Into Each Life (Urban Christian) [Paperback]

Shelia E. Lipsey (Author)

Book Description

Series: Urban Christian | Publication Date: January 1, 2009

Best friends since childhood and raised in the church, Prodigal Runsome and Teary Fullalove start to learn at an early age that having faith in God is easier said than done. Their lifelong relationship comes with its own set of problems when Prodigal's feelings run deeper than the throes of friendship. Teary, oblivious to Prodigal's true feelings for her, turns to Prodigal more than she does God, whenever things start to go haywire in her life. When Prodigal meets someone else, will she take the place in his heart reserved for only Teary? Are the steps of this man really being ordered by the Lord or being fueled by his own desires?

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Urban Mass Paper; Reprint edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601629788
• ISBN-13: 978-1601629784
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,002,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a novelist who loves what I do. I am so thankful that I have been blessed to live my dreams now. Thank you readers, book clubs and friends for your support. I would love to hear from you. Your reviews, comments and suggestions are always welcome. Thank you for everything you've done and all that you will do to keep my literary dreams alive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars God's Ways Are Not Our Ways, March 19, 2007

By 

Karen Lemmons "APOOO Bookclub" (Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into Each Life (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Into Each Life, Shelia E. Lipsey paints a pretty picture of two Christian families. Picture one is the Runsomes--husband Solumun, wife Ruth, and three beautiful children, Prodigal, their son, Fantasia, the oldest daughter, and Hope, the youngest. They love God, pray everyday and study the word. Picture another loving Christian family and you have the Fullaloves-husband Brian, wife Cynthia and their two daughters Sara and Teary. They love and serve God, too. When tragedy strikes the Runsome family, the family becomes angry and bitter towards God, and they lose their faith in God. Although the Fullaloves do not experience a tragedy like the Runsomes, they do have their share of disappointments.

Teary and her family moves into the same neighborhood in which the Runsomes live. When Prodigal sees Teary for the first time, he is disappointed. Prodigal looked for a boy, but saw Teary instead. They meet and actually become very good friends. At some point, Prodigal and Teary vow to be there for each other to the end. Teary meets some boys that attract her. These boys are handsome and their "smooth game" impresses Teary. Prodigal meets Faith Meadows and he really likes her. Although they have their "love" interests, Teary and Prodigal remain close friends. When Prodigal marries Faith Meadows and Teary marries someone, they still call each other, much to the chagrin of their partners. Then, tragedy strikes the Runsome family again. Will Teary be there for Prodigal? Will Teary and Prodigal remain close friends or become lovers?

Shelia Lipsey writes an interesting novel that suggests God is in control and His plan for His people will be fulfilled, in spite of ourselves. Lipsey also suggests that if the characters had remained faithful to God, perhaps they could have avoided some of their pain and heartaches. Teary chose men who later cause her some pain and bitterness. She wonders if she will ever experience real love. Prodigal made a good decision when he married Faith. However, he has to deal with his feelings for Teary.

Other characters enhance this story; each person dealing with his or her own feelings of loss, grief, and love. Ruth, Prodigal's mother deals with her loss and eventually prays for forgiveness. Sara comes to terms with her sin and also prays for forgiveness and guidance. As a result, each character realizes that God is gracious and merciful. Other characters have not made the decision. Lipsey makes the following point very clear. Everyone does not and is not going to accept God as their personal Savior.

Lipsey's writing is appropriate for the urban Christian fiction readers. The characters' behaviors are realistic and credible. Teary and Prodigal are well developed characters. Other characters are not fully developed but Lipsey gives the reader enough information about them. The pacing of the story is about right, with some twists and surprises. The ending is somewhat predictable. Lipsey integrates church sermons, prayers and scriptures very well into the story. Realistically, Lipsey has some characters calling on Christ when they are in a crisis. I liked the fact that some of the characters matured in their relationship with God. Other characters believed that having a loving relationship with that special someone, or being prosperous is more important than having a relationship with God. Into Each Life shows that what we think we want for ourselves is not always what we should have. Read this book for yourself and draw your own conclusion.

Karen Lemmons
APOOO Bookclub

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (RAW Rating: 4.5) - Pain Is Inevitable, March 20, 2007

By 

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

This review is from: Into Each Life (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

The bond of friendship is the theme of INTO EACH LIFE by Shelia E. Lipsey. Prodigal Runsome and Teary Fullalove are childhood friends who form a kinship with each other, which spans more than two decades. The story begins when the Fullalove family moves into the same neighborhood in Broknfield, Oregon as the Runsome family. It continues through Prodigal and Teary's high school years and into adulthood.

Prodigal and Teary's faith is tested with a series of tragic events, which cause both to question their belief in God. A death in Prodigal's family is his first test of faith as a young boy and his trials escalate from there. Teary's beliefs are challenged when her innocence is stolen, an act which masked itself as love. Through these events, Prodigal and Teary stand by each other providing comfort and shelter. When Prodigal dates, falls in love and marries his high school sweetheart, feelings amongst the three become embroiled and decisions must be made. It isn't until well into adulthood that the true examination of their love for each other comes full circle.

Sheila Lipsey has added a host of secondary characters in the form of parents and siblings who have their own stories to tell. Their take on life and choices they made force the reader to raise questions about their lives. The author sets the tone with the narrative of the surroundings, i.e., places, emotions and musings, but it is the characters' dialogue with each other that tells the story.

INTO EACH LIFE is an engaging story of the connection between friends and family. It highlights our responses when faced with adversity and how we attempt to overcome with our friends and family rallying around us. I found the familial alliance, which continued through the years between both families, refreshing. INTO EACH LIFE is a moving tribute to the power of forgiveness, the ability to stay faithful and the realization that life is a journey which each of us must navigate.

Reviewed by Dawn R. Reeves
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thank You, March 7, 2007

By 

Benjamin (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into Each Life (Urban Christian) (Paperback)

Thank you for writing this book that shows a side of Christianity that people do not often acknowledge. Accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior does not mean that life will always be happy and prosperous. Your novel shows readers that happiness can not be found in health, wealth, a man, woman, job, or family. Happiness is found in the Lord Jesus and Into Each Life resoundingly magnifies that joy comes from knowing that Christ died for our sins and that all who believe in Christ Jesus have the gift of eternal life, so no matter what comes into your life God is in control and our trust must be completely in Him. Thanks for your wisdom and obedience to God's call on your life. May you continue to minister through your writing and I look forward to your next release.