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06 June 2013

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews "Stealing the Preacher" by Karen Witemeyer



5 stars~*****

Stealing the Preacher is a fabulous follow-up to Short-Straw Bride. It is, however, a stand-alone book--so no worries if you haven't read the first.  You'll enjoy it better if you read SSB first.

Crockett Archer is on a train, enroute to a his interview to be a preacher in a small town.  Is he ever shocked when robbers board the train looking for the "preacher" because they know a candidate is enroute.  Poor Crockett initially fails to realize they are looking for him!  He is soon to discover he is to be a "birthday present."

Silas Robbins is in sore need of salvation and his daughter has been in fervent prayer for someone to reach him. Witemeyer does a lovely job of showing Joanna’s faith as something that makes her beautiful.

Unfortunately Crockett experiences what many men in ministry do--pursuit by a female who will use anything within her wiles to get what she wants. In this case there could have been a catastrophic outcome from her manipulations.

Lovely book and a great plot. Thank you to Bethany for the ARC (disclosure--although I was given a free copy to read I was under no compulsion to give a positive review.) It was such a good read that I couldn't wait for the audiobook to come out--and that says a lot! I usually wait.

Bibliotherapy elements: Salvation, criminals, loss of a mother, isolation, pursuit by an ungodly person, and threat of loss of life.
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GIVEAWAY: A gently-used paper copy of this book. Answer the question to be entered in the contest, and don't forget to leave your email address as well. (Sorry, winner must live in USA for this contest.)

QUESTION: Have you ever prayed fervently for someone's salvation and then had God answer your prayers?

61 comments:

  1. I'm reading this story at the moment and am absolutely LOVING it!! :) Thanks for your review Carrie!!

    I've been a part of praying for and sowing seeds in people's salvation and in bringing them to church, and also in bringing back those that had slipped away from God and church! All of it is incredibly exciting!!

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    1. Noela - Prayer is so amazing, isn't it? I'm thrilled to know that you have been such an active prayer warrior and seed sower. :-) Keep up the good work!

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  2. I enjoyed Karen's other books and am looking forward to reading this one! When I was thirteen and newly saved, I prayed for my parents' salvation. Shortly after that, they both got saved. I was thrilled, to say the least. :)

    Thanks so much for the review and giveaway.

    Blessings,
    Karen
    karenelangeATgmailDOTcom

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    1. What a beautiful testimony, Karen. Thank you so much for sharing. I think sometimes we underestimate the power of prayer. So glad you didn't!

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    2. WOW KAREN!!! That is so amazing!!! Thanks for sharing this with us!!!

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  3. Wonderful review of a fantastic book! Thanks CARRIE I always love your reviews!! :)

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    1. Thanks T!!! I know I am not the "popular" reviewer, nor do I intend to be lol but once in a while I just have to post one! Glad u liked it!

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  4. Thank you so much for the great review, Carrie! I'm so glad you enjoyed Crockett and Joanna. I hope you enjoy the audible version when it comes out as well!

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    1. URW Karen! Glad your Bethany folks sent us a copy! I bet the narrator will be awesome. Since I was sick when I read this I may listen to it on audio to see what I missed! I think I got it all and it was great!

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  5. What a great review, CARRIE! This MUST be an awesome book for you to have not waited on the audiobook to come out. I have heard only great things about it!

    I prayed for my hubby to get saved, for even though he was raised in church he wasn't living a Christian life. He was a good person, but needed the Lord. He got saved and soon after got water baptized! And NOW he is a REALLY good person! :)

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    1. Lovely testimony, Diana. Thanks for sharing!

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    2. And what a wonderfully nice husband Paul is, DIANA! Thanks for telling us!

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    3. He has his moments, CARRIE! LOL

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  6. Right now I'm praying for my youngest sister. She's really struggling with her testimony and is dating someone who is not a great influence, but I know she's lonely. I'm praying that she will make good choices and turn towards the Lord for comfort instead of looking for it in other places or people. It's hard to be living in a different state and trying to be a good influence from afar.
    Great question! Looking forward to reading Karen's new book about Crockett! Short Straw Bride is one of my favorites :)
    colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. HEIDI, let's agree to hold virtual hands and pray for her! DIANA recently talked with me about the notion of praying someone out of a loved one's life when it is clear the person needs to go. So let's pray him away and a Christian man in! Blessings!

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    2. Amen! God wants us to be specific and there is nothing we can't take to Him in prayer. Even to the point of asking Him to remove a toxic person out of someone's life!

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    3. Thanks ladies! I appreciate your prayers!

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  7. Hi, Heidi. It's so hard to know what to say and do in those situations. Prayer is a powerful way to invite God in. I will add my prayers to yours that you sister will make wise decisions and that God will fill those lonely places in her heart so that she can find peace with the right man when the time comes.

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  8. I am praying for my nephews and family and I prayed for my brother-in-law but he died Feb 13 but my sister said he had made peace with God before he died

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    1. Debbie, I am SO glad your BIL made peace with God before he joined the Lord in heaven. What a shame he missed out on the abundant life God could have blessed him with while he was on earth. Hugs!

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    2. So thankful your prayers were answered for your BIL. May they be answered for your nephews as well. Blessings!

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  9. I have prayed for someones salvation for years, still waiting on the answer to some of them... have thought to give up eating ice cream till it happens... I knew a sister that did that , she is gone, but I may take up the cause for that one soul to be saved....
    Linda Finn
    faithfulacres7@gmail.com

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    1. It is a sacrifice personally... sorta like fasting but long term on one thing...

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    2. It's hard to wait, isn't it? My mom and I pray for my grandparents, and now that they are reaching the end of their lives, I worry that they might not surrender in time. But we keep praying and planting seeds anyway. I send my grandma a copy of each of my books as they come out and she reads every word. Maybe fiction will reach a place in her that conversation can't. That is my prayer, anyway.

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    3. Good for you, Linda. I'll fast from ice cream with you (I am allergic to it!) Blessings!

      KAREN, ohmygoodnessgracious. I will try to pray for your grandparents, too. Was that part of your inspiration for this story?

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  10. Have you ever prayed fervently for someone's salvation and then had God answer your prayers?
    I have yet to experience the joy of having my prayers of salvation answered. But, I'm not giving up.
    cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Good for you, Cindi. One of my favorite verses is from Luke 18 where Jesus teaches the parable of the persistent widow and it starts like this:

      "Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

      Keep on keepin' on!

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    2. Amen sister KAREN! Let's pray CINDI doesn't give up!

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  11. Oh... I soooo want to read this book!!

    I have led many people to The Lord & have prayed for family members for a long time. I am still praying for my brother...he needs The Lord. I do remember my stubborn grandpa (at the age of 80) giving his heart to Jesus! That was awesome...we we all cried tears of joy, especially my dad.

    Sunydey26@aol.com

    Thanks for this opportunity

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    1. That's so awesome, Johnette. I hope my grandpa does the same.

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    2. Wow JOHNETTE! Please join me in praying for KAREN's grandparents. Salvation at 80 is really something!!!

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  12. Yes,I have. My uncle who was like a grandfather. I was close to him and he was a great man, but never got saved. In his later years of life, he made the decision he wanted and needed the Lord. Four years later, he passed away with cancer. I wouldn't trade anything for those precious four years. The minister for his funeral was married to a cousin so he was considered family. He said life is like a book. You have your beginning, then you're going through life like the book and then you have the ending. What matters is how your life ends. Thank God my uncle's life ending beautiful and my aunt is with him now. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the contest.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Beautiful testimony, Barbara. Thinking of the thief on the cross with Jesus - it truly is the end that matters, and it's never too late.

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    2. BARB, that is so true--you have to end well and make that decision. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  13. I'm still waiting on a "pre-saved" college roommate. God must have plans for her, though, since He placed her with three Christian roommates (in a 2-bedroom apt) for basically four years, and we still remain among her closest friends several years after scattering for grad school, med school, work, and marriage. She might not know we're still praying for her, but we're certainly not giving up on her yet!

    rdalquis(at)css(dot)edu

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    1. Good for you, Rachael. I hope you stay in touch so you can watch those seeds you planted take root and start to grow. :-)

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    2. I LOVE how you put that RACHAEL!!! Pre-saved! Keep praying! sounds like God has her where she can make that decision and come to Him.

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  14. yes, I have prayed for a persons salvation and years later they come to know the Lord
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  15. Don't enter me as I have already read the book. I know, I need to post my review :)

    I prayed for 20 years for my sister to be saved and remember praying'whatever it takes, Lord, whatever it takes, please bring her into a relationship with you'. Little did I know that, only a few weeks later, my mom would pass away and at her funeral would be when my sister came to a saving knowledge of Christ.

    BTW - ALL of Karen's books are fantastic! You won't be disappointed when you read one :)

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    1. ANNE, wow, that is so touching. Your poor mom, though, on earth knowing her daughter hadn't yet been saved. I believe they rejoice in heaven over salvation, though! Big hugs!!

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  16. Yes, I prayed for my friend's salvation for many years. We lost touch and when we reconnected I discovered she and her husband now go to church every Sunday!

    ischu9@aol.com

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    1. PTL--so cool God let you reconnect and for you to see the difference from your being obedient and praying!!! Hugs!!!

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  17. We have a young man at our Dump church in Reynosa, MX who finally came to know the Lord after several years of praying! Next week he'll be joining us in Nicaragua for a mission trip, paid for by a group of Americans. He rides in a wagon pulled by a horse - I would love to see him get on that plane.

    My daddy is 87 & still a non-believer...we just keep praying!

    I loved the Short Straw Bride (love ALL Karen's books) and would love to read Stealing the Preacher!

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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    1. Melody, I PRAY your dad will accept Jesus!!! And thank you for your ministry! Blessings!

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  18. Yes, I have. My favorite memory is my father-in-law. He was very ill, in hospital, I prayed so hard for his salvation. Imagine my delight when I visited one day, and his grandson was coming out of his room...all smiles....the grandson was a preacher and had led him to the Lord. I shouted (right there in the hall) Praise The Lord!!
    Anxious to read Karen's book; have read her others and loved them!
    Jackie S.

    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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    1. Makes that song "Oh Happy Day" so much more real, doesn't it? Thanks, Jackie!!!

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  19. Wonderful review! I can't wait to read this. :) There are many I am fervently praying for right now to come to know God. There was one big answer in a brother of mine that made our whole family rejoice!
    Susan P
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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  20. I have prayed for many and have hoped they accepted GOD and I just never knew it. I did pray that all of my kids and grandchildren would accept the LORD. They have all said they did except one grandson. He has always been a sweet boy to me and at our family gatherings but gave his mom and dad lots of problems while still at home and finally had to go live with his birth dad. As far as I know he still hasn't. When he was a teen, his mom told me he had his room filled with blacks and signs that he was made to remove. He then told his mom he didn't believe there was a GOD. This after being raised in church. So still lots of prayers still needed there. Now the 4 oldest greats have accepted GOD into their hearts. But I do know that many, many of my prayers have been answered and still continue to be, I would love to have this book. I do have Short Straw Bride. Please put my name in. MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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    1. Keep praying for your grandson, Maxie. And glad so many have come to the Lord!

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  21. GREAT REVIEW, CARRIE, AS ALWAYS!! Of course, that's a given with Karen's books!!

    I prayed for my sister Ellie for over 30 years and even went to her house during my lunch hour to visit and witness to her on a regular basis. On one of those visits, we actually got into a knock-down, drag-out fight when I was 23 and she was 25. Just like when we were in our teens, we rolled on the floor with hair-pulling and fingernails digging (ala Faith and Charity in APMP) me in a heels, nylons, business suit and my hair up in a French seam!! Not much of a witness, but we both were pretty volatile back then. It took me praying and continuing to reach out to her for over 30 years, but she finally went we me to a healing seminar and church and then, BOOM!!! She is now my biggest prayer warrior and a mighty woman for God. :) So never say never!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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    1. Wow, JULIE--that is really something. That is so funny! I hope you weren't arguing about her becoming a Christian lol!!! What a testimony! I wonder if Ellie would be willing to do an interview with us with her testimony? So glad my own sister is plugged into a great Christian church. Still praying for the other one. Won't give up.

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  22. I have been praying for my husband and son for 31 years, my husbans is not a good person, but my son you cant find a better person, God hasnt answered my prays yet but i am holding on to Acts 16.31 and believing he will. i would love to win this book thank you
    jcisforme@aol.com

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  23. I prayed for my grandma for years and thought she died without getting saved, but my mom told me later that she told her she was! shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Oh, I bet that made you feel so much better, Veronica! I have a friend who is an RN and she said many people right before they died professed faith and she'd try to tell their loved ones.

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  24. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  26. In HS, I had been witnessing to a friend and when she told me she had made a decision, I was so excited! She is still a good friend of mine and a great Christian woman.
    Vicki
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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