A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy

By: J. Maria Merrills

Narrated by: J. Maria Merrills, Tiffany A. Draughn, Jeffery Wall, Troy Miller, Lydia Merrills, D. L. Merrills, Lewis Green

Like many, Destiny is a young woman who struggles with her weight. Her love affair with food began at five years old when her father walked out of her life and her mother was left depressed, never fully getting over the fact that her husband was gone. When Destiny ate, she was able to numb all the pain that life had dealt her. Food became her drug, her lover, her friend. To make matters worse, she was involved in a terrible car accident as a teenager and lost the use of both her legs. Her lack of mobility only accelerated the weight gain.

Strangely, all of those nights lying in bed without the ability to move gave her clarity about how she wanted to help others. Determined to be mobile again, she not only walked, she soared. The accident that was meant to destroy her had given her focus and clarity about how she wanted to help others and why she was put on this green earth. Destiny was determined to become a physical therapist and help others just as she was being helped.

Her hopes of becoming a physical therapist seemed impossible, though. She couldn't figure out how her mother could ever afford to send her to college, especially on her lowly single parent income. Thankfully, Destiny's commitment to learning, hard work, and good grades landed her a full scholarship to Virginia Tech. Accepting this blessing came with a price. Going to Tech meant that she must leave her clinically depressed mother whom she had cared for daily behind in Chicago. She reasoned that accepting the opportunity would allow her to help her mother financially, medically, and emotionally in the future. So, she left Illinois for Virginia and never looked back.

Thankfully, studies in physical therapy went well and without a glitch. Everything was perfect at school except for her social life. During her entire time in college, she was not invited on a single date. Of course, she blamed her lack of romance on her plump figure.

©2014 2M Entertainments, LLC (P)2014 2M Entertainments, LLC

Empowering Book

Would you consider the audio edition of A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy to be better than the print version?

I enjoyed every bit of this book, I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested on inspirational and moving message. It is written in a brilliant way that addressed different aspects of life. The book is full empowering stories, the determination of destiny, the devotion and faith of Rev. Jacob and his wife Rachel. Is some to mention. I adore the move of sentences from one act to the next, well connected to each other. I love Rachel, the woman of GOD and faith, she calms the family even when they face tough situations and she eases off the edges. This book gives a strong insight on daily life challenges and how to move on. Can't wait to check on another book form Dr. J. Maria Merrills.

What did you like best about this story?

When Destiny finds her father accidentally, the time Solomon got blind and Rachel's forgiveness to her husband. Touching story!

If you could take any character from A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Rachel. Her prayer after her dream. She is full of faith with big heart.

A Date with Destiny

I liked the little teaser originally given for the audio. It made me want to purchase the book. This is an awesome story of how to overcome a struggle within. It illustrates how to become better.

Plot twist!

I really enjoyed the normalcy of the story line and how it parallels the lives of normal people. The plot twist really took me off guard but kept me looking towards the next turn the story would take!!

Beautiful and Inspirational story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Everyone needs a little push in life and to know that everything will be okay. This book will really make you want to restore any lost faith.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I'm torn between Rachel and Destiny. Rachel because of her faith and strong heart and Destiny because of her courage and perseverance. Rachel is the epitome of a strong woman and the backbone of her family, when the devil tried to shake things up she kept it together with poise and class, reminds me a lot of my own grandmother.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to, but unfortunately, I couldn't.

Any additional comments?

The plot twists, the climax, the characters, everything was so well thought out. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more.

Great!

I like this book, it was relatable to the black community, I would recommend this book to my family and friends because it seems like a book that would like to read as well.

Plot twist of the century!

I loved this story! There was love, heartache and passion for Jesus Christ. The poly took me for more turns than I was prepared for.. but I won't spoil the climax. Rachel is a good woman and she doesn't deserve any of it and her husband is paying for his mistake. Although an accident, the result was still beautiful. The road to that beauty and peace was an extremely hard one but God doesn't put more on us than we can handle.

Not just extra credit !

Where does A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is ranked number compared to books I have recently.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Rachel, because she was a true woman. She did not hide feelings of hate, and sadness when she found out her husband had an affair. She acted like a woman who was hurt. She was still able to come back and be a wife and a mother. Before finding out about the affair she was a loving mother and cared about her son and it was felt.

Would you listen to another book narrated by the narrators?

Yes.

If you could rename A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy, what would you call it?

"The Truth beyond the lights".

Any additional comments?

This was an amazing audio book. I was not sure what to expect at first however there were some words and also scriptures that I needed to hear. Although I am not going through the same things as the characters those bible verses can be used in other hard times! Great and would listen again!

A Date With Destiny.

It's a good book to read and have. Basically, is a story about many issues that Black people face from
single mothers to obesity and faith and secrets that family holds.

A good inspirational read!

Where does A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I could not compare this book because the topic and style are not what I usually listen to.

What other book might you compare A Date with Destiny: It's Hot and Heavy to and why?

I could not compare it to any others right now.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

The mom, Rachel.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me both laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

I read this book for my class, although I enjoyed it much more than I anticipated at first. This book reveals a number of plot twists and turns that keeps you reading and interested. This is about something everyone goes through with family secrets and how we can forgive with Faith. Destiny was brought up by a single mom and dealt with obesity and also insecurities, but she overcame those obstacles by giving back to others. She was inspired by her Physical Therapist who had helped her after her accident when she was younger. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who needs a little inspiration in their life!

- Kim Girlock

Two Thumbs Up!

This is a must Read, very relatable! This is a powerful book about the power of Forgiveness and what goes on in Black Families and Black Churches. This book gives great insight on reality of Love and Forgiveness in the the Black Families! I was completely drawn in from the very beginning listening from beginning to end.