Plenty Good Room

by Cheri Paris Edwards

When Tamara Britton agrees to temporarily take in fourteen-year-old foster child Sienna Larson, she at first finds the girl more than she can handle, until she learns to open her heart as well as her home.

Genres: Fiction, Christian, Christian Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published April 20, 2005

About the author

Cheri Paris Edwards is the author of 4 fiction novels. Edwards has a PhD in English and is a Professor of English in Dallas. She lives in Southwest Dallas county.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I worked as a child welfare worker, so it was of interest to me. The case worker is black, and takes on a teenaged girl with an attitude, when no placement can be found for her. This act changes both of their lives. The caseworker learns to love, and to open herself up for new experiences. As the story progresses, we learn that the caseworker was once a runaway, and had gone through many of the same experiences as her foster daughter. They learn to love and trust each other.

[BernieMck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty Good Room was a plenty good read. This book is a story of what happens when adults makes choices that cause innocent children to lose their identity in the foster care system. Thank God, there is always plenty good room in Our Fathers kingdom !

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't listen any longer. Back to the library.

[Jeannie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Great storyline. The characters were very likable. Very heartwarming story about loving like Jesus loves us.

[SocialButterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a good read. Left me wanting a part 2!

[Tracy Darity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plenty Good Room by Cheri Paris Edwards is a story about love, redemption, and self-discovery. Thirty-something Tamara Burton is a Social Worker living a very simplistic and boring life. That is until she answers a knock at the door late one night and agrees to do a friend/co-worker a favor. The story explores the harsh realities of children born to unstable and unfit parents; and the people who selfless deeds provide them with a safe haven. The reader gets a glimpse inside the life of a foster parent when Tamara takes in Sienna Larson, a 14 year-old spitfire who, underneath her tough exterior, simply wants to belong and be loved.

Plenty Good Room was Edwards’ debut novel, which I stumbled upon after a meeting at the public library. When I saw the name I recognized it from Facebook, and decided to give it a try. She did an impressive job with this book and I look forward to reading her second novel, The Other Sister. There was a juxtaposition of two stories; one the life of a young, nameless runaway; the other of Tamara Burton and Sienna Larson as they forge ahead in their new life together. The book falls under the genre of Christian Fiction, wich could explain a couple of church scenes that seemed to go on like real sermons, although these were, well, a bit preachy they could also easily inspire someone who may be going through something while reading the book. There was strong character and plot development. Edwards’ was even able to leave some doubt as to the true identity of the runaway, although, through the majority of the book I was 99% sure who it would be when the idenity was revealed.

Despite the Christian Fiction label, I think the book would make a good read for anyone who is not into sexually graphic and/or profanity laced novels. It was a good, clean, wholesome book that could be enjoyed by all ages. For a 300 page novel that flowed pretty smoothly, I did feel that the ending was somewhat rushed, with secrets that took time to build, suddenly dismantled in one swoop; and new revelations not allowed to come full circle. I would have loved to see a couple of reunions take place as part of the ending.

My only negative for this book was the overuse of ‘ly’ adverbs. At 12:20 a.m. evidently, actually, hopefully, absolutely, falteringly, silently, widely, clearly, and firmly jammed onto one page, became a lullaby that led to a dream about a spelling bee with words ending in, you guessed it, ‘ly.’ This bothered me somuch that I made a mental note to myself to add itto the list of things I should check for in my own writing. Otherwise, kudos to Cheri Paris Edwards on a job well done.

The final rating for Plenty Good Room is 4 stars.

Much Love,

Tracy

Tracy L. Darity is the author of He Loves Me He Loves Me Not! and Love…Like Snow in Florida on a Hot Summer Day. Her third novel, The Red Bear Society, will be released in fall 2011.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. As a social worker, I could really relate Tam and understand Sienna. The characters were fun and reminded me of people in my own circle. I questioned Lynette's true friendship at times and thought it interesting how Jay didn't recognize his own feelings until Mr. Perry came along. I just loved Mrs. Jackson - she was so real. The story was predictable at times, but at the end I thought I could really see a sequel to this book.

[Carole McDonnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. It was about community, self-searching, and how things often work together for good.

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome story and beautiful message. My only complaint is it felt like the writer was trying to put too much in the book so some issues were unresolved by the ending and it left me with questions.