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Praise Him Anyhow #1

Tears Fall at Night

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Life was good, God was blessing and the Marshall family was riding high, until Carmella Marshall’s husband, Nelson asks for a divorce and then moves in with his girlfriend—who also happens to be her twenty-three-year-old daughter’s best friend—her son gets arrested, her daughter drops out of college, the bills go unpaid, and then Carmella has a nervous breakdown. The Marshalls have ups and downs like any other family. However, Carmella always thought that God would see them through anything. But when Nelson left and her life fell apart, she realized just how weak she could become, without the strength of God guiding her way. Through prayer, praise, and a love that bonds families together, Carmella renews her trust in the Lord and discovers a way to turn her life around. In TEARS FALL AT NIGHT, the Marshalls discover that even when everything goes wrong, they can still lift their hands and praise God anyhow.

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2013

105 people are currently reading
729 people want to read

About the author

Vanessa Miller

100 books793 followers
Vanessa Miller is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, playwright, and motivational speaker. She started writing as a child, spending countless hours either reading or writing poetry, short stories, stage plays and novels. Vanessa’s creative endeavors took on new meaning in1994 when she became a Christian. Since then, her writing has been centered on themes of redemption, often focusing on characters facing multi-dimensional struggles.

Vanessa’s novels have received rave reviews, with several appearing on Essence Magazine’s Bestseller’s List. Miller’s work has receiving numerous awards, including “Best Christian Fiction Mahogany Award” and the “Red Rose Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction.” Miller graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication. She is an ordained minister in her church, explaining, “God has called me to minister to readers and to help them rediscover their place with the Lord.”
· Essence Bestsellers’ List March 2008; May 2008 (Former Rain)
· Essence Bestsellers’ List September 2008 (Rain Storm)
· Black Expressions Book Club Alternate Selection 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010
· #1 Ebook for fiction on Amazon.com November 2010 (Long Time Coming)
· #1 on BCNN/BCBC Bestsellers’ List November 2010 (Long Time Coming)
She has worked with numerous publishers: Urban Christian, Kimani Romance, Abingdon Press and Whitaker House. She is currently working on Something Good with Thomas Nelson (HarperCollins) which releases in March 2022.

In 2016, Vanessa launched the Christian Book Lover’s Retreat in an effort to bring readers and authors of Christian fiction together in an environment that’s all about Faith, Fun & Fellowship. To learn more about Vanessa, please visit her website: www.vanessamiller.com. If you would like to know more about the Christian Book Lover’s Retreat that is currently held in Charlotte, NC during the last week in October you can visit: http://www.christianbookloversretreat...
Vanessa lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication.

Most of Vanessa’s published novels depict characters that are lost and in need of redemption. The books have received countless favorable reviews.

“. . . Heartwarming, drama-packed and tender in just the right places.”—Romantic Times Book Review.

“Recommended for readers of redemption stories.” –Library Journal.

www.vanessamiller.com

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5 stars
252 (50%)
4 stars
134 (26%)
3 stars
86 (17%)
2 stars
18 (3%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Ye'Vell Hopkins.
237 reviews3 followers
July 4, 2020
Short but good

I enjoyed the story. It was fast paced, but worth the read. I'll probably read the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Tami.
3 reviews
January 3, 2014
Very confusing book. Stories just ended with no resolution. New stories began, some with the same characters, some without but they didn't really play off of each other well. Would not recommend. It is part of a series to find out more, I will not be investing in more books to find out what happens, I will cut my losses.
Profile Image for verma tean neal.
49 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2014
Christian Readers Alert

anyone looking for a good Christian read must read this series of books, they will have you laughing, crying and singing praises to the Lord. Will make you re-examine your faith in GOD just to see if it is as strong as you think it is.
Profile Image for Brenda .
226 reviews
September 6, 2013
I liked the characters. The story was very real and very touching. Excellent turns and twists.
Profile Image for Cheyna Chaneille.
28 reviews1 follower
August 26, 2022
This was my second title from this author. This book did not let you down. It discusses life and family matters in Christian Fiction style.

I downloaded this book to read while I was at the hair salon. I finished the book in 2 hours. I was hooked, the story wasn't finished, I needed to know what happened to everyone else! I was sitting and flipping through the pages like what happened. It was at that moment that I realized that it was a connected series vs the isolated type that I originally assumed. I immediately ordered the remaining 8 books of the series!

Profile Image for Connie.
255 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2020
What is up with this book? At 50%finished, it switched to previews of the next 5 books. That was distressing since the author could have easily continued this story within the other half of this book. This is not the first time I’ve seen this happen. It’s a way to sell books. I won’t be buying anymore of this author’s books. While I enjoyed the story, I felt ripped off in the end. Two stars because it’s a decent story.
497 reviews5 followers
July 26, 2024
Husband leaves wife for daughter’s best friend. Mother and children devastated. Mother grabs onto her praise music for solace. Starts her own baking business. Reconnects with first love. High school aged son reels from the blow of dad leaving. Academics take a hit. Mom gets him back on the right track & he gets accepted into the college of his choice. Daughter going back to law school but still struggling at the end of the book because she is consumed by bitterness.
Profile Image for Mary Calton Gerard.
1,211 reviews6 followers
October 21, 2023
Joshua 24:15, Psalms 30:5

I enjoyed the beginning of the series, "Praise Him Anyhow". Reminded to Praz God no matter the occurrence and results. If I had not bought the series I definitely would be making the purchase. What an exceptional way to market the series.
Profile Image for Ruth.
27 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2025
Unbelievable!

I wasn’t ready for this! The carelessness of this man for his his actions affected his family is beyond me! I was so angry, yet so impressed with the faith and strength of this woman! Just WOW! Success is the best revenge!
Profile Image for Vicky Connelly.
394 reviews4 followers
October 23, 2020
Carmella’s life just got better after Nelson left her .... especially after she gave her divorce to the Lord!
Profile Image for India Jones-Tanner.
150 reviews24 followers
July 23, 2015
This book is the first book in the Praise Him Any How Series. It was a short, quick read that could have been better, if it was longer. I'll tell you about that statement later.

After 25 years of marriage, Carmella Marshall's husband, Nelson asks for a divorce. This news takes Carmella by surprise. She has been the perfect wife, helping her husband through law school and standing by his side as he struggles to become a judge. She also has been the mother to their two children, while putting her dreams of becoming a teacher on hold. What would make her husband do such a thing? That question was never answered.

Joy was growing tired of her roommate Jasmine running behind this mystery man. Finally, Jasmine invites Joy to help her move into this house her mystery man has rented for the two of them. Joy is totally in awe of the gorgeous house, but she wonders how could a law student like them afford such a big house? If her father wasn't paying her rent she couldn't afford her apartment. Then, she finds out, her father is her best friend's mystery man.

Carmella suffers a nervous breakdown. After coming home, she realizes her children need her. She needs to get her priorities together. But how? All she has ever known was Nelson and the kids. But, God always has a ram in the bush. Who is Carmella's ram?

The book could have been better if more background was given on Carmella and Nelson. What little information we have on them prior to the divorce was summed up in a paragraph in the beginning of the story.
What made Nelson want a divorce? Was he unhappy? Mid-life crisis? Why someone his daughter's age? What could she give him that his wife couldn't?

I would've also liked to know what made Jasmine betray her best friend? Besides money, what else could she gain with being the lover of a man who could very well be her father?

Ugh, I hate series. Maybe these questions I have will be addressed in the other books. As short as this book was, this story could've been wrapped up in one book.
2,017 reviews57 followers
September 15, 2014
Although I welcome characters who are different, and respond in a more normal way to adversity, it still felt extreme.

Some of the rating may be because I was expecting an actual book, not a novella, and was unpleasantly surprised by the main story ending 54% of the way through (being followed by previews for other books and then an actual other book), but the main reason is the lack of depth in the characters. Very little is really known *about* them. (And a nitpick: Carmella's business couldn't just start like that. There are licensing, insurance, health requirements.)
71 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2016
I really enjoyed this quick read. It was an interesting story and it enlightened me with realistic situations going on in everyday lives. Carmella thought she and Nelson had the perfect marriage but Nelson had already pursued another woman. Jasmine was wrong for going after her best friend Joy's father but he was just as wrong as well. Dontae was affected the most by the betrayal but Joy was damaged eternally by it. I was glad Carmella reconnected with God and Rosa stayed by her side. Rosa helped her get through it and get her new career started. Good ending as well glad Carmella got her divorce and gained Ramsey her first love. They both had something in common and that was their love for God........ I give this novel a two thumbs up!!!!!!!
Profile Image for Karen.
999 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2014
Tears Fall At Night……A must read. We all going through trials and tribulations, but we must never stopping talking to God. Whatever He brings to you, He will bring you through it. Carmella had to deal with her husband asking for a divorce, to be with a younger woman. Carmella was so distraught, about the divorce, but she was able to put it in God’s hands……Real life issues……….No matter what you are going through, Praise Him Anyhow………Thanks Vanessa Miller.
9 reviews
August 20, 2014
When Your Life is Thrown A Curve Look To GOD And Wait For The Blessing

When Your Life is Thrown A Curve Look To GOD And Wait For The Blessing

This book is about finding Love again after twenty five years of marriage ends in divorce. If you are a Christian and love reading about Christian romance then this series of love and Christian romance will truly give you some hope. Read the book and enjoy then read the rest of the series I am.
Profile Image for LovelyLady.
56 reviews
December 16, 2024
This story moved fast, and I love it when a story jumps right in and engages me from the start. I love it even more when the story is so engaging that while I am listening to it, I am adding my two cents and/or laughing or rolling my eyes at certain behaviors.

I am definitely going to read the other books as well. Prayerfully, the next few books will tie up a few loose ends . . . for me! I would love to see if two people have begun to reap what they have sewn . . .
Profile Image for Kellee.
516 reviews85 followers
September 29, 2013
Initially the book started off really good. Eventually it kind of slowed down. I didn't realize it was a short story, and I'm not really sure it was...At the end, there were numerous stories about the other character's that were in the book. I'm not sure if those were short stories or maybe the beginning of their own stories. The book was "bad", it just wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Lillie.
Author 21 books44 followers
October 28, 2013
Although I found the book a little over-dramatic--the wife and girlfriend getting into a brawl, for example--the situation this family is in is, unfortunately, all too common today. I appreciated the reminder that God is good...all the time. All the time...God is good. We are to praise Him in the midst of the difficult times as well as the good times.
Profile Image for Latanya.
92 reviews24 followers
May 16, 2015
Commitment & sacrifice; loved Carmella and how she handled her marriage. And Ramsey, I ain't mad at you:-)..Get your 1st love back! But, Joy...Revenge is very destructive! The one person we try to protect the most (ourself) is usually the one who looses the most! This book was another great read..as always, V. Miller never disappoints! My heart breaks for Joy.
10 reviews
March 13, 2014
Great read

I have never read books by this author. I was thoroughly impressed. I would recommend all women who are trying to get closer to God or already have a relationship with God to read this book because it is encouraging and the situations are very true to what we deal with daily.
Profile Image for Towhanna Boston.
18 reviews
October 15, 2014
This was an excellent read and I would recommend it to others. The story made me think of the "Haves and the Have nots" This happens one too many times in marriages. The man or the woman leaves after being married for over twenty years. I saw myself in the Character - Deidra who was Carmella's divorce attorney.......she was bad! love it!
Profile Image for Torrie.
30 reviews7 followers
February 23, 2015
This is the first book I have read by Vanessa Miller and I read it in four hours. This was a full length novel but once I started, I couldn't stop reading it. It's about a woman who deals with the heartache of losing someone she loves and renewing her faith in the Lord. I can't wait to read the next installment of the Praise Him Anyhow series. The audio book is great also.
24 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2015
I'm sorry but this plot was so poorly developed it was laughable. The characters are one dimensional and unbelievable. I can't see why this got so many high ratings. I guess the premise is interesting and may

speak to some, but the melodrama was too much for me. Ended way too abruptly. A complete waste of time.
Profile Image for Sepi.
4 reviews
September 4, 2013
The book was about a family finding strength when the respected father cheats with a younger woman (who happens to be the daughter's best friend). I liked it because the family did not become destructive but was force to face realities of life.
Profile Image for Leslie Nicole.
8 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this series. I came to me at the right time and ready and open to receive the messages in the story. I loved the main character Carmella, a strong Christian women who although not perfect had a real love of The Lord and her family.
Profile Image for Barbara West.
36 reviews
May 18, 2014
Short and quick

This was a very quick read. While the initial work was quite good, reading pieces of other works in the series is not my idea of a good read. Other than that the author paints an accurate picture of the different ways divorce can affect different individuals.
Profile Image for Barbara J. Harbison.
93 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2014
Great read

This book had a number of novellas in the Praise Him Anyhow series and they were a great read. Following this family through its trials and tribulations, yet staying with God was very interesting. Good read to take on vacation - it was good reading but light hearted.
Profile Image for Dawna.
76 reviews1 follower
March 12, 2018
Uplifting and strong

This book is excellent! I love the lesson of strength when times are at their worst. Going through my own heartache recently, this book was a great example of trusting Him. Victory is the end result no matter the circumstances.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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