Three Fifty-Seven A.M.

Oh Lord where do I start? This book had me on the edge on my seat waiting to see what would happen to the characters. As you read through this book, it'll put you in the mind of all the characters. Essie stories and her wisdom, made me re-think the ways I'm walking through life and I'm sure readers will experience the same thing after reading this book. Please go out and buy this book and see how it changes your life...for the better!

When I started reading this book I could not stop! It was so good and so real. I started reading it when I got in from school today and in two hours I was done. My favorite character was Jerrod because he was around my age and I have friends in school who I know are dealing with some of the same problems that he was and just like him they don't know how to deal with them so they just act stupid and try to put on a tough face. I think that there are a lot of lessons that can be learned from reading THREE FIFTY-SEVEN AM. It taught me about helping others, forgiving people, respecting old people, talking about problems and how important it is to be a friend when people need one. You just never know what somebody is dealing with at any particular time.

Kendra Norman-Bellamy and Hank Stewart put their foot in this one! It starts out like a slow drive down a country road. Then outta nowhere the slow drive turns into a roller coaster ride. I just held on and enjoyed it. This book makes you laugh and makes you cry-so good it makes you wanna slap somebody! The authors are both gifted artists with so much integrity. Whenever Kendra Norman-Bellamy releases a new book, I don't even have to read the reviews. I go out and make my purchase because I know in advance that it is money well spent.

Have you ever been sitting in church listening to the sermon and get this warm sensation in your chest that travels to the pit of your stomach? That's when you know the preacher is saying something that you know is right, that you've experienced yourself or vicariously through a family member or friend. That's exactly what I felt when I hit page 127! A gorgeous cover instinctively sparks your curiosity even before the story is started. Essie Mae Richardson is much more than just a resident of Braxton Park, she's God's vessel and as such sees all and knows all watching from her front porch as three households are threatened by distrust, lack of communication and lack of faith. Elaine and Mason Demps' marriage has hit a rocky patch; Jennifer Mays is at her wits end with her teenage son, Jerrod; and Colin and Angel Stephens are facing a tremendous loss. But Ms. Essie has the remedy for them all. A poignant story captured realistically and delivered with the ease of a good storyteller, or in this case storytellers. I wasn't immediately engrossed in this book but like a bolt of lightening, which is usually the feeling you get when you've discovered something good, it hit me and I finished within the hour. This was my first time reading either author and I commend them both on a spiritually moving and engaging story. So many times we make the mistake of acting when His answer was for us to wait-and the resulting mess is almost too much to bear. A good read, but more importantly, a meaningful lesson. Because these scenarios were so honestly written the message was painfully clear-in His time. Reviewed By: AC Arthur, Black Butterfly Review

Only someone with great talent can take a romantic poem and turn it into a spiritual novel. Ms. Esse reminded me of my own grandmother. After reading this book, I found myself taking Ms.Esse advice for my own situation. Not only can I not wait for the next book, but Iam predicting that this will be on the big screen.