Business Unusual Reviews

Being About The Lord's Business

Every so often, a self-published book beats the odds and grabs the attention of enough readers to draw an offer from a traditional publisher. I sure hope that this happens for this book. Dr. Linda Beed, an emerging Christian author and veteran educator has recently released her debut novel. Business Unusual is an inspirational contemporary romance that is Christian fiction in its purest form.

Bernadette Lewis is a very accomplished young businesswoman. She is the owner and President of B. L. Lewis Enterprises, a privately held consulting, software development and personal training service. Her company has been very successful in just a short period of time. Many wonder what her secret to success is. Hers is a success story grounded in faith and obedience.

As a young, single Christian woman; Bernadette has values and attributes not always understood by the secular world, but that still does not deter her from being who she was raised to be. The daughter of parents in the ministry, she and her sisters have built their careers on service to God and mankind. Their personal lives mirror that Christian upbringing and it is no surprise that as adults, they find themselves dealing with unlike personalities in the people that come into their professional lives. How Bernadette deals with these individuals is the core of this story.

Both entertaining and inspirational; I found this novel a great read for young Christian men and women. There is a lesson to be learned here. When Bernadette meets Hayes Davis, a man who is just beginning to understand his spirituality, she is very attracted to him both professionally and personally. Hayes finds in Bernadette what he never has found in a woman. He both respects and adores her and understands that this will be no ordinary dating experience. Hayes is sure that he has found his life partner, but is he prepared to live up to her expectations of him?

Other supporting characters brings full circle a story that portrays today's upscale African American singles who are at the beginning of their personal and professional life journeys. Reading this book was like watching your children grow up, not always accepting their choices but hoping that they will do well and be both happy and successful. I also loved the history of the Lewis family. They are deeply grounded in their culture and the history of African Americans who have a proud legacy in this society. Positive images of a proud people is always refreshing in a novel and this one was full of proud moments.

Business Unusual is the story of the inspiring Lewis family, their walk with the Lord and the family structure that brings each successive generation to new heights. Parental love and obligation; Christian marriage and Godly relationships between young adults are just some of the major themes of this novel. The characters are unique and interesting and the story line is very inspirational. I think that many young Christian women are going to be inspired and encouraged by Bernadette's story.

Idrissa Uqdah for AALBC.com

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“There were times when I was not reading a novel, but receiving teaching from the Holy Spirit.”
Pastor Bernard Boulton -- Reader/Reviewer

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Life Changing Story

Business Unusual is the perfect title for this eloquently written novel by first time author, Linda Beed. This book focuses on Bernadette Lewis and the many individuals who are intertwined within her life. Bernadette is a strong-willed woman with a well-defined vision and steadfast spirit. She is determined to follow what she has been taught by her parents to be the morally right path. She does not intend to sway off course.

Don't expect to be able to breeze through the reading of this novel. It is not meant to be a quick read. The powerful, mind-altering messages of the importance of patience, virtue and loyalty are meant to be savored. Readers will definitely be transformed into students while exploring the pages of this meaningful creation.

Linda Beed is to be commended for writing such a passionate exposition.

Lynel Washington “freelance editor”

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As you journey through the pages of this story you will find that there is something for everybody. Be you a babe in Christ or have been walking with God for years, there is godly counsel written here. To be a witness of this story for those not yet married, as well as to those who have joined in covenant with a mate, has been an experience that I will not soon forget. The writings of Dr. Linda Beed give us reference on how to apply the Word to our daily lives. I can hardly wait for the next book to come from this mighty woman of God, for I feel that whatever it is, the Word of God shall go forth from its pages.
Tanya Knight -- Reader

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No Status Quo, It's Business Unusual

Bernadette "Twinkle" Lewis was brought up by her parents in a loving God-fearing home along with her two older sisters. She has a rich heritage in not only her bloodline, but the morals and values passed down to her from generation to generation that are founded on the Word and love of God. Bernadette is privileged to have family who live the life they teach by example.

What Bernadette has been taught has prepared her to remain a virgin until she is married, something that is challenged for the first time when she meets Hayes Davis. It is not enough to know that Hayes is fine, but who is he? Is he the one God has for Bernadette to marry? She is encouraged time and time again to pray and ask God to show her Hayes' spirit and reveal to her if he is indeed her husband.

Hayes has been raised in the church as well, but influences from both his mother and father have given him a distorted understanding about who God is in relation to who he is. Thankfully his best friend, Roosevelt, and his wife Nee Nee never gave up on him, praying for Hayes, counseling and sharing with him until he comes wholeheartedly to God.

"Business Unusual" takes the reader through this pivotal time in the lives of Twinkle and Hayes, allowing us to experience their learning processes and growth as they both enter a new level in the Lord. They both learn the importance of knowing the will of God for their lives and how vitally important it is to walk in obedience to Him. This process includes family members and friends as they both see past themselves to help others they know and some they meet along the way.

There is no way I could possibly share in this review the wealth of God's love in the pages of this book, neither the blessing it was for me to read it. The characters are so very vividly written that you can see them and feel what they are going through. I am in awe of how Author Beed was able to infuse the lives of the families and friends of Bernadette Lewis and Hayes Davis without confusing the story line and yet it creates an informational background the story needs in order to be told. I am anxiously awaiting the sequel of this story that was written by an anointed Woman of God.

Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love -- Apooo Book Club