What do you think?
Rate this book
That Faith, That Trust, That Love: A Novel
2002 Gold Pen award winner for Best Christian Fiction
Marley Shepherd should be on top of the world—she’s a lawyer at a prestigious law firm and engaged to marry the crown prince of Atlanta black society. But soon she begins to see that her life—and her fiancé—are not as perfect as she thought. Marley seeks comfort in her mother and grandmother, but they are too consumed with anger at each other, and too blinded by their past, to save Marley from the disaster that will turn her life—and theirs—upside down. Then Marley has a spiritual awakening . . .
Marley Shepherd should be on top of the world—she’s a lawyer at a prestigious law firm and engaged to marry the crown prince of Atlanta black society. But soon she begins to see that her life—and her fiancé—are not as perfect as she thought. Marley seeks comfort in her mother and grandmother, but they are too consumed with anger at each other, and too blinded by their past, to save Marley from the disaster that will turn her life—and theirs—upside down. Then Marley has a spiritual awakening . . .
- GenresChristian
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 8, 2009
A choice in this matter
It's a first rate engagement celebration honoring the couple of the century, Marley Shepard and Gerrard Shore. With hopes of what tomorrows were to bring, Marley was more than 70% certain that she was making a major mistake.
With wedding plans being made, Gerrard was becoming more physically absent and emotionally delinquent from their relationship. Causing Marley to become fixated in her grooming techniques which usually resulted in indulging her purse, shoe, and lip stick fetishes.
Marley's soul was in a deep disrepair; Her mother's hurting, grandmother is angry, father is absent, and her fiancé didn't care. All out of hope, joy, strength, resolve, and determination, Marley cried out; "God what have I done to deserve this?"
Be still and know that God is God.
It was those words that alleviate and allotted for some immediate comfort. It wasn't until she actually made it to Gilead's Balm, that her eyes, ears, mind, and heart were relieved. `Stop trusting yourself. Trust in the one who made you.'
God Bless you. Jamellah Ellis sharply perceptive walk through Marley Shepard's eyes was so very pleasing. I found myself smiling, laughing out loud, and riddled with heart wrenching grief. A wonderfully detailed work on life, and establishing an independent relationship with God.
It's a first rate engagement celebration honoring the couple of the century, Marley Shepard and Gerrard Shore. With hopes of what tomorrows were to bring, Marley was more than 70% certain that she was making a major mistake.
With wedding plans being made, Gerrard was becoming more physically absent and emotionally delinquent from their relationship. Causing Marley to become fixated in her grooming techniques which usually resulted in indulging her purse, shoe, and lip stick fetishes.
Marley's soul was in a deep disrepair; Her mother's hurting, grandmother is angry, father is absent, and her fiancé didn't care. All out of hope, joy, strength, resolve, and determination, Marley cried out; "God what have I done to deserve this?"
Be still and know that God is God.
It was those words that alleviate and allotted for some immediate comfort. It wasn't until she actually made it to Gilead's Balm, that her eyes, ears, mind, and heart were relieved. `Stop trusting yourself. Trust in the one who made you.'
God Bless you. Jamellah Ellis sharply perceptive walk through Marley Shepard's eyes was so very pleasing. I found myself smiling, laughing out loud, and riddled with heart wrenching grief. A wonderfully detailed work on life, and establishing an independent relationship with God.
August 10, 2011
I wish I could rate this book 3.5 stars. I liked it when I got into it, but that took too long for me. There was a lot of scenic description in this book. While I appreciate that to a degree, this one had a little bit too much of it for me. I feel like the book ended a little strangely; I've never read a book with an epilogue of seven years later(I guess I can kind of understand why she did that, though, considering the type of sickness). I feel like a lot was left unresolved at the end concerning the main relationships in the story. I did like who Marley ended up with. I don't think that I would read this book again, but I probably would recommend it.
November 1, 2007
Faith, Trust & Love
The bar has been raised by Jamellah Ellis on African-American Christian fiction with her powerful and poignant debut, "That Faith, That Trust, That Love". This novel will definitely take you through a range of emotions; LOL humor, gripping drama, familial struggles, true-to-life characters and situations, and prose that dances off the page and dares the reader not to take note. A very inspirational and uplifting read. If you know like I know, you'll get this book quick, fast, and in a hurry. Don't block the blessing!
The bar has been raised by Jamellah Ellis on African-American Christian fiction with her powerful and poignant debut, "That Faith, That Trust, That Love". This novel will definitely take you through a range of emotions; LOL humor, gripping drama, familial struggles, true-to-life characters and situations, and prose that dances off the page and dares the reader not to take note. A very inspirational and uplifting read. If you know like I know, you'll get this book quick, fast, and in a hurry. Don't block the blessing!
March 13, 2018
Absolutely A Must read
I had no problem giving this book 5 stars. I read on average 54 books each year,so I have enough experience to be able to compare this book .The story was well written,it covered many critical topics with the right level of detail. The book is a Christian novel ,but was not overly inundated with scripture that would cause some people to be turned off. This is a book that I would encourage everyone to read. Great work by the author
I had no problem giving this book 5 stars. I read on average 54 books each year,so I have enough experience to be able to compare this book .The story was well written,it covered many critical topics with the right level of detail. The book is a Christian novel ,but was not overly inundated with scripture that would cause some people to be turned off. This is a book that I would encourage everyone to read. Great work by the author
June 14, 2020
Different for me
I usually do not enjoy romance novels and the cliche topics that come along with it. Don’t get me wrong, cliche is all over this book, but the message at the very end (the last two pages) really stuck to me. And for that, I appreciate reading this book.
I usually do not enjoy romance novels and the cliche topics that come along with it. Don’t get me wrong, cliche is all over this book, but the message at the very end (the last two pages) really stuck to me. And for that, I appreciate reading this book.
October 4, 2018
Love, promises, unforgiveness, forgiveness, illness, blame, shame, this book covers it all. A bit wordy, but worth the read. Well done!
July 24, 2011
I started and stopped reading this book twice and I was about to read something else when I noticed that I only had 172 pages to go to be done with it. So I picking up from where I stopped thinking oh let me just read this to my surprise it was a really good read. I laughed and cried while reading this book. Marley had to experience several painful things — to finally appreciate true love and happiness. From love lost, sickness, friendships being built to being torn down, OMG it was a lot going on with her. I loved the friendship that she shared with Ashley and Deanna college friends for life. They were really there for Marley during all of her struggles. Especially loved the way Lazarus took his time with Marley and how he put God first and taught her how to trust God and from his patience and care with her she in turn was able to share the Love of God that she found with her family. She was a blessing to her mother at a very difficult time in her life. I also loved Ma Grands character she so reminded me of my grandmother. I really liked this authors writing style she was very thorough and descriptive with her choice of words and she made you feel like you knew the characters.
One of the passage that really was a powerful statement to me was on page 181 when she said: "Christians have the advantage". "We know that the name Jesus is above every name. It's above insecurity, doubt, fear, need, and confusion". I know this is christian fiction but that blessed me —just to be reminded of his power and goodness. Great job for her first novel.
One of the passage that really was a powerful statement to me was on page 181 when she said: "Christians have the advantage". "We know that the name Jesus is above every name. It's above insecurity, doubt, fear, need, and confusion". I know this is christian fiction but that blessed me —just to be reminded of his power and goodness. Great job for her first novel.
January 20, 2013
It took me FOREVER to get into this book, but once I did I really enjoyed it. Marley's relationship with and Gerrard seemed so cooked cutter from the start, it didn't seem genuine and it was obviously gonna go left. I wasn't surprised when he got caught cheating, I was actually waiting for it. I really liked how the author showed Marley's struggle with telling her mom the truth about him because she knew how much she was looking forward to the wedding. Honestly, her mom reminded me of the portrayal of how Tina Turner's mom was in the movie (always about some $$ even if her heart was broken or she was hurt or wasn't even in love anymore she still encouraged her daughter to stay because of her messed up past experiences with men) Ma Grand was a mess!! Although I knew she meant well, most of the time she over did it. I was saddened by the relationship she shared with her daughter but I was so happy when she finally began to express emotion. That lady was hard to crack! No hugs no nothing! I loved that Marley's friends were always there for her. (I'm reviewing this book months after I read it so I forgot some names) I really liked the way "What's his name's" persona was a mystery to Marley at first like when she saw him carrying boxes at the airport and he turned out to be completely different from what she thought he was. I was happy that they took things slow and eventually fell deeply in love with God at the forefront. This was one of those books that inspires you to wanna do better in your life because they made it look so easy. I really enjoyed this one...
August 16, 2016
This book was an innocent story that took me a few chapters to get into. Once the story-line got going I was able to escape moment to moment in the pages. My the middle of the book I felt like I was watching a Tyler Perry moving and maybe was envious of the women who had such normal and healthy problems. Skipped a few chapters but was brought to tears in the last three chapters. The book ended better than it started for sure. One of the themes in the books that resonated with me was that we never know how things will turn so out so be kind always, be the best person you can be and when you do find happiness embrace it. Other folks will get what is coming to them.
December 11, 2016
Gratitude
This was such a BEAUTIFUL book to have read from beginning to end. I am a sucker for romance! And, to see both Pam and Marley experience love and peace in their relationship with their mom/grandmother was BEAUTIFUL.
This was such a BEAUTIFUL book to have read from beginning to end. I am a sucker for romance! And, to see both Pam and Marley experience love and peace in their relationship with their mom/grandmother was BEAUTIFUL.
September 9, 2015
MESSAGE FROM GOD TO ME
I saw myself in all of the female characters.and a way to change or accept my negative personality.I understand more about GOD's Word and how to apply it to my life...
I saw myself in all of the female characters.and a way to change or accept my negative personality.I understand more about GOD's Word and how to apply it to my life...
February 11, 2010
I finished the book but really didn't think it was a good read.
January 8, 2012
After reading outstanding reviews, I expected to really like this book. It didn't hold my attention enough to continue after the 2nd chapter.
September 11, 2015
Loved it
I was so enthralled an inspired my this book. So meaningful and spiritual. Continue to spread God's word and love through your writings.
I was so enthralled an inspired my this book. So meaningful and spiritual. Continue to spread God's word and love through your writings.
July 18, 2016
Good book,
Good book. Happy ending. The characters we're all interesting. The story was beautifully written. I cried at the end. Good job!!
Good book. Happy ending. The characters we're all interesting. The story was beautifully written. I cried at the end. Good job!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews