Up Pops the Devil (Paperback)

by Angela Benson (Author)
Key Phrases: Big Boy, Third Hades, Children's Center (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Two hard years in prison have changed Wilford "Preacher" Winters for the better. He did his time, now he's going to "do the right thing." But the women in his life have other ideas.

Tanya, the sleek and sexy mother of his two kids, is much too comfortable with her pearls-and-Porsche lifestyle, and she'll do whatever it takes to maintain it... His sister, Loretta, kept "the business" running smoothly while Preacher was inside, and she can't believe he'd trade Easy Street bling for a nickel-and-dime dead-end job...

His one-time girlfriend Serena, now married to his main man Barnard, is hiding a secret—and if past sins come to light, they'll ruin several lives and a very new, very precious friendship between Preacher and Barnard's beautiful-inside-and-out sister, Natalie.

With his world about to explode all around him, Preacher's going to need every ounce of his new-found faith to remain strong. Because it takes a lot to become a new man, sometimes even a miracle.

About the Author

Angela Benson's numerous novels include the Christy Award-nominated Awakening Mercy, The Amen Sisters, and Up Pops the Devil. Currently an associate professor at the University of Alabama, she lives in Northport, Alabama.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Avon A (July 29, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061468509
• ISBN-13: 978-0061468506
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #409,979 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm Free, Now What>, August 3, 2008

By	J.C. Wallington "jnettefrommi" (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

Preacher is just a babe in Christ when he is released from prison. He strives to live the straight and narrow Christian walk. The Devil (Boss) and his assistant, Sean, have other plans to bring Preacher back into the fold by any means necessary. They target the women in Preacher's past to help accomplish this goal in Angela Benson's newest novel, Up Pops the Devil.

Upon release from prison, Preacher is anxious to reunite with his fiancée and the mother of his two sons, Tanya. Tanya is used to living the good life based on the money that Preacher made running drugs. She cannot fathom living a life less glamorous than she has in the past. As Preacher makes true to his claim of change, Tanya has plans of her own to thwart them.

Loretta, Preacher's younger sister kept the business running while he was in prison. Her plans were for him to take the business back upon his release. Preacher's conversion to Christianity put a damper on her plans, but she persisted in keeping the business going, so when Preacher decided to leave this "Christian nonsense" behind, he still had a business to run.

Serena is Preacher's ex-girlfriend. Although it had been years since they were an item, their past relationship could mean the end of a meaningful friendship Preacher has with Barnard, Serena's husband. Serena's problem in forgiving herself for past actions takes a toil on her marriage and puts a friendship in jeopardy.

Reading this book brought a couple of scriptures to mind that were relevant to the story. One is "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart." Preacher got his name because he was always carrying around his grandmother's bible. Before she died, she raised Preacher and his sister in the church and the bible was the one thing of hers that Preacher was able to keep and thus keep his upbringing in his heart. Also, I thought of the scripture that says "when I would do good, evil is on every hand." Preacher tried to do right; live according to God's word, but the devil and his agent were there to twist and turn things around so that Preacher and all those close to him would suffer.

I loved how Ms Benson built up the suspense in this novel. I could see all the layers of each individual's life come apart. I eagerly anticipated the cookout scene when all the characters came together. All the tension at that gathering was just the groundwork for even more suspense. I think Up Pops the Devil will appeal to both Christian fiction and urban fiction readers.

Jeanette
APOOO BookClub
Motown Review Bookclub

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who's The Real Devil?, August 13, 2008

By	Urban-Reviews.com (Urban-Reviews.com) - See all my reviews

Wilford "Preacher" Winters has served two years in prison and is now back in society. Preacher has given up his illegal worldly past and now is focused on serving the Lord. He also wants to marry his live-in girlfriend Tanya so that they can be a good example for their two young sons. But Preacher soon finds out that this is easier said than done. Tanya has expensive tastes and is not willing to give it up. Preacher's sister Loretta is the silent partner in his drug empire, and she doesn't believe her brother's jailhouse conversion. Loretta has kept the business going while Preacher was locked up, and she will try to do everything possible to put him back in charge. Preacher's former girlfriend Serena is now married to his friend and mentor, but she has a secret that will shatter all of their lives. Will Preacher be able to live the straight and narrow, or will he succumb to the allure of the streets?

Up Pops The Devil is an innovative novel by Angela Benson. Benson brings us a classic tale of a ex-con that is trying to turn over a new leaf. You will root for Preacher as he tries to grow in his walk with Christ. This story shows that sometimes when a person is making a change in their life there will be people that will try to pull you in a different direction. Benson showed great creativity with how she showed how the devil is always busy in trying to get and destroy souls. Up Pops The Devil is thought-provoking and insightful. Angela Benson has brought us an excellent novel that deals with faith, temptation, and redemption.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
of Urban Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Sassy Life Lesson, September 5, 2008

By	Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Preacher, a new Christian fresh from two years in prison, reenters life with hopes and dreams and crashes into the reality of his past. All of the consequences have been waiting for him, curled up like dormant rattlesnakes, and once he attempts to pick up pieces the rattles begin. A glimpse into a Hades gives further tension as spiritual puppetry is revealed.

These characters are ones that I grew to care about and I hoped for Preacher as he faced serpents all around. Sensitive or conservative souls may want to use caution. The characters behave like sinners saved by grace who need a lot of forgiveness. Solid storytelling and writing skills make the novel an escapist read that ends up challenging and teaching.