Customer Reviews

Into Each Life (Urban Christian)

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

 

 

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

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

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.

Into Each Life is a really good book that deals with faith, families, relationships, and strategies. We meet two families: the Runsome's family, consisting of Solumun, Ruth, Fantasia and Hope; and the Fullalove family, consisting of Mr. & Mrs. Fullalove and their daughters Sara and Teary. Both families have very strong religious beliefs, but at times, the Fullalove family's religious beliefs seem pretty extreme for their young daughters.

When a tragedy hits, both families question there beliefs. The Runsome and Fullalove families become joined at the hip when their children, Prodigal and Teary become inseperable. You know how it goes, you meet a person at a young age and you'll become friends. It is uncommon to see one without the other. The only difference in this case is they are of the opposite sex.

Prodigal and Teary both grew up in christian households. Some of the choices they made were not always based upon their faith, even when they knew right from wrong. The friendship that Prodigal and Teary has does not create a problem for them, but it does for the people they meet as they become older. Teary is there for Prodigal, and Prodigal is ALWAYS there for Teary. Once grown, Prodigal and Teary grow up and go their separate ways.

Still vowing to always be there for each other, they keep that promise to each other even when they are going through personal situations in their lives. Everyone around them can see that Prodigal and Teary are in love with one another, however, either they can't see it, or they don't want to see it.

Into Each Life is such a realistic read that it can easily be about your family or a family that you're familiar with. A real tear jerker, I suggest that you have your hanky handy.

Reviewed by: Carmen

A new author to Christian romance, but not new to the literary world, Lipsey has delivered a spellbound love story that captivates you and taps your human emotions in an unforgettable way. You've heard the story of biblical character, Job and the trials he underwent that redefined his faith. Now meet Prodigal, a man that feels God has deserted him and mocked him to his very face. Take this journey with Prodigal as he questions God's love, his own strength to endure, and his discovery that he must walk by faith and not by sight, these emotions holds this fascinating piece of work together. The author clearly shakes up this character's faith. A must read!

Into Each Life is such an appropriate title. Shelia Lipsey outdid herself in this amazing tale of love, life, heartache and triumph. The story chronicles the lives of two childhood best friends Teary and Prodigal. Both were raised in Christian God fearing homes. The author helps us to realize that bad things do happen to good people. The question then is how do good people react when bad things happen? I guess you'll have to read the book to find out. I will say this, I promised my self as a Lispsey fan that I would not cry when I read this book. Well I broke my own promise. This book is filled with laughter, tears and a resounding faith that God will help us weather all storms. The Runsome and Fullalove families endured many storms. So ride the waves of triumph and defeat in this story aptly titled Into Each Life.

Crafting a story with absolute destiny, and a meaningful purpose to connect procedure with principle, has given Sheila E. Lipsey's book a leg up in contemporary Christian fare. INTO EACH LIFE, her latest, is rife with analogy, and a powerful story to boot that would leave you in awe of how such a story can be written amid the usual in this genre. A bit tedious and cumbersome in the beginning, it unfolds rather nicely in the middle stages, and does not impede further ramifications that make this a poignant tale. This is the story of two families, many concepts, and a few other canons we all are familiar with. The volume of faith that we all have is tested at times, and our protagonists are no different. Witness the families Runsome and Fullalove, as they struggle with innuendo, blatant challenges for familial order, and the need to fathom some sense of balance as it pertain to all things Agape.

The principals in the story, Prodigal Runsome and Teary Fullalove were destined to meet, formulating a unique bond throughout their adolescent years on up to adulthood. There were true tests of friendship, faith, and commitment. In the beginning it was always those two. They coalesced through the growing up years, grew apart a bit, but managed to mature and maintain ties. Then comes the winsome and beautiful Faith Meadows causing Prodigal to shift alliances. Teary foregoes her Christian upbringing and succumbs to the wooing of womanizer Skyler Jenkins. There's dissention among the families, and yes, the plot thickens, and so does the ability of the author to add intrigue for dramatic effect. But what are the lessons here? Shelia Lipsey writes the type of story where intrinsic value is realized only when you know who is in charge for the ultimate fulfillment. She alludes to touching analogies for the timing, setting, and characterizations to weave tight and engrossing. The secondary characters are important to the plot as she uses relative interaction for good proportion. I loved the way she was able to set the stage for good backdrop with just enough color for the canvas to illuminate with emotion and good dialogue.

The core of what the author is portraying has a lot to do with loyalty and keeping trust in God and each other, even through trials and tribulation of betrayal. For instance, when a tragedy hits, both families question their beliefs and question the validity of God. Individually and collectively their fates seem to be intertwined and congruous to each other. I harkened back to a death in the Runsome family that caused a bit of devastation. It gives Prodigal his first test of faith early on, and his troubles intensify further. Teary's beliefs on the other hand are challenged when her innocence and sense of purity is compromised under the cloak love for the wrong reason.

INTO EACH LIFE is an engaging, if not moving story of the connection between friends, family, and God's still small voice hovering near for remembrance unto Him. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars. I feel it will give readers a chance to revisit their personal elections for insight on how this story can be synonymous and reverent. I would rather have envisioned a different ending from the predictable one rendered by the author. One thing that endeared me to this story was the fact that the main characters gave a good final account to God's endearing presence in their lives. I recommend this book, and hope that the message is reinforced to accentuate forgiveness, the understanding of faith initiatives, and have discernible options to visualize the worth of doing what's right. Shelia E. Lipsey has arrived. Support and encourage her to get started on the next great read.

Oohwee! I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It is definitely one of the best books I've read this year so far. Shelia Lipsey is a talented author and a professional storyteller. Into Each Life made me feel 'fullalove.'

I enjoyed "Into Each Life" through and through. Teary and Prodigal both had bad things to happen in their lives. But God brought them through all of those times. I was excited to finish the book, because it seems like alot of me was in that book. Prodigal lost his wife, and his leg but never lost the love for Christ. Teary had two bad relationships and found true happiness with Christ love and Self Love. I have these words to say "BUY INTO EACH LIFE IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE". I meet Shiela Lipsey in the bookstore in Memphis and she was very nice. I will be telling all of my friends to purchase "INTO EACH LIFE" Follow Gods laws and you will never go wrong. Know your SELF and love your SELF.

Love & Faith are the common thread woven into this well written novel that holds it's readers captive with the turning of each page! When Prodigal Runsome watched Teary Fullalove and her family move in across the street from he and his family in Broknfield, Oregon he doesn't have a clue as to the course that his life will take from that day forward. Sheila Lipsey gives life to her characters in such a way, that it prompts her readers to reflect on issues in their own lives such as: innocence lost, bereavement, betrayal,family, faith, giving love, and most definitely how to love! When I read the names of the characters and their reference to Biblical names, stories, and christian attributes, I found myself reflecting on the names and their meaning, such as Prodigal and Faith's love (Song of Songs), Teary being barren (Sarah), and Ruth finding love after heartbreak (Ruth and Boaz).

This is a novel worth reading and sharing with others who love a good story and quite possibly need a reminder that "Into Each Life" God is still in control!

Michelle Dean - President
Sisters of Ruth Book Club
Louisville, Kentucky