Runaway Reviews and Special Offer

I am encouraged by reviews people are giving my new novel--The Runaway Pastor. In recent email conversations with a researcher studying pastoral burnout, seems The Runaway Pastor is striking a nerve in the real world of research. These issues are front and center with church/denominational leadership groups. The fallout amongst clergy is beginning to shake the church world.

Copied below are a couple of the reviews found on amazon.com. The first is from a real runaway pastor, and the second from a grateful wife. Both help me feel I've struck a nerve that need twanged.

As a runaway pastor in my own right, this book finally tells the story I believe many people like myself have wanted to share - but couldn't. I believe most Church leaders will catch momentary, if not complete, glimpses of themselves in this book. While some leaders will rejoice about the truth being told in such a real way, I can see others being afraid of what honest conversation this book could bring forth from other friends and followers.


This book fills a void in Christian fiction novels that I didn't even realize existed until after I read it. There are countless other books about issues that plague todays church, but I have come across none that convey them in such a compelling way.

For a first book, the author shows to have the ability to strip the external symptoms of problems and get at the real internal issue of the heart. He does not waste time on contrite ideologies, but instead shows the pain and freedom that accompany real life change. I found myself unable to do anything other than read this book in one sitting.

Don't let the title fool you either, this book is about so much more than a runaway pastor. It is about the runaway in all of us, and the commitment we so often lack to the things that truly matter the most.

And the second from a grateful wife:

My husband and I loved the book. He never reads fiction and found that he could not put the book down. That feat alone makes me very thankful to the author. But I'm also thankful that he addressed some very real issues within this fictional story. I think this would be a great book for our small group to read and then discuss.
And finally, I'm thankful for the ending. Read it!

Your candid reviews of the book at amazon would also be very welcomed!

Bulk or Christmas Orders of The Runaway Pastor.
If you would like to order in bulk (8 or more copies) for study groups, or to give as Christmas gifts, please contact me at the email link on the side (samshill@sbcglobal.net). We might be able to work out autographed editions for larger groups, though Christmas might be a push!

Sharing the Word:
Finally, I invite you to tweet or link this posting on your facebook or myspace page. Each time someone links, it helps get the word out about this book, and the issues it confronts. Thanks so much!