The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife [Paperback]

Mikasenoja (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 9, 2005

With The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife, author Mikasenoja skillfully leads the reader into the world of First Lady Jacqueline Stevens. A world full of church drama, conniving members, loose women, power playing deacons, false accusations and fed-up preacher's kids. When her husband Lance accepted the pastorate of New Light Church in the small town of Southlake, Jacqueline thought the transition would be a cakewalk for a First Lady with her years of experience. After all, she'd seen and heard it all before. Little did she know she was about to embark on a journey of trials, self-doubt and pain, the likes of which she'd never imagined. How could God possibly get the glory out of this mess? Peek into the personal journal of this preacher's wife as she travels the road to hard earned lessons of unwavering trust and dependence on God. At last, a textbook for ministers' wives! ''The First Lady'' should be on the bookshelf of every pastor's wife. The real life problems and situations will have everyone examining themselves to see if they resemble any of the characters in the book. This straight from the hip literary work details the hardships, doubts and pitfalls that are the proving ground for the faith, courage and spiritual maturity required of pastors' wives to survive on the front lines of the battlefield that we call the Church. Jeanette W. Hill, Playwright Sight Ain't Seeing Productions "Finally.a heartfelt, passionate treatment by a real pastor's wife for the real pastor's wife. Like Queen Esther, Mikasenoja has been anointed to deliver such a word of brilliance and breakthrough to the most neglected and often wounded area of the church.the pastor's wife. Read with determination, read with discernment, read for divine deliverance!" Pastor Mike Stevens University City Church Charlotte, North Carolina

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (September 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1420884298
• ISBN-13: 978-1420884296
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,718,426 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Drama, Deception and Family Secrets, January 5, 2006

By 

The Good Girl Reviewers "goodgirlbookclubonline" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife (Paperback)

I have a confession....I don't think I could ever be a preacher's wife!

Mikasenoja's novel revolves around Pastor and First Lady Stevens. As the new spiritual leader of New Light Church, Pastor Lance thinks that he has his hands full. However, he quickly learns that it is his wife who has her hands full. While he is ministering to his flock, it is his wife who is keeping the home fires burning. As the church grows in numbers, so do the problems. There are members of the church who are just not satisfied that the Pastor has chosen the right woman to be his First Lady and they are determined to help him see the error of his ways. While the drama, deception and long buried family secrets make this novel an enjoyable read, it the spiritual insights (check out the Prayer Map) that will keep the reader engaged from beginning to end.

First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife reminds us that being a preacher's wife has got to be one of the hardest jobs on earth. A preacher's wife has to be humble, strong, spiritual grounded and she has to have a heart and arms big enough to embrace her immediate family as well as her spiritual family. Many are chosen but few are really called.

Happy reading!

Reviewed by Tonya Sabrina Hall for the the Good Girl Book Club and GoodGirlBookClubOnline

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 3.5) - Divine Intervention, June 13, 2006

By 

The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife (Paperback)

New Light Church in Southlake, Texas is the new home of Pastor Lance Stevens and First Lady Jacqueline Stevens. THE FIRST LADY: Confessions Of A Preacher's Wife by Mikasenoja is Jackie's take on how she sees her life and the lives of other first ladies within the African American church.

As the story opens, Jackie and Lance have arrived at New Light Church and are touring the facility. Assisting with the tour is a woman whose family was a founding family of New Light Church and whose great-grandfather and grandfather were once ministers. She feels it is her place to inform the new first family of this information in an effort to continue her control over the church. She sets in place a chain of events that is scandalous at best, which provides the background of this tale. We are treated to the daily lives and the emotional turmoil of Lance and Jackie and that of their children, within the church, at home, school and the work place. We are also privy to the back-handedness and evil machinations of the several church and community members.

The dialogue between the characters is realistic, so much so you are able to visualize their surroundings, the action taking place and the characters' mannerisms. Mikasenoja does a wonderful job of painting the pictures for all to imagine. The book is structured with the protagonist's storytelling mixed in with her daily journal entries to her First Lady [the journal's title]. Also included are many scriptures that are relevant to the drama unfolding, however these scripture lessons and prayers for strength are not overdone. One area came up short -- a major incident takes place and it is not defined. The "why" was not explained to my satisfaction and it left some unanswered questions. After the story concludes, the author provides a Prayer Map, which highlights specific prayers made and the results of those prayers. The Prayer Map is a different and thoughtful touch, assisting the reader with seeing the results of being a prayer warrior.

One can only assume the task of a first lady is difficult, but after reading THE FIRST LADY: Confessions Of A Preacher's Wife you can bank on the task being monumental. The power of prayer during the good and bad times is the ultimate theme within the text.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It takes a special woman!, October 1, 2005

By 

Camellia Johnson "Author" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife (Paperback)

"The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife is a great reality check and learning tool for current and future Preacher's Wives. It shows the discerning growth and trust in God needed for this crucial and special spot for God's first ladies to uphold God's leading man. If you're on the road to becoming a first lady, get this book and take courage. If you're presently a first lady, you will agree with and appreciate the trust walk "First Lady" brings to life!