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Spirit and Soul #1
Speak To My Heart: A Novel
Serena Jasper is a young professional woman on her way up the corporate ladder in a large advertising firm. She's always been close to her mother, especially since the death of her father. But when Serena learns of a devastating family secret, she feels betrayed by the one she trusted most. As she questions how someone as devout as her mother could have lied to her for years, Serena pulls away from both family and faith. Without the haven of hearth and home, she flounders as she tries to help a girlfriend trapped in an abusive relationship. Burying herself in her prestigious career doesn't help either. With the help of a possible new love in her life, Serena realizes that, instead of resisting the voice, she needs to listen to the One who speaks to her heart.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
About the author
Stacy Hawkins Adams
27 books156 followersStacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning journalist, author and essayist who invites readers to explore life's truths through entertaining fiction and thought-provoking nonfiction.
In late 2019, she released a book of original quotes and inspirational musings titled "Abound! Principles for Next Level Living."
Her 9 novels feature themes of friendship and sisterhood, faith, forgiveness, grit and hope. You'll put down one of her books feeling like you've left behind people you know and love.
Her most recent novel, "Finding Home," is the third book in her Winds of Change series, and is written as a stand-alone title. Her novel "Lead Me Home," received a Publisher's Weekly starred review. Another novel,"Coming Home," was a 2012 Target stores Recommended Read.
Stacy's sole nonfiction book, "Who Speaks To Your Heart? Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers", is a spiritual, devotional guide for busy women seeking to strengthen their faith.
The three books in her acclaimed Jubilant Soul series are:
The Someday List (an Essence bestseller),
Worth a Thousand Words
and Dreams That Won't Let Go.
Visit http://www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com for more information about Stacy and her upcoming events, and visit her Amazon author page for more details and reviews on her books: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JSA12E
Visit her LifeUntapped.com blog for regular inspiration from Stacy and her guest bloggers.
And sign up here for Life Untapped!, the author newsletter she occasionally distributes to share updates on her work and to introduce readers to other great authors: http://www.tinyurl.com/LifeUntapped
In late 2019, she released a book of original quotes and inspirational musings titled "Abound! Principles for Next Level Living."
Her 9 novels feature themes of friendship and sisterhood, faith, forgiveness, grit and hope. You'll put down one of her books feeling like you've left behind people you know and love.
Her most recent novel, "Finding Home," is the third book in her Winds of Change series, and is written as a stand-alone title. Her novel "Lead Me Home," received a Publisher's Weekly starred review. Another novel,"Coming Home," was a 2012 Target stores Recommended Read.
Stacy's sole nonfiction book, "Who Speaks To Your Heart? Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers", is a spiritual, devotional guide for busy women seeking to strengthen their faith.
The three books in her acclaimed Jubilant Soul series are:
The Someday List (an Essence bestseller),
Worth a Thousand Words
and Dreams That Won't Let Go.
Visit http://www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com for more information about Stacy and her upcoming events, and visit her Amazon author page for more details and reviews on her books: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JSA12E
Visit her LifeUntapped.com blog for regular inspiration from Stacy and her guest bloggers.
And sign up here for Life Untapped!, the author newsletter she occasionally distributes to share updates on her work and to introduce readers to other great authors: http://www.tinyurl.com/LifeUntapped
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 24, 2007
I read this novel in a few days. It has a different feel than most of the AA Christian fiction I've read, but I liked it. Serena is anything but serene for a good portion of the book because she can't seem to get past what happened in her immediate family. In some ways I understood that and in others I didn't. But overall it made for a believable conflict for the main character. And when she finally listened to her mother the reasoning her mother gave made sense. I found it very believable.
It would be hard to sustain an entire novel on that one conflict alone, but the author did it by adding some great secondary characters to the story. The subplot of Erika and Elliot was riveting. I have a feeling there will be a follow up story which includes this couple. The conflict seemed very real and the author had the dynamics of a DV relationship nailed. Great job.
The ending was a bit sad, but I still enjoyed the story. The thing I found most interesting about this book was how the character heard God's voice throughout her emotional suffering but chose to ignore Him. So in essense God did speak to her heart, she just wasn't listening until she realized she was making wrong choices that hurt her more than anyone else. I thought it was cool that she had a Christian boyfriend, too, and the supportive role he played. I plan to read the rest of the books in this series because I enjoyed this author's "voice."
It would be hard to sustain an entire novel on that one conflict alone, but the author did it by adding some great secondary characters to the story. The subplot of Erika and Elliot was riveting. I have a feeling there will be a follow up story which includes this couple. The conflict seemed very real and the author had the dynamics of a DV relationship nailed. Great job.
The ending was a bit sad, but I still enjoyed the story. The thing I found most interesting about this book was how the character heard God's voice throughout her emotional suffering but chose to ignore Him. So in essense God did speak to her heart, she just wasn't listening until she realized she was making wrong choices that hurt her more than anyone else. I thought it was cool that she had a Christian boyfriend, too, and the supportive role he played. I plan to read the rest of the books in this series because I enjoyed this author's "voice."
January 14, 2015
This is the first book in the Spirit and Soul Series.
Serena is working her way up the ladder in advertising. Her mom throws her a curve ball and changes her relationship with both her family and God.
She struggles with helping her friend, Erika, who is in an abusive relationship.
We also meet Tawana, a girl Serena mentored until she faltered.
Oh and don't forget love.
so much good stuff in this book.
Great God lessons in this book.
Serena is working her way up the ladder in advertising. Her mom throws her a curve ball and changes her relationship with both her family and God.
She struggles with helping her friend, Erika, who is in an abusive relationship.
We also meet Tawana, a girl Serena mentored until she faltered.
Oh and don't forget love.
so much good stuff in this book.
Great God lessons in this book.
January 30, 2016
This book was extremely good. It had it's slow points in the book where I was getting kind of bored but after I passed those points the book really was nice. The author is very mature in her writing in this book. The lesson's you learn from this book about forgiveness was and is invaluable. I will be honest, I cried and cried. This was a beautiful book. I took so much from this book as far as life lessons that I will definitely read this again just cause :)
October 1, 2025
Sometimes one quote will win me over...I don't remember it exactly but it was something like "this will eventually be made beautiful. I trust God."
February 20, 2008
book #1 of a series
Why is it that when life seems to be perfect and everything is going well, out of the blue something happens to knock you for a loop? This is exactly what happens to Serena Jasper. The night she learns she has been accepted into a prestigious university, her mother delivers some devastating news which drastically changes everything Serena has believed about her life. This news affects Serena so much, she no longer has faith in anyone, including God and especially her mother. Up until this point, the relationship between Serena and her mother was ideal, her faith was strong and her spiritual compass set on the straight and narrow.
Talk about a spiritual wake up call! As I read SPEAK TO MY HEART, I wondered if the author had access to my life that I didn't know about. While Serena's situation is not the same as mine, the feelings of doubt, insecurity, and a faltering spiritual life are the same things I am presently experiencing. Mrs. Adams debut novel is not "preachy", nor is it filled with holier than thou characters who snub others for not being a "perfect" Christian. Instead, her characters are normal, everyday people who strive to do God's will, but find themselves swayed by trials and tribulations and the cunning craftiness of the evil one. Kudos to the author for a wonderful read which definitely spoke to my heart.
Why is it that when life seems to be perfect and everything is going well, out of the blue something happens to knock you for a loop? This is exactly what happens to Serena Jasper. The night she learns she has been accepted into a prestigious university, her mother delivers some devastating news which drastically changes everything Serena has believed about her life. This news affects Serena so much, she no longer has faith in anyone, including God and especially her mother. Up until this point, the relationship between Serena and her mother was ideal, her faith was strong and her spiritual compass set on the straight and narrow.
Talk about a spiritual wake up call! As I read SPEAK TO MY HEART, I wondered if the author had access to my life that I didn't know about. While Serena's situation is not the same as mine, the feelings of doubt, insecurity, and a faltering spiritual life are the same things I am presently experiencing. Mrs. Adams debut novel is not "preachy", nor is it filled with holier than thou characters who snub others for not being a "perfect" Christian. Instead, her characters are normal, everyday people who strive to do God's will, but find themselves swayed by trials and tribulations and the cunning craftiness of the evil one. Kudos to the author for a wonderful read which definitely spoke to my heart.
May 20, 2012
Serena has been struggling with the results of a family secret for along time. It has affected every area of her life. Her witness to her roommate has suffered since she can't seem to get past the pain and be close once again with her mom. Because of their separation, Serena's mom hasn't been able to share what is going on in her life. The only thing that seems to be going her way is her job. She was just offered a big promotion at work, and all her time is being spent on the campaign to win a new account for the company.
I wasn't sure that I was going to like this at first, but once I got into it I did. There are two other books that continue the story. Hope our library has them or can get them.
I wasn't sure that I was going to like this at first, but once I got into it I did. There are two other books that continue the story. Hope our library has them or can get them.
March 11, 2016
There were things I liked about this book and things I didn't. I liked the main storyline. I thought the characters were pretty good and the development of them was done well enough for me. I felt some things in common with the main character which I tend to like. I was moved by some parts of the story. What I didn't like was what I have found with most religious-based fictional stories...the writing seemed geared to an 8th grade reading level. Also, the main love story seemed too predictable. And although the characters were developed well, thier stories were tied up a little too neatly for me. I really wanted to like it more than I did.
September 24, 2013
I truly loved this beautiful story! The characters were real-life believable characters. The message of hope, love, forgiveness, and redemption was a powerful ministry-woven experience! My heart broke for Erika...I pray that she wakes up and realizes how deadly her relationship is with Elliott. I am looking forward to the next book "nothing but the right thing." Thanks again Stacy Hawkins Adams for being led by the power of the Holy Spirit!
December 7, 2015
I didn't know this book was part of a series until I came across some characters I had met in Watercolored Pearls.
The story follows the spiritual journey of Serena who has worked hard to achieve her professional status while coming to terms that her mother had her out of an affair.
Her journey and outlook on life is very inspiring because she dares to rise above it and in the process meets a man of God called Micah.
An inspiring tale of strong Christian women.
The story follows the spiritual journey of Serena who has worked hard to achieve her professional status while coming to terms that her mother had her out of an affair.
Her journey and outlook on life is very inspiring because she dares to rise above it and in the process meets a man of God called Micah.
An inspiring tale of strong Christian women.
February 9, 2013
This book was one of my favorite books that I've read. At first, I was upset with one of the characters in the beginning, but as you read on it explains the reasons behind a situation that happened in the book and left you guessing with every chapter. At one point it had me in tears, but I'm not going to spoil anything by telling what happens in the book... It is a very good book though.
January 27, 2013
It was a really good book about getting back to God and learning to listen to Him. Serena had self-discovery along the way, stepped out of the comfort zone, and met some nice people who gave her good advice.
October 21, 2007
Good book. It has a good message; don't wait until it's too late or almost.
April 1, 2008
This is a sweet story of coming to terms with family issues and letting love into your life. It is a christian romance novel, so it is clean and cute.
June 25, 2011
This was a really good read and very timely for my current situation. It was very encouraging and I was able to relate to many of Serena's thoughts and actions.
July 1, 2012
I quite enjoyed this book. Nice light, uplifting read that I read in a few hours.
November 17, 2013
I enjoyed the lessons in Stacy's books. They really make me think about my life and help me to see what is really important.
August 20, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style of this author. Realistic, engaging and inspirational. I look forward to reading the remaining books in this series!
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November 2, 2015Very inspirational. It really spoke to my heart regarding my current spiritual wilderness and how to reconnect with God.
April 19, 2025
OMG This book was so good. I loved it
August 6, 2009
This is an awesome book about listening to God and forgiveness!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews