Holy Hustler

Holy Hustler #1

by P.L. Wilson

Reverend Ethan Ezekiel Goodlove III, pastor of the mega-church Sweetwater Powerhouse of God, and his three sons are known for spreading more than just the gospel. When talks of expansion come up, the pastor has got to get more than just his church in order. There are rumors flying about his sexuality, and his second wife can’t seem to gain respect from the church elders who just won’t allow the late Mrs. Goodlove’s memory to rest in peace. His oldest son, Damieon, will have to stop chasing skirts and remember the vows he took before God and his Sweetwater PG family. Reginald, the middle son, will have to quit cooking the books and stop succumbing to the flesh, and baby boy Barry might find his way out of his very peculiar situation. If all of this happens, then maybe, just maybe the Good Reverend can go back to getting his hustle on from the pulpit! But until then, the sanctified drama promises to make us all scream “Hallelujah!”

Genres: Christian Fiction

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

PL Wilson is the pen name for Pat Tucker. By day, she works as a radio news director in Houston, TX. By night, she is a talented writer with a knack for telling page-turning stories. A former television news reporter, she draws on her background to craft stories readers will love. With more than 15 years of media experience, the award-winning broadcast journalist has worked as a reporter for ABC, NBC and Fox affiliate TV stations and Radio stations in California and Texas. She also co-hosts the literary talk show, From Cover to Cover. Pat has wowed editors with her ability to turn out five to ten thousand words a day. But it's not just quantity that has Pat at the top of her game. The quality of her stories is what keeps the readers coming back. A much sought-after ghost writer, Pat gets her greatest joy in creating her own stories. She is the author of six novels and has participated in three anthologies, including Zane’s New York Times Bestseller, Caramel Flava.

A graduate of San Jose State University, Pat is a member of the National and Houston Association of Black Journalists and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She is married with two children.

Reviews

[ConSonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lol this book was amazing it was GOOODfrpm beginningto end. Michelle receive bad news from the doctoe she informed Damien. Barry and Amy went back to normal Amy's dad cleaned it all up that was going on.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drama in the Church Family

The Goodlove men have a love of God but make special ways with the ladies. Sweetwater Powerhouse of God utilizes the talents of the Goodlove men to minister the word. But will the family be able to maintain their current lifestyle if all the skeletons fall out of the closet?

Pastor Ethan “Gee” Goodlove has built a mega church with a loyal following. Pastor Gee recently buried his wife of over 30 years and married a much younger, Theola. Theola doesn’t fit the pristine image of a preacher’s wife nor does she desire to fit into the whole church scene. However, the dress and conduct of his new wife is the least of his concerns. Pastor Gee is dodging sexual allegations; dealing with a sudden drop in church attendance; noticing a dramatic decrease in tithing; and dealing with possible impeachment. Will he have to step down from the helm of one of the largest congregations in Houston?

Damien Goodlove is the oldest son and next in line for senior pastor. He has a loving wife, Michelle and two beautiful girls. But Damien has one major flaw – he loves the ladies. Jazzlyn is the mistress of the month and is hooking Damien with a powerful lure. Damien may not recognize the signs of a woman scorned but Michelle has plans to uphold her vows…till death do us part.

Barry Goodlove is known as the baby boy. He is proud of his good looks and work ethic. Barry is engaged to Amy, daughter of one of the most prominent pastors in town. Life is perfect until he is contacted by Sissy Briggs. Sissy knows Barry’s secret and intends to use it for her advantage – to marry into the Goodlove family. But Amy plans to keep her man by any means necessary.

Lastly, there is Reginald the middle brother who is in charge of the churches finances. He suffers the wrath of Pastor Gee’s verbal abuse. Reginald has turned this abuse into an overwhelming sexual appetite. You see Reginald doesn’t have enough self-esteem to find women on his own; he has to buy their company and pay for phone sex. Will he continue to carefully review the books at Sweetwater Powerhouse of God or will he allow the devil to use him to fulfill his sinful pleasures?

HOLY HUSTLER is a quick read with an attention-grabbing storyline. The drama that unfolds will keep your interest because you won’t guess what will happen next. There are plenty of “holy hustlers” taking advantage of God fearing parishioners but never at your church, right? I hope we all lift God up in front of the man in the pulpit and people that keep the church going, remember we all make mistakes. HOLY HUSTLER has this reviewer engrossed in the tale of the Goodlove men and Sweetwater Powerhouse of God. However, there were several typos and some of the subplots were left open. Hopefully, these issues will be addressed in a sequel. I will be on the lookout for Wilson’s next book.

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Reviewing for Real Page Turners

[Author Lesley Hal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodlove men in Holy Hustler is beyond over the top. Ethan, the father of the Goodlove clan, is never up to any good even when his latest transgression, one that rivals the embattled Eddie Long, he's still trying to figure out ways in how to get over. Reginald has taken a page from his father in learning ways to get over to the point that he's created a nice little problem for himself in the form of sex addiction and stealing money from the church in order to feed his habit. Damien is a lady's man sleeping with anything that will have him inside and outside of the church only problem ... he's married. Then there's baby brother Barry with troubles of his own dealing with a certified nutcase who's given him an ultimatum to break up with his fiance from another prominent church family and marry her or reap the consequences.

Sweetwater PG has more problems than the law allow with it's first family, but throw in the underhandedness of the holy roller crew and it's pure madness all around. While I enjoyed the book, there were too many characters with major story lines like the wives, crazy women etc with speaking chapters. Barry Goodlove could've been a supporting character since his story wouldn't have been missed if it was omitted to focus on the other three Goodlove men. I can't believe the way the story ended in a rough spot and without any indication. Holy Hustlers was a good book with characters you wanted to know about and drama you wanted to be a spectator of as it unfolded. The ending and story structure are the only reasons I'm giving this book 3.5 stars.

This is my first book by P. L. Wilson and it won't be my last. I just purchased part two and I can't wait to dig in because I know it's going to explain everything that was left hanging in part 1

[Yvette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am on page 193 of 231 but I can give my review now. This book was just ok for me. It started out good but started to drag somewhere in the middle. The book actually could have been really good but I felt that it lacked something. As a reader I want to really feel what the characters are experiencing both good and bad. There were a lot of scenes that were introduced, not detailed and just left to the imagination. For me thats never a good thing to do! I want a novel to make me talk aloud to the characters, gasp, feel a rush, evoke emotion of some sort throughout my reading experience. Scenes should paint vivid mental pictures always, make the reader feel as though he/she is actually there, feel a connection of some sort with some of the characters if not all of them. I was a little disappointed because I expected this book to be as dramatic as the Rev. Black Series or Lutishia Lovely's Heaven Series. It was a decent read.

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant to read this book because I thought that it would be a preachy Christian based book, but I was so wrong. This book started out with a ton of drama and ended with even more. These church folks were definitely scandalous and had no respect for the house of God. There was never a dull moment and I found myself reading it at every opportunity. There was scandal, lies, deceit, cheating, and theft among other things. The unbelievable part was all of that was coming from the Pastor and his family. The way the author described the church ceremonies and gossip reminded me a lot of my own church and makes me question what really goes on behind closed doors. My only question is what was on the tape that Sissy had on Barry and Amy???? I can't wait to read part 2.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, normally my reviews are very good and I give good ones, but this book was just really stupid. The plot was ok, but it took to long to get to the end of the book. I would recommend this book to anyone if you're willing to read it.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! In my opinion, it was true to life; corruption in the Church!! Pimps and hoes!! I was hooked from the beginning. With a name like Goodlove, how could you not be. I thought the book was well written and it did not drag. I could not put this down until finished.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written fast paced urban lit. I liked it and am going to get the Holy Hustler 2.

[Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book but i couldn't believe that all there was all that drama in a church i also couldn't believ he was taking the churches money like that the title fit the story very well thoguth.....

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good, but it just stopped...there wasn't a real ending...I guess I'll have to read part 2 to get that.

[Tima Oosha Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, a Hot nasty Mess in the church

[Linda. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it