In this powerful, thought-provoking tale written by a young author who realistically relates the characters’ youthful voices and perspectives, a woman caught in an abusive relationship must find the strength to leave the only man whom she believes truly loves her.

Kenda Tyson has lived a pretty wonderful life. Her parents are lawyers who own their own firm, and they provide their seventeen-year-old daughter with only the finest. Kenda has come to expect that the men in her life will continue to offer her that same level of luxury, and when she meets the good-looking, smooth-talking Jerome Smith, she’s sure she’s hit the jackpot. Her perspective quickly changes, however, when she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of love, lies, and abuse.

The first time she has to examine a bruise on her face, Kenda allows herself to believe that it was a mistake Jerome will never make again. Her friends try to convince Kenda that being with Jerome is not what’s best for her, but when she refuses to listen to them, they walk away, hoping that God will hear their prayers and protect Kenda’s life. When Kenda decides that her relationship with Jerome is more important than her friendships and her family, will she realize how much she is giving up before it’s too late?

Nevaeh Madison seems to live the epitome of the the perfect life. She’s the captain of the varsity cheerleading squad and a straight-A student with a near-perfect boyfriend, Ronald. They have been dating for nearly three years, and the love that they share is immutable … or so Nevaeh thinks. Sexual intimacy had never been an issue in their relationship because it was strictly off limits, but when their relationship is put to the test, Nevaeh’s faith is shaken.

Nevaeh’s best friend, Shimone, tries to be the shoulder her friend needs while struggling with problems of her own. Pregnant at the age of eighteen, Shimone tries to deal with the repercussions that are sure to follow. She knows the hardest part will be telling her mother and her boyfriend, Marques, who has a reputation for being unfaithful.

Losing her mother at age two and then being neglected by her father causes Sierra Monroe to find comfort and pleasure in the wrong places. After giving herself to so many men, she finds that her actions have major consequences.

As these characters go through very different dilemmas, they will learn lifelong lessons and soon find that God’s love and forgiveness can carry them through hard times.

Nineteen-year-old Devon Torres has lived the past several years of his life dealing drugs and running the streets of South Atlanta. Separating himself from his family and clinging to his business, Devon recruits young teens throughout his neighborhood to help maintain order in the community. He seems to have everything figured out—until he meets Shaniece Simmons.

At first Devon sees Shaniece Simmons as just another high school girl, but he soon notices that something about her makes her stand out. Before they can establish a stable relationship, Devon gets caught in a drug bust and is imprisoned.

Shaniece doesn’t know much at all about Devon. All she knows is that she feels drawn toward him, though she can’t figure out why. When he is incarcerated, she visits him regularly and continues to pursue a relationship with him, even with her parents and friends insisting that she stay away from him. No one, not even Shaniece, can understand why she continues to see Devon, but she knows that there is a purpose behind their relationship, and she is not going to stop seeing him until that purpose is fulfilled. With love on her mind, Shaniece is only praying that Devon will change his life so they can be together, instead of asking God to save his soul for his sake.

Will Devon let go of the streets and allow Shaniece to guide him in the right direction before he gets into more trouble than he ever expected? Will Shaniece learn that a selfless prayer is what God desires of her? And when Devon seems not to want to change, will she give up all hope and declare her attempts to save him vain? Only prayer and perseverance will tell.

Lauren, Jayda, Danielle, and Brenda are finishing their senior year of high school. They seem to have perfect lives, but these girls have more to worry about than finals and college applications.

Lauren has an inextinguishable infatuation with her history teacher, and she will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it means hurting herself, her friends, or someone who truly loves her. As she plans to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, she concentrates her attention on making it one she’ll always remember.

Jayda has the closest relationship with Lauren, but even she can’t sway her friend from making decisions she will regret. Besides, she has her own problems. With her parents’ marriage in turmoil, Jayda has to be the backbone of her family. Can she balance that with her new love interest, who comes from a completely different background than she does?

Danielle is a single mother who has enough on her plate without having to deal with her pessimistic mother always telling her that she can do nothing right. When she makes a new friend, he brings a breath of fresh air into her life. With his help, she’s making strides to become the woman she’s always hoped to be.

Brenda is the brainiac of the foursome but doesn’t seem to be very smart when it comes to men. When she messes up something good with a great guy, she realizes where her problems lie and confronts her mother head-on.

These young women on the brink of adulthood are struggling to handle their issues. As God is introduced to them in unusual ways, they find themselves on a journey they’ll never forget.

Lauren, Jayda, Danielle, and Brenda are finishing their senior year of high school. They seem to have perfect lives, but these girls have more to worry about than finals and college applications. Lauren has an inextinguishable infatuation with her history teacher, and she will do whatever it takes to get what she wants, even if it means hurting herself, her friends, or someone who truly loves her. As she plans to celebrate her eighteenth birthday, she concentrates her attention on making it one she’ ll always remember. Jayda has the closest relationship with Lauren, but even she can’ t sway her friend from making decisions she will regret. Besides, she has her own problems. With her parents’ marriage in turmoil, she has to be the backbone of her family. Can she balance that with her new love interest, who comes from a completely different background than she does? Danielle’ s a single mother who has enough on her plate without having to deal with her pessimistic mother always telling her that she can do nothing right. When she makes a new friend, he brings a breath of fresh air into her life. With his help, she’ s making strides to become the woman she’ s always hoped to be. Brenda is the brainiac of the foursome, but doesn’ t seem to be very smart when it comes to men. When she messes up something good with a great guy, she realizes where her problems lie and confronts her mother head-on. These young women on the brink of adulthood are struggling to handle their issues. As God is introduced to them in unusual ways, they find themselves on a journey they’ ll never forget.

Three years ago, Shimone Johnson found herself struggling with being pregnant and barely out of high school. Now she is a senior in college and majoring in Music. Her three-year-old daughter, Ebony, is now her life, and she hardly has any free time to do as she pleases, but Shimone wouldn’t trade her decision to keep her daughter for anything in the word.

But it seems that her boyfriend, Marques Anderson, would. After entering college, Marques slowly but surely distances himself from Shimone and their daughter. With Shimone focusing on taking care of Ebony and living her life for Christ, Marques is finding that living the Christian lifestyle is not as easy as it seems. He spends his spare time partying and finding pleasure in the arms of another.

Ronald McAfee watches as his best friends’ lives begin to crumble, and prays that God can save their relationship. But when thunder clouds began to hover over his own family, ties are broken, and Ronald wonders if prayer alone can save them. With his sister, Nicole, feeling depressed and neglected by her family and friends, and his mother dealing with an unfaithful husband, Ronald tries his hardest to draw closer to the ones that need him the most.

Imani Madison’s life couldn’t get better than it is now. She has the relationship she’s longed for, and a loving family who is always there when she needs them to be. When her best friend, Nicole, begins begging for attention in the most harmful ways, Imani can only feel sorry for her, but can’t seem to pull herself away from the love of her life in order to be there for her friend. And when certain desires enter Imani’s romantic relationship, she has to make the ultimate decision: God’s way or her own.

When secrets, lies, and pain begin to tests these relationships, will these families be able to grab a hold onto God and allow Him to bring them through the storm?