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Vicki, a wealthy city-bred woman, is horrified when her husband, James, accepts a pastorate in a small, dying town called Prince Crossing. Not only is she in culture shock, but she must deal with the pressures of being a pastor’s wife—and the disapproval of an elderly spinster named Iris. However, when they find a home and experience the warmth that everyone shows them when they move in, she begins to see a glimmer of hope. Through the move, she meets Jennifer, a lonely preteen, who has just lost her mother. James encounters, Richie, a young boy whose neglectful parents own the town bar. As all of these outward things are going on in their lives, Vicki is trying desperately to get her husband’s attention when everyone else wants it. She also must adjust to those who criticize James and deal with the hatred she feels for those who hurt him. As the year wears on, she loses her focus and struggles with her faith in God himself. This book is also filled with light-hearted fun. From her dismal attempts at making pies, to being chased by a bull, the story is sprinkled with rural life at its funniest. All of this weaves together to make Vicki’s first year in the country a particularly entertaining one.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 2011

225 people are currently reading
416 people want to read

About the author

JoHannah Reardon

30 books25 followers
JoHannah is a former Christianity Today editor. She has written numerous novels, a family devotional guide, and an adult devotional. She has written content for the Couples’ Devotional Bible and the Everyday Matters Bible.

JoHannah is married to Brad, who was a pastor for 27 years. He now trains pastors in third-world countries. Read more about how you can be involved with ReachGlobal:

Brad Reardon is a full-time missionary with ReachGlobal. He and his colleagues pass on three things to pastors who have little or no training:

1. How to study the Bible: They train pastors in basic Bible study skills so they can preach truth and disciple their churches.

2. How to obey the Bible: They help pastors to see that the goal of studying the Bible is obedience, as well as to exercise humble servant leadership and loving pastoral care.

3. How to teach the Bible: They equip pastors to proclaim God’s truths with power, conviction, and clarity, and to pass on the training they are receiving to other pastors they know.

Where they are currently training: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, India, and Southeast Asia. They are also setting up training in Liberia, Burundi, Zambia, Congo, Costa Rica, Philippines, Brazil, and Mexico.

Go to johannahreardon.com and contact JoHannah if you would like to help support Brad in this global mission or to ask any questions.

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5 stars
143 (46%)
4 stars
83 (27%)
3 stars
55 (17%)
2 stars
18 (5%)
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7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Profile Image for Birgit.
1,331 reviews17 followers
June 17, 2016
"Vicki, a wealthy city-bred woman, is horrified when her husband accepts a pastorate in a small, dying town called Prince Crossing in Blackberry County. Not only is she in culture shock, but she must deal with the pressures of being a pastor’s wife—and the disapproval of those who don't understand her. As all of these things are going on, Vicki is trying desperately to get her husband’s attention when everyone else also wants it.
Worst of all, will the town forgive her when she loses her focus and struggles with her faith in God himself?"
The ups and downs of being a pastor's wife in a small village, a story about a young woman finding herself and her place (and calling?) in the world, having to cope with small village living after a life in wealth, and losing her faith.
After a slow start, this delightful story quickly gained with very likeable and realistic characters. Add to that a very good and easily flowing narration style and a dose of humour, and you have a very enjoyable tale that will captivate the reader until the end.
I would not mind reading more of this autor, I really enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Joleen.
2,659 reviews1,227 followers
December 23, 2014
Okay, this one surprised me. I almost wish it wasn't fiction. This book reads almost like a diary... or more like someone sitting down with their friend and telling a story of what it was like to go from spoiled rich city girl to ministry-loving pastor's wife in a small rural town.

I didn't know I could like something like this, but I really did! This is like a real woman with all the same emotions and struggles as anyone, but as she deals with them, she learns and grows.

But it's so realistic... not churchy or religious, or holier-than-thou, as many of the books I've read in the last few months. This was a woman who truly wanted to affect the lives of folks in a town that doesn't know what to make of her most of the time.

She doesn't always say the right things, and puts her foot in her mouth often enough, but she admits her mistakes and in the end she's loved for it.
I recommend this.
Profile Image for Carol.
383 reviews
April 17, 2016
Wonderfully real

This story is a wonderful depiction of a newly minted pastor's young wife and her husband as they start a new ministry in a small town. She is growing as a Christian in that very difficult and public role and she displays wonderful Christ like characteristics as well as occasional feet of clay. Great read!
Profile Image for Joyce.
405 reviews2 followers
March 29, 2014
Not sure if this was the best but really enjoyed reading this series by Reardon. Not ususally into this type of book, but enjoyed all three in this series. Very good reading.
155 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2015
This is a very nice pleasant Christian theme book with some likeable characters. It's well worth the read.
Profile Image for Cindy .
701 reviews2 followers
December 18, 2015
Another good book, that shows how God works in our lives.
918 reviews3 followers
July 19, 2018
Not what I expected

First, this is not a romance, the genre I expected. Also, it is very Christian, being the story of a pastor's wife and her spiritual growth. It is well-written, has interesting, likeable characters, and lots of realistic yet unexpected plot turns. Worth the read, if you are okay with very Christian stories.
Profile Image for Karen & Gerard.
Author 1 book26 followers
November 5, 2018
This is told from the prospective of the preacher’s wife and is very believable and a pretty good story about a small-town country church. It moves a long quickly and does not have a lot of character development. I liked that it included the couple’s interactions with people in the community and not just those who attended the church. (Karen’s review)
Profile Image for Sarah Tummey.
Author 1 book8 followers
May 6, 2019
This book was really boring! Firstly it was nothing like the other 2 books in the series and secondly, for a fictional book, it didn’t have much of a story. It was more like reading a blog written by a pastor’s wife. Do we really care that Jennifer and Richie came over for a game of Monopoly? I suppose if you’ve wondered what pastoring a small church could be like, you might enjoy it.
Profile Image for Linda.
2,174 reviews
June 1, 2020
Born into a family of wealth and privilege, newlywed Vicki feels like a fish out of water as a pastor's wife in the small country town of Prince Crossing. But as she comes to know her neighbors and make new friends, Vicki realizes that Prince Crossing may be part of God's plan for her life after all ...
5 reviews
March 30, 2018
Loved this book!

This book is real! I was raised as a pastor's kid and this stuff happens. Loved how Vicki admitted her short-comings, but her answers and forgiveness were found through God.
Profile Image for Brenda Poulos.
Author 13 books79 followers
April 4, 2018
Pastors Wives Are Real People, Too

This was a delightful book, full of heartaches, happiness, real characters. Each scene worked well with the book as a whole. The book encouraged me in my own walk with God.
Profile Image for Vicky Connelly.
394 reviews4 followers
July 16, 2018
While reading this book, I realized the excitement and pressure a young pastor’s wife feels when her husband accepts his first position- especially in a small town. These women need lots of prayer, lots of support, and lots of love.
246 reviews
April 19, 2021
Excellent Novel

JoHanna Reardon is a gifted author who creates characters which portray lives that warm your heart. Her characters teach us important ways of life with their adventures which help us to relate to our lives. I look forward to reading more of her writings.
78 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2024
Inspirational

A marvelous story about a young couple who left the life style of the rich to move to a small country town to pastor a small.church.

The adventures and trials that they faced and over came.
56 reviews
April 3, 2018
Great reading

As a Christian I enjoy good clean reading. I enjoy the type of books that this author writes. I have read two out of this seiries and am looking forward to more.
569 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2018
Great book!

As a pastor's wife I totally identify with this book. I loved the characters and how Vicki tried to get to know them. Sometimes ministry can be a thankless job.
8 reviews
February 3, 2016
Must Read

This series is really good. Characters are very well developed. The writing keeps you involved and you can't wait to see what's going to happen next. I will read them again. Now I'm waiting for the Distant Shores series to become available on Amazon.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews

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