The Church Ladies (Paperback)

by Lisa E. Samson (Author) "Many mornings I awaken thinking how much easier the men have it..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Mildred, Miss Poole, Mount Oak (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
A Thousand Acres meets Friendship Cake in this engaging novel by Christian romance writer Samson. Readers in search of a fast-paced plot will want to look elsewhere, but those interested in a complex, compelling protagonist will enjoy this book. Narrator Poppy Fraser leads readers through the novel's two plot lines. The central story concerns Poppy's best friend, Chris, whose son tragically dies in a college hazing stunt. Poppy, a pastor's wife, begins to meet regularly with other local "church ladies" to pray for Chris and her family. The second story line concerns Poppy's own family: although she is a devout Christian, Poppy struggles with her role as a pastor's wife, and with her eldest daughter, who has rejected Jesus and Mom in favor of multiple body-piercings and premarital sex. Furthermore, in a startling plot twist for evangelical fiction, Poppy also wrestles with the guilt of an affair she had several years before. She works to hold her own strained family together, even as she tries to help her best friend's family heal. Samson's fans will love the feisty, honest Poppy; she's down to earth, occasionally sarcastic and always tempted by sweets and expensive coffee. She loves her kids, but doesn't romanticize parenthood. The book is distinguished by Samson's polished prose, especially her striking metaphors and similes ("the darkened sky still hovers over me like a Reformer's cloak"). Samson combines finely grained family drama with quirky Christian women's domestic fiction. (Mar.)
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The ministry makes no concessions for ministers' wives, Poppy Fraser thinks, when her husband of 20 years decides to chuck his fast-paced, high-paying career and answer the call from God. Poppy is unprepared for the demands the church makes on her time and, since she doesn't get paid as her husband does, isn't sure this is the life she wants. Add the fact that the town of Mount Oak is a tourist stop, with each church attempting to outdo the others, and Poppy is ready to pull her hair out. Gradually, she begins to meet with Mildred LaRue, the wife of a former pastor from another church, to gain advice. Their meetings expand to include most of the other ministers' wives in the area in a support group that crosses denominational lines. With their help, Poppy finally faces the failings in her marriage and her devotion to the Lord and becomes strong enough to help others when an unexpected death occurs. Samson (Fields of Gold) departs from historical romance to focus light on an aspect of ministry usually kept in the dark. Recommended for fans of Lynn Hinton's Friendship Cake (LJ 6/1/00).
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (March 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576737489
• ISBN-13: 978-1576737484
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #98,198 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Church Ladies: A Novel, March 19, 2002

By	L.J.DANIELS (Uncasville, CT, USA) - See all my reviews

I have it & I'm NOT selling it!!This is by far the best book I've read in the past year! (And I read 3-5 novels every month...) The characters lives are so real you begin to think of them as your actual friends. With poignant honesty, that will make you smile, laugh til it hurts, cry buckets & pray harder. I am a better friend & person for having read this book. Buy it & keep it!!

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Testimony for Forgiveness..., August 29, 2001

By	K. Melissa Galyon "melreads" (Rockwall, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While reading *The Church Ladies* with my on-line Christian bookclub, I ran the gamut of virtual emotions. At some points, I felt saddened; others, inspired. When living vicariously through the lives of Poppy, Chris, Duncan, Mildred and Paisely, I realized how important forgiveness of the people around you really is. Lisa Samson gave me a gift and a life lesson; so much more than a couple of days of literary entertainment.

Poppy Fraser is the embattled wife of Duncan, the Highland Park Church pastor. She divides her time between her family of three, her bestfriend Chris and her artwork. Although Poppy's marriage to Duncan seems like a happy one, Poppy has often thought about leaving Duncan for good. Secrets lining her past prevent her from fully contributing to her marriage.

A tragedy hitting close to the Fraser home opens Poppy's eyes to the lives in and around her community. She, with the assistance of Miss Mildred LaRue, develops a Monday night prayer group with the other pastors' wives in the community. The emotional support the women provide to each other becomes a turning point for Poppy's problems at home.

I thought the book was a much needed reminder that to seek forgiveness from others, we must forgive ourselves first. Lisa Samson delivered home a lesson for all of us! I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this wonderful author.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A quiet little book that packs a mighty wallop, July 27, 2002

By	R. Tiedemann "Sunnye" (Bellevue, NE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was peacefully reading along, enjoying some recognizable characters with somewhat predictable problems, appreciating the relationships between the church people of Mount Oak and sympathizing with Poppy's struggles with her life and her secret when, suddenly, this tame little book rose up and smacked me in the face. Like life tends to do sometimes.

This book asks the ancient question, "Why does God allow..." and offers the equally ancient answer. It's the soothing quietness of Samson's prose that contrasts so vividly with the issues she deals with here. Read it with your heart open -- it will hurt, but it will heal, as well.