Customer Reviews

Redemption

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the Bible, there is a story of a prophet who was ordered by the Lord to marry a prostitute and he did. For a while, they were happy. They had two children and things seemed to be going well. As time went by, she became bored and wanted to return to her homeland and she ran away. After a while, the prophet went and got her back; she was with a child that was not his. She stayed for a while, then ran away again. He again went to get his wife and she was with child. This is the story of Hosea and Gomer. In Jacquelin Thomas' novel, Redemption, when a well-known televangelist and pastor sees a beautiful actress, he knows she is sent by God to be his wife. This is the story of Reverend Warner Brice and Marin Alexander.

After a brief courtship, Warner and Marin marry, much to the chagrin of his sister, Chenille, who felt he could have picked from any of the single females of the church. However, Warner knew what God told him to do. The couple, with some disagreements, appear to be pretty happy. They have two little boys and when the boys become school age, Marin becomes bored and wants to return to the acting industry. In her efforts to research an upcoming movie role, Marin tries a line of cocaine, then another and then another. Absorbed with getting high, she quickly is on a downward spiral into the world of drugs. When she finally reaches out for help, Warner is right there, to forgive and get her treatment. After treatment everything seems good. Yes, there is still conflict with Warner`s sister, and Marin and her mother do not get along, but she can make it as long as she has Warner and her boys. Until, the cocaine monster hits her again. This time her addiction is so debilitating that she loses everything. When she hits rock bottom, she phones Warner. Warner has always forgiven Marin for her trespasses, can he again?

This was an enjoyable love story. The unconditional love that Warner had for Marin was encouraging in a world where people so easily give up on their marriage at the first sign of trouble. While I could feel the love between the couple, for me, there was something about Marin, I just could not like or feel for her. Nevertheless, it does not take anything away from the story. Fans of Christian Fiction will like this one. You might want to keep a hankie nearby for tears are surely to fall.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review BookClub

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Warner: The Lord has placed a call oh his hear to marry none other than famous Marin-the actress. As always everything in perfect in the beginning. Two children later and bored staying home and craving the lights and actions of Hollywood; Marin goes back...or at least tries. Soon after the parts and roles she receives isn't enough and once again she craves more which leads her to the wrong place meeting t he wrong people; in time she tries drugs for the first time and it ends up destroying not only her but her family as well.

With a husband so strong and following the voice of the Lord he forgives Miran (even though its hard) and welcomes her back with open arms.

JT gives us a better understanding of the story of Hosea and Gomer...

You're laugh and cry as you follow this remarkable story.

Jacquelin Thomas's latest novel, REDEMPTION, is a compelling story about unconditional love that closely mirrors the biblical story of Hosea. In short, REDEMPTION is a love story about Warner and Marin. Warner is the pastor of a prestigious church whose weekly sermons are televised throughout the world. More than anything, Warner desires to live his life according to God's will. Warner is a single man, and he asks God to lead him to his wife. You can only imagine the response he gets when he announces his future wife will be an insecure actress named Marin Alexander, a woman who in the view of most is hardly cut out to be a first lady. Nonetheless, the couple marry and begin their life together. But just as in the Bible story, Marin struggles with her new life. She has difficulty balancing her career with her roles as a wife, first lady, and eventually mother. Further, her insecurities make it hard for her to accept Warner's responsibilities as a pastor and his commitment to God. As the story unfolds, Marin's life takes numerous critical turns, but it is Warner's unconditional love that allows her to see the unconditional love of God and become the woman she is destined to be.

REDEMPTION is a story that is sure to touch the hearts of readers. The character development is thoughtful and thorough, allowing readers to "step inside" the heads and hearts of Marin and Warner and really understand who they are and why they make certain choices. It is easy to empathize with Marin's insecurities and to relate to her "I can do it on my own" mentality. Warner's unconditional love for Marin was inspiring, but because readers were privy to his inner thoughts he never comes across as naive. It is clear that despite his resolve to honor his wife and God's will, he had doubts, pain, and anger to cope with as well. The supporting characters added depth and a sense of realism to the story, and I especially liked how Thomas wove the actual Bible story into the plot. All in all, REDEMPTION is a powerful tale about life, love, and forgiveness.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Jacquelin is definitely a talented writer, and this book proves it. I loved this beautiful biblically-based story and read it in one sitting. I finished the book with tears in my eyes. This is at the top of my recommendation list!

I got my recieved my book at that time expected. And the quality of the book was excellent!! I was very impressed by the quality of service, will do business with them again.

I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down once I picked it up. I read it from the begin to the end in one day.

ok delivery. I feel if the book is in stock,why does it take up to 21days to get the book?

At first I couldn't see why Warren would take Marin as his wife. Sure she was pretty, but beauty is almost always skindeep. God told him this was to be his wife when he saw her the first time, but doesn't God also give us choices?
When Warren took Marin home to meet his parents it was Chanelle, his sister, who was resentful; she never liked Marin. I could see why. Marin was not cut out to be a first lady of Warren's church; a dignified, honest Cristian woman. Her hearts desire was only to be a famous moviestar, at all cost. The story written by Jacquelin Thomas was nicely written and I enjoyed the read, but it was so closely written after the Biblical story of Hosea and Gomer. Thomas only gave it a modern twist.

Warren was almost too perfect in his role as husband, and it took him a long time to see that Marin was not what he needed in his life. But his love was unconditional, for better or worse. He took her back after all the heartbreak she has caused him. Admirable and Christian like.

When Marin's life takes a turn for the worse, and her life is in jeopardy, she regrets to have taken all the wrong choices. Through it all she carried love for Warren in her heart, but it's too late to start over. Her redemption comes in the form of Geneva--the woman she wanted to be. Marin opens Warner's eyes in a letter, telling him that Geneva is the perfect woman for him and an asset to his church. She's the one who will make him happy.

The story has--in part--a sad ending, but love and faith triumphs after all.

Honestly, I had to pick this book up 3 times to attempt to read it, each time it ended up back on the shelf. The beginning was so incredibly dry. I had this book over a year before I could actually bring myself to finish it. But once the story gets rolling and you learn more about Marin and her troubles you get sucked, I did at least. The ending really pulled my heart strings. I won't ruin it for those who haven't read it but it was unexpected. Very good book if you can get past the extremely dry beginning.

I purchased several copies and gave some away as gifts. One person who has already completed the book has told me how good the book was and is waiting on me to complete reading the book. I can tell you from what I have read this book is awesome and entertaining. As Marin, mother and sister-in-law are, well you will have to read to see.... enjoy I sure am... Well back to reading. Can't wait to have a book discussion with this one.