Let the Church Say Amen

Book Description

In her riveting second novel, ReShonda Tate Billingsley -- winner of the Gold Pen Award for Best New Author for My Brother's Keeper -- crafts a bold and heartwarming story of family and faith that will inspire readers everywhere.

Reverend Simon Jackson has always felt destined to lead and he's done a good job of it, transforming his small Houston church into one of the most respected and renowned in the region. But while the good Reverend's been busy tending his flock, his family's gone astray. His nineteen-year-old daughter, Rachel, gives new meaning to "baby mama drama." Crazy in love with her son's father, she's wreaking havoc on the man's life, even though he's about to marry another woman. David, Simon's oldest at twenty-seven, has been spiraling downward ever since a knee injury ended a promising football career. These days he's seeking solace in drugs -- even feeding his habit by stealing church offerings. Blessedly, twenty-three-year-old Jonathan, a college graduate and the apple of Simon's eye, is poised to take his father's side as associate pastor -- or so everyone thinks.

Loretta has been a devoted wife to Simon, but she's beginning to realize that enabling him to give more to the church than to his children was her biggest mistake. As things begin to fall apart and secrets are revealed, will Loretta be able to help her husband reunite their tattered family before it's too late?

Let the Church Say Amen is a powerful journey through one family's trials -- and a remarkable story of reconciliation and love.

Customer Reviews:

One of the Best!!!.......2007-08-13

I read this book when it first came out. I enjoyed the book from the beginning to the end! Don't forget to pick up the sequel to this book!

Ok fiction .......2007-06-20

I read this book because I am reading the book called Nothing but Drama which has Rachel from Let the Church Say Amen leading a young girls' group. I wanted to read her background first before I finished Nothing But Drama. The main problem that I had with this book is that is categorized as Christian fiction in my library and it uses profanity. I am not sure if that is how this book is categorized in stores. I had a problem with the profanity. I do not curse in part because I am a Christian and I just do not want to read it in a book. This is not a problem for most people and if you decide to read it you will enjoy it. I did learn something from the book for my own family and that is to not devote so much time to noble causes (i.e. church, charity events, sports, etc.) and neglect the family. It is not worth it.

A Good Church Slap!!!.......2007-06-19

I said Church not Christian. Good Fiction read that happens to center around a church, a pastor and his family. This good read highlights the things we know and or suspect about about some "first families" of our churches. Their families are not perfect just like ours. And why should we expect them to be just like us, human. Good read about redemption and forgiveness. Nice message to show "Nobody's Family is better than Anybody's else's".

Oh my!!!.......2007-02-05

This was an amazing read....I couldn't put it down. Read it every time I sat down. This book is a must for anyone going through life's experiences and you want to know the right way to do things. Again, Ms. Billingsley has written a GREAT book.

Poorly developed characters, avoid this one.......2006-12-31

Let the Church Say Amen deals with a lot of familiar themes to black readers. Simon, a pastor of a successful church, neglects his family and all three of his children have major issues that they struggle with. Drug abuse, obsession over a past relationship, and sexual identity are the core themes of this book. Some readers will gain inspiration from Loretta as she works to evolve from a stand by your man pastor's wife to an assertive partner who can influence her husband to devote more time to his family.

This was a quick read, but a disappointing one for me. All three of the kids seem to have better versions of them in other black novels. I didn't feel that any of them were very well developed. Perhaps Billingsley has devoted fans who will forgive what may not be her best work, but for me, this book was weak and I'll be looking elsewhere for my next dive into black fiction.

2 stars

--SD

Let the Whole Church Say Amen!: A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public

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Let the Whole Church Say Amen!: A Guide for Those Who Pray in Public
Laurence Hull Stookey
Manufacturer: Abingdon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Editing | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Ritual | Other Practices | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Prayer | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0687090776

The Economic Emancipation of African-Americans: Let the Church Say "Amen"

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The Economic Emancipation of African-Americans: Let the Church Say "Amen"
Richard., Sr. Barber
Manufacturer: Penny Lovers of Amer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 096347040X

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Let The Church Say Amen
ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Manufacturer: Pocket Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0739445499

Product Description

This is a powerful journey through one family's trials as a minister and his family experience life. A remarkable story of reconciliation and love.

Let the church say Amen! The editors interview Father J-Glenn Murray, S.J.(Interview) : An article from: U.S. Catholic

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Let the church say Amen! The editors interview Father J-Glenn Murray, S.J.(Interview) : An article from: U.S. Catholic

Manufacturer: Claretian Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from U.S. Catholic, published by Claretian Publications on August 1, 2002. The length of the article is 2844 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Let the church say Amen! The editors interview Father J-Glenn Murray, S.J.(Interview)
Publication: U.S. Catholic (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2002
Publisher: Claretian Publications
Volume: 67 Issue: 8 Page: 20(4)

Article Type: Interview

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Let the church say amen.(meaning of 'amen'): An article from: U.S. Catholic

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Let the church say amen.(meaning of 'amen'): An article from: U.S. Catholic
James Schellman
Manufacturer: Claretian Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from U.S. Catholic, published by Claretian Publications on April 1, 1996. The length of the article is 752 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: The degree of conviction expressed in the word 'amen' is the reason why it was retained in the Catholic liturgical vocabulary. The conviction expressed in the Hebrew term conveys the religious mission of Catholics to join in Christ.

Citation Details
Title: Let the church say amen.(meaning of 'amen')
Author: James Schellman
Publication: U.S. Catholic (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 1996
Publisher: Claretian Publications
Volume: v61 Issue: n4 Page: p50(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Life in the clergy is quiet, respectful, peacefulor so Callie Anson believes when she begins her new job as curate to the Reverend Brian Stanford at All Saints' Church in Paddington. Little does she realize how wrong she could be.
After the traumatic end of her relationship with fiancé Adam, the last thing Callie needs is more emotional turmoil. But it seems she is not destined for a quiet life just yet. Knowing that women in the clergy are still disapproved of in certain quarters, Callie is prepared to face some criticism. But the deep-seated hatred shown by some of her respected male colleagues takes her by surprise, particularly the spiteful attack made by Father Jonah Adimola, a hard-line conservative Nigerian priest. Luckily, her good friend and mentor Frances Cherry is on hand to jump to her defense. But when Father Adimola is found strangled to death the next day and Frances is suspected of the crime, Callie must call upon her faith to steer her through the troubling and violent times and help prove her friend's innocence. With DI Neville Stewart heading the investigation, it's not long before the ecclesiastical façade is chipped away to reveal the ugly truth of hidden secrets.
Evil Intent is a gripping crime novel that pitches the reader into a dark world of concealment, power and deception in the 21st century church.

Customer Reviews:

Kate Charles Deserves More!.......2006-09-11

The most frustrating aspect of Kate Charles's mysteries: they're hard to find. Until recently, they were shelved in obscure mystery bookstores alongside other high-priced "British novels."

So I was delighted to find this novel in plain sight on a library bookshelf, published by an American house. I've enjoyed most of the church mystery series, where author Charles deftly communicates the sense of an upscale, intellectual religion, with more emphasis on institution than doctrine.

Here we meet a newly ordained Anglican deacon, Callie Anson, and an assorted cast of interesting characters. When a conservative priest has been murdered, suspicion turns to Callie's friend and mentor Frances Cherry. And once I got into the story, I found the book hard to put down. The pace moves faster than Charles's previous books and I really wondered how she'd come to a solution. We get clues about parts of the ending, but I'm not sure we're offered a true whodunit where readers can play detective.

As other reviewers note, the ending is far too abrupt. I would prefer a more satisfying confrontation and a hint of what happens next.

Still, we can mostly fill the blanks ourselves. I am pleased to see this novel published by Poisoned Pen Press - at least it's American. The real mystery: Why hasn't this author been picked up by a mainstream house, such as Harpers? She's as good as or better than many of the more famous best-sellers.

Wonderful Read!.......2005-12-29

Kate Charles is an American living in Bedford, England, who writes chillingly cozy ecclesiastical mysteries. Evil Intent is her tenth novel.

Callie Anson has come to her profession late in life, after the death of her father. In the hospice she met Frances Cherry, a woman priest who is working as a hospital chaplain. Frances becomes her mentor and good friend.

Callie goes to seminary and falls in love with fellow seminary student Adam. She is dumped by him just as she takes her first job, as a Dean, near his parish.

Callie meets hostility from Jane, the wife of her parish priest (and boss) Brian, and some of her parishioners; and is surprised by the depth of the hatred she meets from local nearby conservative parish priests. At a clergy Chapter meeting, she encounters vicious Father Joseph Adimola, who calls Callie and Frances "spawn of Satan" and "an abomination."

Frances snaps and tosses her glass of wine in his face. Later, Father Adimola is found strangled with a liturgical stole wrapped tightly around his neck--Frances' liturgical stole.

The press goes crazy, targeting Frances and her good friend Father Leo, a single and celibate closeted gay priest, who is up for possible promotion. The body was found in his church, and he and Frances are each other's alibi.

Callie has a new policeman friend, who keeps her informed about the investigation that seems to be closing in on Frances and Leo, spurred on by a nasty press. Twists and turns to the plot make this an exciting read, right up to the sudden, surprising and bloody climax.

Armchair Interviews says: Kate Charles' excellent characterizations and knowledge of the Anglican Church make this a very interesting read.

JENNIFER j4hobbit.......2005-12-12

THE BOOK WAS WONDERFUL! PLOT WAS GREAT, IT IS KATE CHARLES BEST YET! MORE PLEASE!

I'm a big Kate Charles fan .......2005-12-06

It's always difficult when you anticipate loving a book. I'd say that this book met my expectations except for one criticism, and that is something that bothered me less than it might bother others. I'd say the focus of this book was more on the issues that the Church of England (and the Episcopal Church in the US) are dealing with, and at times the murder mystery seems secondary. This is particularly true at the end, when the whole thing gets wrapped up in one short chapter -- too abruptly, I thought, and the denouement did not really emerge as the result of police procedural work as usually happens in this genre. But this book is less about mystery plots and more about issues and people, and Kate Charles presents that very well. It is perhaps the characterization and atmosphere that I love best about her work -- makes me want to get on a jet to London so that I, too, can go for a walk in Hyde Park.

The plot involves conflicts within the Church of England (like Trollope, Kate Charles sets her books in the Church of England) over the issues of the ordination of women and the status of homosexuals, particularly gay clergy. I know the situation in the American church pretty well and thought she portrayed the issues and people well and believably -- complete with the conservatism of the African churches and the lack of charity displayed by so many of those most upset about these issues.

A very conservative African-born priest is murdered in this book, strangled in the sacristy/vestry with a stole. He had just been involved in a heated exchange with a pair of priests, one of whom had thrown a glass of wine at him after he made some offensive comments. Guess who the chief suspect is? This wine-throwing suspect is the good friend and mentor of Callie, probably the central character in this mystery. She is a newly ordained transitional deacon and the newly appointed curate at a church where her welcome is not entirely hearty. The vicar is less than enthused about having her there, but being rather lazy, welcomes the help. His wife does passive aggressive very well. Some parishioners tell her they don't "believe" in women priests, etc.

Then there's the gay issue running through the book. Callie's brother is gay, and some parishioners learn that their son is gay. There are closeted gay clergy and clergy who are appalled at the very idea.

The police are investigating the murder and interviewing various clergy, as it seems likely that it was someone at the deanery meeting the night of the murder who is the killer. Callie is convinced of her friend's innocence and would like to see that proven.

If you haven't discovered Kate Charles yet, and you like British mysteries, I think you'll really enjoy this.

strong look at the schism inside the church .......2005-10-14

In London, newly ordained Anglican minister Callie Anson has enough emotional problems to deal with since she ended her engagement with Curator Adam Masters. She has been named as curator of All Saints' Church in Paddington struggling to remember names of those who greet her. Worse she is learning first hand how nasty even in a holy place congregational and church politics can get. On top of that the evangelicals and several Anglo-Catholics are irate over the ordination of women and homosexuals in general so will dissect her every word and action to disparage her.

Callie is prepared for the worst, but not the murder of Father Jonah Adimola, an outspoken critic of anything that frees women and an acerbic censor of her appointment; feminism is the devil's work in the late Jonah's mind. The police suspect Callie's mentor Deaconess Frances Cherry killed the outspoken Nigerian Father as she has been a major defender of women as priests. Callie turns to her faith to guide her as she sets out to prove that Frances did not kill anyone.

This faith-based amateur sleuth inquiry combines nicely with a more professional police procedural so that fans of homicide investigations will enjoy this solid tale. Perhaps more interesting is the inside looks at the Anglican Church especially the split over women and homosexuals being ordained and that an African is a priest. Kate Charles recognizes many readers will be surprised by the internationalism of the Anglican Church so she provides an educating short author's note that clarifies much. EVIL INTENT is a strong look at the schism inside the church leading to murder as the resolution.

Harriet Klausner

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Creators Of Evil Intent
Tom Watton
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Product Description

I believe there is only one basic principle in life: You are entitled only to that which you have earned. All fiction is introduced to some extent from actual experience. It is a challenge to create a fictional story that has already been highly narrated by published facts. The previously understated corruption, misuse of funds received from taxpayers worldwide, the lack of accountability, by these who hold, use and abuse power, has been used as the basis from which my imagination endeavored to create a work of fiction. Except those mentioned in previously published articles by the media, any resemblance to any of the character in this book to anyone alive or dead, is completely coincidental. An effort has been made to follow the actual chronology, but in preserving the context, the author periodically deviates from the chronology in order to preserve the thread of the story. Thus, deviations from history become part of the fictionalized account and the chronology and settings may be attributed to the fiction in order to preserve the story and it's characters. The actual historical accounts, figures and events have been adapted from a large number of sources. It describes the tragic effects of terrorism, together with these related events, that have impacted upon very ordinary, innocent people who were helpless in the maelstrom. History has been documented, then revised, modified and distorted by the victors in conflicts and in the collective interests of the ruling class within any society at a given time. Unfortunately, having passed into the common consciousness as fact, lodged in libraries and carried forward in related themes, decidedly distorted versions of the past can come to be accepted when well beyond their social sell-by-date, until these issues are revisited and an alternative view, based on corrected established facts, can be introduced.

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Evil Intent
Lewis Norris
Manufacturer: Upso
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Historical | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

War | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1843752026

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Evil Intent
Bernard Taylor
Manufacturer: BMI Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OMH8EA

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Evil Intent
Bernard Taylor
Manufacturer: BMI/ Book Margins Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000J2AF2W

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Wether Your Intentions Are Good or Evil You Should Have an Intent to Read This Book
One of the Greatest Overlooked Writers of all Time
Actually 3 1/2 stars....

Evil Intent
Bernard Taylor
Manufacturer: Headline Book Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sweetheart, Sweetheart

ASIN: 0747208743

Customer Reviews:

Wether Your Intentions Are Good or Evil You Should Have an Intent to Read This Book.......2005-10-24

Years and years ago I read a great book called Mother's Boys but I had forgotten who wrote it until I recently saw it on a shelf. Once I knew it was Bernard Taylor who wrote that masterpiece I had a look for other novels he had written. Evil Intent was the first novel I have come across and although it is a little bit less realistic than Mother's Boys I found I could not put it down until the end. I must however say I was a little disappointed that the ending ended up being the predictable ending you could see coming for quite some time. I was reading thinking well Jack Forrest could just do this and disappointingly that is exactly what he did although Taylor did try and put a small twist into it. If Evil Intent had any other ending than the predictable one it would have easily been five stars in my rating but the disappointment of reading what you thought was going to happen was a substantial let down. Still it is a great read and the enjoyable English of a past era style it is written in has you turning the pages to see what will happen to the Forrests next.

In Evil Intent Jack Forrest inherits a house in a small English village and once he and his wife Connie see it they fall in love with the place and the relaxed lifestyle the village will bring their family. They quickly move in along with Sarah, Connie's mother, their son Jack and twin daughters Lydia and Kitty. It is not long before Connie and Sarah have a run in with a villager named John Callow and the wrath they have to endure from him is pure evil.

One of the Greatest Overlooked Writers of all Time.......2004-02-20

Bernard Taylor is one of the greatest horror writers of this or any generation, Believe me! I don't hand compliments out freely. You have to try out this author! I read the Godsend back in 1978 it was the first horror novel I had ever read, it was absolutely brilliant! an instant classic, every bit as good as The Exorcist or Rosemary's Baby. Since then I have read every book that I could get my hands on and they all are uniformely excellent I would give them all 5 stars. Evil Intent is about a man named John Callow who is tormented, cheated, insulted, basically treated like s#!t by the people in his town of Valley Green, he discovers an ancient curse and wreaks death and misery on anyone that ever hurt him. Suspenseful Shocker will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to an appropriate thrilling conclusion. The endings of Bernard Taylor's stories are always great unlike some of his more sucsessful contemporaries, they're always emotional and unpredictable. Try out Madeline or Sweetheart Sweetheart they're superb.

Actually 3 1/2 stars...........2002-08-27

This particular writer is on par with Simon Clark and James Herbert, two of England's best horror scribes. Taylor is a genius at moving this little story right along. His characters are real and very funny.

Taylor weaves a fascinating nightmare about a family that moves into a relative's house. A couple of incidents with neighbor, John Callow, get them off on the wrong start. He comes around to apologize, but strange deaths begin taking place. Its all related to the RUNES!! I will stop here, but the ending is a clincher.

Book Description

"From the opening paragraph, Pillsbury piques the reader's curiosity about just punishments. . . . What do people deserve for their wrongdoing, especially in those cases involving extreme cruelty? . . . Pillsbury enables clear andcareful thinking about one's own expectations of the legal system.Highly recommended."
--Choice

"A provocative, well-written volume that will keenly interestcriminologists, lawyers, and philosophers alike."
--Paul M. Kurtz, J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law, University of Georgia

Why do killers deserve punishment? How should the law decide?

These are the questions Samuel H. Pillsbury seeks to answer in this important new book on the theory and practice of criminal responsibility. In an argument both traditional and fresh, Pillsbury holds that persons deserve punishment according to the evil they choose to do, regardless of their psychological capacities. Using real case examples, he offers concrete proposals for legal reform, urging that modern preoccupations with subjective aspects of wrongdoing be replaced with rules that focus more on the individual's motives.

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Using the many of the same characters. . .

Dissapointing...

ANOTHER WINNER

Not as good as "A Soul To Take"

A-Plus. Mr. Bean scores again.
With Evil Intent
C. N. Bean
Manufacturer: Onyx
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0451406605

Customer Reviews:

Using the many of the same characters. . ........2002-06-15

. . .as in his first novel, Bean crafts another psychological murder mystery -- but, like his first two, with some serious flaws.

Again set in Southeastern Wisconsin, it is clear that Bean is reasonably familiar with the area. That is a plus. There are not many other plusses.

The first victim? The mentor of his main character. Other victims? Like in his previous books, young children. Many readers may well have a difficulty with this aspect of the book. His ultimate villian was completely unbelievable, the motive was weak and the resolution non-existent.

The sub-plot involving the gambling difficulties of the main character's husband never did make sense to me, and did not significantly add to the overall development.

Certainly not the worst mystery writer I've encountered -- but certainly not the best either.

Dissapointing..........2001-08-04

I gave this book more of a chance than it deserved. I actually finished it. I read 100's of books a year, and this has to be one of the top 10 losers.

The story line had potential, but there was little, if any, continuity. There are many questions left unanswered at the end, which is unsurprising as the author tried to sum it all up in 1 page. It actually feels as if the story DIDN'T end.

I haven't read anything else by C. N. Bean, and I admit it's possible his other works would be more to my liking - but this story read like a Dick and Jane book. This guy needs to read Stephen King's "On Writing" for a few tips. I doubt his other books read any better.

Do yourself a favor and try J. D. Robb's "In Death" series. You won't be sorry.

ANOTHER WINNER.......2000-07-18

This is a very good book. It is well written and will leave you unable to put it down. This is another hit for C.N. Bean!

Not as good as "A Soul To Take".......2000-01-30

it was good but a soul to take was much better. it has a good story to it. I woul like to see more books by C.N.BEAN. Hes a good writer.

A-Plus. Mr. Bean scores again........1999-03-10

The continuing saga of investigator Rita Trible (from A Soul To Take) only gets better. Like a slow moving freight train you are gathered up into the encredibly real life of Rita. Then it picks up speed and never lets you off until the stunning last stop. Hold your breath!

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Evil Intent
Bernard Taylor
Manufacturer: BMI/ Book Margins Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000NQ0ENO

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Evil Intent
C. C. Risenhoover
Manufacturer: Contrary Creek
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Series | Mystery | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1930899084

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