My Soul Cries Out

by Sherri L. Lewis

Book Overview

Includes reader's group guide (p. [383]-386). This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1893196976
• ISBN13: 9781893196971
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Urban Books
• Length: 386 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A Test of Faith

Monica Harris-Day is a devout Christian woman who has been married to Kevin, the love of her life, for two years. She has a rspectable career as a registered nurse and enjoys teaching Sunday school at Love and Faith Christian Center, her place of worship. Life is grand and the future looks bright until Monica finds Kevin in bed with another man. Shocked, angry, disillusioned, and confused Monica decides to seek guidance from her pastor and Kevin's long-time mentor, Bishop Walker. If anyone, surely he would be able to provide advice that could help the coule begin to heal their broken relationship. Monica's expectations of Bishop Walker prove to be a bit extreme to say the least. It appears Bishop Walker has an ulterior motive in keeping the pair together. There are many theories for his suspicious handling of the shocking news. At the top of the list is the fear of a scandal for the high-profile church and Kevin's upcoming gospel album with the church choir. But this novel is more than merely a tale of drama in the church. It addresses topics such as faith in religion, homosexuality & Christianity, the effects of childhood molestation, self healing, and forgiveness. Author Sherri Lewis incorporates these issues into a well-written, realistic, and recommendable novel. The sub-plots are engaging and readers are given a bird's eye view of Monica's struggle to maintain intimacy with God during a very turbulent period. I find this to be an excellent book for a group discussion and the enclosed reading guide adds even more for readers to consider. Kudos to you Ms. Lewis! Englishruler ARC Book Club Inc. Star Rating: 5 Stars

A story that makes you go, "hmm."

Sherri L. Lewis did a fantastic job of highlighting a controversial issue--the Christian response to homosexuality--with a liberal dose of humor and realism. My Soul Cries Out makes you examine your beliefs in God's redemptive and delivering power. Do Christians really believe that God is powerful enough to deliver a person from homosexuality and give them a new life? Do Christians really extend God's love and acceptance to individuals who leave that lifestyle and become born-again believers? Is homosexuality a worse sin than any other sin--lying, stealing, pre-marital sex, etc? Christians tend to put on their God-hat and put weights on sin. The novel addresses this with one powerful statement: Sin is sin. The hero (Kevin) and heroine (Monica) are well developed, and you empathized with their pain and struggle. One other character stood out for me, Trina. Trina, Monica's best friend, had faced her own struggles with sin. Her struggle and eventual deliverance made her an empathetic and accepting Christian. This was another little nugget in My Soul Cries Out: Temper your judgments of others with total recall of where God brought you from. My Soul Cries Out is edgy, funny, and REAL. It's not a story you'll soon forget.

Freshman Novel Reads Like a Senior Work

All I can say is "Wow" and watch out for Sherri Lewis! What an awesome book. You know you've read a powerful story when the author can get you to change your thinking about something you so strongly held a position about. Sherri showed us the human being behind the pain and I appreciate her for helping me grow as a Christian about a very touchy subject in the church. I can't wait to see more by this very talented new addition to Christian Fiction.

An awesome story with true character and depth!

My Soul Cries Out is a powerful redemption story about Monica and Kevin that on more than one occasion moved me to tears. I loved how the author wasn't afraid to tell it like it is when it came to internal thoughts, especially the skank ho references to certain women. Hilarious! The author masterfully wrote about Monica's rage the way it might really happen and didn't soften the issues for fear of offending the reader. This is real life trauma and heartache! Monica was a very flawed character but the author did such a fantastic job of growing her in her relationship with the Lord and with others that I couldn't help but love her. I just can't say enough good things about this book. Kevin's characterization was so well done that I can honestly say I haven't read any novel highlighting the pain that comes from childhood abuse that was better at showing it than this one. And I've read a lot of them. You can't help but have compassion on Kevin when he reveals his struggles and you see how even the church had betrayed him by not protecting him. The way Kevin and Monica's relationship developed throughout the story is proof that God can use anything--even the most horrible sin or mistake--to make us more like Him. In addition to the main story, there were several subplots regarding redemption that were both believable and moving. The story of Alaysia's quest for peace and redemption was perfectly done and complimented the main theme of My Soul Cries Out. True-to-life, the comments made by an unbeliever can often be used to turn the struggling Christian's life around. Oh, and the ending gave me the happy shivers. I SO loved this story and can't wait to read the next book from this author, who is even more beautiful than the model on the cover.