Customer Reviews

Three Fifty-Seven A.M. Timing Is Everything (Urban Christian)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Three Fifty-Seven A.M. by Hank Stewart and Kendra Norman-Bellamy, lets us peek into the lives of neighbors in a small community called Braxton Park. Kids play in the street and adults go on in their everyday lives of work and family responsibilities, but no one really knows what goes on behind closed doors. Well, no one but God and Ms. Essie Mae Richardson. Ms. Essie, the neighborhood matriarch, is a 77 year-old widow. She has sat on her front porch over the years and watched her surroundings grow and her neighbors come and go. But with a good eye, wisdom, and some keen hearing, she can see that there is trouble brewing along the way. She steps in with her kind and gentle spirit and lets God use her to bring peace and understanding to those around her and by doing so, she is blessed in return.

Elaine Demps loves her husband, Mason, but their marriage is going downhill fast and she does not know how to stop it. They do not communicate or spend any time together. Mason only comes home long enough to trade one car for another. Elaine feels frustrated and neglected. Soon enough, someone else begins to give Elaine the attention she deserves. The temptation bought on by this man may be the one thing that convinces her to give up on her marriage. Colin and Angel Stephens appear to be the perfect couple. They are married and Angel is pregnant with their first child. They have so many hopes for their family and they are on top of the world. Life could not be sweeter for them until one morning when one mistake occurs that could totally change the course of their lives. Immediately, their relationship, which was always so easy, shifts to something so difficult. Jennifer Mays is a single mother to 14 year-old Jerrod. Jerrod is headed down the wrong path fast and Jennifer, who is all alone, does not know what else to do to turn him around. She is helpless and he, because of suppressed hurt and anger, is rebellious and acting out.

Three Fifty-Seven A.M. is such a touching and engaging story. I was immediately drawn to Ms. Essie. Anyone fortunate enough to have had a woman like her in your life, like I have, will love her character. She is the backbone of this book just as she is the common link for the people of Braxton Park. Stewart and Bellamy give us great storytelling and wonderful characterizations. This is a smooth, quick read but it packs an emotional punch. I recommend this book to inspirational and Christian fiction fans and anyone who wants to be reminded of what it was like when Great-Grandma, Big Momma, or Madear were around.

Reviewed by Donielle
APOOO BookClub

The book was written with a twist that made you want to know what will happen with each of the characters. She made her characters realistic and people who you could identify with. I read the book in 2 days but if I had one day alone could have easily read it. I cried at the end and was pleased how well written a storyline could be. Definitely a must read!!!!

This book beautifully demonstrates that each of us has a job to do while here on Earth. Ultimately, knowing ones purpose is the challenge. Essie, listened to a sermon one Sunday, where the Pastor spoke about "Loving Your Neighbor As Yourself." As she often pondered why God allowed her to outlive her husband and what His will was for her life, she listened to that still small voice and began "loving" her neighbors. Being quite intuitive and aware of God speaking, she began to witness and become involved in her neighbor's affairs. She spoke wisdom and truth into their lives and began to tell of God's goodness.

Will the single mom with the troublesome son come to realize the depth of his rebelion and why? What about the married couple who seem to have lost the love that brought them together? Will they find their way back to the foundation that kept them as one? Then there is the couple that truly love each other and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first born. But, when an accident happens, how strong is their love?

Essie has wisdom given to her by God to share, will they listen? What happens when Essie has done that - that God asked her to do? This story is breathtaking and very thought provoking.

Take the journey, and see what God reveals to you!

I am so greatful to the authors for writing a truly inspiring work. This book, had love, intimacy, respect, wisdom, parental challenges, marital conflicts, and much more I was captivated from the beginning until the end. I cried at the end.

I wasnt sure what to expect from this novel, but i must say I was very well pleased. The drama that unfolded within the story was so real and every day. I could certaininly relate and see a resemblenace among a few of my friends. I was glad to see the authors bring back respect and honor to our elderly and wise family members. and the ending "Oh My God"

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It touched my heart and brought me to tears. It made me think about my grandmother and how God has timing for everything and everybody. I loved all of the characters, especially Ms. Essie and I am ordering the sequel. If you have not read this book, you are missing out on a very good and positive read.

I just finished reading "Three Fifty-Seven: Timing is Everything", and it was a wonderful book. It was very inspirational. It proves that good things can happen for everyone especially if they have the presence of the Lord in their lives. It was a sad ending, but a beautiful ending. The only part I had some trouble with was at the very beginning of the book, when Essie kept going on and on about her love for her husband, Ben. At first, I was like Mrs. Bellamy "come on" let's get on with the story. Fortunately, I later understood why the author had to elaborate on their love for each other. In the book, I learned that "forgiveness" is very important and you should never turn your back on anyone especially our young people. Great job! Mrs. Bellamy

After I read the first 2 pages, I knew this was going to be a tough read! I kept picking the book up and putting it back down. It did not keep my attention at all and only became interesting when the supposedly dead relative came back to visit. I only finished reading it because I spent my money! Don't torture yourself!

WOW this was a really good book, it took me through so many emotions, all the Characters seem really real. I love how each Character has a different story and they all come together, the ending made me cry like a baby I felt like I was part the story. This is most Definitely a must read!!!!!

This is fiction at its finest. I have to tell you. The Characters in this story are just as real as you and I. The gift that Kendra Bellamy has is in creating stories that reflect the human experience no matter what you do, who you are or where you live. In this book, the setting is Braxton Park. A suburb of Alpharetta Georgia. It gives us a glimpse into the lives of Ms.Essie Mae robinson. A lady who has lived,loved and lost much. In her 70 something years she has more love left to give, a whole lot of wisdom to share and always a little bit of food for the soul. The story brings 3 women with their stressed out complicated lives together and even though she can't prevent jenneifer,Elaine and Angel from stepping into the pitfalls of life, she sure has some sage advice to offer.Advice that makes eyes buck,tongues click,and necks roll;But, it goes down a little smoother with that wonderful homemade lemonade and cobbler she is known to cook up. The adventures of wayward young Jerrod,bitter and frustrated single mother Jennifer, Hot and flustered Elaine and her hot headed husband Mason, along with expectant new parents Angel and Colin, Ms.Essie definitely has her work cut out for her. Eventually she begans to make a dent in the hard heads and in the process leaves lasting imprints on their hearts and yours. This book made me laugh and made me cry. I knew it supposedly had a sewuel so I purchased it but put off reading it until book 2 (The Morning After) was released. It took me a cold and rainey weekend to get through both and I was more than impressed with it. An ending I wasn't expecting....but Ms.Bellamy is known for weaving tales that keep you guessing (in a good way) Once again, I recommend this book. It reminded me of a favorite aunt that I lost many many years ago.It was as if the writer resurrected her for my enjoyment.
Great story that could be anyone's story. One of the many reasons I hate that they place some of these fantastic authors in the Christian fiction category. A great story is a great story.PERIOD! Especially when an author can skillfully interchange more than one element of writing into a single story. ie: drama,inspiration,suspense,humor etc.
Pick up this book and ENJOY!