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GIVEAWAY ENDEDMORE CHURCH FOLK
BY MICHELE ANDREA BOWEN
ABOUT THE BOOK:
It is now 1986, and the preachers of the Gospel United Church are preparing for their much-anticipated Triennial General Conference. The last time readers encountered the good Rev. Theophilus Simmons, he was a newlywed and the pastor of a modest-sized congregation in Memphis. Now he's the father of three and running a congregation in St. Louis. His best friend, Rev. Eddie Tate, is now with a fast growing church in Chicago, but he is getting real frustrated with the way things are run in the Gospel United Church. Marcel Brown and his father, Ernest, along with Sonny Washington and Bishop Larsen Giles have had two decades to perfect their slimy methods of "tapping" church funds and other misdeeds. Now they've found a secret weapon that will allow them to make fast money and accomplish what they failed to do 20 years ago--buy off enough power to dominate the entire denomination, put their cronies in key spots, and ransack the church like it is the spoils of war. It won't be long before the two opposing sides face off..."church-folk" style.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michele Andrea Bowen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an M.A. in History and a M.P.H. in Public Health. She lives in Durham, North Carolina. Michele is the author of the #1 Essence bestsellers Church Folk and Second Sunday.
MY REVIEW:
Michele Andrea Bowen’s new book, MORE CHURCH FOLK, revisits the group from her bestselling CHURCH FOLK and there is a new sermon to preach, or at least a new story to tell. It is now 1986, and the Gospel United Church is preparing for the Triennial General Conference. At this conference bishops are elected to fill vacancies. However, there is good and evil going on behind the pews, I mean scenes, as parishioners await the start of the meeting and election of new bishops. Percy Jennings who is the Senior Bishop just wants good Christian males to fill the important vacancies. He thinks that Pastors Theophilus Simmons and Eddie Tate would be good candidates and make wonderful Bishops. Bishop Jennings also knows that if even one of them can win, then there is a good chance that the church can be run properly and stop the greedy who are not in church for saving, although they are the ones who need it.
However, there are others who would use whatever means is necessary to gain control of a seat in the election so they can keep their illegal business going. When Bishop Jennings discovers that an import business in Mozambique is helping Bishops make money for themselves under the guise of helping the church, he has to deal with it. This “business” is to sell a “youth serum” that supposedly helps men to “regain their youth”. It is made from watermelon powder. The plan to sell it to the parishioners has to be stopped.
Bowen’s characters are well drawn and the main plot is an interesting read but I had trouble keeping everyone straight as there were so many different important characters. Evidently, Bowen realized this would be a problem so left a kind of footnote to help readers remember who each character was. Her theme of not always taking people at face value, as in trusting someone because they have a certain title, like Bishop, is well taken. I had a little trouble getting through the book as I had to work so hard to keep all the names in my head even with the author's help. Perhaps if I had read the first book, CHURCH FOLK, the players would have been clearer to me but overall, it was an enjoyable story.
It is now 1986, and the preachers of the Gospel United Church are preparing for their much-anticipated Triennial General Conference. The last time readers encountered the good Rev. Theophilus Simmons, he was a newlywed and the pastor of a modest-sized congregation in Memphis. Now he's the father of three and running a congregation in St. Louis. His best friend, Rev. Eddie Tate, is now with a fast growing church in Chicago, but he is getting real frustrated with the way things are run in the Gospel United Church. Marcel Brown and his father, Ernest, along with Sonny Washington and Bishop Larsen Giles have had two decades to perfect their slimy methods of "tapping" church funds and other misdeeds. Now they've found a secret weapon that will allow them to make fast money and accomplish what they failed to do 20 years ago--buy off enough power to dominate the entire denomination, put their cronies in key spots, and ransack the church like it is the spoils of war. It won't be long before the two opposing sides face off..."church-folk" style.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michele Andrea Bowen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an M.A. in History and a M.P.H. in Public Health. She lives in Durham, North Carolina. Michele is the author of the #1 Essence bestsellers Church Folk and Second Sunday.MY REVIEW:
Michele Andrea Bowen’s new book, MORE CHURCH FOLK, revisits the group from her bestselling CHURCH FOLK and there is a new sermon to preach, or at least a new story to tell. It is now 1986, and the Gospel United Church is preparing for the Triennial General Conference. At this conference bishops are elected to fill vacancies. However, there is good and evil going on behind the pews, I mean scenes, as parishioners await the start of the meeting and election of new bishops. Percy Jennings who is the Senior Bishop just wants good Christian males to fill the important vacancies. He thinks that Pastors Theophilus Simmons and Eddie Tate would be good candidates and make wonderful Bishops. Bishop Jennings also knows that if even one of them can win, then there is a good chance that the church can be run properly and stop the greedy who are not in church for saving, although they are the ones who need it.
However, there are others who would use whatever means is necessary to gain control of a seat in the election so they can keep their illegal business going. When Bishop Jennings discovers that an import business in Mozambique is helping Bishops make money for themselves under the guise of helping the church, he has to deal with it. This “business” is to sell a “youth serum” that supposedly helps men to “regain their youth”. It is made from watermelon powder. The plan to sell it to the parishioners has to be stopped.
Bowen’s characters are well drawn and the main plot is an interesting read but I had trouble keeping everyone straight as there were so many different important characters. Evidently, Bowen realized this would be a problem so left a kind of footnote to help readers remember who each character was. Her theme of not always taking people at face value, as in trusting someone because they have a certain title, like Bishop, is well taken. I had a little trouble getting through the book as I had to work so hard to keep all the names in my head even with the author's help. Perhaps if I had read the first book, CHURCH FOLK, the players would have been clearer to me but overall, it was an enjoyable story.
GIVEAWAY
THANKS TO ANNA AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS INTERESTING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!
THE RULES:
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED FOR MY BLOG.
GIVEAWAY ENDS AT
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 30!
THANKS TO ANNA AND THE GOOD FOLKS
AT THE HACHETTE BOOK GROUP,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS INTERESTING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY!
THE RULES:
--U.S. AND CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES, PLEASE
--INCLUDE EMAIL ADDRESS IN COMMENT
--ALL ENTRIES/COMMENTS MUST BE
SEPARATE IN ORDER TO COUNT
AS MORE THAN ONE ENTRY
HOW TO ENTER:
+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT MORE CHURCH FOLK THAT MADE YOU WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK
+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ONE OTHER CURRENT GIVEAWAY THAT YOU HAVE ENTERED FOR MY BLOG.
6 PM, EST, AUGUST 30!
GOOD LUCK!
25 comments:
Interests me that there are ministers (fiction is usually based on reality) that are about making money and running their denomination.
ReneeSuz82(at)msn.com
I also didn't read the first book, but this book sounds good, with the get-together that has a little crime and mystery going on behind the scenes.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
This book is unique and has an interesting plot. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered The Hangman giveaway.. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered A Stranger Like You. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
The premise of this book woould be fascinating. thanks. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sounds like a fascinating read..what goes on in the background of a church.
littleone AT shaw DOT ca
+5swag chirth7@yahoo.com
+5swag jeff727678@yahoo.com
+5swag shundelt@yahoo.com
I read the first book and would like to follow up with this.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I entered Maid of Murder giveaway.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I liked your review and the idea that there are so many machinations going on between the pews!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered the Fortunate Harbor giveaway.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I am a follower. I would love to read this book because it sounds really good. Tore923@aol.com
I would like to read this book because of the power plays for selfish reasons (money).
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I also entered the Amish Proverbs giveaway.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
+5 Swagbucks
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I haven't read the first book but this one sounds like it could stand alone. It goes on my Must Read List and I would love to read it. Thanks so much for the chance to WIN! ybutler@oppcatv.com
I would like this book because it seems to be part of a series - an interesting series.
Please enter my name in the giveaway for the book. Thanks!
pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com
This looks like an interesting read and that the ministers are not necessarily all about their religious faith but more about their faith in money and power
beachlover20855[AT]yahoo[DOT]com
It sounds like an interesting read and I have been drawn to books that start in the 80s lately.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
This book sounds interesting because it shows the behind the scenes politics of the church congregation.
seriousreader at live dot com
I tweeted about this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/22438349311
seriousreader at live dot com
I entered the Hangman giveaway.
seriousreader at live dot com
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