About the Book
All her life, Zenovia has struggled with the burden of caring for her schizophrenic mother, Audrey, alone. Until one day, God seems to offer support in the form of two members of a church called the Brethren of the Sacrifice, who knock at the women’s door preaching an unconventional version of the Gospel. Despite having questions, Zenovia agrees to join the church along with her mother. Soon afterward, Audrey stops taking her medication when fellow churchgoers deem her illness a demonic possession. Unable to watch her mother’s mental deterioration, Zenovia flees town, only to receive a fateful phone call several years later telling her of her mother’s suicide. Heartbroken, Zenovia must now make a soul-altering choice: accept “God’s will,” or return home to confront the demons she’s worked so hard to leave behind….
My Review
Zenovia’s life has been more like caretaker than teenager. The only child of a single parent suffering with schizophrenia she has seen the demons that her mother has struggled with more times than she cares to think about. But, she has been on the correct dose of medication and their life (besides being poor) seems to be ok. Zenovia is preparing for her graduation and college and is really looking forward to a great future.
One day there is a knock on the door and it is members of a church called Brethren of Sacrifice. Her mother invites them in and is excited about the propect of starting a new church. But, this church is much different than other churches they have been to…not necessarily in a good way. Audrey is happy and has met the man of her dreams (she has “visions” and saw him years ago so knows he is the one) and Zenovia is initially happy as well. A new circle of friends, a step-dad that truly seems to love her mother, what could be bad about that?
Things take a turn for the worse when the church convinces Audrey that she doesn’t need her medication – all she needs is faith in the Lord to help heal her. Add this to a mistake that Zenovia makes (and a major breach of the rules of the church) and things go downhill fast. Zenovia decides to leave, unable to live down her shame and the pschosis that has once again claimed its hold on her mother.
Will she ever be able to go back or is her future to be without the friends and family she thought she knew?
This was a very enjoyable book, but helped me realize this is part of the reason I am not religious. An eye opener, and the author has a real talent for keeping the reader engaged throughout.
About the Author
Tiffany L. Warren, is an author, playwright, songwriter, mother and wife. Her debut novel What a Sista Should Do, was released in June of 2005 and has ministered to over 50,000 readers. Her second book, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay was a national bestseller. In 2006, Tiffany and her husband, Brent, founded Warren Productions and released their first gospel musical. What a Sista Should Do – The Stage Play debuted in Cleveland, OH at the famed Allen Theatre.
Tiffany is also the visionary behind the Faith and Fiction Fellowship tour. Presently, the authors have visited groups in Atlanta, Houston, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Charlotte.
