Don't Blame the Devil [Paperback]

Pat G'orge-Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2010

Hang on to your seat as Pat G’Orge-Walker spins a hilarious, inspiring novel of mistakes and second chances, heartache and love, sin and salvation…

Appearances mean everything to Delilah Dupree Jewel. So after hearing of her daughter-in-law’s sudden death, Delilah decides that coming to the rescue of her long estranged son Jesse and her granddaughter Tamara would be a good look . . . though Lord knows she’ll have to dig hard to find her maternal instincts.

But Delilah quickly discovers Jesse wants nothing to do with her. And Tamara, who’s following in Delilah’s musical footsteps, isn’t interested in her career advice, especially since Delilah got ahead using the singing couch. And Delilah’s old flame Deacon Pillar, an ex-convict who’s traded in his gangster ways for a Bible, is stirring up a past that’s sure to shock. Now, all Delilah knows is that she’d better hold on to her faith, ’cause she needs God now more than ever. . . .

Praise For Pat G’Orge-Walker

“Ms. Walker pens a tale so funny that you’ll fall out of your chair laughing, and so poignantly realistic that you’ll wipe tears from your eyes…a must-read.” —Angela Benson on Cruisin’ on Desperation

“Christian comedy fiction at its best.” —Library Journal

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Walker's (Somebody's Sinning in My Bed) latest hilarious faith-based romp spotlights a devilish diva who finally realizes that, although she might look like Lena Horne, she "ain't Lena Horne." But in Walker's world, second chances at happiness are not only possible but probable, even at 63. Almost 40 years have passed since Delilah Dupree Jewel left her husband, Deacon Thurgood (aka "Thur-no-good") and put their two-year-old son, Jessie, in foster care in order to pursue a career in showbiz that took her all the way to California. Back in New York, running out of money (but not out of smarts) and licking the wounds of her failed shot at stardom, she asks Jehovah for help. Ask and ye shall receive: she runs right into Thurgood at Harlem's New Hope Assembly Church. Now 70, but still sporting the same hairstyle he wore in his youth, Deacon is mortified; he doesn't want Delilah to know that he's befriended Jessie, now a widower, but he's never told Jessie that he's his real father. But the truth finally, and humorously, comes out. Walker shines a little light on a wacky family reunion with her usual inspirational, knee-slapping style.
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From Booklist

When Delilah Dupree Jewel learns that the son she abandoned as a toddler is now a widowed father, she convinces herself he needs her. On a chance visit to Brooklyn’s New Hope Assembly Church, she encounters Deacon Pillar, a longtime womanizer with whom she shares a turbulent past, and tries to manipulate him into helping her locate Jessie and his 21-year-old daughter, Tamara. But Thurgood Pillar walks a fine line between helping her, protecting Jessie and Tamara, and keeping his own secrets safe from Hurricane Delilah. In this contemporary urban gospel comedy, G’Orge-Walker continues to develop spin-offs from her popular Sister Betty spoofs (Somewhat Saved, 2008), replete with hilarious detailings of the characters’ attempts to direct God, and how these efforts tend to miscarry in unexpected ways. --Lynne Welch

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Dafina (August 31, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758235429
• ISBN-13: 978-0758235428
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,057,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pat G'Orge (pronounced Gee-or-jay) - Walker is in a league of her own. This accomplished Christian author and comedienne has an amazing mind and talent for turning her observations of church life into gems of sidesplitting humor. It is her own special gift from God that enables G'Orge-Walker to depict the often ridiculous antics of church folk without subverting the Good News or watering down the potency of its message.

Pat G'Orge-Walker has paid a high price for the ever-present smile on her face. This Mt. Vernon, New York PK (preacher's kid) has survived a raging house fire; a violent assault; a car crash that mangled her body and a viral infection that left her temporarily blinded. Through it all, Pat quietly soaked in material from her father's Baptist congregation and her mother's Pentecostal assembly to create the stories that keep readers and audiences howling with laughter. Pat is a 'kept woman' whose life is held firmly and safely in God's hand. Mercy and compassion season every word spoken or written by Pat, who makes her story palpitate in the hearts of people who readily relate to victory over adversity.

The First Lady of Gospel Comedy forges a successful
career as author and comedian. She has paved the way for
many others in both fields. Pat's storytelling is likened to
Zora Neale Hurston's folklore'a documentation of
American culture and church life in literature.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Devil is a Lie, July 5, 2011

By 

M. Bruner ""Deltareviewer" Real Page ... (Oklahoma!) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Blame the Devil (Paperback)

Don't Blame the Devil by Pat G'Ore-Walker - 5 stars

I haven't read anything this funny in years. Delilah and Thurgood are a old school couple that spent 40 years trying to find their way back to each other. After a hot mess at a night club separated their family, another drama filled few months may bring them back together.

G'Orge-Walker is a master writer of Christian comedy. I was falling on the floor laughing at Delilah's antics while Sister Marty was praying for the families salvation. Jessie, Tamara and countless church members fell in line keeping secrets, playing church and all things that families do.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Faithfulness of God, September 12, 2010

By 

Sharel Love "Sharel E. Gordon-Love, Author" (North Plainfield, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't Blame the Devil (Paperback)

Author Pat G'Orge Walker brings back Deacon Pillar and his conk in her latest novel, Don't Blame The Devil. Ole Deac was good at setting other folks straight and letting them know what thus saith the Lord, but this time, he had to face some things from his past that he thought would never come to the light; or did he?

When Deacon Pillar stepped out of church one Sunday and saw who he thought to be his deceased wife sitting in a SUV, his first impulse was to confront her immediately and get some answers. But Delilah was not trying to hear a thing from the man that she called an old fool, and tried her best not to pick up where they left off some 40 years prior. There were some things that were still between them that needed confronting and resolving, but it would not happen in that one time meeting.

Delilah Dupree Jewel's life had a beginning that most would not believe would have a good ending, but she used the beauty she inherited from her mother to move among the makers and the shakers, but it was not enough to keep her family together. After 40 years of almost realizing her dream, she returned to New York on a promise on her terms to serve God so that He would honor her prayer request and she could live out the rest of her life better than the beginning. However, God had so much more in store for Delilah, far exceeding anything she could ask or think.

It was such a joy to read Don't Blame The Devil! The exchange between Delilah, Deacon Pillar and the other characters that would round out this story of forgiveness, redemption and restoration had me laughing in tears. Ultimately, the most important message I received in this book is that we must take responsibility for what we have done and expect the consequences that will follow. After all, the devil is not the blame for what we consider to be bad in our lives. Even when we are the blame, we find God to be faithful in what He has promised; merciful and full of grace in the things we do not deserve, all because He loves us.

This book was provided to me courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.

Review by Sharel E. Gordon-Love

APOOO BookClub

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Making Amends, January 17, 2011

By 

Teresa Beasley (Indianapolis,IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't Blame the Devil (Paperback)

In Don't Blame the Devil by Pat G'Orge-Walker, Delilah Jewel has bet her life on appearances because to her they mean everything. After 40 years, Delilah has change a new leaf, supposedly and heads back to her hometown to right some wrongs. Delilah's opportunity comes when she finds out that a family member has passed. Delilah does not receive the response that she expected and realizes that she has her work cut out for her.

Deacon Pillar receives the shock of his life when he runs into an old flame. Deacon knows that her presence will not only affect him but others associated with him. On the other hand, being around her has the Deacon's feelings stirring.

Jessie and his daughter Tamara are dealing with the loss of their wife and mother. Jessie cannot handle any surprises or the fact his daughter wants to go into a profession of music. When he meets Delilah and starts deriving a conclusion this meeting will soon change his life along with his daughters.

Don't Blame the Devil is a story of one woman's journey to make amends for those she left behind. Delilah's encounters with Deacon Pillar will have you cracking up. This book is about forgiveness and a restoring a family unit. The characters were well developed and will have readers wanting to change the pages until the end. I recommend it to others.

Teresa Beasley

A&R Book Corner Reviews