Customer Reviews

Ain't No Mountain

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Oh my! What a delightful novel Ain't No Mountain is. Sharon Ewel Foster is a gifted wordsmith-not only is every novel [Passing by Samaria and Ain't No River] that Foster has penned, engaging, entertaining and life-changing-Foster has an amazing way of weaving plots, Biblical stories, scenes, settings and characters that are so indescribably believable, that you will actually feel like you are walking through the story, too. One of the greatest qualities that she has as a writer (apart from the above) is the distinct way she conveys the truth about God (and striving for holiness and finding hope in and through Him) without sounding as if she is pointing her finger at you. No fire and brimstone here-but the love of God is not to be missed. I won't give the storyline away---Come on in and meet Mary, Puddin' and Moor-you'll cry, you'll laugh and you'll want to read this novel twice!

Reviewed by Sherna for The GOOD GIRL Book Club www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com

both literally and spiritually. This soul-stirring page turner of people trying to keep it real and keep it holy at the same time. From single Mary whose friends want to turn her hair don't into a hair-do so she'll be datable, to Moor, the African prince whose head says he has no time for love, but his heart sings a different tune to Puddin' and Joe a married couple of thirty years who have a pot full of secrets between them (all dipped in flour, dropped in a sizzling skillet and fried hard).

There were times in this book when I laughed loud enough to wake my sleeping house (usually there a piece of chicken was flying somewhere). At other moments, I put the book down and smiled, nodding to myself. "Yeah." "Uh huh." "I know that's right." Before the book was done I'd said all that and more out loud. For anyone who has good friends, nosy cousins and church members or just likes a good piece of chicken with tea and lemonade (mixed together of course), AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN is a trip up the rocky terrain of seeing ourselves as we really are, fragile humans in need of grace. Pick this up and enjoy the view at the top . . . and the truth it resonates at the bottom of your heart.

It was great to see a few flashes of Garvin and Meemaw from AIN'T NO RIVER as well. Much wisdom to be had here and more than a few laughs! Just have some chicken or ribs on hand! You'll want it before it's over.

Sharon Ewell Foster has woven a warm, humourous tale around the lives of two single people and one quirky older couple. Mary is sick and tired of the single life. With the best intentions, her close friends try to help her attract a man, unfortunately the results are hilarious and disastrous. Moor is an African immigrant who also has a set of friends whose intentions are "good" but not in his best interest as they seek a mate for him.

Puddin has been married over 30 years to her husband Joe. Now a sense of insecurity and feelings of betrayal have entered Puddin's marriage. Sadly Puddin' (like Mary and Moor) have friends that seem to guide her in a direction that is more destructive versus being supportive. With a desire to become independent, Puddin sets off on a new career that allows her to be the "Hip Hop God Mama" of an online dating service. Interestingly, unknown to Mary and Moor, Puddin takes great interest in making sure these two are matched with the perfect mate. Fans of Foster's novel, "Ain't No River" will recognize the characters Mee Maw and Garvin.

Throughout the novel, Foster's prose leaves you teary-eyed or either laughing out loud. Always brilliant in her delivery, Foster weaves biblical truths in the story without being preachy. While this book is a work of fiction, it will give the readers something to ponder about long after the reading ride is over!

"Ain't No Mountain", is a definite must read. The way the author wove in biblical scriptures with real life stories, made you think a wise old woman, who wants to give the secrets of life.

It made me think of all the wrong decisions I have made in my life; how I let friends talk me into to doing something that I really didn't want to do, taking the relationships that I had in my own hands, instead of letting go and letting God.

I definitely recommend this book to all who are single, married, or just going through!!

There's a reason the Christian publishing industry sat up and took notice when Sharon Ewell Foster's first book released several years ago: She's good, very good, and with AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN she proves that she has staying power. The sequel to AIN'T NO RIVER is every bit as entertaining and insightful as its predecessor, which ended up on the Essence bestseller list --- not a bad showing at all for a book released by a Christian publisher.

Like all of Foster's books, one of the main strengths is the characterization. You'll be reading along, completely caught up in the story, and all of a sudden you'll think of someone who acts just like this character or sounds just like that character. And most likely, you'll chuckle, because Foster has a knack for injecting humor into her characterizations with such finesse and subtlety that it often sneaks up on you and catches you off guard.

The central characters in this book are Mary, a chaste, somewhat meek woman who undergoes a radical makeover at the insistence of friends who are determined to find her a man; Moor, an African prince (the setting for all this is Baltimore, by the way) whose American "fathers" --- elderly friends --- are equally determined to find him a wife; and Puddin, whose marriage is threatened by a secret that nearly tears her apart. Each is a fully developed, believable character. And Foster takes as much care with the peripheral characters --- friends, coworkers and family ---as she does in developing the main characters.

Each chapter focuses on a different character, alternating among the three central characters. This type of structure doesn't always work, but once again Foster shows her strength as a writer by doing it right. Actually, if Foster has a weakness, it's not evident in the final product. Maybe she struggles with certain elements of writing, but if she does, she gets it worked out before the book is published --- which certainly isn't the case with all writers. She's also one of the strongest dialogue writers among Christian novelists. Can you tell I really enjoy reading her books?

AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN tackles a fair number of issues, like sex outside of marriage and pornography --- and dating, a seemingly innocuous subject that is all but innocuous in Foster's hands. Any woman who has ever seriously dated --- and I mean dated --- will cringe at the memories evoked by Mary's dates with Floyd and Reggie, two guys whose counterparts live in every city, every town, every neighborhood across the country. Thanks to Floyd, I may never eat ribs again, which brings up another point: It's a good idea to read this book on a full stomach, because food --- especially fried chicken --- plays a significant role. It's not just there as a tantalizing temptation; it's actually central to one of the subplots.

As to the Christian content, Foster can get downright preachy, but somehow she gets by with it --- probably because of the skill with which she integrates that content into the story line. It never comes across as tagged on just to make the book appealing to Christian readers, but instead is carefully woven into the relevant scenes.

If you're new to Foster, there's no need to read any of her previous books first to enjoy this one. Fans of AIN'T NO RIVER will recognize several familiar characters in AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN, but this is not the kind of sequel that requires reading the books in order. No matter how you read them, Foster's books are always a delight.

This is a wonderful book that I have recommended to many. It is very funny but also very inspirational. The author does a great job of explaining the Word as it relates to single saints but it does not come off as preachy. The characters are developed well and I finished the book feeling entertained and enlightened. You've just got to read this one. It's a quick read but I find myself referring back to certain bible verses mentioned.

AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN is the story of three people whose lives become entwined with the help of God, and a few meddlesome, but caring souls.

Mary is a vibrant young woman who, to the dismay of her friends and family, has been stuck in a rut of misery and despair since the death of her grandmother years before. When her friends tire of Mary's ever present "woe is me" attitude, they take it upon themselves to make over Mary in hopes that it will not only change her life, but also garner her the attentions of a man...any man.

Puddin is a housewife with nothing but time on her hands. When her husband begins to act a little strange, Puddin decides to give him a dose of his own medicine. When the chicken hits the grease, what ensues is a hilarious account of a woman scorned.

Moor is a lonely young man from South Africa. He desires a wife, but takes no steps toward finding one. When a couple of old cronies see through Moor's adamant stance on waiting for God to send him the woman of his dreams, they make it their mission to find Moor a wife, come hell or high water.

Sing with me now...AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN... This was an absolutely wonderful novel! Sharon Ewell Foster did an amazing job of drawing me deep into this story with multi-dimensional characters and a well-developed plot, which was oftentimes humorous, but with a profound underlying message. I especially like the fact that while this is a Christian fiction novel, the author was able to convey the message of faith, trust and love without being overly "preachy." This was my first novel by Foster, but it will definitely not be my last.

Reviewed by Renee Williams
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I found "Ain't No Mountain" engaging and fun. I loved how the author portrays people of faith realistically. It's a slice of how some believers live out their belief, not perfectly, but as best they can.

It was an awesome read! My first time readng a book by this author. Hilarious and moving. I even recommended it to my sister. :)

Ain't No Mountain is such a light hearted fun read. This was a perfect read when I was off from work--definitely perfect for riding on the plane or sitting by the pool.

It was full of "Sister" fun and drama, Puddin and those chicken wings, too much. I know there are days when I have about all the chicken I can stand.

The men are so funny. I mean if anything, Foster's storytelling about her main character dating with Jesus, gets a little complicated.

Foster again describes her characters so realistically. I have friends just like these women. And I went to college and lived down the street from these men. Anyone that has ever been downtown Baltimore will feel like she is on your street.

Also, for all of you like me that love Ain't No River, this is a really fun sequel. This is fun read for single Christian women. Maybe you can find a good man in church!