The Preacher's Wife

It is a fantastic romance! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!

I loved this book. Josie embodies unselfish love, and Sam is one of the finest heroes I've encountered. No spoilers here, but the ending put tears in my ears. It's perfect!

The Preacher's Wife, by Cheryl St.John, is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I finished it in one evening, then had to go back and reread some parts the next morning. I thought the cover picture was also appropriate and appealing. I liked that it wasn't suspenseful, but was just a sweet heart-warming story that brought tears to my eyes several times. Cheryl St.John is such an excellent writer and made her characters come to life. They depicted such realistic behaviors and conversations. I hated for the book to end and will look forward to her sequel: Elizabeth's Story. I hope we'll see more of these characters in the new story. I also have learned not to read the back cover, as it gives away who will end up with whom, though you usually know on the first page anyway. I liked that there were two potential 'preacher' suitors for Josie and by not reading the back cover, I wasn't sure which it would be for awhile. This was such an endearing book to end the day with and bring sweet dreams. Thank you Cheryl St.John for such a good read! Barbara H.

Cheryl St John has written a great book for her first Love Inspired novel. After writing many Harlequin Historicals which have a higher level of sensuality, the author still conveyed the emotions and conflict necessary to an entertaining book. She picked her characters and their traits well and I really enjoyed reading this book. Badgered by her late husband's mother, Josie Randolph makes the weekly trek to his graveyard although she longs to put the past behind and start a new life. Josie is a nurturer. With inherited wealth, she doesn't need a job to maintain her lifestyle so she volunteers at the parsonage, keeping house and taking care of the injured pastor. A widower, the lonely pastor proposes to Josie. A marriage based on friendship seems to be what they both need. Yet, Josie hesitates. Enroute his new post, Samuel Hart has just faced an unbearable hardship. He lost his wife and his daughters lost their mother. Sadness and guilt hangs over the quartet like a soggy blanket. Sam has no idea how he'll cope with the girls and his work, but he's a preacher and has faith it'll work out. He sees the lonely widow working at the parsonage where he stops for awhile as interim pastor. After watching her offer empathy and wisdom to his daughters, Samuel feels led to offer marriage. She'll be a suitable caregiver as well as a preacher's wife but that's as far as his intentions go. Suddenly faced with 2 proposals, Josie picks Samuel. She already feels an affinity for his daughters and she's half way in love with him. When it's time for Samuel to leave the parsonage behind, Josie, as his new wife, goes with him. But being a wife and feeling like a wife are two different things when the husband's heart isn't involved. Heat Level: Affectionate My Rating: Great - 4 stars (a keeper)