The Church Ladies

by Lisa E. Samson

Competition for church members in Mount Oak has reached a furious peak. When tragedy strikes one of their hometown sons, the church women are drawn together through compassion. The Church Ladies is a contemporary tale illustrating how women can have a major impact on the church. Through friendships that reach beneath surface level - and trials more severe than simple - they unite with common to pray, share, and comfort. Slowly, the community of believers learns that the church grows when it is rooted in love. Characters you'll laugh and cry with, in situations every woman will instantly relate to, light up this page-turner about a miracle that could happen anywhere.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Inspirational, Adult Fiction

292 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2001

About the author

Lisa Samson was born in Baltimore, MD. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky, with her husband Will. Lisa is the mother to three kids, has a cat named Miles, and three chickens: Violet, Camille, and Charlotte.

Lisa's been writing for almost two decades now and doesn't plan on quitting anytime soon. She also runs Luminary, a creative support service for novelists.

Grapefruit juice, potato chips, art, eating good food, watching AMC shows on Netflix, and good conversation with friends and family make her extremely happy. Tomato juice, blue tortilla chips, math, running, watching news tv, and silly conversations about whose kids are better . . . not so much. She loves to paint and read and watch good movies.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a rather dull book about different ladies in church. The book said it was funny but there was only one or two pages that were mildly amusing. The main story was about a minister's wife who is having a hard time with being a minister's wife and the guilt she feels over her attraction to another man.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, what's a woman supposed to do when she has a stack of review books, several stacks of mooched books, swapped books or books from the giveaway box at work? Why, go to the library and get more books, of course. (Honest, the only reason I was at the library is that the weather was bad and my little one wanted to go somewhere)... I enjoyed Lisa Samson's The Passion of Mary Margaret, so I decided to try some of her other books. I'm glad I did.


The Church Ladies is the story of Penelope (Poppy) Fraser. Poppy is the mom of two college-aged kids and an almost seven year old. He husband had a mid-life crisis and quit his high-powered high-paying job to attend the seminary and become a Presbyterian minister. They move from the Baltimore area to a small town where her cousin (who is married to her best friend) is pastor of another church. Poppy has a major sin in her not-to-distant past and hasn't forgiven herself. She also doesn't think she wants to stay married, and thinks about when she can leave, and how.

An older woman, the widow of a minister, befriends her and the two begin to pray together. They gather other minister's wives into their group and they pray for and support each other. There is a tragedy. Church people act in un-Christian manners, Poppy learns to accept the love of God and to give that love to others.

I enjoyed this book, and if you like well-written books with religious themes, I think you'll like this one too. Samson uses flashbacks to the time of sin, but they are in italics which makes them easy to follow. I wouldn't call the book preachy,but rather I'd say it is the story of someone's faith journey. Poppy realizes she needs God's grace, that she can't do it on her own, and also realizes that that Grace is given abundantly, even in tragedy. If there is anything trite about the book it is that out of tragedy, something really good came; however I didn't even think about it in those terms until I was writing this, so I'd say it doesn't exactly hit you over the head. Poppy is a real woman with real faults, real doubts and real love.

I like Samson's writing style and use of language. That's something I rarely say--most decent writing, to me, fades into the background, it is a medium, nothing more. A few authors impress me with the way they use language, and Samson is one.

In short, if you are a fan of faith-based fiction, I think you'll like this one.

[Pam Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually would rate a 4.5. The only thing stopping me from a 5 is that, like so many authors do, the big ending I was waiting for resolving the main dilemma of the main character thru the whole book, was tied up in a page. Just like that. All was well. That part was disappointing. But the rest I loved. It had humor, Fannie Flagg style, and I loved the authors style of writing. But it dealt with tough subjects of adultery, conflicts within churches, grief from a tragedy, and how God’s mercy and grace brings us forgiveness, how prayer can change everything and how to trust God in the face of unthinkable loss.

[Arianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written from the perspective of a pastor's wife, who feels inadequate and struggles with things from her past. She follows her husband and tries to be a good pastor's wife, but her heart is not in what she is doing. She want to be good, but feels she doesn't deserve any mercy.

For me, as an elder's wife and being active in church, lots of situations were definitvely recognizable.
It shows how believers so often put what they think is good before what the bible asks from us in serving the community. But it also shows how God's grace is prevailing through imperfect people.

I stumbled on Lisa Samson years ago when I read The Quakers Summer as a free Kindle book. Since then I have read a lot more from her. Now this is a lady, that puts the wish to follow Jesus way before staying in her comfort zone. She has become one of my favorite Christian writers.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler ....









I do not really know what I thought. Beeing a grown up woman I could recognize some off the things she goes thru, since I am also a spiritual person, BUT OMG IT WAS BORING WITH THE BIBLE STUFF!!! WE GET IT!!! Also I think you need a lot off insite, or a master in religion to follow some off the things they are talking about. And maybe becouse I live in Sweden and we have like proper sexual education and a low rate of teen preggos and all that and we have welfare and a lot off single parents or ppl getting divorced it is kind of hard to get the thing of a really conservative community. But I did think on the plus side that it showes that christians are different too, not all are the same. You still choose parts that you but before others and different parts hold different values or ways of understanding above others. I liked that, the complex parts. But alot of it felt like what the fuck. Ok you had an affair. Either you tell him, you leave or you go on with your life. I know reall life is seldom easy but 7 years of complaint ... what the fuck girl. And Duncan?? Mr NICE?? How the hell do you you know and see that your partner is tearing up about it and you say nothing. Why did he decide that 7 years was long enough? Who gave him that power, seems more like revenge to me. Like, suffer from what you did. Honestly if someone did that to me I would throw it in their fucking face. But I never had much of patience. That is a lot of patience. I don't know, alot of the things didn't feel like as big a thing as it was lived. But I liked the second part of the book better when things started to happen.

[Kerstin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was, back in 2001, the very first book I read by the author. I had seen her name associated with romance novels, but it was the title that drew me in since I was, at the time, working at a church.
My earliest impression was "she writes like I think", it was strange to read what sounded like my own voice. Little did I know that this book would turn the Christian publishing industry on its head; finally an authentic story was given life. A story of grief, secrets, humour, and forgiveness not wrapped in the mind numbing sing song voice of perfect Christians, who, let's face it, could only write about finding husbands.
If you have never read "Inspirational Fiction" this would be a good start. We know now that Lisa Samson does not shy away from any topic and that her writing is superb. Is every book she has written great?, no but that is okay, not every story will resonate with every reader.
This was a gut wrenching story and never have I ever cheered so much for a character to do the right thing. I have a rule to never, and I mean NEVER, to read the last page before finishing a book. I also love tragic stories & I am okay with loose ends, even unhappy endings. I came very close to reading the last page and found myself cheering with all my reading might for Poppy's husband. I needed this to be a happy ending. Sometimes we don't get what we need, right?

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Lisa Samson's The Church Ladies, this Christian inspirational fiction novel would make you believe in God and feel God's presence, inside and outside of the church. Penelope "Poppy" Fraser is one of the newest church ladies for Highland Oak Church in Mount Oak, Michigan. She's also a mother of three and a pastor's wife in the community But while she was a lot to learn, she has a terrible secret that could destroy her family. Her oldest daughter Paisley is distant from her and had moved away. While she had a lot going on in her family, her best friend and cousin-in-law Christine Knight, had learned her son was killed by an accident at college. Shocked to hear the sad news, she did what she could do to help her family get through this and pray with other church ladies for her to get stronger. It had brought the community and the other church together to put their differences together. As Poppy waffled on her indecision and her faith in God, she relies on her latest friends to also help her get through her darkest secret. While she and Christine discovered what went behind the scenes of the accident, they banded together to create a fundraiser for a scholarship in her nephew's name. She also had learned about forgiveness and reconciliation from the Grace of God and so much more.

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mount Oak is a small town with numerous churches with a variety of beliefs. Because of that they don't fraternize much and compete for new members. . When Poppy Frazier, the wife of one of the ministers, doesn't feel like she is doing a very good job as pastor's wife, she turns to her good friend, and they begin to pray together every Monday. Before they know it, the wives of several other pastors have joined their group. When Poppy's best friend, Chris, loses her son due to a horrible hazing act in college, the women band together to do something in his memory. Will the wives bring not only the churches together in the realization that they all have the same central focus, Jesus and what he stands for, but also to find their needs met as pastor's wives?

An enjoyable book with a couple of unexpected twists.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tried to read this book a couple years ago or so but just didnt get into it. I decided to check it out the other day and boy I'm glad I gave it another chance. I think it's my favorite book by the author so far. I've read 2 of her others before this one. Church ladies is a story of guilt, grace, loss, and friendship. It made me laugh and cry. It is definitely not typical inspirational fiction. To be sure, I would not read this book expecting to find perfect theology, so as someone with some theological training, that gave me pause at times. But over all, it made me think, engaged my emotions again and again, and was just a lovely book with imperfect characters in need of God's grace.

[Jodi Booth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliche and unrealistic. When a character dies, I didn't even care, for there's no connection. The 5yro doesn't seem realistic, acts too babyish yet sometimes is a braniac. The characters just didn't do it for me. I like the idea of women from other churches meeting to pray. I like that a lot!! A quick read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing. Lovely yet gritty story. C. S. Lewis said the world needed more good writer who are Christians rather than more good Christians who are writers. Samson is exactly the type author he would have affirmed. Love this book. Just read it for the second time.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply loved this book! We chose this book for our catholic book club and read it over two months. The entire group enjoyed the book and we had many points to discuss from the book. I would definitely read more books from the author.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard book to rate. Captivating read! esp cause I like down-to-earth fiction about real-to-life people. I like the plug for Christian unity and praying together, but not necessarily the ecumenical movement stuff. Still worth the read!

[Tricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. It was only short but it took me ages to read. The story seemed to move at a glacial pace in some parts.

I guess it wasn't my kind of book.

[Tkjtwmr · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting study of women, their communal nature and religion.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of the everyday life of a pastor's wife and the guild she carries until she finds forgiveness.

[Kathy]

Slow start, but ultimately the story is worth it.

[Mary Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a “church lady” and thought this book was very truthful about human frailties while also being faithful to the Lord.

[Linda Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Searching for Faith



Surprisingly well-written, "The Church Ladies" is the story of one woman's struggle with herself and change. Life has changed, and she finds herself in conflict with what she has always valued. Neither superficial nor simplistic as novels of this genre usually are, the author delves deeply into Poppe's character, allowing her to emerge as a three-dimensional middle-aged minister's. wife who is questioning her spirituality and her marriage. Thrust into the role when her husband chucked career, country club, and financial security, Poppe is torn from friends, family, and home without even a clear understanding of her own religiosity. All of this by Duncan, a husband who abandons her for work leaving her lonely and in need.

Poppe wrestles with her position as the Presbyterian minister's wife while not really knowing if she believes. With a shaky marriage and shaky faith on a foundation of past transgressions, Poppe confronts what oddly takes on a quest with Biblical overtones. She is planning to leave her husband as she sees him slipping into work at her expense. As part of her exit, she has to rid herself of guilt from past transgressions, her penance for having sinned.

Her best friend. Chris, the one friend she has always had, is there for support. Her family is Poppe's family, especially her son, whom she encourages to pledge a fraternity. When he dies in a fraternity hazing accident, Poppe suspends her own search to take on Chris and her grief and her own.

Over months and months of agony and prayer meetings, continued love and attention, Chris rises from her pain to look upward and forward. Poppe also finds herself reaching a spiritual understanding, as if she has taken a journey through the ether and emerged at the end as a believer. God is in heaven, and all is right in Poppe's life. She sees her husband and how he has changed and how she must rid herself of the guilt weighing her down. Another surprise awaits. A worthwhile read, the strong characters and excellent writing speak to the reader.

[Vondraya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A must read for any pastor's wife, I'd think, though I am not a pastor's wife.

Poppy Fraser's friend's son has died in a senseless college hazing incident. Poppy struggles to give comfort to her friend and also struggles with why this happened. The old question: how could God allow this? There are no easy answers in this book, but it's gentle prose is healing.

On another front Poppy is dealing with the varied personalities of the other pastor's wives in her small town and finding it to be a trying experience. Sometimes humorous, the novel teaches without preaching.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with both humorous and sad events, this book details the life of a woman who bacame a minister's wife after they had been married a long time. Quite different from marrying a man who is already a minister. When a tragedy hits her best friend, the other pastor's wives in the community join in prayer each week for her friend, and they all grow as the group expands. This one really touched my heart.

[Larisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Lisa Samson's message in this book: Far too often Christians can be too eager to tear their brothers and sisters in Christ apart.

The Church Ladies reminds us how, through Christ, we are to be: kinder people, watch our words and actions, and always be ready to extend grace. The characters were human, not characters who can do no wrong

If you allow God to speak, I guarantee He'll have something to say.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good. I have laughed out loud already in this book.

I finished this book and decided to send a email note about it to all my bible study friends. I asked them to read it and look for ways that the book inspired them to be better church ladies. They are willing to read it and are looking forward to being inspired. lol...

[Karen Butman]

An ok read. Kind of typical Christian book...but shows the side of someone struggling with faith rather than the sappy victorious, never being challenged kind of book. Has some spiritual truths that were convicting. And is realistic in showing how people of faith often don't get a long. Convicting of how we look to the world.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Lisa Samson books and I am a church lady so I was pretty sure I'd enjoy this book. In reality, it was better than I had hoped. It dealt with real issues felt by pastors' wives and all believers. It is a tale of a small city and how they deal with the everyday struggles and the tragedies of life. I highly recommend it.

[April Hochstrasser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I initially liked the idea of various church ladies getting together for a common goal in this small town. However, the writing was so laborious, and the plot moved along so slowly that I eventually had to skip to the back and be done with it.

[Ann Mulholland · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book. I picked it up at the library without really paying attention to what it was, and it really spoke to me. I identified with Poppy so much. I will be reading all of the books written by Lisa Samson

[Natalie Smigel · Rating 2 out of 5]

My book club just read this book and we were all pretty lukewarm about it. It was really slow to get into. I had thought it was going to be a humorous book, but it wasn't. It's not a book that I would recommend to someone looking for a good read.

[Michelle Butlig · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually did come from reading this with some enjoyable parts.. Was moved deeply by the acts of grace seen within the book. But, it was quite laborious to read the entire book. Found myself skimming many times, just not keeping my attention.

[Trace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps I've lost my taste for lighter reads.. not sure... I found the writing to be on the weaker side. The heroine grapples with some pretty hefty issues and there were some deep acts of grace.... but overall - not an overly memorable read.