Book Review: Televenge by Pamela King Cable

Synopsis:

Televenge       

by Pamela King Cable
     

Andie Oliver is a faithful woman--to God, to her handsome husband Joe, and to televangelist Reverend Calvin Artury, a Godfather in a Mafia of holy men.

Raised in the 1970s to be subservient and submissive in the tradition of the Bible-belt South, she becomes a prisoner of that tradition. As a reluctant member of Artury's evangelical megachurch, the House of Praise in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Andie's dream of children, home, and marriage falls apart when Joe is hired by the ministry team. Joe had been a gentle lover, a kind man, and a hard-working and faithful husband. Only lately had Andie felt him turn his attention more to church than her.

Vivid and tragic, Televenge exposes chaos in the megachurch, and embraces those who discover their destiny in unconditional love in a world fraught with fear and intimidation. With more twists and turns than the Blue Ridge Parkway, Televenge takes you from the Piedmont South to the Hawaiian Islands, to Nigeria, Africa, and back to the high country of North Carolina.

Review:

Televenge is a full course meal of a novel.  For readers who like to sink their teeth into a hearty plot and vivid characters, the plight of Andie Oliver’s personal struggle for love against a corrupt televangelist will keep you turning page after page. 

As a slower reader who fully imagines each and every scene, I tend to shy away from longer works, especially those that dwell in the darker side of humanity.  That said, I am so glad I kept with it and was able to feel the immense satisfaction of experiencing the unexpected plot twists as Andie, the main character, is finally able to come into the light. 

Pamela King Cable artfully evolves and matures the character of Andie in a true-to-life manner.  There were times in this novel when I wanted to yell, “Wake up!” to the younger version of Andie.  And then, once she gave birth to boy and girl twins (I have my own set of boy and girl twins), I worried over Andie and her children hoping our author wouldn’t allow too much of the dark forces in this novel to overtake them.  Plus, I very much enjoyed how an otherworldly spiritual aspect was weaved naturally throughout the novel guiding and supporting Andie in her journey. The conclusion brought tears to my eyes due to, no doubt, by the emotional stake I had invested through the many hours I spent reading and wondering if Andie would survive her plight. 

Televenge provides much food for discussion on several topics, the popularity of televangelism in America, the idea of unconditional love and the possibility of redemption in a person’s life no matter how bleak the current outlook.  If a book leaves me thinking about it long after I've finished reading it, then the author has done her job well.  As for Televenge, Pamela King Cable has crafted a story that I won't soon forget.

About the Author:

Pamela King Cable was born a coal miner's granddaughter and raised by a tribe of wild Pentecostals and storytellers. She is an award-winning, multi-published author who loves to write about religion and spirituality with paranormal twists she unearths from her family's history. Married to a megachurch ministry team member as a young adult, she attended years of megachurch services. Pamela studied creative writing at The University of Akron and Kent State University. She has taught at many writing conferences, and speaks to book clubs, women's groups, national and local civic organizations, and at churches across the country. Nearly a decade in the writing, Televenge is her debut novel. She lives in Ohio with her husband, Michael, and is currently working on her next novel.  

   

Connect with Pam online: 

Author's website: http://www.pamelakingcable.com/

Blog: http://www.southernfriedwoman.blogspot.com/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2935883.Pamela_King_Cable 

Welcome Sonia Korn-Grimani and a Guest Post On the Power of Determination and Positive Thinking

Welcome Sonia Korn-Grimani

  

Please enjoy today’s guest post by author and singer, Sonia Korn-Grimani.  Prepare to be inspired and encouraged!

On the Power of Determination and Positive thinking

For the creative person who wants to do great things, for anyone with goals and dreams, accomplishing your goals can often seem like an uphill battle, and it is. I wanted to share some simple practices of cultivating positive thoughts that will help you in your noble struggle. These things I have learned over time and through life experience, and they have helped me get through the toughest times.

I don’t profess to be a guru of positive thinking; I frequently fall victim to bouts of depression and anxiety, as do so many wonderfully creative people I know. But when I see myself falling into a pessimistic rut, I think of a long-term goal; and even though it may seem futile at that moment, I focus on the next small step towards it. That is always something I can do, even if it is small thing, a menial task even, and working on it gets me out of my rut. It has been said that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Well, take the step, even if it is a baby step. Then take another. It will help you get back on track. It’s a simple idea—perhaps so simple that it shouldn’t even need be said—but you can only achieve what you set out to do. And you need to think “yes I can” to start.

When you set out to do great things, accept that you’re going to have setbacks. It’s guaranteed! But the key is to not let the setbacks deter you! I’ve never been one to give up easily—a trait I learned from my mother, who never gave up, and in doing so, saved the lives of so many…But when you hit a setback, focus on the good that is happening around you to help put things in perspective. You may have worked yourself into a dead end, lost something important, faced rejection, have to completely change direction or start all over…but instead on concentrating on what is going wrong, focus on something that is going right. Concentrate on that. Feel solace in that small nugget of positive thought, of beauty, of love. Do not become stuck in criticism! Acknowledge the missteps and learn from them, and discover new paths to move forward on.

And what about when we face problems beyond our control? This is perhaps the most overwhelming challenge for me when I am trying move forward and stay positive. It is important to have hope, and perhaps this is the most important message I wish to convey here, and in my writing and in my music. I am not saying to simply shrug your worries off with “it will get better”—that is not positive thinking—that is “positive” without the “thinking!” But it can be helpful to start with those words of encouragement, even if you don’t believe it at first. When you have the faith that you will be out of your predicament, use all your faculties to find your way. Within each of us, we all have the power to do great things, to overcome the most formidable of obstacles! Believe in that, and in yourself, and the rest will come in time.

 

  

More About Today’s Guest Post Writer, Sonia Korn-Grimani:

Sonia was born in Wuppertal, Germany in 1931, as Hitler began his rise to power and the world became increasingly horrific. Being from a Jewish family, Sonia, who at the time was seven years of age, was declared an enemy of the state.

In postwar world, the few survivors of Sonia's family were refused citizenship status, and told that they must leave the country. Sonia immigrated to Australia where she worked in radio, television, and in film, making full use of both her linguistic and her musical talents. She organized interpreting and translating services for the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, began to travel the world, translating for the United Nations in the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Sonia’s television and radio programs made her a sensation, and by the 1960s, she was called upon by the Queen of Malaysia to tutor her in French. While French tutor to the Queen of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur, Sonia continued to appear regularly on television and radio, singing, edifying viewers on classical music and speaking on women’s rights.

Sonia Korn-Grimani earned her doctorate in French literature and the teaching of foreign languages, and directed a multi-cultural language program at UNESCO. With her husband John, and their children Anthony and Renee, Sonia traveled and lived all over the world. She taught foreign languages at the university level, and performed frequently to the delight of audiences worldwide. In her album Cantos al Amor, Sonia sings in 16 languages.

In 1989, Dr. Korn-Grimani was knighted Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, and in 1996 she was decorated Officier des Palmes Académiques. These decorations were awarded in recognition of her lifelong dedication to and promotion of French culture and language.

Sonia continues to sing regularly at UNESCO events in France, and is also frequently invited to share her Holocaust experiences as a guest speaker in high schools, universities, synagogues and churches. 

Author’s Websites: http://soniassong.claygrouse.com/

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Thank you, Sonia, for a truly inspiring post.  Your attitude towards positive thinking is one I hope to adopt and make a part of my everyday.  Sometimes it is difficult to stay positive when chasing dreams, especially if you dream big.  I will return to this post whenever I need a lift in spirit!

And speaking of positive thinking, I invite you to check out my novels:

Secrets, Lies and Apple Pies

available for KINDLE and NOOK

&

 Going Barefoot in Greener Grass
Also, available for KINDLE and NOOK

Thank you!

Mass Blogging Event: Finding the Music in Life

Today’s post is in participation with Women On Writing’s mass-blogging event, Everybody is Talking About Finding the Music in Life. We are celebrating the release of Sonia’s Song by Sonia Korn-Grimani. To read Sonia’s post and follow our symphony of participating bloggers visit The Muffin at http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/. Share your comments on any participating blog for a chance to win a copy of Sonia’s Song!

(If you follow the link above you will learn about the amazing life story of Sonia Korn-Grimani who found strength and resilience through her musical talents to overcome heart-breaking circumstances resulting from the outbreak of World War II in her home of Germany and Belgium.  Next week Sonia will guest post here on the Power of Determination and Positive Thinking.)

Fortunately, my life has never known such difficulties.  For obvious reasons, that’s a good thing - especially since my musical talents are in short supply.  I did learn to play the flute in Elementary School and my claim to fame was being able to string a few notes together that sounded like the theme to the original Star Wars movies.  I once held a “concert” out my bedroom window when I lived in Orchard Court.  A couple of kids I didn’t know parked their bikes to stop and listen.  After repeating the same notes over and over again, I ran out of breath and the kids gave up on anything more.  These days, I can spin CDs quite well in my two decades old “boom box” and, on occasion, pop in an old cassette mix-tape.   

I happened upon an infomercial the other night when I should have been sleeping called the Music of Your Life.  For six payments of $24.95 plus shipping and handling you could own a crate of CDs that “will take you back”.  Though listening to the ten second snippets of songs was enjoyable, it didn’t take me back since I didn’t exist when most of these songs were popular.  And then, I thought, what would take me back?  I set out to “find the music in life”.  (Yes, I do realize the mass blogging event topic didn’t need to be taken literally – but what fun is that?)

Quiz time!  See if you can finish the following lyrics from songs of my youth from the late 80’s/early 90’s (I wish I could watch this infomercial):

1. So your girlfriend rolls a Honda, playin' workout tapes by Fonda
   But Fonda ain't got a motor in the back of her Honda
   My anaconda don't want none …
2. Ring the bell school's back in break it down
   (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh) (x4)
   Stop …
3. She's dressed in yellow, she says "Hello,
   come sit next to me you fine fellow."
   You run over there without a second to lose
   And what comes next hey …
4. If there was a problem
   Yo, I'll solve it
   Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it …
5. Brass Monkey …
6. I-pulled- up to a house about seven or eight
   I yelled to the cabbie Yo home, smell you later
   looked at my kingdom I was finally there
   to sit on my throne as …
7. Now all the ladies in the place
   If you got real hair, real fingernails
   If you got a job, you going to school
   And y'all need nobody to help you handle your business…
8. She says we've got to hold on to what we've got
   Cause it doesn't make a difference
   If we make it or not
   We've got each other and that's a lot
   For love –
9. And the Funky Bunch helps me
   To bring you a show with no intoxication
   Come on feel …
10. I came to get down.  I came to get down.  So, get out of your seats and …

Answers:

1. Unless you've got buns, hun (Baby’s Got Back, Sir Mix-A-Lot)
2. Hammer time (M. C. Hammer)
3. bust a move (Young MC)
4. Ice ice baby (Vanilla Ice – who I heard is trying to make a come back!)
5. that funky Monkey (Beastie Boys)
6.  the prince of bel-air  (Will Smith)
7. Make some noise (Let Me Clear My Throat, DJ Kool)
8. well give it a shot  (Living on a Prayer, Bon Jovi)

9. the vibration (Good Vibrations, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch)
10.  jump around (House of Pain)

How did you do? 

Well, I found the music from one part of my life.  Here's a few notable mentions:

"We Are Family" that happened to come on the radio as we pulled into our driveway for the first time as a family of five the day we brought our twins home from the hospital.

"At Last" by request in honor of my brother and sister-in-law's wedding!

"Brown-Eyed Girl" by request for my favorite brown-eyed friend.

"You Decorated My Life" by Kenny Rogers - stop laughing, it was my wedding song.

"Friends in Low Places" because other than hip-hop, I did listen to a good bit of Garth Brooks.

"Margarita-ville" because I'd like to go there now.  Really insert any Jimmy Buffet song here.

"Three Little Birds" because it reminds me not to worry.

I'm still taking song requests... Comment here! 

Fest versus Rest

Aud-toberfest   It’s no secret that I love the month of October.  Is it because it’s the month of everything “fest”?  That it’s the season of fall foliage, hayrides, cider and pumpkins?  That my birthday is smack in the middle of the month?  Yes, yes & yes!

NyQuil you are a friend of mine.   I joyfully flipped the calendar from September into October and started sneezing … and sneezing and sneezing.  At first, I lived in denial believing that it was only allergies and that it would pass. I’m planning on doing some “research” this weekend – Achoo!  Maybe.

Oktoberfest and Research for Novel #2 (wink, wink)  Is it a coincidence or a positive sign from the universe?  It just so happens that this weekend when I have a chance to attend a local Oktoberfest that I have arrived at the part in my outline which dictates that the characters in Secret, Lies and Apple Pies will be attending one drama-filled Oktoberfest celebration!   

A Pity-Party Fest is not the Best.  I’ve already lowered my expectations substantially this year with the onset of this cold - yes I said cold.  This year, my birthday is on a boring Monday.  Last year, my birthday landed auspiciously on a Saturday.  I was full of eager anticipation.  And it came to be a great day for getting out and doing something fun.  A lot of people close to me took advantage of that glorious autumn day, too … except not necessarily with me or because it was my birthday.  In the end, I made my husband begrudgingly drive me and our children up to Jim Thorpe, PA for their “fest” and wound up sitting in traffic for over two hours.  After that, I was pretty much over my birthday being on a Saturday as my high expectations burned and crashed.  Plus, let’s not forget how last year’s October ended in a freak snowstorm that knocked out power for nearly a week around here. 

Fest versus Rest.  Low expectations in place for this month: check.  Beer Stein filled with NyQuil: check.  Outlook for October 2012:



Will it be "fest"?



Or will it be rest?



I’ll let you know in November.