Customer Reviews

Joshua's Bible

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God called Joshua Clay to preach at an early age. And as a student at Wilberforce University in Ohio, he is working towards his goal of becoming a minister and eventually pastoring his own church. As graduation looms on the horizon, Joshua is given the opportunity of a lifetime, he is offered a position as a missionary in South Africa. This is a very unique opportunity since the story takes place in the 1930's, and Joshua is a Black male experiencing South Africa's system of apartheid. Joshua looks to God for guidance and God leads him to South Africa, on a journey that will change his life. He discovers that the people of Africa are nothing like he imagined; they don't live in the jungle or swing from trees.

What he does find is that Blacks are very oppressed in their own land as well, and are considered savages and heathens by the white minority. Even though this seems like a dismal situation, Joshua is determined to make his imprint on the people to whom he will minister. Unfortunately, due to pressures and restrictions from his bosses, conforming to the rules by which he is governed will not be easy for him. As a result, Joshua compromises himself and is blind to the injustices committed against his congregation each day.

God should be who Joshua listens to, but his superiors at the mission see things differently, and because of this, life for Joshua is hard. In JOSHUA'S BIBLE, author Shelly Leanne takes readers on a spiritual journey, and she uses pain and inspiration as the guides. This wonderful novel touched my heart and soul and I feel inspired to recommend it to others.

Reviewed by Simone A. Hawks
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This book should be on everybody's "must read" list. Leanne takes the cover off the foreign mission field and challenges us to consider what it means to separate faith and culture. This book will make you think about what it means to be a Christian according to the Bible, and what it means according to American culture. The time has come for us understand and make clear the difference in being Christian and being American. Leanne puts us on the road to doing just that. Read this book and you won't be disappointed. It's right up there with Sharon Foster's Passing by Samaria. I don't think I can give it any higher praise.

This book took me to South Africa. I love every word, sentence and chapter of this book. When I finished this book, I found myself going back to visit the chracters, because I had missed them. Highly recommended. This is a story of faith, and love. I can't wait until this author writes another book. Please hurry!!!!!!

The attention to historical and cultural detail in this book brings alive a time and a place far away from most of us. It also raises up the multifaceted nature of social and racial discrimination in a way that is breathtakingly balanced. A beautiful read.

This book was a wonderful read and it was written masterfully. It is a love story, about a young dynamic minister who travels to Africa to fall in love with the people, the country and a local woman named Nongolesi. I felt swept away by the detail and beauty of this novel, and I could not put the novel down. I hope there will be a sequel!!

This book is slow, not in terms of boring, but in that one can't rush through it. The story of Joshua's transition from a missionary sent by his mission to becoming a missionary made by God with a clear and true vision is one that has to be absorbed as it is read. Imagine being a Black from the States chosen by your white mission to go to South Africa to preach to other blacks just because you're also black. You're told what to preach and what your opinions should be and not to stir up the "natives". Interesting and inspiring book to me about self growth as a Christian. Eula O.

Shelly LeAnne's debut novel,Joshua's Bible, is overwhemingly impressive. It is a well written and vividly descriptive story of social and religious adversities that
existed in South Africa during the 1930's.
The Rev. Josohua Clay, a graduate of Wilberforce Univ., the first African American Missionary to be sent to So. Africa was full of enthusiasm and anticipation when he was selected.
This dynamic and eloquent preacher looked forward to spreading the gospel of Christianity to the South Africans, but soon found out upon his arrival that he would have to preach sermons from the prospective of the denomination that had sent him which was contrary to his Christian beliefs.
LeAnne gives a moving story of the social climate and culture at that time. She vividly describes the secenery, characters, and conflicts, also the importance of one's convictions.
Shelly LeAnne has proven from her first book that it won't be the last. It is very well written.
AMUST READ FOR ALL!!

Joshua's Bible is a poignent; moving, engaging and soul stirring novel that resonated in my heart and mind. Joshua's Bible is a hidden jewel, and once you discover it--you will fall in love with the heart, message and servanthood of a strong man of God---Joshua Clay.

Reviewed by The GOOD GIRL Book Club http://www.goodgirlbookclubonline.com

I initially dismissed this novel because I knew that it would have its painful moments. But when I started to read it, I really fell in love with the book. You have this African American in the 1930s, who against the better judgment of many, goes to South Africa. He tries to do what the mission board tells him by preaching in English only, advocate the reading of the English Bible as opposed to the marula Bible which is written in the Xhosa language,and discourage from taking a more professional ciricullum, but when he sees that the numbers dwindle during his services,the student's reaction to him initially, and his inaction proves to be an act of defiance towards his students and parishoners that he changes his tune, learns the language and preaches in it, help get a set of older ladies out of jail,encourage the students,participate in marches and protest against the pass laws and relocations, and even falls in love and marry a lovely African woman. One more thing I enjoyed about this is the way they described the landscape of South Africa. It was beautiful. Made you think that you were there as well. This book was great and highly recommended.

What a fantastic job! I read this novel and it truly moved me. This novel has it all - romance, an intense storyline, poetry for prose. I cannot recommend this novel highly enough. This novel sweeps you in from the very beginning. With the vivid descriptions Shelly Leanne provides, you feel as if you are right there on the ship ride to South Africa feeling the breeze of the Atlantic on your skin, then driving through the spectacular countryside of South Africa, and then witnessing first hand the rich beauties of Xhosa culture. This novel is destined to be a classic, not only because it is written to a high literary standard, but also because it conveys the love that has inspired people of all colors to work together toward a free and more prosperous South Africa. The multicultural cast in this novel is a particular plus. Excellent!