Vanessa Davis Griggs

Granted, Ms. Vanessa has been Blessed with a delightful imagination and I genuinely enjoyed her colorful characters; but I am of the old-school credo that believes stories should have a beginning (introduction to the characters), a middle (conflict), and, An End (climatic resolution of the conflict).
This story grabbed my interest and left me hanging, only to learn that I needed to read subsequent books to find out how these characters’ faired in their plights. Why not just put the entire show more story into one novel?
If this is a new-aged ploy to sell more books – I say “Bad idea!” I dare say that I’ll be on the lookout for this time-wasting trap in the future. I did LOVE the scripture beginning each chapter...SMILE!!! show less

Title: Countless Blessings
Author: Vanessa Davis Griggs
Publisher: Free To Soar
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Countless Blessings" by Vanessa Davis Griggs

What I loved about this read....

"Countless Blessing" was another one of this author's novels that was simply a wonderful amazing and well written story and what put the icing on the cake. It featured one of my favorite characters the Landris family [Pastor Landris and Johnnie Mae plus their children Princess Rose and Isaiah]. I show more loved how this author starts out with each of her chapters stating with scriptures that really added to each up coming chapter with the readers receives such a powerful message. The readers will be caught up in the emotionalism of this read where one can be caught laughing, even tearing up and maybe shouting a hallelujah during a sermon. I liked seeing how Johnnie Mae was able to maintain her beautiful self in dealing with that sister and I will say I will stop here and say you must pick up the wonderful read to see how this author will bring it all out to the readers. It will be a interesting uplifting read. By the end of the read you will be left thinking this was definitely one of those good inspirational reads that this author does so very well. Thank you to the author for another good Christian fiction read. show less

If this book has any redeeming qualities, someone other than I will have to point them out. Harsh though this may seem, I am unable to award Goodness and Mercy even one star. The uncomplicated plot unfolds without surprise or delight; the characters live their lives without charm and speak without wit. Reading Goodness and Mercy, I was reminded of those old True Romance magazines in which the outcome was inevitable from the beginning. Only readers who want to be pummeled with Biblical verses show more or who seek an end to insomnia should attempt this book. Only book clubs who do not seek intellectual challenge should consider it. Although the publisher offers discussion questions,they are equally as vapid as the book itself. Goodness and Mercy might work for a deeply religious book club, one who wants to discuss Biblical verses as those that were selected are intriguing, even complex, in some instances. However, Griggs’ unsophisticated writing buries plot and dialogue in cliches.

Gabriella, once a gifted dance student and now an exotic dancer with benefits, declares for Christ after hearing the voice of her former teacher telling her that God wants something more from her. Her “big secret” is so transparent that her “confession” when it finally comes holds no surprise.With her conversion some of her problems evaporate and others materialize. Gabriella plunges into serious financial debt but is soon rescued by her Prince Charming, none other than a handsome, gentle, totally understanding doctor (coincidentally the nephew of her old dance teacher) who joins her church and falls in love with her. Problems solved. Reader’s tedium ended.

dsbjohn show less

If this book has any redeeming qualities, someone other than I will have to point them out. Harsh though this may seem, I am unable to award Goodness and Mercy even one star. The uncomplicated plot unfolds without surprise or delight; the characters live their lives without charm and speak without wit. Reading Goodness and Mercy, I was reminded of those old True Romance magazines in which the outcome was inevitable from the beginning. Only readers who want to be pummeled with Biblical verses show more or who seek an end to insomnia should attempt this book. Only book clubs who do not seek intellectual challenge should consider it. Although the publisher offers discussion questions,they are equally as vapid as the book itself. Goodness and Mercy might work for a deeply religious book club, one who wants to discuss Biblical verses as those that were selected are intriguing, even complex, in some instances. However, Griggs’ unsophisticated writing buries plot and dialogue in cliches.

Gabriella, once a gifted dance student and now an exotic dancer with benefits, declares for Christ after hearing the voice of her former teacher telling her that God wants something more from her. Her “big secret” is so transparent that her “confession” when it finally comes holds no surprise.With her conversion some of her problems evaporate and others materialize. Gabriella plunges into serious financial debt but is soon rescued by her Prince Charming, none other than a handsome, gentle, totally understanding doctor (coincidentally the nephew of her old dance teacher) who joins her church and falls in love with her. Problems solved. Reader’s tedium ended. show less