Rose Goodman did the unimaginable when she skipped town without a trace carrying a painful secret with her. Her departure was her gift, a sacrifice even for Drew Smallwood, the first and only man she had ever loved. The young minister had just been chosen over his older more seasoned brother, Cornelius to succeed their grandfather as pastor of First Church of Redemption in Charlotte, North Carolina. It had been Drew's lifelong dream to take over the well established ministry and he had worked hard to gain Papa Smallwood's favor. Rose knew her unplanned pregnancy, the result of a single night of sinful passion she and Drew had shared would shatter his appointment to the pulpit. Rose loved Drew too much to allow that to happen. So she retreated to the safety and comfort of her hometown, Macon, Georgia to raise her child alone under another name, leaving Drew a brokenhearted novice pastor. But Rose's plans changed when she met Deacon Jacob McClure, a much older widower who fell in love with her and offered her his hand in marriage along with a commitment to become a father to her child. Although Rose could not return Jacob's affections, she agreed to marry him and together they raised their son A.J. to become an anointed well respected pastor. But when Jacob was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he convinced Rose to tell their son the painful truth about his paternity. The revelation that Bishop Drew Smallwood was not only A.J.'s spiritual leader but also his biological father set a series of life changing events into motion. Rose was forced to come face to face with Drew for the first time in twenty-five years and his tumultuous marriage to his wife, Clarissa became even more fragile than ever. The fate of Drew's ministry was in question after discovering he had fathered a son out of wedlock as a young minister. Yet he was determined to become a part of A.J.'s life. Meanwhile, Drew's older brother Cornelius was stabbing him in the back. And he had been for nearly seven years. Cornelius had never gotten over their grandfather choosing Drew over him as his successor. Memories of their father, Paul's abandonment resurfaced causing Cornelius' bitterness to spin way out of control. He ventured down the dark path of betrayal and deception seeking to covet everything that Drew had including his wife. Clarissa wasn't innocent by any means. She had deep seeded issues of her own. Her decision to marry Drew knowing he was still very much in love with Rose had not been wise. Drew never once hid his true feelings from Clarissa. But she thought that she could erase Rose from his memory with the outpouring of her love and feminine wiles. Unfortunately Clarissa's plan failed miserably along with her many attempts to bear Drew a son. Even after twenty-five years, Drew's heart still belonged to Rose and Clarissa resented that. The news about a secret love child her husband had fathered with the one woman she despised gave Clarissa just the excuse she needed to leave him and their two beautiful daughters for her secret lover. Years of lies, secrets, deception and betrayal are uncovered causing all hell to break loose. Cornelius barely escaped death and Drew was seriously injured in the process because of the sins of his brother. The unity of the Smallwood family was threatened and the church they all love so dearly was in disarray. But in the midst of all the drama and chaos God used Drew to lead his family and church through a season of healing and forgiveness. He did so by example inspired by a fresh anointing. And for his reward, Drew was blessed with a second chance at love and happiness. Secrets of Love and Redemption: A dramatic love story and family saga filled with secrets, lies and betrayal all overcome by faith, hope, forgiveness and God's mercy.
About the Author: Allison Randall Berewa was born the third of five children to The Honorable Judge and Mrs. William C. Randall on March 7, 1968 in Macon, Georgia. At the early age of eighteen months old, Allison's parents discovered that she had an incredible singing voice far more mature than her tender age. She started singing solos in the children's choir at her church and soon became a choir director. Over the years, God blessed Allison with the gift to write and arrange songs. In 1986 she was overwhelmingly voted Most Talented Female in Central High School's senior class. After college at Florida A & M University and Fort Valley State University, Allison entered the work force as a social worker in the state of Georgia's child welfare system. She worked as a case manager for abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Simultaneously, she continued living her passion in ministry as a singer/songwriter, praise and worship leader, and choir director in her congregation. In February of 2000 a near fatal car accident ended Allison's career as a social worker, prompting her to devote herself full time to her music. She also regained interest in one of her childhood hobbies: creative writing. Her debut novel Secrets of Love and Redemption is a result of her labor of love. The success of it has already created an anticipation of future works from this author. Allison and her husband Solomon Berewa, Jr. reside in McDonough, Georgia where they are raising their very beautiful and brilliant son Solomon, III. Allison says that motherhood is her number one priority after ministry. She praises God every day of her life for blessing her with such a wonderful son who brings her so much joy.