Stephen L. Carter is a respected professor of law at Yale University and an author of several fiction and non fiction books. When publishing the Church Builder he used the pseudonym A. L. Shields and after reading this novel I have a very good understanding of why he used a pseudonym. Mainly; the book is bad. Quite bad. ( )

The book requires a lot of willing disbelief. I got started reading Stephen Carter’s books after he spoke at my daughter’s graduation from Stanford in the mid 90’s. He has written some non fiction for popular consumption, then I discovered his fiction. It covers the gamut from contemporary fiction about black families to historical fiction involving a young woman’s affair with JFK, and a post civil war America where Abraham Lincoln isn’t assassinated. Then I discovered the Church Builder series he has written under a pseudonym.
I suspect he chose to write under a pseudonym because of the far out nature of the conspiracy theory that underlies the story. At first I found the story too outlandish to be interesting but I have gotten into the characters now.
The first book really doesn’t complete the dramatic arc. It’s as if the book was divided into two parts out of convenience rather then because they are truly free standing novels. I have just begun the second book and find myself more engaged. ( )

Fast-paced and interesting!

The Church builder creates a complex world of characters and brings them together in a dynamic way. The ending makes you want the next book right away but doesn't have such a cliff hanger as to be unsatisfying. A thrill a minute read. ( )

Had all the elements to be a good book -- secret organizations and a religious artifact being sought after by both sides. Really poorly written though. I could go on about how lacking the plot is in everybody seemingly knowing what the other side is doing; it's just magical that everybody has such perfect knowledge. The author also went to inordinate measures to make sure time and again that we're aware that his characters are black. The only redeeming quality was occasional religious reference. ( )

Title: The Church Builder
Author: A.L. Shields
Pages: 420
Year: 2013
Publisher: Zondervan
Bethany Barclay is a lone lawyer, practicing in a small town in Virginia. She has some family she sees fairly regularly and her mentor, a former judge, with whom she also stays in touch with regularly. Her best friend, Annabelle Seaver, is to put it nicely…flaky. Bethany really has no other social contacts. Annabelle enters her life sporadically on Annabelle’s time table, which is never predictable. Then Annabelle winds up dead. At first, Annabelle’s death is written off by authorities as an accident, but Bethany soon discovers that is not true. As Bethany returns home from Annabelle’s funeral, she faces a most unpleasant discovery. She is forced to join the nonpublicized battle of believers versus nonbelievers in God.
Bethany talks with her friend, Judge Harrigan, about Annabelle’s death. The judge, unbeknownst to Bethany, subtlety manipulates Bethany into retracing Annabelle’s steps before her death to discover what or why she might have known that could have caused her death. Bethany starts searching and becomes the target of two specific organizations, the Wilderness and the Garden, or are there others after her too? These people play for keeps and are not above using deception, manipulation, threats and for some even death. Bethany is also on the run from law enforcement as she is being framed for murder and terrorist acts. She must use all her wits to stay out of everyone’s grasp to find answers, but who can she really trust? There is so much more at stake that Bethany is unaware of, but begins to understand. She is strong, courageous, resourceful and tenacious.
This is a great suspense story with an intricate plot and curves thrown in that readers won’t see coming. The story begins slowly, but please keep reading because it is truly worth reading. After about the first third of the book, I couldn’t read fast enough. All thoughts of household chores were put on hold to continue this exciting adventure. I wouldn’t want the rest of this story to go untold. I liked how the Scriptures Bethany memorized as a child came to mind when she needed them most and comforted her. The ending of this book leaves off on a cliffhanger, so there has got to be a second book in the works. At least I sure hope so! I can’t wait for the next book!!
My rating is 5 stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )