Fortunately some issues are eventually resolved otherwise it could have been a depressing read. However, it reflected life by not offering quicker resolution. Challenges Christians to be steadfast in their faith and in prayer and to keep the main thing the main thing. ( )

Couldn't hardly put it down. Excellent read. ( )

This book starts with a young pastor and his wife being called to lead a small church in a small town in California that seems to be on its last legs. He has a big vision for what it could be and drives hard at it. I read this book as a young pastor within the first month of starting my first job as part of a team leading a church. Because of this coincidence of life circumstances, it had very particular resonances for me.

On a literary front, some of the writing is a bit clunky, but the plot kept me hooked, and I was drawn into reacting emotionally on behalf of the characters, which, for me, is a mark of a book worth reading.

I think that the author makes a strong case against the worse excesses of megachurches, but may overstate it in places. Where I am completely with her is in her insistence on the importance of faithfulness to the good news of Jesus, and the centrality of prayer to walking well with God. ( )

What a great book! I do enjoy Francine River's writing style especially in her books that focus on real life issues. This one doesn't disappoint. I like the feelings of hope that her books leave me with. This novel focuses on a pastor, Paul Hudson, who is called to pastor a struggling church in a small town. He turns the church around and soon it is no longer struggling at all. What happens in the following years chronicles a man's struggle with power and overcoming past hurts and future temptations. It shows a man's slide from living his life for God to living his life for himself only. Paul hurts his wife and son deeply. He makes a mess of his life. He forgets that God and preaching his word is what is important, not the material things. This book really took me on an emotional journey with all these characters and I became attached to them and felt their joys and sorrows. I was sad to see the book end. I would have liked to know what happened still in the next few years. I would highly recommend this novel especially to fans of Christian fiction.

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspo... ( )

I liked this one--about a young man pastoring a small old church, and what he turned it into---great story about salvation and the grace and mercy of God. ( )