Church Folk

The way the characters make me feel something with each chapter.

This book brought back a lot of good childhood memories of similar church services. The characters were so well developed that I felt I was there with them. The plot or plots kept me on my toes. Now that I've finished Miss Thang's Holy Ghost Corner, I am re reading to review the characters! Great job on this book and the others revolving around Theophilis and Essie.

I had purchased Church Folk a while ago, but never took the time to read it until recently. I don't know why it took me so long to delve into this gem of a novel! Once I picked Church Folk up and started reading, I could NOT put it down. I started reading it on a Tuesday morning before I went to work and (Lord forgive me), I continued reading it at work, while on a series of conference calls! Work became an interruption for me that day as I became immersed in the vivid descriptions and engaging characters that Church Folk's gifted author, Michele Andrea Bowen, had created.Ms. Bowen took special care in introducing her characters and their lives to the reader. She gives enough detail that you can smell the delicious food, hear the music, and envision yourself in a 1960's Mississippi.It only took me a few sentences to get hooked on Rev. Theophilus Simmons, the main character in Church Folk. Ms. Bowen succinctly described his plight in the first few lines of the book, and I immediately wanted to follow his story to the end. Along the way, she introduces one Glodean Benson, who proves to be a thorn in the good Reverend's side, and Ms. Bowen gives the reader ample reason to dislike her. However, when Rev. Simmons meets the woman of his dreams, a jook joint cook named Essie Lee Lane, he strikes gold...and so does Ms. Bowen.Many books of this genre make the mistake of boring readers with neat, predictable plots. Unlike in real life, many characters in Christian fiction are pristine, God-fearing and so close to holiness that it outweighs what could have been a decent plot. By introducing Essle in such a way, Ms. Bowen totally and pleasantly surprised me. I had expected the good Rev. Simmons to meet a nice and quiet church girl...I must say that he did -- in the form of snooty Saphronia Anne McComb -- and chose the earthy, fiesty Essie Lee instead.I will not do you this disservice of dosclosing any more details of the plot. You just will have to read it for yourself.(And by the way, I was so enthralled with Church Folk that I left work early to go home and finish it...which I did by 2 a.m. the following morning!)

I had no idea what to expect when my online book club chose this book for their next read. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. It totally engrossed me from the first paragraph. The setting is the 60's in the midst of the civil rights movement in which the black church was the center of much of this causes activities. Theophilus Simmons, new pastor of Greater Hope United Church is single, new in the ministry, and falling deeply for Essie Lane. Their courtship is sweet and honest. Their marriage is put to the test by 'church folk'. 'Church Folk' shows all the elements of church life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. This book shows that there are wolves among the sheep, but the sheep ultimately overcome.While reading this book I laughed out loud, said 'Amen' several times, and reminisced of the times when I was young attending church in the 60's. It isn't so 'churchy' that it isn't real. It isn't so hardcore that you can't enjoy it as a christian.

First-time novelist, Michelle Andrea Bowen, gives us an entertaining and soul-stirring story titled Church Folk. Church Folk is the latest release from Walk Worthy Press and lives up to the tradition that has made this publishing company successful…novels of real people rediscovering His plan as they confront their most difficult challenges—and face the biggest decisions of their lives. Rev. Theophilus Simmons was the new and very eligible pastor of Memphis Greater Hope Church. He’s a respectful, down-to-earth, caring and romantic gentleman that any parent would want for their daughter. Rev. Simmons has quite a few suitors but he only has eyes for Essie Lee Lane. To many parishioners, Essie Lee is an unlikely candidate for First Lady. She’s a small-town girl from a humble background, she doesn’t belong to any of the elite, exclusive African-American social clubs and she speaks her mind. Rev. Simmons believes that Essie has everything a pastor needs in a wife—compassion, brains and a sincere desire to share in the ups and downs of his ministry. The honeymoon isn’t quite over before the Simmons marriage will be tested. All around them Church Folks got stuff going on…and plenty of drama and more drama. Folks involved in ..., ..., ..., and then there’s prostitution rings, physical abuse, blackmail, politics, greed…and these situations only involve the highly respected leaders of the church…you know those men called preachers. Rev. Simmons will be tested as he’s called by the elders of the church to help straighten out and rectify these terrible situations that the church has gotten itself into. Given his age and inexperience…will his word be respected as the Gospel and will he be able to lead the flock? Church Folk, while set in the early 60s, gives us topics and antics that still occur in the church today. At times the subject matter might be very controversial and over the top and one might wonder whether or not the plot twists and turns are realistic…all I can say unequivocally is …YES. Four decades later and Church Folks are still being Church Folks and giving us colorful characters, witty dialogue, vivid imagery and drama and more drama. If you seek a book that entertains while enlightening then pick up Church Folk today…it's a compelling read that will hold your attention until the last page. And you will remember the characters long after you’ve finished the book. Reviewed by Yasmin

It's been a very long time since I read a book and wanted to start reading it all over again, but that's what CHURCH FOLK did for me. I've read ALOT of books by authors we know and love, but this first-time author has written a book that's left me wanting more! A product of the Black church myself, CHURCH FOLK makes one reminiscence to the many events I saw take place, good, bad and ugly, over the years. I especially enjoyed the fact that Theophilus was not afraid to show his feelings and emotions toward Essie, although he was the Reverend. He displayed human qualities and emotions that some ministers pretend they don't possess. And some of the drama that took place really takes place in church. This book was hilarious, touching and one I highly recommend.

Wow, was I shocked at how quickly this book caught and held my interest. Ms. Bowen did a wonderful job with this book ... creating very believeable characters and events. I am still tryin to pronounce Theophilus name though....LOL I enjoyed the relationship Theo and Essie eventually evoled into. I also thought Ms. Bowen showed a very REALISTIC sides of Christianity. Not only for Theo but as a church group. This does make you shake your head of the goings on in our church world and with CHURCH FOLK. I believe that you will enjoy this book. At first I thought it was gonna be tooo preachy and not all real...but was totally surprised.... IT IS A GREAT BOOK!