Boaz Brown

Michelle Stimpson's Boaz Brown is the plot-driven story of one racist Christian woman's search for love. The racist part intrigued (but didn't surprise) me; it's been said that "Sunday morning is America's most segregated hour," so I was curious to see how she'd handle it. She went straight for the throat by setting up a tale with a family-loyal black woman who gets involved with a white man and has to defend herself to friends and family about her outrageous choice. Of course, she didn't mention how almost every black man you see is with a white woman, but there's a double-standard for black women; maybe she's saving that for another novel.The first thing I noticed about the novel was the stiff narrative. Her dialogue flowed, but the narrative felt like she was writing a business document. The stereotyped characters were put in place to move the plot along and tell her story, and at times it got a little old. Not all black women are like LaShondra and her female family and friends. I guess she was trying to show us what a good down-home Southern girl she is. Of course at other times, the book was laugh out loud funny. This covers many sins in my book. I also enjoyed her struggles in prayer and how she portrayed her relationship with Christ. That part felt real. But in some places, the degree of detail was too much and un interesting and did nothing to further the story. I don't care who drives a Honda or a Lexus or whatever. And I'd say that we can take it for granted the women were perfect in every way from their hair, their accessories, makeup, clothes and shoes. This is dull to me as well. Not every black woman lives or looks that way. Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks as the heart, so I couldn't understand why looks, clothes, and material possessions seemed to be so important. I mean, Boaz was so fine that any woman within a 25-miled radius immediately set to primping and panting when he was in the area...does a white man have to be drop-dead fine before it's OK to date him?Ironically, LaShondra's father felt like the most authentic character, and he was the main culprit in the racist teachings of LaShondra's past. I suspect these were the two real main characters regardless of the book being a romance novel at its core. But she had courage. She got right in there and got to the backstory of her dad's racism and issues.I probably won't read another book by Stimpson, but I'm glad I finally read this one, since it sat on my bookshelves for 5 years. It was a quick read, easily polished off during a weekend. Perfect for the beach and bound to start up conversation with friends. It's a 3 star read, but I recommend it. For all my complaints, the novel had an odd stick-to-my-ribs quality about it, perhaps because LaShondra and I are both lovers of the Lord. If you fit the demograph for this novel, you will probably enjoy it. Like I said, it's LOL funny in parts and that covers many sins.

I had to read this book in only two sittings. I found the story almost riveting. I usually don't read these types of books, choosing to focus on historical non-fiction. But after reading the reviews for this book, I chose to purchase it for my Kindle because my sister (white) married a black guy almost 30 years ago (yes, they are still married!) I have to hand it to the author for being real regarding the stereotyping that exists in the world, both black and white. I also enjoyed the conversational style that the 'sisters' used when together and talking about white folks.But what I enjoyed the most was the realistic portrayal of the heroine, LaShonda, because she was a Spirit-filled woman who lived out her Christianity in a way similar to my own life. That made it relevant for me.However, I thought her Boaz was Stelson Brown until somewhere about 75% through the book, I saw 'Stetson' used about three times in a chapter. Clearly this was an editing mistake! Then we saw him referred to again as Stelson. Someone, PLEASE correct this for future readers! This guy was charming, sexy, a hot dresser, and a successful engineer, and his name is ---- Stelson? OK, I thought, I'll try and wrap my head around this. But when I read that Stetson was as sexy as his name implied, I thought, hey, what gives here? Then in the next few paragraphs he was Stetson, then back to Stelson the remainder of the book. Make up your mind, what is the guy's name???Other than that, it was a most enjoyable read. A recommend, and if you are a Christian woman who has ever been single waiting for your Mr. Right, a MUST READ.

...and not strictly the problem of a particular race. I very much appreciated this author's honesty in confronting racial bias via her characters, and revealing their growth as they worked through their own stereotyping. I especially liked that LaShondra and Stelson finally realized that their identities and common ground was in their faith in God, not their skin color. In other words, they GREW into this conviction, just as they had individually grown into believing God's way was best regarding their sexuality. Not every thoughtless assumption or comment is maliciously intended, after all; often it's just born of ignorance (as in not previously encountered and processed, NOT stupid).In our country at this time, there seems to be a very determined element intent on keeping our citizens divided along racial lines, when most of us would be very happy to just become "color-blind," and go on with our lives together.Another thing I was especially glad to know about LaShondra is that she wore eyeglasses. Some sort of vision correction is used by most people in North America, but one would never guess by reading most romance novels. :DI would have given this five stars, but there were a couple of places where dialog was divided by paragraphs within the same quote. It made it difficult to know who was talking, in those few cases. These few occurrences may have simply been a formatting problem when converting the text for Kindle use, though.All in all, an excellent read. Thank you, Michelle, for such an insightful novel.

I liked the concept of finding a 'Boaz', Shondra had her list of requirements for her Mr Right but the most important one was that he was from the same ethnic background. When Stelson turns up and starts pursuing her, she sees his good qualities but doesn't fancy him because he is white.I liked that Shondra is a different voice and her family and friends were well drawn, but wasn't sure why Stelson would keep coming back for more abuse from her! She seemed a great person, a good friend, a good teacher, she gives back to her community, but although she may have good cause to be cautious, she is just so chippy with Stelson that it's hard to see why he wants to continue seeing her. I can see that in America slavery is still in living memory of many, but it seems like she is projecting to every caucasian she meets that she expects racism, all the people around her seem to have nothing better to do than watch her and show their disapproval of mixed couples - my church has many nationalities and several mixed race marriages and it has never been a problem that I know of.To sum up - readable but sometimes I wanted to give Shondra a good shake!

I like interracial romance. And I also liked that this heroine hesitated between staying at homeand working.The Christian element should come as no surprise (considering the title) but it was too forceful nonetheless.I get trying to make readers understand that God may want to provide through your husband. Yet, but doubt is normal and human beings are not robots. So we are stuck with a story where the author is force feeding Christian truths to her characters and it shows.Time tells it all. Rushing the story is boring for the reader (and dreadful for the characters).I couldn't finish it

I love how real this book was. A lot of black females struggle with the concept of loving a man of a different race - it was nice to see LaShondra overcome her prejudice and enjoy the love that God always wanted her to have for others beyond colour. Very encouraging. Few typos here and there, but it didn't take away much focus from the actual book.

Black/white books usually annoy me, I must say Boaz Brown did not. The struggles of the characters were real and did appear contrived. I will certainly read other books by the author.

Wonderful book in every way. Well recommend, even better it's free. This book will surely be a blessing to any who is looking for a blessing,even though fictitious. But not so in itsMessages conveyed throughout its text. Well done M. Simpson for a super read!!