Up Pops the Devil

by Angela Benson

Two hard years in prison have changed Wilford "Preacher" Winters for the better. He did his time, now he's going to "do the right thing." But the women in his life have other ideas.Tanya, the sleek and sexy mother of his two kids, is much too comfortable with her pearls-and-Porsche lifestyle, and she'll do whatever it takes to maintain it...His sister, Loretta, kept "the business" running smoothly while Preacher was inside, and she can't believe he'd trade Easy Street bling for a nickel-and-dime dead-end job...His one-time girlfriend Serena, now married to his main man Barnard, is hiding a secret--and if past sins come to light, they'll ruin several lives and a very new, very precious friendship between Preacher and Barnard's beautiful-inside-and-out sister, Natalie.With his world about to explode all around him, Preacher's going to need every ounce of his new-found faith to remain strong. Because it takes a lot to become a new man, sometimes even a miracle.

Genres: Christian Fiction

336 pages, ebook

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Though Angela Benson began writing fiction in Miss Milizo's fifth grade English class, her first book was not published until 1994, more than thirty years later! Since then, Angela has published twelve novels, two novellas, and a nonfiction writing book. Her books have appeared on national, regional and local bestseller lists, and she has won several writing awards, including Best Multicultural Romance from Romantic Times magazine, and Best Contemporary Ethnic Romance from Affaire de Coeur magazine. She was a finalist for the 2000 Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award in Multicultural Romance.

After publishing seven contemporary romance novels and one novella with Kensington and Harlequin, Angela made a faith move to Christian fiction in 2000 with the publication of Awakening Mercy, the first book in her Genesis House series from Tyndale House Publishers. Awakening Mercy was a finalist for both the RITA Award given by Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction. The second book in the Genesis House series, Abiding Hope, was published in September 2001. Abiding Hope was awarded the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance presented by the Romance Slam Jam. The third book and final book of the series, Enduring Love, is not yet scheduled.

BET Books, now Harlequin's Kimani Press purchased the mass market rights to Awakening Mercy and Abiding Hope in 2000 and released mass market editions of the titles in June 2002 and June 2003, respectively.

Angela's first hardcover title, The Amen Sisters, was released in September 2005 by Walk Worthy Press. The Essence bestselling title won the Emma Award for Best Inspirational Romance. The trade paperback edition was released in November 2007.

Up Pops the Devil, published by HarperCollins (Avon A) in August 2008, was Angela's eleventh novel. It was selected the November 2008 African-American Book Club Pick at Books-A-Million and was featured in the September-October 2008 issue of UPSCALE Magazine.

Angela's twelfth novel, Sins of the Father (Avon A), hits bookstores in September 2009. Her second novella, Showers of Blessings, in the A Million Blessings (Dafina) anthology, was published in March 2010.

Angela has a diverse education and work history. She majored in mathematics at Spelman College and Industrial Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), and worked for fifteen years as an engineer in the telecommunications industry. She holds Masters degrees in operations research and human resources development. Her most recent degree is a doctorate in instructional technology from the University of Georgia. Dr. Benson is now an associate professor of educational technology at The University of Alabama.

Reviews

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this work a 5 Star designation. Angela Benson did a phenomenal job. The story centers around the deeds of a young man, Preacher, who is exiting from two years of incarceration. Before going into the corrections facility he had been a big drug dealer. His sister, Loretta, continued the trade while he was inside. His fiancé, Tanya, continued to live lavishly and had no intentions of settling for less. They knew Preacher had turned his life over to Christ. Nevertheless, they were hoping that he would find it difficult to resist temptation (such are the vices of the enemy) and return to the street life where he made a great deal of money.

His prayer partners and loved ones, as the devil would see them, were in the way. The devil had a plan to take everything that he loved away from him. The author allows you to travel with each of Preacher's loved ones to see splintering taking place and how the cracks in the armor are revealed and what mechanisms are employed to further keep Preacher from waking the walking the walk f his new fe in Christ. The reader was able to see the impact that lying and heart break takes on individuals, families and relationships. But, when you love the Father and are committed to doing his will and others are just as committed acceptance, forgiveness and love can flow.

Several things came to mind while reading the story. First, God has never promised us that the journey would be easy...but he has said that it will most surely be worthwhile. Secondly, we all know the words "every time I would want to do good, evil is always around." Just because change takes place with us...doesn't mean that change is welcomed by our loved ones. And, the perils of staying in "unhealthy" relationships exacts a price on everyone...those involved, loving family members and friends. Whether it was Preacher and Tanya or Natalie and Dante or others sooner or later the elephant in the room has to receive it's due attention. Brandon and Serena would also be collateral damage. Thank God for second chances. He never gives up on us.

Preacher, as we all are when we come to know God for ourselves was excited about his conversion and was set on being different upon his release. He had his prayer partners, a work release site ready to assist him and the determination and "will" not to backslide. The devil knew his weaknesses and attempted to sabotage his efforts of "walking straight in a crooked world." Does the devil know yours? How have you been the most challenged since repentance and declaring a love for God? Is it difficult for you to walk upright when your skeletons are revealed? In the end, only those things that are done for Christ will last. Thank you Angela for penning this book. Thank you for painting the picture and helping us to see that it is possible to walk upright and keep our eyes stayed on him. Thank you for telling the story in such a masterful way. Thank you for reinforcing that the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy; and the Father comes to give life and life more abundantly. I encourage anyone who wants a good read to GET THE BOOK!

[Gabriella · Rating 1 out of 5]

None of the moral complexity we saw in The Amen Sisters: A Novel, the other Angela Benson novel I read this week. In Up Pops the Devil, all the sinners are conniving, unbelievably rendered hedonists, and all the saints are bible-thumping "true citizens" with the purest of intentions, and just a couple of past mistakes.

It is, of course, these shrugged-off, "in the past" mistakes of the church-goers that lands our characters into the most trouble. Benson, however, decides to bring her hammer down only on the nonbelievers. A more honest novel might've equally focused on the good intentions of the unsaved characters, instead of only developing their schemes to bring others out of their faith.

I think whenever church lit takes on this harsh sinner-saint dichotomy, it's hard to see how it might be appealing to anyone except the most self-righteous Christians. I would've loved to see how this book might've gone if Benson cared as much for Tanya, Loretta, and Dante as she did for Preacher, Natalie, Serena, and Barnard.

[Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh....

[Fiona · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG what drivel. I gave it as much a chance as I was prepared to. Predictable from the start and not that well written. Not even some humour to lighten the load.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.

[Katrina Burchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilford “Preacher” Winters becomes a Christian in prison and he’s determined to live his life for the Lord. He trys to make this very clear to Loretta, his sister who was also his partner in crime before his incarceration, and, Tanya, his materialistic, money-loving fianceé who is also the mother of his two sons, but his sincere words fall on deaf ears. When Preacher’s no longer behind bars these two women are used by Satan – they do everything they can think of to convince Preacher to abandon the Christian lifestyle and return to his old life where Satan guided his every decision.
Serena and Barnard Jenkins are a married Christian couple who seem to have the perfect, loving relationship but appearances can be deceiving. Serena is holding onto a secret that has her angry, unforgiving and tormented by guilt and it could destroy her marriage.
Natalie Jenkins, Barnard’s sister, believes she’s finally found the right man. Is Danté the one God wants her to spend the rest of her life with, does He have someone else in mind or has He called her to be single?
Before the story begins there is a quote from the Bible – Ephesians 6:12 (NIV): For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Angela Benson does a superb job of showing how the Devil is always at work, using whoever he can to destroy the lives of Christians or at least hurt them enough that they stop walking in Christian love. And the meetings Sean Jones has with his boss (the Devil) – these skillfully written conversations will help every Christian reader understand how important it is to keep his/her spiritual eyes open!
Up Pops The Devil is an entertaining, thought-provoking, insightful read. I will buy more books by this author and I will never forget this one!

[Debra Odom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about redemption! Preacher had really turned his life around from being in the drug business and spending 2 years in prison. His "baby mama" Tanya liked his previous lifestyle and wanted things to remain the same after his release. His sister wanted things to remain the same and she still continued to keep the drug business going during her brothers incarceration and after he turned his life over to Christ. Serena just baffled me. She should have told her husband that she had a previous relationship with Preacher when she first met her husband and all the confusion would have been prevented since her husband was Preacher's sponsor and good friend after he was released from prison. I really would like to see Preacher's and Serena's sister-in-law's story return in another book because I think that they were attracted to each other. Out of the three Angela Benson books that I have read, I liked this one the best and the other two were enjoyable to read also.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could be considered Christian fiction, as it's main message is how God is important to the lives of the characters, but the church is the main focus of the book due to a jail-house conversion. As will many African-American writers, the church and relationships with God are integral plot points, not necessarily making it Christian fiction, but an affirmation of that person's faith. That was the gist of this book. Preacher was a drug dealer who ends up in prison. There, through a church ministry, he finds faith and God. The story is how his family and his new found faith go through a trial by fire and help from the Devil and his lackey.

It is a fresh concept and a well written book, even if you are not into Christian fiction,as this work does not preach to the reader, but speaks for the charcters.

[Sandra Menefee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets, lies, temptations and forgiveness. It was refreshing to read of Preacher's coming to Christ and all the temptations and trials to be endured in the process. The lies and lost friends and family are the least of his problems. Standing firm in his newfound chosen life as a Christian, life does not get any easier. Refreshing to read trials and temptations of others and how they handle them. I would have loved to continue to find out how some of these hurdles ended. Great book.

[Latanya]

amazing read!!

This story was a very compelling story of redemption, forgiveness, & God's amazing love for us! I thoroughly enjoyed Preacher's Christian journey. All too often, we discredit people's walk with God through our blurred vision of perfection & sincerity...God truly has a way of removing the scales from our eyes! I enjoyed this story and would love to hear about Preacher's growth & his apparent budding relationship with Natalie!!

[BernieMck · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's pretty rare for me to give a five star rating, but this read totally deserved it. The author grabbed my attention in the beginning and did not let go until the last page. This story is about an ex con and his endeavor to stay away from his old life. Throughout the book the underlying theme Is lies and forgiveness

[Damika · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't half as bad as the ladies in my book club tried to make it. It was actually a good story, but it could have been written a little better as portions of the book left some of the ladies understandably perplexed.

[Angela Benson]

Up Pops the Devil by Angela Benson (2008)

[Malika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on what I read, her fans will love it. It was a light and entertaining read; finishing positive and uplifting at the end of the turnmoil.

[Jackie Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demons fight to get us.

Our faith brings in a different Calvary to fight for us. Different with the conversation of the demons of how they wreak havoc and enjoy it. Great book.

[Kimsuccess]

Really enjoyed this story and all the twist and turns!