Blessed

by Sherry Robinson

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER! COMING IN JUNE 2019
A STORY OF HOPE AND THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Grayson Armstrong’s vision for a dying church has everyone in small-town Mercy, Kentucky, talking. The truth is everyone has been talking about Grayson ever since this dark-haired twenty-eight-year-old preacher with shoulder-length hair and an ill-fitting suit drove into town twelve years before in his silver convertible with his pretty wife and two rambunctious boys. It’s his untimely death, though, that has everyone trying to understand who they thought he was.

This vivid, poignant, and heart-breaking story is told by multiple characters whose paths intersect with Grayson: a homeless Vietnam veteran haunted by demons of war; the local diner’s young waitress grappling with her family’s dark history; aggrieved and supportive congregants and townspeople confronting change and the power of love and hate; and Grayson’s wife and his coming-of-age gay son, struggling to understand their own feelings about Grayson.

During a time when communities and countries are split apart, Robinson’s calming prose and timely story encourages us to put aside our fears, hate, and biases and to open our hearts and challenge our perceptions. Blessed is ultimately a story of hope and of the power of forgiveness.

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 25, 2019

Reviews

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A deeply moving novel that makes you look into your soul and analyze your beliefs. You will be forced to think about how you treat others, not just those close around you but everyone you come in contact within your life. You will be forced to ask yourself, "Are you following God's word?" and "Would God be proud of you?"

I expect this book will be with me for a long time and will jump into my thoughts when I least expect it. The question you need to ask yourself is, "What do you think being BLESSED means?"

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher, Shadelandhouse Modern Press. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[Susan Furlong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherry Robinson’s Blessed is a powerful story of faith, community, and personal transformation in the small town of Mercy, Kentucky. When charismatic preacher Grayson Armstrong arrives, his presence changes lives—until his sudden death leaves the town in an upheaval. Robinson expertly weaves multiple perspectives to explore themes of faith, obligation, and the impact one person can have on others. Thought-provoking and deeply moving, Blessed is for those who enjoy stories of redemption and human connection.

[Dena]

Blessed by Sherry Robinson is amazing. It is the kind of book you don't want to end because you get so invested in the people you have been reading about..
The book is set up in such a neat way, the chapters are short enough that you can “one more chapter” yourself to the end of the book or actually stop and feed your kids if you are so inclined. Turning the page to a new chapter is like a game, yea Ravie or ugg Reed. Because you will like some characters more than others. There are a lot of back flashes to give us history but they are done so well they don't mess with the flow of the book.
The characters are great, they feel so real and you wonder who they are in Robinson's “real life”. When Grayson commented on “church people” I cheered because I have often wondered what my pastors thought on that subject. I love how we get to know Grayson through everyone elses eyes and what they thought of him. When I see Grayson through the eyes of hos congregation and community I see Jesus. Circumstances either made people love or hate them. They both inspired anger, sadness,hope,and fear, all in God's name.
Just like with Robinson's first book My Secrets Cry Aloud, I was invested from the start and when the book was done I was not. I wanted more so the characters stay in my mind and I continue to think about them and wonder how they are.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and finished it in about three days. It was engaging enough to keep me reading to find out what was going to happen to Grayson Armstrong, a pastor at a Baptist church in a small Kentucky town. There is much to like about the characters in the book and the way the story progresses through many voices. I like how the reader could see both sides of the situation in the controversy over the new minister and the changes that he implemented at the church. He also had a heart for the homeless and downtrodden in his community. The writing also showed some of Armstrong's flaws and this helped him to be a bit more believable. The characters that were opposed to the minister were also well written and allow for good insight into the struggle and controversy over the preacher and the divide regarding his practices.

There are spots of obvious symbolism throughout the story and I have been curious as to what inspired the author. The events in the book could happen almost anywhere, and while I thought at first that this book might not appeal to everyone, I think that the characters thoughts are typical of the average person caught in this situation.

This was a quick, enjoyable summer read.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you can’t put down yet you want to try to pace yourself so you can savor it. Sherry Robinson perfectly captures the church’s place in a small town and the view of the townspeople: those who leave when change comes, the outsiders’ view of “church people”, and those who prefer their good works to be done safely inside the church walls.
There were times I sympathized with Greyson Armstrong, the controversial new pastor and there were times I understood why some turned away from him. Ultimately, this is a story of forgiveness-a timely topic for me- and a lesson we can all learn from.

[Angela Gardiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Book Launch to Sherry Robinson’s Blessed! This lovely book is the tale of Reverend Grayson Armstrong, a young progressive preacher hired by a small-town congregation to replace their lifelong pastor. Grayson quickly ruffles the feathers of many of his older, stuck-in-their-ways Church members. Set in the context of the Beatitudes, the story unfolds over a period of years through the recollections of different community members and the effect Grayson had on each. Full disclosure- as a Preacher’s Kid (or Theological Offspring now that I’m over 50), I recognize each of these characters (including ourselves)! And while some of Grayson’s actions had me siding with the offended congregants, demonstrating Grayson’s imperfections is one of the greatest strengths of this story. He has the ability to relate to those who are questioning and hurting without being “preachy.” Interestingly, we rarely hear Grayson preach. His greatest sermon is in the way he lives. And as my Dad would say, “Now that will Preach!” Thank you, @shadelandhouse_modern_press for sharing this book with me!

[Elsa Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, this was such a good read. I felt like I knew the characters and could picture meeting them on the street or in the diner. Very real characters, with real flaws and with emotions equal to the person reading the book. I was slow to read this because I had several ahead of it on my schedule, but was so impressed that I was actually sad when it was finished. Sherry Robinson did a great job telling a very compelling story about people and their emotions and human nature. I highly recommend this book.

[Judith Turner-Yamamoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope, forgiveness--we should all be so blessed. Southern storytelling at its finest. Highly recommend!

[Cinda Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.