Count It All Joy

by Ashea Goldson

Although Alex Benning is newly married to her dream man, soon-to-be Minister Joshua Benning, this sweet romance quickly turns sour. Alex, still suffering from the physical consequences of a botched abortion, feels pressured to have Joshua’s baby.

Although Joshua already has a daughter from his deceased wife, his longing for the perfect family becomes an obsession. He attempts to develop a secret relationship with a surrogate mother, but when Alex discovers what Joshua is planning, she decides that enough is enough. In the midst of a controversial offer to pastor his parents’ mega church, a relentless plan to father Alex’s child, an international adoption disaster, a church scandal, and the everyday woes of trying to make an instant family work, their world is beginning to fall apart.

Sometimes up and sometimes down, when marriage and ministry are put to the test, will love be enough to make them count it all joy?

Genres: Christian

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Ashea Goldson, a native NewYorker and Metro Atlanta transplant, is a multi-published Bestselling author and indie screenwriter, who has frequently been called a “kingdom writer.” Having a vivid imagination which always connected her to reading, writing, and storytelling from an early age, Ashea began her publishing career by writing for high school and college publications. Soon afterwards she received a BA in Communications from Fordham University in the Bronx, New York. She also later graduated Magna cum laude and earned an MA degree in English /Secondary Teacher Education from The University of Phoenix.
Although she has been an English teacher and advocate of literacy for over twenty years, when she is not in the classroom, she transforms herself into writer extraordinaire;it is then that she is able to fully indulge in her creative passions. As a Christian fiction novelist since 2008, Ashea has written many traditionally published works including The Lovechild, Joy Comes In The Morning, Count It All Joy, Let Joy Arise, Scorched, and When Kingdom Comes which were all released by Kensington Publishers. After writing numerous stage plays and skits for various events over the years, in 2009 she also wrote and produced her first film, Searching For The Right Thing and her first short film, pieces From The Bottom. Her greatest strength is the ability to create flawed characters, who while having ordinary challenges, are able to experience extraordinary victories; this allows for an inspirational yet relatable message. Additionally, she has been a powerhouse of characterization, spinning webs of mind numbing tales which pull the readers in by the heart strings.
Yet Ashea’s writing skills do not end here. Ghostwriting has been equally as fulfilling; she has been able to use her immense imagination to transform her client’s voice and vision into a literary reality. She has written for the following genres: Christian fiction, Urban Fiction, Ethnic Fiction,Women’s Fiction, Romance, young adult fiction, and Memoir., and has delivered breathtaking manuscripts to anonymous clients all around the country.
She is currently working on a series of childrens books, and a reading podcast among other independent projects.



Feel free to contact her at asheagold@yahoo.com. or log onto www.asheagoldson.com

Reviews

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of drama -love conquers. Often times jealousy, lack of communications, failure to be in sync is the drama in many of our relationship. I enjoyed this book, the author’s storytelling kept me engaged as she weaved thru the characters daily lives and their associates. I was getting ready to takes sides bec the characters needed support.

[Kayla Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has renewed my belief in ministry and spirituality. Some parts were so intense that I personally felt moved. Wonderful story!

[Hannah Spivey]

I'm back with another book review. It has taken me a few days to read Ashea's, Count it all Joy." It consists of a newly wed couple, Joshua and Alex Bennings. Joshua is a Minister and an accountant. This is his second marriage and he has a daughter from his previous marriage. Joshua has aspirations of starting his own church while Alex wants to adopt a Kenyan boy named, Kaino. With mounting debt that was accrued by his late wife Delilah, it drives a strain into their marriage, making the adoption nearly impossible. Besides that, Alex and Joshua are trying to have another baby, which is intertwined with a secret that nearly destroyed their relationship prior to marriage. Not only is Joshua desperate to impregnate Alex, but he does the unthinkable. If the Benning's financial and marital woes aren't frustrating enough, add Joshua's controlling mother, Mrs. Benning to the equation. Not only does she not care for Alex, but she's determined to make Joshua shut down his own dreams to pastor his ailing father's church. Author Ashea Golden shows how a couple that has so much plight hanging over their shoulders still manage to overcome adversities. The moral of the story is, the creator will never give anything you can't handle.

[Rhina M. Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the "Joy Series" and this is the second book. I thought it was an excellent follow up. Its always interesting to see how the characters grow especially in this series. I truly admire the main character Alex in her strength and faith in God. I also like how the author make you realize that all marriages are not perfect even in a Christian setting. It takes work, trust and effort. Getting ready to read the third book in the series.

[Teri Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book

[Tijuan Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was Ok

[Dez]

Too slow...got half way thru this book before I realized that it just wasn't holding my attention. Had to put it down.