The Reluctant Prophet (The Reluctant Prophet, #1)

The Reluctant Prophet (The Reluctant Prophet #1)

4.33 of 5 stars 4.33  ·  rating details  ·  246 ratings  ·  66 reviews
At age forty-two, Allison Chamberlain is still making a half-hearted attempt to figure out what she wants to be when she grows up. Although she has been a pew-sitting member of a church for seven years, “prophet” has never been on the short list of possible careers.

Then one Sunday Allison senses a divine nudge to buy a Harley motorcycle and go wherever it takes her. Soon s...more
Paperback, 496 pages
Published October 1st 2010 by David C. Cook (first published 2010)
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Dorrice
I really enjoyed this book and bought the second one of the series as soon as I finished this one. Alison Chamberlain is a gal in her forties who has known the Lord for the past seven years. She is in what one would call a comfortable church, one whose members and pastor are happy with what they are doing for the Lord. Which isn't a whole lot actually but they think it all they need to be doing. One day Alison receives a nudge, which is actually the Lord speaking to her, to go buy a Harley. The...more
Sarah
I really enjoyed reading this book, it is a good story and leaves you with lots to think about. I am now looking forward to reading the sequel.

Allison is a Christian, attending church and with a good group of Christian friends. However, she has been praying for God to tell her what he wants her to do, never dreaming that he will tell her to "Buy a Harley"! As she follows God's "nudge" her whole life is turned around, through learning to ride the Harley she makes new friends and finds herself out...more
Pamela Aidan
While looking over catalogs for adding books to my library (public library of which I'm the director) I came across Nancy Rue's follow up to Reluctant Prophet. Since I hadn't heard of the original, I checked it out at the usual reviewing stops and decided to take a chance. I'm glad I did. Now this conclusion surprised me, for as a Christian I am extremely disappointed with what passes as "Christian fiction." Frankly, it's awful and the more there is of it out there, the worse it seems to be gett...more
Laura
Title: THE RELUCTANT PROPHET
Author: Nancy Rue
Publisher: David C. Cook
October 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4347-6496-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary

Allison Chamberlain is forty-two, but she’s semi-content in her life driving a horse-drawn carriage around the streets to entertain tourists. But that Sunday morning, everything changed. Allison is sitting in church paying only a tiny bit of attention to the minister when everything changed. God told her to get a Harley.

Allison was pretty sure she hadn’t heard...more
Christy Distler
BOOK SUMMARY:
Forty-two-year-old Allison Chamberlain has been a Christian for seven years, but is still trying to figure out what to do with her faith. She regularly attends church and participates in a close-knit small group, but feels a big void in her Christian walk. When she gets a "Nudge" from God, telling her to "go out and buy a Harley," she surprises herself as well as her church family by heeding that advice. This decision then takes her into places and and introduces her to people she...more
Angeline
This book was recommended to me and the summary didn't really catch my attention so I've held off reading it. Very glad I finally picked it up! It's a great story of wanting God's plan to be your plan, hearing that voice, and then actually following it! I can't wait to read the follow ups!
Annette
The Reluctant Prophet is book one in The Reluctant Prophet series.
Book two is Unexpected Dismounts, was published October 2011.
Book three is Too Far to Say Far Enough, release date October 2012.
I studied the reviews on Amazon, Christian Book, and Barnes and Nobles, and all three sites gave the book five or nearly five stars.
The Reluctant Prophet won best in Contemporary Series at the
Christy Awards in 2011.

Allison Chamberlain age 42 is a new Christian, unmarried, and an independent minded woman...more
Amber
Even if you are not a fan of Christian Fiction-this is an excellent read. Its the story of a woman named Allison who came to Christianity later in life, and after 7 years of wondering what she was going to do "when she grew up" got a "nudge" from God to do something she had never thought of-never dreamed of doing. Those "nudges" from God lead her to a calling that she never wanted and never expected. She followed the example of Jesus-much to the cringe of her pastor and fellow church members. Sh...more
Diane
What do you do when you get a "Nudge" from God? Do you even believe it is from God? What about the people around you?

How important is it to you to believe in Christ a "certain" way? If you believe in Christ, what does that mean down the road?

Excellent book. I had read Nancy Rue's books she wrote with Steve Arterburn (Healing Waters, Healing Sands, etc...) so I was interested in this one. She certainly didn't disappoint. My only gripe--and it was a small one--was that certain characters were rath...more
Tessa Eger
While The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue does not qualify as great literature, this is one of the best Christian books I've read.

Allison Chamberlain has been a Christian for a few years and the feeling has been getting strong in her that she needs to do something. What, she doesn’t know. Yet. Her small group at church has really helped her grow, but suddenly Allison wonders if that’s all there is. Her jobs are just time-killers, not really anything to put her heart into.

Then she feels a nudge....more
Cynthia Vogel
The Reluctant Prophet was yet another great read by author Nancy Rue who coauthored a three part series I'd read previously. The Reluctant Prophet cuts deep to the heart of what it is that makes a Christian worthy of their title. It challenges the Christianese that we tend to speak and pricks us to action rather than to complacent words. The main character moved by "nudges" from God, buys a Harley Davidson Motorcycle and then is propelled into a whole new world of characters who are a far cry fr...more
Andrea
It was a read that held my attention till the very end but I was #1 never convicned that Allison was a 'Prophet'. #2 That any of the third-tier characters were anything more than gross steriotypes. And #3 That anything wonderous came out of the story. Yes, good things happened and a few characters changed but all in all it was christian fiction and Nancy Rue was already preaching to the choir.

I'd love to see what she could do if she ever decided to sneak one over on regular fiction readers - I...more
Denise Dykstra
Feb 13, 2013 Denise Dykstra rated it 5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Denise by: Alicia
This book was recommended to me and I was warned it starts out slow.

It's a good thing she warned me of that otherwise I probably would not have kept with it.

But once you are into the book, it is enthralling.

I read the first Yada Yada book and this one is similar but not really. And while the Yada Yada books were good, I think this was much better. I just ordered it for my mom, who is a huge Yada Yada fan, to read. I am quite interested in her take on it.

I know it's just a story but the book su...more
Julie
I was expecting more predictable Christian fiction. You know the kind, where life is a happy "Christian bubble". This book was pretty freaking amazing. And out of the "comfort zone" of most. Drug Addicts, Harleys...What's not to love? I LOVE that this book takes Harley riders (notortiously anything BUT Christian fiction material) and makes them the heroes! I am recommending this book to anyone who is looking for fiction that speaks to your soul. It's about real life, real feelings and a real God...more
Linda
The Reluctant Prophet is a completely engrossing book, as each of Nancy Rue's books are. But beyond that, it is a convicting read as well, as Allison steps out of her comfort zone to follow God's leading in a whole new direction. And the conviction doesn't stop with Allison's actions. The reactions of the "Christians" in her life also hit a little too close to home, unfortunately. How often do we as believers try to temper others when they take bold steps in living out their faith? Even before i...more
Kim Buchanan
I found this one while working on a sermon on Jonah. Couldn’t resist the title! The book is published by David C. Cook, but I really liked it. Really liked it. Allison Chamberlain hears God “Nudge” her one Sunday in church to buy a Harley. As in Davidson. She does…and her life changes. She ends up setting up a home for former prostitutes, feeding the hungry, and becoming the guardian of a pre-teen. She breaks away from her church when she realizes all the pastor is concerned about is saving peop...more
Pj
I could not put this book down! Modern day strong willed woman looking for a way to really live out her faith. One day, nudge nudge and a "voice" tells her to buy a Harley. Instead of ignoring the voice, she follows it's leading and the results just keep getting her more involve and more willing to share with others how her relationship with Jesus feels.The story is set in present day St. Augustine, Fl where I had just vacationed. Ms. Rue story telling allowed me to return to Florida and I could...more
L
This was a true find at a library book sale...first time with this author and will seek out more for future reads. This one was about a woman who hears the call of God through the words "Buy a Harley"...when she keeps being "Nudged" she follows through and ultimately, finds her mission, love, and her real self. Really enjoyed the message of the book, and how it portrayed the difference in talking about Jesus and actually living for Him. Highly recommend this one, particularly if anyone you love...more
Amanda G. Stevens
Allison Chamberlain is a 40-something woman who's lived her Christianity behind stained glass. She's never had any interest in riding a Harley, certainly not in buying one, but one morning at church, she feels a divine "Nudge" to do exactly that. With no idea why God could possibly be asking this of her, Allison obeys. The purchase puts her on a road to meet new people. Her life changes, both instantly and slowly, as for the first time she is faced with the plight of "the least of these."

Ms. Rue...more
Christy
It was hard to know how to rate this. I wish I could give a two stars to the first half and a four stars to the second half. It was just so, so hard to get into. I didn't relate to the main character and honestly thought a few things about her were a bit inconsistant. And I'm not too intersted in motorcycles. I also struggled with all of the "cool talk", with phrases like "In my grill", etc. A few would've been fine but so many after awhile it seemed to be trying too hard and those kinds of phra...more
Clockstein Lockstein
The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy Rue is an inspiring story of learning to listen to God. Allison Chamberlain is settled into her life at forty-two as a horse-drawn carriage driver in St. Augustine, Florida. She attends church regularly, enjoys a good relationship with the members of her Bible study, and living alone, until she gets a very distinct message from God to buy a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. This begins a rapid change in her life as she continues to listen to "Nudges" from the Lord. She b...more
Pat
I really liked this book. Its about a girl who feels the "Nudge" to go and buy a motorcycle while sitting in church. Not know what it was at first the "Nudge" kept coming back to her. She finally figured out it was a God thing and did just that. It was an adventure that took her to the "bad" part of town and opening her house to "questionable" people. It was a really good story line and I kinda hated when it ended. She loved riding her motorcycle and being a motorcylist myself I knew her feeling...more
Kindal Granger
This book was one of the most amazing books that I have ever read, and I can't get my hands on the second book fast enough! The characters are amazing, the story is compelling, and all in all I COULD NOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN!!!!!!! Nancy rue is a genius, and this being the first book I've read from her, this is a very good first impression. Everybody in the world should be required to read this book. I HIGHLY recommend it and I hope y'all take my advice. This book rocks!:)
Traci
I really enjoyed the book. This was the first time reading this author and I can't wait to read the next book. The Reluctant Prophet brings to light the different views of how to show God's love. The main character takes a bold step in listening to what God has told her to do even though her church and small group of fellow believers think she is wrong. She keeps listening to the nudges from God as she processes what it is that God is asking her to do.
Sheri
Allison Chamberlain is a Christian who begins to hear God speaking to her about how to change her life and show others around her what it means to be a Jesus follower. Her journey takes her in many unorthodox ways that members of her church have begun to question. The book is a wonderful story of her struggles and her growth in faith.
Church should be a refuge for sinners, not a closed club for Christians. This book portrays this well.
Sherry Ledet
What would Jesus do is what Allison did. From a nudge in a church pew one Sunday morning a car was sold and a Harley was bought and a new life was begun. I can't tell you how pleased I was to learn there is a sequal to this book as the ending was surely not the end of Allison's story. If you ever wondered how to step out, or if you could step out of your comfort zone, this book is a must read.
Jan
I checked this out because it was a Christy award winner, but wasn't sure if it was my kind of book. I really enjoyed it. It's one of those books that cause you to think as you read the story. God nudges Allison out of her routine and she follows His lead which brings her into all kinds of new, as well as dangerous, situations. Good book!
Ann
This book is completely engrossing! I picked it up and couldn't put it down intil I was finished. The characters are so well developed I felt like they were people I know and love! It made me question where I am and whether I'd be willing to step out of my comfort zone when I get "The Nudge". A must read!
Victoria Bylin Bylin
I enjoyed every page of "The Reluctant Prophet." The characters all tugged at my heart. The action kept me turning the pages. The writing itself is both simple and elegant. Best of all, it made me think about Nudges, hard choices and taking things one ride at a time. Loved it! Am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Gina
I highly recommend this book to everyone, from all walks of life. It is an honest look at how Christians tend to find themselves in a safezone. This is about breaking out of that zone and following the Nudges given to us by our Heavenly Father.
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The Reluctant Prophet: A Novel (Kindle Edition)
The Reluctant Prophet: A Novel (Audio CD)
The Reluctant Prophet: A Novel (Audio)
The Reluctant Prophet (Library Edition): A Novel
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Nancy Rue is the author of over 100 books for adults and teens, including the Christy Award-winning The Reluctant Prophet, Unexpected Dismounts and Healing Waters (with Steve Arterburn), which was the 2009 Women of Faith Novel of the Year. She travels extensively—at times on the back of a Harley—speaking to and teaching groups of women of all ages. Nancy lives on a lake in Tennessee with her Harle...more
More about Nancy Rue...
Healing Stones (Sullivan Crisp Series, #1) Healing Waters (Sullivan Crisp Series, #2) Boyfriends, Burritos & an Ocean of Trouble (Real Life, #2) Healing Sands Here's Lily! (Young Women of Faith: Lily Series, #1)

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