What do you think?
Rate this book
Church Boyz #1
Rod of the Wicked
Imagine sharing the spotlight with a ruthless blackmailer, whose only intention, is to take all of which you’ve worked hard to achieve – your wealth, your fame, and your church of seven thousand members. For Pastor Leroy Paxton of Mount Moriah Baptist Church, this is no imagination. Five years ago, he committed one of the most toxic sins and had almost lost his life trying to cover it up. He now comes face to face with his past, which hunts him from the pulpit to his bedroom. And the only way out of this nightmare is to make a decision that could cost him everything.
Then imagine being mentored by one of the most revered men, Abraham Winder, whose stance on accountability and sexual purity is taught rigorously within the Mount Moriah mentoring program, only to discover your mentor is not what you expect. This rings true for Dominic Housten, one of Abraham’s closet and trusted protégés, who accidentally stumbles upon a scene that leaves him frozen in disbelief. As Dominic struggles with betrayal, he confides in the pastor’s daughter – the only woman he’d secretly loved for years. The only problem with that is the pastor’s daughter is married to Phillip Benjamin, a deacon of the church and an extremely jealous man, who suspects Dominic’s intention runs deeper than just a ‘casual’ friendship.
Four men, four lives that intertwine with each other, shows that the righteous are not perfect, and at times, are tempted to forsake the ways of God. As each of these men battle to regain their focus, they will come to realize that the consequences of their sins are far greater than they’d anticipated – just one stupid mistake could produce a lifetime of hell!
Then imagine being mentored by one of the most revered men, Abraham Winder, whose stance on accountability and sexual purity is taught rigorously within the Mount Moriah mentoring program, only to discover your mentor is not what you expect. This rings true for Dominic Housten, one of Abraham’s closet and trusted protégés, who accidentally stumbles upon a scene that leaves him frozen in disbelief. As Dominic struggles with betrayal, he confides in the pastor’s daughter – the only woman he’d secretly loved for years. The only problem with that is the pastor’s daughter is married to Phillip Benjamin, a deacon of the church and an extremely jealous man, who suspects Dominic’s intention runs deeper than just a ‘casual’ friendship.
Four men, four lives that intertwine with each other, shows that the righteous are not perfect, and at times, are tempted to forsake the ways of God. As each of these men battle to regain their focus, they will come to realize that the consequences of their sins are far greater than they’d anticipated – just one stupid mistake could produce a lifetime of hell!
ebook
First published April 6, 2012
271 people are currently reading
682 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 25, 2018
Being a Christian is not an easy job. There will always be trials and tribulations. How we deal with it determines whether our walk will be with Jesus or in the secular world.
God wants his shepherd to guide his sheep but not forget about your family. That's what Pastor Leroy Paxton has done. His actions, from five years ago up to the present, is causing him to see his sins are not hidden as he thought they were. His family is being taken apart by the enemy and he refuse to see it. This family of five has allowed the enemy to scatter them in all directions and leading them toward evil.
I'm truly impressed with the author and his storyline. There's so much going on and it is truly a page turner.
God wants his shepherd to guide his sheep but not forget about your family. That's what Pastor Leroy Paxton has done. His actions, from five years ago up to the present, is causing him to see his sins are not hidden as he thought they were. His family is being taken apart by the enemy and he refuse to see it. This family of five has allowed the enemy to scatter them in all directions and leading them toward evil.
I'm truly impressed with the author and his storyline. There's so much going on and it is truly a page turner.
July 18, 2013
This book started off a little slow and only because I wanted to know whether Pastor confessed the truth of what happened in Brandon did I continue to read. However, the book did pick up toward the end and by the time I was fully captured, it ended. I will purchase book II in hopes that it is a little better written. The story line is good and unfortunately real life drama - even in church. I could do without the time the author took to elaborate on clothing/accessory designers labels and would have preferred that time was taken in other areas.
May 3, 2013
No spoilers. I liked the story and it kept me wondering what could happen next. Debating on getting part-two.
May 14, 2012
All I can say is...I'm putting my $20 in a piggy bank and will NOT touch it because I will be buying the movie when it comes out. Twists and suspense that will have you on the edge of your seat. I literally couldn't put it down and now I'm anxiously awaiting the second installment "When Things Go Wrong." Definitely worth the buy
February 13, 2015
I was surprised how good this book was. I didn't want to put it down. My God it shows everyones shortcomings. It leaves a cliffhanger to read the next one which I will :). thanks Natasha.
August 10, 2017
What an excellent read. At the head of Mount Moriah Baptist Church is a pastor who is being blackmailed by the assistant pastor. Under the pastor and the assistant pastor are the youth minister and the minister of music with issues of their very own. I was really getting into this book when the excitement ended suddenly in suspense. I am really amped up to see what will happen next in book number 2 of this series.
August 16, 2018
I liked the fact that the author clearly took his time writing this book and weaving all of the characters together. I also appreciated the fact that literally every character in the book was multidimensional. On the other hand, I felt like some aspects of the story line didn’t make sense to me, and also some elements felt simultaneously authentic and inauthentic. It was an interesting read overall.
August 14, 2025
3 STARS ⭐️ ; I did really enjoy this book but I felt like a lot of the reveals didn’t come until too close to the end of the book. I’m hoping book 2 will answer a lot more questions that remained extremely vague in the first book. The storyline is very interesting and I appreciate that the book is not explicit but still speaks on real sins people struggle with even as believers who want to live holy.
February 17, 2024
outstanding
To know that not only non Christians go through these types of situation but Christian’s as well. Christians tend to hide behind close doors and look down upon outsiders who are practically are like them. Fantastic job with B this book. It’s intriguing, adventurous, and eager to know what’s next. Good job
To know that not only non Christians go through these types of situation but Christian’s as well. Christians tend to hide behind close doors and look down upon outsiders who are practically are like them. Fantastic job with B this book. It’s intriguing, adventurous, and eager to know what’s next. Good job
December 23, 2019
DAMN DAMN DAMN
Look if your reading this review just stop and read the book. Best believe it is a true page turner. I’m about to get the other five books to this one and find out what the hell happened. Stop reading and buy the darn book already
Look if your reading this review just stop and read the book. Best believe it is a true page turner. I’m about to get the other five books to this one and find out what the hell happened. Stop reading and buy the darn book already
November 3, 2023
Rod of the wicked ( Church Boys Book1)
H.H Fowler never go wrong always bring it home love reading your books.
Will be reading this series . With all the drama and suspense what more happening in this church. Will find out in book 2 .
H.H Fowler never go wrong always bring it home love reading your books.
Will be reading this series . With all the drama and suspense what more happening in this church. Will find out in book 2 .
July 24, 2017
Good book
May 23, 2018
It wasnt for me
The story just took too long to draw me in but i liked the characters. They were all relatable somehow.
The story just took too long to draw me in but i liked the characters. They were all relatable somehow.
February 8, 2020
This is a great book
LeRoy is just in a mess a can't get it together and his wife I don't know
What's going to become of there marriage.
LeRoy is just in a mess a can't get it together and his wife I don't know
What's going to become of there marriage.
July 29, 2020
Cliffhanger
I didn’t realize this had no ending. I don’t like cliffhangers. I don’t plan to read anymore of this series.
I didn’t realize this had no ending. I don’t like cliffhangers. I don’t plan to read anymore of this series.
February 18, 2021
Great book
This was a really great read from start to finish I would truly recommend this book you won't be disappointed
This was a really great read from start to finish I would truly recommend this book you won't be disappointed
December 20, 2023
This book got better and better as I read it. It kept my attention especially when I found out who Phillip really was. I can’t wait to read book 2.
March 11, 2017
Very suspenseful read. The characters were well developed. Well written, good story line. Once you get past the first part of the book and get to know each character the book really pulls you in, and it's a real page turner, hard to put down. Can't wait to read book 2.
March 7, 2017
I like the story! It was a little slow to start, but now I have to get book 2 to see what happens next.
March 2, 2013
Okay, I'm hooked. ChurchBoyz: Rod of The Wicked reads like a hyped-up soap opera with a Christian theme.
One of the main characters, Dominic, is a Christian college student trying to live holy in a world full of temptations. In the first chapter, Dominic discovers his longtime mentor, Abraham, in a compromising situation, but all is not as it seems. Abraham has a legitimate excuse for his actions, although his motives are a bit farfetched, unless he's obsessed with the Biblical account of Hosea. Leroy Paxton is the charismatic pastor of a thriving megachurch, but he has a secret that is destroying his marriage. Leroy's wife, Michelle, is determined to find out what ties her husband has to the overbearing Shaniece, but eventually despairs of any hope of saving the marriage. Meanwhile, the Paxtons' daughter, Tayah, is in an unhappy marriage to Philip, a deacon who'd rather be dancing at a nightclub or getting drunk. The Paxtons don't suspect at all that their two sons seem to be living a loose lifestyle right under their noses. The storylines are eventually all tied together in an intriguing story that clearly shows the far reaching consequences of sin, as well as showing how Christians are always given ways to escape temptations.
The author sometimes uses slightly raunchy descriptions, but as a whole the book is wholesome and Biblically sound. My only real complaint is that none of the story lines are brought to a conclusion, and the book ends with a suspenseful cliff hanger. At least the author has mercy and lets us see how the cliffhanger turns out by including the opening chapters from Book 2.
One of the main characters, Dominic, is a Christian college student trying to live holy in a world full of temptations. In the first chapter, Dominic discovers his longtime mentor, Abraham, in a compromising situation, but all is not as it seems. Abraham has a legitimate excuse for his actions, although his motives are a bit farfetched, unless he's obsessed with the Biblical account of Hosea. Leroy Paxton is the charismatic pastor of a thriving megachurch, but he has a secret that is destroying his marriage. Leroy's wife, Michelle, is determined to find out what ties her husband has to the overbearing Shaniece, but eventually despairs of any hope of saving the marriage. Meanwhile, the Paxtons' daughter, Tayah, is in an unhappy marriage to Philip, a deacon who'd rather be dancing at a nightclub or getting drunk. The Paxtons don't suspect at all that their two sons seem to be living a loose lifestyle right under their noses. The storylines are eventually all tied together in an intriguing story that clearly shows the far reaching consequences of sin, as well as showing how Christians are always given ways to escape temptations.
The author sometimes uses slightly raunchy descriptions, but as a whole the book is wholesome and Biblically sound. My only real complaint is that none of the story lines are brought to a conclusion, and the book ends with a suspenseful cliff hanger. At least the author has mercy and lets us see how the cliffhanger turns out by including the opening chapters from Book 2.
March 27, 2013
I cannot believe this book is getting remarkable ratings. I love a good suspense, a compelling story, and am always happy when it involves people of color. Unfortunately this one left me mad! I got this book free from Amazon via my Kindle. When I finished the book I said they should have paid me for having read that book. The characters were undeveloped, the story lines left me asking questions (and not because it was suspenseful but because it did not make sense). To top it off instead of concluding that book it ended by saying something along the lines of "want to know what happens, check out the next book in the series." Are you serious?! That book only has 170 some odd pages to it. The author could have concluded that book very easily. There was just too much going on, but it lacked substance and completion. The characters (especially their stories) were undeveloped. I kept reading it only because I wanted to know how it ended. I guess it will be a while before I know how it ends because unless someone leaves a spoiler comment it is going to take me a long time to drum up enough patience to buy the second book in the series.
On a positive note, it is refreshing to see another young male of color writing Christian fiction. Everyone else seems to have enjoyed it so I will say it is me.
On a positive note, it is refreshing to see another young male of color writing Christian fiction. Everyone else seems to have enjoyed it so I will say it is me.
December 23, 2016
Slow start, but will read part two as this book is a cliffhanger.
May 18, 2014
Church say amen
we all have sinned and fell short of the glory and honor of God! wow this read was simply amazing. very well developed and kept my attention from beginning to end. I can't wait to see how this is about to unfold. the skeletons are popping out the closet every which way. what's crazy is being a preacher's kid you go through many of the situations presented in this book. my my my I can't wait to read what's next. I'm ready for more
we all have sinned and fell short of the glory and honor of God! wow this read was simply amazing. very well developed and kept my attention from beginning to end. I can't wait to see how this is about to unfold. the skeletons are popping out the closet every which way. what's crazy is being a preacher's kid you go through many of the situations presented in this book. my my my I can't wait to read what's next. I'm ready for more
April 2, 2013
Definitely written from a different cultural perspective than my own ��the African-American church scene. Pretty raw in places; imperfect, broken people. I did wonder all through the book if this is typical or stereotypical of the A-A church with an almighty pastor, a wife who expects and is expected to be the #2. Certainly sets up some well-written struggles.
November 18, 2013
To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I prefer nonfiction, but I can actually see this being a true story and it kept my attention. The characters are very believable and well thought out. I love the African-American church and some kind of drama is brewing from time to time. This kind of drama got me purchasing the Church Boys series! I love it!
October 10, 2015
Good story. Disappointing end.
The story itself is good, however, at the end there should be some form of conclusion. You were just left hanging. The end was too loose. As a matter of fact there was absolutely no conclusion. I have read series books by other authors that have a tighter finish. I was so disappointed
The story itself is good, however, at the end there should be some form of conclusion. You were just left hanging. The end was too loose. As a matter of fact there was absolutely no conclusion. I have read series books by other authors that have a tighter finish. I was so disappointed
January 17, 2014
I purchased the 2nd & 3rd parts of this series within a week. I got book one free and it had been sitting in my library for quite some time. After I started reading I was so upset with myself that I'd let such a good book sit for so long. Loved the whole series, would recommend this for sure.
January 31, 2014
This just goes to show that church folks aren't as saved as they claim to be. Never put anything past the preacher. Overall I enjoyed the book even though some of the characters I could just slap for the things they do. Now I need parts 2 and 3 after reading the first two chapters of part 2.
March 16, 2014
Like the saying goes "what's done in the dark eventually comes to light". It's a quick read. There are many characters and several story lines going on but it is easily to follow what is going on with whom.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews