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A Woman's Worth #1
Lady Elect
When Bishop Lance Howell marries outside the congregation, the mothers of the church don't take kindly to his new wife, the flashy and uncontrollable Lady Arykah, and put a plan in motion to show Arykah how much she isn't liked or wanted, igniting an all-
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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296 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
January 31, 2013
Lady Elect will have you laughing out loud, cheering her on in her bodacious brazenness, ready to snatch a knot in the members of the church and in the end aghast at the length that Church Folk will go to to get their way. I've been reading Nikita's reads for a while and this is the best one yet. I've enjoyed them all, but she broke the mold with Lady Elect! Kudo's sista!!
October 26, 2023
All I can say is WOW!
This book gives a good perspective on what happens in the church when you’re not liked! When people are help to 100 year old traditions and don’t like people changing it up. There are snakes in the grass and they are slithering ! Being a pastor is a tough role but imagine being a pastor when people don’t like your wife!? Now that’s something different! This audiobook had all the church drama one can handle and goodness ! This book will have your mouth on the floor !!! Can’t wait to read book 2!
This book gives a good perspective on what happens in the church when you’re not liked! When people are help to 100 year old traditions and don’t like people changing it up. There are snakes in the grass and they are slithering ! Being a pastor is a tough role but imagine being a pastor when people don’t like your wife!? Now that’s something different! This audiobook had all the church drama one can handle and goodness ! This book will have your mouth on the floor !!! Can’t wait to read book 2!
August 6, 2012
I would definitely recommend this book to those who like a little bit of humor, romance, and intrigue. The characters were hilarious. Lady Elect was a "hot mess", but I loved her. You have to read the scene when the Reverend breaks the rules for holding funeral services for an indivdual who is not a member of the congregation. That scene had me giggling all night. The two mothers of the Church were unbelievable.
You got to read this book and I am anxious to read more of Nikita Lynette Nichols!
You got to read this book and I am anxious to read more of Nikita Lynette Nichols!
February 6, 2017
I came across this book on choosing other reads at the public library, and this was available on OverDrive (ebook version). I have never read this book, but did read a couple years ago, Carl Weber's "First Lady" which is in one of the libraries I work for. Even though I was not a fan of this particular book, I thought I would give this one a try since it is with Urban Books as well.
First Lady Arykah Howell has married the bishop Lance Howell, but his church members especially the mothers' do not approve nor accept her at all. Therefore, Mother Gussie and Mother Pansie try conniving, cunning tactics to set Arykah off to her boiling/breaking point to remove her for good. The church ministry is called Freedom Temple, and Arykah is someone who will freely share her views but has to watch her tongue to not lash out and use the wrong words as she keeps her composure. Moreover, she is no fool and usually figures out their tactics but Lance seems to be blinded by the entire fiasco.
I do not see much of the Christian aspects, or sermons per se, but I have seen some of the things happening in past churches I have either visited or been a member in such as having young, unwedded mothers, confess their sins publicly to the church and seek their forgiveness by apologizing for being pregnant. I never agreed with this method since those same young girls would become pregnant again or forced to marry the father of their child. As the character Arykah speaks to the young, unwedded mother, she lets her know that this confession and repentance is needed by Jesus, not the church. They do not have a hell or heaven to put this young woman in, and I feel this should not be publicly disclosed of which usually only creates gossip and/or slander among church members.
On another note, Arykah seems to be a fashion guru and spends lavishly on the clothes/shoes she desires, and seems unlikely that a person would spend nearly $17,000 on women she hardly knows to give them some Christian Loub... Not to be funny, but I am not familiar with such stilettos myself and more or less spend it on 3-4 ladies aside from yourself.
Regardless of the plotting and scheming of the mothers, Lance definitely loves his freaky-voluptuous wife. This book reads like Chick Lit to a certain degree to me, which I am not that big of a fan; but I did like some of the things that really go on in Black churches or ministries that I pray will change in the near future. I also see this character introduced in "She's NO Angel" with E.N. Joy and not sure if I want to proceed with the read since I am afraid of reading more drama and chick lit combo; but maybe I should give it a try. I also have another read by this author entitled "Amaryllis" whom is a character barely mentioned in this read (primarily the beginning of the story).
*Leisure read 2017
Okay read. 2.5 stars.
Adrienna Turner, author of Miss the Mark Series, Book 1: Tormented Dreams.
First Lady Arykah Howell has married the bishop Lance Howell, but his church members especially the mothers' do not approve nor accept her at all. Therefore, Mother Gussie and Mother Pansie try conniving, cunning tactics to set Arykah off to her boiling/breaking point to remove her for good. The church ministry is called Freedom Temple, and Arykah is someone who will freely share her views but has to watch her tongue to not lash out and use the wrong words as she keeps her composure. Moreover, she is no fool and usually figures out their tactics but Lance seems to be blinded by the entire fiasco.
I do not see much of the Christian aspects, or sermons per se, but I have seen some of the things happening in past churches I have either visited or been a member in such as having young, unwedded mothers, confess their sins publicly to the church and seek their forgiveness by apologizing for being pregnant. I never agreed with this method since those same young girls would become pregnant again or forced to marry the father of their child. As the character Arykah speaks to the young, unwedded mother, she lets her know that this confession and repentance is needed by Jesus, not the church. They do not have a hell or heaven to put this young woman in, and I feel this should not be publicly disclosed of which usually only creates gossip and/or slander among church members.
On another note, Arykah seems to be a fashion guru and spends lavishly on the clothes/shoes she desires, and seems unlikely that a person would spend nearly $17,000 on women she hardly knows to give them some Christian Loub... Not to be funny, but I am not familiar with such stilettos myself and more or less spend it on 3-4 ladies aside from yourself.
Regardless of the plotting and scheming of the mothers, Lance definitely loves his freaky-voluptuous wife. This book reads like Chick Lit to a certain degree to me, which I am not that big of a fan; but I did like some of the things that really go on in Black churches or ministries that I pray will change in the near future. I also see this character introduced in "She's NO Angel" with E.N. Joy and not sure if I want to proceed with the read since I am afraid of reading more drama and chick lit combo; but maybe I should give it a try. I also have another read by this author entitled "Amaryllis" whom is a character barely mentioned in this read (primarily the beginning of the story).
*Leisure read 2017
Okay read. 2.5 stars.
Adrienna Turner, author of Miss the Mark Series, Book 1: Tormented Dreams.
February 1, 2015
All I can say is those Mothers, those Mothers! All that energy they put into scheming sure could've done amazing things had it been towards positive things. Lady select was a strong and feisty woman and I loved the relationship between her and the Bishop. Il be continuing this series to hear more from miss Lady Elect and her friends and husband. They were a special, eclectic group that kept me entertained. This story had a decent amount of real mixed with religion. We all have our moments but our true intentions can shine through when it counts.
March 17, 2019
This book was so good. The only reason I took off was I wasn’t expecting all of the allusions to sex that were in this book.
I loved the plot and the characters. This story was about Arykah and her life as a Bishop’s wife. She’s struggling because the working at the church do not like her. But it’s not for anything she’s done. They don’t like her because the elders of the church told them not to.
Basically this book details all of the plots that the elders schemes against the First Lady.
I loved the plot and the characters. This story was about Arykah and her life as a Bishop’s wife. She’s struggling because the working at the church do not like her. But it’s not for anything she’s done. They don’t like her because the elders of the church told them not to.
Basically this book details all of the plots that the elders schemes against the First Lady.
October 5, 2012
The mothers of Freedom Temple Church of God in Christ are having a hard time accepting their new First Lady in Lady Elect by Nikita Lynnette Nichols. Lady Elect Arykah Miles is not your typical first lady from her appearance to the sound of her voice. Lady Arykah is shaking things up in Freedom Temple and she soon finds out the mothers of the church are hell bent on getting rid of her.
Lady Arykah does not scare easily. Unbeknownst to the mothers their first lady has something up her sleeve. When the mother’s plans do not work drastic measures are taken and only one person will be on top. Who are you voting for Lady Arykah or the mothers?
Lady Elect is about standing your ground. The behavior of these characters is unbelievable. The deception and conniving acts are entertaining and suspenseful. The twists and turns were unsuspected and made me want the story to continue. The devil is always working and it is apparent in this book. I recommend Lady Elect to others.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
Lady Arykah does not scare easily. Unbeknownst to the mothers their first lady has something up her sleeve. When the mother’s plans do not work drastic measures are taken and only one person will be on top. Who are you voting for Lady Arykah or the mothers?
Lady Elect is about standing your ground. The behavior of these characters is unbelievable. The deception and conniving acts are entertaining and suspenseful. The twists and turns were unsuspected and made me want the story to continue. The devil is always working and it is apparent in this book. I recommend Lady Elect to others.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
August 13, 2012
The book itself was really great but I hated the way it ended. The book had me wanting more in the end and that's what I love about a good book. However, at the end you normally get the opportunity to read the epilogue and taste what's in store for you in the future. I didn't get what I expected in the end. Also, I think the writer should have researched more on victims of rape because the end result was not realistic for rape victims.
October 2, 2015
Arykah is the best first lady of the church. She was too funny and so ghetto at times that it makes you love her!! Bishop Lance is a true man and he represented for his wife. Can't wait to start part 2!!
January 26, 2016
Lady Elect is a good read. This is my first time reading from Ms. Nikita Lynnette Nichols. She did a good job. This is different story from other books. It makes you laugh, smile, sad, mad and cry. End of this book was emotional wreck to me. I felt bad what's happened to Lady Elect Arykah Miles.
June 23, 2015
This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I must say I am hooked and I enjoy her work and I can't wait to read the second book.
April 29, 2016
Yes! This book was to good. Those old bats should be a shame of themselves.
August 1, 2019
If you are looking for a book that teaches Christian principles like books by Wanda Campbell or Michelle Stimpson, this is not one of them. The book is purely for entertainment purposes without all the smut. It isn't really Christian, but more of a book talking about church folk. Oh and these church folk were made out to be either materialistic, gullible or cruel. It didnt always seem so necessary or drastic to paint the characters in this manner. Also, the ending was too far fetched even for a fiction tale. The trama from being beaten up, raped and left for dead is not fixed with soup and sex with your spouse. Seemed dismissive of the assault and a rushed ending. It wasnt a bad story. It had it's laugh out loud moments and like I said it was just an entertaining story with no real moral to it and probably shouldn't be classified as Christian fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2021
This book is very entertaining. It is an easy read and has some important messages the author wants to convey such as body image, Black wealth, and church politics. There are some structural features of the book that are annoying such as a lack of transition from one scene to another by paragraph, new chapter or even a chapter break.
Where this book missed the mark for me altogether was the lack of sensitivity for survivors of sexual assault. Most survivors require years of therapy before wanting to be intimate again after a violent sexual assault. They certainly don’t want to have sex while they are not fully healed nor would a physician advise to do so. More research should have been done before including this highly sensitive topic.
Where this book missed the mark for me altogether was the lack of sensitivity for survivors of sexual assault. Most survivors require years of therapy before wanting to be intimate again after a violent sexual assault. They certainly don’t want to have sex while they are not fully healed nor would a physician advise to do so. More research should have been done before including this highly sensitive topic.
June 19, 2017
I loved this book! The mothers of the church had some foolishness going on! Of course now that Lady Arykah is 1st Lady, some things were gonna change. This book was good from beginning to end. I was really shocked at how far the mothers would go to try and get rid of 1st Lady but what God has for you will come to you.(smile)
September 3, 2021
I love the strength of the Lady Elect and her down the earth transition into Christianity as she slowly denied worldly responses and spiritual quips. I did feel like the story was rushed at the end but I like that the husband adored and loved his wife and the subliminal message of loving your body no matter the size.
November 21, 2016
This is my first time reading this author's work but I will say that Nikita Lynette Nichols definitely DID NOT disappoint. This was a great read and I loved the storyline. I'm looking forward to starting part 2 as soon as I'm done with this review... Great Job
February 28, 2023
Good read but sad that church people would go through such horrible lengths to get her out of the church. I liked Lady Erica however I didn’t like how she brought some of the lady’s to her home and showed off the way she did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2018
I could relate to so much in the book. It took me through every emotion. I laughed, I cried...it made me reminisce about situations in my past...
I truly enjoyed it as it kept me captivated ❤️.
I truly enjoyed it as it kept me captivated ❤️.
April 4, 2018
Funny. Real.
July 31, 2018
Straight Forward Characterization
September 17, 2018
First lady Arykah, kept it real.
I liked the spa day with red bottom shoes gifts.
I imagined being right there.
I liked the spa day with red bottom shoes gifts.
I imagined being right there.
March 11, 2020
Great book suspenseful too!
October 14, 2012
NO WEAPON FORMED
At Freedom Temple Church of God, the church mothers are in charge. Mothers Gussie & Pansie implement their own rules and have operated as enforcers for years. Their plan to maintain control of the church is threatened when, out of the blue, Bishop Lance Howell introduces Arykah Miles as their new first lady. She is not the traditional first lady type and this shakes things up at Freedom. The mothers can't stand the fact that the bishop has married outside of his congregation, especially with all of the single, available ladies who could have served as personal puppets under their command. As the struggle for power intensifies, a personal vendetta is formed. Lance & Arykah must choose whether to break under pressure or stand unified against opposition. Along with their closest friends, the couple is forced to assess their relationship in the wake of one of the most terrible tragedies imaginable.
Lady Elect by Nikita Nichols is such a compelling read that I finished it in less than twenty-four hours. Additionally, it was refreshing to read a book with such superb editing. The story line was so explosive that when I was made to stop reading, I couldn't wait to pick the book back up the next chance I got to see what was happening next. I love how marriage is portrayed in a godly, yet genuine light. Whether blatant or done in secret, the attacks against Lance and Arykah only served to teach them more about themselves and each other. This novel served as a testament to how careful we must be to honor our own vows because not everyone respects the sanctity of marriage. In addition, it depicts how real saints are down to earth, and have a heart to reach out and help people. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Nichols.
Ondrea L. Davis, Reviewer
At Freedom Temple Church of God, the church mothers are in charge. Mothers Gussie & Pansie implement their own rules and have operated as enforcers for years. Their plan to maintain control of the church is threatened when, out of the blue, Bishop Lance Howell introduces Arykah Miles as their new first lady. She is not the traditional first lady type and this shakes things up at Freedom. The mothers can't stand the fact that the bishop has married outside of his congregation, especially with all of the single, available ladies who could have served as personal puppets under their command. As the struggle for power intensifies, a personal vendetta is formed. Lance & Arykah must choose whether to break under pressure or stand unified against opposition. Along with their closest friends, the couple is forced to assess their relationship in the wake of one of the most terrible tragedies imaginable.
Lady Elect by Nikita Nichols is such a compelling read that I finished it in less than twenty-four hours. Additionally, it was refreshing to read a book with such superb editing. The story line was so explosive that when I was made to stop reading, I couldn't wait to pick the book back up the next chance I got to see what was happening next. I love how marriage is portrayed in a godly, yet genuine light. Whether blatant or done in secret, the attacks against Lance and Arykah only served to teach them more about themselves and each other. This novel served as a testament to how careful we must be to honor our own vows because not everyone respects the sanctity of marriage. In addition, it depicts how real saints are down to earth, and have a heart to reach out and help people. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Ms. Nichols.
Ondrea L. Davis, Reviewer
March 7, 2019
Drama filled urban christian story that does not "preach" and hit your over the head with religion
I listened to the audio version of this story and it is the first story by this author that I have experienced. First off kudos to the author for creating this interesting tale. I am always leery of urban Christian because you do not want them to become "preachy". However, this tale was full of drama, twists, betrayal, healing and a few scriptures that helped to
propel the story forward. There were a few times where I felt the story dragged in its effort to drive home a point, but all in all a good, entertaining story. Unfortunately, there are some devious "church folk" in real life. While they may not all go to the extreme as the "co-villain" in this tale, they do exist. I am on to book 2. I am hoping that book 2 will build on the momentum the author created in this installment. I saw previous books that came before Lady-elect that has characters connected to this story. It couldn't hurt to read those to get the backstory on the characters in this one to take them out of the one-dimensional category.
I listened to the audio version of this story and it is the first story by this author that I have experienced. First off kudos to the author for creating this interesting tale. I am always leery of urban Christian because you do not want them to become "preachy". However, this tale was full of drama, twists, betrayal, healing and a few scriptures that helped to
propel the story forward. There were a few times where I felt the story dragged in its effort to drive home a point, but all in all a good, entertaining story. Unfortunately, there are some devious "church folk" in real life. While they may not all go to the extreme as the "co-villain" in this tale, they do exist. I am on to book 2. I am hoping that book 2 will build on the momentum the author created in this installment. I saw previous books that came before Lady-elect that has characters connected to this story. It couldn't hurt to read those to get the backstory on the characters in this one to take them out of the one-dimensional category.
November 6, 2012
Lady Elect was a good read. Bishop Howell has brought his new wife back to the church and the Mothers of the church can not be more upset. Aside from the rule that the pastor is supposed to marry someone in the church family, the Mothers can not get around how Lady Arykah carries herself. The Mothers will stop at nothing to get Lady Arykah out. Lady Elect was an enjoyable read. There were quite of few careless typos and contradictory statements from poor proofreading (the reason why I didn't give it five stars); however, Lady Elect was still enjoyable. This was my first book by Nikita Nichols. I'm interested to see what she writes next.
November 8, 2015
Nonsense
This book is not realistic to me. It seems that the author has never read the Bible -since most of the book does not portray Christian behaviour. For example, here is a mother who has to work two jobs just to barely survive. Her fifteen year teenaged daughter is pregnant and the mom cannot even purchase a car seat for when the baby is born. Yet the pastor's wife purchased a shoe for the mom at a price of $3,450 dollars knowing that the mom could hardly buy food. The book is riddled with incidences such as this one. This book did nothing for me and I will not recommend it.
This book is not realistic to me. It seems that the author has never read the Bible -since most of the book does not portray Christian behaviour. For example, here is a mother who has to work two jobs just to barely survive. Her fifteen year teenaged daughter is pregnant and the mom cannot even purchase a car seat for when the baby is born. Yet the pastor's wife purchased a shoe for the mom at a price of $3,450 dollars knowing that the mom could hardly buy food. The book is riddled with incidences such as this one. This book did nothing for me and I will not recommend it.
June 8, 2015
I started this book when it first came out in back in 2012. Apparently, it didn't grab me or I simply had too many things going on at the time. It's taken be three years, but the book was worth it. I enjoyed reading about this woman who spoke her mind. Yes, she had to bite her tongue on several occasions. Then you have the mothers of Freedom Temple church, who are horrible. Lady Arykah takes them to the streets. She isn't shy, and manages to carry her weight. She carries it literally and figurative. I recommend this title. In fact, I'm in search of the second title.
June 28, 2012
This book is very enjoyable. I laughed so hard that I cried. I also felt very sad about some of the events in the book that happened to the first lady. All in all, this is a good story about a plus size first lady who is spunky and outgoing and self confident, the man who loves her, and the church people who are out to destroy both their marriage and her position as first lady. There was one part about a funeral that was just riddled with drama and well...you'll just have to read it for yourself. This was just a very refreshing story of an unconventional first lady. So read it and enjoy!
November 26, 2013
The book itself was really great but I hated the way it ended. The book had me wanting more in the end and that's what I love about a good book. However, at the end you normally get the opportunity to read the epilogue and taste what's in store for you in the future. I didn't get what I expected in the end. Also, I think the writer should have researched more on victims of rape because the end result was not realistic for rape victims.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews