Customer Reviews

Soon and Very Soon

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Meet Vanessa Morton, a strong, independent woman destined for ministry or as some would see it, simply an heir to her daddy's pulpit. Then there's Pastor Willie Green, the attentive and compassionate pastor of the traditional Harvest Baptist Church. By mutual acquaintances, two pastors of two independent churches meet and God's vision enters the picture. Soon and Very Soon is a story of triumph and faith. It tells the story of a woman demanding respect as a female of the cloth and not settling for less, it is a story of a woman realizing that she can still grow spiritually herself at the same time she is charged to minister to others. It is the story of the test of a man's faith and trust in God. What happens when members of the church don't see a pastor's vision, what happens when a church divides, what do churches experience when memberships combine? Read Soon and Very Soon and you'll find out just what a feat like this entails. Can Vanessa be a supportive wife? Will she take a backseat to her husband? Will Willie ever stop worrying or stop long enough to spend quality time with his wife? Good supporting characters Keisha, Paul and Deacon Charley Thompson help the story along. All the characters learn through obedience and faith, that God will make a way.

Pastor Willie Green has devoted his life to leading Harvest Baptist Church. The members have become accustomed to his attentive nurturing and fierce love of God. So it stands to reason that many of them are unsettled when Pastor Green marries Vanessa Morton after a 10-month courtship. See Vanessa is the dedicated and charismatic pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist church and her contemporary way of preaching the Gospel doesn't set well with the traditional customs of Harvest Baptist. When the Green's return from their honeymoon they announce that their churches will unite which ignites division in not only the congregations but their new happy marriage.

SOON AND VERY SOON is a story of love and faith. The character development is off the chain, you will feel part of the Green household and see exactly what pastors do after service. While the supporting characters add realism to the story, especially Deacon Charley and Sister Keisha as we know how church folks and relatives can act up. Jackson pays particular attention to describing scenes, applying scriptures, encouraging readers through the use of mini sermons while adding a touch of suspense between the lines. SOON AND VERY SOON is a quick read that will make you laugh, stand up and say AMEN and help you realize that LOVE conquers all. The ending is screaming for a sequel as Deacon Charley is still up to no good.

Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

"Soon and Very Soon" Is well written and comical at times. As you learn along with Pastor Willie Green and Pastor Vanessa Morton that God moves on his own time. You are pulled into a world of backstabbing, name calling, holy ghost trotting baptist church goers.The characters are so real you will start to feel you are sitting on a pew at any neighborhood baptist church.

The title and cover alone made me want to read, Soon and Very Soon by Sherryle Kieser Jackson. The reader gets in the lifestyle of a pastor and his first lady (who is also a pastor), where they plan committees, conferences, and hardly have time for one another. Do they value their marriage vows? Pastor Willie Green intentions was to marry Pastor Vanessa Morton since he was single at nearly forty years old and wanted the pastoral leadership at Harvest Baptist, who followed traditional standards--lead him to an open relationship-marriage. The ultimate goal was to see who would be chosen to become the senior pastor of Harvest Baptist Church. Vanessa was outspoken and shared her views on women preaching in the congregation, as Willie was a laid-back while shepherding his flock. Vanessa and Willie appear to be total opposites, but Willie wants Vanessa to submit to his earthly needs and wish Keisha (Vanessa's sister) single-self get out of the way. In addition, when do you break ties with members in your congregation and those constantly coming to you with problems, inside and outside of the church?


I believe the reader's expectations can be high based on the title and/or cover, yet I felt this story took awhile for the progression of the storyline or plot, and barely enough spunk to keep the reader intrigued or inviting them to read pass the imaginary scenes. Yet, the visualizations were there in which I could imagine being in this Baptist Church with some comical or overly holy and thou characteristics from the pastor's board. The book is well-written, yet needed intriguing, mind-boggling, or entertaining plots to keep the reader turning the pages to be emotionally struck or moved by the character's emotions, or stories. The ultimate message is to find out who you are, not overshadowing or shadowing someone else dreams and ministry, you have to discover the calling and talents God has instilled in you.

Adrienna Turner
AAMBC Book Reviewer

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the story line was a page turner. I enjoyed the way Willie Green and Vanessa came together. I was so happy that she changed the name of the Church to The Pleasant Harvest Baptist Church and surprised her husband. That put the icing on the cake for me.

I dont know what to say about Deacon Charley Thompson, maybe you are doing a sequal and see whats in store for Charley.

Thanks and God Bless you for a wonderful story

Sherryle K. Jackson's SOON AND VERY SOON introduces us to pastors Willie Green and Vanessa Morton who, after a whirlwind courtship, could not deny that it was God who brought them together. That's why after less than a year of dating, this middle-aged couple was joined in holy matrimony. Now that the honeymoon is over, they have come back home to bring to fruition the vision God has given them: the unification of their two churches. However, as "Unification Day" draws near, the couple will find themselves in the greatest fight of their faith; a battle they can win only if they keep God as the head of their union and run with the vision He has given them.

Pastor Green is the easy-going, always available pastor of the traditional Harvest Baptist Church. Since he is no longer at their disposal, there are a few members of the congregation who are having a difficult time embracing the relationship God has given their pastor, especially since it involves leaving the comfort of their pews to sit under the ministry of a female pastor. When the plans to join with Harvest Baptist are potentially hindered by one of his trusted members, Pastor Green's faith in God and his marriage will be tested.

Vanessa Morton is the fiesty, no holds barred pastor of the contemporary Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Left in charge of a growing congregation after the death of her father, Vanessa has won the uphill battle proving that she has been called to preach the gospel and lead a church. However, it is at home where she is most challenged. Being single for so long and serving as the leader over many, Vanessa is having hard time coming home and being led by another. With her church about to join her husband's, Vanessa will have to decide whether her desire to make all of the decisions and have the final say about everything that pertains to her outweigh her commitment to God and her husband.

SOON AND VERY SOON is a well-written tale of Christian Fiction that clearly shows the reader how human nature can get in the way of the things of God. With well-developed, realistic characters and a strong biblical foundation that is not preachy, Sherryle K. Jackson's novel is an engaging pageturner that will cause the reader to rediscover their faith and push their egos to the side so that His plans may come to pass. I truly enjoyed Jackson's debut novel and genuinely look forward to reading more of her work in the future.

Reviewed by Nicole S. Gary
for The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This debut novel from Sherryle K. Jackson gives the reader a realistic view of the faith struggles that Christians go through. Through her main characters, pastors Willie Green & Vanessa Morton, it is clear that is not always easy to run with the vision that God has given you.

Kudo's to Sherryle Kiser Jackson for her debut novel Soon & Very Soon. Her depiction of church politics and misplaced alliances to religion and not God were dead on. Her words allowed me to feel the after wedding bonding and merging of two independent saved individuals into one unified spirit; a marriage. They taught lessons of balance, communication, forgiveness, real love and survival. You learn the importance of focusing and waiting on God. Soon & Very Soon is a story of trust, faith and all things working together for those who love God an are called according to His purpose. Wonderful story.

Author Sherryle Kiser Jackson penned a christian fiction story, sharing with readers what it really means to become one as man and wife. The marriage of Pastor Green and Pastor Morton included natural family members as well as the transitioning of two church families merging together to become one.

Pastor Willie Green and Harvest Baptist Church were used to their traditional services while Pastor Vanessa Morton and Mt. Pleasant Baptist church were contemporary, causing doubts and an uprising with some of the members of Harvest Baptist church when the couple met and were married. God gave the couple the vision to merge both ministries and before anything concrete could take place, all hell broke loose at Harvest.

Through the marriage transition, after being single for so long, both pastors learned important lessons that would also help them in moving forward with the vision for the churches. With all the doubts, negative words, gossip and blatant defiance, would both churches be able to come together in love and unity?

Author Jackson wrote a story with just enough detail to grab my interest and apply biblical teachings in the situations that the pastors and their congregations went through. Her characters were well rounded, and her ability to make them come alive was a plus for me. I especially loved the way she depicted one of the deacons in particular, and you can best bet there will be a follow-up to Soon and Very Soon because of him.

I recommend this book to those who are struggling with what it means to be one in marriage because what was shared was very insightful and helpful.


Reviewed by Sharel E. Gordon-Love
APOOO Book Club

This was an awesome first novel and I absolutely loved all the characters. I was most impressed with Vanessa and her sister because I definitely could relate. I appreciated the relationships and the inter-weaving of each character and the mini sermons. It was one of those AMEN moments.

You have outdone yourself and I am proud to personally know you. Good job and I absolutely loved the book. Good read for singles, married, and just those wanting to see reality from a fictional standpoint.