Boaz Brown

Boaz Brown is an awesome, mind-blowing book! The best book I have read in a very long time. Here's why: 1. It's comes across as if it could be a real life story 2. I felt like I was actually experiencing all of LaShondra's (female - main character) ups and downs. 3. LaShondra made me look at my relationship with God and my prayer life and when LaShondra prayed, I felt like I was praying along with her. 4. What prejudices I have and what I am or not doing about it. 5. What motivates me, divine love or conditional love 6. LaShondra's relationship with Stelson (male - main character) has changed my entire perspective on who my Boaz may be. I'm more open to who God has for me. The author, Michelle Stimpson, told the story in such a way that leaves you wanting more. I've re-read several sections several times. Lastly, I recommend this book for all, but I highly recommend it for single Christians. It will change you from the inside out. I know you'll be blessed - whatever you get from this book. M. Henry

LaShondra is looking for her Boaz just as many women are waiting on their Boaz. In Boaz Brown by Michelle Stimpson, LaShondra is a thirty-something Assistant Principal who endures all of the contemporary issues of being a single and saved woman, juggling a career and trying to keep harmony within her family. The oldest of two, she was raised to be prejudiced by default, but when her Boaz appears in another color all bets are off and an internal struggle begins causing havoc with her friendships, her family and people in general. After living what some may consider a promiscuous lifestyle, LaShondra commits herself to the Lord and lives her life accordingly. Deeply rooted in the Word, LaShondra approaches her career and her relationships according to the text. Alternating between past and present passages we come to understand LaShondra's childhood in Black and White. After a secret is revealed about her father we further understand his behavior, his racist attitude and why it was passed on to his children. Boaz Brown exhibits an example to women and men alike, utilizing scriptures and prayers, which are interpreted for the issues at hand. However, the Christian theme is not forced but subtly instituted to make for a great novel offering lessons on life, romance and understanding of human behavior and commitment. Kudos to Michelle Stimpson for a spirit-filled lesson. Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves APOOO BookClub

I routinely read across races, genres, and ethnicities, and Boaz Brown was a gift from a friend that I will always be thankful for. As a white woman, I was floored by the revelation that black fathers (like LaShondra's) said the same things that my white father said - they just changed "black" to "white." This book helped me to understand that racism comes in all colors, and it's wrong no matter who's doing it. Since reading the novel, I have a better understanding of why there's this "distance" between me and my African-American co-workers and some of the differences in interpretation that exist. In nearly 40 years, it never occured to me that there were African-Americans who don't like me simply because I'm white. There were some things that disturbed me, but only because I saw them in myself and my own family. It was completely EYE-OPENING for me as a white woman and I think that the greatest tragedy for this book would be if it were only marketed to African-American women because Boaz Brown has lessons for people of EVERY COLOR - especially Christians. I think that what it did for me was help me to see that we are all prejudiced in some way as a result of the history of our country, but (in the words of MLK Jr.) - we might have all come here on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.

Where do I begin? This novel made me laugh at myself because I saw so much of me and my friends in the main character (LaShondra) and her friends and family and the church members. It was TOO REAL! Later, I cried about how things went down with her father (don't want to spoil it for you!) Single women who are waiting on their Boaz need to read this book because it will make you open your eyes to what might be right under you nose but you're too closed-minded to see it!!! Christians of all raced need to read it because it makes you wonder why many of us(those who are supposed to be known as Christians by our love) still go to all-white churches and all-black churches and don't even think to invite people who are of different races to revivals, vacation bible school, etc??? For such a deep topic, this book was FUNNY and I never felt like I was being preached to. The characters are imperfect Christians in an imperfect world just trying their best to do right. Most of all, it made me think about how I treat people because (in my circle of friends and church members) I hear all kinds of stereotypical comments about other races - but I never thought twice about it until now. If you want to be entertained, cry, remember, connect, be challenged, and laugh while you're doing it all - read Boaz Brown!

Congratulations to Michelle Simpson for a beautiful, romantic, realistic depiction of a developing relationship that had so much against it, but showing how love prevails, no matter what needs to be overcome. I absolutely enjoyed reading Boaz Brown. So many Christian women create their list of attributes for their ideal man, and this book shows that the list may be what is keeping a woman from meeting that man that God has for her! Intertwined throughout the book is the underlying theme of how a person's prejudices may be keeing her from a fulfilling and satisfying life. Michelle Simpson confronts the issue of race relations and the importance of looking beyond our personal reality toward's God's reality. I could not put the book down. I read almost every word because I did not want to miss a thing. LaShondra is a woman who wants to live her life by the Book. Her struggles represent the issues many Christian women face. Her inner conflicts are real. Her family is one we can identify with. LaShondra successfully overcomes her own prejudices to find happiness where she never dreamed she would go.As for "Boaz", he is the man most of us have dreamed of. Michelle Simpson provides us with an example of a solid man of God who knows how to treat a real Christian woman. I loved this book!!!!!