Customer Reviews

The First Lady: Confessions of a Preacher's Wife

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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

"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!

This was a very insightful book. We really got the oppurtunity to see first hand what First Ladies go through. This book also ministered to as a mom and a wife. We should all pray daily for our First Ladies. Thank you for writing a heart felt book.

While the storyline is commendable, the story itself is boring and tedious. I don't consider myself a literary snob, however, I guess I can't get past the poor editing to truly enjoy the story.

A insightful book about the issues a first lady faces. I was very please on how she handled her issues through prayer and journaling.It also open my eyes to issues I was unaware of that a first lady faces. Which I now know I need to constantly be interceding for my first lady and her family for the challenges and obsticles they experience. This also made me examine myself as a mother, wife and sister in the Lord on how to handle my own challenges.

A insightful book about the issues a first lady faces. I was very please on how she handled her issues through prayer and jounaling. It also open my eyes to a lot of issues I was unaware of that a first lady faces. Which I now know I need to constantly be interceding for my first lady and her family for the challenges and obsticles they face. This book also had me exmaine myself as a mother, wife and sister in the Lord on how to handle my own challenges.

this was a awesome book about the issues that pastor wives have to endure this was a very good book about sister in the chruch that has lusted for the pastor and the lenght some congragation members will go to to keep drama in the church, i love the way this lady dealt with the issues of being a first lady. this is a book all chruch folks should read and maybe they will have better behavior and start acting like christans and not chicken heads

I read this book in one day!! It was so good. One of my co-workers is a first lady and I gave her the book to read. The first time I asked her about the book, she stated that so much of what Mikasenoja write about with some church members was so true!! Now her husband is reading it. I can't wait for her next book!!

Kim has put into print a realistic view of a pastor's wife. Everyone should read it so that their support of a preacher's wife would be more sympathetic. It showed that they have real feelings and problems too. The solution was prayer!