Tongue of Fire

by David McKnight

The charismatic new preacher at the local mega church is drawing followers by the hundreds. There’s only one problem. He’s a Mormon, and nobody knows it…

John Peterson tries to follow the Spirit, but it tells him to preach, and preaching only seems to get him into trouble. His strident defense of the Mormon Church has gotten him fired again, forcing his family to move for the third time in as many years. Looking for a fresh start in Mayfield, John agrees to keep his head down. But when the owner of the local mega church loses his pastor, he invites John to preach without asking the name of his church. After a spiritual prompting, John decides to preach, but as his following explodes, his new-found fame threatens to expose his religion and shatter his family’s hopes for a new life.

The town of Mayfield is growing impatient with high school football coach Paul Connelly. The former pastor was hired to help save the football program after the greatest scandal in school history, but after four straight losing seasons, his time is running out. With John Peterson’s meteoric rise, the town appears to have found a new moral authority, and an excuse to find a new coach. When Paul discovers that John is a Mormon, he finds the key to restoring his moral standing—all he has to do is expose and destroy John Peterson.

Genres: Fiction

339 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well then - that was a good read.

John is a preacher. A good one. He moves Christian congregations to great heights. Only one problem. They don't think Mormons are Christians, and he is Mormon.

A great tale of about judging others. If you hate religious fiction, it probably isn't for you, but the rest of you should give it a try. This isn't your typical Mormon fiction.

[H Bingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book and a decent size for what it was. The story was simple and direct about a guy named John who by strange circumstances gets stuck as the minister of a mega church and a leader of the community. It all comes crashing down when the community finds out that their beloved pastor is a Mormon and the story that follows is a fun and exciting race to stay one step ahead of the ball coming out of the hill called social shock.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I worried, I cried, I rejoiced with John Peterson and his family. The story was well-written, inventive, and kept me guessing. I just couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel for this family who was just trying to live a Christian life. I could even call this story a nail-biter. All the story lines were neatly tied up in a beautiful ending. I have to say this is the best work of religious fiction I have ever read.

SPOILER-ALERT: While it took me awhile to get through all the football talk at the beginning I was fairly quickly able to immerse myself into the story. I identified with John's struggle between protecting his family and doing what God guided him to do. Although I was frustrated with John's wife through most of the book she did finally redeem herself with a wallop of a good come to Jesus lecture to the football coach who had successfully ostracized her family from the entire town. I also love how the town rallied around the humbled football coach, the Peterson family, and the owner of the local mega-church to show Christian love and charity. Sublime...

[Pam Walton]

I just finished this book last night and absolutely loved it! As a busy working mom, I don't have much free time right now so I allowed myself the indulgence of reading this book every night before I went to bed and in the few minutes I could capture here and there. I liked that the chapters were not very long so that I could sneak a chapter or two and not feel like I had to stop mid-chapter. It is an uplifting book with a captivating story and believable, rich characters that I could relate to. I love reading a book that makes me want to be a better person. There were themes of forgiveness, compassion, serving others, judging without adequate info, friendship, problem-solving, and more. As I read the book I had the desire to reach out and serve others more and to work together for good with people of different religious faiths and backgrounds. I would recommend taking the time to read this well-written book. You'll not only be entertained but you will also be uplifted. Great for adults and teens.

[Charissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was slow to pick this up because I thought it might be one of those annoying preaching stories. Not so! When I finally started reading Tongue of Fire, I was pulled into John Peterson and his family’s lives as they move to the town of Mayfield for a new start in life. The story centers around preachers and religion—as John is a Mormon who has been run out of three other towns in the last three years for defending his faith—but this was done in the context of such a masterful plot that the book didn’t come off preachy like many Christian novels. The subtle theme throughout the story is that true followers of Christ do good works. They don’t judge or make life miserable for others. This author has my allegiance for any future books he writes for taking such a hard subject and weaving an intense tale for someone of any faith.

[Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I know the author and was excited to give it a read. I am not normally into non-fiction let alone Christian non-fiction but thought I would give it a go. I couldn’t put it down. I thought it very well written. The chapters are a perfect length for someone like me and kept me reading and reading. It has it all, sports, young love, and of course the religion. I am an active Mormon so I did enjoy that aspect of the book but I think even non-Mormons would enjoy the book as well.

Great job David and I can’t wait for more books from you.

[D.J. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The new Italian teacher at the local high school, whose kid has walked on to the football team as a talented star, has accepted an invitation to preach at the local megachurch. What he hasn't told his new congregation, though, is that he's Mormon.

I had the privilege of reading this pre-publication, and loved it. McKnight writes for that segment of the Jack Weyland market that wants to consider serious questions about faith, revelation, the gospel, and Christian discipleship, without a sugar coating or a pre-packaged answer.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I started it on a long road trip and read it while my husband drove. I laughed out loud at something near the end of the first chapter and read it to my husband, who immediately asked me to keep reading. It took us two days or driving (and a lot of Sobes and Fuzes bought at gas stations along the way), but we finished it together and thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are believable. The way that the protagonist is pulled into the situation was intriguing. I hope David writes more.

[John Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! I read a lot and typically don't veer into fiction much but the title and description had me. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. The amazing cross denominational themes are so true to life. The politics and realities of small town life as well as excellent character development keep you drawn in. After finishing the book I set down wanting to be a better citizen and Christian. Outstanding job Mr. McKnight!

[Suzette Backus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tongue of Fire pulls you in with interesting and unique characters. The story has a lot to say about not judging and the reader has to decide who's right- John's wife, the coach, or John. I particularly enjoyed the development of some of the minor characters, like Doc, the equipment manager, and Arnie Liebowitz, the team's back up kicker. When you are at the end of the book you wish you didn't have to put it down.

[Cathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tongue of Fire, by David McKnight, is one of those rare books that grabbed my attention right from page one. In addition to being a fast and interesting read, I loved McKnight's ability to develop and describe his main characters in such a way that I actually felt like I knew them personally. The plot was sweet in some ways, yet suspenseful in others, and definitely left me hoping for more books to come from this talented new author.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Fun enticing plot with realistic characters. The book had a good flow and was hard to put down. It's always refreshing to read a good clean wholesome lds book. My one nit picky complaint: 16 year olds that barely know each other should not be claiming to be "in love". Other than that...Well done!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was not sure what quite to expect, mormon propoganda, I guess. I was pleased to discover that wasn't what it was. It was a little simplistic, everything was a little too neat and tidy in the end, but it was still pleasant enough example of do unto others, and how our prejudices can cloud our point of view.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast, interesting, enjoyable read. Not sure if it will appeal as much to those who are not LDS, but I thought it was great. It is also pretty cool that I was friends with the author back in HS! Way to go David! I totally recommend this!

[Karrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. The plot was compelling. The writing was very good and it was easy to read. I thought the characters were fully developed, and I cared about the main characters.

[Camille · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just did not like it at all. Too many things to list, nor do I have the time. I didn't feel like the characters or situation was realistic at all.

[Kenny Mcfarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down once you start reading.