Too Far to Say Far Enough

The Reluctant Prophet #3

by Nancy N. Rue

Allison Chamberlain has done everything God required of her—but as He continues to nudge her in the third and final book of The Reluctant Prophet series, she is ready to say, “Enough!” Even with two Sacrament Houses open, the Sisters’ second hand clothing boutique making its debut, and the orphaned Desmond legally adopted, Allison Chamberlain receives the divine Nudge to Go another mile. Eventually responding with her usual reluctant obedience, she finds herself caring for a very young prostitute and facing the deepest roots of evil. Despite the adversaries who threaten those closest to her, Allison finds that she has not gone far enough until she conquers hate and learns to love as God does. No matter what the consequences.     

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

512 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

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 Harley-ridin’ husband, Jim, and their two yellow Labs (without whom writing would be difficult).

Reviews

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed these books. It hard to find Christian fiction about women that isn't romance, let alone about grown-up women, and that's what drew me at first. But the characters and stories kept me reading. I like that these books are different from the usual fare and I wish there were more of them.

I do have a couple little problems though. It would be irresponsible to leave one man alone in a house with any woman recovering from abuse or addiction. The possibilities of accusations are just too strong. So for Allison to plan to leave her teenage adopted son or any other man in the house with ex-hookers is nuts. Her lawyers would be all over her about it, it's just an unfortunate fact and has nothing to do with faith or serving God.

Also, I don't personally like her attitude toward churches. I'm part of a church that works with homeless, victims of sex trafficking, low income, seniors, etc. For the author to imply that church people don't care about social issues bothers me.

But these are small nit-picks about three books I've genuinely enjoyed reading. I like the way she portrays a community of women of faith who are caring and active. That reflects the godly women I know. And I sure do wish I could meet someone like Chief. :)

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third and final satisfying book in The Reluctant Prophet series about a Harley riding prophet of God, Allison Chamberlain. She has worked hard in God's name, telling of his love and spreading that message in her own special way, sometimes wondering how much more she could do, what more was expected of her and if she had any more to give. For that, she has paid the price of being the target of those who wish her and her good works harm. The road has been long and hard, but she hasn't stopped her work, but expanded it to reach out to more of those who need it the most.

Nancy Rue is an incredible author with the gift of drawing the reader into the middle of the action. It's obvious she has done her homework on this series, investing a piece of herself, creating a contemporary drama with a message that will stay with the reader.

A copy of this edition was provided by NetGalley and David C. Cook in exchange for an honest review.

[Ctf Devourer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always claimed I couldn't pick a favorite book. Tonight that may have changed. I just read Too Far To Say Far Enough by Nancy Rue and it was beautiful. Laughter, tears, panic that made you want to flip ahead but too rich to let you miss a word, passion, romance, love, family, enemies - it's all there. I get it. I really do. God says "go another mile" and trust Him to be there, even in the pain. I want that, the determination she has to go where He says to go. If you buy only one book this year, pick this one. Be sure to read the first two in the series first or you won't appreciate all the beauty in this one. Nancy Rue always impresses me with how spiritually sound her books are and how high quality her writing is, but this blows them all away. It's truly one of the most beautiful stories I've ever read.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like this book, although parts of it, not as much as the 2st 2 books. There were just a few places that the storyline went places that I just wasn't comfortable with. I think that had more to do with my personal faith and beliefs. But the storyline overall was intriguing and provoked a lot of thought about how we treat others an making assumptions about other people. I really liked Allisons story and how God pulled her outside her comfort zone and led her to help first women who needed to turn thier lives around, then young girls who had been coerced into lives that they had not chosen for themselves. She let God lead her life even when she had no clue what she was doing or where she was going. They put a whole different spin on the concept of "a prophet".

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't intend to read this book as fast as I did, but I couldn't put it down. Nancy Rue has finished out this series with a beautiful page turner. I love how she writes with such realism, and yet never pushes so far that we feel we've rolled in the gutter. This book is about real life and real people struggling with real problems, yet the hope is even more real. Such an awesome reminder to be the hands and feet of Christ, even when it hurts. Bravo, Ms. Rue.

[Cheryl Linebarger · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Christian fiction is not normally a genre I enjoy, this series was a surprising exception! Too Far To Say Enough is the third book of the trilogy, and I enjoyed it almost as much as the first two books. Almost. A couple of plot lines were built up throughout the series that ended a bit anti-climatically, but the book, and the series as a whole, were very good.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely a fitting, and tense! end to the Reluctant Prophet series.
I like how each book in the series had God Nudging Allison to do something different: buy a Harley, wash their feet, and in this one . . . go another mile.
I liked how that Nudge was carried out in some very unexpected ways: especially when the clarification to LOVE another mile is made. It's easy for us to love people that are lovable . . . but what we are truly called as Christians to do is to love the people that aren't lovable just as much (if not more!) than the ones who are.
4.5 stars

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul stretching. Life giving. Not an easy story to read but so glad I read it. This is the third in the, ‘reluctant Prophet “,series. And the hardest of the three to read in fact, I want to insert a warning here that it does deal with child prostitution and so please be aware of that ahead of time as it could trigger some deep pain for anyone who has been sexually abused. it is not overly graphic, but it is more graphic than the other two books. I would also definitely suggest starting with the first in the series as they are a continuation of the story.

[Linda J. Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't remember exactly when I read The Reluctant Prophet, the first book in this trilogy — most likely some time between 2007 and 2020 — but I snapped up Unexpected Dismounts and Too Far To Say Far Enough just as soon as they became available on Kindle Unlimited.

This is a very different kind of Christian trilogy, emphasizing social justice more than conventional theology, but the three books WILL affect you.

** VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **

[Joyce Eggebeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were so many characters by book three that I kept getting lost--I should have made notes. There were church friends, Harley club friends, all these women and their caregivers/sponsors, bad guys, etc. But her mission was amazing--reaching out to these women and girls who were trapped.

[Mike Hipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitting end to the trilogy.

I really enjoyed this 3 story series. The characters were defined and well and lots of twists and turns in the plots. Well done overall.

[Robin Patchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[Connie Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! Forgiveness and loving, God's style.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series but wanted more

[YJ LIM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nancy Rue has become one of my favourite authors. This series tells of what God can do through us. And it is often harder than we can imagine. But it is worth it.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing series! 👏

[Kathleen (Kat) Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Every Monday morning I quit.

Before I even crawled out of bed, sometimes even before I clawed all the way from dreams to the mental pile of stuff I was going to have to try to make a dent in, if it was Monday, I said, out loud so there could be no misunderstanding: "God, you're going to have to find somebody else to be your prophet, because I'm done. You got a recovery group I can get into?"

Sometimes I'd imagine such a group - a place where I could sit in a circle with other people who were in way over their spiritual heads and say, "Hi. I'm Allison, and I'm a recovering prophet."

But there was no Prophets Anonymous. There was no recovery from being one - although at times I would have given up my Harley to escape it - and there was nothing anonymous about it. I knew. I'd tried that.

That particular Monday, however I skipped quitting. I didn't even give a nod to the stack of not-yet-done stuff teetering just beyond my reach, waiting for one more thing to topple it over. Because that late-August Monday, almost exactly one year since I'd caught twelve-year-old Desmond Sanborn trying to steal my house key, I was standing in front of a judge, about to adopt the boy." (pg 13).

That's a perfect example of how frustrating the days of Allison Chamberlain have been when she feels the nudging of God just once more in her life. Just how many more times will she have to answer the call? In this conclusion to The Reluctant Prophet series from Nancy Rue, Too Far to Say Far Enough provides some closure for Allison. She finally comes to terms with God's calling in her life. She learns to understand what is meant when one answers God and the price we often have to pay. I personally think this novel helps readers understand a different take on the definition of prophet of God. I believe we think it means being endowed with all-mighty powers to do greatness when called for God, and in some ways we are, but it is to impact the lives of the people God places in our paths. Sometimes it can be a homeless girl that has no where else to go, or a victim of violent crimes. God wants us all to heed His call and to go forth and become prophets of our own.

I received Too Far To Say Far Enough by Nancy Rue compliments of David C. Cook Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I honestly believe this book is a must read for everyone especially in this times where God might be nudging you to act. I would recommend reading the first two books in the series first in order to understand the background and calling in Allison's life more but this makes for a powerful conclusion. I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars.

[Melissa (So Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The conclusion to Rue’s Reluctant Prophet series is a satisfying culmination of this unusual story. There are times that this installment gets a tad too long-winded and circuitous, while Allison is puzzling through what God wants her to do, yet it fits with her character so the plot doesn't drag as much as it could have. Overall, this is a wonderful series with a great deal of food for thought.
Allison Chamberlain seems to have life more together. Her adoption of Desmond is now final, and the Sacrament Houses seem to be following the plans God laid out. Yet her relationship with Chief isn’t flowing smoothly, and she keeps hearing the message to “go another mile.” What does that mean for the future? All Allison knows is that she’s come too far to say far enough and must figure out where she is to go from here.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: This ebook was provided to me free of charge through NetGalley for the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments, and ratings are my own.

Really interesting tale that had my attention the whole time. The pace was wonderful and the characters engaging. Great dynamic in the relationship that made it very believable. Beautiful storytelling that entertained the whole time!

It had really great flow and did the job of making me think at times. I love a book that taps into my emotions. I am a real sucker for a sexy romance!! I laugh, I cry and I wish the hero were real so he could be mine! LOL

I would love to see more from this author! Definitely one to watch in the future.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters. The story in this series is compelling, thought-provoking, inspiring, challenging, and exciting. Some of the characters are a little "black and white" but most of them are well-developed and very human. I enjoyed these books a little too much - I couldn't get them off my mind. As a general rule, I stopped reading "Christian fiction" years ago, but I'm glad I made an exception in this case!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this final book of the Reluctant Prophet series, Allison is able to tie up all of the loose ends that seem to constantly entangle her. Some of them were pretty predictable, but Rue does throw a few plot twists into the mix to keep the reader guessing. I got a little bogged down in the constant turmoil, but maybe that was the point she was trying to make, that if you listen to God's nudges, He pulls you out of the deepest mire.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this whole series, but this book was the best of the three. Very rarely do I read books more than once, but this series will be read again.

If you have a heart for helping people, especially those who have been hurt the most, these are the books to read. Such a fantastic trilogy! Allison, Desmond, Chief, and all their friends have become some of my all time favorite characters. A must read.

[Kayla Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible

I absolutely loved this book. Nancy Rue continues to challenge me spiritually with stories that never cease to enthrall. This is an awesome ending to the trilogy. I love what Nancy does with the relationship between Allison and Chief. The message of love in this book is very real and lines up with the Bible very well. Finally, kudos to Nancy for the research and time it took to develop the realness of the characters and the culture where we find them.

[Phoenix Baertlein · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great way to end the book however I did somewhat expect that it was going to end the way it did. But definitely read the book (especially if you read the first 2).

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing about this book I didn't like is that it is the END of the trilogy. Fabulous series, fabulous author. Love the way Ms. Rue is able to take single word or admonition from Christ and design an entire story. Great characters, good dialogue, excellent plot. Do we go the extra mile, even when we don't want to? Amazing story.

[Lashonta · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was amazing a perfect way to end the prophet series. Allison is still getting the nudges from God and the sisters are still around however in this book they bring in flannery and let me just tell you she is a hand full. this book was simply amazing it allows you to think and want to do more.

[Teri Pre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! It's not one of those nicey-nice Christian fiction books where the author shoves his/her brand of Christianity down your throat. It's a real-life, real-world type of Christianity that can appeal to everyone...even non-Christians.

I really hope that there are more books in this series. I'd love to see how all the characters work out their lives.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series. And beyond that, these books have touched me spiritually. I just hate that the series is ending.

[Kendra Oprondek]

awesome. the trilogy was good. worth the read.