Description: A mismatched team of seven hit the road in an Econoline church van on a mission to find a new pastor. They don't agree on much other than the stops at Hardee's for coffee and a biscuit. But they stick to the call, trying to slip undetected into worship services across the Southeast—all in hopes of stealing a preacher for their congregation.
Each member is wrestling to balance their own busy life and personal struggles. And they're trying to keep their issues to themselves. Forced to spend countless hours together, these very different personalities from different generations begin to bond. And their lives are profoundly changed as they love and support each other through the difficulties in each of their lives.
Synopsis: This team is charged with finding a new pastor for their small Presbyterian church. The book is narrated primarily by Travis, a young man struggling to figure out exactly who he is and what his life means. Through countless trips, each member of the team struggles with life, their choices and the decision they are faced with. Each person changes in their own small way on the journey.
Review: I have struggled for weeks to come up with how to write this review. I was initially excited to read this book – it was a new author, a unique storyline and an award winner. I was sadly mistaken. I had to force myself to finish the book and had I not been reviewing it, I would have put it down quickly. I was hard-pressed to like any of the characters – I couldn’t really identify with any of them and I found myself frustrated and annoyed by some of their thoughts and actions. I also feel the writing was stilted and forced in lots of places. Some of the descriptions used in the book also were ridiculous. In 2012, there is no need to refer to someplace in town as “the black side of town.” I just feel writers that are setting their novels in the present day have no need to draw divisive lines about sides of towns. Use your writing to describe the community and let the reader make up their own mind. All in all, I was disappointed and wish I had chosen another book to review.
Score: 1 bookmark out of 5.
Note: Tyndale House Publishers gave me a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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