Esther paused, looking around to make sure she had everyone’s attention. “She wanted to know if I was buying the dress, because I know she still hadn’t been able to find a job yet. So she can’t be helping nobody else be happy right now.”
Elizabeth bubbled up in laughter along with everyone else. “Girl, that child is so wrong. I hope you set her straight.”
“I sure did; when we finished, not only am I buying the dress, but I’m buying her shoes and having her hair done as well,” Esther stated with a straight face.
“Honey, those are your daddy’s people,” Elizabeth said, laughing out loud, joining her daughter’s amusement.
Hickman Wiley winked at his wife and had a belly laugh.
Esther quieted, threading her fingers through Lawton’s. “It would have been nice if I could have found Deborah and had her as a bridesmaid.” She looked faraway. “We always promised to be in each other’s weddings.”
“I like the idea of a simple wedding, since it’s your second one. Just Phyllis will be fine, honey, you’ll see. If Deborah’s family hadn’t moved away, we might have had a chance of finding her. We just have to always remember Deborah in our prayers.”
As Lawton rubbed Esther’s hand gently between his more brawny pair, Mother Reed smiled. She could honestly say, she didn’t see any of this coming. But, like she told Briggs months before—God always had a ram in the bush. After a turbulent year, they were going into a season of calm winds and golden skies.
“Share the good news, Mother,” Mr. Wiley said. “Your smile brightens this day.”
“It is well,” she stated.
“Thank you, Jesus. It is well,” Phyllis cried out, intending to share their great news with everyone tonight. She and Charles had finally decided to adopt.
Each person seconded Mother Reed’s statement with joy and thanksgiving. It was important to be grateful in the good times and thank Him from whom all blessings flow.
Esther kissed Lawton’s cheek and whispered into his ear, “It is very well.”
They grinned and burrowed even closer. They knew whatever the season, they would embrace them together.
The Leader sat with his head in his claws. He would have to face the Mentor, and it would not be a good meeting. He had fired everyone who worked for him, and he would soon join them in the fiery dungeon. Many of his plans had failed, but he knew that some weeds planted would eventually flourish. Maybe then he would be allowed to prosper once again. He knew the history of man, and if they took their eyes off He who is Holy, he and those like him would be ready. All he needed was time . . .
Book Club Questions
At the beginning of the book, Briggs and Esther’s affection was very physical. This affection was leading toward sexual intimacy. Should Christians engage in “playing around”?
Esther’s desire to be Cinderella was thwarted by prejudice. As a result, she felt shame and guilt. Have you ever experienced a situation that was done to you, but left feeling you, were at fault? How did you handle it?
Satan had a plan to attack Esther and Briggs in their youth. Why do you think he destroyed Esther’s relationship with her two best friends? Has anything ever come between you and a childhood best friend?
Mother Reed was a strong mentor and spiritual guide for those around her. Her health emergency caused an uproar in the church. Why do you think so many members panicked at the possibility of her death? Do you have a spiritual mentor?
Briggs and Monica’s marriage were based on a lie. Can a couple overcome a lie of this magnitude and have a successful marriage? What does the Bible say concerning this?
Monica’s character in the book began as selfish and controlling. She later said she was committed to the work it would take to change. Do you believe Monica’s change was real? Should Briggs believe that she can remain a good wife?
Lawton came into the picture after Esther’s feelings were hurt by Briggs. Do you believe that Lawton and Esther moved too fast? Can their relationship last?
Several characters in the book at some point did the difficult work of self-examination. Is this something you think everyone should consider doing? How often?
Roger was a character that professed Christ and accepted salvation in prison. Do you believe that people in prison who get saved stay committed when they are released? Why or why not?
Briggs and Esther had an emotional affair. Is this adultery? Why?
Did you want Briggs to leave Monica and have a relationship with Esther? How does that line up biblically?
Stay tuned for the second book in the Heaven over Hell trilogy Tell The Truth and Shame the Devil . . .
Love Zion church was enjoying a time of togetherness and favor. But, the devil wasn’t giving up, and now the angels are showing up to engage in battle. In the midst of it all, did Esther get her happily ever after? And what about Briggs and Monica? Was she really pregnant this time? And more important, is Briggs the father? Have Esther and Briggs closed the book on their past? One thing is for sure, all of Esther’s past is not behind her. Deborah’s back and she knows the secret Sheri took to her grave. Will Esther be able to forgive her childhood friends? So many questions . . . Tell The Truth and Shame the Devil provides the answers.
The second book in the Heaven over Hell trilogy is due to be released in 2015.
About the Author
At the mature age of sixteen, Colette (Ford) Harrell had a severe case of chicken pox. Not even wanting her best friend to see her Frankenstein appearance, and being bored out of her mind (no smartphones, Xboxes, cable, or Netflix in those days), the two friends decided to write a soap opera. Every morning, Colette would place her written pages in the family mailbox, and then she would retrieve her best friend’s pages in return. This was the beginning of her love for telling a good story in written form, and she has taken pen to paper ever since. By the way, the Mod Squad script they later sent to Hollywood was never picked up . . . but Colette’s dream to one day write a novel was birthed.
Colette is a wife, mother, author, poet, songwriter, and playwright. Holding a master’s degree, she is a director of social services. No, she’s not Superwoman—red is not her best color, but she believes God has a plan for every life. She is cofounder of COJACK Productions, a Christian entertainment company and is an active member of her church, Kingdom Christian Center, where she is involved in several ministries. She is also a motivational speaker—teaching customer and human service workshops on state and national levels.
A Detroit native, she currently resides in Ohio, writing with humor and compassion to engage and minister to the human heart. Her motto is: Whatever you do, do it “for love alone.”
The Devil Made Me Do It is her debut novel. It looks at our choices and shows us the natural and supernatural consequences behind them. You get a close-up, Technicolor view of the devil’s intent to destroy us in any way possible. She wrote the book to answer the question: What would happen if you knew what really went on behind the scenes of your life? Would you make different decisions? Or, would you continue along the path of destruction, claiming at every turn that “the devil made you do it”? In this delectable read, romance, suspense, humor, and the paranormal supernatural all come together, and some lives will never be the same.
UC HIS GLORY BOOK CLUB!
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UC His Glory Book Club is the spirit-inspired brainchild of Joylynn Jossel, Author and Acquisitions Editor of Urban Christian, and Kendra Norman-Bellamy, Author for Urban Christian. This is an online book club that hosts authors of Urban Christian. We welcome as members all men and women who have a passion for reading Christian-based fiction.
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Urban Christian His Glory Book Club
What We Believe:
—We believe that Jesus is the Christ, Son of the Living God.
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Many Blessing to You!
Shelia E. Lipsey,
President, UC His Glory Book Club
Urban Books, LLC
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The Devil Made Me Do It Copyright © 2014
Colette R. Harrell
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6228-6314-3
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
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