If I Believe (A Promises of God Novel Book 2)
Reviews (215)
Wow, just wow!!
First of all can I just say that God’s love is RECKLESS! I had been struggling for months to connect with God and it was weighing heavy in my heart everyday but I just couldn’t get there. I am an avid reader I can read about 400 pages in a day. I love fiction novels, but I had been reading a lot of books that were good, but I needed that God element. When I say after reading the first installment of this series I went and immediately purchased them all. Then I began reading my Bible and thirsting after God like these characters in this book. For the first time in my life as a Christian I realized God doesn’t want my perfection he just wants me to cling to him every second of my day. What I loved about this book is that I felt like I saw myself in Faith and Treva. I feel like I’m transitioning from a young girl who made mistakes and became a young mother like Faith and trying to heal as a woman from childhood hurt and the grief of the death of my marriage (in my case divorce). This book isn’t just fiction it’s a whole ministry. I am grateful for the gift of Kim Cash Tate. As an aspiring writer and English major she showed me I can use my gifts to glorify God and it won’t go in vain. Thank you for using your gift and giving hope in the Lord.
Great Novel, Loaded with Life Lessons
This is my first Kim Cash Tate novel. I'm a man of faith so of course I gravitate to faith based works. “If I Believe,” to me, is about believing that good things can happen to you, no matter what has already happened. Cinda found her father after many years and didn't expect that he would open his arms to her. She found a love interest in movie star Alonzo Cole but surely he wouldn't be interested in little ole her. And the book gets you to wondering: why do we sometimes innately think the worse. For Cinda, it was because of her past. I imagine it is the same for a lot of us. The danger in that is the universe has a funny way of serving up what stirs in your thoughts. That's why the bible says (and I'm paraphrasing) as a man thinks, so is he. We have to think positively no matter what. This book will strengthen that resolve in you. I loved the lessons Kim Cash Tate places inside the novel. Think positive. Seeking first the Kingdom and making God the center of everything we do (Alonzo experiences this, feeling that tug to do right in an industry rife with wrong). And I loved the easy flow and dialogue. There are a lot of characters and the story does some shifting from one sub-plot to the next. But Kim manages the flows well enough. I would definitely recommend this novel to a reader of faith who wants to be entertained as well as edified.
They Gave Up on the Fairytales and Happy Endings, But God Never Did
Kim Cash Tate continues a strong series with If I Believe. In her last book, I was a little disappointed that the plot didn't seem to "thicken"--well, that certainly wasn't an issue with If I Believe! The story drew me in right away and I found myself surprised and eager to know what would happen next several times. Reuniting with some favorite characters was a treat, and I loved seeing them in new seasons. Treva especially drew me with her sweet December romance and the realistic ups and downs of a new marriage. And that pregnancy--WHOA! Paging the Biblical Sarah... Miracles do happen! But, I also loved how honest Kim and Treva were about the realities of a late pregnancy and how that impacted life at all angles. I loved the juxtaposition between Treva's new pregnancy and Faith raising little Zoe. How often do women get to be mothers, grandmothers, and friends in the same book? Blessed are the Langston/Alexander women among women indeed. I also thoroughly enjoyed Cinda's thread. I've loved the Cinderella story all my life, so the plot parallels and shout-outs were a bonus for me. I was afraid I wouldn't like Cinda's relationship with Alonzo, since he came off as a typical Hollywood star with all the typical problems. But again, Alonzo, Cinda, and their plotline surprised me in a great way. Both are real, multifaceted people growing in faith. Both have reasons to believe their relationship won't work, but also reasons to fight for it--and I love how Alonzo fought for Cinda when very few others would. The scene where he gives her the necklace, and when she asks to call him Zee, is one of my favorites. The presence of Randall Rogers is also a plus, particularly since Cinda is the star of a Cinderella story. That is, in most stories of this type, the father is already out of the picture. Here, Randall was in the picture, accepting of Cinda, and eager to provide financially, emotionally, and mentally for her. I enjoyed their talks and Bible studies, as well as the spiritual presence and influence Randall provided for so many in his life. Speaking of the spiritual threads, they're done well here. I cheered for Treva when she decided to write the Bible study, and I loved the conversations/study surrounding that. Jordyn's journey in particular kept my attention, and I can't wait to see her grow and learn more. The part at the end where Treva's family finds her "if I believe" statements was a definite favorite for me. I'd like it if Kim made the Bible study real and available to readers so I could take it! There are a few weak points. It mostly comes down to having so many characters in one book. For the most part, they get the page time they need, but some characters and threads could get two-dimensional or repetitive at times. A good example would be the love triangle between Faith, Reggie, and Jesse; I'm on board with Faith's final decision but the getting there was a bit wearing at times, because in my mind Jesse had already proven he wasn't the guy for her. Then again, I thoroughly appreciate Jesse's honest repentance and accompanying journey, so even that ended up okay. There's also the sense that I don't know these characters as intimately as I should or would like to. The series seems plot-driven more than character-driven, which is fine--that's an author's choice. So, this is a matter of personal preference. Overall though, I'd say If I Believe is as good as, if not an improvement over, If I Stumble, and I'm curious to see how the series wraps up. I love the overall message that belief and hope are still possible even when we think we need to give up.
I BELIEVE!!!!!! You have to get the series!!!! Truly a MUST READ!!
Out of the series I believe this is the most moving!!! There is reference to the Promises of God and bible study series. I took notes, highlighted, and reread several parts of the book. It has inspired me to research bible study groups online. I was new to the author KIM CASH TATE and bought all of her books once I started Though I Stumble, the first book of the series. I cried, laughed and prayed with each of the characters. It's real, in the sense that you can relate to their struggles and look forward to seeing what happens next. The books were so god not only did I buy all of the other books by Kim Cash Tate but I couldn't put them down. This is definitely something I can read over and over again and look forward to anything else she writes!!! The story is about 4 friends and their families. We go on their journey/seasons in life and how they deal with common struggles and relate their struggles through scriptures. It is quite moving, especially because I made a New Years Intention to read the Bible this year, and this series definitely gives reference to different places to start and Scriptures to memorize. I can't wait to start on the other novels, they appear to be the background of main characters from the Promises of God Series!!! I am a new HUGE FAN of KIM CASH TATE!!!!!
This is such a good book and series!!!
This book solidified this author as one of my favorites! I loved this book and screamed, praised, laughed, and cried my way through it. I felt that I knew each character and felt I could identify with each of the main ladies and their struggles and triumphs. I know that God led me to This series of books to stretch and transform me. My thanksgiving out to the author of this book series because I know without a doubt that God led her to do this! I'd recommend this series to anyone that's questioning their identity, purpose, or if God cares for them. He definitely does and This book highlights that fact.
"If I Believe" satisfied that hunger and made me hopeful that the story ...
Once again, another page turner delivered by Kim Cash Tate!!! I could not put this book down! I read "Though I Stumble" when it was released and finished it hungry for me. "If I Believe" satisfied that hunger and made me hopeful that the story will continue. I laughed, I cried, and most importantly, I identified with each of the characters in this book in some way. Additionally, as a Christian, I found the Bible study scenes in the book incredibly helpful to my own walk with Christ. So much so, that I plan on modeling my Women's Bible Study after the one in this book. As long as Kim keeps writing, I'm going to keep reading. This woman has a God-given talent and it's evident in all her books.
An Amazing Read!
This book is a true inspiration and a wonderful reminder of the promises of God. I know this author is a true woman of God, the bible studies in the bpok inspire to get back on track with what God inspired me to do after reading Though I Stumble. Kim Cash Tate pleases again with this book as it takes you on emotional roller coaster that gives you an opportunity to examine who God really is! This one will not disappoint. A lot of Christian fiction books touch on who God his but somehow she takes it a step further and inserts actual Biblical teaching in every story of every characters life even those who haven't fully turn their lives over to God. I don't normally read contemporary books I'm a historical fiction type of girl but I haven't so as touched one since I was virtually introduced to Ms. Tates books. In closing, I have to say as I'm reading I feel like I know every character or want to get to know them. They all seem so real the introduction of new characters was an unexpected favorite I can't wait to learn more about Allison and Tommy. This series makes me want to visit their church and order the Bible studies that Treva and Jillian studied in Maryland from Cyd. If you're new to Christian fiction like me, Kim Cash Tate is an amazing start on your journey for love of a new genre.
So much love and romance and a i Le study to boot!
If I Believe had me rooting for each and every character to have the love they desired. But it also had me taking stock of myself and my heart as Treva and the ladies worked thru their Bibles lessons. Put those together and it's a 5-star read every time. Tate has a way of twisting her characters and their stories in unexpected, heart wrenching, reflection-in-the-mirror ways. I won't spoil the enjoyment of the story, but I dare someone to read it and not come away with at least one spiritual nugget for their life. A beautiful, special tale.
A Cinderella Story...God's Way
In the continuation of the Promises of God series, we see a few new characters along with the same ones we know and love. One element that caught my attention was the play on Cinderella. What I appreciate about Kim's writing is the fact that she doesn't include what I like to call "fluff" in the romance aspect of the stories. What I mean is, a lot of stories with the Cinderella theme are very superficial. Girl has hard life, girl meets boy, they loce happily ever after. Now back to Kim's style of writing. It's still true to a Cinderella theme, but we delve deep into who the characters are, and how they became the way they are in the story. These characters battle real-life issues, which makes them relatable whether you're in a relationship, looking for a relationship, or just happy single. Another theme I love in this book, and all of Kim's books, is the sense of godly community. We see people of different ages encouraging each other through life's hardships, sharing experiences, and having great Bible studies. It's jam packed, but this page turner is definitely worth it!
This was a wonderful read
Book 2 was very very good, a typo here and there but not significant enough to change my rating . I felt some kind of way about Jesse and his flip flopping and toying with Faith. I thought that Reggie was a great catch and paired better with Faith. What can I say find a & Z were the it couple. Jordan was cool but at the end I still felt some kind of way about Jade and Janice. They were just mean. These characters had me in tears and praising God for my blessings. I recommend this series even though I have not read book 3 but I'm headed to it right now see you there, come on.
Comments
Post a Comment