Practicing What You Preach [Paperback]

Vanessa Davis Griggs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2009

Is it a sin to let a good man get away?

The wedding between Angela Gabriel and Brent Underwood promises to be the Birmingham event of the year--and aspiring event planner Melissa Anderson has been working feverishly to make it happen. During this hectic time, she even agrees to go out on a date with a most unlikely prospect: Marcus Peeples. When it came to Marcus, it definitely wasn't love at first sight. But after a lovely evening together of Bible study at Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center, Melissa has a change of heart. She learns that Marcus is divorced, a fact she can't reconcile with scripture even though she knows he's a good man and father. But when Marcus's diva ex-wife decides she wants him back, Melissa soon discovers love, divorce, and faith have quite a bit in common.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Marcus Peeples seems like the perfect man for aspiring wedding planner Melissa Anderson. Marcus, a tall, handsome pharmaceutical salesperson, finally talks her into a date. Much to Melissa’s surprise, he doesn’t balk when she insists their first date will be at her Bible study class at Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center. As time goes by, Melissa feels more and more drawn to Marcus. However, he’s divorced, and her beliefs won’t allow her to continue their relationship. Griggs has written a novel about African Americans trying their best to follow a faith-based life. Each of the 47 short chapters begins with a Bible verse, and questions for book-discussion groups are included. This is a romance for readers who like their books enhanced with religious teachings, and it will surely appeal to fans of Felicia Mason and Stacy Hawkins Adams. --Shelley Mosley

About the Author

Vanessa Davis Griggs is a motivational speaker and the author of Promises Beyond Jordan, Wings of Grace, Blessed Trinity, Strongholds, & If Memory Serves. A recipient of several awards, Vanessa lives in Irondale just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Dafina; 1 Original edition (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758232225
• ISBN-13: 978-0758232229
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #368,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Vanessa Davis Griggs is a motivational speaker & author of such novels as: THE ROSE OF JERICHO, PROMISES BEYOND JORDAN, WINGS OF GRACE. Newer releases are: BLESSED TRINITY, STRONGHOLDS, IF MEMORY SERVES, PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH, GOODNESS AND MERCY, THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT, RAY OF HOPE, REDEEMING WATERS, and FOREVER SOUL TIES. To visit her Web site: www.VanessaDavisGriggs.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Book Will Make You Do Your Research!, June 8, 2009

By 

Million Dollar Book Reviews - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practicing What You Preach (Paperback)

Reviewed by: Leandus Poe
CEO/Author/Critic
Titles: Strawberries and Blackberry Cheesecake
-Diminishing Love
Companies: Million Dollar Book Reviews
-Million Dollar Boys Cub, LLC

Practice What You Preach by Vanessa Davis Griggs receives
4.5 Diamonds <> <> <> <> <

First and foremost it was a very distinct pleasure meeting such an accomplished writer right here on Myspace. Vanessa Davis Griggs is an author and motivational speaker who adores the power of words both written and spoken. At the end of 1996, this former Bell South employee left 18 years of service and stepped out on faith. She left to pursue a life long dream of writing and motivational speaking. Her hard work and dedication has earned her numerous accomplishments as an author. In 2007 she was awarded the Arts and Letters Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Birmingham Alabama Chapter. Additionally, in 2006 she was also the recipient of The Greater Birmingham Millennium Section National Counsel of Negro Women Inspiration Award, and 2004-2005 Jasper Outstanding Achievement Award.

Her most recent novel entitled "Practice What You Preach" was an exceptional read that demanded my attention and took me to church all at the same time. This novel took me on a biblical journey of understanding the many "misconceptions" of divorce.

Melissa Anderson, an aspiring event planner, try's her best to steer clear of men that just haven't measured up in the past. She is more into her career at this point but deep down inside secretly longs to meet Mr. Right. In the middle of planning a wedding for a popular couple in the city she meets Marcus Peeples, a gifted minister.

Melissa is torn between the strong feelings developing inside for Marcus but is also more spiritually compelled to live in accordance with God's will concerning the issue of divorce. She refuses to get serious with Marcus because she considers it adultery, fooling around with a divorced man.

Marcus being the gifted minister that he truly is, eventually breaks through the many barriers and false perceptions of divorce by holding a one on one bible class with Melissa. Not only did it clear up the misconception at the one on one bible study but it also began the connection of two souls destine to be together.

This novel has a variety of social issues to talk about in addition to the main story line. I found myself deeply connected to the content and inspired to find out and research more. This book will make you want to pick up your bible along with Marcus and Melissa and follow along.

Author's words to her fans...

"I can only hope you know how much I not only appreciate you, but respect you. You make what I do have greater meaning. Otherwise it's like a tree that falls in the forest---does it really make a sound? So I thank you from the bottom, top, and sides of my heart!"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Breaking Generational Curses, May 28, 2009

By 

Dream 4 More Book Reviews "Adrienna Turner" (Milwaukee, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practicing What You Preach (Paperback)

Vanessa Davis Griggs has a blend of characters with social issues, baby mama drama, and unveiling faith. Characters are well-written that interweaves some generational curses that need to be broken, religiosity, judgmental believers, and genuine angels that step out of the norm. There are some characters you cannot help but love, and others question their motives when they realize they lost something good! Do not jump to other people opinions of you, do not be quick to anger, and loose what God brought in your life (divine connections, job, people, divine relationships and marriages, etc.).

Do not loose on the blessings God has for you! Break those generational curses, strongholds, and negativity in your life. This book lays it all out. It is a must-read. Practice what you Preach!

Thank you for entrusting us with your advance copy! Favorite characters are Marcus Peeples, his daughter Aaliyah, and these characters grew on me at the very end: Angela "Angel" Underwood and Arletha Brown (Black).

Dream 4 More Book Reviews,
Adrienna Turner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, November 23, 2009

By 

Y.S. Jessie "Pearli" (Beaumont, TX.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practicing What You Preach (Paperback)

I love Mrs. Griggs and have purchased and read all her novels leading up to this one, but this particular story was a bit rushed at the end. For instance, the ex-wife was in the kitchen preparing a meal for him and their daughter she came over (main character) and in a mad dash to keep her from leaving, he proposed to her, all on 1 page. There was no thought to it at all and the story ended right there. I just felt cheated. I detest stories that take the time to develop the characters and when you get to the end, they rush to bring everything to a head. How fair is that to the reader?

And I believe that some of the storyline was off. In Strongholds, which was written before this one, Angel was pregnant and found out her husband had pornographic desires that she was not aware of. In this book, they've just returned from their honeymoon but the book made several references to the fictional Pastor's series on Strongholds that he taught. In fact, the main character in this book had gotten over her married lover in the book Strongholds and this was her new relationship. So how could they have been returning from a honeymoon in Practicing when in Strongholds she was "very" pregnant. Confusing indeed.