PARTING RIVER JORDAN by ML BARNES

One of the great things about this blog is getting to read and review books I probably never would have found without this blog.  The next great thing is telling you about them and even giving away some books.

Parting River Jordan is the first novel ML Barnes has written and is was the result of a her first National Novel Writing Month effort.

The River Jordan Full Gospel Church was started by Amanda Mitchell Alden, when she was young and unmarried in 1958.  Most of the important positions in the church were held by women and there was no big strong man overseeing everything.  This was quite unusual at that time.  But as Reverend Alden reached her 82nd year, members knew it was time to appoint a new senior pastor, and not everyone appreciated the one hand picked by Reverend Alden.  This created quite a power struggle between Mother Marva Jessup and Alden's choice, the Reverend Albert Beam.  A struggle so great it divided the church and they literally divided the church down the middle and become two separate churches in the one building.

"Deanna "Dee" Ramsey is NOT nosy, she just concerned and she is quick to point out that fact."  Things are starting happen at the church forcing her to keep her eyes and ears open.  The Mother's Board has hired a new young minister and he seems to bring out the worst in Reverend Beam.  What follows isn't pretty.

The author calls this book "kind of a 1930's screwball comedy".  I say it has something for everyone, humor, romance, mystery.  I found myself laughing out loud a few times.  It also struck home with me because the pastor at my church is not loved by all his members, but thankfully they have not actually divided the church in two.  The is a wonderful first novel, which I hope will lead to many more.

Now the only way to get this book is to order it direct from the author at http://flyingturtlemg.com/.  

You can also read the first four chapters at that site and find out more about ML Barnes.  

E-books can be purchased at  

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8991.

But the author has offered me 

2 copies to give away here at 

Dollycas's Thoughts!!!  

Sign up in the comment section below if you would like to be entered into this giveaway!!! 
(I forgot to say in the original post) 
Please leave your email when you enter so I can reach you.

Winners will be announced Friday, April 30th.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”