A couple of years ago, I came across Deb Brammer’s books and had the opportunity to read and review the first two books in her New Beginnings series, about Americans and Kiwis working together in ministry. Partly because we are Americans working and living in New Zealand and I could totally relate to the challenges the Americans faced as they came to this country, and partly because of the storylines, I enjoyed the books. So, when Deb asked for readers for her newest book, Pop in for a Cuppa, I didn’t hesitate to sign up.
Publisher’s description:
In six months, Jennifer goes from being a single-but-happy widow to become a pastor’s wife in a mission church in New Zealand. Church people have filled in the gaps and Jennifer must figure out what her role will be.
Piety vowed lifelong commitment to Gloriavale, a secretive community cult, but now her family is fracturing. Her husband, Elisha, has escaped with two of her sons, leaving her with her other five children. The leaders must never be questioned, but when they make one demand too many, Piety risks the peril of her soul to escape from the community to re-unite her family.
Straight-talking Ngaire tests the new pastor’s wife with unreasonable expectations, daring her to fail. The church people seem nice, but will they still care about her if she makes choices they can’t accept?
No two women could be less alike than Piety and Ngaire, but Jennifer draws them together in a strange friendship. As she works to help them grow in Christ, will she harm their most vulnerable new converts?
My thoughts:
While I was reading Pop in for a Cuppa I was finally able to put into words what draws me in to a book the most. I already knew I didn’t like to read very many mysteries or thrillers, and romance really isn’t my thing, either. I have finally, after a lifetime of reading and ten years of reviewing books, been able to articulate what I most enjoy in fiction: Internal conflict. I love reading books in which the main character has a problem she/he needs to work through and decide what is right and what is wrong, and make a decision for her/his life to do what is right or what is wrong. Pop in for a Cuppa has three main characters, and all three have that kind of conflict! So, I really enjoyed this book.
Jennifer and Ngaire felt very real to me. Their characters were quite well developed and their struggles were relateable. As far as the struggles Piety faced in leaving Gloriavale and trying to fit in to the outside world, they are real, too. I personally know a number of people who have left that cult, which is based very close to us. Some of the details about Gloriavale are not the way it really is there, but only those who have had personal experience will pick up those; the main storyline is quite believable.
I could identify with Jennifer’s struggles. It is hard, as an American, to know your place in this culture, and how to encourage Kiwis without offending them! Pop in for a Cuppa should be read by any woman moving from America to New Zealand to do ministry. I read several paragraphs of the book to my husband, in the scene in which Jennifer’s husband is describing ministry in New Zealand. We could very well relate to what he said.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
Purchase your copy here.
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