Mississippi, 1963. Essie Lee Lane is a small-town girl who doesn't take "stuff' from nobody. Yet even she isn't ready for the Reverend Theophilus Simmons, one of the South's most fiery and respected young preachers. Down-to-earth, caring, and oh-so-fine, he's everything Essie never thought she'd find in a man, and he realizes she is everything a pastor needs in a wife. But Essie and Theophilus soon discover that dealing with the contentious members of Theophilus's church will be no honeymoon—especially when a couple of First Lady wannabes and a few blasphemous preachers enter the picture.

With their parishioners in turmoil and their denomination facing a major scandal, Essie and Theophilus must put their faith and love to the ultimate test as they struggle to lead their congregation to God's sweetest rewards.

Church Folk
By Michele Andrea Bowen
Price: $6.50
ISBN: 0-446-61538-2