Pastor's Ex-Wife

Lesley

I was drawn to this after reading the pitch :) Clergy abuse has destroyed the lives of people I know so to me it is a very important topic, the subject needs a brave author so I commend you! This is an engaging and satirical read, a great story with a strong plot and a nice, easy style. You tackle a lot of genres in one go here, but it works - the pace is spot on and I can keep up. It's good that you don't alienate the reader with too many layers! Really great work, giving this a spin on my shelf!

Melanie.

I really like the premise of your book. An abused ex-wife of a pastor. Two things you never think of with a man of the cloth - abuse and divorce. You have built a strong character in Terry and the dialogue flows well and is realistic. I also like your other concept - church reviews styled like a restaurant review. Also very original. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

The pitch gave me a shock - an abusive pastor is not what you expect - and since we all liked to be shocked I read on. No doubt others will feel the same. They'll not be disappointed. The characterisation and scene-setting is excellent. The way you satirise reminds me of the Victorian novelists who wrote about similar themes. It's absolutely un-put-downable. Backed. Lynn

Totally gripping story, well written, no errors of grammar or spelling that I noticed. You expose the hypocrisy of those who choose to set themselves up as arbiters of morality, without ever applying reasonable rules to themselves. I liked Terry, an intelligent, courageous woman, finally breaking free after 24 years of marriage, held prisoner by ideas of what women 'should' do. And I very much liked the love and caring between Terry and William. This is an excellent book. Backed, Marj.

Abusive clergyman and wife beater causes a broken marriage, but who exactly is Terry married to, her husband or the Abundant love church. Pastor's Ex Wife is truly excellent writing as the inner sanctum of Terrys thoughts, feelings and response's fizzle along at an unrelenting pace She is never downhearted or beaten, quoting Mathew at the church elders to justifie her actions.
You have created a resourceful women who we should all rejoice.
Backed with Pleasure
Daniel Manning.
No Compatibility
Chapter four the church elders come round, then they leave, William and Terry engage in conversation. In some of that conversation Ed sarys something. I was unaware of his presence. I thought the elders had turned up at Williams door without Ed I'm a bit confused. Ed only says one line : 'It sounds like Jim Jones to me' Ed replied ' I know they all think... Shopuld have William replied not Ed

You are right - it should be William who replied - thanks for the backing.

Abusive clergyman and wife beater causes a broken marriage, but who exactly is Terry married to, her husband or the Abundant love church. Pastor's Ex Wife is truly excellent writing as the inner sanctum of Terrys thoughts, feelings and response's fizzle along at an unrelenting pace She is never downhearted or beaten, quoting Mathew at the church elders to justifie her actions.
You have created a resourceful women who we should all rejoice.
Backed with Pleasure
Daniel Manning.
No Compatibility
Chapter four the church elders come round, then they leave, William and Terry engage in conversation. In some of that conversation Ed sarys something. I was unaware of his presence. I thought the elders had turned up at Williams door without Ed I'm a bit confused. Ed only says one line : 'It sounds like Jim Jones to me' Ed replied ' I know they all think... Shopuld have William replied not Ed

This is obviously an important story for you, and you've told it well. Thanks for bringing this out. Happy to back it.
Please consider taking a look at my book, The Job.
Craig

Thank you so very much.

A fascinating subject, told very well. I enjoyed reading this immensely, even though it's not my genre of choice. Backed!

Karen
The Kid: A True Story of Cocaine, Corruption, Deceit and Betrayal

A fascinating subject, told very well. I enjoyed reading this immensely, even though it's not my genre of choice. Backed!

Karen
The Kid: A True Story of Cocaine, Corruption, Deceit and Betrayal

Dear Lesley, I got so excited when I saw that you had backed, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not." :) Thanks so very much. :) Since I have already "backed" your book, I will put your book on my "watchlist." Could you please take a moment to "back" my completed unedited memoir version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which at the end tells of my illness now & 6th abusive marriage. I'd be ever so grateful. :) Thank you. :) Love, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)
When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy.

Dear Lesley, I love Condeleezza Rice, who is a wonderful Christian woman - she spoke at our church just before you was placed on the President's board - she totally full of Jesus & glows. :) Your book is wonderful, exposing politics of the church - it should be all about pleasing Jesus & doing His will. :) Hope you write more books. :) God bless you. ;) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your recap/pitch,which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)

An intriguing story that your readers will quickly come to grips with. A compelling read with a subject that has been handled with care and sensitivity.
Very well written and the dialogue is spot on too.
Happily shelved
Melxx
Impeding Justice

Your pitch is amazing and your dialogue is fantastic. I'm definitely curious how how this plays out. A great start you have here :) My only nitpick is I suggest tightening up descriptions of setting and characters as they seem to slow your pace, but that may be a matter of preference. Look at others books you love or for your target audience in print and see how they handle it :)
xBeccaX
The Forever Girl

This is a good story. You have a good character in Terry. She's feisty and likable and sympathetic because of her background. A character a reader wants to follow to see if this can come to a good end. Makes it a good read. I’m adding this to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

Pastor’s Ex-Wife

Tricky subject, extremely well done. The subject and the way you have told this hooked me straight away. I think you have a great writing style that compliments this.
To me you create a dilemma in the reader which is has a real emotional power to keep reading. Enjoyed this. – Good luck

Lesley, your first chapter has a good mix of narrative and dialogue. I love the reference to Condoleeza Rice.

Happy to back your work.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Polished charcters and diolouge that create a strong voice. C W Shelved

This is generally well written over a topic that it very relevant at the present time. Just beware that some of your sentences could do with being split - there are too many unnecessary commas in some. Otherwise, good dialogue and pace. Backed. Colin

- Thanks Colin- I'll take a look at your book in the next few days too. I appreciate the time you took to check mine out.

This is generally well written over a topic that it very relevant at the present time. Just beware that some of your sentences could do with being split - there are too many unnecessary commas in some. Otherwise, good dialogue and pace. Backed. Colin

I work with a woman whose ex husband was a pastor and she has told me so many strange but intersting stories about their time together asw ell as their time apart . I printed out the first several chapters for her and she is eating this up! From my perspective it is well written and you have a real gift for characterizations! BACKED from both of us with pleasure!

Liz
The Cheech Room

Lesley:

I had this on my WL and for some reason or another, kept selecting other books before it. At first, I thought it would lean towards controversial since you tackle two difficult subjects that are not usually placed in the mainstream. I was torn between feeling bad for Terry and cheering for her. Your tale resounds with a hint of possibility and although outside of my usual genre of "feel good / happy ending" stories, I found myself wanting to read more.

Kudos for tackling such a difficult subject and making it work.

Best of luck,

Candace Bowen Early (A Knight of Silence)

SCARY, SAD, well done.backed......Greg Ryan-UNDERCOVER MESSIAH

The pitch is insane!. In a good way. it got me here and got me into this. For a moment i was lost in the church and the make up but then I got it, the ex-wife incognito. You do a wonderful job with her voice. I could hear the misery that she had been through and you really set the hooks the whole way along, when she found out...fpound out what... when she ran away. Moving on to find out what Terry had suffered through, not only at the hands of ED but also her stepfather, you really do set the stepping stones for caring about Terry. She is a character I felt compassion for and that is a trait of a great writer. well done.
this is a sensitive subject but what I loved was that you sort of left God out of it. It isn't really a story about faith or religion...you don't tear apart those things but you focus on ED. And leave the reader disliking him not faith itself.
Some great work and an important subject.
Backed.
T.L Tyson-Seeking Eleanor

I am very impressed by this book. It is so easy, when writing about someone who is a pastor, or something similar, and who has behaved really badly, like Ed, to attack not only him but faith itself. You have managed to refrain from doing this. I think you have handled a very difficult subject with great sensitivity and skill, and I love your main characters, firstly Terry and William, then later Tamesha. In the early chapters you tell us only a little about Terry's traumatic past, both with Ed, and, you hint, with her step father. This is always an excellent way of arousing the readers' interest and making them keep turning the pages. It certainly worked for me. When you reveal more, later on, it is entirely believable and we feel Terry's hurt deeply. I also enjoyed your style. Your writing is often colourful. I could quote lots of striking descriptions, but for instance, you describe the place covered in 'white dust, like chalk on a teacher's hands at the end of the day.' How clear and visual, and how it brings us into the life of the teacher (Terry) describing it! I think this is an important book, which will be of help to many people, and I hope it does really well. Backed.
Gerry McCullough
Belfast Girls.

I'm always intrigued by characters, like Terry, who allow themselves to be walked on for years (decades) and then "finally" find the courage to escape. In truth, as viewers of Dr Phil will know, there is a dual dynamic going on in this type of situation, where the victim (Terry in this case) also receives a "payback"... a feeling of being "right"... superior... This is a fascinating read, and I am really enjoying it. I'm wondering will Terry ever reach self-awareness, or is it written with a ironic slant where we are aware of her foibles but she is not (as occurs in "Emma" by Jane Austen, where we can see Emma for what she is, but she does not have the same level of awareness). The dialogue and characterisation are perfect, as is the title. Love it.
Frank

This is definitely a brave topic to tackle, and one that will take a brave publisher to pick up. The story is engaging and believable (unfortunately!) and carries a strong message. As for your writing, it is good on the whole, but you might like to turn your attention to the length of some sentences. Maybe consider breaking them down a little to make them less of a mouthful.

Andrew

I love your comments - thanks. I would love to have a long conversation with you about some of them. I'll also check out your book. Lesley

Lesley
I read chapter one....and I WILL read more..... I have lots of questions.....

Could Terry and WIlliam really have such a lengthy conversation in church without everyone hissing and spitting and shooting warning glances at them to keep their voices down.

Would Terry sit down the front, although wanting to remain incognito....A discreet seat at the back would make more sense..... I reckon if I wore a pantomine horse my husband would still spot me.......

She left an abusive husband, and yet she seems very 'switched on and un affected' The gaul of her to be in the Church, (I mean in a brave way).....But I would have liked a couple of harrowing flashbacks, like page turning stuff.....This is your shop window, your opening.....And lets face it, she would have these harrowing flashbacks in reality, a kaladascope of pictures would be tumbling into her head....

She does not share a bed with the partner she wished she'd chosen from school.....I dont buy this....But I might, if you slip in something to back it up......But not 4 chapters down the line....I'll have forgotten by then.....

'typo'' anyone would believed.......'have' believed...

Fabulous storyline which I'm sure will bring a few howling wolves to your door.....Issues of religion and politics are always a potentioal tsunami......

Shelved.....I am enjoying the intrigue.

Lesley
I read chapter one....and I WILL read more..... I have lots of questions.....

Could Terry and WIlliam really have such a lengthy conversation in church without everyone hissing and spitting and shooting warning glances at them to keep their voices down.

Would Terry sit down the front, although wanting to remain incognito....A discreet seat at the back would make more sense..... I reckon if I wore a pantomine horse my husband would still spot me.......

She left an abusive husband, and yet she seems very 'switched on and un affected' The gaul of her to be in the Church, (I mean in a brave way).....But I would have liked a couple of harrowing flashbacks, like page turning stuff.....This is your shop window, your opening.....And lets face it, she would have these harrowing flashbacks in reality, a kaladascope of pictures would be tumbling into her head....

She does not share a bed with the partner she wished she'd chosen from school.....I dont buy this....But I might, if you slip in something to back it up......But not 4 chapters down the line....I'll have forgotten by then.....

'typo'' anyone would believed.......'have' believed...

Fabulous storyline which I'm sure will bring a few howling wolves to your door.....Issues of religion and politics are always a potentioal tsunami......

Shelved.....I am enjoying the intrigue.

Thanks, David. There are altogether too many women who fall into Terry's category - thanks for noticing. As for editing, but of course.... Unfortunately, the story must make too many readers uncomfortable - probably because they recognize someone they know in it because it keeps getting very positive comments and making no progress on the charts- and while it may not be more commercially appealing than the plethora of alien, paranormal, and other cliche-driven Harry Potter wanna-be's that I have read here, it does push past certain traditional boundaries in its own right. So, after more than a year of faithfully reading, commenting, backing, and otherwise participating in this site, I am a bit frustrated.

Hi Lesley :)

I have to love a book that tackles a controversial subject. I love the soap-opera comparison made to the abuse of women and question how high the numbers of suppressed pastors' wives reaches. Even in the movie "The Apostle" Farrah Fawcett played this similar character to DuVall's role as the pastor.

Of course, I see some areas where editing might be helpful (But aren't we all constantly working on our editing?) hehhee. Once in a while a sentence feels a bit long and encompasses several attached thoughts at once, which becomes a tad confusing for me as the reader. But I think you are onto something here and definitely am giving this a run on my shelf :) I love a strong story (especially one whose subject matter rings of hidden truths and might make some uncomfortable)!

David :)

Hi Lesley :)

I have to love a book that tackles a controversial subject. I love the soap-opera comparison made to the abuse of women and question how high the numbers of suppressed pastors' wives reaches. Even in the movie "The Apostle" Farrah Fawcett played this similar character to DuVall's role as the pastor.

Of course, I see some areas where editing might be helpful (But aren't we all constantly working on our editing?) hehhee. Once in a while a sentence feels a bit long and encompasses several attached thoughts at once, which becomes a tad confusing for me as the reader. But I think you are onto something here and definitely am giving this a run on my shelf :) I love a strong story (especially one whose subject matter rings of hidden truths and might make some uncomfortable)!

David :)

Thanks, Freddie! - I'm glad you enjoyed it and I note the suggestions - eventually I'll find an editor who wants to help get this thing into print and do the inevitable polishing

your premise is delightful, thre idea of the ex-wife disguisng herself as a "person of colour" to join services and review them for the national press is hilarious .

i know you have a serious point (or a lot of them) to make with this and i think doing so with touches of bizarre humour will make it all the more effective .

it is through searching for God that many are led to acts of desperation when they believe themselves to have failed .

"terry wondered, pamicking, if she had mixed up ed and god." - and trying to deal with each one honestly, as you put it . indeed. blacking her face and confronting him may not be the most obvious or sane course to take, but who are we (the readers) to judge . it may lead to a benevolent catharsis .

i think this needs some polishing in terms of making it focus more clearly on your teme(s) . especially important in the opening of your book .

wishing you well with this ambitious and difficult book .

freddie
("honour")

your premise is delightful, thre idea of the ex-wife disguisng herself as a "person of colour" to join services and review them for the national press is hilarious .

i know you have a serious point (or a lot of them) to make with this and i think doing so with touches of bizarre humour will make it all the more effective .

it is through searching for God that many are led to acts of desperation when they believe themselves to have failed .

"terry wondered, pamicking, if she had mixed up ed and god." - and trying to deal with each one honestly, as you put it . indeed. blacking her face and confronting him may not be the most obvious or sane course to take, but who are we (the readers) to judge . it may lead to a benevolent catharsis .

i think this needs some polishing in terms of making it focus more clearly on your teme(s) . especially important in the opening of your book .

wishing you well with this ambitious and difficult book .

freddie
("honour")

thanks so much. I appreciate each reader's comments because doesn't a story always connect to something inside each of us when it is actually compelling. L

Hi Lesley, I'm not an editor, so I comment as a reader only--hope that's ok.

Personally, I found your choice of topic extremely interesting. It's a window into a different world for me. That's always compelling. I think you shine brightest with your dialogue. To be honest, some of the narrative at the beginning was a bit cumbersome for me. But once your characters started to converse in earnest--well, there was no turning back. Clearly you have talent, voice and a good story to tell. What more can I ask for?
Shelved.
Shoshanna Einfeld
A True Faerie Story

Thanks a lot. I'm glad you could engage with the characters..

Great pitch, Lesley, and I really liked the way Pastor's Ex-Wife opens. Terry is a character we can easily empathise with and Ed's a real bastard. I loved the way she found another life and then returned just as Ed was preparing to attack what she was doing - for which of course he will now pay dearly. Backed with pleasure - Phil Rowan (Weimar Vibes)

Great pitch, Lesley, and I really liked the way Pastor's Ex-Wife opens. Terry is a character we can easily empathise with and Ed's a real bastard. I loved the way she found another life and then returned just as Ed was preparing to attack what she was doing - for which of course he will now pay dearly. Backed with pleasure - Phil Rowan (Weimar Vibes)

Thanks for the backing, Bob - you are certainly not the first to suggest I shorten sentences. When I do my next rewrite I will be grateful for all the feedback from authonomy readers. Lesley

Pastor's Ex-Wife is a compelling story told well through descriptive narrative. The story develops smoothly and kept my interest, and should do well. I'm happy to back this.
Please get the editor's pencil out and break up those reaaaally long sentences, though; they break up the flow something rotten!

Pastor's Ex-Wife is a compelling story told well through descriptive narrative. The story develops smoothly and kept my interest, and should do well. I'm happy to back this.
Please get the editor's pencil out and break up those reaaaally long sentences, though; they break up the flow something rotten!

Thanks, Simon! I hope you're right that people really care about the story because it is too true in spite of it being couched as fiction.

Great pitch Lesley and a real interesting story! You pace it well and create a story that people will really care about! I do and am gonna give it a spin on the shelf! I will then read on at my leisure! Good work!
Simon (BLACK SHADOWS)

Great pitch Lesley and a real interesting story! You pace it well and create a story that people will really care about! I do and am gonna give it a spin on the shelf! I will then read on at my leisure! Good work!
Simon (BLACK SHADOWS)

Thank you for your honest encouragement. I wonder how many people shy away from starting to read just because the subject is difficult.

Hi Lesley!

I read your pitch and felt like this storyline was going to be a tough one to tackle. Then as I read through the pages of your book, your easy to read style made following the story easy, enjoyable and effortless! You've got a natural delivery to your dialogue and delivery. This is really good stuff! I'm happy to back it!

Kim
Invisible Justice

We are going to have to come up with some better feminines, aren't we! Thank you ever so much.

Hi Lesley, this isn't my usual read, but you have a great MC, pitch and narrative style. Your descriptions and characters are vivid and detailed, and your story has a laid back, easy-going pace to it which works really well with this controversial subject matter, masterfully (sorry, can't think of an equivalent 'fem' word!) addressed. Shelved.

Hi Lesley!

I read your pitch and felt like this storyline was going to be a tough one to tackle. Then as I read through the pages of your book, your easy to read style made following the story easy, enjoyable and effortless! You've got a natural delivery to your dialogue and delivery. This is really good stuff! I'm happy to back it!

Kim
Invisible Justice

Hi Lesley, this isn't my usual read, but you have a great MC, pitch and narrative style. Your descriptions and characters are vivid and detailed, and your story has a laid back, easy-going pace to it which works really well with this controversial subject matter, masterfully (sorry, can't think of an equivalent 'fem' word!) addressed. Shelved.

Thanks for the support and the nit-pick as well. I'll revise it eventually.

I've read the first three chapters, Lesley. Terry is a brave and engaging protagonist. I felt for her at once, and admired the courage it must have taken for her to walk away from everything after years of being taught that her own wishes and needs were valueless. Ed's ego and narcissism shines off the page, all-to-convincingly. And William is an absolute sweetheart. Your minor characters, like Ed's "groupies", are well-drawn, too.

Your writing flows nicely, and you successfully interweave past and present. Just one nitpick, from the first chapter: I love the phrase "memory bullied her back", but I got a bit lost later in that sentence with "until three summers ago after their daughter, Ruth, graduated from High School, and until a few weeks after Peter's marriage... " I had to read it over twice to see what was meant.

Shelved.

Thank you so much - I hope it will serve to challenge, provoke, and confront the issues. Now to find a publisher who is willing to take such a risk.

Lesley
This is a rather risky work of great import and I applaud the way you handle the challenging and thought provoking subject matter. You’ve taken me on a real range of emotion and I can do nothing but offer you praise and my support. I send you much luck with this.
Shelved with my very best wishes
David
Green Ore

I've read the first three chapters, Lesley. Terry is a brave and engaging protagonist. I felt for her at once, and admired the courage it must have taken for her to walk away from everything after years of being taught that her own wishes and needs were valueless. Ed's ego and narcissism shines off the page, all-to-convincingly. And William is an absolute sweetheart. Your minor characters, like Ed's "groupies", are well-drawn, too.

Your writing flows nicely, and you successfully interweave past and present. Just one nitpick, from the first chapter: I love the phrase "memory bullied her back", but I got a bit lost later in that sentence with "until three summers ago after their daughter, Ruth, graduated from High School, and until a few weeks after Peter's marriage... " I had to read it over twice to see what was meant.

Shelved.

Lesley
This is a rather risky work of great import and I applaud the way you handle the challenging and thought provoking subject matter. You’ve taken me on a real range of emotion and I can do nothing but offer you praise and my support. I send you much luck with this.
Shelved with my very best wishes
David
Green Ore

Terry visits plenty of churches in this book. Thanks for the support. I'll get to yours in the next few days. L

Lesley,
Hey I've got a few churches I'd like to send Terry to. I feel sorry for old Ed and his Abundant Love Church when she gets through with him. This writing is very good, great dialogue, feeling and voice. And you have plenty of conflict from the beginning. This is a fun read and good luck with it.
Steve Ward
Test Pilot's Daughter: Revenge

Lesley,
Hey I've got a few churches I'd like to send Terry to. I feel sorry for old Ed and his Abundant Love Church when she gets through with him. This writing is very good, great dialogue, feeling and voice. And you have plenty of conflict from the beginning. This is a fun read and good luck with it.
Steve Ward
Test Pilot's Daughter: Revenge

Thank you for your very kind comment.

ON BEHALF OF PATRICK BARRETT - SHAKESPEARES CUTHBERT

Hi Lesley,
Your short pitch intrigued me, and so did the beginning of your book.
You paint a beautiful picture with words - I could see Ed's stole, his creased robe and the fat, beeswax candles, and the decription of the two churches is exquisite. You describe it all so clearly.
I liked the platonic relationship between Terry and William, I think it adds more depth to their friendship.
I have really enjoyed reading this so shall now go and back it. Thank you.

ON BEHALF OF PATRICK BARRETT - SHAKESPEARES CUTHBERT

Hi Lesley,
Your short pitch intrigued me, and so did the beginning of your book.
You paint a beautiful picture with words - I could see Ed's stole, his creased robe and the fat, beeswax candles, and the decription of the two churches is exquisite. You describe it all so clearly.
I liked the platonic relationship between Terry and William, I think it adds more depth to their friendship.
I have really enjoyed reading this so shall now go and back it. Thank you.