The Preacher and The Prostitute

by Brenda Barrett

Maribel struggled to forget her past, when she dabbled in prostitution, made porn videos and was a nude poster girl. She became a Christian and made a decision to use her singing talent to glorify God. However, she quickly realized that a young, single, attractive, talented girl was never going to remain unnoticed at church. First, she captures the attention of a jealous church sister who is determined to dig into her mysterious past and then the new pastor who seemed to reciprocate her affection. After falling in love with him, her past rears its ugly head and Maribel realizes that she has to tell her new found love the truth about her history before she can accept his marriage proposal. Can a preacher and an ex- prostitute be happy together?

Genres: African American, Fiction, Romance

222 pages, Paperback

First published February 13, 2012

About the author

Brenda Barrett is an award-winning and bestselling author who has a passion for writing real Jamaican romances.

When she's not weaving words that transport readers to exotic locales, you can find her nurturing her green thumb in the garden or doting on her beloved cats.

With an infectious zest for life, this author brings a unique perspective to her writing that is both relatable and thought-provoking.

Don't be surprised if you find yourself lost in the pages of her latest work, as she seamlessly blends romance with some drama, mystery, suspense, or even sci-fi, leaving readers wanting more.
https://www.brenalbar.com/newsletter

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read romance fiction, but my wife insisted, and I am glad she did. I thought i had the story line figured out based on the title but the twists kept me interested and the suspense held me to the end.

[Lizzie Winns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Author Brenda Barrett. Her books always sends a message that we can all live by. Her books are well-written and very honest about the raw feelings and genuine emotions from the main characters. Definitely would recommend this book.

[Casey Hartsfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the story. A few complaints though, first it goes too fast. Brenda should have made it 100-200 pages longer so she could have dedicated more time to character development. It happens too fast and always off-page. Especially at the end when it's mentioned Maribel was depressed over events that happened...if the book was a bit longer we could have gotten a page or two dedicated to showing how it actually affected her and not just it being told to us. It also doesn't look like it went through an editor, the grammar mistakes made a couple parts near impossible to read. Over all though it's a good read.
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And I might be the odd one out on this...but the ending kinda disappointed me. I know we needed Brian to learn forgiveness and get off his high horse to complete his character arc, but after everything he put Maribel through I don't think they should have ended up together. He caused her a lot of emotional pain for months, and really she deserved better than that.

[Kimberly K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

No steamy scenes needed! Just wow!

So I read this book after reading a review on how good it was. The writer of the review did not delve too deeply into the plot (for which I am grateful). I think the title of the book provides enough in the way of urging for any curious reader.

What I loved most about this story was how the male protagonist struggled in his human fleshly form with forgiveness. While it is something that we all struggle with, it was so good seeing how a man of the cloth - who, despite his best efforts, really struggled with putting this phenomenon into practice when he was co fronted with a real life - soul stirring - mind boggling - heart gripping - challenge - and even as he wrote a book on forgiveness. So so good!

I love books with steam…this book has zero steam! But can I say? It was absolutely not needed. I could not put this book down! The character of the male protagonist is kept in tact (there is one thing that…but he’s human right?)

So very well written and I am so happy that I read it. A good read for any Christian who loves to get lost between the pages of a romance novel!

[Sassha Reads❤️❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judge Not

It's easy to preach the Word but even harder to practice what we preach. I really didn't like how hypocritical Brian was towards Maribel when he was supposed to be a leader and lead by example instead of persecuting Maribel for a past that God has forgiven her for. And let's not forget about Sister Thelma who was to busy judging instead of repenting for her own wicked past. I don't think that Maribel should've given Brian another chance so easy. He woo'd her with words of love, gifts, and quality time and then pulled his love away from her to intentionally hurt her because of her past especially with going to marry Faith on Maribel's birthday. She should've made him earn her friendship, love, and trust again. I'm glad that Maribel had great friends in Cathy and Vivian and moral support from Horace. I'm glad that Mark reaped those evil seeds that he sowed.

[Diane Rembert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maribel has had a very troubling childhood, which led to her survival in the streets. After a tragic accident, she visits and later joins a church, where she meets Brian…the newly appointed pastor.

At first sight, Brian was attracted to Maribel and began courting her, much to the dismay of some of the other female members of the church. One woman in particular, is set on digging into Maribel's past.

Sometimes, you have to be careful what you ask for. The grave you dig for someone else, may actually be the one that you fall in.

I loved so much about this book, including the setting (Jamaica), the authentic dialect of patois and the overall theme of forgiveness. I can truly say that I was convicted, because I prejudged the title.

This is not my first book by the author, but by the end, I was on the hunt for more. I highly recommend this 💎💎💎💎💎 book.

[Mestaw7 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever. I read it in less than 24 hours. Brian was so in love with Maribel that he put her on a pedestal. Then when he saw that she wasn’t the pure woman that he thought she was, he practically ran away from her instead of trying to work it out. He felt he forgive her for past but couldn’t forget. In my opinion he was judging her. The irony was he was writing a book about Forgiveness, but couldn’t get past it. Even after his indiscretion with her, it took about a year before he came to his senses. Your going to love this book

[Mamajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is Good😀

Love this story💖. We all have crosses to bare😕.. This story shows why some people don't like going to church. The church folks are the ones who kick you down first. ( some church folk).. Lol... We never know the reason why a person have to do somethings in life that we are ashamed of... But it happens to the best of us. We all have skeletons in our closest, some more scary 😨😨 then others. Keep up the great job💯

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgive and remember or forgive and forget???
How hard is it to forgive? Not hard but forgetting is a whole different thing.
When the minister of a church falls for a new member in his church, one particular lady is not so happy about it. She wants her granddaughter to have a chance with this guy. She investigates and finds out things about Maribel that are quite unbelievable for the minister.
A good read on a tough subject.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiveness 💞

Very good book, I thoroughly enjoyed the clarity of the subject, forgiveness. I recommend this book not only for Christian romance readers but, for everyone. My favorite part of the book is a passage. (Well, church is a hospital for sinners)

I celebrate this author 's writing art, skillfully relating theme to real life and subsequently causing me to think 🤔 and assess my thinking.

One thing takes away from the artistry is a new editor is necessary.

[Jacey Cadogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always delivers

I have been reading books by Brenda Barrett a few months now and with each book I read she seems to get me even more hooked. This book was beyond my expectations. She didn't give the typical happy ending romance she built up to it whilst including disappointments. Excellent read, perfect romance.

[D J Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Story

When I read the preview, I felt The Preacher and The Prostitute was going to be an interesting story. I am glad to have read another of your books. Please keep writing great stories.

[Ingrid Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone

I am glad that differences were solved,I wondered if Rose ever found out about her Dad,overall I enjoyed the book book,my first time reading by this author I will read from again

[Candice Square · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

The book was good just as I expected. However, I’m not sure how much I like Brian. I’m glad that Maribel got her heart’s desire at the end but I’m not sure I liked how she wanted to fight for love when Brian did not. Good story. Brian just rubbed me the wrong way.

[gwendolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great love and forgiveness story

Loved the storyline and the true meaning of forgiveness. I can find nothing to say negativity about this book. Wonderful

[London Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Sally Bayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

This book was a very good read it started out a little slow for me but it got better as it continued

[Yvette Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This was an excellent read from beginning to end. I really like the way it ended. Keep up the good work

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

This book is awesome teach you about forgiveness. It doesn’t matter what your sin is God loves you unconditional. And He has your back.

[Deanna Gottreu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Preacher and the Prostitute by Brenda Barrett is a very enjoyable story that shows how God forgives those who think they are the worst of sinners. In her past life, Maribel was a prostitute, a star in porn videos, and a model for nude posters. That is all behind her since she became a Christian and had her sins forgiven by Jesus. Maribel has a beautiful singing voice and has decided that she will use her voice to praise God. She had hoped to remain unnoticed in church but being young, single, talented, and beautiful, that was not going to happen. The first person to notice Maribel was a jealous female church member who was dead set on digging into Maribel’s past. Brian, the young, single, and handsome pastor definitely noticed her and returned her feelings of attraction. Love soon developed between the two and Maribel knew that she had to tell Brian about her past before she could accept his marriage proposal.

The author did an excellent job in the development of the characters and their dialogue making all come to life on the pages of the book. Scene descriptions were very well done and I felt as if I were right there on the island of Jamaica watching all the action from the sidelines. I appreciate the fact that even though Maribel was a prostitute, the author did not go into explicit descriptions of what she did. She just let the reader know what Maribel had done in the past and left it there. Maribel and Brian were so real that I thought of them as friends and not just characters in a fiction novel. I must say that I was quite disappointed in one of the actions of Brian. There was some suspense in the story mainly dealing with Maribel’s past and what the future was going to be like. Maribel finally got up enough courage to tell Brian of her past but you will have to read the book to learn if he forgave her, if she forgave herself, and if they were married or went their separate ways.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read a good Christian story that deals with the forgiveness of God and the forgiveness of self.

Thank you to the author, Brenda Barrett, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Diane Rapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lesson of Love and Forgiveness

When prostitute Maribel quits "the life" and earns a degree in accounting, she hopes to put her distasteful past behind her. She joins a church and dedicates her new life to God. But Jamaica is too small an island to keep secrets. Maribel lives in fear of the day her past might catch up with her. Hope is kindled when a handsome new preacher, Brian takes notice of the beautiful girl. The attraction is mutual and he's writing a book about forgiveness. Maribel dreams of falling in love with Brian and hopes that he can ignore her past. The chips are stacked against her. One of Brian's relatives was once a client, and a nosy member of the congregation is out to discredit Maribel.

Although this book is about "a prostitute," the reader is not immersed in seamy sex scenes. We understand Maribel's past but we see her desperately trying to live a good Christian life. Isn't forgiveness a major principle of Christianity? The problem is that Maribel can't forgive herself, so why should she expect others to forgive her? Will she stop hiding from her past and learn to live her new life without shame? Can the preacher learn to forgive and forget?

This book is written in a "voice" that conveys the atmosphere of the islands in a charming tone. We meet island people and explore inherent prejudices against prostitutes. We understand the difficulties facing a woman who tries to change her life and the double standards of upstanding citizens. These are the same lessons people of faith struggle to learn in any community. I enjoyed this book and did not feel uncomfortable with the subject matter. Anyone who claims to be a Christian should learn true lessons of forgiveness explored in this novel.

[Kay Swederski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of the best books I have read in along time. I finished this book in one sitting. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. I loved the characters.

Maribel past was not the best she left home at the age of 17 because of an abusive father. She found a friend on the streets who helped her but her help was lead her into a prostitution and making pron videos and posters. One day her friend was shot right in front of her ~ Maribel decided that she needed to make a change.

Maribel became got some education and started going to church. She worked hard at changing her life and becoming more a part of the church. She was very attractive and had a wonderful singing voice she didn't want to be noticed but she was. She was notice by the new single good lucky pastor. Sometimes the past is too hard to keep hidden and more often than not everyone has something that is better left in the past.



I don't want to spoil the story for you but I am sure you will love the book as much as I did. I did shed some tears for Maribel and I cheered for her too.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline was great. However I thought it moved a little too fast; I wish we would've been given a little more insight on some things. Like how did Thelma's affair begin & how long did it last? What was Felicia's story & how did she end up on the streets? What exactly was it that prompted Maribel to go on to college? A little more background into her mother, sister and maybe a glimpse into what may have caused her father to abuse them so bad? Did he suffer abuse as a child, was he an alcoholic or what was it? I did enjoy the scriptures & reminders that we all have a past & need forgiven for our transgressions so we have to forgive others as well. Overall I enjoyed the book and found myself rooting for Maribel; I just wanted a little more....Thank You Brenda Barrett for a good read!

[Chiquedee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off well and I did actually enjoy the story line. But then it went downhill for me after the two leads in the story committed fornication and seemingly didn't bat an eye. I do understand the concept of tempation and giving into the temptation but, seeing as this is in the genre of christian fiction, I thought the author should have dealt better with the matter and not have been almost nonchalant about it. It kinda came across as an oops and then a shrug. The message that fornication is wrong didn't come across and that's the standard that should have been set.

I also kept getting distracted by the poor editing.

[Karen]

Forgiveness!

The Preacher and the Prostitute by Brenda Barrett!!!!!!!!! Forgiveness and Love two powerful things! This is a book about forgiveness. Forgiveness is something they we must do. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Excellent plot, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Tesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happily ever after

This book was so I can't even get the words out...Amazing can not even begin to say how I loved this book. It only took me half a day to read the entire book. I take from this book that no matter how hard our past is, it does not predict our future. With God on our side, He has plans for us even when we can not see it. Have and trust in Him. This book is a really good read.

[Eva Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgiving isn't easy

I gave this book a high rating because it kept my attention.I was constantly wanting to know what's next.This story is all about forgiving one another and not condemning each other.I would recommend this book to anyone who's having difficulty forgiving someone or even yourself.

[Mzamtvip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice heart-felt story!!! I felt I was there observing first hand the tortuous asides going on by those who wanted to stand in the way of true love. Although this story ended favorably, as it should, I couldn't help but imagine a different ending also............

[Nikki Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great example of how your past can come back to hunt you. How your worst critics are those who are in the church. It's funny how people will say they forgive you, yet their actions show they can't forget. Great read from beginning to end.

[Sharon Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author!

I love this author!

Great book it reminds you that no one's perfect. Brenda Barrett's books seem so real you think you know the characters. I love the way this book ended! Buy this book you will not be disappointed.