Audiobook10 hours
Goodness and Mercy
Written by Vanessa Davis Griggs
Narrated by Caroline Clay
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
()
About this audiobook
In Goodness and Mercy by award-winning author Vanessa Davis Griggs, Gabrielle's girlhood dream of becoming a dancer slips away when life takes an unexpected turn. But after she meets the man of her dreams at church, everything seems to be falling into place-until a past secret threatens to tear her life all apart and puts her newfound faith to the ultimate test. "Vanessa's rich stories of faith in action always hit the writing trifecta-they make you laugh, cry, and yearn for more."-Angela Benson, best-selling author
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Reviews for Goodness and Mercy
Rating: 3.761904742857143 out of 5 stars
4/5
21 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It is the inspirational (but fictional) story of a woman's religious journey. Her faith helps her to grow and overcome difficulties in life.Some of the other reviewers stated that the plot was uncomplicated, and maybe a bit predictable, which may be correct, but is not a bad thing. I think the author meant the book to be light and cheerful.We all need a pick me up sometimes.
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5If this book has any redeeming qualities, someone other than I will have to point them out. Harsh though this may seem, I am unable to award Goodness and Mercy even one star. The uncomplicated plot unfolds without surprise or delight; the characters live their lives without charm and speak without wit. Reading Goodness and Mercy, I was reminded of those old True Romance magazines in which the outcome was inevitable from the beginning. Only readers who want to be pummeled with Biblical verses or who seek an end to insomnia should attempt this book. Only book clubs who do not seek intellectual challenge should consider it. Although the publisher offers discussion questions,they are equally as vapid as the book itself. Goodness and Mercy might work for a deeply religious book club, one who wants to discuss Biblical verses as those that were selected are intriguing, even complex, in some instances. However, Griggs’ unsophisticated writing buries plot and dialogue in cliches.Gabriella, once a gifted dance student and now an exotic dancer with benefits, declares for Christ after hearing the voice of her former teacher telling her that God wants something more from her. Her “big secret” is so transparent that her “confession” when it finally comes holds no surprise.With her conversion some of her problems evaporate and others materialize. Gabriella plunges into serious financial debt but is soon rescued by her Prince Charming, none other than a handsome, gentle, totally understanding doctor (coincidentally the nephew of her old dance teacher) who joins her church and falls in love with her. Problems solved. Reader’s tedium ended.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Goodness and Mercy was a truly inspirational book. It took a few chapters to really get into the characters but I'm glad I stuck with it. This book proved to be very good read.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I have a tendency to avoid Christian fiction based on early experiences with the genre. While I this book didn't make me groan, it didn't grip me with excitement either. A simple, engaging read, but nothing I'd turn back to or excitedly pass on to friends.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was a really great story about dying to the old and becoming a new being in Christ. It talks about how Gabrielle Mercedes (Booker) gave her life to Christ and the test and trials she went through on during her spiritual growth. I liked this because the Vanessa didn't sugarcoat anything. She showed how hard it can be when you're trying to do the right thing and live for the LORD but if you hang in there and completely trust in GOD, the benefits far outweigh the sacrifices, the things that you gave up. The only thing I didn't like about this book was how Vanessa opened up two doors at the end and didn't do anything with it. The first being that Gabrielle found out that Miss Crowe was alive and had been asking for her. But in the book, Gabrielle doesn't go see her? I have to question that because Miss Crowe played a significant part in Gabrielle's life. The second thing was Gabrielle telling Zachary about her having a baby that should be 8-years-old. Why even bring that up? It was at the very end and I didn't think it was needed because it left me hanging in the end.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Living a life comparable to Cinderella, Gabrielle Mercedes just wanted to dance. She vividly remembered the days when her mother would hold her as they danced. Those were the good days before that day. It was that day, when her life changed for the worse at the innocent age of three. “I hope you know and appreciate what me and your uncle are sacrificing just so you don’t have to become one of those children without a real family, possible being abused, ” Gabrielle’s aunt Cee-Cee would remind her regularly.However, one Sunday morning Gabrielle stepped into Followers of Jesus Faith Worship Center not sure what she was doing there until she heard, The Word. Goodness and Mercy is filled with love, hate, sin, sinners, righteousness, holy-rollers and a myriad of other topics that are sure to hit home with any Christian or those aspiring to-live Christian-like. While reading, faith is what continued to lead my thoughts. I continually thought about the sermons of my childhood pastor as he referenced the faith of a mustard seed. That is just the kind of faith that Gabrielle Mercedes possessed. I have to admit I even envied her faith. No matter the storm or the aftermath she stood on God’s word and continued to rely on His unchanging hand. It even made me question if I were in her shoes would I go back to safe living or just continue to wait on God. While reading, I appreciated Griggs use of current events such as the recession and the election of President Obama. It made the characters relatable as many of us are surely facing those same storms in our personal lives. However, there were times that I felt as if Griggs went to far into the dialogue of characters. It was if she felt that she had to explain every situation. Honestly, there were times I was reading and thinking to myself, “Not again! Just get on with it.”Even on that note, I am not saying this is not a good read (I give it 3.5 stars out of 5). I enjoyed this book and I would love to read Goodness and Mercy part two if Griggs decides to continue this story line. In closing, “I am accepted (Ephesians 1:6), a child of God (John 1:12), a friend of Jesus (John 15:15), justified (Romans 5:1), have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20), blessed with all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3), saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5)…” I loved this so much I wrote it on an index card and taped it to my bathroom mirror. I pray it blesses you as well. Kiss Kiss