Miss Brenda and the Loveladies

A Heartwarming True Story of Grace, God, and Gumption

By: Brenda Spahn, Irene Zutell

Narrated by: Pam Ward, Bahni Turpin, Johanna Parker, Adenrele Ojo

One woman's fight to provide hope for the hopeless...

Seven ex-cons who changed her heart forever…

For Brenda Spahn, entrepreneur and businesswoman, wealth was a lifestyle - until a brush with the law threatened to send her to prison. In those dark moments, Brenda made a promise to God.

Spared incarceration, a renewed Brenda glimpsed into the lives of women serving time in one of the worst places in America - the JuliaTutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka, Alabama. What she saw prompted a God-inspired vision.

With a heart to help and a will that couldn't be crushed, Brenda fought the system and overcame tremendous obstacles to take ex-cons into her home and help them navigate the alien world of life on the outside.

This is the story of Brenda's journey from rags to riches to redemption. It's the story of the first unlikely year of her "Whole Way House" and of the extraordinary lives of the first seven women who came to call her "Miss Brenda". It's a story that testifies to the power of faith and how God changes hearts every day.

©2014 Brenda Spahn and Irene Zutell (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks

Grace, God . . . and Giving Back

I was so happy to find this book about the Loveladies. Our women's ministry at church collects little "goodies" for the Loveladies each year for their Christmas luncheon, so that each can have a little package at their table, just for them. You see, our church is in North Alabama, about an hour and a half from Birmingham, where the Loveladies Ministry is. Some of our own women have gone to the program there, which is now open to women suffering from abuse, addiction, and other trauma, not just parolees. I had to laugh at some of the reviews, which were skeptical about Miss Brenda . . . and her tax business, arrest and her husband's bankruptcy . . . there but for the grace of God go we . . . she put it all out there, not hiding a thing . . . so if people want to judge, then let them . . . and let them hang their own dirty panties out on the line for all to see . . . I am so very thankful that we serve a God that is NOT like that, for we'd all be doomed . . . doomed to fail . . . doomed to depression . . . doomed to being alone . . . and doomed to HELL . . . thank you, Jesus . . . for your mercy and grace . . . I laughed and cried during this book . . . nothing was hidden, it was all laid bare, and I think that's what it takes . . . otherwise it can't be fully cleansed out of our systems . . . thank you, Miss Brenda for being real with these women . . . and with all of us . . . BRAVO!!! This is a book for everyone to listen to . . . and then feel JOY!

Loved this book!

A true story that leave you feeling good at the end. I'm sorry it's finished.

Lovely testimony of what Gods can do!

Love her style! Narrator did a great job. The only negative is, I believe too much detail of past lives was given.

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

What a bittersweet joy! I cried, I laughed, I PRAISED. We all can learn from Miss Brenda and her Whole House Philosophy! Thank you LOVELADYS and God Bless!

Stumbled up on this gem!!!

This book was so many things, rewarding, funny, sad, and Good!!! That it’s a true story makes it all the better!!

Inspiring story of forgiveness and love

Great book and even better ministry doing the hard work for women. Highly recommend this book.

Inspirational

Great read, highly recommend! Great story, great narrator, inspirational and a page turner! This book changed the way I see and understand prisoners too.

Mixed

While I admittedly rated this high, it simply reflects on the book as presented for entertainment and education. I do, however, withhold any judgment about the author herself in this rating. I find such Christian advocacy suspect and always wonder how exploiting it is, knowingly or not, for personal gain. I also wonder about the authenticity of her argument about no longer being interested in riches or glitz given that photos of her persist in showing a rather less humbly dressed and bejeweled lady than she professes to be now. And those bankruptcies and tax fraud...I don't completely believe all the gloss she paints over her faults.

God is good and reveals things in his own timing.

I’m currently fasting from any secular tv, books, or social media. So I was looking for something that was a true story and that shows God at work. This book came up and I started reading it and within the first chapter I hit me. I know what the program was. My sister who was on drugs and in and out of jail for 20 plus years was sent there. It’s been about 4 years and she is still clean. God really used this place to change her life. She isn’t perfect but she is definitely different. I love knowing about the history of how this place came about. Thank you Brenda for listening to God’s call and sharing this part of your testimony.

We are Children of God

This audible was an inspirational listen. It reaffirms our brokenness and how we as humans are quick to dismiss others for a variety of reasons. Those of us who say we are believers and are followers of Jesus Christ should listen and / or watch stories to remind us of what Jesus did for all of us. Those who don't know or have given up on Jesus, I am heartbroken. From my short walk as a believer, I am learning that my Heavenly Father has always had my best interests at heart.

I will listen to this again and highly recommend this audible.