Tears Fall at Night

Praise Him Anyhow #1

by Vanessa Miller

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.

Genres: Christian, Fiction, Christian Fiction, Amazon

160 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2013

About the author

Vanessa Miller is a USA Today bestselling author, whose prolific body of work spans over 50 titles that explore deep themes of redemption, resilience, and faith—often spotlighting strong Black women in pivotal moments of history.

Miller’s book, The American Queen won the prestigious Christy Award, the Audie Award and was the 2024 American Fiction Award winner for Historical Fiction. The American Queen was a North Carolina Reads pick for 2025 and an Alamance Countywide read for 2026 and Our State Magazine book club pick for February 2026.

Her novel, The Filling Station won the Oklahoma Book Award for fiction and was named one of Booklist’s Top Ten Historical Fictions of 2026. One of Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025 and A Booklist Editor’s Pick. It is a Positively Charlotte book club pick, an Oklahoma County Big Read and was an instant USA Today Bestseller.
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The American Queen has been featured in GMA, Washington Post and Essence Magazine roundups. The Ladies Hall has been featured in People Magazine as a cover reveal.

“Stirring… quintessential story of brave people fighting for what they know they
deserve.” [The American Queen]—Washington Post.

“This powerful story must be told and retold.” [The American Queen] –GMA.

“Miller captivates with a propulsive historical based on a true story.” –Publishers Weekly.

“A novel that should be required reading.” [The Filling Station] -Library Journal starred review.

“Absolutely Worthy.” - Booklist

Vanessa also wears the hats of playwright, motivational speaker and retreat host, channeling her storytelling gift across multiple creative platforms. She is currently published through HarperCollins/Thomas Nelson. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and family. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Organizational Communication and is currently in a MFA program at Queens University, graduating in 2027.

www.vanessamiller.com

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Reviews

[Ye'Vell Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Tami · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[verma tean neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the characters. The story was very real and very touching. Excellent turns and twists.

[Cheyna Chaneille · Rating 3 out of 5]

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!

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Sister · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Vicky Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmella’s life just got better after Nelson left her .... especially after she gave her divorce to the Lord!

[Bridgette L. Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a good read, however the end is incomplete.

[Beth Kaminske · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story, incomplete. Way to unbelievable.

[India Jones-Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I welcome characters who are different, and respond in a more normal way to adversity, it still felt extreme. Throwing rocks through windows? Having a nervous breakdown on the front lawn. I also felt Jasmine was rather cruel to flaunt the relationship for months before her best friend and room mate. Who does that, really??

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.)

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!!!!!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sherilyn E Jones-Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[LovelyLady · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 . . .

[Kellee · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Latanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Stacey Harrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Towhanna Boston · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Torrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Elizabeth Vautrain · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Sepi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Leslie Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Barbara West · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Barbara J. Harbison · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Dawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.