Maura Sullivan thought she knew what she was getting into when she married soon-to-be pastor Nick Shepherd. But when “the other woman” in her marriage turned out to be her husband’s congregation, she ran. Three years later, she’s back in the small community of Granger, Ohio, for the reading of a will that names both her and Nick as beneficiaries. Now Maura must face the husband – and the congregation – she left behind.
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A friend passes way…. a will is left mentioning both Nick and Maura…. and a stipulation in order for each of them to get an inheritance that they both desire. But is the stipulation too great? Maura has been gone from Granger, Ohio for three years. Three years is a long time and old wounds are still easily rubbed raw and unhealed.
Maura arrives back in Granger having put her own faith on the back burner believing that God has done nothing but let her down time and time again. As Nick tried to help Maura through this faith crisis it looks as though their is hope for repairing their long damaged marriage as well – yet there is one secret that Maura has yet to share with Nick that may destroy what they are working so hard to repair.
It is a book about love, forgiveness, and letting go. I appreciated the real characters with real issues. Maura and Nick were real feeling characters and I enjoyed getting to know them with in the walls of their home and in the pages of this book. Watching my own Pastor (I am the Office Manager at our Church)and the hours he puts in really makes me appreciate all it must take to be a Pastor’s Wife.
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!
My Amazon Rating
I received this review book from The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
This book was mostly read at the gym on the treadmill and eliptical
Book Journey 
This sounds really interesting. As a PK, I think I could appreciate it.
I bet you would wordlily!
My dad was a minister for most of my life growing up. It’s a lot of work, definitely – and pretty unrewarding as well.
Lydia I see out Pastor here working 6 days a week and long hours too. Sometimes he is in the office with appointments to 8 and 9 pm at night.
This sounds quite intriguing…and it seems as though the author has had some interesting experiences, too. Living above a mortuary in LA and now living in Vegas!
Hey Laurel, I like those experiences too!
You are right, they felt like real people going through real problems.
Love the Gilmore Girls, btw! I’m re-watching it for the umpteenth time.
I’m adding your blog to my sidebar so I can return.
Ya another Gilmore fan! 🙂 Thanks CeeCee! Come back often – coffee is always on!
This isn’t the typical
Christian fiction.
Mmmmm….. yes and no Bluestocking. While more Christian authors may stay away from topics such as this – I tend to read the ones who venture out a bit and handle the tougher issues. So for me, this is pretty much a typical Christian Fiction book that I would enjoy. 🙂
Looks a little different — I like it. Also, I like that you mentioned you read it on the treadmill. Gives me an idea about how light/heavy the writing is. 🙂
Good point Cori. It is a fairly light read. 🙂 Oh course I read most of the large 700 page Harry Potter books on the treadmill too….. 😉
This one sounds fantastic!! I have a close teacher friend who is also a pastor and I’m not sure how her husband deals with the amount of time she’s away from home tending to her flock!!
Ahhhh… I like that Staci – I hadnt thought about the women Pastors!
This looks good. I always admired our minister’s wife growing up. It’s a job that I don’t think I’d be all that great at, but some make it looks so easy.
I wouldnt be good at it either Stacy – it takes a real servant heart. They are admirable women.
Wow. That sounds really good. Thanks for posting this. I’m off to add it to my TBR pile.
Interesting. I’ll have to check this one out. There are many jobs that inspire/demand devotion. In both cases there needs to be a reality check from all parties involved in the relationship. Priorities are important and need to looked at realistically.
I am a pastor’s wife. While reading you book I couldn’t believe how much I could relate to it. I never left my husband but there were times it would have been easy to. I live in a military community and after listening to some of their stories they can relate to you book also. I am about to start a forgiveness study and have decided to start it with your book. Reviews so far from these men and women have been very positive.
Karen thank you for your comment. I think Pastors wives have a hard life. Thye work hard and much of it is behind the scenes. They also give up a lot for their husband to be who he is…
I work in a church office as the Family Life Administrator and I see how hard our Pastor works and what hours he keeps.