Reverend Jonathan Freeman and his wife Lenora are quickly becoming Charlotte’s “it” couple. All eyes are on them as Jonathan is named pastor of a church following the death of his father and Lenora has become a sought-after wedding planner. The Freemans are media darlings and a model couple; the picture of perfection. Or are they?
Behind the scenes, Jonathan struggles with his role as pastor of a megachurch while Lenora grows increasingly and uncharacteristically distant. A number of odd and tragic incidents push her further away from the love of her life and the façade of perfection begins to crack.
A carefully guarded secret catches up with Lenora and it threatens her security as well as that of her family. Has an imperfect past finally caught up with her? Will the ghost of someone she thought long dead rise like Lazarus from the grave and destroy all she has worked to preserve? Or will Lenora fight to protect the man she loves and the beautiful life God has blessed her to have?
Tyora Moody is the author of Soul-Searching Mysteries which includes cozy mystery, women sleuth mystery, and romantic suspense under the Christian Fiction genre. Her books include the Eugeena Patterson Mysteries, Serena Manchester Mysteries, Reed Family Mysteries, and the Victory Gospel Family Series.
When Tyora isn’t working for a literary client, she's either loving on her cats, listening to an audiobook or podcast, binge-watching crime shows or Marvel movies, and of course, thinking about the next book.
To contact Tyora about book club discussions or to sign-up for her newsletter, visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.
Title: When Perfection Fails Author: Tyora Moody Published: Urban Books Series: Victory Gospel Series #3 Reviewed By: Arlena Dean Rating: 5 Review:
"When Perfection Fails" by Tyora Moody was the third in this author inspiritual series: 'Victory Gospel Series.' I believe to truly understand this wonderful written novel that you really should pick up and the first two novels and read them. You will see how this novel is presented so smoothly as we are now dealing with the Freeman's... so just what is their story?
This author really showed the reader what really can go on in a minister's family. We find that the Freemans were not the 'media darlings and a model couple; the picture of perfection.' Why was this?
We find that Jonathan Freeman was now the pastor of Victory Gospel Church due the fact that his father (Jeremiah Freeman) who had been the pastor had passed away and he now had taken charge of that position. This position had been new to Jonathan and his family but know he had also been offered something else that would possibly be of interest to him...going into polities. However, before Jonathan was able to talk this over with his wife....Lenora finds out and she was very upset about this. Was Jonathan taking more than he could handle? Were there secrets not being shared by this husband and wife? What all will come out from this secret?
Lenora Freeman was the beautiful first lady of Victory Gospel Church and was a 'Wedding Planner' with her own business that she had long established. Everything had seemed to be going well for her, however were there secrets of her pass that would come to the light after her childhood best friend Charmayne makes an appearance at her bridal shop? How does this "carefully guarded secret catches up with Lenora and it threatens her security as well as that of her family."
How will Lenora be able to "fight to protect the man she loves and the beautiful life God has blessed her to have?" This is where I say you must pick up the amazing good read to see how this author will bring it all out to the readers with all question and more will be answered.
This author characters were all well developed, memorable, well portrayed, and so well colorful only giving us a very well written read. I found the novel rather long but this author was able to give the reader a read that was well presented well from the start till the finish. I found there were no loose ends left untouched...definitely a well rounded read. What I really liked was there were many characters that were in the previous series showed up in "When Perfection Fall" which really helped tie this novel series together. This was a wonderful good read that I recommend for all to read.
This is the final novel (3rd) of the Victory Gospel Series. I read this novel as a solo read and it makes for a great solo read also. I will be reading the entire series. Summary: A Christian fiction mystery plot that involves a hidden secret only known by two friends that is threatening to creep out at them after 20 years of secrecy. This secret may destroy a prominent pastor of the community, a blooming career of another and death for someone else. Characters: Lenora and Jonathan Freeman are high school sweethearts and been married for years, wonderful family and very liked by their community. Jonathan is pastor of a mega church and Lenora is a well established wedding planner. Charmayne: Child hood friend of Lenora. Love's politics and serves as a council woman. Serena M - A news reporter that gets to the nick and cranny of a story. Have had bad relationships so her outlook on marriage and the church is negatively tainted a bit.
This was a good read for me. The characters was very imaginable. The marriage between Lenora and Jonathan was well written. I saw the lack of trust being threaten between them as they tried not to 'worry' yet protect each other from their own personal struggles.
Kudos to author, Tyora Moody for the twist in the story line. The mystery shifts as the plot thickens. Well done!!!
The book cover appeal rating: 5/5. I loved the church shadowed in the back drop with the woman being upfront as the main character while the white at the bottom depicts mystery. The purple color for the word 'perfection' while tilting the words gains four snaps!!!
Book title, summary and storyline relation: My rating is 4/5. The book summary grabbed my attention and I felt an intense read but the read was more 'gentle' with the characters issues. book title, summary and storyline was complementary to each other.
When Perfection Fails is a great read. Loved it!! Tyora Moddy is has definitely made my list for Best Christian Writers and I will not hesitate to read her novels. This novels sits on my reading shelf as A DARN GREAT READ with a review rating of 4.5 / 5.
In this final installment of The Victory Gospel Series, we find Lenora and Jonathan Freeman morning the loss of their family patriarch. Jonathan's father has gone to be with The Lord. As if that's not hard enough, Jonathan's mother has moved I to the home and she is not too fond of Lenora and never has been. To make matter's worse, Lenora gets a creepy text message that makes her wonder if someone is out to get her.
As their situation keeps getting more complicated, Lenora continues to receive these threats. Her long time friend Charmayne shows up spouting receiving the same kind of threats. It seems that someone is out to repay them for a near forgotten mistake they made when they were high school seniors. Who could it be?
Then, we learn a bit more about that reporter we love to...well..not hate...but Serena Manchester sure can get on your nerves! Not her fault though. She is a reporter. She just loves to get her story. Serena gets some documents dropped off to her that makes her want to do some digging into a project which seems to involve the troubled Charmayne. Will Serena get to the bottom of her scandal without getting herself killed in the process?
We do catch up with Candace and Darnell and Wes and Angel from previous books in the VG series. They are Intertwined in some serious plans and try to help inspire and give hope along the way.
Now...Ms. Moody expertly weaves the story together and keeps you guessing the whole time. Just when you think you have it figured out or that there is an end in sight, she throws something else at you that puts a hole in your completed puzzle. This story will keep you involved...and vested from start to finish. If you haven't read the other books in the series...don't worry...this works as a stand alone...but if you're like me...you're going to want to know the rest!
Secrets have a way of not staying hidden in When Perfection Fails by Tyora Moody. This third book in the Victory Gospel series shares the story of Jonathan and Lenora Freeman. Jonathan has taken over his father’s church and seems to be struggling with the adjustment. Lenora’s a well known wedding planner juggling her business and First Lady obligations. This couple is taking Charlotte by storm as the city’s power couple but all is not well for the Freeman's.
Behind closed doors Lenora’s becoming distant from her husband after receiving unexplained messages that may reveal her hidden secret. Jonathan does not know how to help his wife and can’t if he does not know what’s going on. On the other hand, Jonathan is dealing with his own secret that may cause a rift between him, Lenora, and a past friend. When an unsuspected death occurs Lenora must come clean and face her past to keep her future. Lenora's confession and Jonathan admitting that he held information from his wife will put the Freeman's marriage to the test.
Secrets always do more harm than good and Lenora and Jonathan find this out the hard way when their communication breaks. The author does a wonderful job including drama, mystery and intrigue throughout the book. It was a page turner of well-developed characters with a consistent plot. I am a fan of the Victory Gospel series that represents Christian Fiction very well. This third book in the series will have readers wanting at least one more Victory Gospel story, I know I do.
This book was provided by the author for review purposes. Teresa Beasley A&RBC Reviews 5 Stars=Non Stop Page Turner
The third installment of the Victory Gospel Series can be a standalone read, but once you find out that there are two stories which precede this one you will want to catch up on them as well.
After lying to her father and convincing her friend to go to a party, Charmayne finds herself involved in a serious situation that she and Lenora hid for more than twenty years. Lenora helps to keep this secret until a stranger comes to town and things begin to change. Many of the happening point directly to the stranger. But don’t get it twisted Moody has a way of allowing the reader to think they know exactly what is going on, but don’t blink.
Lenora and her husband Jonathan Freeman are the First family of Victory Gospel. They have two beautiful children and a life most would envy. Her childhood friend Charmayne Hudson always the wild one, always one for drama it seems has gotten herself into a pickle that possibly only Lenora can fix but at what cost? Will this childhood friend and her antics cause a blemish on this family’s glass house? Or is this just a distraction from the real issue?
Moody is a master at building tension and writing suspenseful stories with multifaceted characters. In Book 1, Candace Johnson' best friend is murdered, Book 2 Angel Roberts investigates a mystery that has created tension since she was a little girl, and Book 3 Lenora Freeman follows her sisters in crime and faith to a surprising end. Fans will not be disappointed with this last book of the series and new readers will be hooked.
Tyora Moody brings the Victory Gospel series to a satisfying conclusion with this suspenseful thriller.
On the outside, Rev. Jonathan and Mrs. Lenora Freeman are the "perfect" couple. Behind closed doors, their marriage is on life support. Each of them struggles with issues that could tear apart their marriage alone- combined, they will most definitely destroy this couple's happiness if not dealt with properly. Added to their stress is a series of strange incidents and threats, leading Lenora to wonder if she and her best friend are finally being called to account over a 25-year-old incident.
TV reporter Serena Manchester is determined to find out what (if any) connections the Freemans have to a story she's chasing and who the mysterious source of her information really is.
Both the Freemans and Serena must rely on the God the Freemans serve (and Serena doesn't trust) to find what they're looking for- and remain alive in the process.
Once again I found myself reading a mystery that I could not figure out immediately, which is unusual. A lot of the mystery writers I read are somewhat predictable; not so here. This series may be done, but I hope to see more of these characters in future works (particularly Serena Manchester- her story's not yet fully told).
This is the third book I’ve read in the Victory Gospel series, and we are reunited with old friends. Once you begin turning the pages you won’t stop, it is a quick and compelling read that keeps your attention right to the end. This is Lenora and Jonathan’s story, along with their family. They have been together for over twenty years, and their lives appear to be drifting apart. You begin to wonder if the Reverend and his wife, the wedding planner, will be able to stay together. This book has a lot of action and surprises right up until the end. You think you know what is going on, but nope, guess again. Can something that happened, as a teenage be what all the threatening messages are about? Will they be able to put a face to who the tormentor is before someone is seriously hurt or perhaps murdered? Don’t miss the latest installment in this series, you won’t be disappointed, I sure wasn’t, just wanted more!
I received this book from the author, and was not required to give a positive review.
Book III in Tyora Moody's Victory Gospel series was another entertaining read. The story centers around Lenora Freeman who has been married to minister and politician hopeful Jonathan Freeman for twenty years. Suspense percolates when the past comes knocking on Lenora's door and that of her long time friend, Charmaine.
I liked the fact that Moody was able to keep me on my toes as I jumped from one conclusion to the next, only to be wrong! I think this is the mark of a good mystery/suspense writer: keeping your readers guessing and speculating on what is about to happen next.
Moody did a good job with character development and plot. When Perfection Fails definitely did not fail. Kudos to Tyora Moody for another good read.
I really enjoyed this book! Lenora learned a wonderful lesson of forgiveness. Sometimes it is easier to forgive others instead of ourselves. Lenora was a true friend to Charmayne...it's just sad that Charmayne's life was cut too short & prevented her from the benefits of their friendship! That was/is a tragedy to have love answer our call for help but, refuse to accept its answer/solutions. Community work is so vitally important. I am so very thankful that the prayers of the righteous availeth much!!!
WPF was an emotional suspense novel, which enthralled me from page one. Tyora Moody did a wonderful job of detailing how a marriage can fail when the bonds of communication are broken and secrets are held.
The characters' emotions pour from the page and are relatable. Lenora Freeman was the epitome of a strong, classy woman of God. Jonathan Freeman as a man of the cloth is torn between two worlds.
WPF is an excellent mystery novel, with depth and rich emotion. I loved the suspense. Excellent read!
When Perfection Fails is Tyora Moody's third book in the Victory Gospel Series. Filled with intrigue, this mystery fiction had me turning pages until the very end. Two major characters, Lenora and Jonathan have been married for twenty years and their relationship had become mundane. However, when trouble comes, we see this couple rediscover each other, which is heartwarming and proves that with God all things are possible. A class whodunit with a stunning conclusion.
Just finished reading the last of the Victory Gospel Series from the first books to the last book... I truly enjoy this series it was so refreashing to read about chistian ppl that goes though the same normal up and down of every day living.... I recommend this series to all of my friends a very good read...
Loved this book from beginning to end, I wasn't a big Mystery book fan until I started reading the Victory Gospel Series. Can't wait to see what's next.
Leonara and Charymane had a complicated friendship. Thank God they were there for each other. The author's descriptions of the characters are so descriptive you can actually see them in your mind. Love the mix of romance and mystery!
Reverend Jonathan Freeman and his wife Lenora have been married for twenty years and they are the couple that other couples look up to in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lenora owns her own bridal shop where she plans extravagant weddings and provides the wedding dresses. Her husband Jonathan is just as successful, and has recently became the pastor of Victory Gospel Church. Victory Gospel Church was his father’s church and is one of the premier black churches in Charlotte. With the passing of the elder Reverend Freeman, Jonathan has inherited the church and responsibilities that come along with being the pastor of a prominent church family. However, there is even more greatness in store for Jonathan. The mayor has asked that Jonathan run for Charlotte City Council District 2 seat. The lives these two lead seem like ones to envy, but outsiders don’t get to see the turmoil that takes place behind closed doors.
Jonathan is struggling with his new role as pastor of a “mega-church,” and whether to take the mayor up on running for the city council seat. He hasn’t even brought it up with Lenora yet as he knows that she is busy adjusting to becoming the first lady of such a big church. Jonathan just doesn’t know if his marriage will be able withstand an entrance into politics. When Lenora learns of Jonathan’s political aspirations from another source, will she stand by his side as their family is pulled even more into the spotlight?
Lenora is dealing with her own secret – a secret that has been buried for decades. Lenora feels the strain that her marriage has taken and knows that revealing this secret will only place more burdens upon her relationship with her husband. Nevertheless, when faced with the reality that keeping this secret is threatening her life and her family, Lenora knows she must come clean in order to protect the man she has loved for years and the blessed life that God has given her. Will Lenora’s revelation cause more harm to her family and her relationship with her husband than keeping the secret? Is Jonathan willing to stand with Lenora just as he constantly requires her to stand with him?
The Freemans are Charlotte's upcoming power couple. Lenora is a highly reputable wedding planner. Her husband Jonathan is pastor of Victory Gospel Church. Jonathan and Lenora are viewed as the perfect couple. They have two sons, Keith and Michael. From the outside looking in, the Freemans appear to be a flawless family. Is their perfectness for show?
Tyora Moody has done it again. “When Perfection Fails” is a well-written page turner. Moody pulls readers in from the start playing on one’s emotions. This is a series I would recommend.