Maybe you’ve done this once or twice over your life: said you were going to do something and then didn’t. For the most part, I keep my word. Ask my children and they’ll tell you I’m extremely adverse to lying, but this really isn’t lying, right? I mean to do it. It’s on my to-do list. Yes, it’s been on there for 4 months, but I’ll get around to it eventually.
After enough time or enough instances, my word feels like it doesn’t mean as much, even if the “undone” action is small.
Tonight I’m taking back a little piece of my integrity and talking about some books I promised the authors I would promote. I hope you’ll be a part of restoring my character as I focus on some real great character development in these books.
The Pastor’s Wife by Jennifer AlLee
What if a pastor loved his work more than he loved his wife? What if they separated, but never divorced? What if they were forced back together by circumstances? Intriguing concept. Didn’t play out the way I thought it would. Expected more of a Church Ladies by Lisa Samson story. Growing up as a pastor’s daughter and seeing the worst side of church politics–at times, seeing the best–I expected the church body to behave differently. Once I let go of my expectations of a certain kind of conflict, I enjoyed the sweet story. Well written, The Pastor’s Wife definitely will appeal to romance readers.
Jennifer is getting a great response on this book, so she started a Pastor’s Wife blog, “as a way to minister to women who are married to pastors, are pastors themselves, or are involved in ministry. I want to give them a safe place to network, share their stories, and receive encouragement.” Check out The Pastor’s Wife Speaks!
Walking on Broken Glass by Christa Allan
On the other hand, I had no expectations that this book would be as edgy as it was! Funny how books can catch a seasoned reader by surprise.
Leah is a young, married, Southern woman whose life is falling apart. And not in the oops-I-broke-a-nail way. Her dependency on alcohol to deaden the pain from real traumas, both past and ongoing, has become the main problem. She checks into a rehab center against her husband’s wishes and strips away the layers of her life until she is naked before the reader.
With this debut book, Allan shows she’s not afraid to portray the private world of a troubled woman in an unflinching, but warm, way. Because this book is probably the least “Christian” feeling book I’ve read in the CBA market, I highly recommend it for book clubs. The heart of the novel clearly ascribes to the healing power of the Lord, but Allan’s words are lyrical, gritty, sometimes funny, and true to life. I guarantee the club will have a lot to discuss on meeting night!
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