Potter Springs

By Britta Coleman

Book Overview

A poignantly rendered debut novel that follows the Texas-sized loves and losses of star-crossed newlyweds, forced by the consequences of their passion to leave upscale Houston for a small town in the panhandle. Young minister Mark Reynolds has every reason to be optimistic: he'll likely be promoted to senior minister at the largest Baptist church in Houston, and he's deeply in love with his fiancee-the lovely, independant Amanda. But his dreams and reputation are shattered when he learns that Amanda is pregnant-and things become infinitely worse when he loses his job and she loses their baby. The young couple migrates toa small town in hopes of starting anew, but the shadow of their lost child settles in Amanda's soul, and she grows reclusive towards the husband she still loves. Though determined to return home after an extended family visit, a wrong turn into Mexico leaves Amanda uncertain of her next move. A desperate search and an unlikely reunion finds the couple re-examining the life they've known and forging a new understanding of the future that stands before them.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446577782
• ISBN13: 9780446577786
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Center Street
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.1" x 5.9"

Customer Reviews

Grace abounds in Potter Springs

Britta Coleman's award-winning debut novel presents a love story filled with broken characters searching for a second chance, searching for grace. Set mainly in small-town Texas, the novel's main characters convey their desires to be known, rescued, and loved with such authenticity that they reach out to the reader in a subtle, endearing, "we could be friends" kind of way. Great characters aren't accidents; they come to life through great writing. And here, the writing is superb. The words pour eloquently off the pages straight into the reader's heart. In writing this novel, Britta did not leave her deeply grounded faith at the door; instead, it is obvious on every page. The message of grace resounds, and thankfully, it resounds to a larger audience because Britta sought to publish Potter Springs with its redeeming message in the mainstream marketplace. Thus, this enjoyable page-turner will have you believing that "being lost is a good way to start getting found."

A fresh and vivid story from a new novelist

In the opening chapter of POTTER SPRINGS, Mark Reynolds has all the trappings of success. As the young associate pastor of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Houston, Texas with a megachurch congregation, Mark is the designated successor. The senior pastor, James Montclair, glows with praise when he talks with Mark. Yet in the early pages of the book, Mark meets Amanda Thompson and falls in love. The couple has a lot of passion in their relationship, and Amanda learns she is pregnant. As a Christian in ministry, Mark knows he's thrown a bit and they need to get married --- but he has no idea how much. As James said to his associate, "It's not what I expected of you. At all." The anger rose in degrees. Mark took it like a tackle, impassive. "I'll have to talk to the board," James flipped open his calendar. "Would you?" Hope descended like the dove in the painting, breaking through the clouds of gray with specks of holy light. Mark spoke in a rush. "I'll go before them, tell them what happened, and that we're getting married. Before the church if I have to, like a testimony, tell them how even people in leadership, in the church, can make mistakes and that we're not perfect, just forgiven-" "Mark," James said, gentle and sad, "It's over." "Over?" The specks disappeared, the shadows covered the flight, as if it never happened. Turning what had been hope to an overwhelming gray. "We have to let you go. Surely you can see that. Being on staff here --- doing what you've been doing --- we can't keep you on." Mark comes face to face with the stark reality about some of the unspoken rules of the modern-day church. The senior pastor may talk about forgiveness from the pulpit. Yet how is this forgiveness practically administered when someone on the church staff falls into sexual sin --- even if they are going to get married? Mark is forced to immediately resign. After the sudden loss of his job, Mark considers a career change and staying in Houston, which would be near both of their families. Yet this choice doesn't match Mark's training and long-term life plans. When James Montclair gives Mark a lead on a possible job in the Texas Panhandle, he follows the opportunity. A former football coach turned pastor, Ervin Plumley needs an associate pastor at Lakeview Community Church in Potter Springs, Texas. Plumley offers Mark the job, so the young couple moves away from their families to make a new life and serve this small congregation. Through many twists and turns, they learn to deal with failure and find their place of service in the world. Ultimately the amount of life changes becomes overwhelming for Amanda. She takes matters into her own hands and flees to Mexico in search of her own identity and soul. Mark chases after her and together they learn valuable lessons about the reality of faith in life. For a first novel, Britta Coleman writes with gritty realism and characters facing true drama. For example, Mark faces his feelings of the sexual t

More than just a beautiful love story

Britta Coleman's book is a wonderful story of grace and redemption. She masterfully portrays the healing power often found in the most unlikely places and faces. I had a hard time putting this one down! What a terrific debut you've made Britta! This book paints the picture of the love and acceptance that God desires to see in all of us.

You know these people.

An enjoyable read. Like going to see old friends. Coleman gives us characters that we all know. She gives us a story that feels real, like we've already lived it, yet it still teaches us things about ourselves we did not know. The writing and pace is smooth and fluid. A recommneded read for all who love a good story.

Loved it

I found myself bing drawn into the characters and their lives as I read this book. I thought it was a true to life love story that could be any one of us. I hope Britta Coleman has a new book out soon because I definitely enjoy her writing style! Keep the books coming.