Book Review: The Preacher's Wife

The Preacher’s Wife by Cheryl St John Love Inspired Historical June 09

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)