Transformation: From Broken to Blessed

By Naleighna Kai

Tamar and Amnon. He saw. He came. He conquered. And he didn’t care that she would bear the brunt of his bad choices. As a King’s son, nothing would be denied him, even though this particular experience should. Passion for him, became pain for an innocent woman. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the worst of sins in this scandal. The man who was supposed to love and protect her did nothing, forcing her brother to take deadly action that plunged the kingdom into chaos.

Broken.

Naleighna Kai was adopted by her biological mother. Yes, you read that right. What’s more, is the horrific circumstances surrounding her conception meant her mother was forced to do the best she could to place Naleighna in the arms of someone who would love Her. Life had other plans; and the trauma of those childhood years would result in the need to heal in a miraculous way.

To Blessed.

People come into your life for many reasons. In this respect, several amazing men brought life lessons that affected the healing Naleighna craved. Then there is the tribe—a group of dynamic women and men, writing angels who show her how blessed and highly favored she is on a daily basis. Transformation tells of her trials, but also the triumphs.

ABOUT THE MERRY HEARTS INSPIRATIONAL SERIES

Some use God's word to justify domestic violence, imprisonment, slavery, and systematic racism rather than preach peace, joy, salvation, and love. Throughout the Merry Hearts Inspirational series, readers will experience scripture as never before. Authors take one-dimensional Biblical characters and breathe new life into them to become relevant for the reader.

Over time, many things have been misinterpreted, but the one important thing is that God’s grace isn’t just for men. Christ valued women so much. He had His most profound conversations with women. Christ performed astounding miracles through them, and following His resurrection, He appeared to the women first.

Throughout scripture, God's love for women and everyone—no matter ethnic background or gender—may be found, from Genesis to Revelation. May you come to know His love in an authentic, tangible way.

Each book in the Merry Hearts Inspirational Series is a standalone and can be read in any order:

Book 1 – Journey – Lisa Dodson [Ruth and Boaz]
Book 2 – Visions– J. L. Campbell [The Outside Child]
Book 3 – Purpose – Florenza Denise Lee [The Unnamed Woman]
Book 4 – Growth - Janice Allen [Esther, The Three Hebrew Boys]
Book 5 – Transition -- Naleighna Kai [The Levite’s Concubine]
Book 6 – Choices – Pat G’Orge-Walker [The Faithful Wife]
Book 7 – Patience – Terri Ann Johnson [The Pharaoh’s Daughter]
Book 8 – Persistence – U. M. Hiram [Hannah, Daniel, and The Centurion]
Book 9 – Transformation – Naleighna Kai [Tamar and Amnon]

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macro Publishing Group
• Release date: Jun 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781952871160

Naleighna Kai

Her name is pronounced (Na-Lay-nah Ki) which means "the determined one is present." Naleighna is the author of Every Woman Needs a Wife, and co-author of How to Win the Publishing Game. Naleighna, a Chicago native who began writing in December of 1999, now pens fiction, romance, erotica, new age, and science fiction. She works for a major law firm in Chicago and incorporates that background into her characters, infusing them with humor and depth that rings with authenticity.

Book preview

Transformation

TRANSFORMATION

FROM BROKEN TO BLESSED

NALEIGHNA KAI

Cover designed by

J. L. WOODSON

THE MACRO GROUP, LLC

This book is a work of nonfiction. These accounts are from the author’s perspective and memories, and as such, are represented as accurately and faithfully as possible. To maintain the anonymity of the individuals involved, some of the names and details have been changed.

Transformation: From Broken to Blessed

Copyright © 2021 by The Macro Group, LLC All rights reserved.

Edited by Janice M. Allen and J. L. Campbell: [e-mail]

Cover Designed by J. L Woodson: www.woodsoncreativestudio.com

Interior Designed by Lissa Woodson: www.naleighnakai.com

Beta Readers: D. J. Mitchell and Kelsie Maxwell

ISBN 9781952871153

ISBN 9781952871160 (E-Book)

Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the express written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the owner is illegal and punishable by law. For permission, contact Naleighna Kai at [e-mail].

The Macro Group

1507 E. 53 rd Street, #858

Chicago, IL 60615

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version (KJV), public domain.

Jean Woodson,

Eric Harold Spears,

LaKecia Janise Woodson,

Mildred E. Williams,

Anthony Johnson,

L. A. Banks,

Octavia Butler,

Tanishia Pearson Jones,

Emmanuel McDavid, and

Priscilla Jackson

J. L. Woodson & Donisha

Shawn Williams, Sesvalah, Ehryck,

La Ammitai, Jamyi Joi, Janine Ingram, and the members of NK’s Tribe Called Success

NK’S TRIBE CALLED SUCCESS

NAMAKIR Tribe Members:

Naleighna Kai  

J. L. Woodson

Janice M. Allen 

Martha Kennerson

J. L. Campbell

Marze Scott

Karen D. Bradley 

Sierra Kay

Shakir Rashaan

Pat G’Orge-Walker

Anita L. Roseboro

Michelle D. Rayford

Florenza Denise Lee

Stephanie Freeman

Lisa Dodson

Terri Ann Johnson

Christine Pauls

Unique M. Hiram 

J. S. Cole

Sekinah Jackson

Solsire E. Felida

Marie McKenzie

Vanessa Howard

Kadesha Powell

Erica B. Davis

Brynn Weimer

Angela Lackey 

NAMASTE Tribe members 

Janine Ingram

Bridgett McGill

Lizabeth Harris

Lori Hays

Yolanda Cranford

Bridgett Renay

Carol Jones

Lucille Freeman

Catherine Roberts

Randi Coley

Allita Irby 

*S. L. Jennings

*London St. Charles

*Theresa V. Wilson

*J. D. Mason

*Deanna McNeil

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Lesson in Flexibility

Foreword

1. The Passion

2. The Plan

3. The Process

4. The Aftermath

5. The Big Payback

6. Blessing in Disguise

7. In Divine Order

8. I’ll Always Have Your Back

9. You Reap What You Sow

10. Number One Son

11. Six Low

12. Shifting my Paradigm

13. Finding Your Purpose

14. NK’s Tribe Called Success

Transformation by Naleighna Kai

My Time in the Sun

Loving Me for Me

King of Durabia

King of Devon

The Merry Hearts Inspirational Series

Also by Naleighna Kai

Introducing . . .

About the Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks goes out to: The Creator from whom all Blessings and opportunities flow, Sandy (my true mother), my son, J. L. Woodson (for the awesome cover designs for this Merry Hearts series), Sesvalah, Bettye Odom, Janice M. Allen, Debra J. Mitchell, Royce Slade Morton, Bunny Ervin, J. L. Campbell, Kelly Peterson, Janine A. Ingram, Ehryck F. Gilmore, Betty Clawson, Jamyi Joy, Stephanie M. Freeman, Unique Hiram, Marie L. McKenzie, Shawn Williams, Dr. Vanessa Howard, the Kings of the Castle Ambassadors, Members of Naleighna Kai’s Literary Cafe, the members of NK’s Tribe Called Success, the members of Namakir Tribe, and to you, my dear readers . . . thank you all for your support.

Much love, peace, and joy,

Naleighna Kai

NAMAKIR Tribe Members:

Naleighna Kai  

J. L. Woodson

Janice M. Allen 

Martha Kennerson

J. L. Campbell

Marze Scott

Karen D. Bradley 

Sierra Kay

Shakir Rashaan

Pat G’Orge-Walker

Anita L. Roseboro

Michelle D. Rayford

Florenza Denise Lee

Stephanie Freeman

Lisa Dodson

Terri Ann Johnson

Christine Pauls

Unique M. Hiram 

J. S. Cole

Sekinah Jackson

Solsire E. Felida

Marie McKenzie

Vanessa Howard

Kadesha Powell

Erica B. Davis

Brynn Weimer

Angela Lackey 

NAMASTE Tribe members 

Janine Ingram

Bridgett McGill

Lizabeth Harris

Lori Hays

Yolanda Cranford

Bridgett Renay

Carol Jones

Lucille Freeman

Catherine Roberts

Randi Coley

Allita Irby

LESSON IN FLEXIBILITY

FOREWORD

There was a lasting darkness around her. Every step she took was clothed in bitterness and pain. There were no happy endings, no songs to be sung or remembered. For every tear she cried there were millions that were muted. Restoration was a myth. Healing was just as elusive.

With ten fingers and ten toes and a smile to rival the stars, darkness fled. Hope rang clear and true in his laughter. Watching him thrive and grow inspired her to do the same. Although the path seemed long and treacherous, with his hand in hers the journey was sweet. Every step decorated her soul, and every pause gave her purpose.

And just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, love became flesh. With two strong arms to hold her and a muse set fire to her imagination her journey was just beginning.

—Stephanie M. Freeman, author of Necessary Evil, Unfinished Business, and Nature of the Beast

1

THE PASSION

Amnon sprawled on the cushion, closed his eyes, and groaned. I want Tamar. I can’t get her out of my mind.

His cousin, Jonadab, settled in the space beside him, clasping his shoulder with one hand. Aren’t you a king’s son? Why should you want for anything? Tall, dark, handsome, and filthy rich … means the world is yours.

The world maybe, but not her, Amnon said, shrugging off a hand that had turned an even darker shade from spending too much time in the sun chasing the more available women of the kingdom. The two most eligible bachelors were constantly mistaken for one another because they so closely resembled in physical appearance—dark brown eyes, lips ready to break out in a smirk at any moment, rugged features that made them easy on the eyes—at least that’s what everyone said. And they milked that goat for every single drop.

At the moment, he was irritated that his cousin was making all the points he’d already made to himself.

You could marry her, Jonadab suggested with a lift of his eyebrows.

First, she’s a virgin. After a deep breath, he added, She’s too closely related according to Hebrew law, and I’m not ready to get married to her, or anyone.

Jonadab was silent for a few moments, then said, Maybe you could take her as a concubine.

She’s King David’s daughter, man. Definitely not concubine material. Amnon massaged his temples as if they were a genie’s lamp from which a puff of smoke would emerge, followed by someone who could magically change his unfortunate circumstance.

And to be honest, her brother Absalom is a little on the crazy side. I don’t want none of that smoke.

Jonadab crossed one leg over the other. So what are you going to do?

What can I do? Amnon yelled, glaring at his cousin. It is what it is. 

Two servants made their way past them to the royal chambers. Both of them gave Amnon a wide smile and held out an offering of fruit and figs. He waved them away, but Jonadab lifted a few for himself and received the evil eye from the taller of the two women.

See, everyone loves you, Jonadab said, feeling a little disappointed that they didn’t give him the same consideration. Especially your father. He’ll give you anything you desire, even Tamar. You just have to ask for the right thing.

Amnon narrowed his gaze on the man who wasn’t merely his cousin, but also his best friend in all of Israel. "You’re talking fast and believe I’m thinking slow. You heard what I said, and you’re still not making any kind of sense."

Jonadab released a weary sigh. You know, the more I teach you, the dumber—

Don’t even say it, Amnon snapped, before he could finish with the dumber you get. 

Well, someone needs to. You’re the one with the hots for your sister.

Half-sister, Amnon countered.

Semantics, he shot back.

She’s still blood, Amnon quipped, snagging one of the figs before Jonadab could put it into his mouth. And still off-limits. She’s a virgin.

Jonadab quirked an eyebrow. "Not