The Pastor's Wife [Paperback]

Jennifer Allee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2010

Maura Sullivan never intended to set foot in Granger, Ohio, again. But when circumstances force her to return, she must face all the disappointments she tried so hard to leave behind: a husband who ignored her, a congregation she couldn’t please, and a God who took away everything she ever loved.

 

Nick Shepherd thought he had put the past behind him, until the day his estranged wife walked back into town. Intending only to help Maura through her crisis of faith, Nick finds his feelings for her never died. Now, he must admit the mistakes he made, how he hurt his wife, and find a way to give and receive forgiveness.

 
As God works in both of their lives, Nick and Maura start to believe they can repair their broken relationship and reunite as man and wife. But Maura has one more secret to tell Nick before they can move forward. It’s what ultimately drove her to leave him six years earlier, and the one thing that can destroy the fragile trust they’ve built.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a child, Jennifer AlLee lived above a mortuary in the heart of Hollywood, California, which may explain her unique outlook on life. Her publishing credits include a contemporary romance novel, The Love of His Brother (November 2007) as well as skits, activity pages, and over one hundred contributions to the popular My Devotions series. She’s an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as the Nevada Area Coordinator. Jennifer resides in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas with her husband and teenage son.  Website:  www.jenniferallee.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (February 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1426702256
• ISBN-13: 978-1426702259
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #301,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jennifer AlLee spent the first ten years of her life living above a mortuary in the heart of Hollywood, California. She thinks this helps explain her unique outlook on life.

Her publishing credits include The Love of His Brother, a contemporary romance novel from Five Star Publishing (November 2007); The Pastor's Wife, contemporary women's fiction from Abingdon Press (February 2010); as well as skits, activity pages, and over one hundred contributions to Concordia Publishing House's popular "My Devotions" series. She's an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Christian Fiction Blog Alliance, and Christian Author Network. Her newest novel, The Mother Road, releases from Abingdon Press in April 2012.

Jennifer currently resides in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas with her husband and college-age son. If you'd like to contact Jennifer regarding speaking engagements or book club visits, please see her web site at www.jenniferallee.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tender, Thought-provoking Book, February 19, 2010

By 

Carla Stewart "Writer / Fiction Lover" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pastor's Wife (Paperback)

In her second novel, Jennifer AlLee explores a topic not often addressed: a pastor who puts his congregation's needs ahead of those of his wife. Nick and Maura marry young, excited at the prospects of their first church, but neither are prepared for the demands it will make on their relationship. A separation ensues. Now, six years later, Maura moves back to the small Ohio community when she inherits an old theater with the stipulation that she must live with her husband for six months while remodeling the theater. It's a dance of propriety as the two face the opinionated congregation and explore the plan God has for their future.

The story is tender and woven with grace. Jennifer raises many questions about the relationship of a pastor with his congregation and his family. Does God call a man or a couple? What roles are appropriate for the wife of a pastor? It gave me a new perspective in what it must be like to live the "fish bowl" life. A thought-provoking, but gentle book from a lovely author.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story! I enjoyed it., February 7, 2010

By 

Michelle Sutton (Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Pastor's Wife (Paperback)

I really enjoyed The Pastor's Wife. It was a powerful story of healing and restoration, and of dealing with things the very things the heroine had tried to avoid. I totally understood her pain and found her inner dialog to be appropriate and believable. Without giving away any spoilers, there was one thing that kept it from being a five star book in my estimation. But if I tell you exactly what that is it will spoil the story. I can say it has to do with someone's response to news that I found to be a bit over-the-top to where it bugged me as opposed to inspiring me. Other than that issue I found this to be a very powerful and healing story. I even got a bit teary eyed when the head of the board at the church softened toward the heroine. The plot continually moved forward and had no slow spots. The tension kept building and in so many ways was a very beautiful portrayal of how love for your spouse is supposed to last a lifetime. Obviously, that is not always the case and sometimes for very valid reasons. The message in this story was excellent and I highly recommend it.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Pastor's Wife, February 2, 2010

By 

C. Kendall - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pastor's Wife (Paperback)

When Maura Sullivan married Nick Shepherd, a new pastor, she had no idea what she would be competing with. After being married only a few months and feeling far too neglected, Maura leaves Nick and the small Ohio town where she felt like she never quite fit in. Now, six years later, she has returned to the people and place she abandoned because her name and Nick's name are listed in a will. All she can think about is taking care of business and getting back out of town again, but God has other plans for Maura and Nick.

When I first read the description for this book I did not think I was going to like Maura because she abandoned her husband and his congregation. But, as I read the story and learned more about Maura, I was able to understand her pain and what she went through. The Pastor's Wife is a fairly short book and is easy to read, but it is filled with a lot of deep spiritual relevance. Healing and forgiveness are the main themes throughout this story and Maura and Nick both have a lot of healing to do and they both need to forgive each other. I was delighted with this book and really enjoyed watching the changes that went on, not just between Maura and Nick, but also with the townspeople and the congregation. There are many Godly lessons to be learned in this short and sweet story that I liked very much.