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Still Divas #2
The Perfect Christian
Mother Doreen thought she'd never love again after the death of her first love, so when a pastor from her hometown proposes, she sees it as a gift from God. As the founder of the Singles Ministry at the New Day Temple of Faith, her departure is bittersweet for the single saints she'll be leaving behind. Mother Doreen is a little nervous embarking on her new role as a pastor's wife, but everyone agrees that she will make the perfect first lady. After all, no one has known her to be anything other than a perfect Christian. When her imperfect past comes to the forefront, however, her image is shattered. Even with the support of all the single ladies, it's going to take the hand of God for this fairytale wedding to happen. Otherwise, Mother Doreen's happily ever after might quickly turn into a sadly never ever.
- GenresChristian
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
36 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
E.N. Joy
37 books292 followersBLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy is the writer behind the five book series, “New Day Divas,” the “Still Divas” three book series, the “Always Divas” three book series, and the "Forever Divas" three book series, all which have been coined “Soap Operas In Print.” Formerly writing secular works under the names Joylynn M. Jossel and JOY, this award winning author has been sharing her literary expertise on conference panels in her home town of Columbus, Ohio and cities across the country as well as instructing literary workshops.
Joy writes children’s and middle grade titles under the name N. Joy. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost 100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy instructs in schools nationwide.
The former acquisitions editor for a decade for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation, Joy is now a freelance editor. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying.
Joy writes children’s and middle grade titles under the name N. Joy. Her children’s story, The Secret Olivia Told Me, received the American Library Association Coretta Scott King Honor. Book club rights were acquired by Scholastic Books and the book has sold almost 100,000 copies. Elementary and middle school children have fallen in love with reading and creative writing as a result of the readings and workshops Joy instructs in schools nationwide.
The former acquisitions editor for a decade for Urban Christian, an imprint of Urban Books in which the titles are distributed by Kensington Publishing Corporation, Joy is now a freelance editor. In addition, Joy is the artistic developer for a young girl group named DJHK Gurls. Joy pens original songs for the group that deal with messages that affect today’s youth, such as bullying.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 19, 2023
I enjoy this author’s writing style and gripping plot lines. This book definitely kept me up all night. I don’t mind reading clean fiction with no cussing, and I will check out more titles by this author. I however did not finish because the husband was somebody I didn’t like, and I could just about guess how things would end with his marriage he dishonored.
April 7, 2022
This book was powerful. I don’t even know what to say.
May 19, 2020
WOW! This storyline was engaging; it left you wanting to know more about what the dark past held. We all have met that person who is holier than thou. The Perfect Christian reminds us that we all fall short of the glory of God. Some people put on a facade while others believe in, I am who I am faults and all. Which person are you?
Doreen found herself in a dilemma on her wedding day. The dark secrets were exposed to the congregation before her wedding vowels by someone connected to her past. Would you run or confront it? The author intertwines the character's history and bad choices to help the readers understand Doreen’s lifestyle. Dealing with the past, Doreen had to seek forgiveness. We learned the power of forgiveness and how it can heal the soul. It will release you from bondage so you can live.
On a personal note, I had issues with Doreen’s sacrifices due to her religious beliefs about marriage. I struggled with her parents' influence on her decision, which caused her to act a fool pertaining to her former husband. I believed she suffered more because she was trying to be this perfect Christian. She strongly disagreed with her sister, but I can see why things happened the way it did. We have to accept that life is going to have its ups and downs. God gives us free will. You cannot please everyone!
Doreen found herself in a dilemma on her wedding day. The dark secrets were exposed to the congregation before her wedding vowels by someone connected to her past. Would you run or confront it? The author intertwines the character's history and bad choices to help the readers understand Doreen’s lifestyle. Dealing with the past, Doreen had to seek forgiveness. We learned the power of forgiveness and how it can heal the soul. It will release you from bondage so you can live.
On a personal note, I had issues with Doreen’s sacrifices due to her religious beliefs about marriage. I struggled with her parents' influence on her decision, which caused her to act a fool pertaining to her former husband. I believed she suffered more because she was trying to be this perfect Christian. She strongly disagreed with her sister, but I can see why things happened the way it did. We have to accept that life is going to have its ups and downs. God gives us free will. You cannot please everyone!
February 4, 2013
The most valuable lesson taken from this novel is that the enemy wants us to abort our dreams, our passions, and even our callings. He is cunning, and will use our past to not walk into our present. He will send people out of nowhere to steal our happiness; and this is what happened to Mother Doreen on her wedding day to stop her marrying Pastor Frey. She wouldn't be first lady at Living Word Church in Kentucky. It took women who loved her and admired her as a believer that pushed her back into motion with encouraging words to do what she was set to do. Do not let Satan steal the gifts that lie in you! Continue to do the work of the Lord.
Mother Doreen definitely had a powerful testimony and shouldn't deter her from marrying the man she loved and loved her; thank God for second chances. People shouldn't keep holding others accountable for their past because it's in their past; and press onward and see the good things in them now.
Adrienna Turner
Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
Dream 4 More Reviews at www.dream4more.webs.com
Mother Doreen definitely had a powerful testimony and shouldn't deter her from marrying the man she loved and loved her; thank God for second chances. People shouldn't keep holding others accountable for their past because it's in their past; and press onward and see the good things in them now.
Adrienna Turner
Author of "The Day Begins with Christ"
www.adriennaturner.webs.com
Dream 4 More Reviews at www.dream4more.webs.com
July 28, 2013
Chains of the Past
Mother Doreen is always on a mission from God. After her husband died, she became more committed to serving God. When her mission sends her home to care for her sick sister, she meets Pastor Frey. While it’s obvious to others that Pastor Fry is interested in Mother Doreen, she’s simply there in a caring capacity, and doesn’t wish to move further. Luckily for Mother Doreen, God has a mission for her heart. After purging her past, she’s ready to head to the altar for the second time. But will her past be called into question before her I do’s?
THE PERFECT CHRISTIAN: STILL DIVAS BOOK TWO by E.N. Joy was an intriguing read. After all of this time readers finally get to see more into Mother Doreen’s past. I absolutely loved how even in the time of tragedy E.N. Joy allows readers to see God work. There are small issues in editing.
I didn’t realize that I’d read part three prior, so now I’m awaiting part four. The entire series is worthy of a recommendation.
Reviewed by: Crystal
4.5
Mother Doreen is always on a mission from God. After her husband died, she became more committed to serving God. When her mission sends her home to care for her sick sister, she meets Pastor Frey. While it’s obvious to others that Pastor Fry is interested in Mother Doreen, she’s simply there in a caring capacity, and doesn’t wish to move further. Luckily for Mother Doreen, God has a mission for her heart. After purging her past, she’s ready to head to the altar for the second time. But will her past be called into question before her I do’s?
THE PERFECT CHRISTIAN: STILL DIVAS BOOK TWO by E.N. Joy was an intriguing read. After all of this time readers finally get to see more into Mother Doreen’s past. I absolutely loved how even in the time of tragedy E.N. Joy allows readers to see God work. There are small issues in editing.
I didn’t realize that I’d read part three prior, so now I’m awaiting part four. The entire series is worthy of a recommendation.
Reviewed by: Crystal
4.5
August 29, 2019
Such an excellent story from such an excellent author. EN Joy Diva series are coined soap opera in print, and she does not disappoint. Mother Dorreen is about to get married, but someone from a past mistake threatens to possibly change her destiny. You will get a wonderful of forgiveness in this story, and you will not be disappointed.
November 23, 2014
This was a good book. I love the way Mother Doreen was able to stay with her husband ( crazy) but i think it shows how much she lived that man regardless what he did to her. I also liked the way she was able to go and forgive Lauren and help her over come her sickness.
September 26, 2018
Quite the page turner but most of the time I wanted to slap Doreen upside the head for making Willie treat her like that over and over and over again
February 24, 2024
The Perfect Christian by E.N. Joy
²Still Divas #2
related series: ¹New Day Divas, ³Always Divas, ⁴Forever Divas
288-page Kindle Ebook [Location Only] 3157
Genre: Christian Fiction
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Columbus, Ohio; Church Mother, Wedding Day, Former Besties, Dual Timelines, Kentucky, West Virginia, Church-Folk, Sex, Pregnancy, Adultery, Assault, Child Death, Prison, Forgiveness Trope, The Sunday-Only Christian Blurb, Discussion Questions
Rating as a movie: R for sex and violence
Songs for the soundtrack: "The Sea Of Forgetfulness" by Helen Baylor, "One He Kept for Me" by Maurette Brown Clark, "Amazing Grace" by Aretha Franklin, "Golden" by Jill Scott, "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by CeCe Winans
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½⛪️🔒
My thoughts: In And You Call Yourself a Christian the title is repeated often throughout the story and it's the same with The Perfect Christian, get your candy ready, you can probably get through an entire bag of Skittles with the number of times it's stated. Anyway, there were some magic timeline plot holes with this one, especially with the trip from Ohio to West Virginia and back, starting in the late afternoon and only taking hours, okay? All of these characters got on my never but it was an interesting story. In the past timeline, the setting was so vague I don't know if it was the 50s or 80s there was modern slang used so it took a lot of liberties. Overall the story was interesting.
Recommend to others: Maybe. This was an interesting story. I think most would enjoy it, it was a bit out of my comfort zone.
Still Divas
1. And You Call Yourself a Christian (2012)
2. The Perfect Christian (2012)
3. The Sunday Only Christian (2012)
²Still Divas #2
related series: ¹New Day Divas, ³Always Divas, ⁴Forever Divas
288-page Kindle Ebook [Location Only] 3157
Genre: Christian Fiction
Featuring: Author's Bibliography, Columbus, Ohio; Church Mother, Wedding Day, Former Besties, Dual Timelines, Kentucky, West Virginia, Church-Folk, Sex, Pregnancy, Adultery, Assault, Child Death, Prison, Forgiveness Trope, The Sunday-Only Christian Blurb, Discussion Questions
Rating as a movie: R for sex and violence
Songs for the soundtrack: "The Sea Of Forgetfulness" by Helen Baylor, "One He Kept for Me" by Maurette Brown Clark, "Amazing Grace" by Aretha Franklin, "Golden" by Jill Scott, "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by CeCe Winans
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½⛪️🔒
My thoughts: In And You Call Yourself a Christian the title is repeated often throughout the story and it's the same with The Perfect Christian, get your candy ready, you can probably get through an entire bag of Skittles with the number of times it's stated. Anyway, there were some magic timeline plot holes with this one, especially with the trip from Ohio to West Virginia and back, starting in the late afternoon and only taking hours, okay? All of these characters got on my never but it was an interesting story. In the past timeline, the setting was so vague I don't know if it was the 50s or 80s there was modern slang used so it took a lot of liberties. Overall the story was interesting.
Recommend to others: Maybe. This was an interesting story. I think most would enjoy it, it was a bit out of my comfort zone.
Still Divas
1. And You Call Yourself a Christian (2012)
2. The Perfect Christian (2012)
3. The Sunday Only Christian (2012)
Read
January 29, 2018Wow!!
I loved learning more about Mother Doreen’s past and her journey with Willie, “Lord Bless His Soul”. It’s amazing how God uses our pain, wrong choices, and turns them around for our freedom and deliverance in Him. The twist in this book will teach how much forgiveness is needed.
I loved learning more about Mother Doreen’s past and her journey with Willie, “Lord Bless His Soul”. It’s amazing how God uses our pain, wrong choices, and turns them around for our freedom and deliverance in Him. The twist in this book will teach how much forgiveness is needed.
May 30, 2017
Book 2 of the Still Divas Series was an Awesome Read :-)
I loved how the background story of Mother Doreen was portrayed and how in the end she finally got answers to clear her conscience completely.
I loved how the background story of Mother Doreen was portrayed and how in the end she finally got answers to clear her conscience completely.
November 23, 2017
I loved every book in the New .Day Divas and Still Divas series thus far looking forward to reading all of em. Forgiveness is very powerful i would like to see what happen with Terrence and Lauren. Blessings
October 9, 2018
his series is powerful, but this book here is the truth! It have me praying with the rev!
September 13, 2019
Deep, and good!
January 26, 2020
Great read
I really love this book. It was interesting from front to bank. I like the twist, unexpected to say the least.
I really love this book. It was interesting from front to bank. I like the twist, unexpected to say the least.
March 26, 2017
As always, E.N.Joy did not disappoint! I don't have enough stars for the ratings of this series. Anytime I pick up one of her books, I am in for an awesome read. The love, compassion, respect and most of all, the love that not only we all need, it's the positive interactions with the SIC! You can never go wrong with this lady's work!
October 5, 2012
In the second book of the Still Divas Series, The Perfect Christian by E. N. Joy, Mother Doreen is in love and preparing for her wedding. Mother Doreen never thought this day would come again given her past. The day of her wedding an uninvited guest arrives and the wedding turns into a counseling session.
Mother Doreen’s past has come back to haunt her and this time she has to face it head on. In confronting her past Mother Doreen realizes her first husband, Willie had many secrets. When the truth is revealed Mother Doreen has to make a hard decision. Will Mother Doreen let her past hinder her present?
The Perfect Christian lets readers know just how imperfect people can be. The main character is faced with some harsh truths but her love for God never falters. This was a true eye-opener and I recommend this book to others.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
Mother Doreen’s past has come back to haunt her and this time she has to face it head on. In confronting her past Mother Doreen realizes her first husband, Willie had many secrets. When the truth is revealed Mother Doreen has to make a hard decision. Will Mother Doreen let her past hinder her present?
The Perfect Christian lets readers know just how imperfect people can be. The main character is faced with some harsh truths but her love for God never falters. This was a true eye-opener and I recommend this book to others.
Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
February 15, 2015
It's Mother Doreen's wedding day and it seems like everything is going wrong…including the unexpected guest who tries to stop it. Once the smoke clears, hurt pasts are brought to light and dealt with as I've never seen before. This book is the true definition of forgiveness. It not only heals the brokenhearted, but the person doing the forgiving…and allow all chains to be broken!
This is definitely a book and series that I would recommend.
This is definitely a book and series that I would recommend.
April 30, 2015
Mother Doreen is in the process of getting married to Pastor Frey. Mother Doreen’s wedding day becomes crazy; fighting, and an unexpected guest. The unexpected guest stops the wedding. Mother Doreen’s past has come to haunt her on her wedding day. Excellent book about forgiveness and letting go of the past!!!!
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July 11, 2016When I read the first couple of pages, I wasn't immediately drawn to continue reading as I have been with all the other E.N. Joy books that I've read. I'm so glad that I continued to read on. It was a really good book as are all the others that I've read by E.N. Joy. I have yet to be disappointed.
October 20, 2012
This was a good read, I liked the story of Mama Doreen she was a strong lady & to move on with her life she had to forgive things/people of her past.....
November 23, 2012
Very intense book Doreen went through a lot from the hands and heart of an unfaithful man (husband) . I couldn't put the book down...
May 26, 2013
Sometimes the hardest person to forgive....is ourselves as Mother Doreen finds out.
August 18, 2014
I thought this book was well-written. E.N. Joy does an amazing job of having lots of drama from start to finish.
August 29, 2013
A must read series. Loved every minute of this book.
March 3, 2014
love mother doreen
September 23, 2014
I liked the story line it is amazing how God works mysteriously in a person's life.
July 27, 2015
Excellent! I really enjoyed this story because it gave real trials and tribulations that we as Christians might face. And the author just pulled you in, and hooked you. I loved it.
November 13, 2015
Read from this author for the first time. I E.N.JOYed it. The story line was deep. I became a fan. Had different twist and turns. It got me turning the pages. Glad I came across this book.
January 10, 2013
Good christian fiction book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews