What do you think?
Rate this book
Sister Betty #3
No Ordinary Noel
Christmas-a time of giving. But how about receiving? In Pat G'Orge-Walker's hilarious new novel, a small-town congregation will need every miracle in the Book to rediscover the real reason for the season . . .Even feisty prayer warrior Sister Betty has never seen the kind of trouble brewing at Crossing Over Sanctuary church. The financially-struggling members have until Christmas day to pay off millions in debt to The Cheater Brothers' Piece of Savings Bank. And Reverend Leotis Tom refuses to accept any of trustee Freddie Noel's sinful mega-lottery winnings. Instead, he hopes bickering church mothers Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn's money-raising schemes will provide heaven-sent rewards-while he renegotiates with God.
The only way Sister Betty can help Freddie save his beloved church is to open the reverend's eyes to his congregation's history of wildly unholy-but profitable-secrets. . .and stay two steps ahead of the mothers' "Geriatric Mafia." Between scandal and near-disaster, Sister Betty will need all her faith to prove that blessings in disguise are blessings nonetheless. . .
"Hilarious faith-based romp ... Walker shines a little light on a wacky family reunion with her usual inspirational, knee-slapping style." -"Publishers Weekly "on "Don't Blame the Devil"
"A comic novel about mistakes and second chances." --"Library Journal "on "Don't Blame the Devil"
The only way Sister Betty can help Freddie save his beloved church is to open the reverend's eyes to his congregation's history of wildly unholy-but profitable-secrets. . .and stay two steps ahead of the mothers' "Geriatric Mafia." Between scandal and near-disaster, Sister Betty will need all her faith to prove that blessings in disguise are blessings nonetheless. . .
"Hilarious faith-based romp ... Walker shines a little light on a wacky family reunion with her usual inspirational, knee-slapping style." -"Publishers Weekly "on "Don't Blame the Devil"
"A comic novel about mistakes and second chances." --"Library Journal "on "Don't Blame the Devil"
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2011
6 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
November 19, 2011
When you go to church you are looking to be spiritually fed but when you step into Crossing Over Santuary Temple you better be armed with the FULL armor of GOD to deal with this cast of characters!
Reverend Leotis Tom is the fearless leader of this bunch and it is hard enough to struggle with the likes of Mother Sasha Pray Onn, Mother Bea Blister and Trustee Freddie Noel but then to also have to deal with the Cheater Brothers who are trying to take over the mortgage of their new property The Promised Land they are fighting to keep! Reverend Tom is trying his hardest to live right and encourage his members to do the same but when you have stubborn elderly members who are set in their way and feel that their way is the best way, you have your plate overfilled!!!!!! Good luck Reverend Tom and the rest of the world!!!!
Walker has captured the very essence of what the sterotypical black church is and I am looking hard for that chuch because I am looking for a knee-slapping good time! Walker's descriptions of the characters make you feel like you are right there with them involved with the conversation, controversary or just a fly on the wall but you fully understand what it is all about. You have laughter, understanding and will just learn a scripture or two in the process. I absolutely love Pat G'Orge Walker and her writings and I look forward to many many more books from her.
GREAT JOB!
Reverend Leotis Tom is the fearless leader of this bunch and it is hard enough to struggle with the likes of Mother Sasha Pray Onn, Mother Bea Blister and Trustee Freddie Noel but then to also have to deal with the Cheater Brothers who are trying to take over the mortgage of their new property The Promised Land they are fighting to keep! Reverend Tom is trying his hardest to live right and encourage his members to do the same but when you have stubborn elderly members who are set in their way and feel that their way is the best way, you have your plate overfilled!!!!!! Good luck Reverend Tom and the rest of the world!!!!
Walker has captured the very essence of what the sterotypical black church is and I am looking hard for that chuch because I am looking for a knee-slapping good time! Walker's descriptions of the characters make you feel like you are right there with them involved with the conversation, controversary or just a fly on the wall but you fully understand what it is all about. You have laughter, understanding and will just learn a scripture or two in the process. I absolutely love Pat G'Orge Walker and her writings and I look forward to many many more books from her.
GREAT JOB!
December 12, 2020
This is my first time reading a Sister Betty Book, and I plan to go back and read the two that come before this one (some say they are funnier). My rating is an average, since this ranged from laugh out loud funny to a bit boring for me. One scene had me laughing so hard that I thought I might end up rating this 4 stars, but the last part of the book reminded me that it was more of a mix.
Nevertheless, if you like Christian comedy, you might enjoy this one. Plus, some of the names are priceless. There are the less-than-pious Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn (known as BS), Trustee Noel, the former pastor, Reverend Knott Enuff Money is mentioned only in passing, but there are some other punny gems as well. That said, the humour is not all puns, there is a variety of types that mesh in this holiday book.
For a blurb or description, there is one on the MPE.
Nevertheless, if you like Christian comedy, you might enjoy this one. Plus, some of the names are priceless. There are the less-than-pious Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn (known as BS), Trustee Noel, the former pastor, Reverend Knott Enuff Money is mentioned only in passing, but there are some other punny gems as well. That said, the humour is not all puns, there is a variety of types that mesh in this holiday book.
For a blurb or description, there is one on the MPE.
July 22, 2013
I thought the book was well written. It was infused with bibical lessons and humor. I recommend this book for all readers.
September 15, 2013
ordinary novel was BORING
January 29, 2024
This is my second time reading a book with Sister Betty in it. Last time was about two years ago. This book had me on edge and it kept me going because I wasn’t sure what the outcome was going to be. I was happy towards the end that she and the deacon eventually found love and will elope in the next series
January 15, 2018
It was an alright continuation of the series, with a good moral lesson in there. But not as funny as the first book had been.
Recommend? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
Recommend? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow
September 12, 2018
Another humorous read!
January 18, 2019
Could not get interested in story (?) line. Put down after 2 chapters.
November 4, 2021
This was a recommendation. It was okay but definitely not for me
December 15, 2013
if you are the kind of person who cringes every time you hear "White Christmas," if even the thought of yet another Hallmark movie makes you race to the medicine cabinet in an attempt to put you out of your misery, if you want to shoot the mailman because of the sentimental claptrap he is leaving for you each day in December, but you still want to read a holiday book if for no other reason than to tell your friends you have done so so they'll leave you the heck alone, I may have found the perfect read for you!
I pity the NLS employee who had to attempt to summarize this one. Here's what he or she came up with; it's not great, but I can't do much better.
"Reverend Leotis Tom needs millions of dollars fast after the Piece of Savings Bank calls in a loan on the church. Parishioner Freddie Noel has just won the lottery and offers to help, but the reverend's anti-gambling stance stands in the way of deliverance."
Now all of that is true, but it leaves you wondering exactly what you'll get if you read this.
If you've ever seen those screwball 1930's comedy movies, then you have some idea of what you'll be in for. Things start off crazy and go downhill from there.
I have to tell you: for the most part, I loved the ride! My neighbors were probably ready to call the men in the white coats due to the laughter emanating from my apartment, especially since I read late at night. If they had done so, I surely would have met the author of this little gem of a holiday book; we might even have shared a cell! I have an aversion to even the slightest mention of bodily functions (I didn't realize how much I hate that sort of thing until one day during my student teaching when the eighth grade boys ... well, I'll let you imagine the rest), and so there were a couple of sentences in this book I could have done without. But that's just me and I will tell you that the book, though insane, is squeaky clean.
This is a commercial recording which was adapted by NLS. The narrator is a bit over the top, but that's just perfect; she adds a great deal to this little holiday romp.
will "No Ordinary Noel" find its way to your local book club or English class? Perish the thought! But is it worth the read? Try it and find out! And "have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
I pity the NLS employee who had to attempt to summarize this one. Here's what he or she came up with; it's not great, but I can't do much better.
"Reverend Leotis Tom needs millions of dollars fast after the Piece of Savings Bank calls in a loan on the church. Parishioner Freddie Noel has just won the lottery and offers to help, but the reverend's anti-gambling stance stands in the way of deliverance."
Now all of that is true, but it leaves you wondering exactly what you'll get if you read this.
If you've ever seen those screwball 1930's comedy movies, then you have some idea of what you'll be in for. Things start off crazy and go downhill from there.
I have to tell you: for the most part, I loved the ride! My neighbors were probably ready to call the men in the white coats due to the laughter emanating from my apartment, especially since I read late at night. If they had done so, I surely would have met the author of this little gem of a holiday book; we might even have shared a cell! I have an aversion to even the slightest mention of bodily functions (I didn't realize how much I hate that sort of thing until one day during my student teaching when the eighth grade boys ... well, I'll let you imagine the rest), and so there were a couple of sentences in this book I could have done without. But that's just me and I will tell you that the book, though insane, is squeaky clean.
This is a commercial recording which was adapted by NLS. The narrator is a bit over the top, but that's just perfect; she adds a great deal to this little holiday romp.
will "No Ordinary Noel" find its way to your local book club or English class? Perish the thought! But is it worth the read? Try it and find out! And "have yourself a merry little Christmas now.
November 14, 2011
I'll never be able to use the term BS without thinking of church mothers Bea and Sasha. LOL.
As usual with all Ms. Walker's books comes the laughter, the message and a hunger for the next Sister Betty installment. I won't give away the ending but it came as a complete shock for me.
The pastor Rev. Leotis Tom has to not only lead his flock to the Promised Land in time for the Christmas holidays, but he's got to do it during a period of dwindling membership, tithes, loanshark bankers and corruption he never saw coming. Sister Betty had her work cut out. Blessings can be relative; and Reverend Tom found that out the hard way.
As usual with all Ms. Walker's books comes the laughter, the message and a hunger for the next Sister Betty installment. I won't give away the ending but it came as a complete shock for me.
The pastor Rev. Leotis Tom has to not only lead his flock to the Promised Land in time for the Christmas holidays, but he's got to do it during a period of dwindling membership, tithes, loanshark bankers and corruption he never saw coming. Sister Betty had her work cut out. Blessings can be relative; and Reverend Tom found that out the hard way.
October 30, 2011
No Ordinary Noel was an entertaining read. I just love the antics of the overly Christian folks in Pelzer, South Carolina. The hysterics of Mother Bea Blister and Sasha Pray Onn keep me in stitches. Rarely, do I get a chance to read a novel that keeps me laughing and make me think about the morality of life. I love the way that Pat G'Orge-Walker weaves her comedic style with that of her faith. She always brings a spiritual lesson with each one of her books. Can't wait until the next one is released. BTW: Sister Betty gonna jump the broom. OH MY LORD!
August 29, 2017
I read this book today while waiting on my girls at the beauty shop. Shirer discusses Jonah’s story from the bible and uses it to illustrate how to “navigate the unexpected”. She carefully uses scripture to show us that we shouldn’t think about life stressors as interruptions but as divine interventions. Shirer uses everyday examples of how people turned their obstacle into an opportunity. This is a great book for anyone that sees the glass as half full and needs to see that Jesus. Died. For. You! She also has a bible study of the book of Jonah…I’m going to check that out too.
June 25, 2021
I have always loved the Sister Betty stories and this one is no different. You can always expect to get a laugh out of the citizens of Pelzer. The drama is hilarious, the schemes are ridiculous but no matter what there's always a positive message. Pat will keep you glued to find out what happens next.
November 18, 2011
Too funny. I loved it.
December 2, 2012
I loved it! It was very funny as usual.
February 25, 2014
This is my first book by Pat, but it was very funny. If you like to lol, then you will enjoy this book. Good, clean humor. Enjoy
Read
June 11, 2012This book was hilariously funny. Looking forward to reading another!
April 17, 2017
Funny novel that kept me laughing out loud!!!! She did it again!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews