Fantastic series.

This is a truly remarkable and engaging collection of works. Each installment in the series is filled with captivating storylines, richly developed characters, and imaginative worlds.

The authors have done an outstanding job of creating a universe that draws readers in and keeps them hooked from start to finish.

Whether it's a thrilling adventure, a heartwarming romance, or a thought-provoking mystery, the fantastic series has something for everyone.

The writing is top-notch, with vivid descriptions and seamless pacing that make it a joy to read.

Fans of the genre will no doubt be delighted by this amazing series, and it's sure to attract new readers as well.

So if you're looking for a great read, look no further than the fantastic series.

Stacy deserved better.

She had always been a kind and hardworking person, yet life seemed to constantly throw challenges her way.

No matter how much she tried, she always seemed to fall short of achieving her dreams.

Her relationships were also a source of pain, as she often found herself in situations where she was not truly loved or appreciated.

Despite all of this, Stacy remained optimistic and continued to believe that things would eventually get better.

She refused to give up on herself or her dreams, and she continued to work hard and strive for a better life.

However, it was clear that she needed a break, a chance to catch her breath and figure out what she really wanted out of life.

Perhaps with a little bit of luck and some much-needed support, Stacy would finally get the break she deserved and be able to achieve the happiness and success that she so richly deserved.

This book provided an extremely interesting and unique insight into a particular group of clergy.

At the center of the story is one individual who firmly believes that he has the power and ability to save everyone around him, despite the fact that his own marriage is crumbling and falling apart.

The narrative is presented through several different viewpoints, which enriches the reader's understanding and allows for a more comprehensive and thorough exploration of who this character truly is.

By seeing the events and his actions from multiple perspectives, we are able to gain a deeper and more nuanced understanding of his motives, his flaws, and his complex personality.

Overall, this book offers a captivating and thought-provoking look into the lives and minds of the clergy, and the challenges and contradictions that they face in their pursuit of spiritual and moral leadership.

The Wonder Worker series is an exciting spin-off from the Starbridge/Church of England series.

The first installment of this series is an excellent psycho-spiritual thriller that delves deep into real issues.

It takes readers on a captivating journey that explores the mysteries of the human psyche and the spiritual realm.

The story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, as you try to uncover the truth behind the strange events that are unfolding.

The characters are well-developed and complex, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Overall, the first book in the Wonder Worker series is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and those interested in exploring the intersection of the spiritual and the psychological.

Well, I finally took the plunge and did it.

I ordered this book on a whim, only to discover that I had actually read it 20 years ago!

Surprisingly, I still found myself enjoying it the second time around.

However, I had to put in some effort to recall what the cultural perspective was in the late 1980s regarding various aspects such as feminism, spirituality, the role of the church, the emerging field of spiritual healing, and many other things.

Nevertheless, I still derived pleasure from reading it.

The story was fast-paced and easily digestible, and the characters left a lasting impression even after I finished the book.

Although I'm not entirely certain if I'll read books 2 and 3 in the series now that I've remembered having read them all before.

Nonetheless, this experience has been an interesting one, reminding me of the power of books to transport us back in time and evoke memories and emotions.

It also makes me wonder how our perspectives and interpretations of a book can change over the years.

Perhaps it's worth re-reading some of our old favorites to see how they hold up and what new insights we can gain.

Overall, while this particular reading experience had its unexpected twists and turns, it was still a worthwhile one.

For various unrelated reasons, I re-read this in two halves, with a very different book being read in between.

This was probably a mistake, although it had to be so. Had I read it straight through, I might have enjoyed it more.

This time, I found the second half more difficult to read - despite racing through and thoroughly enjoying the first half. From 'Rosalind' on, there were chapters which I found quite tedious.

Susan Howatch becomes embedded in her discourse, her themes encircle each other and there is excessive detail - but a rushed ending. That said, I found it an engrossing read, and would not have abandoned it.

I'm giving it four-and-a-half stars this time around, deducting half a star for the above mentioned reasons. Will I read it again? I'm sure I will!

The experience of reading this book in two parts was an interesting one. The break in between with another book perhaps disrupted the flow and made it harder to fully engage with the second half. However, the first half was so captivating that it kept me hooked.

The author's writing style, while at times a bit overwhelming with the excessive detail and intertwined themes, still managed to draw me in. The rushed ending was a bit of a letdown, but overall, the book was a great read.

I would highly recommend it to others who enjoy well-written and engaging novels. Despite the few drawbacks, it is a book that I will definitely read again in the future.

I have been delving into the Starbridge series for the second time, and before re-reading Absolute Truths, the final installment of the original series, I picked up Wonder Worker. Wonder Worker is the first in an offshoot trilogy. It features Nicholas Darrow and Father Hall from the last two books of the Starbridge series, but it's set 20 years later.

Nick is now a pastor and healer in London. Just like in the rest of the Starbridge series, the clergy here have their own complex spiritual lives and face spiritual crises. This book is told from the perspectives of three narrators - Hall, Darrow, and Alice. Alice begins and ends the story, and all three are grappling with their own personal issues.

Howatch continues to astound me with the depth of her spiritual exploration. Perhaps it's because I have close relationships with many clergy members and hold an Mdiv myself that I have a stronger connection to these books than others might. However, I believe their themes are widely applicable. One recurring theme is that God uses imperfect people. God desires us to be whole, not broken. But being whole isn't a prerequisite for being used by God. There are no flawless characters in these books. And if you think there is, it's only because they haven't yet faced their own spiritual crisis (or had their own book written about them).

These books are not your typical, neatly packaged Christian fiction. They contain a significant amount of sex, drugs, strong language, and present real-life situations. Howatch is not a traditional 'Christian fiction' author, and these books are not published by a Christian publisher. In fact, they would likely never be published by one. But in my opinion, this is exactly what Christian fiction should be - a raw and honest portrayal of the human experience within a spiritual context.

This was the bumpiest of the trilogy for me.

There were times when I felt a bit lost and confused in the story.

However, despite these difficulties, I still found the overall concept compelling.

The idea behind the trilogy was so unique and interesting that it kept me engaged throughout.

Even though this particular installment had its flaws, I was able to look past them and appreciate the bigger picture.

I think that's a testament to the strength of the underlying concept.

It made me eager to see how the story would conclude in the final book.

Overall, while this wasn't my favorite of the trilogy, it still had enough to offer to keep me invested.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the author ties everything together in the end.

I truly enjoy a book that has the power to make me think deeply. It's not just about the words on the page, but the ideas and concepts that it presents.

When I pick up such a book, it's like embarking on a journey of discovery. I find myself getting lost in the story, analyzing the characters, and reflecting on the themes.

These types of books have the ability to expand my mind and challenge my perspectives. They make me question things that I previously took for granted and open my eyes to new possibilities.

Whether it's a work of fiction or non-fiction, a thought-provoking book can have a profound impact on my life. It can inspire me to take action, make changes, or simply view the world in a different light.

In a world where information is constantly bombarding us, it's important to find those books that can cut through the noise and make us think. They are like precious gems that we can cherish and return to again and again.

So, the next time you're looking for a good read, don't just settle for something that's entertaining. Look for a book that will make you think and leave a lasting impression on your mind.

A novel that is essentially divided into five parts.

What I found interesting was that the author chose to, so to speak, 'get into the heads' of the individual characters. This ploy might not have been as successful as it actually was. As it turned out, it provided a multi-faceted perspective of the events. We first heard from Alice, then from Lewis, Rosalind, and Nicholas (also known as Nick/Nicky), before coming back full-circle to a much changed Alice again.

It's a pity that although Stacy, a young priest, was featured throughout, we never got to hear directly from him. Despite being under-used, he was one of my favorites.

This is one of those novels where, if asked, you would have difficulty pinpointing exactly why you enjoyed it so much. Despite its many flaws.

The characters were so-so and arguably stereotypical. There was the overweight Alice with low self-esteem. Lewis was the elderly, borderline alcoholic priest with a penchant for the politically incorrect.

The over-use of certain catchphrases was also an issue. I lost count of how many times I read the words 'a woman of integrity' used to describe Alice's aunt and the words 'wonder worker' used by Rosalind. Both, depending on the publisher/book title (the novel was published as both A Question Of Integrity and The Wonder Worker), were of course key words in the title.

The turn of events was also rather bizarre. Set in a healing ministry, what could have been a novel about everyday ministry became a bit surreal as Nicholas came to the aid of a grieving Alice. As (hoping I don't give too much away here) one of the characters was declared, if not exactly possessed, 'heavy with a demonic infestation'.

Moreover, it was quite predictable. Aside from the above, I found myself several steps ahead of the events throughout, so there were no particularly big surprises.

Oddly enough, I thought A Question Of Integrity was a compelling read, and I found myself still reading well into the wee small hours.

Copyright: Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper

I just couldn't seem to finish the book.

I managed to get as far as starting the second part, but then I quickly realised that I was really struggling with it.

It just didn't hold my interest like I had hoped it would.

To be honest, it's just not my cup of tea.

I found the story to be a bit too complex and convoluted for my taste.

The characters didn't really speak to me either.

I tried to push through and give it a chance, but in the end, I had to admit defeat.

Maybe someone else would really enjoy this book, but for me, it was a bit of a disappointment.

I think I'll have to look for something else to read that suits my interests better.

A very interesting book indeed!

I was completely hooked from the very beginning.

I firmly believe that it was the unique and unusual setting that initially caught my attention.

Moreover, the characters in the book were so incredibly real, just as the comment below accurately states.

What truly amazed me was that I found the book to be quite uplifting, which is an extremely rare quality in modern fiction.

I would most definitely recommend this book to others without any hesitation.

In fact, I am now extremely interested in reading more of Susan Howatch's works.

I am eager to explore the other wonderful worlds and captivating stories that she has to offer.

I have a feeling that each of her books will be just as engaging and thought-provoking as this one.

I can't wait to embark on this new literary journey and discover more of her literary gems.