Customer Reviews

The Preacher's Wife (Love Inspired Historical)

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

 

 

I bought this book not knowing anything about it other than the fact that it is written by one of the best writers of western romances--Cheryl St. John. I've slowly accumulated a collection of her books and will read anything she writes. Why? Because she has the ability to create vulnerable characters that really provoke a strong emotional reaction.

Though "The Preacher's Wife" has vulnerable characters in Samuel the widower struggling to raise 3 daughters and Josie the lonely widow, the story just didn't move me. I can't precisely put my finger on it but I missed some depth with how Samuel and Josie dealt with each other. Their roles are not defined. Does Josie think she is just going to be a stepmother to the girls? Does she know if she will also share a marriage bed with Sam? Would she be okay with both possibilities? Sam offers for her after a relatively short period of mourning, out of necessity. Does he make certain Josie knows what he wants of her? Shouldn't he clarify during his brief proposal? Does he find a way to let her know that it's too soon for them to have a physical relationship but not an impossibility in the future? Later on we find out they are sharing a marriage bed but there was nothing leading up to that, which must have been a difficult decision for Sam and the perfect opportunity to show that vulnerability.

I see that the book is published under Steeple Hill, a division of Harlequin that is more religious themed. Perhaps their writing guidelines effect what an author can write about. This story is pretty tame in the romance department.

Still, overall the book is good. Cheryl St. John is an excellent writer. I hope she continues to write books with characters that pull at our heartstrings.

The Preacher's Wife, by Cheryl St.John, is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I finished it in one evening, then had to go back and reread some parts the next morning. I thought the cover picture was also appropriate and appealing.

I liked that it wasn't suspenseful, but was just a sweet heart-warming story that brought tears to my eyes several times.

Cheryl St.John is such an excellent writer and made her characters come to life. They depicted such realistic behaviors and conversations. I hated for the book to end and will look forward to her sequel: Elizabeth's Story. I hope we'll see more of these characters in the new story.

I also have learned not to read the back cover, as it gives away who will end up with whom, though you usually know on the first page anyway. I liked that there were two potential 'preacher' suitors for Josie and by not reading the back cover, I wasn't sure which it would be for awhile.

This was such an endearing book to end the day with and bring sweet dreams. Thank you Cheryl St.John for such a good read!
Barbara H.

I loved this book. Josie embodies unselfish love, and Sam is one of the finest heroes I've encountered. No spoilers here, but the ending put tears in my ears. It's perfect!

Cheryl St John has written a great book for her first Love Inspired novel. After writing many Harlequin Historicals which have a higher level of sensuality, the author still conveyed the emotions and conflict necessary to an entertaining book. She picked her characters and their traits well and I really enjoyed reading this book.

Badgered by her late husband's mother, Josie Randolph makes the weekly trek to his graveyard although she longs to put the past behind and start a new life. Josie is a nurturer. With inherited wealth, she doesn't need a job to maintain her lifestyle so she volunteers at the parsonage, keeping house and taking care of the injured pastor. A widower, the lonely pastor proposes to Josie. A marriage based on friendship seems to be what they both need. Yet, Josie hesitates.

Enroute his new post, Samuel Hart has just faced an unbearable hardship. He lost his wife and his daughters lost their mother. Sadness and guilt hangs over the quartet like a soggy blanket. Sam has no idea how he'll cope with the girls and his work, but he's a preacher and has faith it'll work out. He sees the lonely widow working at the parsonage where he stops for awhile as interim pastor. After watching her offer empathy and wisdom to his daughters, Samuel feels led to offer marriage. She'll be a suitable caregiver as well as a preacher's wife but that's as far as his intentions go.

Suddenly faced with 2 proposals, Josie picks Samuel. She already feels an affinity for his daughters and she's half way in love with him. When it's time for Samuel to leave the parsonage behind, Josie, as his new wife, goes with him. But being a wife and feeling like a wife are two different things when the husband's heart isn't involved.

Heat Level: Affectionate

My Rating: Great - 4 stars (a keeper)

It is a fantastic romance! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

This is the story of Josie, the widow; Sam the interum Preacher who just happens to be a widower with three daughters; and their rather too hurried marriage. They move to Colorado because this is where he has been sent by the church. He, Josie and the girls, are moved into a tiny hovel by the church fathers. Josie takes a portion of her inheritance and buys a huge house for her new husband and family. That is when he finally discovers he has married an heiress. The characters are well written and fairly realistic. They are just way too religeous for me. Every chapter of this book is full of God, and God's blessings, and prayer, and it drove me nuts! Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Cheryl St John has disappointed me for the first time ever.

I've read a few Cheryl St. John books but Christian/Inspirational is not her forte. Or perhaps she's grown since this was her first one.

If you enjoy Love Inspired or Christan romance BUT despise the preachiness and overabundance of scriptures PASS this book on by like scenery.

I think overall there was a decent story here but he got boggled down with campy preaching and ridiculous copy/pasting of Scripture and just falling to your knees at any given moment praising the Lord. As a Christian, this book reminded me of those eye-rolling holy rolling, ridiculous televangelists. Like that ridiculous lady on the Christan network who's suppose to know God yet she alters how God made her with her cotton candy pink wigs and Joan Rivers like plastic surgery. Jane something or other.

The hero is SO dedicated to God's word that he sucks as a man, parent and father. Neglecting and just being freaking absentminded.

The heroine is weak and the kids are cute but annoying and one is just a witch.

The formula is bad. For the longest time the story just remained static. Didn't move an inch. The summary mentions the preacher going to Colorado but more than HALF the book is them staying in Nebraska and nothing progressing. From day one, Josie and 2 of Sam's daughters bonded. Duly noted Ms. St. John, get them to Colorado already.

Then as with the usual horrible formula's everyone apologized at 99.99999999% and the whole story is one big 'well what the HECK was the point?" when everything is DRAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGED out until the last minute.

Yuck. It's not worth even 30 minutes of your time. Pass it on by. There are many better Christian romance novels out there. It was just way too uneven and choppy. Not worth the read.

I really like this author. Her characters are warm, they overcome adversity, and they pull you into the story.