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New Beginnings #1
Knocking
A disgraced spouse. A devastated daughter. Can one woman’s faith in the Almighty’s plan right a string of wrongs?
Tonya Mendell has really tried her best. Desperate to be a model pastor’s wife and mother, she’s shocked when her thirteen-year-old daughter pranks the reclusive woman next door. And when Tonya discovers her husband is having an affair, her heart sinks when her only child flees the house in response.
Knowing the scandal could rock the town and cost her husband his job, the faithful woman clings to the remnants of her tattered marriage. But seeing her relationship with her daughter and her own dignity at stake, Tonya’s only hope is to put her trust in God to make things right.
Can this tortured soul follow the path the Lord intends and discover the healing she needs?
Knocking is the heartfelt first book in the New Beginnings Christian Fiction series. If you like relatable women, strong believers, and tales of redemption, then you’ll love Robin Merrill’s uplifting story.
Tonya Mendell has really tried her best. Desperate to be a model pastor’s wife and mother, she’s shocked when her thirteen-year-old daughter pranks the reclusive woman next door. And when Tonya discovers her husband is having an affair, her heart sinks when her only child flees the house in response.
Knowing the scandal could rock the town and cost her husband his job, the faithful woman clings to the remnants of her tattered marriage. But seeing her relationship with her daughter and her own dignity at stake, Tonya’s only hope is to put her trust in God to make things right.
Can this tortured soul follow the path the Lord intends and discover the healing she needs?
Knocking is the heartfelt first book in the New Beginnings Christian Fiction series. If you like relatable women, strong believers, and tales of redemption, then you’ll love Robin Merrill’s uplifting story.
353 pages, ebook
Published September 26, 2020
1011 people are currently reading
498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
May 16, 2021
A sweet surprise!
I’m a Jan Karon and Karen Kingsbury fan and been looking for another author of good Christian novels ... ones with good character development, relatable stories, and biblical truth that impacts lives as the characters are redeemed and mature in their faith. I’ve been disappointed by other authors supposedly in the Christian fiction genre, but I found exactly that in this first book in the New Beginnings series by Robin Merrill. Such a sweet surprise. Can’t wait to read the next one!
I’m a Jan Karon and Karen Kingsbury fan and been looking for another author of good Christian novels ... ones with good character development, relatable stories, and biblical truth that impacts lives as the characters are redeemed and mature in their faith. I’ve been disappointed by other authors supposedly in the Christian fiction genre, but I found exactly that in this first book in the New Beginnings series by Robin Merrill. Such a sweet surprise. Can’t wait to read the next one!
November 26, 2023
As I said in my updates when I started reading this, my maternal aunt read this book and loved it so much that she read it in one day and then mailed it to my mom for her to read. Mom enjoyed it, too (though not quite so much as her sister) so I figured I should try it.
My overall conclusion is that it is a good book. Contemporaries are often a hard sell for me, so it was unlikely to make me love it as much as my aunt did, but even still I see why she enjoyed it so much. This is a very layered story. We start the book with a group of older woman losing their church when it gets shut down and deciding to start their own. Then we have a teen girl discovering that her minister father is having an affair. Finally, we have the recluse who never leaves her house. None of those sound related, right? Ah, but they are, and this is where the author's skill shines. She weaves these three threads together into a touching and uplifting whole. I won't spoil it for you, but it does a beautiful job showing the reader God's grace and ability to work everything for good no matter the circumstances.
If you enjoy complex contemporaries with lots of heart and an uplifting message, then this book is for you.
Content Advisory:
This book is written for adults and I would say it's also appropriate for ages 16+ due to mature themes like marital infidelity.
Language:
After a teen finds out about the affair her father is having, she goes to the woman's house and calls her a "slut" and later says that the woman is a "whore". She also calls her father a pervert to his face.
Sexual/Romance:
One part of the story deals with a broken marriage in which the husband and wife aren't sleeping in the same room anymore and it's revealed that the husband (who is a minister) is having an affair with another woman.
A bully tells the minister's daughter bluntly that her father is having sex with a married woman in his own congregation.
There are never any inappropriate details about the affair, but the husband and wife do have a frank discussion about why it happened.
Violence:
An angry man grabs his daughter's arm roughly and later backhands her across the face. It's the first and last time he ever hits her because she gets away from him.
A teen boy assaults the man who was having an affair with the teen's mother by going to the man's house and punching him repeatedly. The boy is arrested for this and told he had a right to be angry, but not to assault someone.
In a moment of shock and angry recklessness, a teen girl intentionally rises a bike in a dangerous manner and ends up crashing and hurting her shoulder. She claims she was trying to kill herself, but makes no other attempts or even thinks about it again, so this apparently was said to try to upset the person she was talking to.
Drug/Alcohol
An older woman drinks alcohol in front of a teen girl and tells her it tastes awful and shouldn't try it. But later, the same person offers alcohol to an adult woman, convincing her to drink it for stress despite the other woman's moral qualms about it. The drink makes the other woman feel bad the next day, though, and this woman doesn't drink again. The discussion around the drink makes it clear that the older woman is using alcohol as a crutch for emotional issues that need to be addressed in a healthier way.
A woman who doesn't yet understand faith in Jesus sarcastically thinks that another woman has been "sniffing the Bible glue."
Spiritual:
This is Christian fiction and has a strong faith theme throughout. It deals with some hard topics and is honest about the characters' internal faith struggles, but ultimately shows that redemption is available is someone is willing to accept it.
Other:
TRIGGER WARNING for manipulative relationships.
As stated above, a minister is revealed to have been having an affair with a married member of his congregation. The more we see him interact with his wife and daughter, the more we see how manipulative and borderline sociopathic he is. He has lied to his family and lies to his congregation as well, comparing himself to biblical figures like David and Abraham as he claims to feel repentant when he hasn't done anything but tell his wife to put on a good face and cover this up so he won't lose his job. (He loses his job anyway.) Twice, he flies into a rage, scaring his wife and hitting his daughter once. His wife and daughter end up staying with a neighbor to get away from him until he files for a divorce to be with his mistress.
My overall conclusion is that it is a good book. Contemporaries are often a hard sell for me, so it was unlikely to make me love it as much as my aunt did, but even still I see why she enjoyed it so much. This is a very layered story. We start the book with a group of older woman losing their church when it gets shut down and deciding to start their own. Then we have a teen girl discovering that her minister father is having an affair. Finally, we have the recluse who never leaves her house. None of those sound related, right? Ah, but they are, and this is where the author's skill shines. She weaves these three threads together into a touching and uplifting whole. I won't spoil it for you, but it does a beautiful job showing the reader God's grace and ability to work everything for good no matter the circumstances.
If you enjoy complex contemporaries with lots of heart and an uplifting message, then this book is for you.
Content Advisory:
This book is written for adults and I would say it's also appropriate for ages 16+ due to mature themes like marital infidelity.
Language:
After a teen finds out about the affair her father is having, she goes to the woman's house and calls her a "slut" and later says that the woman is a "whore". She also calls her father a pervert to his face.
Sexual/Romance:
One part of the story deals with a broken marriage in which the husband and wife aren't sleeping in the same room anymore and it's revealed that the husband (who is a minister) is having an affair with another woman.
A bully tells the minister's daughter bluntly that her father is having sex with a married woman in his own congregation.
There are never any inappropriate details about the affair, but the husband and wife do have a frank discussion about why it happened.
Violence:
An angry man grabs his daughter's arm roughly and later backhands her across the face. It's the first and last time he ever hits her because she gets away from him.
A teen boy assaults the man who was having an affair with the teen's mother by going to the man's house and punching him repeatedly. The boy is arrested for this and told he had a right to be angry, but not to assault someone.
In a moment of shock and angry recklessness, a teen girl intentionally rises a bike in a dangerous manner and ends up crashing and hurting her shoulder. She claims she was trying to kill herself, but makes no other attempts or even thinks about it again, so this apparently was said to try to upset the person she was talking to.
Drug/Alcohol
An older woman drinks alcohol in front of a teen girl and tells her it tastes awful and shouldn't try it. But later, the same person offers alcohol to an adult woman, convincing her to drink it for stress despite the other woman's moral qualms about it. The drink makes the other woman feel bad the next day, though, and this woman doesn't drink again. The discussion around the drink makes it clear that the older woman is using alcohol as a crutch for emotional issues that need to be addressed in a healthier way.
A woman who doesn't yet understand faith in Jesus sarcastically thinks that another woman has been "sniffing the Bible glue."
Spiritual:
This is Christian fiction and has a strong faith theme throughout. It deals with some hard topics and is honest about the characters' internal faith struggles, but ultimately shows that redemption is available is someone is willing to accept it.
Other:
TRIGGER WARNING for manipulative relationships.
As stated above, a minister is revealed to have been having an affair with a married member of his congregation. The more we see him interact with his wife and daughter, the more we see how manipulative and borderline sociopathic he is. He has lied to his family and lies to his congregation as well, comparing himself to biblical figures like David and Abraham as he claims to feel repentant when he hasn't done anything but tell his wife to put on a good face and cover this up so he won't lose his job. (He loses his job anyway.) Twice, he flies into a rage, scaring his wife and hitting his daughter once. His wife and daughter end up staying with a neighbor to get away from him until he files for a divorce to be with his mistress.
March 2, 2023
Whew. What an emotional roller coaster this book is. I cried. A lot. And when I say I cried, I mean ugly cry. God's redemption, forgiveness, grace, mercy. His CALLING to us. We are so underserving.
This book is a wonderful reminder of all of that.
This book is a wonderful reminder of all of that.
April 10, 2021
Uplifting
Well written and relatable. It just took a while to connect the two storylines which made sense once the connected.
Well written and relatable. It just took a while to connect the two storylines which made sense once the connected.
January 7, 2023
When I first read the blurb for this book, I was hesitant to read it because I worried it would be too upsetting. Was I wrong! This book is filled with faith and hope. Yes, there is the upsetting event at the beginning of the books, but not much time is spent on the heartache. More time is spent on the healing. I was pulled into the lives of the characters—all of them, even the minor characters. I love the way the author brought all these people together and is showing us what God can do through us all when we trust Him and reach out to others. The ideas are fresh and exciting, and I can’t wait to see where the members of New Beginnings Church will go from here!
January 19, 2023
First in a series but there is not a cliffhanger ending. The characters are interesting and the plot moves along well. This inspirational story is full of trials and hope and forgiveness. I read it straight through in one day. Sweet story.
March 9, 2024
Listened to on youtube
June 10, 2022
He Definitely Works in Mysterious Ways
This story is about many things:
✅ Love and Second Chances
✅ Adultery and It’s Pain
✅ Forgivness
✅ Lives Changing … Young and Old Alike
Seven old broads. When you read it, it’s rather humorous… seven old broads. Yep, that’s what they called themselves and that’s all they were. But oh my, do those seven old broads make an impact.
Instead of pouting and having a pity party, these old ladies allowed themselves to be used…. used for G_d. When their church had dwindled down to just those seven and the diocese decided to shut the doors … for good, those old ladies thought they had lost everything. Little did they know the plans He had for them. They gained a new church… well, that is if you call a very old crumbling down empty church building new. And in that old church they started a movement, a movement that brought young and old alike inside those church doors, people who were down on their luck, people full of fear and some that didn’t know what the word ‘fear’ was.
This book also shows how adultery affects the lives of many, not just the ones caught in the act. Collateral damage seems always to find the innocent while the guilty go unpunished… for awhile.
This book is emotional, it’s painful and it’s realistic. But sin won’t go unpunished forever. And love always wins, regardless of the age difference.
👁⌃👁 OBSERVATIONS:
✒︎ God was leading Tonya into the next chapter of her life. And, I have a feeling He was leading Roy too, only to two very different destinations. In the book Tonya mentions that God forgave King David and thus she had forgiven Roy, her adulterous husband. But what Tonya didn’t mention is that while King David had been forgiven, he very much reaped what he sowed.
✒︎ Roy was the pastor of a large church. His affair seemed to only be a secret to Tonya, his wife, and 13 year old Emma, their daughter. Everyone knew but no one bothered to question Roy about his adultery… until it all exploded.
✒︎ Loved how Fiona called those seven old broads a flock of guinea hens, a whole gaggle of ‘em’.
✒︎ It took me a while to get into the story. I kept getting confused with how the chapters went from the old broads to the modern day action. I kept thinking it was a past and present scenario. But that wasn’t the case. It was how two groups of people ended up together, making a big difference in lives.
✒︎ Loved how the author didn’t sugar coat things…. This was very realistic, especially in today’s society.
February 23, 2024
4.5 stars
Knocking by Robbin Merrill is a hidden gem. It has been languishing on my Kindle for three-ish years. I am glad I finally forced myself to read it (which sounds awful, but it's hard for me to pick up the books on the Kindle, lol).
I was lost at the beginning of the story. Knocking is told from four different perspectives, and you are introduced to each of those ladies, plus quite a few more, in the first three chapters. I contemplated quitting the book but persevered and then was hooked.
The story follows Esther, one of seven elderly ladies whose church shuts down. She feels the Lord pressing upon her to buy an old rundown church and start fresh with her six friends.
Then you have Tonya, the preacher's wife, whose husband had an affair.
Next, you have Emma, the daughter of Tanya and the wayward Pastor.
Finally, you have Fiona aka Mrs. Patterson, the recluse who lives next door to Emma's house and provides a safe haven for Emma.
There is no way I will be able to do this book justice in this review. This is a beautiful story that comes together seamlessly, despite my initial reaction to the story. It was incredible to see the way the story worked its way to the conclusion while leaving room for the next book in the series. It is a story of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. I would say it is an "overtly" Christian book, but not in a preachy way.
Knocking by Robbin Merrill is a hidden gem. It has been languishing on my Kindle for three-ish years. I am glad I finally forced myself to read it (which sounds awful, but it's hard for me to pick up the books on the Kindle, lol).
I was lost at the beginning of the story. Knocking is told from four different perspectives, and you are introduced to each of those ladies, plus quite a few more, in the first three chapters. I contemplated quitting the book but persevered and then was hooked.
The story follows Esther, one of seven elderly ladies whose church shuts down. She feels the Lord pressing upon her to buy an old rundown church and start fresh with her six friends.
Then you have Tonya, the preacher's wife, whose husband had an affair.
Next, you have Emma, the daughter of Tanya and the wayward Pastor.
Finally, you have Fiona aka Mrs. Patterson, the recluse who lives next door to Emma's house and provides a safe haven for Emma.
There is no way I will be able to do this book justice in this review. This is a beautiful story that comes together seamlessly, despite my initial reaction to the story. It was incredible to see the way the story worked its way to the conclusion while leaving room for the next book in the series. It is a story of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. I would say it is an "overtly" Christian book, but not in a preachy way.
August 15, 2021
Divorce a way of setting someone free?
Roy Mendell was the preacher of the local church. His wife, Tonya and his daughter, Emma lived in a house the church owned. Next door lived a woman who never came out of her house. She would not come to the door if you knocked. Emma went on a camping trip at the home of a friend. One of the girls at this trip told her that her father was having an affair with a lady in the church. Emma went home to ask her father and found this to be true. She ran outside in the rain upset and laid on the grass crying. The lady next door invited her in and became friends. Roy threw his wife out of the house and she came over to stay with them. Seven elderly ladies ' church had just been closed because so few came anymore. They decided to buy an old empty church and cleaned it up and prayed people would come. They didn't have a preacher nor any music, but they believed God had a plan. Emma and her mother went, but will others? A very funny story about these seven ladies, you will hate to stop reading.
Roy Mendell was the preacher of the local church. His wife, Tonya and his daughter, Emma lived in a house the church owned. Next door lived a woman who never came out of her house. She would not come to the door if you knocked. Emma went on a camping trip at the home of a friend. One of the girls at this trip told her that her father was having an affair with a lady in the church. Emma went home to ask her father and found this to be true. She ran outside in the rain upset and laid on the grass crying. The lady next door invited her in and became friends. Roy threw his wife out of the house and she came over to stay with them. Seven elderly ladies ' church had just been closed because so few came anymore. They decided to buy an old empty church and cleaned it up and prayed people would come. They didn't have a preacher nor any music, but they believed God had a plan. Emma and her mother went, but will others? A very funny story about these seven ladies, you will hate to stop reading.
April 16, 2025
The author has written about a great collection of characters who live in Carver Harbour.
Seven senior ladies take a step of faith by buying an old dilapidated church building and creating a new church community.
A pastor's wife, Tonya, who discovers her husband has been having an affair, finds refuge in the neighbouring home of a recluse, Fiona, as does her teenage daughter, Emma. Emma finds friendship in unexpected places.
People are welcomed by the seven ladies into the new church. For some, faith is rediscovered, and for others, faith is born. The story demonstrates that when things are crumbling around us, God is our firm foundation.
This is the first book in the New Beginnings series, so I shall definitely be adding this series to my list of books to read. I want to read more about the lives of the people in Carver Harbour. I found it to be a gripping read right from the beginning.
Seven senior ladies take a step of faith by buying an old dilapidated church building and creating a new church community.
A pastor's wife, Tonya, who discovers her husband has been having an affair, finds refuge in the neighbouring home of a recluse, Fiona, as does her teenage daughter, Emma. Emma finds friendship in unexpected places.
People are welcomed by the seven ladies into the new church. For some, faith is rediscovered, and for others, faith is born. The story demonstrates that when things are crumbling around us, God is our firm foundation.
This is the first book in the New Beginnings series, so I shall definitely be adding this series to my list of books to read. I want to read more about the lives of the people in Carver Harbour. I found it to be a gripping read right from the beginning.
September 4, 2021
A story about new beginnings, and learning to accept new things when the old ones betray you and leave you alone... or so you think.
That is what Tonya and Emma learn when their husband and father kicks them out of the house when they find out he had an affair with another church member. That is what Esther and her friends learn when they are informed that their church is closing. And that is what Patricia learns when she is involved in Emma's and Tonya's sufferings.
Well written, likeable and realistic characters, with the weakest being Tonya, as she seems to be incapable of not relying on someone else, even her teenage daughter, to be stronger and sort things out for her.
On the whole, though, I loved this book and cannot wait what else will happen at New Beginnings.
That is what Tonya and Emma learn when their husband and father kicks them out of the house when they find out he had an affair with another church member. That is what Esther and her friends learn when they are informed that their church is closing. And that is what Patricia learns when she is involved in Emma's and Tonya's sufferings.
Well written, likeable and realistic characters, with the weakest being Tonya, as she seems to be incapable of not relying on someone else, even her teenage daughter, to be stronger and sort things out for her.
On the whole, though, I loved this book and cannot wait what else will happen at New Beginnings.
May 12, 2025
Knocking: Find Your Community
I found this book perusing free finds on Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. Am I glad I selected Knocking by Robin Merrill. Hard to classify, but very relevant. Not romance, mystery suspense, or historic fiction, as I usually select. This one is all about community: Finding your tribe. Relationships are at the forefront in this story. Two storylines eventually converge. Getting to that point is a road paved with crying, disappointment, betrayal, and pain.
Storylines: Emma is a 13yr old young lady and Tonya is her mother. They are about to see how drastically someone else's poor decision impacts their life. In the meantime, several senior ladies decide they want to open their own church to those who do not feel at home in other churches.
Triggers in this book include infidelity, bullying, past church hurt (being by church people)
Conservative Christian values are often presented in this story.
I found this book perusing free finds on Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. Am I glad I selected Knocking by Robin Merrill. Hard to classify, but very relevant. Not romance, mystery suspense, or historic fiction, as I usually select. This one is all about community: Finding your tribe. Relationships are at the forefront in this story. Two storylines eventually converge. Getting to that point is a road paved with crying, disappointment, betrayal, and pain.
Storylines: Emma is a 13yr old young lady and Tonya is her mother. They are about to see how drastically someone else's poor decision impacts their life. In the meantime, several senior ladies decide they want to open their own church to those who do not feel at home in other churches.
Triggers in this book include infidelity, bullying, past church hurt (being by church people)
Conservative Christian values are often presented in this story.
June 5, 2021
Excellent, quick read. Knocking features relatable characters and situations, and shows God working simultaneously in their lives. As a pastor’s wife, I could relate to Tonya, as she experienced the day to day duties and eventually burn out. Her neighbor, Fiona, has found it easier to be a recluse than face her fears and her past. God brings the two women together and uses it in both their lives. Meanwhile, elderly Esther and her friends have found themselves without a church and God uses their willingness and hearts to serve, to help bring restoration.
I liked the story, and look forward to more from this author.
I liked the story, and look forward to more from this author.
November 1, 2021
Not Your Average Christian Theme
Robin Merrill draws you into the lives and characters of her books in such a genuine way.
There are so many things to recommend about her books. I find myself stopping and praying as I read which really makes the experience so much morn valuable than reading the average hackneyed novels.
I get bored quickly with novels that go on and on with long disruptive paragraphs that add nothing to the story. Every word in her books expands on the story and gives depth to the characters and the lessons learned through their experiences. Her Shelter series is wonderful too and I highly recommend it too. Bravo Robin!
Robin Merrill draws you into the lives and characters of her books in such a genuine way.
There are so many things to recommend about her books. I find myself stopping and praying as I read which really makes the experience so much morn valuable than reading the average hackneyed novels.
I get bored quickly with novels that go on and on with long disruptive paragraphs that add nothing to the story. Every word in her books expands on the story and gives depth to the characters and the lessons learned through their experiences. Her Shelter series is wonderful too and I highly recommend it too. Bravo Robin!
July 11, 2023
New Beginnings
I was not too sure about reading this book because it seemed sad and I do not like reading sad books. However, it wasn't sad at all. The characters were so well written that I wanted to tell Roy exactly what I thought of him! However, although Jesus was mentioned lots I am not sure how they came to Faith in him. I get the impression that the New Beginnings (great name by the way) church was earn your way to heaven rather than a free gift of God. I would read the next book because this one was so well that but because it isn't on kindle I won't be able to because my budget for books is used up on monthly kindle subscription.
I was not too sure about reading this book because it seemed sad and I do not like reading sad books. However, it wasn't sad at all. The characters were so well written that I wanted to tell Roy exactly what I thought of him! However, although Jesus was mentioned lots I am not sure how they came to Faith in him. I get the impression that the New Beginnings (great name by the way) church was earn your way to heaven rather than a free gift of God. I would read the next book because this one was so well that but because it isn't on kindle I won't be able to because my budget for books is used up on monthly kindle subscription.
January 1, 2025
Good reading although at times a gripping, gloomy, and heart-wrenching. A Pastor's wife finds out about her husband’s infidelity, and for a while tries to live with it for the sake of appearances, until it all blows up. Then, she has to find her way, on her own, struggling through the morass that now is her life. In contrast to her situation, is an interesting group of characters that drift her way, each in their eccentric way helps her to find her way back to God and living. This book is sad but really good, like a good parable the book really packs a powerful punch. This was well worth the read time (4.8)
May 3, 2021
Unexpected hardships
I liked this book accept for the fact that it had a lot of characters to keep straight. I also liked that it was true to life, that not everything turns out okay. It shared that even Christians can let you down but God can make it all right if you just lean on him. Fiona playing the organ made me cry as well as the hymn she played. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is shifting sand. This book reminded me that when we go through hard times we need to lean on Christ and He will make us strong.
I liked this book accept for the fact that it had a lot of characters to keep straight. I also liked that it was true to life, that not everything turns out okay. It shared that even Christians can let you down but God can make it all right if you just lean on him. Fiona playing the organ made me cry as well as the hymn she played. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is shifting sand. This book reminded me that when we go through hard times we need to lean on Christ and He will make us strong.
July 20, 2021
Unique, Memorable
This is a book that will stay with me. While it is very Christian, if you are not a believer do not let that stop you. Read it as a cultural experience the way you would an Amish or medieval Scottish tale. The characters are complex, the plot is a complex tapestry of several strands, and the underlying theme is true, I believe, in any serious faith. The writing is excellent. I am a devout believer of a non-Christian religion and I look forward to other books in this series.
This is a book that will stay with me. While it is very Christian, if you are not a believer do not let that stop you. Read it as a cultural experience the way you would an Amish or medieval Scottish tale. The characters are complex, the plot is a complex tapestry of several strands, and the underlying theme is true, I believe, in any serious faith. The writing is excellent. I am a devout believer of a non-Christian religion and I look forward to other books in this series.
Read
July 29, 2021Knocking (New Beginnings #1), my fifteenth read from author Robin Merrill. I've read over 300 books so far this year and Knitting (New Beginnings Book 4) book was among the very best of them. A must-read. So I've gone back to (New Beginnings Book 1. Outstanding Christian fiction, with well-written with characters & a plot you can buy into with unexpected twists & turns. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 8, 2022
There's always a mean girl!
This time, the bomb the mean girl drops will blow up Emma's life. Her father, the pastor, has been having an affair with a church member and she had no idea. Crushed, Emma races home to confront her mother. Tonya is taken off guard by Emma's anger, but as she searches her heart, she realizes she has seen the looks her husband had given this woman at church. Still, she's unsure of her next step.
A raw and beautifully written story of lives interrupted and changed. I highly recommend this encouraging, relatable book.
This time, the bomb the mean girl drops will blow up Emma's life. Her father, the pastor, has been having an affair with a church member and she had no idea. Crushed, Emma races home to confront her mother. Tonya is taken off guard by Emma's anger, but as she searches her heart, she realizes she has seen the looks her husband had given this woman at church. Still, she's unsure of her next step.
A raw and beautifully written story of lives interrupted and changed. I highly recommend this encouraging, relatable book.
September 29, 2022
Tonya Mendell is a pastor's wife. She is aware their marriage is not going well but is paralyzed to do anything about it or rock the boat in the community. Her 13 yr old daughter is impacted in big ways and leaves home. There is a parallel story of several older women who's home church has just closed and their efforts to do something about it. These 2 stories come together.
Knocking is the first book in the New Beginnings Christian Fiction series. I enjoyed the story but don't feel a desire or need to read the rest of the series.
Knocking is the first book in the New Beginnings Christian Fiction series. I enjoyed the story but don't feel a desire or need to read the rest of the series.
January 18, 2023
Absolutely Wondeful!
I loved this book, every single page of it! Everyone was so REAL. The seven ladies were comical and likeable. My heart bled for Tonya in the beginning. It ached for the loneliness of Fiona. I cried with Emma. I despised Roy. But leave it to God to work everything out for good! This was a truly inspiring story and I felt the hand of God the moment Tonya did, when she stepped into that new church for the first time. I really can't say enough good things about this book. Everyone who needs and craves a blessing should read it.
I loved this book, every single page of it! Everyone was so REAL. The seven ladies were comical and likeable. My heart bled for Tonya in the beginning. It ached for the loneliness of Fiona. I cried with Emma. I despised Roy. But leave it to God to work everything out for good! This was a truly inspiring story and I felt the hand of God the moment Tonya did, when she stepped into that new church for the first time. I really can't say enough good things about this book. Everyone who needs and craves a blessing should read it.
April 27, 2024
Excellent!
I absolutely loved this book. It showed people that pastors are human too and that they are not perfect and neither is their family. There will come times in your life when you will go thru earth shattering life changing events and don't know how you're going to get thru it. The book shows that although things happen outside of God's divine will, all things are in His permissive will and He can use anything to heal broken hearts or set a life back on track with Him. What the devil means for bad, God can use for good.
I absolutely loved this book. It showed people that pastors are human too and that they are not perfect and neither is their family. There will come times in your life when you will go thru earth shattering life changing events and don't know how you're going to get thru it. The book shows that although things happen outside of God's divine will, all things are in His permissive will and He can use anything to heal broken hearts or set a life back on track with Him. What the devil means for bad, God can use for good.
November 4, 2021
Knocking— Never know what you may find.
Great read and a number of people found Christ. Many different people came together for unity in a vacant building- turned it into a church & an old organ gets used again- an old quiet person- loner fines new life- young people start a Bible study- a marriage crumbles but good comes from it- The Lord is in control when one seeks him- knocking!
Great read and a number of people found Christ. Many different people came together for unity in a vacant building- turned it into a church & an old organ gets used again- an old quiet person- loner fines new life- young people start a Bible study- a marriage crumbles but good comes from it- The Lord is in control when one seeks him- knocking!
November 13, 2021
Knocking: Full of Surprises
I almost didn’t read this book. I’m so glad I did. I’m a fan of Christian fiction but the description didn’t appeal to me—a pastor’s wife whose husband’s infidelity becomes public knowledge? How can that be a story of hope and happiness?
This story is full of knocking on doors, humor, and New Beginnings. Six stars. I can’t wait to start reading the second in the series, Kicking.
I almost didn’t read this book. I’m so glad I did. I’m a fan of Christian fiction but the description didn’t appeal to me—a pastor’s wife whose husband’s infidelity becomes public knowledge? How can that be a story of hope and happiness?
This story is full of knocking on doors, humor, and New Beginnings. Six stars. I can’t wait to start reading the second in the series, Kicking.
January 10, 2022
Outstanding Book !!!!!
I haven't read a book this good that I recall in recent years. There was more to it than I had ever dreamed. In fact I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading it. What a mistake it would have been to stop. It didn't take long to realize it was going to be interesting. The more I read the more I realized that the author had a real gift. Some humor really added to it. I LOVED THIS BOOK !!!!!!
I haven't read a book this good that I recall in recent years. There was more to it than I had ever dreamed. In fact I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading it. What a mistake it would have been to stop. It didn't take long to realize it was going to be interesting. The more I read the more I realized that the author had a real gift. Some humor really added to it. I LOVED THIS BOOK !!!!!!
May 22, 2024
Lost me from page one
Unfortunately, it's so poorly written and edited that the first page hadn't been checked. I suspect I read that first page, trying to make sense of it around the missing words, more than the author! I hate to leave a bad review, but when 'successful' authors are slapdash in their hurry to churn out another book, I feel disrespected as a reader. I suggest giving this one a miss.
Unfortunately, it's so poorly written and edited that the first page hadn't been checked. I suspect I read that first page, trying to make sense of it around the missing words, more than the author! I hate to leave a bad review, but when 'successful' authors are slapdash in their hurry to churn out another book, I feel disrespected as a reader. I suggest giving this one a miss.
April 9, 2025
knocking
I really like this book. It is real! It talks about life and how sad and depressing it can be, it talks about the curves that life throws at you. It also shows how listening to God can lead you to a peaceful, joyful life. It is a romance , but not in the way you think. It shows you how to fall in love with Jesus and how he can turn bad into good. I highly recommend this book!
I really like this book. It is real! It talks about life and how sad and depressing it can be, it talks about the curves that life throws at you. It also shows how listening to God can lead you to a peaceful, joyful life. It is a romance , but not in the way you think. It shows you how to fall in love with Jesus and how he can turn bad into good. I highly recommend this book!
September 27, 2020
I can't even begin to express how much I loved this book. This is currently my favorite book by Robin Merrill. She explores what it means to truly live like Jesus would have us do, to be the hands and feet of Christ. We see how ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they follow God's leading for them. I can't wait for the next book to come out to see what happens to these characters.
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