Ain't No Valley

by Sharon Ewell Foster

Book Overview

Anthony, a banking executive, and Naomi, a dentist, are two people who have trusted their jobs and status to make them whole--until they are suddenly without either. Against the backdrop of San... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764228862
• ISBN13: 9780764228865
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.3" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Classic Sharon Ewell Foster--Great Read!

I am a fan of Sharon Ewell Foster. She has continued the characters from Ain't no Mountain. Great Story, if you are a fan you will definitely enjoy this one too. As with her other stories, there is a spiritual/healing message in the story.

Aint No Valley Is A Real Pick Me Up!

Bishop Jakes refers to Ain't No Valley author, Sharon Ewell Foster, as a Picasso of the pen and I agree wholeheartedly. In fact the Foster intertwines and weaves the stories of each character together is reminiscent of watching an artist create a painting. I couldn't put it down! Complete with twists, turns and vivid descriptions that breathe life into the words, Ain't No Valley is a delightful tale that brings home the message of faith. Through the book we learn that just because things don't go as we planned, they always go according to the Planner. Treat yourself this summer. Pick up a copy of Ain't No Valley and enjoy!

(RAW Rating: 4.5) - Dreams Come True

Naomi Holt's best friend's dream is coming true-she's getting married. And when Naomi saw her chance to make her own dream come true, she dropped everything to chase that dream. Things looked shaky for a bit, but she won on the show Wheel of Fortune. The dream quickly ended when she was fired from her job as a dentist for leaving so abruptly, which initially didn't worry Naomi. She didn't like the facility she worked at anyway and was ready for a change, plus the over hundred grand she won would keep her nicely until she found employment. Unfortunately for Naomi, she won't receive the money until after the show airs, which is months away. Broke in California with more time on her hands than she'd like, she begins soul searching and doesn't like what she sees. Her marriage ended on a sour note and her relationship with her children is barely a relationship. It used to be easy for Naomi to place blame on everyone else, but now the role she played fights for acknowledgment. Anthony Jenkins is living his dream. He has a fabulous job, a fat 401k, and is a handsome forty-year-old male with a beautiful girlfriend. Life couldn't get better. One second Anthony is on top of the world and readying for his friends wedding, the next his boss is telling him he's been laid off, his girlfriend kicks him out because she doesn't want a man who isn't working, and he doesn't know what he will do with his life. He has time and some extra money on hand and decides to take a break from life before re-entering the rat race. He sets out on a journey to find Freddy ( the brother of Sly from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Sly and the Family Stone), but ends up on a journey of self-discovery. Uniquely amazing, AIN'T NO VALLEY is much more than the story of two people searching for their path in life and eventually finding each other. Ms. Foster mixes the backdrop of guests preparing for a wedding that is to take place a few months down the road with six degrees of separation to show us the lives of the wedding participants. When the several subplots merged at the big event (the wedding), I was sad to see the journeys end. My next trip to the bookstore, I'll be purchasing the first two installments of this series: Ain't No River and Ain't No Mountain. Reviewed by Deatri King-Bey of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

These Characters are Unforgettable!

Not normally a historical fiction reader, nor aware of Christian fiction yet, I became an instant fan of Sharon Ewell Foster after reading her award-winning debut novel Passing by Samaria. The second novel Ain't No River was a laugh out loud contemporary read that sealed Foster as one of my favorite authors. Last year I was delighted to read Ain't No Mountain as Foster introduced several new colorful characters and brought back a few from Ain't No River. Who knew a trilogy was in the works! In Ain't No Valley, Foster introduces a few new characters and brings together several characters from the previous two novels. With a contemporary setting, readers will recognize a few biblical stories like Ruth, the prodigal son, and the wedding feast. How does Foster manage to bring so many characters together? Well, a California wedding creates the perfect event. In Ain't No Mountain, Moor and Mary met via an online internet service. The couple falls in love and with few resources, they call on family and friends to help them put together their special day. Mary calls on her best friends Latrice, Thelma and Naomi to be bridesmaid. Naomi unfortunately is going through a crisis and seems to have lost it according to her friends. Naomi is not the only one going through a crisis. Foster introduces a new character named Anthony, Moor's friend and former co-worker. Like Naomi, Anthony finds himself jobless and at the crossroads of his life. In the midst of the chaotic wedding preparations, Naomi and Anthony seem oblivious. They are not oblivious to the odd, but God-loving people who have become apart of their lives. While way outside their comfort zones, both of them make life changing decisions. As the wedding date draws closer, the apprehension builds. The bulk of the wedding preparations are taking place in North Carolina where MeeMaw (Ain't No River) is designing an elaborate wedding dress for Mary. An unlikely person is preparing the wedding cake to the horror of many and the travel arrangements seem to go down hill as the choice of transportation becomes a yellow school bus. The cross country ride from North Carolina to California is no doubt the most memorable and laugh-out loud reading I have done all year. Wow! There is so much going on in this novel. It is truly an incredible reading experience. Always weaving in God's word without being preachy, Ain't No Valley is a must read especially if you read the previous two books, Ain't No River and Ain't No Mountain. I'm sure anyone can pick up with reading Ain't No Valley without having read the first two. Foster does a great job of tying in how everyone fits into the story. If you have read the other two, reading this novel will make you feel like you are reuniting with family and friends.

Foster At Her Finest!!

Sharon Ewell Foster's latest novel, Ain't No Valley reminds us that nothing brings out the worst and the best in people like a wedding. Remember the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew Chapter 22) or the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew Chapter 25)? Ain't No Valley continues the story of four best girlfriends; Mary, Latrice, Naomi, and Thelma. If you're new to Foster's novels, there's no need to read any of her previous books first to enjoy this one. Fans of Ain't No River and Ain't No Mountain will recognize several familiar characters in her latest novel, but this is not the kind of sequel that requires reading the books in order. No matter what order you read them in or when you read them, Foster's books are always filled with wit, love and spiritual insights! As Mary prepares to start her new life with Moor, some of her family and friends are struggling to find their place and purpose. Ain't No Valley tells the story of friends and family members from all over who are making their way to San Francisco for the wedding of Moor and Mary. The California Dreamer, The Baltimore Charmers and the North Carolina Contingent are the names Foster gives to the three groups that are traveling to the wedding. As everyone makes the journey to San Francisco for the wedding of Moor and Mary, they are each on their own spiritual journey that will lead them to the ultimate reward. The one aspect that I loved and appreciated the most about Ain't No Valley is that it had a contemporary message for everyone, no matter where you were in life (single, married, unemployed, employed, young or old) or where you are in your walk with Christ (saved, a backslider, lapsed or just not sure anymore). The lessons that can be gleaned from the Song of Solomon, Proverbs 24 and Daniel Chapter 3 are priceless. But the one great thing to be gleaned from Sharon Ewell Foster's latest novel is that we all go through a valley experience. You get so deep in the valley that you can't see anyway out and you can't see anyone else there but you. We get so deep in our valley that we forget the there is still hope and joy to be found. Our experience in the valley reminds us that we have to talk to Him. We've got to trust Him. We have to let Him get close enough to see into our eyes. We got to let Him get close enough to whisper in our ears. And you got to let Him get close enough to operate on your heart (Ruthie's message). Ain't No Valley is more than a novel-- it's a life-changing message to be read over and over again. Happy Reading!