The Pastor's Wife

by Jennifer AlLee

Published by Abingdon Press (2010)
288 pages

A Story of Marriage Restoration

Six years after walking out on her marriage to her pastor husband, Nick Shepherd, conditions of a will force Maura Sullivan to move back in with him.

For six months.

For six months she’d have to live with him in the parsonage, albeit separate bedrooms, and face the church and community who adore her husband. Maura and Nick agree to the conditions knowing full well the intention of the deceased was to reunite them. Maura knows that will not happen. Her secret insures it can’t happen.

Review:

This Valentine’s Day, it’s only fitting to provide a review of a romance. Now, The Pastor’s Wife isn’t what you’d term a normal romance, after all, the couple is still married. And there’s an odd rule in the romance novel world that says “romance” only occurs between a non-married couple.

I beg to differ.

That’s part of what makes this book an enjoyable read. As the reader, we witness a rekindling of a flame long thought burned out. We see two people assess their past behavior and get a glance into their spouse’s point-of-view. As in real-life marriages, both husband and wife make mistakes, and when true repentance happens, marriages long gone cold can be reignited & restored.

In her sophomore novel, Author Jennifer AlLee does a good job of showing the unique challenges facing pastors and their spouses. How does a pastor serve his congregation fully and not neglect his wife? How does the spouse live up to the church’s expectations, and does she sacrifice her own needs along the way? I also like that the author includes Nick's perspective. All too often, in Christian fiction, the husband's point-of-view is ignored leaving the story one-sided. Jennifer deftly avoids this trap making for a deeper, more satisfying read.

Introducing Jennifer AlLee

As a child, Jennifer AlLee lived above a mortuary and had to be very quiet when services were going on downstairs, which solidified her life-long love of books and writing. Jennifer now resides in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas with her husband and teenage son.

A Chat with Jennifer:

Your book’s topic is unique. What inspired you to write it?

I served as a church secretary for many years which definitely gave me a unique perspective on the lives of a pastoral family. I worked at two different churches. One was a large denominational church, the other much smaller and non-denominational. But the lives of the pastors were quite similar. There’s always another meeting to go to, or one more person that needs counseling. People feel very possessive about their pastors. This usually manifests itself in positive ways, but sometimes it crosses a line. You have to watch out for that. And the pastoral family faces challenges no one really thinks about. They basically live in a glass house and are expected to be active members of every church activity, whether they’re interested in it or not.

When I was working on the original concept for this novel, I thought about the pastors’ wives I’ve known over the years. They’ve handled themselves with amazing grace under pressure. But what if another woman couldn’t? What if a young woman thinks she knows what she’s getting into, but the reality of losing who she is and becoming a “pastor’s wife” is more than she can handle? What if some other tragedy pushes her over the edge? Would she run? And what would happen if she had to return to the scene of her heartbreak years later? All those questions eventually became The Pastor’s Wife.

As a pre-published author, I’d like to know what advice you have for aspiring writers.

From a craft standpoint, there are two things you can do to become a better writer: read and write. Read books about the craft of writing and read other books in your genre. But don’t stop there. If you write sweet romances, stretch yourself and pick up a thriller. If you write historicals, try out a sci-fi or fantasy novel. Great writing is great writing, regardless of the subject matter. You can learn a lot by reading broadly.

For personal well-being, I would encourage every writer, no matter what stage you’re at, to have a support system. This includes belonging to a writer’s organization. I’m a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, which has been a huge blessing to me. Through it, I’ve cultivated friendships with other writers, including my best friend who is also my critique buddy. It’s great if your family supports your writing, but trust me, you need to have people you can go to who “get” you.

Thank you, Jennifer, for stopping in today. It was a joy getting to know you.

For more information on Jennifer AlLee

Read the first three chapters of The Pastor's Wife here: http://issuu.com/abingdonpress/docs/pastors_wife

Contact Jennifer in cyberspace:
website - http://www.jenniferallee.com/
personal blog - http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com/
group blog - http://inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com/

Abingdon Press provided this book for review purposes only.

Ransomed Dreams

(Defenders of Hope Series #1)
by Amy Wallace

Published by Multnomah (2007)
336 pages

Heart Healing Romantic Suspense

Gracie Lang has it all: a strong faith, a devoted husband, and two precious children. Then, on a rare snowy night in Georgia, she watches in horror as a swerving black vehicle swipes the van carrying her family. As the van careens off the road and down an embankment, the black vehicle speeds away, leaving three dead in its wake.

Two years later, feeling abandoned by God, Gracie is tired of merely trudging through the days, numb, and is determined to find her family’s killer, to see him behind bars, to at last have justice for her family. She’ll finally have the healing she seeks.

But then, the handsome Crimes Against Children Unit, FBI special agent Steven Kessler appears in her first grade classroom to pick up his son, and for the first time in years, Gracie dares to think she might love again.

Steven Kessler is a man once in love with God, until his life caromed out of control: his wife left him for another man just weeks after giving birth to their son, abandoning both of them. Building onto the marriage failure are the haunting memories of all the children he fails to save.

Whisk into the story a man seeking murderous revenge, and another willing to do whatever it takes to hide his guilt and insure his freedom, and you’ve got one spicy plot.

Adding depth to the plot, author Amy Wallace, folds in an issue so many people grapple with today: believing they’re not good enough, they’re unlovable, they’re a failure. Through this story, Amy points out that’s not true. She asks, who are you listening to: the father of lies? Or the Voice of Truth?

She also stirs in the power of forgiveness. How not forgiving can hold us back, and keep us caged and bitter. But to forgive is freeing.

Amy Wallace excels at blending romance and suspense. (Think Dee Henderson ratcheted up a notch or three.) She writes captivating stories, layers them with multi-faceted characters, and creates a foundation of faith to carry them along. She takes you deep inside the messy, true-to-life characters’ heads and hearts so their struggles are tangible and believable. Her books are more than romance, more than suspense, but rather a journey showing heart growth and healing. An exploration of faith.

A Chat with Amy

Before I introduce you to Amy, I need to share a special God-incident. Two years ago the American Christian Fiction Writers held their conference in Bloomington, Minnesota. Being from the Minneapolis area, I was thrilled. I was also eager to get autographs from two specific authors whose books stood over and above others I'd recently read. Amy Wallace was one of those authors.

Since I lived near the conference hotel, I volunteered to chauffeur editors/agents/authors from the airport to the conference. To connect with my riders at the airport, I held out the ACFW sign and had several people stop and talk about the conference. One of the first people to approach me was Amy. What a thrill it was to meet her and best of all, gain a new friend. She is truly a beautiful person.

And she has graciously answered a couple questions to share with you:

What inspired you to write Ransomed Dreams & the other Defenders of Hope novels? Why did you chose the ultra-difficult topic of Crimes Against Children.

The inspiration for the Defenders of Hope novels came from my own wrestling match with God over a mom's greatest fears. I didn't set out to write about crimes against children, but the more I worked with my editor on Ransomed Dreams, the clearer it became that the FBI's Crimes Against Children Unit in DC was where my story belonged. And while each book tackles very difficult topics like abuse, racism, death, cancer, kidnapping, and cases with children, my focus is always on the healing from those situations and how God can redeem even the worst circumstances.

Can you give us a synopsis of your writing journey? I'd personally be very interested in knowing if "being published" lived up to your dreams.

I began my writing journey oddly enough. In searching for good stories to share with my daughters Christmas of 2001, I came across some grown-up novels. Devouring my first taste of fiction since college, I read seven books by the same author and then handed the books to my husband. When he'd finish reading, I'd tell him what changes I'd make. After the seventh, my husband handed the book back and told me to write my own. My response? “No way!”

But then I couldn’t forget a dream I had about an FBI agent with a wounded heart and a mom on a dangerous quest for answers. So I wrote the story after meeting with an awesome federal agent who was a huge help with story ideas and factual details. And even though I had a blast writing it, I had no clue what I was doing. So after typing THE END, I got involved in an awesome writer's group called the American Christian Fiction Writers. I spent a little over three years learning all I’d done wrong and fixing it. As I learned the heart and craft of writing, I kept working on a number of novels, short stories, and proposals. Then I received a recommendation for an agent who loved my first book and we signed a contract. Eighteen months later the publishing house I dreamed of working with offered me a three-book contract, and my first novel, Ransomed Dreams, hit the shelves a little over a year later in 2007.

Has being published lived up to my dreams? That's a loaded question. In the most important ways, yes. I've found a calling and career I love. I've met the most amazing people and part of my work time is spent reading fantastic fiction. My children have watched me pursue a dream and live it and been inspired to pursue their dreams. And I've been stretched and grown and stretched some more by God through each novel and every step of this journey.

But in other ways, no, being published didn't match my dreams. It's HARD work. And there are many, many opportunities for disappointment and discouragement. Just like there are on the other side of a contract. But writing is now part of who I am and who my family is. So I'll continue down this path until the Lord turns me elsewhere. And I'm learning to be thankful for every bright spot: a glowing fan letter, each writing day where the story carries me into another world and I see God at work, my critique partners who share a love of story and make me better with every critique, and the privilege of teaching others about writing fiction and inspiring them to dream big.

Thanks, Amy, for visiting Spire Reviews today. I can't wait to read more from you in the future.

To Find Out More:
Website: Dark Chocolate Suspense  http://amywallace.com/
Blog: Heart Chocolate  http://www.peek-a-booicu.blogspot.com/

The Frontiersman's Daughter

debut novel by Laura Frantz

published by Revell (2009)
416 pages

Feisty, independent Lael Click, the daughter of a heralded Kentucky frontiersman, comes of age during the American Revolution. We see her grow up on the frontier with a family who has many secrets including a father who spent two years in captivity with the Shawnee Indians. Her heart is torn as she’s denied betrothal to the young man she loves, then her heart’s conflicted over a forbidden attraction to one of the very Indians who held her father captive. In the end, Lael grows into a strong, independent woman who eventually learns what real love truly is.

Review:

I typically don’t read historical fiction. I much prefer literary works, complex suspense, or modern issue novels. So, when I picked up The Frontiersman’s Daughter, I was expecting a casual read, a nice story.

I was wrong.

Right off, Laura Frantz drew me into the story with symphonic prose. I love it when authors make their words sing. Her descriptive period and landscape settings add depth to the characters. Plus, she doesn’t shy away from Kentucky settler/Native American hostilities while offering insight to both sides.

One thing I generally haven’t cared for in historical fiction is when authors treat their female protagonist like they’re the incarnation of Gloria Steinem, when they deal with issues using current day sensibilities. Nothing will ruin a story for me faster than that. Laura Frantz avoids that trap. While Lael is a strong character, her thoughts and actions are believable for that time period.

This summer, Frantz will be releasing her next novel, Courting Morrow Little. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

Introducing Laura Frantz:
Laura Frantz credits her grandmother as being the catalyst for her fascination with Kentucky history. Frantz's family followed Daniel Boone into Kentucky in the late 18th-century and settled in Madison County where they still reside. Frantz is a member of the Kentucky Historical Society, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Romance Writers of America. She currently lives in the misty woods of northwest Washington with her husband and two sons.

Her Books:
The Frontiersman's Daughter, Baker/Revell, 2009
Courting Morrow Little, Baker/Revell, 2010
The Colonel's Lady, Baker/Revell 2011

To Learn More:
Website: http://laurafrantz.net/
Blog: http://laurafrantz.blogspot.com/

Snow Melts in Spring

(Book #1 - Season of the Tallgrass Series)

Debut novel by Deborah Vogts

Zondervan 2009

304 pages

A Romance Even Men Would Read

Veterinarian Mattie Evans loves the wide open spaces of Flint Hills, Kansas and can't imagine calling any other place home. But her business is faltering, and in order to keep it, she must regain the trust of area ranchers. After suffering through several mishaps, she's not confident she can earn their support.

Then she gets called to save a severely injured horse and is thrust into the middle of a good friend's family conflict--between an estranged father and his pro-football playing son.

Will this be the end of her career or the beginning of an unexpected romance?

In Deborah Vogt's debut novel, she proves herself to be a marvelous storyteller. In painting this story of forgiveness, she colors the Kansas prairies and ranch with beautiful detail. In combining romance and football, she has created a story that both men and women will enjoy.

The Familiar Stranger

By Christina Berry
Published by Moody Publishers (2009)
320 pages


REVIEW

Love … Betrayal … Forgiveness … Restoration

When Craig Littleton leaves his home, he plans to never return, to abandon his wife and sons in pursuit of freedom. And his detailed plans are foolproof.

     But, as he literally drives on the road toward liberty, he’s involved in a severe accident. He lives, but all his memories are gone.

     His wife, Denise, unaware of his plans to desert the family, nurses him back to health, and he learns to love her again.

     But then, his memories come tumbling back …

     Will he be able to restore all the lives he broke before the accident?

***
In the tradition of Francine Rivers, debut author, Christina Berry, delivers an impactful story of love, betrayal, forgiveness, & new beginnings. Her unique method of telling the story from both Denise’s and Craig’s point-of-view adds dimension to the characters, & depth to the emotions. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.


AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Single mother and foster parent, Christina Berry carves time to write from her busy schedule because she must tell the stories that haunt her every waking moment. (Such is the overly dramatic description of an author's life!) She holds a BA in Literature, yet loves a good Calculus problem, as well. Her debut novel, The Familiar Stranger, releases from Moody in September and deals with lies, secrets, and themes of forgiveness in a troubled marriage. A moving speaker and dynamic teacher, Christina strives to Live Transparently--Forgive Extravagantly!
     Her work has also appeared in The Secret Place, The Oregonian, and Daily Devotions for Writers. Find her at http://www.christinaberry.net/ and http://www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com/


A CHAT WITH CHRISTINA …
Thanks, Christina, for taking time to chat with me. I look forward to getting to know you.

I'm wondering, as a writer for the CBA market, how important is the faith element in your books?
     My faith undergirds every scene that I write. My hope is that it comes across to the reader in a very organic way, never as preachy or self-righteous. However, my characters’ spiritual arcs are a huge part of the storyline.

Then, what role does God play when you write?
     I believe He guides the story, adding layers I’m not even capable of comprehending while I write it. I’m not great at starting my writing time with prayer, but I try to stay open to where He might lead me.
     I see writing as one of the tools He uses to form me into His image—a tool to teach me patience, self-control, determination, reliance on Him, and other life lessons. I also see writing as a gift that brings hope, fulfillment, and purpose when the rest of my life is falling apart.

Some Christian writers argue that fiction is first and foremost entertainment and decry any "agenda driven" stories. What is your opinion?
     I say we're all writing with an agenda, whether we recognize it or not. Maybe it's to show what a godly romance looks like, maybe to draw attention to child abuse, maybe to attempt to understand why people are capable of such evil, or ... With this book, I felt called to share what God has taught me about forgiveness. That is definitely my agenda, which correlates with my tagline: Live transparently—Forgive extravagantly.
     However, if the story is not presented in a highly entertaining way the agenda will never be accomplished because the reader will toss the book down if she gets bored. The real skill—and I am by no means saying I'm setting the watermark with my writing—is to so thoroughly wrap the story around the agenda that it becomes unrecognizable to the reader. I'd love to hear other’s opinions in the comments.

I absolutely agree. I definitely have an agenda when I write. The difficulty comes in keeping the story flowing without watering down the message.

And, like you, I’m a literature major. What effect did your college education have on your writing?
     Honestly, I went with the lit major instead of creative writing because I was chicken. I was scared that my writing would not be up to par and I would get less than an A in a class for the first time. Eek! Plus, I loved to read and I figured I might as well do something I liked since I was paying thousands of dollars anyway.
     However, I do believe it has added greatly to my writing. While we can't be super symbolic in a "preachy" sort of way--like shouting LOOK! LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL SYMBOLISM I'M SHOWING RIGHT NOW!--I think many novels do subtly inject many of the same characteristics of the classics. For example, the setting can almost become a character, as the setting of Jane Eyre does.
     In the manuscript my mother and I wrote together, a lot of the structure came from Mrs. Dalloway. The novel even has similar themes, now that I think about it. I loved the idea of a story jumping from character to character as they pass without interacting, but as the novel progresses, the connections get stronger.
     All those stories I read and wrote papers on in college are still swimming around in my head, rubbing off a little bit here or there on the flow of ideas that pour onto my computer screen.

Who are your favorite literary artists?
     I believe that much of Jane Kirkpatrick's work could be classified as literary. Jamie Langston Turner is another favorite who definitely fits the bill. Leif Enger's Peace Like a River amazed me. (I have it on my night stand to re-read right now, as it's been years and years since I have!) All three authors put words together in a delicious way.

Are there others whose work you admire? How have they influenced you as a writer?
     Most of my favorite authors have voices I never dream to come close to: Nancy E. Turner, Jane Kirkpatrick, Leif Enger, Francine Rivers, or Randy Alcorn, to name a few. The writers that really influence my stories are ones that examine the real grittiness of life like Roxanne Henke, Bette Nordberg, and James Scott Bell.

Those are some of my favorites too! Since you like lyric prose, you should also try Charles Martin, W. Dale Cramer, Athol Dickson, Ann Tatlock, Linda Nichols … well I could go on, but it’s time to let you go.

Thanks so much, Christina, for visiting Spire Reviews today. I really appreciate you taking the time, allowing us to get to know you better. I look forward to reading more from you in the future.


NEXT STOP ON THE BLOG TOUR
Be sure to catch Christina on her next stop: http://reflectionsbykrista.blogspot.com/ on Saturday, September 26.

WIN A BOOK …
Don’t forget to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of The Familiar Stranger. Everyone who comments on this tour will be entered into Christina’s 10 book giveaway. On her birthday, September 30, she will draw 10 names. She’ll repeat this process on October 31.

…AND OTHER FREE STUFF
Also, if you sign up for her infrequent, humorous newsletter at www.ashberrylane.net/update.aspx , you will be entered into a contest to win a 4GB iPod Shuffle or free books for the life of Christina’s writing career.

HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH CHRISTINA
www.christinaberry.net
www.authorchristinaberry.blogspot.com
www.ashberrylane.net

Scared: A Novel on the Edge of the World

By Tom Davis
Published by David C. Cook (2009)
304 pages

Finding Hope in Suffering

Hoping to salvage a few crumbs from his once award-winning career, photojournalist Stuart Daniels reluctantly takes an assignment in Swaziland, a small African country, to cover the AIDS crisis. What he discovers is suffering that, those of us living comfortably in the United States, can’t imagine.

Interspersed with Stuart’s perspective, is the viewpoint of Adanna, a recently orphaned young girl burdened with the care of her younger siblings, hoping just to survive from day to day. Tomorrow isn’t even a thought.

Adanna can teach all of us so much.

With the current state of the United States economy, we are barraged with negative stories about people losing jobs, overburdened food shelves, and homelessness. All of which are devastating to those affected. Still, in these times, the average American cannot imagine what it would be like to be truly hungry, to live from day to day wondering if you will have food to eat. We search our overfilled closets for the right outfit, while others are fortunate if they have something decent to wear at all.

In this fictional story, author Tom Davis breathes reality into the plight of people who live in places like Swaziland. The reader experiences, along with Adanna, what it feels like not to have eaten for days, to live in fear of man’s brutality. We see through Stuart’s eyes how much we have, and how just a small sacrifice on our part can help.

Like Stuart, we probably have the most to learn.

We also experience hope, and see that God has not forgotten his children. God has presented us with an awesome opportunity to reach out to those who are truly in need.

You can’t read this story and not be affected. This is a rare work of fiction that touches on all our emotions and motivates people into action. It’s a novel I will highly recommend to readers of fiction and non-fiction.

Safe At Home

By Richard Doster
Published by David C. Cook (2008)
348 pages

Painfully Honest Portrayal of Segregation in the 1950's

In the spring of 1953, Jack Hall is content being a sports columnist for a small town south of the Mason-Dixon line, thrilled to write about the town’s minor league baseball team. The town of Whitney is populated with people who would do anything for their neighbor; the idyllic place to live.
Jackie Robinson has only recently broken the color barrier in major league baseball, creating a fissure allowing more may squeeze through.

It is that fissure that rips the town of Whitney apart when a 17 year old “colored kid”, Percy Jackson, joins the minor league team.

Author Richard Doster is painfully honest in his portrayal of the people of Whitney. The helpful, kind neighbor turns into a bearer of fear and hate. Those hired to enforce the law become lawbreakers. Doster paints Jack Hall very realistically, portraying him as someone comfortable with segregation, who, over time, wrestles with his ingrained beliefs as the town fractures.
Doster makes the reader uncomfortable – and that’s a good thing – as he continuously holds a mirror to the reader’s face as if to ask: would you have responded any differently?