Donna Goodman never wanted to be a preacher’s wife. Nevertheless, falling in love with Pastor Walter Goodman was unexpected, thrusting her into a lifestyle that she feared most. Unwilling to accept the role of a perfect wife, Donna left Walter and his congregation behind.
Enter Tracy.
Beautiful yet damaged, Tracy Broussard wants one thing only—to be loved. Instant chemistry between Tracy and the separated Walter leads her to believe that her dreams are finally coming true. Quickly, she imagines herself as the new first lady and makes plans to be the next Mrs. Goodman. But when Donna abruptly returns and Walter chooses his wife over his new girlfriend, Tracy decides to take matters into her own hands. Armed with a book of spells and a vial of his blood, Tracy promises to use everything on earth and below it to change Walter’s heart.
Ready or not, once the powers of darkness are channeled, Donna will have to either face death or risk the loss of Walter’s soul to spiritual wickedness in high places.
I was looking forward to reading "Spell" by Janell because I enjoy thrillers especially with an inspirational outlook. There were a few main characters: Donna, Walter, Tracy. Tracy had a mystical side to her. She carried the same womanly trait that her mother had over men. Yet, she desired to be with an estranged pastor. Her fantasies lingered on, like some women do when they long for a man that's off-limits but oddly believe he's theirs for the taking. Tracy is willing to do all it takes to get what her heart desires! Donna, a preacher's kid, she refused to be a pastor's wife like her mother. Mistakenly, she married the same man she despised. During their separation, she hoped her husband would see his commitments were imbalanced, which seemed to be tied to the church instead of his family. Sometimes I wondered if Donna was a bit over the top but this is a standard problem for ministerial leaders. However, there is a scripture that speaks on how men are to tend to their homes as well as the church (believe it's in the book of Proverbs but can look at Titus 1:6). Then, there's Walter. He is the center of attraction because he's the pastor and filing for a divorce. Later, he defiles his marriage bed.
In the premises of the novel, followed what was to be expected but a spell is bound to happen. Janell creatively links those who tap with conjuring spells, witchcraft, and other tools to connect with the dead are open gateways to the dark world in the spiritual realm. We also forget the "soul ties" or spiritual connections and bonds that happens thru lovemaking even if it's a one-night affair. Janell ties in not only how the world perceives soul ties but what the Word of God says on it. Therefore, can we erase the sin of infidelity even for the man of cloth. Moreover, be careful who you lay down with. Do you know anything about them before you laid down with them? Yet, some people change before your very eyes and never had a clue even if you thought you knew them or what they were capable of.
Then, another subject matter that's taboo in the church is hexes or spells that can be put on a person. As Donna speaks to a friend about this topic, easily brushes off the fact that a Christian being demonically possessed, or oppressed; wondering how can such a thing happen to a believer. Therefore, I am ecstatic that this inspirational thriller novel gave insight on demon possessions. I wrote about it in a nonfictional manner. She also covers briefly on deliverance ministry.
Do we take heed to warnings! I cannot wait to read the next book in the Spell series. I'm hooked and will be anticipating the next release.
Spell is a powerful debut by Janell about a preacher who tries to end a soul tie with a fling for the sake of his marriage. Walter Goodman is a Pastor who for the most part does everything by the book: marries the girl he loves, becomes a father, and carries devotion for the church he’s called to pastor. When his wife, Donna decides she cannot handle the role of preacher’s wife which often makes her feel like second fiddle, she leaves. Separated from his wife for over a year, Walter begins to date a new member of his congregation, Tracy Broussard and has an unfortunate affair. Plagued with her own baggage and plan to have Walter at all cost, Tracy is not one to be pushed aside when Donna decides to return to repair her marriage with Walter. To Tracy, her only recourse is to turn to a trunk of spells and witchcraft paraphernalia left to her by her mother and a legacy of dabbling with the occult. Spell is fatal attraction on steroids. It is a courageous leap for a Christian writer to attempt to pull back the curtain on Spiritual warfare and the particular attacks waged on individuals of faith. This was not a lot of hocus pocus. I commend this author for being able to take us on a journey describing occult practices without glorifying them. The characters are flawed and recognizable. The fact that they all are as guilty as they are victims created a tension that made it hard for me to put a book down until after the final scene. I questioned the placement and even the need of the backstory that gave the reader insight into Tracy’s personal issues coming too late in the novel. But, I must admit, I am a reader that generally likes more direction. I came away from this novel with a new respect for the power of discernment and prayer. I think you’ll enjoy this novel as much as I did and will be left floored by the twist at the end and the teaser from the beginning of Spell 2. I’m hankering for these characters’ return.
"Yes. The Bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God. Whenever we sin, we create openings in our armor, cracks and crevices that the enemy can use to infiltrate our lives. Sex is a common entryway that the enemy uses to permeate our lives and our bodies. Many people who are possessed by demons have been sexually abused. If you notice, sexual sins are the most pervasive sins in this world. Everything around us is aimed at getting us to have sex outside of the covenant of Biblical marriage. It's the easiest way for the devil to penetrate our beings."
Ohhhh boy, this book right here!!! Let me tell you that Spell was a book (minus the occult stuff) that could easily mirror many marriages. Husband decides to have an affair, side chick thinks and wants it to be more than what it is, wife finds out and is not having it.
While there are Biblical undertones throughout the book, it is not overly preachy. When the wife (Donna) says the husband must choose between her and the mistress, the drama begins. And, let's just say that like some side chicks, Tracy does not stay in her lane and she begins to claim someone that isn't hers. Once again, Janell does not make the drama over the top so the books does not seem unrealistic. And, while I am not into occult and/or supernatural stuff, the presence of it throughout the book did not distract me.
Spell serves as a great reminder that at some point in our lives we must make a decision if we going to follow GOoD or go the other way. I can't wait for the sequel!!!
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of Spell in exchange for an honest review.
Whether you are "into" Halloween or not, this is a great, clean book to fit in with the holiday festivites.
There were several key characters which permiated the book. The main character would be Pastor Walter Goodman, beloved pastor to all who knew him...to some more beloved than to others. The characters have very distinct personalities. The author has portrayed them in a way the reader feels a definite connection.
The cover of the book clearly sets the pace for the story and is well done.
Can a desperate person use evil means to interfere in the life of another? Can that evil force overpower good? Can a pastor become a victim of the workings of evil? Read this and discover it all for yourself.
This gravitates between the thoughts of three key people but does it very well. It is never confusing. The story moves forward steadily and never drags and is not repetitive. It is very well written.
This book was sent to me by the author for an honest review, of which I have given
Spell ia an authentic novel that explores the ideology of spiritual warfare. Donna and Walter Goodman are a pastor and wife duo who have hit a rough patch in their relationship. Donna decides that she needs a break from the hustle and bustle of the daily dealings of being a pastor's wife. Tracy Broussard is a damage soul haunted by her past and propelled by what she sees as her future. She enters the lives of the Goodman's and force them to deal with their issus and fight the forces that be. Spell is a wonderfully crafted novel with characters so rich, so real, and so spellbounding it will have you wanting to jump in the pages and help the characters. I have never been so compelled by a story with a cast so diverse and flawed. Author Janelle has taken on a powerful subject (spiritual warfare) and forced us to think about what we can do in the face of principalities and wickedness. This is an awesome read!
When I received a copy of this book for review and started it, it seemed like a Christian romance but I just finished it and...Wow! This book is intense! I had to put it down several times just to take a breath. Very well written book about something not talked much about anymore. Dabbling with the occult, dealing with "toys" such as the Ouija board and seances are not "cool", they are serious- this book takes it on. I could deal with the Pastor being human, that we have to forgive one another, how sin and gossip can hurt a church body, and how we need to be praying without ceasing for each other. I learned how much is expected of a pastor's wife, and how and why that could be so hard. I could see how we needed to have a deeper faith, but the way this book was written, to see the battle between good and evil played out was mind-blowing! I can't wait for the next one.
Spell is one of those books you better be prepared for, cause it's not for the faint at heart. This book is the epitome of spiritual warfare. This is the story of a Pastor and his wife, but they were separated. Of course during the separation, someone does wrong. Without giving away of the story, you will be up all night sleeping and praying so you don't have bad dreams when you sleep.
If I had to give this review a title, it'd be this: Don't Play With Strange Fire because you will get burned! Sadly, the church doesn't want to deal with Spiritual Warfare like it's supposed to. This book will cause you to stand up and take notice of its reality.
Pastor Walter Goodman and his wife Donna Goodman had been separated for almost a year. When a pretty young woman by the name of Tracy Broussard is introduced to the pastor, Walter begins to wonder if this is God's way of telling him its time to move on. But when the two begin to start dating, Donna gets wind of it and is determined to go home and get her family back. The question is will it be too late? How far did Walter and Tracy take things?
When Walter finds his wife home after the year long absence, he's not sure of what to make of it. Although he has prayed fervently that his wife and daughter would come home, he's not sure if Donna came home because she felt Tracy was a threat to their marriage or if she really wanted Walter back. Walter is upfront and honest with Donna about his relationship with Tracy. The only thing Donna asks of him is to break things off with her. Walter readily agrees, but Tracy is anything but compliant. Tracy feels as though Walter is destined to be her husband and that Donna is just one of a couple factors that are in the way of her obtaining the man she desires. Tracy is determined to make Walter love her even if her methods are a little unconventional...well to rephrase that VERY UNCONVENTIONAL. Tracy will do anything to win Walter's heart. Will she be able to win Walter over, or will she go too far?
Spell by Janell 'aka' A'ndrea J. Wilson was an excellent novel. It is a book that once you pick it up, you will not want to put down. It grabs your attention right from the start. A'ndrea J. Wilson is known for her Christian Fiction novels. Writing under her alter ego Janell, she still implements this into her novel, but has room to play around more with her characters and have them experience something surreal, letting her imagination run wild and rampant through the pages. I have had the pleasure in reading both sides of her and find her to be a very talented author. I love the fact that she can easily transition into another side with her writing. I also enjoyed that the author mentions different titles to music a few times throughout the novel, and believe me when I tell you that titles of the song...definitely fit the storyline. The only reason I gave the novel 4.5 stars instead of 5 stars was because of the minor editing that needed to be addressed, but does not take away from the story. Other than that, it was a fast-paced read that I would highly recommend!
Donna is married to Pastor Walter Goodman. Donna wants more of Walter's time, but the ministry always takes precedence. Fed up, Donna decides for a year to leave her pastor husband to try to change him.
Tracy Broussard enters the picture, supposedly a young, shy woman who becomes infatuated with the good pastor and pursues him. Donna gets word of this blossoming relationship, returns, and the drama begins there.
“Spell” deals with adultery, witchcraft, betrayal, self-righteousness and the power of prayer. I really enjoyed this novel. It dealt with a lot spiritually. Sometimes as Christians we think we can't be used by the enemy, but he is cunning and if allowed will use anybody.
As I read this novel, I got more and more into it and was anxious to see just what would happen. It's one of those novels that you really get into and do not want to put down. The author really did a very good job and I am looking forward to the sequel. I would recommend it!