A Test of Faith [Paperback]

Maxine Billings (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583144668
• ISBN-13: 978-1583144664
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,704,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Maxine Billings is a native of Villa Rica, GA. She now lives in Temple, GA with her husband Tony and their daughter Natasha and son Stefan. Maxine also works full-time as a Program Assistant for the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Maxine has enjoyed reading and writing as far back as she can remember. During her summer vacations from school, she participated in the reading program at the local library and spent most of her time reading. She also likes to write poetry. In the tenth grade, one of her poems was published in a school anthology. She liked writing so much that she always wrote more on writing assignments than what the teacher required. One of her cousins used to tease her profusely because she always wrote so much when he only wrote what the class was told and got the same grade as her, an A. When he found out that she had become a published author, he told her that he was glad all that writing she used to do finally paid off.

Maxine loves to read and write wholesome stories that inspire people in positive ways and give them hope. When she isn't writing, she loves spending time in spiritual activities and with her family. She also likes to dance, listen to Jazz and R & B, and do container gardening.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Til Death Do Us Part, April 17, 2005

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Test of Faith (Paperback)

The day you get married is undoubtedly one of the happiest days of your life. You and your spouse have dreams of a life full of happiness, children, travel and growing old together. But what happens when an unsuspected tragedy occurs that puts an end to all of your hopes and dreams?

Andrea Hamilton is a very happy, thirty-five year old married mother of one. She is living the American dream, she has the house, the husband, a job as a dental technician and a beautiful precocious five year old daughter named Kayla. She also has loving parents and a twin sister, who is also her best friend. She is active in her church and has a hoard of loving friends. When someone needs to be encouraged or needs words of inspiration it is Andrea they go to. She has been called the rock, for she is their strength when they have none.

Tragedy strikes when Clayton, Andrea's husband of ten years is killed by a drunk driver. Andrea finds herself on the receiving end of comfort and it doesn't sit too well with her. She is accustomed to being the strong one, but with losing her husband she doubts she can be that way again. The thought of living the rest of her life without Clayton and raising their daughter alone is devastating to Andrea and she doesn't know how she is going to survive. In addition to the loss of her husband, she finds out she is pregnant with the baby her and Clayton have been trying to conceive for months. This is icing on the cake, as Andrea wants to be happy but is finding it hard in dealing with the death of her husband and the thought of raising not one, but two children alone.

Andrea's friends and family do all they can to comfort and encourage her but it appears to be done in vain, as Andrea doesn't appear to want to be helped. She finds herself distancing herself from all of those who love her and just can't bear to go on. Will Andrea continue to live a life of constant grief? Or will she open her heart and allow God in, when she previously shut Him out as well? Can this strong woman pass this test and put all her faith back in God and become the woman she once was?

A TEST OF FAITH is a heart-wrenching and touching story that is sure to get your tears flowing. Billings does an awesome job depicting a grieving widow whose faith is definitely being tested. Because I am married I could relate to Andrea in that I have two small children and I am also a source of strength for several of my friends and family. I can not imagine my life without my husband, but could visualize having the exact same feelings and emotions that Andrea had. The story is so emotional and real, that it had me wondering if I would be able to be strong if something happened to my husband or would I too, want to give up? When someone has a long term illness their passing isn't a surprise as you have time to prepare yourself, but when someone dies suddenly it is devastating to all those who knew the person and the pain is a little harder to bear. When you have a strong connection to the characters in a book and the storyline, you know the book is a winner, and A TEST OF FAITH is no exception.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin

of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

3.0 out of 5 stars good book, September 10, 2008

By 

smlwoman "smlwoman" (nv, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Test of Faith (Paperback)

This book was a bit slow for me, but I think it is just because I read it right after reading 19 minutes by Jodi Picoult. Can't compare the two books. The characters are likeable, and very believeable. Keeps your attention. I could relate to Leah more then to Andrea. I hope I never have to relate to Andrea. Found out that it is hard to be patient while others greif can last months to years.