Chosen by Shades of Romance Magazine as one of their 2012 eBooks of the month. What’s a woman of God to do when everything, even her faith, begins to fall apart? Gospel star Tonya Langford-Hill revels in her role as First Lady of her husband’s church and is proud to be the wife of one of the most successful pastors in Central Arkansas. When an unexpected revelation sends shock waves through her life and her marriage, she finds herself on the edge of losing everything that ever mattered to her. Will Tonya regain her faith and accept the blessings of love that eventually come flowing her way? I stepped out of the car and walked up to the white-washed stone building. Etched into the glass entry door was an illustration of Kwame Kane, sitting Indian-style with his eyes closed. His hands were clasped in front of him. He wore an Arabian tunic and a turban. Underneath the logo were the words, “Swami Productions”. I rolled my eyes and thought, so this man is gonna produce a gospel album, huh? I followed a young intern through the building to a small waiting area. He assured me that Mr. Kane would be right with me and then left me to wait alone. I sat on a sofa and took in my plush white carpet, old Hollywood-style white cloth couches and chairs, mirrored tables, platinum and gold album plaques and framed magazine covers lining the walls. It wasn’t flashy or gaudy as I’d expected. On the contrary, it was rather elegant. I sat there for a few moments and then picked up a magazine and began to thumb through it. I sat there long enough to read through three magazines, check my messages and emails on my phone and use the restroom twice. I was fast losing my patience with Mr. Kwame Kane. After all, it was him who wanted to work with me. I pulled out my phone and dialed Palmer’s number. “Tonya! How’s it going?” “Well, it’s going great if the company wanted me to be able to describe Mr. Kane’s lobby in detail.” “What do you mean?” “I mean that this guy is so darned busy that he had an intern greet me and stash me in his lobby. I’ve been here for hours and I've yet to meet him. You can just tell A&R or whoever else at the label that I don’t care how they feel about this guy, I’m not gonna sit here and be treated like this!” I was into a full-on rant. “Okay, okay, calm down. Let me check into this.” “Yeah, you better check into this. I flew all the way here, to some little fishy-smelling town that I didn’t even know existed, and for what? To sit in the lobby like I’m on an audition? I already have a record deal, or doesn’t Mr. Kwame ‘The Swami’ Kane know this? I’m not some young desperate girl willing to take any and everything for a shot. I’m a legend. I have earned some respect!” I could feel my temper and the volume of my voice rising. “Tonya, just take it easy and let me check on this.” “Take it easy? How can—” I was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. I spun around with a frown and was face to face with none other than Mr. Kwame Kane.
Married at sixteen, a mother twice by seventeen, and thrice a mother and divorced by twenty-four, Adrienne Thompson is no stranger to adversity. Not your typical teenage mother, she went on to complete her college degree and to earn her nursing license. She attributes God's faithfulness as the catalyst for her success in life. Now, having raised three children as a divorced mother, she is sharing a long hidden talent and passion with the world. Using the lessons that life has so expertly taught her as a guideline (betrayal, abusive relationships, self-esteem issues, witnessing the deteriorating effects of drug abuse), she has created stories that will both entertain and inspire the reader.
Adrienne currently resides in Arkansas in her newly empty nest. Formerly an RN, she now writes and publishes her stories full time. She is also a motivational speaker.
Order of the Been So Long Series:
Rapture If Been So Long Little Sister Been So Long 2 Been So Long III September
Order of the Bluesday Series:
Bluesday Lovely Blues Blues In The Key Of B Locked out of Heaven
Awesome, awesome, awesome!! I just finished the book and I'm still smiling. Another great read from Adrienne Thompson.
Recommended?! Oh yes. I couldn't put the book down. Mrs. Thompson combines my 2 favorite things in her books, music and a great story line. I have definitely become a fan.
Tonya Hill is a First Lady, wife, mother, sister, daughter and gospel entertainer that was dealt a bad hand. She is trying to pick up the pieces of her her life and repair some relationships among the way.
What a wonderful treat!! From beginning to end, this book held my interest and had me staying up way past my bedtime, eager to see how it would end! Ms. Thompson has done a FABULOUS job of telling the story of Tonya Langford-Hill, the gospel singing "Anointed Woman of God." Tonya's life began to unravel when her son delivers a devastating piece of news to her. From that point on, the skeletons run screaming from the closet!
This book is, by far, one of the best pieces of work I've read in the Christian fiction genre (for lack of a better designation) in a long time! Not once did the book go off tract and become preachy as some books in this genre have a tendency to do.
Nominally priced at $1.99 (for ebook; $10 for paperback). Ms. Thompson is a phenomenal writer with mega talent! Congratulations, Adrienne Thompson on crafting such a great story!When You've Been Blessed
Oh my goodness, this story was an attention grabber! Tonya's situation happens in life everyday. You can be with someone for majority of your life, thinking you know them well, when really you don't know them at all. Kwame's character is the man, that I would have to say, is the man of every single woman's dream. He is God-fearing, handsome, considerate, and the list just keeps on flowing. Like Tonya, I think I fell in love with Kwame myself...LOL!! If anyone is looking for a good book to read, without all the erotic descriptions, then this is it. Five stars, this book was great!!
I like how this book was written. Some books with this concept have the wronged characters trying to uncover what their cheating mates are up to and the anticipation as to whether they stay or go drags out through the entire book with twists and turns. "When You've Been Blessed" throws the drama in the beginning which allows the reader to enjoy the walk with Tonya through her despair, discouragement, forgiveness and her eventual happiness.
Adrienne eloquently weaves her words onto a page that makes you fall in love with her characters and draws you to each and every one of her books. I definitely fell in love with these characters and this has to be one of my favorite books.
Thank you so much Adrienne Thompson,for sharing your gift with us. I loved the story line. I love a book that ends and I smile as I read the last sentence!
This is a Christian story about Tonya who is a wonderful singer and first-lady of the church, and her husband Reverend Apollo Hill who is the senior pastor. Tonya is very confident that she’s living a happy life with a happy husband, happy son, and everything is fine and dandy. In fact, Tonya starts off a bit haughty within her spirit because she thinks she has a better life than those who have often come to her for help and guidance. While wishing others well, internally, she thanks God that her life is not like those who have confided in her. Lo and behold, Tonya finds out really fast that while she’s been on a singing tour, her husband has been handling some business of his own- “risky ’ business” I should say. When the Reverend’s secret is revealed, Tonya escapes to family’s house in hopes of solace. However, her sisters haven’t forgiven Tonya for leaving their singing group years ago. Nonetheless, Tonya fights to put her life back together while. With a singing contract on the line with a hip-hop producer Kwame Kane, Tonya must decide if she’ll crossover into secondary music. And, if she’ll cross the spiritual lines for this hip-hop producer, Kwame Kane as a love interest. There is also a lesson to this story to never judge someone else because you never know where your blessings may come from. Sometimes, God has a wonderful way of making us humble as in Tonya’s case. Overall, I thought the story was put together well, and it was humorous in parts. It’s a fast-paced read that one can easily finish within a day. So, if you’re looking for something wholesome, but not boring to read this is a good book if you’re a Christian or not.
This book was chosen due to my curiosity on how God was going to show up and show out. Trust me, if you aren't a believer in God before reading this book, your faith will definitely appear, be restored, and more. Thompson grasped the true meaning of faith, love, and happiness in her story about a woman who had to face so many trials. The renewed faith in God and herself inspires the readers to continue to be steadfast in love and faith. I definitely recommend this book to everyone.
When You’ve Been Blessed (Feels Like Heaven) by Adrienne Thompson… Ms. Thompson has done a wonderful job with the story of Tonya Langford-Hill. Tonya was an anointed woman of God, gospel singer, first lady of the church, and a mother. Tonya’s life began to fall apart after the arrest of her son, who delivers bad news to his mom about his dad. Tonya was so broken hearted, but she stilled remained faithful to God….God always has a plan for our life…….LOVED IT
I've always enjoyed Adrienne Thompson novels and this one ranks with the others. She continues to put out great romance stories with a twist. I love how this story relates with a spiritual message. I can't wait to download another one of her novels, keep them coming.
An untested faith is an unreliable faith. Sometimes we experience trials to bring us closer to God! Amen!! This book was an awesome read! A book of love, heartbreak and faith!
This book had me so full of emotions I was angry when Tony's husband cheated I cried with her and for her I was happy when she left him cried when she lost her dad tears of joy, when she and her sisters got back together felt sexy when she and K got together cried when he got hurt believed he would be healed and danced at their wedding. I am tired I need to rest so I can read more or her books.