In the Midst of It All [Paperback]

Tiffany L. Warren (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

All her life, Zenovia has struggled with the burden of caring for her schizophrenic mother, Audrey, alone. Until one day, God seems to offer support in the form of two members of a church called the Brethren of the Sacrifice, who knock at the women's door preaching an unconventional version of the Gospel. Despite having questions, Zenovia agrees to join the church along with her mother. Soon afterward, Audrey stops taking her medication when fellow churchgoers deem her illness a demonic possession. Unable to watch her mother's mental deterioration, Zenovia flees town, only to receive a fateful phone call several years later telling her of her mother's suicide. Heartbroken, Zenovia must now make a soul-altering choice: accept "God's will," or return home to confront the demons she's worked so hard to leave behind....

About the Author

Tiffany L. Warren, is an author, playwright, songwriter, mother and wife. Her debut novel What a Sista Should Do, was released in June of 2005 and has ministered to over 50,000 readers. Her second book, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay was a national bestseller. In 2006, Tiffany and her husband, Brent, founded Warren Productions and released their first gospel musical. What a Sista Should Do - The Stage Play debuted in Cleveland, OH at the famed Allen Theatre.

Tiffany is also the visionary behind the Faith and Fiction Fellowship tour. Presently, the authors have visited groups in Atlanta, Houston, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Charlotte.

Tiffany's third novel, The Bishop's Daughter was released in January 2009. Tiffany resides in northern Texas with her husband Brent and their five children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; 1 edition (February 22, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446195162
• ISBN-13: 978-0446195164
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #299,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overcomer, February 13, 2010

By	Donnica Copeland "http://sistatalkbookclub.we... (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: In the Midst of It All (Paperback)

In The Midst of It All by Tiffany L Warren is about a young teen named Zenovia. There was not a time that Zenovia could remember when she did not have to care for her mother, Audrey. Audrey was a schizophrenic and Zenovia did all she could to help maintain some kind of sanity in their home. Knowing that they needed God in their life, Audrey and Zenovia welcomed some members of the Brethren of the Sacrifice into their home to learn more about this new church. Zenovia was skeptical at first, but Audrey was so excited at the new outlook on the Bible. Zenovia and Audrey had visions of the future and of the past. Audrey had a vision of her husband 17 years earlier; and she sees him at the Brethren of the Sacrifice. That solidifies their membership there. Audrey goes on to marry and Zenovia's life takes a turn for the worse. Audrey's husband, Phillip, and the other members of the Brethren believe that Audrey should stop taking her medication. Zenovia knows that it is only a matter of time before Audrey will become violent.

Had it not been for the younger generation at the church, Zenovia might have lost her mind as well. Knowing that she wanted to go to college, Zenovia focused on getting great grades so she could get a scholarship and move away. Years pass and Zenovia has graduated from college, when the dreadful call comes about her mother. Before Zenovia can truly move on with her life and learn to love someone else, she must deal with her past.

Warren tells the story of a taboo subject in the African-American community. The situations are believable yet unbelievable at the same time. Warren has you question your beliefs in the Word and what some of the characters try to make you believe the Word to mean. I enjoyed routing for Zenovia to do what she knew was right. It is not a preachy book. Even if you are not into Christian fiction, I highly suggest this book for an interesting read.

This book was provided courtesy of the publisher.

Donnica Copeland
APOOO BookClub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Guidance, March 21, 2010

By	OOSA Online Book Club "O.O.S.A. Gets It Read!" (World Wide Web, USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: In the Midst of It All (Paperback)

At 17 years old, Zenovia Sinclair's life is a lot different from other teens. With a schizophrenic mother, Audrey, Zenovia is forced to do more of the parenting, making it necessary to scrutinize everything in order to ward of any possible embarrassing attacks. When members of the Brethren of the Sacrifice Church show up and offer Audrey a chance to start over, she is excited and ready to sign up. Fortunately for Zenovia, she finds that the children involved in the Brethren are friendly and easy to deal with, making it easy for her to finally have a semblance of a normal life with friends and hanging out while not having to monitor her mother's every single move.

Both falling into comfortable roles within the Brethren, Audrey's finally found the husband that she dreamed of 17 years prior. Unfortunately for Zenovia, Phillip, her mother's dream man, is dead set against medication and Zenovia is afraid of how her new life will deteriorate with a non medicated Audrey on the prowl.

Invested in her own drama, Zenovia is dating Emil, considered a rebel with the Brethren, and crushing on two brothers, Tristan and Justin, superstars in the Brethren. When her relationship with Emil goes further, Zenovia is treated like an outcast and is soon out of the perch. It hurts, but what hurts her more is the fact that even Audrey appears against her.

Four years later, Zenovia bumps into Justin Batiste at church. Despite his intense pursuit, Zenovia is still uncertain about them moving towards a future together. When she learns that he's cast out of the Brethren, they both must take a walk of faith and learn to get past the betrayal, hurt and pain associated with their families.

IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL by Tiffany L. Warren caught me completely off guard. I'd never read the synopsis and was just intent on reading it because of who the author was. A good story, with great characters and a different choice of religion was just the right mixture that pulled it all together for me. I loved that you felt the uncertainty, the doubt and the forgiveness throughout the entire story. God can do anything but fail!

Reviewed by Crystal

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars timely inspirational tale, February 27, 2010

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: In the Midst of It All (Paperback)

Teenager Zenovia has spent her entire young life caring for her schizophrenic mother. Tired and seeing a foreboding future of always being there for her mentally troubled mom, Zenovia does her best. When members of the Brethren of the Sacrifice Church arrive, Zenovia feels welcomed by them and though skeptical knows adding God into their lives will help them especially with her mom's excitement re the bible.

Seventeen years ago, Audrey saw her future husband in a vision; now she sees her one day spouse Phillip in person at the church. They marry, but instead of Zenovia's life improving, it turns nasty as her stepfather and the rest of the flock want Audrey to stop taking her schizophrenic medication that prevents her mom turning violent, but the congregation insists she is suffering from demonic possession. With the help of church peers, Zenovia works hard at school and obtains a college scholarship to escape; knowing one day the call she dreads will come.

This is a timely inspirational tale with a strong message that people should look closely at who interprets God's words; sort of a historiographer evaluating the history writer's background. Profound, Tiffany L. Warren provides a thought provoking exhilarating story line with a deep message encouraging people to apply the free will God has granted us to make your own interpretation and decision; as those who conveniently let others do so may be led by false profiteering prophets.

Harriet Klausner