Farther Than I Meant To Go, Longer Than I Meant To Stay (Paperback)

by Tiffany L. Warren (Author)
Key Phrases: sugar mama, armor bearer, First Lady, Pastor Jenkins, Bishop Donaldson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Charmayne Ellis is an established, polished professional but although very successful her ridiculing mother and wise cracking younger sister won't let her forget that she is 36, fat and unmarried. Her best friend, Lynette sets her up on a blind date with the gorgeous Travis Moon who shows interest. Charmayne's caution light blinks like crazy but under pressure, she talks herself into allowing Travis to work his charm on not only her but also her friends and family. Dismissing a persistent feeling that Travis is not the man God wants for her, Charmayne ignores advice and marries him. As Charmayne settles in to share her entire life with her new husband, Travis only has devastating secrets in exchange. She knew about his felony record and parole requirements but soon she has to face his bisexuality and theft. Then his addiction to porn empties her bank account and costs her the career she loves and she's devastated. With no husband, no job and no one who seems to understand, Charmayne-with the help of a Christian therapist-learns that her real problem was never her weight or her marital status. Instead it was her own inability to trust God enough to wait on His best for her life.

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: 336 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (October 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446693537
• ISBN-13: 978-0446693530
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,205 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He Ain't the One, February 25, 2007

By	J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

Charmayne Ellis could probably be the poster child for full figured, saved and single women. She is successful at her job as a bank president, has good friends and active in the ministry. Beneath all the positives, she is unhappy. In her opinion, and in the opinion of her mother, sister and friends, she is incomplete without a man in her life. At close to forty, her biological clock is telling her that time is getting short, but how can she get married and start a family, when she can not even get a date. Add Travis Moon to the story and you have Tiffany L Warren's sophomore novel, Farther Than I Meant to Go, Further Than I Meant to Stay.

This novel starts with Charmayne breaking glasses and windows in her home. The tinkling sound of glass breaking soothes her frazzled soul. It also scares her neighbors who call for help and Charmayne ends up in the psych ward and subsequently on the couch of Dr. Rayna King. At this point, Charmayne relives the past to tell how she got to the present. Starting with her overly critical mother, perfect sister, seemingly supportive or non-supportive friends to Travis Moon and her down from grace..

When Travis Moon walked into her office, Charmayne found herself looking at all the qualities she wanted in a man. He was tall, good looking and employed. When he asked her out, she knew the Lord had finally answered her prayers. Was he the husband she had been praying for? After all, he was saved, a "minister in training" and most of all he loved big women. His talk of marriage and children where just what Charmayne needed to hear. In her eagerness to get married, Charmayne ignored signs from the Lord that said "Wait".

I found this book to be an easy read. I laughed, cried, shook my head and empathized with Charmayne. The one thing I thought as I was reading was the saying I heard a pastor say once. "He who findeth a wife, findeth a good thing, not she that findeth a husband". Warren did a great job of delving into the psyche of a woman desperate to please others and in the process sacrifice their values. I really liked how Warren used the counseling sessions and the reader could see how Charmayne emerged into a new and improved woman. My local bookclub had a lively discussion regarding many issues in this book. I highly recommend this book to single sisters and book clubs.

Review by Jeanette for the Motown Review Book Club.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Life Turned Upside-Down, February 9, 2007

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

Thirty-six year old Charmayne Ellis is successful in her career and with her relationship with the Lord. She's the president of a financial institution and is an active member of her church. However, it seems as if her life is missing something. Although Charmayne knows she's no social butterfly with her weight problems and self-esteem issues, when her beautiful best friend is on her way down the aisle, it becomes painfully clear to Charmayne that she's seriously lacking in the love department.

When Travis Moon, the hunky maintenance man at her job, walks into her life, Charmayne sees a glimmer of hope for her romantic endeavors. Beneath the surface, however, are dark secrets that could endanger Charmayne's career, finances, and friendships and further drive her self-worth into the ground.

I thoroughly enjoyed Warren's sophomore release. While it held fast to the messages of forgiveness, patience, and listening to God's advice, it was in no way overly preachy or admonishing. Instead, Warren's story spoke for itself. I was a willing participant with Charmayne, and was easily able to feel her deep emotions, frustrations, and humorous moments. This was my first time reading work by this author, but it certainly won't be my last.

Reviewed by CandaceK
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want to be happy , October 31, 2006

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

Charmayne Ellis is everything that a lot of people would like to be. Attractive, intelligent, kind hearted, a Christian with a good job.

Charmayne is tired of everyone thinking that she needs a man in her life in order to be complete. Although, she's overweight, she still feels like she should have a man of her choosing. Not that she needs a man to be complete, some companionship would be nice.

The pastor's wife along with her best friend, keep trying to set her up. The men they select are either rejects or haven't had a date in years. They lack in personality, are too old, or just downright ugly. Both, her mother and sister believe that she's a hopeless case, sprouting that, in order to be considered somebody YOU must be married.

Without anyone's assistance, Charmayne meets Travis Moon, a fine, Christian, single, working brother. He's employed at the bank Charmayne manages. At first, she was skeptical about accepting a lunch date because of their working environment, but Charmayne decides against that. Now happy, people are looking at her, as if she has to BUY Travis.

Seeking prayer and guidance from God, Charmayne has asked if Travis is the man for her. God has answered her prayers and she has accepted what the Lord has said but, is she hearing correctly? Are the signs for a GO to marry this strong willed man of God, or to let him go?

Farther Than I meant To Go, Longer Than I Meant To Stay, is a very good book! I highly recommend!!!

Reviewed by: Carmen