Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel (Harmony Novels) [Hardcover]

Philip Gulley (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harmony Novels | Publication Date: June 27, 2006

It's summer in Harmony, but not everything is as sunny as the weather. The good citizens of Harmony are back and stirring up trouble as usual, sometimes with disastrous results.

Pastor Sam Gardner must take a leave of absence from his post at Harmony Friends Meeting to take care of his ailing father.

But when spunky pastor Krista Riley comes to fill his position, the quirky Quakers seem to fall in love with her, and it begins to look like Sam's sabbatical may be permanent. Krista's resilience is put to the test when Dale Hinshaw and Fern Hampton begin to question whether a woman can faithfully lead their flock, and it looks like the resulting tiff might just be the undoing of Harmony Friends Meeting. Will Sam come to the rescue? Finding the answer to this question makes the trip back to Harmony worth turning every page.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Perhaps no author can spin a good smalltown church tale as humorously as Gulley, who has been justly compared to Garrison Keillor for his dry wit. This latest installment in the Harmony, Ind., series is no exception, and it's populated with the characters that series aficionados have come to appreciate. A storm is brewing in Harmony, and pastor Sam Gardner, although on sabbatical, is right in the center of it. Caught in the controversy is seminary student Krista Riley, who is filling in for Sam and rumored to be gay. Leading the charge against her is Dale Hinshaw and spinster Fern Hampton, two members of Harmony Friends whose controlling ways will be recognizable to anyone who ever attended a small church. As the conflict heats up, Sam, battling jealousy over Krista's popularity with some church members (and in fear of losing his job) initially fails to stand up for his interim minister. Gulley's strong message about gay acceptance in the church may feel didactic to more conservative Christians looking for a good story, but is in keeping with the message of tolerance found in his previous books. Occasionally, a character is overdrawn, but this is nonetheless a delightful return to Harmony. (July)
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Review

“No author can spin a good smalltown church tale as humorously as Gulley.” (Publishers Weekly )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006075656X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060756567
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #762,364 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.

He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across Indiana.

Gulley lives in Indiana with his wife, Joan, and their sons, Spencer and Sam--in a rambling old house with Gulley's eclectic chair collection (64 at last count) and a welcoming back porch.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real attention-getter!, July 10, 2006

By 

K. R. Rubaker (New Wilmington, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel (Harmony Novels) (Hardcover)

"Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel" captured my attention from the first page to the last. I laughed out loud, I contemplated the deep truths presented by Gulley's familiar cast of characters, I met a new friend in "Krista," and I finished this book a better person than when I began. Gulley's gifted writing inspires me to reconsider many long held beliefs in light of a growing faith and realization of God's unconditional love. I've only owned this book for a week and I've already lent it out twice...much the to delight of those to whom I've lent it!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but a little sobering this time, July 7, 2006

By 

D. Griewski "Gulley fan" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel (Harmony Novels) (Hardcover)

In the next installment of the people of Harmony, Philip Gulley stretches his artistic ability by accurately expressing the doubts and disillusionment Sam Gardner feels as his parishoners stretch him to the breaking point, and as Sam's father is struck with a severe illness. Not as laugh-out-loud funny as some of his other books, Almost Friends, with gentle, stirring humor guides the reader through some serious situations, as well as brings its reader to the frustration point as Fern and Dale join forces to not only oust Sam from his position, but also the person, Krista, who takes over in his absence. As usual, Gulley brings to life the characters in his book so that you think you are reading about the neighbor next door ~ as seems what many of these fictional characters have become to those who now anxiously look forward to the goings on in Harmony, and in the lives of Sam and Barbara Gardner.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost Friends, January 11, 2007

By 

Micky Dan Shaw (Sunbury, Oh) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Almost Friends: A Harmony Novel (Harmony Novels) (Hardcover)

While I may not agree with Mr. Gulley's personal opinions, there is no one who can write a book about "Small Town America" like he can.

I have tangled with everyone of his characters, through the years, only they have different names.

Keep up the good work. I have read every one of his books.