New preacher Wade Kendrick might as well havetaken out an ad for a wife—all the church mamas paradedtheir daughters in front of him every Sunday. But after atainted past, Wade wanted a reserved, traditional woman.Everything his star gospel singer was not. But he only hadeyes for her—Pearl Lockhart, aka Ms. Wrong.
Pearl had her eye on gospel stardom. She didn't fit into thepreacher man's world any more than he fit into hers. Buthe was one fine black man—and their sexual chemistrydownright sizzled. What was a sister to do?
Jacquelin Thomas is an award-winning, best selling author with 94 titles published. Her books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. Jacquelin was a 2005 honoree at the Houston Black Film Festival for the movie adaptation of her novel, Hidden Blessings. She was the first recipient to receive the Writers Achievement Award at the North Carolina Book Festival in Winston-Salem. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine.
Jacquelin has published in the romance, women's fiction, inspirational and young adult genres. Her second book in the YA series, Divine Confidential was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award.
Jacquelin is happily married to her best friend and is the proud mother of three children. Jacquelin and her family live in North Carolina.
Wade is a pastor, bringing salvation to his flock. He's come to his religion through a tumultuous and heartbreaking past, and is willing to help others on the hard path to salvation.
It would be a good life if the mothers in the flock would just stop foisting their daughters on him, you know? He's into giving solace and bringing people to the Lord, not getting married. Sister Pearl is a member of his church, a spirited lass who wears her clothes just a little more snugly than the other women, who's very much a part of the church but looking to express her faith in more tangible ways (she wants to be a gospel singer).
This story just tells how Wade and Pearl, two members in the same church and two people not looking to get together... actually got together. Alas, the course of true love never runs smooth and Wade has his hang ups about his past, Pearl is unwilling to commit to a man who sees recording gospel music as secular. Oy.
Wade seems like a top chap. He's done wrong, and makes amends for it every single day. I could even appreciate his conservatism because he's been scarred by his past, and can sympathise with his unwilling attraction to Pearl. Pearl is really cool too. I appreciated her wanting to work to achieve her dreams on her own merits. Yay.
The drawback? There was a tad too much showing and not telling of emotions, and there were plot points that one could only not seeing coming a mile away, I knew the exact order the chips would fall. Since the book had no sex and a middling amount of sexual attraction (fair enough, it's that sort of book, if I want sex that badly, I'll read erotic fanfic), but some sort of sensuality would have been nice. The feel of hand holding, the awkward tension of a bus on the cheek, wanting it to go further, the tension between the flesh versus the world... that would have been nice.
The storyline was pleasantly informative about opposites attraction, forgiveness and effects of gang life. I was happy to read the "Pastor Wade" testimony. I was entertained by "Pearl and Wade" dance to dating.
I was introduced to the author's writing, "Case of Desire (Hopewell General)" I enjoyed the writing that I have purchased many books to read written by her. I like the way that she expresses the scenes to allow one's mind to expand.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the story’s ending and I think I was a little underwhelmed by the storyline but overall it was cute. As a girl who grew up in church, a lot of the storyline was accurate. Especially the mannerisms of church, pastor, and female members. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
This novel was definitely classic Jacquelin Thomas, quite refreshing and very inspirational. If you're looking for HOT and STEAMY love scenes this is NOT the novel for you. It had some passionate kisses, some warm embraces, and tender moments, but it was not about the sexual intimacy. This novel was more about forgiveness. Forgiveness of one's self and of others. Forgiveness is hard thing. Especially when you feel so guilty you can't even forgive yourself. Wade was a pastor who struggled with letting go of his past. Although he walked the path of righteousness, he still had difficulty laying his guilt down and moving forward with his life. Which, just once again goes to show that although he's a man of the cloth, he's still just a man, and struggles with personal demons, just like the rest of us. I enjoyed Pearl's character, she was definitely a very honest and outspoken woman, she didn't bite her tongue for anyone. I enjoyed the fiery debates between Pearl and Wade, it just made their attraction towards eachother all the more interesting. And once they got pass the petty arguments, they came to realize how much they had in common and how despite their differences they complimented eachother. And once again I enjoyed the relationship the Lockhart sisters have with eachother and with their extended family and friends. Thomas' novels always give me that spiritual refresher I need. Reminding me of the things I may need to lay before God in order to move forward on the path He has for me. I thought it was a sweet, endearing story. Looking forward to reading the next installment to see what trouble Miss Amber has gotten herself into. Good Job, Mrs. Thomas!
Great story line . . . I loved that the Pastor loosened up to become transparent for his own sake and for those he loved, while reaching others as well!