I’ve hesitated to post a review of Holy Roller by Julie Lyons which was supposed to have been done clear back in July because of all the books I’ve been asked to review by WaterBrook Press this one has been my least favorite.

First. I had an extremely hard time getting into this book because I kept getting bogged down in trying to keep all of the people and timelines straight as the author recounts story after story of people who have come to or been touched by The Body of Christ Assembly church in south Dallas.

Second. Because I didn’t find the writing style very engaging, it has taken me this long (4 months) to get 3/4 of the way through the book even after diligently giving it another try before starting each new book between then and now. This morning I finally gave myself permission to not finish it so I can move on to other books waiting to be read without always feeling guilty about this one still sitting on my nightstand. Those who know me very well at all know that while it may sometimes take me awhile to finish something that no longer interests me, I rarely quit anything. However, I just can’t muster up the wherewithall to finish even though I was at least 2/3 of the way through this short 244 page book.

Third. Having some personal background in “holy roller” type churches and knowing how those who operate in certain spiritual gifts are sometimes seen and criticized as being “off” for “flakey,” I had hoped this book would shed a positive light on how the Holy Spirit sometimes works in various lives and situations, but I’m afraid those who are critical of the “holy roller” type won’t find anything convincing to change their minds after reading this book.

That being said, I completely understand that the author has poured her heart and soul into this book and for that I applaud her. Even though I didn’t particularly enjoy this book, the author has gone to great lengths to really share openly and freely about the circumstances which led her to this church and for that reason this book should be a celebrated work of art. Publisher’s Summary: Julie Lyons was working as a crime reporter when she followed a hunch into the South Dallas ghetto. She wasn’t hunting drug dealers, but drug addicts who had been supernaturally healed of their addictions. Was there a church in the most violent part of the city that prayed for addicts and got results?

At The Body of Christ Assembly, a rundown church on an out-of-the-way street, Lyons found the story she was looking for. The minister welcomed criminals, prostitutes, and street people–anyone who needed God. He prayed for the sick, the addicted, and the demon-possessed, and people were supernaturally healed.

Lyons’s story landed on the front page of the Dallas Times Herald. But she got much more than just a great story, she found an unlikely spiritual home. Though the parishioners at The Body of Christ Assembly are black and Pentecostal, and Lyons is white and from a traditional church background, she embraced their spirituality–that of “the Holy Ghost and fire.”

It’s all here in Holy Roller–the stories of people desperate for God’s help. And the actions of a God who doesn’t forget the people who need His power.
Author’s Bio: Julie Lyons is an award-winning writer, editor and investigative reporter who for more than 11 years served as editor-in-chief of the Dallas Observer, an alternative weekly newspaper owned by Village Voice Media. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a B.A. in English from Seattle Pacific University. She and her husband, Larry Lyons Jr., live in Dallas with their son.
GIVE AWAY: WaterBrook Press has generously given me an extra copy of this book to give away here on my blog. If you would like to receive this book, please leave me a comment. I’ll notify you when I’ve drawn a winner. UPDATE: Yvonne has won a copy of this book! I hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.