Lead Me Home

Winds of Change #2

by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Shiloh Griffin has no identity outside of her roles as pastor’s wife and mom. Some days that is enough. But not always. Particularly when she is partnered with the always confident, always gracious Jade Smith on a church ministry project. Rather than shying away from God in her nervousness, Shiloh clings to Him, seeking every day to redeem herself. When an opportunity arises for her to teach music at a local high school, she thinks maybe it’s just the thing to give her more significance.

Then Shiloh begins mentoring Monica, a fifteen-year-old student. When Monica learns she is pregnant, Shiloh must confront her own darkest secret in the desperate decision facing the teen. If she turns away, this teen’s life—and her soul—could be in jeopardy. If she decides to stand up and help, she knows she’s the one who risks losing everything.

Stacy Hawkins Adams’s second book in the Winds of Change series finds Shiloh at a life-changing keep her halo intact, or lose her honor to save the girl’s.

"Elegantly emotional and intriguing, the story reaches deep to gently touch the soul." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian, Inspirational

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning journalist, author and essayist who invites readers to explore life's truths through entertaining fiction and thought-provoking nonfiction.

In late 2019, she released a book of original quotes and inspirational musings titled "Abound! Principles for Next Level Living."

Her 9 novels feature themes of friendship and sisterhood, faith, forgiveness, grit and hope. You'll put down one of her books feeling like you've left behind people you know and love.

Her most recent novel, "Finding Home," is the third book in her Winds of Change series, and is written as a stand-alone title. Her novel "Lead Me Home," received a Publisher's Weekly starred review. Another novel,"Coming Home," was a 2012 Target stores Recommended Read.

Stacy's sole nonfiction book, "Who Speaks To Your Heart? Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers", is a spiritual, devotional guide for busy women seeking to strengthen their faith.

The three books in her acclaimed Jubilant Soul series are:
The Someday List (an Essence bestseller),
Worth a Thousand Words
and Dreams That Won't Let Go.

Visit http://www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com for more information about Stacy and her upcoming events, and visit her Amazon author page for more details and reviews on her books: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JSA12E

Visit her LifeUntapped.com blog for regular inspiration from Stacy and her guest bloggers.

And sign up here for Life Untapped!, the author newsletter she occasionally distributes to share updates on her work and to introduce readers to other great authors: http://www.tinyurl.com/LifeUntapped

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars.
This is a gently deceptive novel that still manages to deal with some heavy issues. Shiloh Griffin is married to Randy, who is the senior pastor at St Stephens Baptist church. For this Aussie I found it strange that the senior pastor’s wife is known as First Lady, but I guess that’s a difference in culture. Shiloh’s life revolves around her husband and sons, and her ministry duties as pastor’s wife. Any other dreams she had once harboured had been relegated to the background years ago. The main problem that haunts Shiloh’s days is guilt for her actions from an event that happened many years earlier, before she married Randy. This secret, which even her husband doesn’t know, eats away at her. It is only when a short term job offer as teaching music comes up and Shiloh ends up mentoring fifteen year old Monica that Shiloh has to make a decision and face her secret.
Shiloh is a very likeable character and very human. Her reactions to the second pastor’s wife Jade, an ex-beauty queen, who is always glamorously turned out is very human as is her reluctance to risk all she has. This story portrays a woman who is not perfect in a church that is not perfect, probably one like a number of us could relate to in that respect. Given her role as pastor’s wife and her ministry there is a lot of talk about God and of bible study and bible verses, which places this book very much as Christian fiction. However, it could also be a good book for the person whose heart is wracked with guilt or whose heart is tuned towards God but who hasn’t actually made that commitment yet. It is a book about love and marriage, family, friendship, and especially forgiveness. My only quibble was that the problem with Monica was resolved a little too easily and neatly. It could have been explored more. But given the type of book it is and all the positives of this book that was only a minor quibble. I’d be interested to read another book by this author as I was thoroughly involved in this story and its characters. I hadn't read the first book in this series and it didn't matter a bit. It was easy to pick up what was happening and feel for Shiloh.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Well written and beautiful testimony about truth and letting God heal our past brokenness.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lead Me Home is a touching story that will appeal to women who either battle regrets from past decisions or who wrestle with inward vs. outward beauty; in other words, this book will resonate with virtually every woman! Stacy Hawkins Adams has created characters that are completely realistic: committed Christians who nevertheless still stumble and have weaknesses and need God's grace! Shiloh's story is the story of so many women in our churches today who are silenced by the shame of a decision made in their youth, and the spiritual journey she takes while mentoring Monica, though painful, frees her in a way she never could have anticipated. Many lessons can be gleaned from this novel in the areas of grace, friendship, church ministry, mentoring, marriage, parenting, extended family relationships, and more! I particularly thought the relationship and emotions between Shiloh and Jade was perfectly portrayed, and each of them experience some difficult but important growth in their individual roles and their fledgling friendship. This book was easily read as a stand-alone since I hadn't read the first book in the series, although I want to go back and catch up and read about Shiloh's sister Dayna in Coming Home! I highly recommend this book; it would be a wonderful book for book club discussions.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book from Stacy Hawkins Adams. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Teri Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow is all I can say! A must read for anyone.

[Leona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderful. The plot was thought out, the characters relatable and it kept pointing the reader back to the God who cares, who never leaves you. Just ordered the 2nd in the series. Love this author!!

[Sandra Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt!

This is another uplifting novel from the Stacy Hawkins Adams. One of redemption, grace, acceptance and forgiveness. It gives insight on God not only forgiving us but how we can receive forgiveness from those that we have hurt as well.

[Latisha Mays-henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going thru

A few weeks ago I felt like I was going thru. Feeling anxious, exhausted and unsure. In reading this novel, I felt my spirit lifted. There is a season for everything. God never gives us more then we can bare.

[Chinadoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:4

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lead Me Home" is a book that raises many issues within the context of fiction, that women grapple with.

The main character, Shiloh, is a pastor's wife who is struggling with her identity, calling, and memories of the past. The decisions she makes, (one of which is to go back to work and consequently finish her college degree), bring her in contact with other characters who are struggling with issues she herself dealt with (or didn't deal with), in her own life.

Shiloh is in effect, 'living a lie'; trying to be the 'perfect pastor's wife (and role model), and as such, her memories simply will not allow that.

However, the premise that a pastor's wife could struggle (as in this novel), for as long as twenty years with self-forgiveness, is something I found a bit of a stretch. If Shiloh in her role as pastor's wife was doing any kind of supportive counselling within the church, she would have assured many new believers of God's complete forgiveness once they come to Him in faith. There would have been many Scripture verses Shiloh should have been very familiar with, that affirm His complete provision of our past (verses like Micah 7:19, "You throw our sins into the depths of the sea', and Jeremiah 31:34 "and their sin I will remember no more.")

So for Shiloh herself to have this an issue in her own life just didn't smack of a genuine story conflict to me.

"Now she understood why she'd been stuck for so many years. She hadn't really been commemorating her loss, or truly seeking peace.... she'd actually been using that date to dredge up old feelings of guilt and shame, and to remind herself why she needed to be so good for the rest of her days. Through her own might, she'd held herself in bondage all of these years, when God only required repentance once."

I appreciate the author's attempt to 'show' the reader that no sin is too great for God to forgive, and also that it is part of humanity's struggle to find acceptance and forgiveness. I just have a bit of a hard time believing that a pastor's wife can keep a secret, especially from those closest to her, for that length of time, after sitting in the pew year after year after year listening to sermons (because the core teaching of Christianity is forgiveness through Jesus Christ.)

There are many issues the author attempts to portray in the book that women DO struggle with. "This year, God has shaken me out of my comfort zone. It's like he said, "enough is enough. No more guilt, no more paying the martyr." He wants me to use my experiences and my shame to help others heal, and to bring his name glory." (Sometimes our worst enemy is ourself!)

Like everyone else, Shiloh has relationships with others that are affirming, but also some that are difficult. The author uses the irritants within relationships and personalities, to portray growth and the surprises that life throws at us.

For instance, Shiloh is much more able to be kind to someone who has been especially irritating, after she finds out that that person has a disability. "How hypocritical," we think...and yet, how true! It is much easier for us to be kind to someone AFTER we know what they are struggling with (and for Christians, perhaps this is partly what Christ meant when He said "judge not lest ye be judged.") We all want to be treated well, even when we ourselves are 'covering up' a secret by acting too assertively toward others.

" Where is God when we are in the middle of our stuff? On the outside, we may look happy or like we have it all together, when World War II might be raging on the inside... we can get so caught up in our personal drama that we forget that we don't have to figure out everything on our own. We don't have to hide our truths for fear of others condemning us when we know that the one who gives us life and breath is always walking with us, no matter what."

Stacy Hawkins Adams does have a lot to say, and her novel will give you food for thought! I encourage you to read "Lead Me Home" and think for yourself about the issues she writes about.

(I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads program in exchange for my honest and fair review.)

[Jalynn Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

About the Book:

Shiloh Griffin has no identity outside of her roles as pastor's wife and mom. Some days that is enough. But not always. Particularly when she is partnered with the always confident, always gracious Jade Smith on a church ministry project. Rather than shying away from God in her nervousness, Shiloh clings to Him, seeking every day to redeem herself. When an opportunity arises for her to teach music at a local high school, she thinks maybe it's just the thing to give her more significance. Then Shiloh begins mentoring Monica, a fifteen-year-old student. When Monica learns she is pregnant, Shiloh must confront her own darkest secret in the desperate decision facing the teen. If she turns away, this teen's life---and her soul---could be in jeopardy. If she decides to stand up and help, she knows she's the one who risks losing everything.
About the Author:

Stacy Hawkins Adams is an award-winning women's fiction and nonfiction author, freelance columnist and inspirational speaker. Visit her website, http://www.StacyHawkinsAdams.com for more information on Stacy, and for details about her upcoming events.



My Review:

Shiloh Griffin for all wants and purposes has stood up and taken on her role as the quintessential pastor's wife and a very connected mother. But she struggles to find herself or even time for herself in the midst of it all.

She has a secret that she is keeping hidden from her family. She feels like God will never forgive her for this. She also hasn't forgiven herself and fears noone else will either. She goes about her life with a painted on smile that is getting harder and harder to keep up. Pretty soon she is put in different situations where she will have to face this head on.

I think we have all been there. We think that if we add one more sin to the already mounting ones God is going to say that's it, I'm done. But the truth is He will NEVER turn His back on us, no matter how many sins are in that pile.

Soon Shiloh will have her faith shaken but prayerfully will come out smelling like a rose.



**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from Booksneeze.

[Jennifer Lombardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lead Me Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Shiloh is a Pastor's wife and she stays home even though her boys are all in school. Shiloh is feeling down and almost worthless when a great job opportunity falls into her lap.Through this job Shiloh has to confront her past and work through it. Will her family still support and love her after she tells them her horrible secrets? I am certainly not going to tell you, you have to read the book and find out!

For me personally, this book started out slow and it took me a while to get into it but as it got towards the end, it was really good. It was emotional and really pulled at your heartstrings. I felt like I was there with the family and at times forgot that I was reading a book and not actually there with them.

I thought it was a nice change of pace to go into a pastor's home, meet the family and find out that they are NOT perfect. I am tired of reading about perfect pastors and their perfect life. Their life is not perfect and they are not flawless so I enjoyed seeing the flaws here, it made it more realistic.

We have ALL done things that we are ashamed of. Whether we did them when we were young or did them yesterday, we ALL have our secrets and we ALL have a past. Knowing that God will not leave us helps most of us through that past but the truth is (despite what others always say) the past WILL come back to haunt you, just as it did to Shiloh. She had to come clean with her family. If you do something stupid, one day you WILL have to tell your family, especially if it affects them. I love how those parts of this book were written. The emotions that Shiloh and her family went through felt real. Her family was honest and not fake and I REALLY appreciated that!

Visit Stacy Hawkins Adams at StacyHawkinsAdams.com

***This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an open and honest review***

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

oday I am reviewing, on behalf of Booksneeze, the book Lead Me Home, written by Stacy Hawkins Adams.

I was sent this book in order to review it. I enjoyed reading this book, it was a good read, about the decisions that a pastor's wife made both good and bad and how God worked through them.

I found in intriguing to read about how people in a different church address their pastors and their wives...the behind the scenes stuff I found more interesting than the rest of the book.

Don't misunderstand me... I enjoyed the book, but I found it quite predictable. I knew what was going to happen before it did. But the Sister this, and Sister that, and just how the church operated, I found that to be of more interest and raised more questions in my mind than the actual story did. Perhaps that's because I'm a pastor's wife myself. :)

If you are looking for a good read, this book will provide it. It does an excellent job of showing how pastor's wives are also real people, and how we struggle with issues just like everyone else, just like our families do. The honesty in living and how it is portrayed in this book make it worth reading.

The theology contained within I could not find fault with. God does love and care for his people and promises to walk them through what needs walking through.

I do suggest that if you can the option of reading this book, that you take yourself up on it. :)

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of love, loss, regret, and the healing power of God's grace. Shiloh Griffin is the perfect pastor's wife. She takes care of her family, leads the women's bible study, and supports her husband, but Shiloh has a secret that has been eating at her for years. Shiloh decides to take a temporary teaching position and meets a very gifted young girl, Monica. Monica shares with her that she is pregnant which strike a very sensitive chord with Shiloh. If she stands up for this girl she could be persecuted and judged by the congregation and by all who know her.

This book was touching and a wonderful display of understanding the forgiveness of the Lord. I really like Shiloh. She is a woman of faith, who loves the Lord, but also feels that she must spend her life making up for a mistake that happened a long time ago. The characters in this book were very believable. You didn't have to read the first book in this series, you will not feel as though you are missing pieces of this book, though I am interested to read the first one in this series. It was refreshing reading about true-to-life issues from a Christian point of view, and the struggles one would go through in dealing with these issues. It is quite an inspiring book.

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Shiloh, has a deep, dark secret that has kept her in chains for years. She is afraid to tell others because she values their opinions and is afraid of how they would feel about her if they knew the truth. She can’t forgive herself and accept God’s forgiveness because she feels that the things she did were just to horrible to forgive. She is forced to make a decision about keeping her secret to herself when she becomes friends with a young girl who is going through what she once faced.

Although I like the story, I’m a bit torn about one aspect of it. after revealing her secret to her husband, Shiloh was pushed by her husband and felt led by God to reveal her secret to everyone in her family including her four sons—the youngest one was nine. I can tell you from experience that if readers feel after reading this that should come clean about every bad thing they ever did to their children, they really should make sure that it is from God and not just a desire to cleanse their own minds. My mom once shared something about my dad after he had passed away, and I wish she would have kept that secret to herself. I really found that revelation hurtful.

Overall, I did enjoy the book and appreciated that it was a strong Christian story.

[Gina Hott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hott Synopsis:
Shiloh Griffin has always felt the call for more but has relegated her life to that of wife and mother to honor a promise she made to God.
Now, almost twenty years later she lives each day with regret. She wouldn’t give up her husband and children for anything but sometimes she wishes there was more.

When an unexpected job offer comes her way Shiloh jumps at it sure that it’s God’s gift to her for honoring her promise but in accepting this gift Shiloh will have choices to make. Choices that will affect her family and her husband’s tenuous head pastor position. Choices that will bring to light the secrets she’s kept for years. Choices that will alter the perfect facade she’s constructed.
Is Shiloh strong enough to accept God’s gift?

Hott Review:
I didn’t finish ‘Lead Me Home’. It was a really good book, but it was so emotional and deep that I kept feeling myself get down because of the depth. If you can handle this level of emotion then it’s perfect for you.

More…
Author: Stacy Hawkins Adams
Source: Zondervan via Netgalley
Grade: dnf
Series: Winds of Change #2

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. This book shows you that no matter who you are, what your "status" in life, what you have done, we all have a past that needs to be dealt with in some way or another. The author focused around the wife of a Reverend, who had held onto secrets that destroyed one life, nearly destroyed her own life, but when one chooses to pray on the matter instead of dwelling on and letting it ruin your life, by God's grace, one shall be set free of those dark secrets kept in. This books gives its readers hope, understanding, shows compassion and forgiveness. It also shows you that God uses many people in your life to help you when you need the help, whether you want it or not. This book brought me to tears more then once while reading it. I would recommend this book to anyone facing a dilemma in their life and feel they are unworthy or unloved. This book shows you that no matter what you have done, you will have God's forgiveness if you seek it and ask.

[Cilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lead Me Home" by Stacy Hawkins Adams is a heartwarming, emotional story about redemption and grace. Shiloh Griffin is a pastor's wife, mother, daughter, sister, and women's bible study leader. Despite having a full life, Shiloh is longing for more. The subtle voids in Shiloh’s life can only be filled once a twenty year old secret is revealed. This secret can impact the lives of her family and friends.

Filled with inspirational words and scriptures, "Lead Me Home" is a book that engulfs the reader with a beautifully written storyline. Adams easily draws in the reader with her skill of intertwining relatable story lines. I had a really hard time putting down this book. "Lead Me Home" is so powerful that I found myself in tears a few times.

I would recommend "Lead Me Home" by Stacy Hawkins Adams to anyone who is looking for an inspirational read that shows how God can use heartache for good and display his undying love.

I received this book through Goodreads’ First Reads.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, lovely story. I liked it a lot. It's the story of a preacher's wife who did something she is deeply ashamed of while she was in college and has been atoning for it ever since, trying to earn her way to God's forgiveness. The church is an African American Baptist church, but apparently Baptist is Baptist because it felt like home to this white Baptist girl. I really connected with the heroine's concerns and struggles. She wants to go back to finish her college degree, but isn't sure of other people's reactions. She's jealous of the assistant pastor's wife, because she's so glamorous and always seems to be finding fault. She's still dealing with this sin from her past. Her issues are nothing like the issues I've ever had in my life, but I still connected, maybe because I liked the way she handled them. The story was all about truth, and that owning your own truth will set you free. I really liked it and will be looking for more by this author.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A small town preacher and his wife try to lead their congregational while the assistant preacher and his wife try to take over. They both feel there is a hidden agenda behind it, but believe God is working in mysterious ways. Shiloh learns to accept Jade's involvement and eventually learns the truth behind it and builds a lasting relationship with Jade. However, Shiloh has her own demons to slay when one of her music students becomes pregnant, and she decides to tell her family what she did 17 years ago when in Paris. With the support of her family they work through the decision Shiloh made years ago, and helps her young student deal with her pregnancy and eventual miscarriage.

This novel was an easy read, and deals with raising teenagers, to pregnancy and abortion, and loving your family, friends, and God.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through the First Reads program.

What a lovely book! I do not read much Christian fiction because I have been disappointed with the quality, so I was so pleased to read this book. I am grateful to Stacy Hawkins Adams for creating high-quality, thoughtful, realistic Christian fiction.

I found the main character likable and honest without being overly introspective, and I appreciate that the character's growth in faith seems honest rather than forced.

I look forward to sharing this book with Christian friends and to seeking other great books from Stacy Hawkins Adams and Zondervan fiction.

[F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this free book from the goodreads-first-reads giveaway. This was my first Stacy Adams novel and I enjoyed it. It is a beautiful story of how our experiences shape who we become and how we can use those experiences to help others in their time of need. Shiloh is an intriguing, complex, religious, loving woman who has a candid, open dialogue with her God and ultimately understands the power of faith, love, forgiveness and spiritual growth. I recommend this book for all of us (regardless of gender) who sometimes go through life wondering if we made the right decision(s) and question our faith and purpose.

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit pretty close to home for me; it made me cry. A lot.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. I am incredibly grateful for these giveaways and for the opportunity that I had to read and review this book.

I am not a pastor's wife, but I am a mom. Some days I feel as though that is my only identity. I have been in situations like that of Shiloh; choosing to look away or choosing to help someone. It was a hard decision, just like it was in the book for Shiloh.

Thank you Goodreads First Reads for this book!

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book 3.5 stars.

Stacy does another great job of getting your very interested in the characters right from the start.

I had a short slow period about 2/3 of the way in but was still interested to know what was going to happen. And a few points

She even threw in a small curve ball.

This book makes you realize how forgiving God is and how unforgiving we are to ourselves. This book reminds me of how I would like my relationship with God to be all the time.

Well done.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by Stacy Adams and it was good. Shiloh is a mother and a pastor's wife and sometimes it seems that all she is. When she gets a chance to fill in for a high school music teacher, her dreams of teaching reawaken. But her students lives soon remind her of her past. Can she come clean and let people see the real her?

[Tabitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. The last 60 pages made me cry continuously. My only problem with the book was the "easy" solution to Monica's problem. As soon as I read that part I thought ~the author gave Monica the easiest way out of it~. I wanted to read Monica's thought process of which solution she would have thought best. It didn't happen. That took it from 5 stars down to 4.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful read! I have not read the first book in the series yet it did not matter as this story stands on its own.
I appreciated that as a Christian book, it felt real and authentic. While I didn't relate to the situations discussed in the book, I absolutely could relate to the women as a sinful, imperfect Christian woman trying to live a life that follows Christ.
I highly recommend this book!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written book which I read during a very hard time in my life. It made me feel better and not so alone. More review to come, trying to think the best way to sum it up without revealing my own personal issues.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. After reading Coming Home, I didn't expect to like Shiloh at all. The author did a great job convincing me to love this character. The plot was believable and the characters realistic. I can't wait for the third book in the series.

[Darcee Kraus · Rating 5 out of 5]

A soulful journey I was honored to be a part of Adams' writing is emotionally inspiring.

[Danita Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Relevant to everyday life. At one point you think you have the story line figured out, but Mrs. Adams does a awesome job of adding more.