working in enough about her past so that readers could understand her better. However, some of the other characters in the book were one-dimensional and I would have liked to have seen more character development so that I could understand what made them tick. Despite these limitations A MEASURE OF FAITH is a light, pleasant read that is a noble freshman effort by Maxine Billings.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

A Measure of Faith is a novel to which many women can relate. It deals with the issues of raising teenage children, running a household, owning her own interior design business, experiencing women's health issues, seeking independence, nurturing a deeper bond with a husband, balancing friendship and finding self. All are addressed in 240 pages.

Lynnette Montgomery is the lady who has to exercise her faith against overwhelming odds to hold it all together. I found it refreshing. The situations and circumstances in the book could be issues we all face, and likely as genuine is the realization that Lynn has problems maintaining a healthy balance.

Lynn is plagued by nightmares involving the mother who abandoned her at four years of age. Meanwhile, her doctor breaks bad news to her that her fibroids require surgery and she is adamant about not losing those parts she feels makes her a woman. She longs to talk her situation over with her mother or some other older woman who can understand. Her supportive husband, Robert, feels left out of her life and isn't sure how to help her through such life-changing decisions. Lynn's faith waivers and she stops attending church and being attentive to her family. In her quest to find solace, Lynn turns to her childhood friend, who in her eagerness to assist causes a rift in Lynn and Robert's marriage. Lynn's client Rose, an older lady, becomes Lynn's refuge when she finds the pressure too much to bear. Lynn finds immeasurable knowledge and strength through her unexplainable strong bond with Rose.

A Measure of Faith is Maxine Billing's first novel. The comprehensive list of topics addressed in this book could have easily been expanded into an epic, but the writing style captured everything very succinctly and made reading enjoyable.

Unfortunately, I didn't find this book as inspiring as others here. In the first chapter, Lynn is informed by her doctor that she has fibroids. And understandbly her initial emotions are of fear, anxiety and worry . However, after the 3rd chapter I just couldn't take anymore of her whiney, self-centered attitude and her constant complaing. She continually takes her frustration out on her VERY supportive husband, Robert.

It's obvious that Lynn doesn't have faith, so I assume the "measure" the author here is referring to is NULL. I say that because she is so focused on the fibroids and the negative outcome of it and all the "what ifs??". I found myself arguing with Lynn at times saying "Didn't the doctor said that there MIGHT be a chance of this" or "There COULD be..." I wanted to just shake her and say "Girl! You're a child of God! You need to quit acting like this and focus on God and confess the word and stop letting Satan rob you of your healing!!"

I can say this because I had a fibroid tumor removed in April. And there were people who will actually talk fear into your life "Aren't you worried?" or "What if they remove your uterus?" or "If I were you ..." Instead of saying "You are more than a conqueror.." or "No weapon formed against you..." GIVE ME SOME FAITH TO HOLD ON TO PLEASE!!

In fairness, the author has wonderful writing skills! But this character (Lynn) portrayed such a negative attitude I just couldn't relate - the kind of person that makes you want to put your head in the sand and give up all hope.

There are other plots that develop throughout the story but I'll let you discover that on your own. Happy reading.

From all appearances, Lynnette Montgomery (who, as a child, was abandoned by her mother but rose above it) has it all: A wonderful husband, two healthy children, a successful business, and strong faith in God. However, what happens when she has a health crisis, and everything else important in her life seems to recede into the background? Lynnette and Robert Montgomery reside in a small town in Georgia. He's a builder, and she's an interior designer. Oftentimes they work in conjunction with one another. They have two teenaged children: Joshua, 17 and Miranda, 16. One day Lynnette learns that she needs an operation that, she thinks, will change everything that makes her a woman. Her husband, Robert, certainly can't understand that if she goes through with it, she'll lose something precious to her. The stressfulness of her situation causes her to behave oddly. She starts staying out late. Takes up with her childhood friend who her husband thinks is a bad influence on her. On the upside, she meets an older woman named Rose whom she begins to think of as a surrogate mother. Rose is soon welcomed into the family and everyone comes to love her. But a secret is revealed and Lynnette is faced with another crisis of faith. Can she learn to give her problems to God, and not ask for them back? Can she have the faith needed to forgive and forget? As a woman, I could sympathize with her anguish. This is a story anyone can relate to. A warm, sensitive portrayal of a woman in transition. JS

Dear Ms. Billings,

This novel came at a point in my life when I could really relate to the challenges of aging with health issues. I could never put into words my fears of having a hysterectomy. You have done an excellent job of portraying a fairly common issue for middle age women of color and how we associate our femininity and sex appeal to our womb. Thank you for helping me to understand and make my loved ones understand.

I ultimately ended up having an alternative surgical resolution to my fibroid issue. But it taught me about faith in God in all circumstances. He helped me build strength within myself, and my marriage. I thank you sincerely for telling my story. I will look for your novels because I simply like your style. Merry Christmas and may God bless you richly. Warmest regards, Robbin

If you're looking for drama and suspense, keep going. This book will not hold your attention. On the other hand, if you're looking for a little something to pass the time, this one may do the trick.

The main character receives the news that she has fibroid tumors and may need surgery. Fibroids are so incredibly commonplace among African-American women that I had difficulty taking seriously all of the drama the ensued as a result of her diagnosis. One would think that she had received news that she had a life-threatening illness. But minimal drama in a solid, God-fearing household is something of a literary anomaly these days. Adding to Lynnette's struggles with her health, is the sudden need for the comfort of her birth mother, who deserted her when she was very young.

A good, solid, clean novel. A sarcastic thanks to BayBBlaze for managing to ruin the entire story with the second sentence of her review. Please be more considerate of folks who are just looking for an opinion on the story/novel, without revelations of critical storylines.

DYB

Maxine Billings is a new author who I believe has a great debut novel. When I first read the review about this book, I knew I had to read it. I believe there will be a lot of women who will be able to relate to what the main character, Lynette Montgomery, goes through in this story as I was. As the story opens, Lynette Montgomery (the main character) is told by her doctor that she will have to have surgery. On top of that when she leaves the doctors office she is involved in a minor car accident and to make matters worse the officer fines them both. When trying to tell her husband that she has fibroid tumors and explain to him what they are she feels he is not sympathetic to her plight and what the surgery would put her through. Lynette puts her husband and her two children on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Lynette strays from the church and begins to lose her Faith in God. Lynette's best friend who loves Lynette like a sister but is also envious of Lynette's and Robert's relationship tries to make a rift between the two of them. To make matters worse Lynette continues to have dreams about her mother leaving her and never coming back. It's during this time that Lynette wishes her mother was there for her, if she never needed her before she truly needs her now. On top of all that she is dealing with Lynette continues to run her business and begins a new project with a woman named Rose; who will turn out to be more important to Lynette than she ever thought.

Reviewed by Jocelyn Lawson for www.avid-readers.com

This is a great debut novel. I was hooked after reading the first chapter because I have been through what Lynnette was going through. I am single and childless, but I still had a health issue that required faith in God and the belief that everything is for my good(Rom 8:28). I congratulate Maxine Billings on her first novel. I look forward to reading more from her. I pray that she will continue to allow God to use her to bless others.

A MEASURE OF FAITH captured my attention and interest because of the emotional ordeal that Lynette and Robert Montgomey and their two teenage children experienced after Lynette was informed by her physician that she required surgery.

I identified Lynette's character as being self-centered, needy, and misdirecting her anger towards family and friends. She appears to be mentally and physically challenging to relate to at times. The author did a wonderful job in presenting how one can lose faith when coping with so many life stressors and personal struggles. She clearly demonstrates in Lynette's character how one can lose faith, and, gain it again only to make one stronger in their personal relationships and with GOD.

I appreciate the way she addresses issues of grief, abandonment,
mid-life crisis, fear of death, spirituality, jealousy, trust,and interpersonal conflict in a realistic, thought- provoking and compassionate manner.

The story comes together with the reality that sometimes we all fall short in life. It is with our undying faith, trust, love, and belief in ourselves, love ones, and GOD that we can handle and cope with whatever burdens or despairs that is placed upon us.

I believe that many women can relate to what Lynette and her family endured. I encourage others to read the book.

Maxine Billings is a new author. I am truly excited about her contributing more inspirational books for readers to enjoy in the future.

I wish I had read the reviews before I bought this book. I am just on page 23 and already Lynn has gotten on my nerves so bad with her constant whining and feeling sorry for herself. I probably will not finish this book.