Friday, February 19, 2010

The Pastor's Wife by Jennifer AlLee - REVIEWED



“Maura grabbed the edges of her ragged emotions and pulled them tightly around her as the song faded to a close.” (p. 93)


Maura Sullivan has been tightly guarding her emotions ever since she walked out on her husband Nick six years ago. Called back to the little community of Granger, Ohio for the reading of a will, Maura and Nick find themselves facing a decision and an opportunity that neither of them ever dreamed they would face again in this lifetime. Will they choose to re-examine their situation and honestly deal with the past, or will they continue to keep secrets and hide their hearts from one another?


Jennifer AlLee’s latest novel, The Pastor’s Wife takes an honest look at what I imagine all pastor’s wives must deal with when they have husbands who must tend an entire needy flock of believers. Apparently, neither Maura nor Nick were mature enough to handle the pressures of life as a pastor in a small community. In spite of the love they shared, both of them made choices that deeply wounded the other. As they become reacquainted after a six-year separation, they must each deal with the events of their past as they come to light. As you near the end of the story, a new crisis arises that seems to be just the thing – tragic though it could be – to pull them together. However, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back turns out to be something from their past.


This is a well-written, well-paced novel that deals believably with emotions between an estranged couple. The author doesn’t shy away from the bad choices that are revealed nor the tender heart that is needed to be able to seek out and offer forgiveness. Bottom line, if you are in a marriage, there has to be a measure of forgiveness and understanding present in order to survive. Honestly, without the Holy Spirit, I don’t know how anyone stays together. The Pastor’s Wife serves as a tender and poignant reminder of how precious love between a man and woman can be, especially when they face difficult circumstances.


If you enjoy a tender romance with spiritual truth, then there is much to enjoy in The Pastor’s Wife.



If you would like to read the first Chapter of The Pastor's Wife , go HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer AlLee was born in Hollywood, California and for the first 10 years of her life lived over a mortuary one block from Hollywood and Vine. An avid reader and writer, she completed her first novel in high school. That manuscript is now safely tucked away, never again to see the light of day. Her first inspirational romance, The Love of His Brother, was released in November 2007 by Five Star Publisher.

Besides being a writer, she is a wife and mom. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, her husband and teenage son have learned how to enjoy the fabulous buffets there without severely impacting their waistlines. God is good!

1 comment:

Mocha with Linda said...

Love your review, and that quote at the top is wonderful. A picture painted with words!