At 40, Sister Eve Reedy is the oldest single woman at Spring Street Holiness Church where she serves as the church secretary, minds the aging but beloved Pastor Julius Andrews, and endures stony-faced deacons and out-of-touch church ladies.
Eve longs to be First Lady to a man of God but knows her chances diminish as the years slip by and no men notice her Proverbs 31 goodness, holiness, and purity.
Enter Frank Kirk, a "heathen" white handyman and tattooed twenty-five-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps who drinks, smokes, and curses the bark off trees.
Eve knows that Frank is the least likely candidate to fulfill her dream of being a pastor's wife, and though he plucks her everlasting nerves, Frank also plucks heart strings Eve hasn't heard singing in years.
Bursting with humor, romance, drama, and healthy doses of spirituality, Church Woman proves that when it comes to matching soul mates, sometimes God has an incredible sense of humor.
( This is the first book in J. J. Murray's Sister Eve trilogy. First Lady debuts in June 2021, and Church Mother debuts in July 2021.)
Prolific novelist J. J. Murray writes BWWM romance novels in all genres. He lives with his amazing, talented, and creative wife Kimberlee and their precocious son Steven in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Great start to the Church Lady series. I love a good series.
PTSD is a very serious subject. I'm glad of Mr. Murray's treatment of the condition - with patience and love. Both love of God and the love of a godly woman. I am not a godly woman myself but I can appreciate that the right type of love could help with this condition. There is more than one way to be saved. I like Mr. Murray's novels because they don't follow whatever is the hot theme other authors write almost formulaically (is that a word?), Such as billionaires this week, or vampires next week. Don't get me wrong; I love a good fantasy or Sci-fi romance, but you if you look at many titles on the market they are so cliche: Billionaires Black Baby Momma or some such. I have also enjoyed some of these books, despite the awful titles. But a book should be about more than the title; it should be about the characters, the relationship, the story. In my opinion Mr. Murray writes heartfelt romance with quirky characters that I enjoy. As Pastor Andrews said in the book, "... love makes me happy..." I enjoyed the scene with Pastor Andrews and his dinner. The scene in church brought tears to my eyes. A good read. And now that I know that this is a first in a series featuring Sister Eve and Brother Frank, Pre-Order.
This story just touched my heart, I enjoyed it so very much. I almost wanted to cry through the first chapter, because I related to Eve's story, her waiting-for-love history, so much more than I wanted to. Always waiting, always hoping, always doing the right thing trusting in God's ways, but always and ever alone. Eve is 40 and has felt left behind until Frank arrives in blue smoke. I appreciated how Mr. Murray gave us this story from Eve's POV and addressed military PTSD, guilt and self-forgiveness. I always love how Mr. Murray's hero's show full and openly devoted love to the heroine who looks like me. I appreciated that despite the religious hypocrisy and downright cruelty that our hero suffered at the hands of so-called Christian people through his youth, he didn't become resentful or bitter towards God, faith or even the church. Thank you so much for not bashing people of faith. Thank you again for a story of hope for love for women like me.
I totally loved this book! I laughed at Eve, I laughed at Frank, I laughed at Pastor Andrews marrying Frank and Eve, but I was very sad with Frank’s nightmares. Nevertheless, I hoped that God would bless as he united them. This books brought out so many wonderful emotions from comments, scriptures, and the erotic moments of love. I could not have imagined reading a book like this and thoroughly enjoying every word. I am so looking forward to reading more about Frank, Eve, and their lives with other characters. I have found an author who has captured my undivided attention. Grand Applause for this author, J.J. Murray.
From the office to the basement to the pulpit. Sister Eve was a faithful church lady . The furnace at the church broke she ask around for someone fix it she find Frank a retire military man who fix thing for the community . When he arrive at the church and saw Eve he immediately fell in love with her she paid him $50 and bottle of water for the job he took the water and leave the money when Eve ask why he said she never put the money in his hands . After more fixing and then comes the dating. Eve pastor married them in his living room. Then comes the honeymoon. Wow I enjoy this book . Now book 2
Sister Eve Reedy was 40 years old single woman at Spring Street Holiness Church and served as the church secretary. Eve dreamed at the age of 12 to be a First Lady. Frank Kirk who was known to be a heathen. Frank was a white guy and known as a handyman. Frank was a retired veteran of the Marine Corps. Eve enjoys being around Frank but is not excited because she feels that he will never become a pastor due to his lifestyle. There are times when God places people in our life for a reason even though we might not see it.
I have a new literary crush, Frank Kirk. I thought that I wouldn’t be able to read this book due to the Christian slant; I am an atheist and let me say, I loved this story from beginning to end. J.J. Murray’s story had me laughing out loud, cheering for the two lovers and clutching my pearls. It is definitely a feel good story with a little spice to heat things up. Well done, sir.
I gave this book 5 stars because it was a great, funny and romantic Christian Romance. Sister Eve had me laughing out loud with her antics while she was describing the women in her church. I fell in love with Frank's character, he is a man definitely after GOD's heart. Great story and I can't wait until the next book in the series is released.
Great start to a new series. It is worth reading. I am loving the story of Honest Church and the Church Woman. I cannot wait for book two. Lastly, be prepared for the Song of Solomon . Now check out the book so you know what I am talking about and be prepared to laugh and cry. Well do e Mr. Murray.
The back story for Frank and Eve are compelling. Eve waited her entire life for a God fearing man. God delivered. Frank wade the one she would have picked for a husband, but it turned out that he was the right one. I'm waiting with baited breath for the next one. JJ Murray, I love your writing. Thank you!!
Sister Eve was awesome with the way she had conversations with herself. She has been looking for a husband for a long time. In comes Frank who is trying to pay penance for something that happened when he was in the military. Together they find love and they quote lots of Bible scriptures for various incidents. Highly recommended. I will read the entire series
This book had me laughing, in tears, and all over the place. Such a sweet romantic comedy. I can't wait for part two. This is the book you didn't know that you needed to read. It deals with the strugglea of singleness in the church a light hearted way. Though it may be fiction it is definitely refreshing.
Very reminiscent of my favorite from JJM, beside the still waters, however Frank was so refreshing to me. He was overtly pursuing and steering the relationship. Much different than most of JJM hero’s IMO. Sweet and thought provoking.
Such a good book. The characters were very believable. I loved Frank and Eve together. It really makes you think about how we pre-judge people just based off of appearance. Worth the read!!!!
I usually don't like romance books written by men. But this one was great. As a black woman, I can definitely relate to the things he wrote. It was funny, inspirational, and all around great writing. New fan.
A really good story about an middle-aged unmarried church sister and the unlikely man that comes in to her life. A great cast of characters and Eve and Frank are an unlikely couple, looking forward to the next installment.
Eve waited patiently all of her adult life for the love of her life. He came in an unexpected but awesome package. I enjoyed this book so much. It taught me a powerful lesson about love, kindness, happiness, simplicity, and to be ready when your prayers are finally answered.