When Perfection Fails (25 page)
Read When Perfection Fails Online
Authors: Tyora Moody
Chapter Fifty-two
Eight months later. New Year's Eve . . .
They had about thirty minutes before the clock counted down to the New Year. Lenora was exhausted but excited about the wedding ceremony earlier at eight o'clock. The reception in Victory Gospel Center seemed to almost whirl to life again as people crowded together buzzing about the upcoming countdown.
Lenora walked over to hug Angel, and then Wes. “I thought I would get my hug in now before the countdown began.”
Wes grinned. “We really want to thank you for planning this for us.”
“Yes, everything was so wonderful.” Angel had her arm hooked in Wes's arm, looking radiant as Mrs. Wesley Cade.
“It was my pleasure.”
“Oh, there's Candace, I need to talk to her. I'll be right back.” Angel kissed Wes and took off toward the direction where Candace sat with Darnell.
Lenora turned to Wes. “Have you heard from Serena? I was expecting her to be here tonight.”
Wes shook his head. “Angel and I had invited her. I think she's trying to hang low for a while. She's used to being on the other side of the media, not people questioning her.”
Lenora nodded. “I don't blame her. I'm just really grateful to her. I know she was after a story, and it turned out bigger than she could imagine.”
“Yeah, it looks like Mayor Carrington is going to do some real jail time. Apparently, he managed to swipe a good bit of money out of various projects over the years. He might have gotten away with it if Charmayne wasn't so determined to keep up her father's work.”
“Charmayne had a complex relationship with her dad, but she respected him and his work. People misjudged the good heart that she had toward the community too.” Lenora's eyes watered a bit. It still was hard to get over not being able to talk to Charmayne by phone or in person.
“How's everyone doing?” Jonathan had made his way in the crowd to stand next to her.
Wes answered, “Good. I will be even better as soon as I get to my bride. Don't want to miss our first countdown together.”
Lenora and Jonathan laughed as they watched Wes sprint over to where Angel sat.
Jonathan placed his arm around Lenora's waist. They smiled at each other, probably looking like they were the couple married a few hours before.
They'd been doing a whole lot of laughing in the past few months, mainly to ease the tensions that had been built in their house for so long. Who knew they would physically be fighting an enemy together and have battle scars?
Mother Eliza moved back to her home after she started the soup kitchen at Victory Gospel. She seemed to be happy doing ministry work she enjoyed. Lenora decided to use her Mondays to come in and help Eliza and her staff.
Sometimes Jonathan joined them, helping with the servings. She was really proud of her husband. He took great care in being Victory Gospel's shepherd, as well as being a vital part of his community as the newly elected District Two City Council member.
If there was one thing Lenora took away from Charmayne's ambitions, her friend really did love her community. She could be overbearing like Bishop Hudson, but like father, like daughter, they both were dedicated to the people they served.
Both she and Jonathan promised to continue that legacy.
In the background, people were starting to count. “10, 9, 8 . . .”
Lenora turned to Jonathan. “Almost time for a new beginning. Are you ready?”
“Always. As long as I'm with you.”
As the clock struck twelve o'clock midnight, Lenora kissed her best friend.
Discussion Questions
1.
Lenora is a wife, a mother, first lady of a megachurch, and successful businesswoman. She seems to be handling all her many hats with perfection. When trouble comes, she begins to unravel as she loses control. Have you found yourself or do you know someone who is a “superwoman” like Lenora? What event(s) sent you (or them) over the edge?
Lenora is a wife, a mother, first lady of a megachurch, and successful businesswoman. She seems to be handling all her many hats with perfection. When trouble comes, she begins to unravel as she loses control. Have you found yourself or do you know someone who is a “superwoman” like Lenora? What event(s) sent you (or them) over the edge?
2.
Jonathan feels torn between his wife and mother. Lenora has a grudging respect for her mother-in-law. Have you had to deal with an unpleasant in-law? Have you had a parent or sibling who didn't get along with your spouse? How do you handle the conflicts?
Jonathan feels torn between his wife and mother. Lenora has a grudging respect for her mother-in-law. Have you had to deal with an unpleasant in-law? Have you had a parent or sibling who didn't get along with your spouse? How do you handle the conflicts?
3.
Serena Manchester is twice-divorced and now single. She is bitter about love and religion. It's hard not to let your past experiences influence your future relationships. What advice can you give the “Serena” in your life who desires happiness, but hangs onto negative experiences?
Serena Manchester is twice-divorced and now single. She is bitter about love and religion. It's hard not to let your past experiences influence your future relationships. What advice can you give the “Serena” in your life who desires happiness, but hangs onto negative experiences?
4.
Charmayne was a PK (Preacher's Kid). She not only grew up under a man who was the bishop of a megachurch, but her father was a civil rights and community activist. Charmayne had a rebellious spirit that started in her teens and seemed to continue into adulthood. Is there an intimidating figure in your life (maybe a parent) who you still struggle to separate from your identity?
Charmayne was a PK (Preacher's Kid). She not only grew up under a man who was the bishop of a megachurch, but her father was a civil rights and community activist. Charmayne had a rebellious spirit that started in her teens and seemed to continue into adulthood. Is there an intimidating figure in your life (maybe a parent) who you still struggle to separate from your identity?
5.
Lenora and Charmayne had been friends since they were young girls. The friendship wasn't balanced, and Lenora seemed to be the one always protecting or catching Charmayne when she fell. Do you consider this a real friendship? Are you loyal to a friend who hasn't had a habit of being there for you when you need her?
Lenora and Charmayne had been friends since they were young girls. The friendship wasn't balanced, and Lenora seemed to be the one always protecting or catching Charmayne when she fell. Do you consider this a real friendship? Are you loyal to a friend who hasn't had a habit of being there for you when you need her?
6.
Michael is the sensitive younger son of Lenora and Jonathan. He sensed that something had drastically changed in his parents' relationship. In fact, it's his observations that alert both Lenora and Jonathan that they need to do something. Are you married? Are you aware of how your lack of communication or distance affects you, your spouse, and children?
Michael is the sensitive younger son of Lenora and Jonathan. He sensed that something had drastically changed in his parents' relationship. In fact, it's his observations that alert both Lenora and Jonathan that they need to do something. Are you married? Are you aware of how your lack of communication or distance affects you, your spouse, and children?
7.
What were your initial thoughts when you read the suicide scene? Do you know someone who has considered or succeeded at suicide? Not everyone can pick themselves up from despair. Are you aware of the signs and when to seek help for an individual?
What were your initial thoughts when you read the suicide scene? Do you know someone who has considered or succeeded at suicide? Not everyone can pick themselves up from despair. Are you aware of the signs and when to seek help for an individual?
8.
This novel started off with a secret between two friends. Lenora and Jonathan had moments when they were secretive with information in their marriage. What have been the consequences to people keeping secrets in your life?
This novel started off with a secret between two friends. Lenora and Jonathan had moments when they were secretive with information in their marriage. What have been the consequences to people keeping secrets in your life?
About The Author
Tyora Moody is an author and entrepreneur. Her debut novel,
When Rain Falls
, was released March 2012 (Urban Christian). This was the first book in the Victory Gospel series. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series,
When Memories Fade
, was released in April 2013 (Urban Christian).
When Rain Falls
, was released March 2012 (Urban Christian). This was the first book in the Victory Gospel series. The second book in the Victory Gospel Series,
When Memories Fade
, was released in April 2013 (Urban Christian).
Tyora has coined her books as Soul-Searching Suspense. She is the 2013 Urban Literary Awards Debut Author Winner and 2013 Urban Literary Awards Mystery/ Thriller/ Suspense Winner. Tyora is a member of Sisters in Crime and American Christian Fiction Writers.
As a literary-focused entrepreneur, she has assisted countless authors with developing an online presence via her company, TywebbinCreations.com. Popular services include virtual book tours, book trailers, and book covers.
When Tyora isn't working for a client or doing something literary, she enjoys spending time with family, catching a movie on the big screen, traveling, and when the mood hits her, baking cookies. Visit her online at TyoraMoody.com.
Are you a female entrepreneur? Visit VictoryGospel-Series. com. We would love to feature you.
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Urban Books, LLC
97 N18th Street
Wyandanch, NY 11798
97 N18th Street
Wyandanch, NY 11798
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When Perfection Fails: Victory Gospel Series
Copyright © 2014 Tyora Moody
Copyright © 2014 Tyora Moody
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6016-2715-5
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This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
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Submit Wholesale Orders to:
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Attention: Order Processing
405 Murray Hill Parkway
East Rutherford, NJ 07073-2316
Phone: 1-800-526-0275
Fax: 1-800-227-9604
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