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Embrace Me
Biting and gentle, hard-edged and hopeful . . . a beautiful fable of love and power, hiding and seeking, woundedness and redemption.
When a "lizard woman," a self-mutilating preacher, a tattoed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster . . . and improbably close to grace.
When a "lizard woman," a self-mutilating preacher, a tattoed monk, and a sleazy lobbyist find themselves in the same North Carolina town one winter, their lives are edging precariously close to disaster . . . and improbably close to grace.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
19 people are currently reading
687 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Samson
64 books194 followersThe Christy-award winning author of nineteen books including the Women of Faith Novel of the Year Quaker Summer, Lisa Samson has been hailed by Publishers Weekly as "a talented novelist who isn't afraid to take risks." She lives in Kentucky with her husband and three kids.
Also, published under the name L.L. Samson
Also, published under the name L.L. Samson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
January 4, 2022
Some very brilliant parts and insights mixed in with some cliched predictable parts. About circus/sideshow freaks and how they mirror the Body of Christ.
Biblical truth resonates in Samson's latest outstanding novel. The two main characters are misfits who represent the unique qualities of the body of Christ. Readers will see themselves mirrored on each page, and though the feelings evoked aren't always pleasant, they are life changing. Forgiveness abounds in this stunning tale.
Valentine, a physically scarred member of a freak show, shuts herself off from most of the world with a scarf covering her face. Valentine cares for her best friend and fellow freak show oddity, a woman with no arms and legs.
Augustus carries his own scars from the past, but his are emotional and spiritual rather than physical. Grace reigns when this unlikely pair become friends and begin to confide in each other.
Biblical truth resonates in Samson's latest outstanding novel. The two main characters are misfits who represent the unique qualities of the body of Christ. Readers will see themselves mirrored on each page, and though the feelings evoked aren't always pleasant, they are life changing. Forgiveness abounds in this stunning tale.
Valentine, a physically scarred member of a freak show, shuts herself off from most of the world with a scarf covering her face. Valentine cares for her best friend and fellow freak show oddity, a woman with no arms and legs.
Augustus carries his own scars from the past, but his are emotional and spiritual rather than physical. Grace reigns when this unlikely pair become friends and begin to confide in each other.
February 18, 2010
I have told you that I'm a card-carrying member of the Lisa Samson fan club, haven't I? Instead of standing out on the street today freezing my patoot off, I stayed inside and finished Embrace Me, a wonderful story of two very wounded people who needed to both accept and give forgiveness. Valentine's face was badly burned by Drano years ago. Since that time she has made her living as "The Lizard Lady" in a carnival side-show. She dresses in a lovely green sequined gown and people can stare at her scarred face, and the effect is lizard-like. She is friends with "The Cocoon Girl", Lella, who has no arms or legs. During the summer they travel with a small circus; during the winter they live in a boarding house in Mount Oak, the setting of two other Samson books: The Church Ladies (my review ) and Songbird (my review). Charmaine from Songbird is a strong secondary character in Embrace Me; Poppy from The Church Ladies makes a cameo appearance, but "knowing" them from the other books doesn't add much to your understanding of Embrace Me. Valentine longs for a real home, a real sense of belonging, and like most people, she needs to be needed.
The other main character is Drew. He is the son of a powerful politician. He was a preacher in Mount Oak and built his church into a mega-church. He became involved in the TV ministry of Charmaine Hopewell and her husband, and one day woke up and realized that what he was building wasn't for God. He quits his job, and walks into the local Catholic church, where he wants to go to confession. He is unable get his confession out, and the priest tells him to write it down, and then come back and they'll talk. Fr. Brian becomes his spiritual director/confessor and we read about Drew's background as he tells Fr. Brian the story.
In some ways the story was unrealistic; Samson herself in an Afterward notes that putting the disabled on display as side-show oddities is, thankfully, a thing of the past, but that she took literary license to use them as a metaphor.
Another character is Gus, who is a street minister and a member of an informal monastic community. It is praying the Liturgy of the Hours with this community that opens Valentine to the grace that God wants to give her. Rick is a member of the side-show troupe who is in love with Valentine.
Lisa Samson is a re-vert to Catholicism. She was raised Catholic, at least to some extent, left the Church for many years, and recently returned. In some ways, this book is a bridge between the Catholic and Protestant worlds. Drew isn't Catholic, but seeks reconciliation through confession, a Catholic sacrament. Fr. Brian is a good guy in the book, and, when reflecting on his church-building experiences, Drew notes that there are advantages to the parish system. Gus, and the members of his coed monastic community pray the Liturgy of the Hours, a Catholic prayer, and take the traditional monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but they are not Catholic.
The chapters alternate between Drew and Valentine and are told in the first person. Drew's chapters are dated about six years before Valentine's until at some point the stories merge. I found it effective; I know some people don't like that writing style though. I love Samson's writing, not just her stories, and there are not many authors about whom I say that. Grade: A
The other main character is Drew. He is the son of a powerful politician. He was a preacher in Mount Oak and built his church into a mega-church. He became involved in the TV ministry of Charmaine Hopewell and her husband, and one day woke up and realized that what he was building wasn't for God. He quits his job, and walks into the local Catholic church, where he wants to go to confession. He is unable get his confession out, and the priest tells him to write it down, and then come back and they'll talk. Fr. Brian becomes his spiritual director/confessor and we read about Drew's background as he tells Fr. Brian the story.
In some ways the story was unrealistic; Samson herself in an Afterward notes that putting the disabled on display as side-show oddities is, thankfully, a thing of the past, but that she took literary license to use them as a metaphor.
Another character is Gus, who is a street minister and a member of an informal monastic community. It is praying the Liturgy of the Hours with this community that opens Valentine to the grace that God wants to give her. Rick is a member of the side-show troupe who is in love with Valentine.
Lisa Samson is a re-vert to Catholicism. She was raised Catholic, at least to some extent, left the Church for many years, and recently returned. In some ways, this book is a bridge between the Catholic and Protestant worlds. Drew isn't Catholic, but seeks reconciliation through confession, a Catholic sacrament. Fr. Brian is a good guy in the book, and, when reflecting on his church-building experiences, Drew notes that there are advantages to the parish system. Gus, and the members of his coed monastic community pray the Liturgy of the Hours, a Catholic prayer, and take the traditional monastic vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but they are not Catholic.
The chapters alternate between Drew and Valentine and are told in the first person. Drew's chapters are dated about six years before Valentine's until at some point the stories merge. I found it effective; I know some people don't like that writing style though. I love Samson's writing, not just her stories, and there are not many authors about whom I say that. Grade: A
August 9, 2008
Embrace Me is the first book I’ve read by Christy Award winning author Lisa Samson. I can promise you one thing: it won’t be the last. This book touched me deeply with a beautiful story so skillfully told I found myself more than once stopping to read a passage again and again, savoring the words as they rolled across my soul like honey rolls across my tongue.
The story traces the paths of two people who are both deeply wounded and trying to escape lives they can no longer bear to live. Drew, the pastor of a church that’s steamrolling toward megachurch status, is running from the disaster he inflicted on himself and others by his own ambition, and fed by his desire to live up to his demanding father’s expectations. Valentine, a.k.a. Lizard Woman, deals with the disfiguring burns inflicted on her by a crazed woman the only way she can, by hiding them behind a scarf and showing them only to people who pay for the privilege when they visit the sideshow that employs her. As their stories unfold, we are drawn forward, compelled to find out how the lives of these two vastly different people intersect. When they do, the result is a deeply moving message of grace and forgiveness that brought tears to my eyes.
I’ve read a lot of books in my lifetime, so I don’t say this lightly: Embrace Me is among my top ten favorite novels of all time.
The story traces the paths of two people who are both deeply wounded and trying to escape lives they can no longer bear to live. Drew, the pastor of a church that’s steamrolling toward megachurch status, is running from the disaster he inflicted on himself and others by his own ambition, and fed by his desire to live up to his demanding father’s expectations. Valentine, a.k.a. Lizard Woman, deals with the disfiguring burns inflicted on her by a crazed woman the only way she can, by hiding them behind a scarf and showing them only to people who pay for the privilege when they visit the sideshow that employs her. As their stories unfold, we are drawn forward, compelled to find out how the lives of these two vastly different people intersect. When they do, the result is a deeply moving message of grace and forgiveness that brought tears to my eyes.
I’ve read a lot of books in my lifetime, so I don’t say this lightly: Embrace Me is among my top ten favorite novels of all time.
August 10, 2017
A beautiful story of forgiveness and repentance with richly developed characters. This one will stay with me.
September 3, 2009
For a Christian fiction book, this was quite good. It didn't feel as fluffy as other Christian fiction sometimes feels to me. The characters were deeper and less "goody-two-shoes" than other main characters in this genre. The premise of the book was very unique, which took some getting used to, but it was an enjoyable read.
June 19, 2017
This book was ok. I did not find the story unique. I did almost quit reading this book, but decided to finish it so I could count it for my "mountain" challenge. I will not be actively seeking out this book again in the future. I have second thought about the author.
August 24, 2008
I didn't realize this was "Christian" lit. when I picked it up...but it is a good story of forgivness....for others and yourself.
Read
December 26, 2021The different timelines were sometimes jarring but the brutal honesty and thoughtfulness of the story made up for it. I appreciate books that make me think and examine my heart and feel a little uncomfortable.
October 25, 2020
An amazing story. Unusual, for sure, but amazing.
March 4, 2011
A cast of quirky characters who have a lot to learn about forgiveness make this a heartwarming and intriguing story. Two intertwining stories are told, one of a former paster named Drew who once headed up a mega-church. A crisis of faith has him taking a sabbatical from his former glitzy life and seeking to confess his sins to a Catholic priests. Meanwhile, a performer in a sideshow dubbed the "lizard girl' because of her disfigured skin is just trying to find some measure of happiness with her best friend--another "freak" who has no arms or legs. How their stories come together is suprising at times, as past secrets are revealed bit by bit. I questioned some of the choices that the characters made at times, but I also heartily enjoyed their foibles. A strong theme of social justice, typical of Samson's books, prevails as well, as the characters illustrate what it means to serve the poor and downtrodden among us. This aspect I found particularly inspiring. I highly recommend this to fans of Christian fiction.
April 27, 2013
I don't even know where to start. Whole lotta weird happening here. Burned up lady who did it to herself with Draino, an armless legless woman, televangelist who burned himself with cigarettes and found his mom who wasnt realy dead. And the whole time a bunch of religious crap. I hate that.
July 27, 2013
A good book, one that kept me thinking when I was away from it. The characters were the best part of this book and the real focus of the story is on them.
March 26, 2026
Ended up starting this book because I was outrageously bored, and surprisingly, I finished it. It's the kind of book that makes you want to know the end, even if it's fairly predictable and not terrifically written.
I myself am a Christian, and the major Christian/faith theme of the book came as a surprise to me because I really didn't read the blurb. I think I looked up books about circuses (after reading The Night Circus) and just clicked this one. So finding out it was all about redemption and forgiveness was a shock, but then I got interested and kept reading to see if it would be any good.
I don't typically read Christian fiction or fantasy or romance because the author always ends up doing a fake-deep, shallow analysis of what faith is and who God is. I find it tacky and not necessarily blasphemous, but careless, to take bits and pieces of biblical lessons, advice, verses, characters, and turn it into something that fits the modern book market limits.
On top of that, I usually find most theology to be really, terribly incorrect, and that bugs me too much to read further.
This book does not escape these common pitfalls and faults, but it was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be. In fact, I enjoyed reading about Augustine's and Valentine's acceptance of Christ and forgiveness of one another.
A great portion of it read like how a non-Christian would describe what a Christian would think and it was cracking me up, but there were a few times were you could really feel like they might be real experiences of a believer, or at least a very accurate moment of faith/encounter with Christ. In the midst of fake-deep BS lines about faith, there would also be some good revelations the characters have.
For example, in chapter 18, when Valentine runs to that dock by the lake after she feels like she should go there, and she just weeps and cries out to God- that felt real. That's something I've done.
Another good example would be Drew's father talking about his coming-to-Christ moment, and how he's in communion when "...All of the sudden, the wafer tasted like dead, rotting flesh, and the wine turned into sawdust... And I head a voice inside say, 'This is what you've made of Me.'" That feels real, raw, and like it absolutely would happen. Not that God can't perform miracles that are unique and personal to people, but there are ways that God chooses more than others to communicate, and the way that Drew's father is convicted and repents is a likely and believable way. Moments like those added a lot of value to the book.
The writing is fairly bland and untrained, though. Inconsistent with structure, missing context then laying it on way to thick. We get to know too much about some things that are never brought up again. However, it still wasn't dense, and the dialogue was pretty fun to read.
I honestly would probably recommend this book, as it doesn't push too much bad theology and alternatively, doesn't make the sin and bad things the whole focus of the book to keep interest. The pacing is good too, and Drew/Augustine's character is definitely the best out of the cast.
If you've never thought about God seriously, this might even be a good read because it doesn't have long lists of verses or weird chapters that turn into sermons, or things that a non-Christian wouldn't understand. Definitely did not waste my time and was a quick, easy read.
I myself am a Christian, and the major Christian/faith theme of the book came as a surprise to me because I really didn't read the blurb. I think I looked up books about circuses (after reading The Night Circus) and just clicked this one. So finding out it was all about redemption and forgiveness was a shock, but then I got interested and kept reading to see if it would be any good.
I don't typically read Christian fiction or fantasy or romance because the author always ends up doing a fake-deep, shallow analysis of what faith is and who God is. I find it tacky and not necessarily blasphemous, but careless, to take bits and pieces of biblical lessons, advice, verses, characters, and turn it into something that fits the modern book market limits.
On top of that, I usually find most theology to be really, terribly incorrect, and that bugs me too much to read further.
This book does not escape these common pitfalls and faults, but it was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be. In fact, I enjoyed reading about Augustine's and Valentine's acceptance of Christ and forgiveness of one another.
A great portion of it read like how a non-Christian would describe what a Christian would think and it was cracking me up, but there were a few times were you could really feel like they might be real experiences of a believer, or at least a very accurate moment of faith/encounter with Christ. In the midst of fake-deep BS lines about faith, there would also be some good revelations the characters have.
For example, in chapter 18, when Valentine runs to that dock by the lake after she feels like she should go there, and she just weeps and cries out to God- that felt real. That's something I've done.
Another good example would be Drew's father talking about his coming-to-Christ moment, and how he's in communion when "...All of the sudden, the wafer tasted like dead, rotting flesh, and the wine turned into sawdust... And I head a voice inside say, 'This is what you've made of Me.'" That feels real, raw, and like it absolutely would happen. Not that God can't perform miracles that are unique and personal to people, but there are ways that God chooses more than others to communicate, and the way that Drew's father is convicted and repents is a likely and believable way. Moments like those added a lot of value to the book.
The writing is fairly bland and untrained, though. Inconsistent with structure, missing context then laying it on way to thick. We get to know too much about some things that are never brought up again. However, it still wasn't dense, and the dialogue was pretty fun to read.
I honestly would probably recommend this book, as it doesn't push too much bad theology and alternatively, doesn't make the sin and bad things the whole focus of the book to keep interest. The pacing is good too, and Drew/Augustine's character is definitely the best out of the cast.
If you've never thought about God seriously, this might even be a good read because it doesn't have long lists of verses or weird chapters that turn into sermons, or things that a non-Christian wouldn't understand. Definitely did not waste my time and was a quick, easy read.
February 3, 2020
I have had this on my bookshelf for a few years now, having picked it up at a used book sale at the library for a buck. I only got around to reading it a few days ago, and once I started it, I was hooked.
First of all, I couldn't tell (and didn't remember) if it was Christian fiction or not. I didn't truly figure out that it was until well into the book. Maybe it shouldn't make me happy that I couldn't tell, but I feel like there is a definite "type" when it comes to Christian lit. You can just tell. It doesn't ring true. It doesn't seem real. Thoughts and conversations and even prayers (especially prayers) don't feel natural. This read like maybe I myself have had some of those same conversations with God, and I liked it.
The story itself boils down to three elements: forgiveness, love and service. What does it take to be a Christian? How do you please God? Forgiveness, love and service. I loved the characters as they struggled through one (or all) of these foundational beliefs. I have never met a woman born without arms or legs, never befriended a disfigured woman who hides in the dark, never personally known a power-hungry mega-church pastor who made all the wrong choices and lost it all; and yet, I felt like every one of those characters was believable. I watched their relationships grow and change and sometimes fall apart, and I wanted it all to work out for them.
And it did, but in a great way. No cliche guy-gets-the-girl romance in the end. No happy ending for the couple who learns to accept themselves the way they are because of God's love. They do accept themselves - and then they commit themselves to loving others. I'm glad it ended this way. It feels like having the two main characters end up together would have cheapened it.
I liked the writing and the plot. I didn't mind the jumping back and forth between time zones, so to speak. I didn't think it was difficult to follow, as long as you looked at the heading of each chapter. And I was stunned when the identity of the characters were revealed. Both times. The second time, I probably should have been prepared for it, but I wasn't. I had picked up on the clues but hadn't done the math yet. So good.
This is a keeper for me. It was on my bookshelf for a couple years, but it's there for good now.
First of all, I couldn't tell (and didn't remember) if it was Christian fiction or not. I didn't truly figure out that it was until well into the book. Maybe it shouldn't make me happy that I couldn't tell, but I feel like there is a definite "type" when it comes to Christian lit. You can just tell. It doesn't ring true. It doesn't seem real. Thoughts and conversations and even prayers (especially prayers) don't feel natural. This read like maybe I myself have had some of those same conversations with God, and I liked it.
The story itself boils down to three elements: forgiveness, love and service. What does it take to be a Christian? How do you please God? Forgiveness, love and service. I loved the characters as they struggled through one (or all) of these foundational beliefs. I have never met a woman born without arms or legs, never befriended a disfigured woman who hides in the dark, never personally known a power-hungry mega-church pastor who made all the wrong choices and lost it all; and yet, I felt like every one of those characters was believable. I watched their relationships grow and change and sometimes fall apart, and I wanted it all to work out for them.
And it did, but in a great way. No cliche guy-gets-the-girl romance in the end. No happy ending for the couple who learns to accept themselves the way they are because of God's love. They do accept themselves - and then they commit themselves to loving others. I'm glad it ended this way. It feels like having the two main characters end up together would have cheapened it.
I liked the writing and the plot. I didn't mind the jumping back and forth between time zones, so to speak. I didn't think it was difficult to follow, as long as you looked at the heading of each chapter. And I was stunned when the identity of the characters were revealed. Both times. The second time, I probably should have been prepared for it, but I wasn't. I had picked up on the clues but hadn't done the math yet. So good.
This is a keeper for me. It was on my bookshelf for a couple years, but it's there for good now.
June 25, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finished it in two days. I loved the characters, even one of the harder ones to love, because they’re written in such a human way that you can’t help but feel along with them. Lizard Woman is my favorite of the narrators because you can feel her pain through her snark and sass, and it feels so true-to-life. There’s depth to this novel and just enough surprises to stay hooked, and the whole thing was tied together nicely. Very much worth the read.
November 1, 2019
This book isn't all what I wanted it to be.
I'm trying to read circus books in a broad array of genres, and this one showed up in my seardch. The cover looked circus-y, but it's not really a circus book at all. Even though I went into it expecting the wrong things, I ended up genuinely wanting to know what happened next. It starts off slow (I had to use some perseverance to get through it at times) but it was worth it. Chances are good I'll read Lisa Samson again.
I'm trying to read circus books in a broad array of genres, and this one showed up in my seardch. The cover looked circus-y, but it's not really a circus book at all. Even though I went into it expecting the wrong things, I ended up genuinely wanting to know what happened next. It starts off slow (I had to use some perseverance to get through it at times) but it was worth it. Chances are good I'll read Lisa Samson again.
November 17, 2019
"Embrace Me" by Lisa Samson is one of those books that I re-read every other year because it just hits all the right spots for me. It has a journey with flawed characters. The crisis in faith has a good foundation. The end is surprising and realistic. This probably is my favorite Lisa Samson book which is saying something because except for "Songbird", I've enjoyed almost all her books. But this one is tops for me.
July 3, 2022
I am not a Christian, however I did not feel alienated by the christian themes. It is a book about acceptance, retribution, and forgiveness both of others and of self. The characters are out there but they are also very real. You know people like this exist in theory, but the way Lisa Samson creates fundamentally flawed and human characters is so relatable. This is not a Christian fiction book that is good. This is a good book that so happens to be christian fiction.
July 5, 2023
I wasn't sure where this book was going when I started to read it. It is a story of forgiveness -for selves and for others. Several of the characters find this throughout the story line. I remember the 'carny" shows coming to town when I was young, but never thought about the people. That came with maturity. This has many sad moments , but, in the end, a satisfying ending.
December 16, 2019
This story had unique characters including: "Lizard Woman" from a circus side show, a former preacher, and a tattooed monk. The story demonstrates God's grace toward people and forgiveness of your enemy. I enjoyed the twists of this story.
April 15, 2020
I bought this book and I had no idea that it is Christian fiction. It had a good plot, good character development, and a little mystery. I'm not Protestant so some of that was a little different for me. Overall, good book.
January 14, 2026
This book is one of the most refreshing Christian fiction books I’ve read in a long time. It talks about the problems we face in the American church with turning pastors into celebrities and the prosperity gospel. It’s also a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption. Absolutely loved it.
January 3, 2018
Grace & forgiveness after church abuse. Very good.
March 6, 2019
Excellent story. Characters were well done
August 19, 2019
Read this book last year, Loved it!
June 10, 2021
A great story about love, redemption, and forgiveness.
March 11, 2023
w podstawówce przeczytałam, dużo wpłynęło nie powinnam była mieć do tego dostępu dziękuję blibliotece szkolnej
August 5, 2024
Read a few chapters and just couldn't get into the story.☹
September 7, 2024
Odd and interesting...made u think
February 20, 2017
I enjoyed this book at a much deeper level than many Christian fiction books I have read because the primary characters were more realistic with flaws and the novel definitely didn't hesitate to criticize wrong motives in some who proclaim and preach Christianity. The story was definitely one of the more bizarre Christian novels but I appreciated the unique approach rather than the all too-familiar Christian woman or man falls in love with someone, they go through some challenges but end up together happily ever after. I will definitely look for more books by Lisa Samson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews