Customer Reviews

Like Sheep Gone Astray

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

 

 

Sherrod masterfully untangles a complex web of deceit that Anthony, the protagonist, has helped to create for himself. Anthony, though flawed, is an admirable and likeable character, one that comes across as very real in his struggle to redeem himself.

A particulary thought-provoking theme, among many, is how the destructive cycle of a generational curse can be broken through true relationship with Christ. Sherrod shows how this process of deliverance from them can take time, and although God's forgiveness is immediate, there are still consequences for falling into a snare.

The writing is skilled, fast-paced, and entertaining. Undoubtedly, as a reader you'll find yourself pondering what you would do if confronted with moral dilemnas and/or temptations similar to the ones Anthony confronts.

I anxiously await Sherrod's next novel!

For Reverend Anthony Murdock, it began six month earlier. As a young and upcoming marketing executive, he was lured by big bucks to make a campaign against the Bethany Village development in favor of a new transit railway. The consequences of this act entangled Anthony in a world of politics and corruption, in Leslie Sherrod's debut novel, Like Sheep Gone Astray.

Anthony is miserable because his conscious is wearing him down. He is feeling guilty about accepting the bribe money in the past and again he is approached by the powers that be to sabotage the CASH foundation in their efforts to build Bethany Village. This time, he is saying no and no amount of money can change his mind. However, the powers do not accept no for an answer and start the wheels rolling to make it look as if Anthony is heading a new organization, Black Enterprise Alliance and fooling his wife into thinking they are millionaires. With all the wheels rolling and everything askew, Anthony goes to God for answers. His search for the truth takes him from Shepherd Hills, Maryland to Sharen, South Carolina. Along the way, Anthony reaches out to many to help in his search. Some who are worthy and on his side and others who may not have his best interests at heart. In the meantime, Anthony's wife Terri is of the opinion that church and Anthony's ministries have little to do with her happiness. Her happiness is dependent upon her becoming partner at the Interior Design Firm where she works and that Anthony forget about his ministry and return to bringing more money to the home. Because if Anthony will not, then multi-millionaire Reginald Savant will do just fine.

Sherrod has written a somewhat suspenseful novel with a "Christian Fiction" flair. Prayer and searching the scriptures helped Anthony solve the mystery of who is out to destroy him. There are a lot of characters in this book. Really, too many and at times if was difficult keeping up with who is who and their purpose. Cutting out some of the characters and unnecessary storylines would have made the book a little more suspenseful and the action flow more smoothly. All in all the book was able to hold my attention and I wanted to continue reading to find out who the culprits were and see the unexpected outcome.

Jeanette
APOOO Bookclub.

Everything is not what it seems in Shepherd Hills. Secrets are hidden below the surface of this small, peaceful community, and one man, Anthony Murdock is at the core. Like Sheep Gone Astray is the intriguing story of how one man's quest for wealth leads him down a path that slopes into the dark depths of destruction. Caught in an intricate web of deceit, central character, Anthony Murdock, is on the verge of losing everything--his ministry, his wife, and his integrity. It will take more than money to get him out of the mess he's made, and Anthony knows it. But will he surrender and call on God, or will he sink deeper into the pit that threatens to destroy him?

Like Sheep Gone Astray is an example of impeccable writing that takes you on a vivid journey from the first page to the final. Debut author, Leslie J. Sherrod, has given us a gift. Her characters are well-developed and her plot satisfying with the unpredictable. This unique, dramatic, and dynamic tale of the painful consequences that come when material gain becomes more important than God, family, and friends is highly recommended.

So looking forward to the next one, Leslie!!

Reviewed by M. Elliott for www.mataelliott.com with Soul Pen

"The Regal Sisterhood Book Club" selected "Like Sheep Gone Astray" by Leslie J. Sherrod for it's May 2007 "Book of the Month". The storyline of this book provided us with a wonderful discussion on many topics and prompted questions which made us all contemplate our way of life and thinking. Unfortunately, we all agreed that the book was just a little too "busy". Way too many characters to keep up with and the complications of the business deals made the read a bit tedious. This is a good example of a great writing idea, that did not work out "just right". Hopefully Leslie's next novel will be a better read.

* The views expressed in this review are purely for informational purposes, provided by The Regal Sisterhood Book Club - Dallas. We don't claim to be professional reviewers, nor do we feel the need to be published authors, in order to express our opinions. We are merely readers who recognize quality literary material. Our comments are not meant to offend or ostracize anyone. We wish all authors the best success in their chosen field.

LIKE SHEEP GONE ASTRAY is a good story. It's suspenseful and ends with a good twist. I enjoyed it. The sub plots were a bit shallow and the secondary characters need a bit more substance. As a whole it was a good read. It was definitely a page turner after a certain point and had me interested to the end. Great work for a debut novel, nice job!

New author Leslie J. Sherrod, hits the mark with her debut novel, Like Sheep Gone Astray.

Anthony Murdock should be on top of the world. He is a young minister at Second Baptist Church of Shepherd Hills; he has a beautiful wife and a successful career as a top-level account executive at Shaw Enterprises. Then why is he so stressed out?

Anthony has made some decisions is the past that are coming back to haunt him in a big way. And it appears that his enemies may be coming from all directions. Terri, his wife, does not know about the decisions he has made that's left their marriage on shaky ground and both of their lives in limbo. She just knows she doesn't want to stay and now there is another man offering her a tempting way out.

Unearthing family secrets and exposing greed, betrayal, and lies, Like Sheep Gone Astray tells the suspenseful story of a man can get easily caught between his commitments, his career and his community.
Leslie J. Sherrod wrote Like Sheep Gone Astray partially out of her own struggle with defining success and tapping into her purpose. It is her prayer that within the cast of characters who represent many walks of life, readers will find someone to identify with, or laugh alongside; or someone who offers a challenge, or simply inspires. This reader thinks Leslie Sherrod has definitely found success and established her purpose. She is an author to watch out for!

Submitted by: Tonya S. Hall for the GoodGirlBookClubOnline & The GOOD GIRl Book Club Worldwide

Anthony Murdock has a secret that no one has an inkling of, not even his wife. Yet, someone knows of his unethical dealings with his former employer and THE one character flaw he suffers from: Greed--the desire for money...and lots of it.

To get out from under this weakness, Anthony abruptly leaves a company that offered prestige, wealth and accolades and answers God's call to take a ministry position in his church. Even though he understands this new direction will change his life, Anthony has a lot of running to do--before this story comes to a screeching halt--to escape from the mysterious benefactors who are using his Achilles' heel for their own manipulative ends.

As this mesmerizing story unfolds, Anthony discovers that the sins of a father he never knew, have come to roost, demanding payback. His wife, Terri, finds out they are millionaires, but cannot fathom why Anthony would hide such a glorious life-changing fact.

Leslie J. Sherrod's spellbinding tale is complete with intrigue, a fall from grace and forgiveness. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your soul" (I peter 2:25 KJV) implies those who turn away from false gods will find an illuminated path to the Lord through the gentle nudging of his voice.

I could not put this book down. It was satisfying and kept me on the edge of my seat. I am very exited for Leslie writing and look forward to reading her future novels.

Armchair Interviews says: Story of lies, and truth--and forgiveness.

Anthony Murdock has it all - a wonderful job, beautiful wife, he is a youth and young adult leader at his church where he preaches every fourth Sunday. Clearly he has it all, or does he?

Because of a choice he made, he now has a change of heart. This change of heart causes much concern for him because it will effect other people, mainly his wife and their lifestyle. Despite change, he's doing what his heavenly father has asked him to do. He has so many obstacles in his way it's hard for him to travel in the path that the lord wants him to go.

Anthony finds out that everything may not be what it seems. LIKE SHEEP GONE ASTRAY have a lot of twists and surprises. LIKE SHEEP GONE ASTRAY was so very lengthy that I felt the story could have been told with a shorter time span.

Reviewed by: Carmen

I bought this book yesterday as a beach read because I didn't want a sappy romance. I finished it today. I agree with some of the others, it's way too long and has too many characters to keep up with. It wasn't that suspenseful overall, just a lot of fact finding missions that unraveled too slowly and I still had unaswered questions at the end. I hope that the next book is shorter and/or the plot is much more developed than this one was. I am sure that she'll take all of our reviews as constructive, not destructive criticism. I look forward to supporting your next book project!

I love a good suspense story and was pleasantly surprised that this story was filled with a lot of intrigue and mystery.

Anthony Murdock, a man of God, did something in his past that threatens his current situation. He has come to terms with dealing with the consequences, but the chain of events seem to dig him in deeper and deeper. He feels like Samson and can't seem to find his way out. He learns through the process that alhough he dedicated his life to God six months prior, he's still accountable for the bad decisions he made.

Terri is Anthony's wife. Terri is blinded by money and can't see past the bling to understand Anthony's new found devotion to God. She feels shafted that Anthony gave up a six figure job to be a preacher and work at a smaller firm. She allows outside influences to cause her to doubt her husband on several occasions.

Not to spoil the suspense, but there are several incidents that happen that take Anthony on a whirlwind adventure. Many misunderstandings occur between him and Terri that may or may not destroy their marriage.

The fun part about reading Like Sheep Gone Astray is trying to figure out who is behind what before the story ends. Sherrod does a great job in holding the reader's attention. If you like suspense, this is definately one book you should pick up.