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Boaz Brown #1
Boaz Brown
A young Christian woman finds her own racist attitudes as well as those of her family, friends, and church challenged when she is drawn to a man of a different race.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2004
192 people are currently reading
1078 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Stimpson
102 books674 followersHello, Goodreads community! I'm Michelle Stimpson, and storytelling is my heartbeat. I've found my calling in penning heartwarming women's fiction that offers a seat at the table of family, humor, and hope. As an author, my greatest joy comes from crafting narratives that resonate with anyone seeking to find laughter and light in the pages of a good book. My tagline, 'Read. Love. Repeat.', is a promise of the emotional journey I aim to provide—engaging stories you’ll love and yearn to revisit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
July 23, 2012
I read the whole book, straight through, last night. I think the genre is tagged something like "African American Women/Christian Fiction," but I think everyone--regardless of gender or race--needs to read it.
Let me preface this by saying, I am a white woman who was raised in Wisconsin, and moved to Dallas, TX twenty years ago. A lot of the racial issues I discovered when I moved to Texas were mind boggling to me. I knew about slavery, the Jim Crow laws, and segregation from an academic/historical point of view, but I couldn't understand why so many black people still chose to segregate themselves and were still so angry. Unfortunately, racial discussions are very difficult to have due to the inherent emotional content, and as many white people are, I was afraid to ask because I didn't want to accidentally offend anyone. After reading Ms. Stimpson's book, I am beginning to understand.
Not only does Boaz Brown address some of the past and (unfortunately) ongoing experiences that cause distrust among races (Asian, black, Hispanic, white, etc.), it also provides solutions through Christ. There are some very wise comments in the last fourth of the book, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not read this book.
It was also interesting for me to see the protagonist's views as an educator and school administrator. I taught in a predominately black high school for five years, and had many similar experiences. One of the comments regarding student discipline and cultural expectations (page 212) hit home for me. I was fortunate to have an awesome older Christian black lady teach across the hall from me my last two of the five years I was at the school, and she explained a lot of that to me. Things that I thought were disrespectful, they thought were all good and fine, and vice verse. I totally agree with the main character's realization that there needs to be more cultural awareness in the public schools. Perhaps that should also extend to our churches?
I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the prose, but most importantly, I think I was inspired to reevaluate my Quiet Times with my Heavenly Father (we talked about it this morning). My hope and prayer is that this book will cause everyone who reads it to draw closer to God, to be more honest with themselves, and to prayerfully open a respectful and healing dialogue with those who are different.
I understand this is Michelle Stimpson's debut novel, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Let me preface this by saying, I am a white woman who was raised in Wisconsin, and moved to Dallas, TX twenty years ago. A lot of the racial issues I discovered when I moved to Texas were mind boggling to me. I knew about slavery, the Jim Crow laws, and segregation from an academic/historical point of view, but I couldn't understand why so many black people still chose to segregate themselves and were still so angry. Unfortunately, racial discussions are very difficult to have due to the inherent emotional content, and as many white people are, I was afraid to ask because I didn't want to accidentally offend anyone. After reading Ms. Stimpson's book, I am beginning to understand.
Not only does Boaz Brown address some of the past and (unfortunately) ongoing experiences that cause distrust among races (Asian, black, Hispanic, white, etc.), it also provides solutions through Christ. There are some very wise comments in the last fourth of the book, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has not read this book.
It was also interesting for me to see the protagonist's views as an educator and school administrator. I taught in a predominately black high school for five years, and had many similar experiences. One of the comments regarding student discipline and cultural expectations (page 212) hit home for me. I was fortunate to have an awesome older Christian black lady teach across the hall from me my last two of the five years I was at the school, and she explained a lot of that to me. Things that I thought were disrespectful, they thought were all good and fine, and vice verse. I totally agree with the main character's realization that there needs to be more cultural awareness in the public schools. Perhaps that should also extend to our churches?
I enjoyed the story, the characters, and the prose, but most importantly, I think I was inspired to reevaluate my Quiet Times with my Heavenly Father (we talked about it this morning). My hope and prayer is that this book will cause everyone who reads it to draw closer to God, to be more honest with themselves, and to prayerfully open a respectful and healing dialogue with those who are different.
I understand this is Michelle Stimpson's debut novel, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
November 16, 2015
A great read. This story caused me to search within, to carry out a clinical self evaluation. It reminded me that God's love is colour-blind and that that is the standard we should all emulate, or at the very least aspire to.
October 27, 2014
As a black (non American) young woman, I could not identify with this book, which in turn influenced my rating. The dialogue seemed false to me (my uncle is a devout Christian and even he doesn't speak as though he's preaching). And other than the taught racism and previous dabble with premarital sex (we are told), LaShondra, the main character, is practically a saint. She seems like the church girl nobody wants to hang out with: loud, opinionated and judgemental. Trust me, coming from another 'church girl', that's not good.
February 10, 2017
Don't think there's any spoilers, there is swearing and exclamation marks. Which I try to avoid in reviews but this book deserves every!!!! f,c,s and t word at my disposal. I read a lot and I'm quite hard to offend. But this? Wow.
Maybe it's an American thing. Reading this as an English person and maybe I'm just misunderstanding some American cultural issues, but maybe not because strangely enough, this is not the first book I've read by an American author...
This doesn't truly deserve a star but unrated books annoy me so it might get a grudge star if I calm down enough to continue. (I did finish, and the star is indeed a grudge star) I'm still angry about this vile bigotry two weeks after reading.
I very rarely don't finish a book but I'm only at 8% and this one already might make that very short list. It has already managed to piss me off more than Mr. Moore / Stupid White Men and 50 Shades of Shite! Which, can't lie, I did not think was possible!!!
I've never read such badly written, juvenile, racist, sexist crap in my life. It's a potential DNF mainly because I'm slightly afraid of reading much more of this utter garbage, because if it's already this cliched and racist, God only knows how bad the actual meeting of the white man and ensuing overwrought family drama ( that the cover blah tells us about) will be. Especially considering predictable reactions of the textbook , cliche parents, i.e. strong, impossibly handsome father who rarely attends church, beautiful, deeply religious, strong mother, yawn...
Basically, went completely downhill for me from the moment she "rotated the gold-coloured faucets clockwise". Because turning a normal tap on is just so beneath this pious cow...and, seriously? Gold coloured faucets? Tacky. Tacky. Tacky. Like leaded windows on council houses. If you can't afford real gold, just have normal taps, unless you run a brothel of course.
Shallow, bitchy, vapid females of the type that give women a bad name.
If a white character or author seriously used (reversed) sentences like...
"Black folks know their money" Because clearly, no white, Asian, European or Hispanic person checks their wage slip to make sure they got the correct pay. Apparently, only African-Americans do that.
"White men are ugly...I'd take the short, ugly, white man..." Wow.
"White men are only good for fixing her computer" (despite, one chapter later, the dressed-like-a-chav black guy, is - guess what? an IT guy...
"no risk of getting kidnapped by a strange white guy" because, again. all weird, paedophile type men are only ever white men.
"Are you a serial killer?" I'm not personally a serial killer (despite being white, I know that might be a surprise to this twat!) But I'm going to bet any serial killer worth their salt probably doesn't answer that question truthfully...(yes, love I'm a wannabe Ted Bundy, now shut up and get in my VW.) Stupid, stupid cow
Apparently, Mexicans are EVEN WORSE THAN WHITES!!!! Who knew? I certainly didn't.
Apparently, all that 'brothers in arms' stuff is utter bollocks. FYI White military personnel just don't give a flying fuck about their fellow soldiers. That's probably the most offensive paragraph in this bag of crap.
"White folks need to keep their opinions to themselves" Nope. This author does.
*(even though the slated white person is merely annoyed by the person ahead ignoring the checkout rules, as I'm sure anyone, irrespective of race, religion or gender would probably find infuriating because it's ultimately fucking rude!
But, nooooooo! The hideous LaShondra (most ridiculous not -a -real -name I ever read) decides it's just a "white person problem" but concludes it's fine for the black person to ignore the policy because "it's ok, we're not good at obeying rules!" Fuck off.
The vile 'females'are also obsessed with money.
Money. Money. Money*... A man could be the cleverest, wisest, cleanest, nicest, best looking man on the planet. Might be hung like a donkey, talented in bed, cooks like a Roux brother (bit ughhhh, roux brothers are white and that food might be tainted beyond eating!!!!!) and obsessed with housework. But if he's got no money? Well then, he can fuck right off mate (sorry not mate, "Sister". FFS do grown up women really, truly call each other 'sister' beyond school year six? ...)
*(provided , of course he's not white, Asian, European or Hispanic money, because apparently that's eeeew)
One of the bitch coven DID do the unthinkable and does a disgusting, WHITE freak. She was disappointed because he didn't "have hidden stashes of cash" that she was expecting. Like Cartman in South Park and the Jew gold, but not funny.
Plagiarism of the bible on a technical level. Can one be sued for that? Because if I'd written the bible and read this shit, I'd be speed dialling my lawyer...
Massive misinterpretations of the bible by the author to suit the sad little 'personalities' of her "characters".
Are vanity, greed and pride not sins any more? Or did I miss something?
He without sin throw the first stone...Thou shall not judge? These bitches should definitely not be throwing stones at ANYONE ffs!
Maybe it's an American thing. Reading this as an English person and maybe I'm just misunderstanding some American cultural issues, but maybe not because strangely enough, this is not the first book I've read by an American author...
This doesn't truly deserve a star but unrated books annoy me so it might get a grudge star if I calm down enough to continue. (I did finish, and the star is indeed a grudge star) I'm still angry about this vile bigotry two weeks after reading.
I very rarely don't finish a book but I'm only at 8% and this one already might make that very short list. It has already managed to piss me off more than Mr. Moore / Stupid White Men and 50 Shades of Shite! Which, can't lie, I did not think was possible!!!
I've never read such badly written, juvenile, racist, sexist crap in my life. It's a potential DNF mainly because I'm slightly afraid of reading much more of this utter garbage, because if it's already this cliched and racist, God only knows how bad the actual meeting of the white man and ensuing overwrought family drama ( that the cover blah tells us about) will be. Especially considering predictable reactions of the textbook , cliche parents, i.e. strong, impossibly handsome father who rarely attends church, beautiful, deeply religious, strong mother, yawn...
Basically, went completely downhill for me from the moment she "rotated the gold-coloured faucets clockwise". Because turning a normal tap on is just so beneath this pious cow...and, seriously? Gold coloured faucets? Tacky. Tacky. Tacky. Like leaded windows on council houses. If you can't afford real gold, just have normal taps, unless you run a brothel of course.
Shallow, bitchy, vapid females of the type that give women a bad name.
If a white character or author seriously used (reversed) sentences like...
"Black folks know their money" Because clearly, no white, Asian, European or Hispanic person checks their wage slip to make sure they got the correct pay. Apparently, only African-Americans do that.
"White men are ugly...I'd take the short, ugly, white man..." Wow.
"White men are only good for fixing her computer" (despite, one chapter later, the dressed-like-a-chav black guy, is - guess what? an IT guy...
"no risk of getting kidnapped by a strange white guy" because, again. all weird, paedophile type men are only ever white men.
"Are you a serial killer?" I'm not personally a serial killer (despite being white, I know that might be a surprise to this twat!) But I'm going to bet any serial killer worth their salt probably doesn't answer that question truthfully...(yes, love I'm a wannabe Ted Bundy, now shut up and get in my VW.) Stupid, stupid cow
Apparently, Mexicans are EVEN WORSE THAN WHITES!!!! Who knew? I certainly didn't.
Apparently, all that 'brothers in arms' stuff is utter bollocks. FYI White military personnel just don't give a flying fuck about their fellow soldiers. That's probably the most offensive paragraph in this bag of crap.
"White folks need to keep their opinions to themselves" Nope. This author does.
*(even though the slated white person is merely annoyed by the person ahead ignoring the checkout rules, as I'm sure anyone, irrespective of race, religion or gender would probably find infuriating because it's ultimately fucking rude!
But, nooooooo! The hideous LaShondra (most ridiculous not -a -real -name I ever read) decides it's just a "white person problem" but concludes it's fine for the black person to ignore the policy because "it's ok, we're not good at obeying rules!" Fuck off.
The vile 'females'are also obsessed with money.
Money. Money. Money*... A man could be the cleverest, wisest, cleanest, nicest, best looking man on the planet. Might be hung like a donkey, talented in bed, cooks like a Roux brother (bit ughhhh, roux brothers are white and that food might be tainted beyond eating!!!!!) and obsessed with housework. But if he's got no money? Well then, he can fuck right off mate (sorry not mate, "Sister". FFS do grown up women really, truly call each other 'sister' beyond school year six? ...)
*(provided , of course he's not white, Asian, European or Hispanic money, because apparently that's eeeew)
One of the bitch coven DID do the unthinkable and does a disgusting, WHITE freak. She was disappointed because he didn't "have hidden stashes of cash" that she was expecting. Like Cartman in South Park and the Jew gold, but not funny.
Plagiarism of the bible on a technical level. Can one be sued for that? Because if I'd written the bible and read this shit, I'd be speed dialling my lawyer...
Massive misinterpretations of the bible by the author to suit the sad little 'personalities' of her "characters".
Are vanity, greed and pride not sins any more? Or did I miss something?
He without sin throw the first stone...Thou shall not judge? These bitches should definitely not be throwing stones at ANYONE ffs!
April 18, 2015
Brave Christian romance that entertains while it explores some hard issues.
September 15, 2020
I don't know what to say about this book. I was unprepared for the direction of the book..i guess i didn't read the description closely enough. I enjoyed most of the dialogue, could relate to 70% of the conversations. Stelson is a bit overly optimistic about the relationship, but of course privilege will let you ignore some things in society, which Lashondra tries to explain, bur i don't think he got it. I have personal opinions about racism vs prejudice that interfere with agreeing with how the author categorized the characters... I guess the ultimate message is that as a Christian, we should love all people which i totally agree.
January 13, 2011
ETA:
Okay, finished the book, and as expected from the premise, the author transforms the heroine to strike out against her deep-seated racism and love who God wills for her. It was a solid read, and a good ending that mostly mollifies whatever squik I was feeling plowing through the earlier, race-tastic half of the book. I'll leave my earlier review below as reference.
-----------
AUGH, this book is making my face hurt. While competantly written, it is extremely difficult for me to identify or sympathize with a heroine who is Christian but cites this as her personal belief about white people:
"I don't trust white people. I don't like white people. I think that for the most part, white people are a bunch of crooks who have never done anything but steal, cheat, and kill. And anybody who comes from that lineage has a little bit of it in 'em-- I don't care how good they try to be. White men are arrogant and manipulative, and white women are simple, whiny, and lazy."
Now, the whole point of the novel is that she is slowly being convinced by studly, godly McWhite Guy that this is All Wrong, so I'm trying to go with the flow. The heroine cites the history of slavery and all the discrimination that she and her family had experienced as reasons. Okay...nothing beats the experience of yourself and your loved ones when it comes to forming viewpoints in life. I get a bit confused with her time table, because she's supposed to be a child of the 80's (30 yrs old contemporary time), but claims that she'd be a slave if it were a generation ago. But I'll work with it...
But then once in awhile (rare, because prejudice against whites is the focus here), she throws out nasty, snide comments on Hispanics and Asians. And that gets my hackles up, because seriously, you can't use slavery as the excuse for that. She's just a plain old Racist Bigot, and just because she's a minority doesn't excuse her bigotry against other minorities. Now, if the author touched on the bigotry that all manner of minorities exhibit with each other and the majority, that would be interesting. But the author sticks to her focus by piling that nastiness on her heroine, and makes the white dude so puffy perfect it's just.... =/
I'll probably keep reading, though.
Okay, finished the book, and as expected from the premise, the author transforms the heroine to strike out against her deep-seated racism and love who God wills for her. It was a solid read, and a good ending that mostly mollifies whatever squik I was feeling plowing through the earlier, race-tastic half of the book. I'll leave my earlier review below as reference.
-----------
AUGH, this book is making my face hurt. While competantly written, it is extremely difficult for me to identify or sympathize with a heroine who is Christian but cites this as her personal belief about white people:
"I don't trust white people. I don't like white people. I think that for the most part, white people are a bunch of crooks who have never done anything but steal, cheat, and kill. And anybody who comes from that lineage has a little bit of it in 'em-- I don't care how good they try to be. White men are arrogant and manipulative, and white women are simple, whiny, and lazy."
Now, the whole point of the novel is that she is slowly being convinced by studly, godly McWhite Guy that this is All Wrong, so I'm trying to go with the flow. The heroine cites the history of slavery and all the discrimination that she and her family had experienced as reasons. Okay...nothing beats the experience of yourself and your loved ones when it comes to forming viewpoints in life. I get a bit confused with her time table, because she's supposed to be a child of the 80's (30 yrs old contemporary time), but claims that she'd be a slave if it were a generation ago. But I'll work with it...
But then once in awhile (rare, because prejudice against whites is the focus here), she throws out nasty, snide comments on Hispanics and Asians. And that gets my hackles up, because seriously, you can't use slavery as the excuse for that. She's just a plain old Racist Bigot, and just because she's a minority doesn't excuse her bigotry against other minorities. Now, if the author touched on the bigotry that all manner of minorities exhibit with each other and the majority, that would be interesting. But the author sticks to her focus by piling that nastiness on her heroine, and makes the white dude so puffy perfect it's just.... =/
I'll probably keep reading, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2013
This book really touched me and helped me to confront some of the prejudices that I still harbor albeit subconsciously for the most part. I think that I may not care about I/R couples, but sometimes the things that I have been taught and confronted with do drive my actions, but for the Lord He can help me overcome this issue. Of course the plot and ending are predictable, but the way that LaShondra handled it and allowed it to change her and her walk with the Lord was not. I guess for me that helps to remind me to bring it all back to God. Everything. I know that reading the Bible is first and foremost, but it can take the example of a story to drive home a point. Such as the same with C.S Lewis novels. This is a very Christian book no way around it, but I think that it is still an awesome read.
June 4, 2012
I got this book in the mail today and finished it,today. I loved it!!!!!
October 21, 2020
Christian fiction isn't for me. There was more preaching than plot.
July 5, 2011
Great book, unexpected twists....
March 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! It was kinda a slow read for me. The character LaShondra was raised with prejudice toward the white race but never faced that that was what her father had done until God brought her boaz into her life; who was white. Through the love of Christ, she learned to view the white race without color. Read the book to see how her new take on white people caused her to receive her gift from God
January 16, 2016
Waiting For A Word...
This a wonderfully, inspiring debut novel. WOW, what a refreshing read! I loved how this author attacked racism in such a tactful way. When I finished this book I had to take a deep look at myself, and the many prejudices that I have in my life on various levels. I found it difficult to read this novel, because I found so much of myself throughout these pages and no one enjoys having all their flaws smack them in the face like that.~~~~~~~This book is great and I loved the main characters. LaShondra was not perfect, but she was very real. She faced her own prejudices and problems and instead of letting them get her down, she prayed about them, and slowly moved forward and overcame them one by one. She finally realized her Boaz was standing right in front of her, and I am glad she realized that before she let that wonderful man go. Stelson truly was an amazing man of God, one that every man can take a lesson from because his actions in all aspects of his relationship with LaShondra were based on true Christian love and respect. He truly knew how to treat a woman. His eyes did not see her as a black woman, but as a beautiful creation of the Lord sent to be a part of his life. This book touched my heart! I realize that history tells many painful stories of the past and we can determine how it continues, whether we remain ignorant, and just complain about the way things are or do we progressively move forward in an effort to change things and make them better. This book was a true lesson in the old adge that love knows no color! Way to Go, Mrs. Stimpson.
This a wonderfully, inspiring debut novel. WOW, what a refreshing read! I loved how this author attacked racism in such a tactful way. When I finished this book I had to take a deep look at myself, and the many prejudices that I have in my life on various levels. I found it difficult to read this novel, because I found so much of myself throughout these pages and no one enjoys having all their flaws smack them in the face like that.~~~~~~~This book is great and I loved the main characters. LaShondra was not perfect, but she was very real. She faced her own prejudices and problems and instead of letting them get her down, she prayed about them, and slowly moved forward and overcame them one by one. She finally realized her Boaz was standing right in front of her, and I am glad she realized that before she let that wonderful man go. Stelson truly was an amazing man of God, one that every man can take a lesson from because his actions in all aspects of his relationship with LaShondra were based on true Christian love and respect. He truly knew how to treat a woman. His eyes did not see her as a black woman, but as a beautiful creation of the Lord sent to be a part of his life. This book touched my heart! I realize that history tells many painful stories of the past and we can determine how it continues, whether we remain ignorant, and just complain about the way things are or do we progressively move forward in an effort to change things and make them better. This book was a true lesson in the old adge that love knows no color! Way to Go, Mrs. Stimpson.
Read
September 4, 2007lashondra always thought that her "boaz" (the perfect man who would be like boaz was to ruth) would definately have to be african american. she just isn't attracted to white guys and in fact has a bit of an attitude against white people in general. but throughout the course of this book the reader gets to watch as the lord works on her heart in some pretty amazing ways--the most amazing being stelson brown, the white engineer who through his perservence manages to win her heart. along the way she has to face the trouble this causes with her family, her girlfriends, and within herself as she faces her own prejudice. [return]this romance story was refreshing in that it also tackles racial issues from a much different perspective, and in a manner that isn't heavy but lighthearted. as lashondra narrates her story and as we see her inner struggles it opens up the reader to investigate how in subtle ways prejudice can exist where we might not see it at first.
December 19, 2014
I absolutely loved this book. First things first, Lashondra is so realistic. As a 31 yr old Black female, there was so much to relate to. From her views of race, her goals of strengthening her relationship with Christ as well as her insecurities. Her relationship with her family and friends was also hitting close to home.
This book was well written, the characters were familiar and well developed. I couldn't put it down. I found myself doing much needed self reflection after reading this. I too have had plenty of conversations with my girlfriends on interracial dating and it was so interesting to see how those conversations were reflected in this book. I can't wait to read the follow up.
Also...loved the tender relationship between Stelson and Lashondra. It was beautiful to read! And it was impressive how the author conveyed such a loving relationship without writing in sex scenes, that was perfect! Highly recommend.
This book was well written, the characters were familiar and well developed. I couldn't put it down. I found myself doing much needed self reflection after reading this. I too have had plenty of conversations with my girlfriends on interracial dating and it was so interesting to see how those conversations were reflected in this book. I can't wait to read the follow up.
Also...loved the tender relationship between Stelson and Lashondra. It was beautiful to read! And it was impressive how the author conveyed such a loving relationship without writing in sex scenes, that was perfect! Highly recommend.
August 25, 2015
A black assisstant principle struggles with prejudice against white people and Mexicans. This book deals with black/white relations. Inner thoughts of a Christian black woman. Past traumas of the black people in light of the Cross. Inter-racial marriage. Bi-racial children. Gender thought proccesses.
"I was bifacial, I knew: one face for white people and one for blacks."
"It was never about black or white. It was about my relationship with Christ. Chould I relinquish my definition of myself - first black, then Christian? Was my attitude toward white people reflective of the Holy Spirit, which I claimed to have dwelling in me?"
"Should I have chosen between being black and being like Jesus? You were His before you were black."
Wow! Intense book about race relations, but well written. Very eye opening! Very thought provoking! Highly recommended!
"I was bifacial, I knew: one face for white people and one for blacks."
"It was never about black or white. It was about my relationship with Christ. Chould I relinquish my definition of myself - first black, then Christian? Was my attitude toward white people reflective of the Holy Spirit, which I claimed to have dwelling in me?"
"Should I have chosen between being black and being like Jesus? You were His before you were black."
Wow! Intense book about race relations, but well written. Very eye opening! Very thought provoking! Highly recommended!
July 21, 2014
Boy, oh boy! This book right here? All I can say is that once I started reading, I didn't want to put it down. It was very well-written with characters that leaped off of the pages. I truly hated for it to end. Ms. Stimpson used her gift to teach so many lessons through this story. All I can do is sigh. The book is just that good! If you haven't read part two, you better jump on it! I actually read the books out of order, but I honestly think that added to my joy of reading them. If you haven't met Boaz Brown, you are missing out!
Adrienne Thompson
Author of Your Love Is King
Adrienne Thompson
Author of Your Love Is King
October 12, 2024
Simply Thought provoking!
I truly enjoyed this book. It was a gentle deep dive into our prejudice as a people. You don't have to be racist to have prejudices, and we all have them. I understand the father well. Something happened to me as a four year old child that could've made me hate all white people and fear them forever. But the difference between the father and me is that there were other white adults people in my immediate circle who loVed me and cared for me unconditionally! I was shown as a child that there are good white people out there and that they could love me without worrying about my color and I can love them back. They made me feel safe and warm.
Miss As ten and Miss Jean were sisters who lived next door to me and my family. Miss Austen would sew me clothes and Miss Jean made me laugh! They babysat me and loved me. Neither of them had children so they adopted us as family. We looked out for each other! Their family didn't pay them any attention. So we were their family. We met when I was three years old. Our families loved and cared for each other until those ladies passed away. Miss Ashton passed at 93years old, way past her sister. Miss Ashton was able to see my daughter born and hold her and love her as well!
They loved me past a white man putting a shot gun in my face at the age of 4 telling me he was going to shoot me for being a ni&&3r in his yard, playing on a swing set with his son who was my friend and our friend Sherry! They were both white. He was going to shoot Sherry for being a ni&&3r lover.....
I truly enjoyed this book. It was a gentle deep dive into our prejudice as a people. You don't have to be racist to have prejudices, and we all have them. I understand the father well. Something happened to me as a four year old child that could've made me hate all white people and fear them forever. But the difference between the father and me is that there were other white adults people in my immediate circle who loVed me and cared for me unconditionally! I was shown as a child that there are good white people out there and that they could love me without worrying about my color and I can love them back. They made me feel safe and warm.
Miss As ten and Miss Jean were sisters who lived next door to me and my family. Miss Austen would sew me clothes and Miss Jean made me laugh! They babysat me and loved me. Neither of them had children so they adopted us as family. We looked out for each other! Their family didn't pay them any attention. So we were their family. We met when I was three years old. Our families loved and cared for each other until those ladies passed away. Miss Ashton passed at 93years old, way past her sister. Miss Ashton was able to see my daughter born and hold her and love her as well!
They loved me past a white man putting a shot gun in my face at the age of 4 telling me he was going to shoot me for being a ni&&3r in his yard, playing on a swing set with his son who was my friend and our friend Sherry! They were both white. He was going to shoot Sherry for being a ni&&3r lover.....
August 29, 2019
LaShondra father was consumed with race and discrimination and prejudice and he instilled this in his children.
This book is about what we see going on in the world today.
But we as African American would never forget where we came from or our heritage, but something's has changed since then. So LaShondra has met Stelson but she always remember what she grew up learning about white people, so she wasn't sure about letting people know because of his color .
She prayed about it and her brother Johnathan talked to her and told her that her duty as a child of God is to love everyone and that you need to do so regardless of what color you are.
But you can't love God and hold grudges against white people at the same time because that's contrary to God's Word.
"JUDGE NOT"
This book is about what we see going on in the world today.
But we as African American would never forget where we came from or our heritage, but something's has changed since then. So LaShondra has met Stelson but she always remember what she grew up learning about white people, so she wasn't sure about letting people know because of his color .
She prayed about it and her brother Johnathan talked to her and told her that her duty as a child of God is to love everyone and that you need to do so regardless of what color you are.
But you can't love God and hold grudges against white people at the same time because that's contrary to God's Word.
"JUDGE NOT"
August 20, 2025
Beautifully written book. Loved every word of it. I felt like God made me to pick up this book without any prior searching for the rating and all. I very much enjoyed every character's development through prejudice, hate and fear to love through Jesus Christ.
My favourite quote from the book is "You were His before you were black, LaShondra"
I too learned a lot about judging people just because they are different than me. And finally, I realised that when God is in midst of the relationship and the two people are christ followers, there will be so much peace unlike worldly dating.
I definitely recommend this book to every youngsters in Christ. God bless!
My favourite quote from the book is "You were His before you were black, LaShondra"
I too learned a lot about judging people just because they are different than me. And finally, I realised that when God is in midst of the relationship and the two people are christ followers, there will be so much peace unlike worldly dating.
I definitely recommend this book to every youngsters in Christ. God bless!
June 1, 2017
Ooo-oop!
Don't know why I was introduced to this book sooner but keeping with the book, God sent to me right on time!
Loved this book! It's amazing how this didn't seem like fiction to me because I know people who think exactly like LaShondra and her family. I loved how Stelson didn't try to put down her beliefs but instead showed her a different way of thinking. To think with a Christian mindset and not put even her race above the will of God and serving him. Looking forward to reading book 2!
Don't know why I was introduced to this book sooner but keeping with the book, God sent to me right on time!
Loved this book! It's amazing how this didn't seem like fiction to me because I know people who think exactly like LaShondra and her family. I loved how Stelson didn't try to put down her beliefs but instead showed her a different way of thinking. To think with a Christian mindset and not put even her race above the will of God and serving him. Looking forward to reading book 2!
June 26, 2017
Boaz Brown
Love this book it made you take a look at yourself. Are we showing God's love to all His saints or just a select group. LaShronda had to take a good look at herself and if she asked God for a saintly man she realized she had to be ready to receive him no matter what color he was. This was hard due to the way her family and friends felt about interracial relations. However, God is able to do exceedingly above all we can think and ask. Following God is the requirement. Great love story.
Love this book it made you take a look at yourself. Are we showing God's love to all His saints or just a select group. LaShronda had to take a good look at herself and if she asked God for a saintly man she realized she had to be ready to receive him no matter what color he was. This was hard due to the way her family and friends felt about interracial relations. However, God is able to do exceedingly above all we can think and ask. Following God is the requirement. Great love story.
November 3, 2024
Can we get one minute when the couple aren't debating and are just having a good time please??? Like for 5 seconds than maybe I would understand the contemplation over one another. Also this doesn't feel like a well written relationship in general. It's all about her changing for him which is the baseline premise but never is he learning or growing from her.... I don't like it. You guys are an interracial relationship and your writing the morals to try to make the man always write.... ewww. Can we have some give and take please....
May 16, 2020
This book has taken me years to read not because it was boring and not good because I was just a little lazy.
I finally got to read it and ooo my goodness what a good read.
It was like the main character was acting out my life.
Really enjoyed this one. It had some good lessons in it as well. Dont look at the outward appearance look at the heart. Because if you always look at the outward appearance you may miss out on a good thing.
I finally got to read it and ooo my goodness what a good read.
It was like the main character was acting out my life.
Really enjoyed this one. It had some good lessons in it as well. Dont look at the outward appearance look at the heart. Because if you always look at the outward appearance you may miss out on a good thing.
August 2, 2021
Boaz Brown
The love story of LaShondra and Stelson. LaShondra is a black woman, vice principal and a devoted Christian. Stelson is a white man, engineer and a devoted Christian. Stelson come to the middle school for a career day where all the women thought he was the most handsome man there. LaShondra want nothing to do with him but he had other plans. Great story, love the way God was put in everything.
The love story of LaShondra and Stelson. LaShondra is a black woman, vice principal and a devoted Christian. Stelson is a white man, engineer and a devoted Christian. Stelson come to the middle school for a career day where all the women thought he was the most handsome man there. LaShondra want nothing to do with him but he had other plans. Great story, love the way God was put in everything.
September 11, 2019
This great read gave so much insight about how praying for a great husband, a Boaz can lead you down unexpected paths. It just shows how you’ll never know how God will work in your life no matter how you were raised. I won’t give away what happened in the book but the point is if you want God to move on your behalf, you have to be open and realize change is constant and forever.
January 8, 2020
This story took a big African American community taboo that is interracial dating and BODIED every aspect of it, breaking it down brick by brick until it is exposed like an open sore.
Read the rest of my review at:
TheModernBookzilla.com
Read the rest of my review at:
TheModernBookzilla.com
March 23, 2020
Weelll
It was just okay for me. I was not feeling it in the beginning but as the story went on, it was better. So.e of the conversations were contrived and not believable. However, the message of Godly love did show through. It was the saving grace of the whole book. I may read the sequel out of curiosity but I'm not in a hurry.
It was just okay for me. I was not feeling it in the beginning but as the story went on, it was better. So.e of the conversations were contrived and not believable. However, the message of Godly love did show through. It was the saving grace of the whole book. I may read the sequel out of curiosity but I'm not in a hurry.
July 24, 2017
I absolutely love this book. I am hooked on the content and the way their relationship unfolded. I am ready to read the second book in the series and Find out what happens with LaShondra and her new Fiance Stelson!!
January 23, 2018
Lovely Book
This book held my attention to the end. I am about to continue reading the next one “No Weapon/book two”. The Christian sections throughout the book holds a strong part of life today.
This book held my attention to the end. I am about to continue reading the next one “No Weapon/book two”. The Christian sections throughout the book holds a strong part of life today.
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