September Book Selection: Saved and Single by Shelia Copeland

Tiffany is used to planning Los Angeles' biggest, glitzies weddings, but her own love life is pretty nonexistent. A God-fearing thirty-two-year-old virgin, Tiffany is committed to finding just the right husband to share her life with. She's had her eye on Myles, her church's sexiest, most-sought-after bachelor. But Myles's obsession with the superficial proves problematic. (In his opinion, "you can learn to love the Lord, but you can't learn to be fine.")

When flyers for a new Christian singles website are handed out after a wedding, Shay, Tiffany's younger sister, secretly posts Tiffany's profile online. Before long, Shay is using the website to get dates for herself—even though she has a boyfriend and two small children at home. Deborah, Tiffany's best friend, also gets in on the online action. She is successful, beautiful, and prides herself on her high, "Bible-centered" standards. But when Deborah meets Mr. Saved-Rich-and-Perfect online, she's not ready for his whirlwind of passion, expensive gifts...and a diamond-cluster-worth of lies.

Now, as hopes rise and fall, illusions shatter, and their personal lives are forever changed, can these three dazzling women hold on to their bond, their values—and their dreams?

About the Author

Sheila Copeland's love for the arts began at a very early age, while attending Karamu House, a nationally acclaimed performing arts center in Cleveland, Ohio. As a youngster, Copeland was an avid reader and by the age of ten had read all of the books in her local branch library. One book in particular about girls in a boarding school piqued her curiosity, and when she was 14, she received a scholarship to a private school in upstate New York. The find out more about Shelia Copeland and her books go to http://sheilacopeland.com/.

Proverbs 31: Portrait of a Godly Woman by Shelia Graham

For thousands of years, God-fearing women have looked to the noble, or virtuous (KJV), woman of Proverbs 31 as their ideal. Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, probably had this role model of the virtuous woman in the forefront of her mind from earliest childhood. Most Jewish women did, for this poem was traditionally recited in the Jewish home every week on the eve of the Sabbath.

But what about today’s woman? Of what value can this ancient poem be to the diverse, complex life-styles of women today? To the married, to the single, to the young, to the old, to those working outside the home or inside the home, to those women with children or without children? It is more relevant than you might at first expect — although it is also too good to be true.

When we examine this ancient biblical ideal of womanhood, we do not find the stereotyped housewife occupied with dirty dishes and laundry, her daily life dictated by the demands of her husband and her children. Nor do we find a hardened, overly ambitious career woman who leaves her family to fend for itself.

What we find is a strong, dignified, multitalented, caring woman who is an individual in her own right. This woman has money to invest, servants to look after and real estate to manage. She is her husband’s partner, and she is completely trusted with the responsibility for their lands, property and goods.

She has the business skills to buy and sell in the market, along with the heartfelt sensitivity and compassion to care for and fulfill the needs of people who are less fortunate. Cheerfully and energetically she tackles the challenges each day brings. Her husband and children love and respect her for her kind, generous and caring nature.

But with all her responsibilities, first and foremost, she looks to God. Her primary concern is God’s will in her life. She is a woman after God’s own heart. Let’s examine the characteristics of this remarkable woman — a role model for Christian women today.

To read more of this article go to http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/poet/prov31.htm

Review "Me, Myself, and HIM" by E.N. Joy

"Me, Myself and HIM" was an AMAZING tale of redemption and saving grace! E.N. Joy was superb in telling this gripping tale of a young lady, Locksie, caught in a love triangle between the seemingly “perfect” guy ,her live-in lover Dawson, and the ONLY perfect man, Jesus Christ.

Locksie was raised in the church,well, actually several churches, by her Bible bashing, oil toting “holy roller” mother Mary. In a sense of rebellion, she runs from church once she leaves for college! Since then, she has fallen in love with a fine, kind, established young man, Dawson, whom she absolutely adores. But lately, especially after her aunt Mary’s and her “coffee talks”, she has started to feel like there is something missing in her life, and even her relationship with Dawson is suffering because of it. Then one day she goes to church with her aunt, and falls in love with Jesus Christ Himself. Now the “love” that she and Dawson used to make is no match for the TRUE love that she now feels. But she is confused because she doesn’t know where that will leave them.

She is also “counseled” by her friend/client, Hannah, a mixed woman with extremely good looks, and a gorgeous husband to match. Hannah is no stranger to dilemma. Her husband, Elkan, had an affair with a client of his, (Peni), and a child was the result. Even though she has forgiven Elkan and they have “worked through” their issues,Hannah still is not convinced that her marriage is secur. Especially after she meets Drake.

Drake is a saved, righteous brother who has vowed to keep himself until he is married,and he is also Dawson’s brother. Because of his status and wealth, he has a lot of women planning to “bait” him, but he keeps sliding off the hook, until he has a fateful meeting with the extremely attractive Hannah. From the first moment he falls for her, and was heart-broken to discover that she was already married. Determined to live a Godly life, he fights his feelings for Hannah, but keeps making poor judgment calls that puts them into a few compromising situations.

I loved the book! My relationship with God increased tremendously through this book! Sometimes I would just put the book down and worship! I loved how the author interwove Biblical themes and principles into everyday situations! I would recommend this as a must read for anyone who is in an immoral relationship, or just getting out (and over) one. I give this book 10 stars…but since that would be way over our normal grading curve, 5 will have to do…lol…