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The Jamieson Legacy #1
Guilty of Love
How do you know if the most important decision in your life is the right one? If not, are you ready for the fall out? But God knows the person to put in your path to help you make it to the end. In Cheney Reynolds's case, God sent an entire village. Reaping the seeds from what she's sown; Cheney Reynolds moves into a historic neighborhood in Ferguson, Missouri, and becomes a reclusive, energized only by restoring a dilapidated cottage that once resembled someone’s home. Her first her neighbor, the incomparable Mrs. Beatrice Tilley Beacon aka Grandma BB, is an opinionated childless widow. She is a self-proclaimed expert on topics Cheney isn’t seeking advice—everything from landscaping to hip-hop dancing to romance. Another neighbor is a harmless, irritating stalker. Parke Kokumuo Jamison VI is a direct descendant of a royal African tribe. He learned his family ancestry, African history, and lineage preservation before he could count. Blessed with a sharp mind, a handsome image, and a wealthy portfolio, Parke is convinced that finding a woman worthy of his love requires hours of research. A task he indulges in with zest. But his soul will make the ultimatum choice. Somehow his heart is malfunctioning when it chooses the strongly-independent Cheney who barely notices what other women don't forget—his presence. Their worlds collide during a morning jog. Parke notices Cheney in front of her house, and she’s not a pretty sight. He categorizes her as a Survivor contestant. Seeing an accident waiting to happen, Parke not only rescues her from a sure fall, but also rescues her heart that needs an extreme makeover. Cheney isn't stirred by Parke Jamison, whatever number he claims to be, because he is not a “right fit” in her life. At the same time Cheney succumbs to her guilt, Parke learns he’s not as squeaky clean as he believes. Unwittingly, they are drawn to each other, but it takes Christ to weave their lives into a spiritual bliss while He exonerates their past indiscretions.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2007
87 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Pat Simmons
96 books361 followersPat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She is a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance: Still Guilty, Crowning Glory, The Confession, Christmas Dinner, and Queen’s Surrender (To A Higher Calling). Pat’s first inspirational women’s fiction, Lean On Me, with Sourcebooks, was the February/March Together We Read Digital Book Club pick for the national library system. Here for You and Stand by Me are also part of the Family is Forever series. Her holiday indie release, Christmas Dinner, and traditionally published, Here for You were featured in Woman’s World, a national magazine. Here for You was also listed in the “7 Great Reads That Help to Keep the Faith” by Sisters From AARP. She contributed an article, “I’m Listening,” in the Chicken Soup for the Soul: I’m Speaking Now (2021). Pat is the recipient of the 2022 Leslie Esdaile “Trailblazer” Award given by Building Relationships Around Books Readers’ Choice for her work in the Christian fiction genre.
As a Christian, Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country. Pat has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and has worked in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. She oversaw the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions for fourteen years. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.
As a Christian, Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues across the country. Pat has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and has worked in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. She oversaw the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions for fourteen years. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 13, 2009
Broken Heart
Cheney is in love with Larry. Her whole world revolves around him; that is until he convinces her to do the unimaginable, abort their baby. Five years later, Cheney is still haunted by the nightmares of what she'd done. How could she allow a man to dictate her life for her? Cheney cut all ties with her family when the only thing they were trying to do was help. But what they didn't know was that Cheney was carrying around so much guilt and shame. Now after years have lapsed, Cheney has moved back to her hometown of St. Louis trying to make amends with her family and start a new life WITHOUT a man. The task at hand may be a little more difficult than she could've ever envisioned. With the help of her busy body neighbor, Grandma BB, and Parke, a pesky neighbor who lives five blocks away, Cheney's life of solitude is disrupted.
I loved the fact that Pat Simmons used genealogical lines. I learned valuable information about black history. "Guilty of Love" was a very good read. However, I did not like the way the book ended so abruptly! I felt like I was trapped on a cliff left hanging by the rescue helicopter. So there had better be a part two in the works! It has to be! I need to know what happens with the little secret.
Reviewed by: Carmen
Cheney is in love with Larry. Her whole world revolves around him; that is until he convinces her to do the unimaginable, abort their baby. Five years later, Cheney is still haunted by the nightmares of what she'd done. How could she allow a man to dictate her life for her? Cheney cut all ties with her family when the only thing they were trying to do was help. But what they didn't know was that Cheney was carrying around so much guilt and shame. Now after years have lapsed, Cheney has moved back to her hometown of St. Louis trying to make amends with her family and start a new life WITHOUT a man. The task at hand may be a little more difficult than she could've ever envisioned. With the help of her busy body neighbor, Grandma BB, and Parke, a pesky neighbor who lives five blocks away, Cheney's life of solitude is disrupted.
I loved the fact that Pat Simmons used genealogical lines. I learned valuable information about black history. "Guilty of Love" was a very good read. However, I did not like the way the book ended so abruptly! I felt like I was trapped on a cliff left hanging by the rescue helicopter. So there had better be a part two in the works! It has to be! I need to know what happens with the little secret.
Reviewed by: Carmen
February 7, 2024
Why are Christian fiction books, romances where the female comes off NEEDING a man? The whole story is about a shallow man who chases after a woman and she falls for him and is going to change his bad boy personality. She allows him and her family to walk all over her self respect. She allows this because she has a secret and feels guilty. Ugh! Throw in a few scriptures and say a couple of prayers and it's Christian Fiction. Even though the characters are still talking about sex being rude to one another and living on a secular way. I just don't get it.
June 14, 2012
This turned out to be a okay read. It was really slow in the beginning but it finally picked up towards the end. It's about a female named Cheney and a guy named Parke. He wasn't really attracted to her, nor was she to him. She was trying to mend fences with her family and put her past demons behind her and Parke was looking for his Queen in the wrong types of women. It was a slow christian romance book but it was okay for learning about history.
August 22, 2019
Enjoyed learning the characters and their backgrounds. Even though personally, I am not an Apostolic believer, I am Baptist. There are a couple of things dealing with salvation I didn't agree with totally. Still, this story had me wanting more with the relationships of the parents and siblings. I am glad there are several more books to this series so I can get a more in depth understanding of the characters.
September 17, 2021
God's amazing love
I enjoyed this book and took an extra bit of time to read. It was very difficult to read about family members splintered, the pain that Cheney experienced and other themes. After reading, "Stopping Traffic" I have discovered another preferred author.
Some of the church doctrine that was read pushed me to reread bible scriptures in addition to the scriptures noted in the book.
I enjoyed this book and took an extra bit of time to read. It was very difficult to read about family members splintered, the pain that Cheney experienced and other themes. After reading, "Stopping Traffic" I have discovered another preferred author.
Some of the church doctrine that was read pushed me to reread bible scriptures in addition to the scriptures noted in the book.
August 16, 2020
I was Amazed!!!
I'm so glad I went back and read cheney's & Parke ''s story. I wanted to see where it all started with Jamison family, Cheney's family was so unfair to her but in the end I'm so glad Cheney moved forward with her life and repented of her sins. Ms.Simmons you are a great author and I pray that you continue writing these amazing books.
God Bless you😊
I'm so glad I went back and read cheney's & Parke ''s story. I wanted to see where it all started with Jamison family, Cheney's family was so unfair to her but in the end I'm so glad Cheney moved forward with her life and repented of her sins. Ms.Simmons you are a great author and I pray that you continue writing these amazing books.
God Bless you😊
November 1, 2019
Love just God's Love
This made me cry 😢 out loud!!!!!! GOD IS SO GOOD. HIS WORD IS JUST and LOVING !!. I will do my best to read all your books. GOD has already BLESSED YOU richly with His Word. This is a great ministry. Thank you😍
This made me cry 😢 out loud!!!!!! GOD IS SO GOOD. HIS WORD IS JUST and LOVING !!. I will do my best to read all your books. GOD has already BLESSED YOU richly with His Word. This is a great ministry. Thank you😍
June 21, 2020
The Second Time Around
This is my second time reading this book and I am reminded of how much I love and enjoy reading Pat's books. I can always count on references to the word of God.
This is my second time reading this book and I am reminded of how much I love and enjoy reading Pat's books. I can always count on references to the word of God.
October 19, 2024
Slow start
Enjoyed book 1 of the series. It was a slow burn and took me forever to get into, but once you get past the slow 6 becomes a really good read to set up the remainder of the series. I'm looking forward to book 2.
Enjoyed book 1 of the series. It was a slow burn and took me forever to get into, but once you get past the slow 6 becomes a really good read to set up the remainder of the series. I'm looking forward to book 2.
March 14, 2013
I decided to read a book from this author for the first time and glad I did. I enjoyed the opening of the book which a number of women secretly have to decide what to do with their bodies once they become pregnant for unforeseen reasons. Cheney Reynolds thought she did the best thing by aborting the child during her college years for the man she loved but five years later she found out the real reason Larry asked for her to get the abortion which was more than his startling new career as an attorney. With all said and done, she couldn't release this nightmare of taking her unborn child, and what it has done to her body thereafter. She hid from family and friends, kept her distance, but lo and behold when she let them back in her life--they were complete strangers and in some cases worst than her enemies.
There were some slow parts for me based on character development but the pace took awhile after the first chapter or so until towards the ending again, was great to see not only some historical genealogy concepts introduced in the middle of the book but I loved the foster care scenarios which was one of my former careers. I shared in a YA book "Mirror Beware" which I will continue to be the voice for young people in groups homes and foster care. I've even tried to be a foster parent for a short time, and involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters Amachi program (until they kicked me out due to my busy schedule and lifestyle).
Adrienna Turner
Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
There were some slow parts for me based on character development but the pace took awhile after the first chapter or so until towards the ending again, was great to see not only some historical genealogy concepts introduced in the middle of the book but I loved the foster care scenarios which was one of my former careers. I shared in a YA book "Mirror Beware" which I will continue to be the voice for young people in groups homes and foster care. I've even tried to be a foster parent for a short time, and involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters Amachi program (until they kicked me out due to my busy schedule and lifestyle).
Adrienna Turner
Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
February 5, 2015
I am not generally a romance reader, but I am glad I found this Christian romance series by Pat Simmons. As a pro-life mother of six, I was hooked from the very beginning--a look into Cheney's past. I had to know what happened next!
The characters were rich with personality and had real problems to solve. There were plenty of secrets and I kept turning pages to see when the characters would figure things out. Cheney's neighbor lady was especially interesting.
Contemporary issues are confronted by the protagonists: post-abortion trauma, premarital sex, and the need for loving foster homes for traumatized children. Temptation, forgiveness, and restoration are themes throughout.
I recommend this series to church libraries and home libraries alike. Diversify your collection with some excellent African-American romance with a Christian perspective.
The characters were rich with personality and had real problems to solve. There were plenty of secrets and I kept turning pages to see when the characters would figure things out. Cheney's neighbor lady was especially interesting.
Contemporary issues are confronted by the protagonists: post-abortion trauma, premarital sex, and the need for loving foster homes for traumatized children. Temptation, forgiveness, and restoration are themes throughout.
I recommend this series to church libraries and home libraries alike. Diversify your collection with some excellent African-American romance with a Christian perspective.
Read
December 26, 2015Powerful story of love .
Cheney faced with a very difficult decision, chooses what she think is the right decision but soon realizes it was wrong, scared to face her family she decides to stay away from them. Finally she decides it is time to return home and make amends with her family who wants nothing to do with her. This was a very good book it made me laugh, cry and shout praise the lord. Grandma BB and Parke was very refreshing, looking toward to book two.
Cheney faced with a very difficult decision, chooses what she think is the right decision but soon realizes it was wrong, scared to face her family she decides to stay away from them. Finally she decides it is time to return home and make amends with her family who wants nothing to do with her. This was a very good book it made me laugh, cry and shout praise the lord. Grandma BB and Parke was very refreshing, looking toward to book two.
November 29, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! It's amazing how decisions made in ones past can navigate ones future. My heart swelled for Chaney. Pat did an amazing job giving us history, spiritual, and comedy entertainment all wrapped in this story. I wondered how many of us had a grandma BB gowing up...I can raise my had on that. I also enjoyed the banter between Parke and Chaney.
August 6, 2012
Often felt like Simmons was forcing scripture into the story instead of it organically fitting in. Also, unusual way to get over issues that clearly should have had professional counseling in place.
June 14, 2013
The power of love! Loved this story & the characters. Hated it for one of the brothers because of his refusal to accept the loving & saving power of God through Jesus Christ. I have a new fav author...thanks Pat Simmons!!!
July 22, 2014
Great!!!
Great!!!
I really enjoyed this book. I know and have experiened personally that God can change your life. There were moments in the book that I could really relate too.
Great!!!
I really enjoyed this book. I know and have experiened personally that God can change your life. There were moments in the book that I could really relate too.
August 23, 2014
Excellent Read With A Message
The characters really speak pain, compassion, forgiveness, and letting go. I enjoyed taking a ride through each personae journey, even seeing a little of myself in one or more characters.
The characters really speak pain, compassion, forgiveness, and letting go. I enjoyed taking a ride through each personae journey, even seeing a little of myself in one or more characters.
February 10, 2015
Great read
God works wonders for believers and nonbelievers. A testomnial story. Cheney is too hard on herself. Parker is too much for himself. They are made for each other...and they swear they ain't. Lol. Good read.
God works wonders for believers and nonbelievers. A testomnial story. Cheney is too hard on herself. Parker is too much for himself. They are made for each other...and they swear they ain't. Lol. Good read.
Read
July 13, 2015This book is awesome!
OMG,so happy that Parker and Cheney were smart enough to let God lead them! The realistic situations in this book make you believe that God can do anything but fail. This is a must read pageturner!
OMG,so happy that Parker and Cheney were smart enough to let God lead them! The realistic situations in this book make you believe that God can do anything but fail. This is a must read pageturner!
May 28, 2016
Enjoyable read!
Cheney is a strong woman who has been through a lot, but finds out that God "restores" what we thought was gone. I thought this was well-written and the cast of characters were amazing. I loved Mrs. Beacon and "Parkay" as well as Cheney.
Cheney is a strong woman who has been through a lot, but finds out that God "restores" what we thought was gone. I thought this was well-written and the cast of characters were amazing. I loved Mrs. Beacon and "Parkay" as well as Cheney.
January 12, 2011
Pat Simmons always does a fantastic job of weaving her Geneology and real-life issues into her stories. This story was engaging and real. Grandma BB is a hoot!!
July 31, 2012
This book is the first of the Guilty series. This a must read series
January 19, 2013
Cheney moved into the neighborhood and met Parke, they eventually get together. Her most noticeable neighbor is Grandma BB, an older feisty woman who takes no mess!
Read
March 28, 2013this is the best series I've read... I will read anything by Pat Simmons
February 1, 2015
This book has put PT Simmons on my favorite list!! Loved it
February 14, 2015
Awesome read!
Great book, heart whelming, honest and straightforward thoughts related to giving your life to God. I would definitely recommend this.
Great book, heart whelming, honest and straightforward thoughts related to giving your life to God. I would definitely recommend this.
September 18, 2015
Good read
I really enjoyed reading this book. I even laughed a few times. Good read. Can't wait to read the next book of the series.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I even laughed a few times. Good read. Can't wait to read the next book of the series.
February 26, 2016
Great Story Line
November 10, 2015
Always a pleasure to read Pat's book. Yes, this is yet another good one. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews