Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Promises Beyond Jordan, July 10, 2003
Pastor George Landris seemingly has everything a man could want. He is the Head Pastor of a large church with thousands of members and the leader of a successful television ministry. Pastor Landris has also managed to woo the beautiful Theresa Jordan's hand in marriage. As a well-respected figurehead in the community, Pastor Landris shows love and compassion for his church members by counseling the troubled and visiting the sick and shut in. Unfortunately, through the mask of all this success, both members of this seemingly happy couple hold damaging secrets. Theresa Jordan, daughter of a prominent Bishop has kept vital information about her past from George. Likewise George is caught in an emotional quandary between his feelings for Theresa and a yearning to be with a woman from his past during her family tragedy. This departure may seem inconsequential to the outside observer but when looking deeper, readers get a glimpse of the true feelings George has for this woman. Vanessa Davis Griggs demonstrates her extraordinary writing talents in her captivating novel about religion, relationships, betrayal and redemption. Promises Beyond Jordan follows George and Theresa along their slippery slope toward relationship peril. The spiritual references and scripture verses at the beginning of each chapter creates a fresh and unique approach to storytelling. The verses relate to the emotions and voices and acted upon in each chapter as well as its overall theme. Griggs is very successful at telling the story within the story without losing the reader in the interpretation of complicated subplots. Characters are also well developed, allowing you to feel their struggles and moral dilemmas. When Theresa contemplates her relationship with George and questions his love for her, you can feel her sadness. Likewise, when George is faced with church politics and is confronted by members of his church, the reader is concerned with seeing his good name cleared. Promises Beyond Jordan is not only for the spiritual churchgoers among us. The book speaks to many situations and relationships far outside of the realm of the church. I will admit that experience with church politics or even membership in a black church environment will give readers an increased appreciation for the author's realistic depiction of how church members often react to gossip and so called "inappropriate behavior". I enjoyed this novel and was impressed by how things in the beginning tied into revelations at the end. I recommend this book to both men and women. Promises Beyond Jordan receives a rating of Four.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Refreshing Look at Integrity, November 16, 2001
Messages are abundant in Promises Beyond Jordan. Beginning in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to Atlanta, to Birmingham, Alabama and back again, is the tale of integrity, commitment or lack there of, love, hope and redemption. "Have you ever loved someone that you never had," opens chapter one and is the catalyst for this story.George Landris is the dreadlock wearing, spirit-filled, eloquent speaking pastor of Wings of Grace Faith Ministry Church. Theresa Jordan is a minister's daughter and the fiancé of Pastor Landris. She is selfish and often times her behavior is inexplicable. In the mix we have Bishop Richard Jordan (Theresa's father), his wife Beatrice and Lena Patterson. These three individuals have kept a long held secret from Theresa that seeks to destroy the family unit. However, they believed that harboring this secret was the right thing to do in hopes of creating a normal childhood for Theresa. Nine days before his wedding Pastor Landris takes off for Birmingham, Alabama without informing Theresa as to why. During this fateful trip Pastor Landris is reunited with an old friend that fuels Theresa's insecurities. Theresa's insecurities cause her to loose her faith and she too has a secret that must be kept. During Pastor Landris' trip and upon his arrival, we are left wondering about the identity of this mysterious individual and why he will not reveal this information to Theresa. The answers to these questions are answered within the nine days leading up to the wedding and beyond. Sometimes life brings trouble and offers little to no solutions and God's answers are not easy to understand. Promises Beyond Jordan demonstrates the adage of faith, being true to yourself and honoring a commitment once it is made. The sermons, church members and other church related activities are as entertaining as they are real. This is very good Christian fiction read with enough drama to keep you captivated. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where Did Our Love Go, June 17, 2004
Vanessa Davis Griggs is one of BET's newest inspirational fiction writers. In her debut novel, Promises Beyond Jordan, the character Pastor George Landris asks his fiance Theresa Jordan the question "Have you ever loved someone that you never had?". This question sets off intense responses and consequences for the characters in this novel. Theresa Jordan is due to marry Pastor George Landris in just ten days when he goes running off to Alabama to see about a friend, Johnnie Mae Taylor. Theresa understands that Johnnie's husband and child are seriously injured in an auto accident, but what she does not understand is why her fiancee is spending all his time at Johnnie's side, when their wedding is just days away. Because of his concern for Johnnie and her situation, Pastor Landris forfeits preaching the Christmas Eve sermon at his own church, while he stays in Alabama to comfort Johnnie. Christmas celebration with the family turns out to be a disaster. Lena, her "play" mother is invited to the festivities and the wedding much to Theresa's dismay. She is horrified by the thought that Lena will be a part of her special day and directs unnecessary cruel statements towards Lena. As Theresa's conduct spirals out of control, she leaves the family gathering and finds comfort among friends. Her behavior shocks Pastor Landris so much that the second thoughts he had about their upcoming nuptials intensifies. Many times so much is expected from a Pastor, and therefore the First Lady of a church has to be a special type of woman. Unresolved issues in both Pastor Landris and Theresa's lives jeopardize the harmony needed to be the couple blessed by God to lead their church. They have to learn to deal with issues involving trust, deceit and honesty. Vanessa Davis Griggs does a good job in bringing out these issues for both and neither character is without fault. I know I had issues with both of them. There are a few twists and turns that may surprise the reader. Overall this is a good book I would recommend for the reader who enjoys inspirational or romance reads. Jeanette
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