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Once Upon a Sunday

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The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance. –John 10:10, AMP


Good Friday started off as anything but that for Melinda Black. After losing her job and self-dignity, a series of events cascade her onto an emotionally charged roller coaster ride that drastically changes her life forever.


Will Melinda be able to handle the pressure when she stands to lose what's most important in her life?


Once Upon a Sunday is an inspirational short story.

ebook

First published April 5, 2015

151 people are currently reading
247 people want to read

About the author

Renee Allen McCoy

17 books31 followers
Renée McCoy is the author of numerous titles and has had work featured in the pocket devotional, The Upper Room, and the Christian magazine, Simple Grace.

With a heart to tell stories that will not only entertain, Renée hopes to enlighten readers to capture the message and power of God's saving grace.

www.ReneeAllenMccoy.com

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5 stars
140 (45%)
4 stars
94 (30%)
3 stars
57 (18%)
2 stars
11 (3%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Norah Una Sumner.
880 reviews520 followers
January 3, 2016
Since I'm not a very religious person,I didn't really like the ending of the story,even though it's kind of a happy one.The writing is beautiful,on the other hand.Renée is a wonderful writer.I like the main character and I was really hoping that she will resolve her problems and struggles.

Overall,a really nice,spiritual short story.

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Profile Image for Sonya.
Author 11 books52 followers
January 20, 2025
Even though this story is a short, it was packed with a powerful message of hope. I could truly understand why the main character, Melinda, was ready to throw her hands up in the air and run to the nearest exit. Sometimes we're hit with blows that seem unbearable and it's hard to keep-it-moving, if not for the grace of God. This is the reason why I'm so thankful for the "but God" moments like the one Melinda encountered. God's timing is truly precious. He knows when to show up.

I'm in agreement with some of the other reviews, I would have love to read more about, Melinda. Hopefully, we will see more of her from the author. :-)

3 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2015
Great book

This was an awesome book. I gave it five stars. Nothing like reading about someone giving their life to Christ!
2 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2016
Great story!

Heartfelt and touching story! Easy read about ones faith being tested and God showing them He is love! God is good.
599 reviews
April 5, 2020
Rock bottom

What I liked about this book was the way the author allowed her characters to come alive. Life can really hit us with all types of obstacles. The author dealt with it all in a short period without dragging the storyline out. She showed the importance of things in life and what we can put before God that can cause a person to be blindsided. She also showed forgiveness.

This is a good quick read for a book club with questions for discussion at the end.
Profile Image for Mary Calton Gerard.
1,203 reviews6 followers
June 27, 2023
Amazing story!

First time reading the author's ministry and will not be my last! The author wrote of God's infinite love, the message comes clearly. The writing was pleasantly wonderful, no spelling or grammatical errors. I'm happy that others see with a spiritual eye.
Profile Image for Iambrown Skinned.
56 reviews6 followers
July 3, 2019
I wasn't really feeling this on towards the end of the book. I enjoyed the beginning and the development of the characters but then all of a sudden the book took one turn and it was over. Maybe this should have been extended to give more of a jaw dropping i cant put the book down type of feeling. I've read plenty of novellas and this is more like an creative writing essay to me. Sorry.
Profile Image for Tamika Edwards.
1 review
August 20, 2017
Love the book

I like the book because it was so realistic to how people lives are today but I wanted more on how she began her life with Christ and stayed focused on God when she was just a non believer.
474 reviews3 followers
January 22, 2017
Wonderful

What a good story I needed to read thus type of story today due to the unrest in my life. Thank you
Profile Image for Rachelle .
8 reviews
August 18, 2017
Uplifting

Though short an easy read, it was clear and spiritually uplifting. A reminder to count your blessings, it could always be worse.
Profile Image for Lorna Corcoran.
136 reviews11 followers
September 1, 2017
Beautiful very human, inspirational short story about real life issues and a person's path to God
Profile Image for Debra Barstad.
1,388 reviews13 followers
September 19, 2017
Short and sweet. This book was about a womans struggles with life problems and how she almost ended her life until she accepted God into her life.
Profile Image for Tawanna Blackmon.
1 review
May 13, 2018
Trusting God to Bring you Through

I like how God showed her to believe in him. When all others let you down, you can always fall on your knees and call him.
4 reviews
August 17, 2018
Good for a short story

Good for a short story. Quick read! My first piece of literature I've read by this author. Great plot and great storyline.
Profile Image for Kristen.
18 reviews
May 14, 2019
Great book

This was a really good story. Sad that it was a short story but it was really good. I look forward to reading more by this author.
3 reviews
July 7, 2019
Sad with Happiness

Because it was a start to finish book in one set time . It made you think clearly the God
Profile Image for Angela Telford.
1 review
August 19, 2019
Amazingly Awesome

This book was well written short and to the point loved how it told how life is worth living when you accept Jesus as your savior
Profile Image for Dani Elle.
407 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2021
Audiobook-short story with a message of leaning upon and trusting on God. Good message and decent narration.
Profile Image for Sherry.
128 reviews5 followers
November 23, 2023
A quick read

I enjoyed this book. This was my first book by Ms. McCoy and it will not be my last. It was a quick read. I loved how the story ended.
Profile Image for Clarenda.
271 reviews1 follower
February 27, 2017
It was a nice short story but a little too predictable.
Profile Image for Alexis Ellis.
1 review
March 28, 2016
Book Review of McCoy’s “Once Upon A Sunday”
By: Alexis Ellis
In Renee Allen McCoy’s inspirational short story, “Once Upon A Sunday” she writes about a main character, Melinda, who is faced with many life hardships. These hardships ultimately test her sanity. In the story, McCoy gives you instant access to dive in to the drama, and allows you to see how Melinda handles the trials and tribulations that are plaguing her life. Melinda is in turmoil, however, as the story goes on she discovers a way for escape, but does she take it is the question.
McCoy’s writing is compelling, suspenseful, and well-told. The reader is able to picture and feel the emotion of each character. As I was reading, tears welled in my eyes when reading the passages between Melinda and her young son, Sean. McCoy’s storyline gives the reader a chance to receive the message that was intended for the story. She tells a fictitious story that is true-to-life, real, modern, and relatable to anyone who has gone through hardships in life.
Melinda questions the faith of others in her life, and this story teaches the reader the meaning of finding faith again, and most of all gaining repentance. The moral of the story is very enriching, and I found after reading McCoy’s story that you have to rethink your own doubts when it comes to your journey in life, and stop the negativity. Through finding this story on the Amazon Kindle app, I felt it can really make you see yourself, and McCoy weaves a story that allows the main character to grow, and go through the fire, to finally find herself, and the see the truth.
Profile Image for Nadine Keels.
Author 46 books243 followers
February 7, 2017
Good Friday is turning out to be anything but good for Melinda. The shameful way she loses her job may be nothing compared to how her marriage has recently crumbled. What's coming around the corner for her this Easter could be the making or breaking of her in Once Upon a Sunday by author Renée Allen McCoy.

I appreciate how much the author packed into a story of this length without overstuffing it or making it feel like disjointed chaos. There's enough backstory and tidbits about Melinda to help you understand and empathize with her. It's a very "come to Jesus" type of read for those who like an evangelistic message in their Christian Fiction.

I did find the story's confusion of tenses to be distracting. As Melinda relates her account to the reader in first person, she switches back and forth between past and present tense quite a bit, and most of the switches don't seem intentional. Also, as the story wraps up, it starts to wrap up a little too perfectly. I think some of the outcomes would've needed more time and development, so as not to feel Happily-Ever-After-like so suddenly.

Still, it's an uplifting story that deals with hard issues, and I think many other ChristFic fans will enjoy it.
Profile Image for Joyce Andrews.
107 reviews4 followers
June 27, 2015
One of the best that I have read

Melinda was having an awful day and making poor decisions about life and her faith. This shows that God is just a prayer away. We only need to call on him and He's there through our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your umbrella as we get through this storm Renee Allen McCoy.
Profile Image for Karen.
999 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2015
I truly enjoyed this book. We all go through trying times in our life. Melinda lost her job and son in the same day. Melinda was at the end of her rope and did not want to live any longer. Whatever God brings to you He will get you through it. God sent an angel to protect Melinda….Awesome story.
Profile Image for Stacey E. .
575 reviews36 followers
August 4, 2023
Aint God good?! I was looking for some audiobooks and came across this short story. I was not familiar with this author, so I decided to give it a shot as she had great reviews. My heart went out to Melinda, she was going through so much all at once, but I enjoyed her testimony! So encouraging! This was a great short story, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Roxie Ross.
7 reviews
May 20, 2015
God lives, God is love

This was a very short story, yet very good. We all go through situations where we fill like not only has God given up on us, but so has the whole world. Even if the world has, God hasn't! Thank you Ms Renee for a great read!
Profile Image for Lizzie Winns.
344 reviews36 followers
July 28, 2015
This was a short story and a phenomenal read... The message I pulled from this story is also one of my favorite bible verses....
TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART, LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, AND HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH. Proverbs 3:5-6.
2 reviews
November 10, 2015
Enjoyable

A reminder that our super awesome God loves us so much that when we try to do our own thing and it goes wrong. He still has a better plan for us and He comes to save us from the hand of the enemy. Now, that's love everlasting, unconditional and never fake.
5 reviews
January 14, 2016
A+

This is an amazingly and refreshingly clean book! True talent is exhibited by this author who can capture and keep her reader's attention without the filth!! TYSM for a great read!
1 review
February 3, 2016
Quick Inspirational Read

When it seems you reached the bottom pits there's still hope. This book showcases the power of God's unwavering and unconditional love. God is with us even when we are to hardheaded to realize it for ourselves.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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