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Defining Moments
A year after fleeing her home on the South Carolina coast to escape her growing feelings for her married business partner, Jake, Sheila Moore returns to Charleston in the hope of coming to terms with the past, her relationship with Jake, and her quest to find peace, joy, and love in her life. By the author of The Prodigal Husband. 50,000 first printing.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Jacquelin Thomas
126 books420 followersJacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best selling author with 94 titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 18, 2008
Charming Tale of Christian Fellowship & Devotion!
I wasn’t sure if I would like this book – I don’t read the Bible as much as I should and I have friends and family members that are very religious which is a good thing, but some of them are a little scary; but I enjoyed this book very much! The Bible references were comforting and made me feel a stronger connection to God and I didn’t expect that I would feel that way – I didn’t feel “preached at” and this is a talent that Jacquelin Thomas has, communicating her obvious love of Christianity, but in a way that is encouraging and not overbearing.
I didn’t read The Prodigal Husband first and I can see where having known that story would have added depth to these characters, but even as a stand-alone novel, I felt drawn to the story of Sheila, who after being diagnosed with MS, finds the strength to turn to God for support instead of blaming Him for her past problems.
This pivotal change happens through her friendship with Nicholas, a handsome Christian writer that she’s known for awhile and once had a crush on, but never a relationship. Although there is a connection between them, Nicholas concentrates on being there for Sheila as she goes through her trials with MS and eventually leads her to the Bible and God’s word – he encourages her to realize her worth in God’s eyes and seek the comfort that can be found in His love.
Along the way, Sheila encounters her business partner Jake, and his wife Tori – with whom she has a bad history. Apparently Sheila once had a torrid affair with Jake and almost cost him is marriage – at first she sees her friendship with Nicholas as a way antagonize Tori, since she’s good friends with Nicholas, but again, though the Bible, she finds out that forgiveness is the only way that she will be happy. As his friendship with Sheila increases, Nicholas begins to have romantic feelings for her as well, and the reader gets to watch the battle between his very human needs vs. his spiritual standards.
This was my first Black Christian novel and I plan to read others for the interesting storylines and for the inspiration that they provide – this was a good story and a fast read – highly recommended.
I wasn’t sure if I would like this book – I don’t read the Bible as much as I should and I have friends and family members that are very religious which is a good thing, but some of them are a little scary; but I enjoyed this book very much! The Bible references were comforting and made me feel a stronger connection to God and I didn’t expect that I would feel that way – I didn’t feel “preached at” and this is a talent that Jacquelin Thomas has, communicating her obvious love of Christianity, but in a way that is encouraging and not overbearing.
I didn’t read The Prodigal Husband first and I can see where having known that story would have added depth to these characters, but even as a stand-alone novel, I felt drawn to the story of Sheila, who after being diagnosed with MS, finds the strength to turn to God for support instead of blaming Him for her past problems.
This pivotal change happens through her friendship with Nicholas, a handsome Christian writer that she’s known for awhile and once had a crush on, but never a relationship. Although there is a connection between them, Nicholas concentrates on being there for Sheila as she goes through her trials with MS and eventually leads her to the Bible and God’s word – he encourages her to realize her worth in God’s eyes and seek the comfort that can be found in His love.
Along the way, Sheila encounters her business partner Jake, and his wife Tori – with whom she has a bad history. Apparently Sheila once had a torrid affair with Jake and almost cost him is marriage – at first she sees her friendship with Nicholas as a way antagonize Tori, since she’s good friends with Nicholas, but again, though the Bible, she finds out that forgiveness is the only way that she will be happy. As his friendship with Sheila increases, Nicholas begins to have romantic feelings for her as well, and the reader gets to watch the battle between his very human needs vs. his spiritual standards.
This was my first Black Christian novel and I plan to read others for the interesting storylines and for the inspiration that they provide – this was a good story and a fast read – highly recommended.
July 19, 2007
Inspirational
I enjoyed this novel. I found a lot of myself within the pages. Forgiveness is hard. Especially when you have to forgive and forget. And like Sheila, I'm still working on that one. Thomas' novels give you that spiritual refresher you need. Remind you of the things you need to lay before God yourself. I must admit the romantic in me was hoping that Sheila and Nicholas would stay together, but I think she got something much more wonderful out of her relationship with him. He helped lead her to the Lord and what better relationship is there than one with Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
I enjoyed this novel. I found a lot of myself within the pages. Forgiveness is hard. Especially when you have to forgive and forget. And like Sheila, I'm still working on that one. Thomas' novels give you that spiritual refresher you need. Remind you of the things you need to lay before God yourself. I must admit the romantic in me was hoping that Sheila and Nicholas would stay together, but I think she got something much more wonderful out of her relationship with him. He helped lead her to the Lord and what better relationship is there than one with Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
October 27, 2016
Didnt really like this book. I read two other books by this author prior to reading this one---Jazebel which made me cry and Redemption which made my cry harder. This book was just UGH. You didnt really feel for any of the people except Nicholas and Shelia's mother.
June 19, 2021
Defining Moments
Sheila was a very troubled woman with anger she carried from childhood which had her blind to anything else but thanks for the love of God she was able to find happiness. A great read.
Sheila was a very troubled woman with anger she carried from childhood which had her blind to anything else but thanks for the love of God she was able to find happiness. A great read.
August 14, 2008
I read this book in two day. I could not put it down. It is a great book and will make you think about alot of things in you own life. I getting read to start reading another book my this author.
May 29, 2013
Again, does this woman hate women, it seems like most of the women in her books are evil and end up paying for it.
April 7, 2017
I hardly read Christian Romance books, actually this was my first. I enjoyed the quiet a bit and the lessons that I learned from reading it. Now I just want to know more about Sheila and Nicholas
February 24, 2022
I wasn't too sure about this book at first, and I hated Sheila for most of it until I got towards the end. I didn't understand why she was so mean towards her mother and couldn't let Nicholas love her, but after reading more of her history, I understood her anger and felt like it was a realistic representation of how one's upbringing or mistakes can create resentment towards others. My favorite part of this book was when Sheila apologized to her mother! I felt emotional just reading it. I also enjoyed reading about forgiveness. I also appreciate the fact that the author didn't keep Sheila and Nicholas together for the sake of romance; he walked away when Sheila pushed him away. This book was a good balance between plot and Christian theme without laying on the religion thick. I felt like, despite the reader's beliefs, we could all learn from Sheila and learn to let go of bitterness, forgive others, embrace our lives (even the most unfortunate parts), and finally, appreciate our "defining moments".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
O my word!
This book of the series is a collection of messages and teachings of God's forgiveness and the way we have to forgive. The characters were defined for me and I could visualize the changes. Anticipating reading the third book!
This book of the series is a collection of messages and teachings of God's forgiveness and the way we have to forgive. The characters were defined for me and I could visualize the changes. Anticipating reading the third book!
October 29, 2026
Amazing read!!! The right amount of tasteful drama and the handy work of God behind the scenes captured and held my attention. This book made me self reflect on areas of unforgiveness in my life and the hinderance it can bring.
November 5, 2022
The woeful story of Sheila Moore. Sheila was a lot to unpack & digest. If I hadn’t read book 3 first (before realizing it was a series), I’m sure I would have hated Sheila to the same degree or more that she hated Jake & Torri. Sheila was a self-absorbed, delusional narcissist. This woman has lived a self inflicted life of anger and bitterness. Yes she had a rough childhood, but she caused her adult life to be filled with misery and she made sure she passed that misery around. The story is good, but I wouldn’t want to have a friend like Sheila. Even in print, she was a life-sucker. Just draining. But once Nicholas came into her life, I started to see her thru another lens. I pitied her bec she got stuck and felt she just needed to be shown love and kindness. I’m life, my dad always said there’s somebody for everybody. When Sheila’s somebody came along, she was to embittered to recognize a real friendship and a real love. As I thought further about it, bitterness will literally rob ppl of life and happiness. The author did an amazing job of weaving a true persona for a person like Sheila.
August 20, 2023
Good read
Really good read. I enjoyed it much. However, the amount of errors and typos are unbelievable from this and the 1st one otherwise it would get 5 stars.
Really good read. I enjoyed it much. However, the amount of errors and typos are unbelievable from this and the 1st one otherwise it would get 5 stars.
October 11, 2016
This book picks up where the Prodigal Husband left off, Which I read years ago. I was kinda hoping for a different ending, but it just didn't turn out like that. Jacquelin Thomas is just one of those great writers.
March 2, 2010
Toward the Path
DEFINING MOMENTS by Jacquelin Thomas picks up where THE PRODIGAL HUSBAND ended, four years later. Forced to leave South Carolina due to the pain associated with loving and seeking her married business partner Jake Madison, Sheila is returning home, even more bitter and angry than before.
While Jake and Tori have recommitted themselves to one another, Tori has still been unable to forgive Sheila. When Tori learns that her best friend, Nicholas, is caught in her dangerous web, she’s certain it’s only to spew more confusion.
DEFINING MOMENTS is a thought-provoking read. Readers witness Sheila’s acceptance of God and how she not only learns to love, but to forgive. I’ve had this book so long and didn’t realize that the two stories were connected. I wish I had, because it’s been so long I couldn’t recall all of the details of the first story.
DEFINING MOMENTS by Jacquelin Thomas picks up where THE PRODIGAL HUSBAND ended, four years later. Forced to leave South Carolina due to the pain associated with loving and seeking her married business partner Jake Madison, Sheila is returning home, even more bitter and angry than before.
While Jake and Tori have recommitted themselves to one another, Tori has still been unable to forgive Sheila. When Tori learns that her best friend, Nicholas, is caught in her dangerous web, she’s certain it’s only to spew more confusion.
DEFINING MOMENTS is a thought-provoking read. Readers witness Sheila’s acceptance of God and how she not only learns to love, but to forgive. I’ve had this book so long and didn’t realize that the two stories were connected. I wish I had, because it’s been so long I couldn’t recall all of the details of the first story.
February 25, 2016
This was a good book. I hated that it ended. Even though I did not liked the way Shelia acted, I still liked her. I laughed because some of the ways she acted, she reminded me of me. I was hoping there were another book because I worked to know how things turned out for her. I am happy she did changed though. Tori got on my nerves in this book.
February 23, 2011
Enjoyed how author walks through handling issues from the past. Disappointed with ending but maybe in another of the author's books.
Currently Reading
September 2, 2011I love this book. It's real.
October 8, 2011
Good read...
August 30, 2013
I enjoyed this book alot! Sheila got a lesson on forgiveness and love.
November 14, 2013
We serve an awesome God, little do we know he already has a plan for our lives. What's you defining moment?
October 14, 2015
i'm a little disappointed of the ending but overall its an ok book.
September 7, 2021
Amazing storyline
I enjoyed this even more than the Prodigal Husband. The author knows how to pull reality out of her writing. So many dynamics to this story. It’s a must read!
I enjoyed this even more than the Prodigal Husband. The author knows how to pull reality out of her writing. So many dynamics to this story. It’s a must read!
January 20, 2022
Powerful Read
I love reading books that make you think about your own salvation and relationship with God! Some very powerful messages in this book.
I love reading books that make you think about your own salvation and relationship with God! Some very powerful messages in this book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews