What do you think?
Rate this book
The Makeover
Librarian's Note: this is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B009PTSOR8.
Phoenix Jean-Baptiste is a thirty-three-year-old Haitian-American psychologist. In spite of her ability to assist others with their life struggles, she is unable to help herself through crippling low self-esteem and depression. Phoenix’s misery stems from the belief that she is too ugly to ever be loved. She is, after all, sixty pounds overweight, suffering from adult acne, and a poor dresser. As far as she is concerned, her misshapen body, damaged dark skin, and awkwardness are the reason her life is a mess. Why else would her fiancé cheat on her two months before their wedding, telling her that he only proposed because she financially supported him for two years?
After a two-week drinking binge that nearly ends in her suicide, Phoenix desperately, cries out to God. Phoenix, a backslidden Christian, doesn't understand that there is a spiritual battle going on between God and Satan for her soul. God hears Phoenix’s cry and sends her the help she requests in the form of Paulo Elias.
Paulo is a kind, handsome, Brazilian man, who talks about God like
He’s an old friend. Paulo lives for Christ, is an anointed prayer warrior, who serves on his church’s Intercessory Prayer Ministry. God lays it on Paulo’s heart to begin praying for Phoenix long before they officially meet. After meeting Phoenix, Paulo ministers to Phoenix about salvation through Jesus Christ, while offering kindness. He also offers to use his skills as a certified personal trainer to help Phoenix lose weight. All Phoenix has ever wanted was to become beautiful so she could find love. While Phoenix undergoes a makeover of the body, Paulo tries to minister to her about receiving a makeover of the soul.
Paulo, in the course of being used by God to help Phoenix, falls in love with her. God reveals to Paulo that Phoenix is meant to become his wife. As Phoenix becomes more beautiful on the outside, she becomes bitter, arrogant, and self-absorbed on the inside. She wants revenge against her ex-fiancé, Cedric. She desires to become beautiful so she can win back her ex and break his heart.
Can Phoenix let go of the past in order to move ahead with Paulo? Can Paulo help Phoenix receive the true makeover God has for her through Jesus Christ? Will God win this spiritual battle and bring forth His will in the lives of Paulo and Phoenix?
The Makeover is a novel that brings forth a message of hope to readers. This novel testifies to the awesome love of God that everyone can have through Jesus Christ. Most of all, it will remind readers that even as man may focus on one’s outer appearance, God is truly concerned with our hearts.
Phoenix Jean-Baptiste is a thirty-three-year-old Haitian-American psychologist. In spite of her ability to assist others with their life struggles, she is unable to help herself through crippling low self-esteem and depression. Phoenix’s misery stems from the belief that she is too ugly to ever be loved. She is, after all, sixty pounds overweight, suffering from adult acne, and a poor dresser. As far as she is concerned, her misshapen body, damaged dark skin, and awkwardness are the reason her life is a mess. Why else would her fiancé cheat on her two months before their wedding, telling her that he only proposed because she financially supported him for two years?
After a two-week drinking binge that nearly ends in her suicide, Phoenix desperately, cries out to God. Phoenix, a backslidden Christian, doesn't understand that there is a spiritual battle going on between God and Satan for her soul. God hears Phoenix’s cry and sends her the help she requests in the form of Paulo Elias.
Paulo is a kind, handsome, Brazilian man, who talks about God like
He’s an old friend. Paulo lives for Christ, is an anointed prayer warrior, who serves on his church’s Intercessory Prayer Ministry. God lays it on Paulo’s heart to begin praying for Phoenix long before they officially meet. After meeting Phoenix, Paulo ministers to Phoenix about salvation through Jesus Christ, while offering kindness. He also offers to use his skills as a certified personal trainer to help Phoenix lose weight. All Phoenix has ever wanted was to become beautiful so she could find love. While Phoenix undergoes a makeover of the body, Paulo tries to minister to her about receiving a makeover of the soul.
Paulo, in the course of being used by God to help Phoenix, falls in love with her. God reveals to Paulo that Phoenix is meant to become his wife. As Phoenix becomes more beautiful on the outside, she becomes bitter, arrogant, and self-absorbed on the inside. She wants revenge against her ex-fiancé, Cedric. She desires to become beautiful so she can win back her ex and break his heart.
Can Phoenix let go of the past in order to move ahead with Paulo? Can Paulo help Phoenix receive the true makeover God has for her through Jesus Christ? Will God win this spiritual battle and bring forth His will in the lives of Paulo and Phoenix?
The Makeover is a novel that brings forth a message of hope to readers. This novel testifies to the awesome love of God that everyone can have through Jesus Christ. Most of all, it will remind readers that even as man may focus on one’s outer appearance, God is truly concerned with our hearts.
503 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 16, 2012
14 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Vacirca Vaughn
6 books30 followersVacirca V. Vaughn is a Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the mental health/substance abuse field for over ten years, providing counseling and therapy services to those in crisis. It was the way she paid the bills as she pursued her dream of being a fiction writer, poet,and spoken word artist.
Currently, she has four Christian Fiction works published on Amazon.com entitled, AYITI, AYITI:CONTINUED, JUDE & THE MAKEOVER. The second half of the serial novel, JUDE: CONTINUED, is scheduled to be released by December, 2015.
Years ago, she published two collections of poetry entitled IF MY SOUL COULD TALK and ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN (look them up on Amazon!). Of course these were published years ago, before she was a Christian. Please keep in mind that the content in those works are from "B.C." Vacirca (Before Christ) and are quite different from what she is being led to write now. However, if you're interested in Vacirca's journey as a writer, check out both titles on Amazon. See how far she has come by the grace of God!
A Christian, she first got saved in her late teens, and after several years of backsliding, rededicated herself back to Jesus Christ in 2008 at the altar of Times Square Church. She began writing again in 2010, after ten years of severe writer's block. Following the earthquake in her family's homeland in Haiti, she was inspired to write again by the grace of God. Just in case you missed it the first time, her novels are available on Amazon.com!
Now, Vacirca aspires to work in full time writing ministry through various Christian-based genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, and film. She is developing an arts and media ministry called Esther 31 Ministries, through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be ministered through the entertainment and media industries. Some of her works are a bit "out there," while others are more conservative. Vacirca's prayer is that each work will touch someone as God intends.
Most importantly, as a Christian writer, Vacirca wants to hear from readers. Please share how the stories have brought you closer to Jesus Christ, or impacted you in some way. She would appreciate your feedback, good or bad, and asks that you post your reviews as well on the sites.
You can contact Vacirca at:
VacircaVaughn@gmail.com
http://www.vacircavaughn.com
http:/www.Facebook.com/VacircaVaughnauthor
Please feel free to also check out her blog on Christian living entitled "A Touch of Grace." She welcomes comments and questions:
http://esther31ministries.blogspot.com/
God bless you all.
Currently, she has four Christian Fiction works published on Amazon.com entitled, AYITI, AYITI:CONTINUED, JUDE & THE MAKEOVER. The second half of the serial novel, JUDE: CONTINUED, is scheduled to be released by December, 2015.
Years ago, she published two collections of poetry entitled IF MY SOUL COULD TALK and ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN (look them up on Amazon!). Of course these were published years ago, before she was a Christian. Please keep in mind that the content in those works are from "B.C." Vacirca (Before Christ) and are quite different from what she is being led to write now. However, if you're interested in Vacirca's journey as a writer, check out both titles on Amazon. See how far she has come by the grace of God!
A Christian, she first got saved in her late teens, and after several years of backsliding, rededicated herself back to Jesus Christ in 2008 at the altar of Times Square Church. She began writing again in 2010, after ten years of severe writer's block. Following the earthquake in her family's homeland in Haiti, she was inspired to write again by the grace of God. Just in case you missed it the first time, her novels are available on Amazon.com!
Now, Vacirca aspires to work in full time writing ministry through various Christian-based genres, including fiction, poetry, drama, and film. She is developing an arts and media ministry called Esther 31 Ministries, through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ can be ministered through the entertainment and media industries. Some of her works are a bit "out there," while others are more conservative. Vacirca's prayer is that each work will touch someone as God intends.
Most importantly, as a Christian writer, Vacirca wants to hear from readers. Please share how the stories have brought you closer to Jesus Christ, or impacted you in some way. She would appreciate your feedback, good or bad, and asks that you post your reviews as well on the sites.
You can contact Vacirca at:
VacircaVaughn@gmail.com
http://www.vacircavaughn.com
http:/www.Facebook.com/VacircaVaughnauthor
Please feel free to also check out her blog on Christian living entitled "A Touch of Grace." She welcomes comments and questions:
http://esther31ministries.blogspot.com/
God bless you all.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 18, 2012
If you are having insecurity issues and you feel like God has forgotten you, this is the book for you!
November 30, 2012
I enjoyed this book! I happened upon this delight right when I was in the midst of praying for a mate. The book hit home on so many levels, and it helped me to let go of a past hurt that has kept me afraid of intamcy and love. I felt that the book was written from a place of truth and addressed many things that many of us would not openly admit. I look forward to reading more for this author.
December 4, 2012
This is a Christian romance in the truest sense. The hero loved the heroine. Unfortunately, she doesn't love herself because of her own insecurities. Oh did I mention, the spiritual battle for her soul? The reader is given glimpses into the heavenly realm as our hero fights for his soul mate. If you are looking for an erotic read, this is not the book for you.
March 29, 2015
This was a light, encouraging read. I don't read many Christian romances, finding that many of them lose a feeling of realism in their bid to remain clean and morally uplifting. This story managed to retain a degree of gritty realism, so that was a plus. But the author tended to rely heavily on the same few descriptive techniques, which began to feel like hitting a road bump each time one of them would crop up. There was a lot of, "She sucked her teeth," to indicate that the female lead character was thinking or was feeling slight irritation, and it seemed that EVERY time she looked into the eyes of the male lead character, we had to be told that his eyes had changed to yet *another* color, none of which added anything to the narrative.
Back on the positive side of things, the narrative shifts from the lives of the characters to the conversations at the throne of Heaven and the subsequent movements of the angels and demons were reminiscent of Frank Peretti's novels of the unseen aspects of spiritual warfare. And aside from the oblique references to the infidelity of a fiancé, the novel was free of sexual content. I believe the story can speak to those who struggle with self-image, doubt and even unforgiveness because the author allows the characters to be real...and even at times completely unlikeable for small stretches; everything doesn't always get patched up perfectly. I also appreciated the fact that the author showed God's sense of humor, as well as His persistence with us. I do feel, unfortunately, that the author muddied the facts around whether or not Phoenix had truly accepted Christ as her savior in the past, and therefore the story could be seen as making the argument that it is possible to lose your salvation, even though she includes the reference in an early conversation between God and Satan where the Bible says we (Christians) cannot be plucked from His hand.
The only other complaint I would have is minor, and it is the cover of the book, and given that it was a Kindle edition, I couldn't see it completely clearly. But the woman silhouetted in the background clearly does not seem to represent the main character, nor do I feel the cover is at all appropriate for the story. (But THAT has nothing to do with the story itself.) I hope the author will continue to sharpen her writing skills in this genre.
Back on the positive side of things, the narrative shifts from the lives of the characters to the conversations at the throne of Heaven and the subsequent movements of the angels and demons were reminiscent of Frank Peretti's novels of the unseen aspects of spiritual warfare. And aside from the oblique references to the infidelity of a fiancé, the novel was free of sexual content. I believe the story can speak to those who struggle with self-image, doubt and even unforgiveness because the author allows the characters to be real...and even at times completely unlikeable for small stretches; everything doesn't always get patched up perfectly. I also appreciated the fact that the author showed God's sense of humor, as well as His persistence with us. I do feel, unfortunately, that the author muddied the facts around whether or not Phoenix had truly accepted Christ as her savior in the past, and therefore the story could be seen as making the argument that it is possible to lose your salvation, even though she includes the reference in an early conversation between God and Satan where the Bible says we (Christians) cannot be plucked from His hand.
The only other complaint I would have is minor, and it is the cover of the book, and given that it was a Kindle edition, I couldn't see it completely clearly. But the woman silhouetted in the background clearly does not seem to represent the main character, nor do I feel the cover is at all appropriate for the story. (But THAT has nothing to do with the story itself.) I hope the author will continue to sharpen her writing skills in this genre.
August 15, 2013
I really enjoyed this books so much, I can't wait to read more of her books and other books like hers. I could see my self in her writing so much and I have asked some of those same questions, struggled with the same things. I have been searching for this type of uplifting, life changing type of book. I like the advice and help of understanding the weight and some tips giving.
For example, rosemary drops in h2o. I will have to check this out and the others. Thanks for the tips and hope to see more.
I like how it is shown through out the book, it is real about her weight, struggles, battles with everything around her, Him and his struggles and battles,
How, God is there for us even we are lost and unsure.
How, Satan is there doing his worse, etc.
I really like how it is brought together.
For example, rosemary drops in h2o. I will have to check this out and the others. Thanks for the tips and hope to see more.
I like how it is shown through out the book, it is real about her weight, struggles, battles with everything around her, Him and his struggles and battles,
How, God is there for us even we are lost and unsure.
How, Satan is there doing his worse, etc.
I really like how it is brought together.
April 3, 2013
I loved the religious foundation of this book. I liked the realistic trials and tribulations faced by the main characters in the story, but the dialogue was too, too long for me. I am a "to da point" kinda person and it seemed like all through the book the characters had tons to say that were revealed in very long paragraphs throughout the book. I began skimmming some of it just to get through it. I gave the book 4 stars because I did enjoy the story line, characters and battle of good and evil between GOD and Satan. I did not give it 5 stars because the conversations were very long and wordy--IMO.
July 18, 2014
Great story, about life, goals, success, self awareness and self doubt. This was a christian based story that spoke of the roller coaster ride that is Christianity and how being and claiming being a christian does not mean you do not sin and that you are not human. It was a very human story with real human issues for the most part.
In reading this I will say there was sometimes a bit much of the Uber Christianity and I rolled my eyes a bit. I know you can never have too much Jesus but dang I felt like a was being beat in the head by it. Still over all this was a great story with great characters and great faith. I did for the most part enjoy the story
April 16, 2014
What can I say other than I love all of Miss Vaughn's books. They always speak to me in such a deep and profound way. Not only am I transported into the book from the very first word, I always fall in love with the characters. I hate to see the end because it means leaving my new friends behind in their own world while I have to go back to mine. I wish I could keep reading forever and watch their lives unfold. Not only that but her books speak to my soul. The Lord always finds a way to nourish my spirit in some way when I read her books. Bravo Vicirca you have done it again!
September 8, 2013
An awful, terribly written book with a good premise - "ugly" woman is remade and tempted in a Job-like contest. Surreal, unreal. The woman is as ugly on the inside as she feels she is on the outside. She get drunk, consistently, and yells at God, and just whines incessantly. The author gives us no reason to want to stay with the characters, the writing is erratic, inconsistent, and full of really bad analogies. I am thankful that this was free
January 12, 2014
I loved this book. Very inspiring and encourages you to want a relationship with Jesus.
November 10, 2012
Awesome story of light and salt!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews