The Blessed One

Blessed and Highly Favored #1

by Vanessa Miller

Joel Morrison proved his love for God when he lost all of his children in the 1952 Kern County earthquake. He weathered those hard times, and God blessed him with five more children. But now that his children are grown and living their own lives, Joel worries that the devourer has once again set his sights on the family that God has blessed.For the most part, Joel’s children are successful and rich yet very unhappy. Joel realizes that giving his children more money will not make them happy, nor will it secure a place in heaven for them, when their hearts and souls are not fully committed to Christ. So, Joel Morrison decides to change his will in an attempt to teach his children a lesson in giving. He invites his children on a family vacation in the Bahamas to tell them that he will be giving most of his money away to charity. However, Joel’s declaration is not the biggest surprise of their vacation.Shockwaves are sent throughout the Morrison family, the likes of which they may never recover from.

52 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2011

About the author

Vanessa Miller is a USA Today bestselling author, whose prolific body of work spans over 50 titles that explore deep themes of redemption, resilience, and faith—often spotlighting strong Black women in pivotal moments of history.

Miller’s book, The American Queen won the prestigious Christy Award, the Audie Award and was the 2024 American Fiction Award winner for Historical Fiction. The American Queen was a North Carolina Reads pick for 2025 and an Alamance Countywide read for 2026 and Our State Magazine book club pick for February 2026.

Her novel, The Filling Station won the Oklahoma Book Award for fiction and was named one of Booklist’s Top Ten Historical Fictions of 2026. One of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025 and A Booklist Editor’s Pick. It is a Positively Charlotte book club pick, an Oklahoma County Big Read and was an instant USA Today Bestseller.
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The American Queen has been featured in GMA, Washington Post and Essence Magazine roundups. The Ladies Hall has been featured in People Magazine as a cover reveal.

“Stirring… quintessential story of brave people fighting for what they know they
deserve.” [The American Queen]—Washington Post.

“This powerful story must be told and retold.” [The American Queen] –GMA.

“Miller captivates with a propulsive historical based on a true story.” –Publishers Weekly.

“A novel that should be required reading.” [The Filling Station] -Library Journal starred review.

“Absolutely Worthy.” - Booklist

Vanessa also wears the hats of playwright, motivational speaker and retreat host, channeling her storytelling gift across multiple creative platforms. She is currently published through HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication and is currently in a MFA program at Queens University, graduating in 2027.

www.vanessamiller.com

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Reviews

[Rhonda McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of books that are sold in pieces, but as they go this one was intriguing. I must get caught up with the saga. It's sure to be worth the wait.

[Pearl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great beginning to "The Blessed and Highly Favored Series" by Vanessa Miller. This is the first book that I have read of Vanessa and while I don't really like short stories, this was one that caught your attention from the beginning and continued to the end. I like the descriptions of the characters all of Joel's children which he had five—had plenty of drama. Dee Dee is really a drama queen and I am definitely going to read the next book in the series "The Wild One" because I know she is going to continue to bring it on. I also would like to see what is going to happen with Elaine. This is a good read only 43 pages, but she has the ending making you want more so just be prepared to buy the other books in this series.

[Detra Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Blessed 1

I like way the author introduces each character of the Morrison’s family. Each sibling has their own story and each story unfolds by telling the shortcomings.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blessed

This was an adequately told story beginning. I was surprised to see that the series was a set of short stories.

[Nilene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Blessed One

Great first book in this series. The love of a father and his relationship with his children and their families.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good beginning to a drama filled series.

[Glenda Tyus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good beginning to a drama filled series.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short read, book one in "The Blessed and Highly Favored Series."

80-something Joel Morrison is all too aware that most of his several adult children are not living for the Lord and are making money their god.

Eric is the never-home-with his family local politician, married to Linda who drowns her sorrows in liquor. Eric wants Daddy's money to advance his political career.

Shawn is a player whose girlfriend just left him taking along with her, their children.

Dee Dee plays in movies and is about to divorce husband number 4. She wants Daddy's money just because she thinks it's her due and nobody better stand in her way.

Isaac wants to accept the offer for the head pastor's position but his wife said she would divorce him if he does. He doesn't want to lose their young daughter in the process.

Elaine is a missionary in a foreign country and recently received bad news.

The story builds in this short Kindle book and there is tension among some of the characters.

Joel invites his children and their families to one of his vacation homes where he plans to tell them of his change in his Will. Words fly, not just at Daddy but amongst each other. Linda under the influence of alcohol makes an accusation against one of the siblings but before that accusation can be settled, Elaine makes an announcement that stops the cacophony of voices.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another one that suffered from being too short. The brevity required by 46 pages left stereotypical characters and a scandal-sheet feel to the plot. Luckily the "Check out the next book!" paragraph handily revealed the fates of most of them, not that I intended reading more. It's a shame, because I feel that there was real potential here, but it just couldn't be reached.

But if you like the short stories in women's mags and go in expecting this, you may find it enjoyable.

[Alison Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love short stories and this was a great one. I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see what happens next. The author grabs your attention from the start. The characters are fun to get to know and its a naughty pleasure getting to see the drama going on in their lives. Read it, you won't be disappointed.

[Huls · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I ever read for Vanessa Miller and I must say it was a great read even though it was very short. Looking forward to the other books in the series. I admired Joel Morrison for his strong faith and loved the twist and turns and definitely lots of drama.

[Debbie Trigg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!! TOO SHORT

[Sunny Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story but too short.