Customer Reviews

Soul Matters

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Soul Matters by Yolanda Tonette Sanders is the latest Christian Fiction release from Walk Worthy Press. Infidelity and deceit threaten a Christian family when they are forced to face the lies that are creating mistrust, disorder, and tension in their lives. Wendy Phillips is a newlywed with a baby on the way, whose life is turned upside down when she receives devastating news from her doctor. Believing her husband is guilty of having an affair and that her life is in jeopardy due to his infidelity, Wendy contemplates divorcing her husband and aborting their child so that she will not have any lasting memories or connections to her husband. As Wendy becomes consumed regarding the abrupt ending of her short-lived marriage, she turns inward and shuts out loved ones, church family, and God.
Sanders is a fresh new voice in the Christian Fiction genre and she does a good job of writing a plot that engages even the most fair weather fan of this genre. She captures the reader's attention from Chapter One with a suspenseful and intriguing set up. Sub-plots involving Wendy's mother and grandfather; younger sister and grandmother; and a friend who suddenly reappears in Wendy's life round out this entertaining and compelling read.

Sanders allows the reader to witness characters who are struggling with personal tribulations develop a closer relationship with God and mature in the Word. However, I enjoyed the realism of the story, and must admit that I was happy to see that not everyone conquered their demons. The true to life presentation helped to set this book apart from many of the other books that are currently available in this genre. I enjoyed Sander's debut novel and look forward to reading future releases from this talented, young author.

Reviewed by Yasmin
APOOO BookClub

Wendy should be on top of the world. She has a great job; she's pregnant with her first child and has a wonderful husband. Or does she? A routine medical visit indicates that Wendy has an STD! The only place she could have contracted it was from Mr. Wonderful!

Kim, Wendy's sister is unmarried with two children and a boyfriend. Grandmother Francine is a judgmental and bitter woman who complains about everything, especially Kim. Mother Marlene keeps everyone in balance, if that's possible in this family.

When Wendy separates from Kevin, her well-heeled husband, her family rallies around, supporting her however they can, as she negotiates pregnancy and then motherhood as a single woman.

Each family member has their own particular secrets that slowly come to light-and those secrets, the sharing or discovery of them, bring pain but also forgiveness, healing and humility.

Armchair Interviews says: Soul Matters is a compelling novel of family in search of God and each other. Yolonda Tonette Sanders doesn't duck the difficulties of the world. She faces issues straight on and brings the reader along for a good ride. You'll keep reading because you'll want to know what happens with each character, especially Wendy and Kevin.

This was an awesome debut novel for the author. This book exposed the "lukewarm" Christians of today. It gave all facets of the Christianity Stuggle. From how do you react when the water gets hot? How do you handle the skeletons rattling in your closet? How to fix a back stabbing "friend"? What can happen when you jump to conclusions and not have the "Fruits of the Spirit" working in your life? This book has it all. A great read. The flow,intrigue and element of surprise of the book keep it very interesting. Ironically, it was the man initially labeled "the dog" in the story line, who proved to have more moral values than the self proclaimed "do good righteous women". After reading this book you are sure to understand someone in your life just a little bit better. Keep up the good work Yolanda! The Regal Sister's are anxiously awaiting your next novel.

* The views expressed in this review are purely for informational purposes, provided by The Regal Sisterhood Book Club - Dallas. We don't claim to be professional reviewers, nor do we feel the need to be published authors, in order to express our opinions. We are merely readers who recognize quality literary material. Our comments are not meant to offend or ostracize anyone. We wish all authors the best success in their chosen field.

Soul Matters was a powerful and inspirational testament to the trials and tribulations Christians may experience in their walk with God.

The story dealt with some real life issues and how they may challenge our faith and our relationship with God, the Father.

Will we lean and draw closer to him in times of adversity or will we take matters into our own hands?

I really appreciated one of the messages resonated throughout the book...do not look to others for your salvation, seek God for yourself, the church is not perfect because we are not perfect! God accepts us and loves us in spite of all our faults and short-comings, he is a God of more than a second chance!

I want to extend a hearty congratulations to Ms. Sanders for a wonderfully powerful story of inspiration for the soul!

I am looking forward to your next work! May God continue to shower you with his bountiful blessing!!!

A New Dedicated Fan,
Darlene Bullock-Gamble

SOUL MATTERS by Yolonda Tonette Sanders is about family ties, love, secrets, and lies. As the old saying goes, what's done in the dark always comes to light, and this novel is no exception.

Wendy, a newly married elementary school teacher, has the perfect life, or so she thinks. She loves her husband Darius to pieces, has a close loving relationship with her parents and her sister, and is working in her career of choice. All is well in Wendy's world until she is diagnosed with an STD. She can't believe that her husband would step out on her. What is she going to do? What will people think of her? Most importantly, what will her family think? These thoughts run through Wendy's mind as she contemplates her next move and wonders how to break the news to her family.

While Wendy has issues she is dealing with, unbeknownst to her, a few other family members aren't sharing everything that's going on in their lives either. Wendy's grandmother has the biggest secret of all, and when it's revealed, everyone she is close to is impacted in a major way.

SOUL MATTERS was a fast-paced, enjoyable read that dealt with real-life family issues. The characters were strongly developed, where I felt I knew them and knew how they would react to various situations. The one thing the family members all had in common was their spirituality and their belief in God. They knew that when times got tough He was the one they could count on and the one who would soften their hearts. SOUL MATTERS is a welcome addition to the literary world, and Sanders is an author I plan to keep my eye out for.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

Sanders writes a good story that starts slow but picks up quickly. Though the main character was a bit hard to cheer for it was an easy read with lots of moral introspection sparked by the subtle prompting of the story line. The plot has been done but is presented in a way that makes you want to make it to the end. The sub characters steal the scenes away from the main characters at time but not in a way that makes it hard to complete the story. An easy story that delivers in the morals department although a little slow at times. While hosting more than the desired number of predictable characters still a great read which is why it received a Silver rating.

Soul Matters is an EXTREMELY well written book. I read this book for nine hours straight, because I couldn't put it down. The chapters flowed really nicely which made the book very easy to read. The characters are so real...they sound like people who are part of your biological and/or church family. Recommend you buy at least five copies to give to your mom, aunts, sisters, sorors, and girlfirends for Christmas or birthdays. It is very hard to believe this is the authors first published book, because it is so AWESOME!!! I can't wait for a sequel or a movie. May God Bless Yolanda in future endeavors!!!

I had read the first chapter of this exciting book on line before it was released for sale. I could not wait for the book, and the wait was well worth it. This work was so exciting, so accurate. There is a little Wendy in all of us and all of us have " the grandmother". This book brings home the fact that we claim to trust in God at all times but when confronted with problems we try to solve them ourselves. I congratulate Yolanda on this first endeavor. I cannot wait for more releases from this talented young lady!

This book was excellent! I could not put it down! Yes, the book was long, but it wasn't too long! Yolonda carefully crafted out every detail of the story and made it very interesting! I can't recall the last time I read a fiction book of any kind. Thanks to Soul Matters, I am open to reading other Christian fiction novels- especially if they are written by Yolonda Tonette Sanders! May God bless you, Yolonda! What an awesome and entertaining story!

"Soul Matters by Yolanda Tonelle Sanders was an enjoyable read and a reminder that you should be true in all your dealings and keep GOD in everything you do. You would think Wendy had it all in her perfect world, finacially stable husband who makes sure she wants for nothing,safe job that she did not need. A family that was strong and loved her.She had always lived her life a christian way. When trouble arises you start wondering how true is her faith,and trust in what she has always belived.While reading "Soul Matters" you may want to slap Wendy at times or shake Kevin to get a backbone. But what a refreshing breath to meet a man like Kevin. With her life falling apart and her family lies and secrets coming to light,you start wondering when will Wendy call out for help from the only one she knows would help her.