Christian Fiction Review: The Church Girl by Ufuomaee

Hello, dear friend and fellow book lover! It's your girl, PeculiarPraise, back on your screen! Did you miss me? 

I know I took a pretty long unannounced hiatus from this blog. In fact, the amount of dust and cobwebs I had to clear before bringing you this delightful blog today was humongous.

Forgive me. I was quite busy with school and life. But thanks be to God, as I'm currently enjoying a partial holiday, I have donned on my reading hat even more ferociously. 

And today, I bring you a book recommendation you'll definitely not regret. It blew my mind and I'm sure it'll wow you too. Are you ready?

Drum rolls!!! I present to you...

Title

The Church Girl

*Squints and glares at the creation of God who rolled their eyes and is about to click away. 

Stop right there in the name of Jesus!

Thank you. 

This isn't a stereotypical religious book that will make you yawn and doze off. Though, I must add a caveat that if you're anti-God (*sobs in pity), you will absolutely detest this book. There's that. 

Genre

Christian romance fiction 

If you love love, the wholesome kind, this book is for you. It explores romantic relationships that will make you swoon, cry, shout in rage and maybe want to slap some characters. 

Disclaimer (from the author): 

Please note that this story contains some sexually explicit content, violence, and offensive language. It is not appropriate for children nor an immature and sensitive audience.

There you have it! I won't say more except to say, the explicit contents are relatively mild and serve a greater purpose as you'll see if you decide to read the book. Think Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. 

Book Length

The Church Girl is split into Book One and Book Two. Each section has four volumes each. In total there are 50 chapters asides the prologue and other accessory chapters. 

It's not a small book, just to prepare your heart. But, whether you're a speedster in reading or a slow-and-steady type of reader, you'll equally enjoy the book. Though I must say it's the kind that once you pick it, you won't want to drop it. I speak from experience. 

Cover Design

Just look at this beauty! It was one of the major attraction points for me. I love the simplicity and brightness of the book cover design. Doesn't just looking at it give you a warm fuzzy feeling in your belly?

Blurb (About the Book)

As a child, Mary Uwanna believed in the power of faith and love and loved to tell stories of princes. Everything changes when she loses her parents in one night and is left to care for her three brothers. 

In a climate of corruption and immorality, even the Church was not a safe refuge for sixteen-year-old Mary. She makes a decision that threatens to steal her destiny until she meets her prince. Ifeanyi Chukwueke is not the prince Mary had envisioned. He is a bad boy with a reputation for breaking hearts. But his heart is set on Mary. 

Faced with her haunting past, he makes a decision to love her regardless...until his own past comes to threaten their happily ever after - time and again! 

The Church Girl is a story about a love that was destined but tried in every way. Mary and Ifeanyi must learn that in order to live, they must first die to self, as their love and faith is tested through many trials and temptations. 

Follow this roller-coaster ride, about a love that overcomes all, that will grow your faith or lead you to the One who holds the keys of Life.

Plot & Characters

I couldn't possibly give a run down of every single character neither do I want to give spoilers of the plot. 

I'll simply talk about my favourite character, the church girl herself, Mary, who went through a lot of tribulations but scaled through. 

She was the epitome of the term 'trusting in God'. Though deeply flawed, I loved her because she didn't let her circumstances pin her down. 

Enjoy this reel of my favorite scene that I made!

How I Discovered the Book 

My first ever contact with the author and thus this book was through Miss IyanuOluwa Olorode, a fellow Christian author of The Way Home Series. She posted on her Instagram story about the currently ongoing Readathon that the author organized. Although I haven't read any of Ufuomaee's books before and I wasn't really certain how my schedule would permit me the luxury of reading and reviewing 8 books, I signed up in good faith before the registration window was closed. 

It's been really fun reading Ma'am Ufuomaee's books and being in a community of fellow readers with whom I can banter and rant about the characters and scenes. 

Plus the giveaways have been amazing too! 

Sorry, if I'm making you jealous. This is your cue to follow and support Christian fiction authors on social media so that opportunities like this won't pass you by. 

How the Book Impacted Me

If "Don't judge a book by its title" was a novel, The Church Girl by Ufuomaee is it! I know some people are probably sceptical upon hearing or reading the title of this book, like I was. Maybe you're thinking it's another mundane cliche story that you'll be brief by. Ha! *Shakes head sardonically

Swipe that thought off your mind immediately! You're about to get whisked off your feet. 

After finishing the book, I was overwhelmed to say the least. I experienced all the levels in the spectrum of emotions while reading this book. My heart still races thinking of all the highs and lows I felt with the characters. 

I love the dynamics of the relationship between the main characters, Ifeanyi and Mary. I swooned too many times. The sweetness and predestination of their bond and how they stuck by each other till the very end despite all odds. 

Every other character was also so well developed that I bonded with them, flaws and perfections all. 

I'm so excited that they'll all be coming back in the Small World series and I can't wait to journey on adventures with all of them again. 

Who Should Read the Book

Every Christian, both single and married, male and female, who desires to be shown how forgiveness, redemption and other Christian virtues can be applied to real life. 

Also, this book is meant to reach out to unbelievers as well who are curious and seeking.

My Top 5 Quotes from the Book

Before I go ahead to drop my quotes and how deeply they struck me, I must say this. I've cried too much reading the entire book, but it's a good thing. A very good thing. 

Now, to my top 5 quotes, plus a short commentary on why they stood out to me:

1. "Maybe that's the problem. Maybe your fear is louder than your faith," said Kelechi. 

I realised that this is often the problem with me. Fear and faith have voices. The eventual outcome of any decision I make depends on which voice I tune to and increase its volume.

2. "Because I know who I was and how much mercy God has shown me. We all need forgiveness, and those who have forgiven much, love much. That's what Jesus said," Ifeanyi replied. "How much has God forgiven you?"

It wasn't just Mr Njokwu that cried after this... I was pretty much bawling, because this hit so close to home. Plus, a part of me that wasn't crying was impressed by how mature Ifeanyi had grown in his walk with God to have uttered such a profound statement. 

3. "Matthew one twenty-one," Ifeanyi read aloud.

"Don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit," the man recited off-hand. 

This place ehn. I was legit screaming and dancing around my room. I kid you not. For the rest of the read down to that super romantic proposal, I was just screaming into my pillow. 

4. Perhaps it was because she knew His way was forgiveness and that was something she didn't want to do... She wanted to remember the pain. She wanted to remember the truth. 

This... Sigh. It made me realise why I sometimes hesitate to return to God when I mess up. It isn't guilt, sometimes. It's just that stubborn nature in me. I had to pray to God to give me a forgiving and forgetting heart. Like His. 

5. "Remember Jesus fought for you the day He died on that cross. He could have said it was too hard. He could have said you were not worth it. But He faced His fears, carried that cross until it killed him. 

"He did it as an example to us...so we can fight for one another. It's a horrible battle but we must keep fighting."

~Mrs Chukwueke. 

God knows how badly I needed this reminder. And how much it teared me up.

6. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

John 12:24-25

I know. I know I'm doing too much by adding this extra one. But, I can't get over how this verse that was inserted at the end of Book One jumped out to me. I had to take a pause and meditate on the depth in this verse. I also had to cry to Jesus for grace. I think this is one of the toughest requirements Jesus uttered in Scripture. And one of the most rewarding. 

About the Author

 

Ufuoma Emerhor-Ashogbon, popularly known as Ufuomaee, is an author of faith-based books, ranging from Christian fiction, non-fiction inspirational writings, and poetry. Her passion for telling stories began as a little girl, and she started writing high school romances and poetry as a teenager, though her works were unpublished.

Ufuomaee discovered her calling for Christian ministry in 2012, when she started her blog, Grace and Truth, writing articles that addressed common issues believers face, with particular attention given to romance and relationships. In 2016, she started writing story series on her blog, and this began her journey to becoming a self-published author of over two dozen works. Her aim in all her writing is that God may be glorified and all may be edified.

When she's not writing, Ufuomaee helps other authors edit and publish their own works through Ufuomaee Business Solutions, an online technological, creative, and administrative service provider, aiding SMEs and creatives. Through this platform, she also offers website design and management services. Ufuoma is also a humanitarian, supporting those less privileged through her charitable works at Fair Life Africa Foundation, a not-for-profit organization she co-founded in January 2011.

 

Connect with the author via any of her social media handles:

Website   

X (Twitter)

Facebook  

Instagram  

Newsletter 

How to Get the Book

Number one, it's not free. You'll have to buy the book, whether you prefer e-copy or hardcopy. It's a small token and it's absolutely worth it. 

The Church Girl is available on Bambooks, Amazon, Apple, and Kobo as well! 

For print copies, please order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or via ufuomaee.com. 

I can't wait for you to read and also be blessed by this amazing book.

If you're reading this blog and you have read this book, I'd like you to give a shout-out for the book in the comments section. 

Love y'all. Until the next post, keep reading!