Sins Hidden Behind The Cross

Deep in the backwoods of Indianola Mississippi sits an overrun tin top house; the home of Reverend Turner, a man living and practicing his sins in the shadows behind the cross.  Reverend Turner shows total disregard for the sanctity of his post and God’s commandments ultimately having to face his redemptive power and some may suggest wrathful nature; once his discretions are uncovered by his wife Rosie’s younger sister Sadie when she travels from Louisiana to visit after eight long years.  She is devastated to learn that Reverend Turner a self-proclaimed man of God has been molesting his step-daughter her eight year old niece Lue Ella.  She had no idea that the happy reunion she intended would take her on an emotional rollercoaster of jealousy, betrayal, deception, prostitution, murder and love.

Sadie becomes even more devastated and heart-broken when she learns that Rosie knew about the molestation and refused to go to the police.  Rosie had managed to convince herself time and time again that the abuse would stop and justified needing Reverend Turner for their security in life.  Dissatisfied with this warped thinking Sadie goes directly to the authorities for help.  As the police begin their investigation of Reverend Turner’s affairs; Sadie still reeling from this new revelation is befriended by a real man of God Reverend Shawn Johnson and his mother Cora.  Cora takes Sadie deep into the back woods of the delta to meet a ninety year old woman who reveals the whole ugly sordid truth about Reverend Turner’s past and his family’s history of incest and bestiality dating back to his grandfather.  Reverend Shawn Johnson and his mother present a sharp contrast to Reverend Turner’s household while providing structure and stability as to how a man truly called by God conducts himself, his church and their family matters.  Immediately attracted to each other Shawn helps Sadie secure a new home and start a new life for her, Rosie and Lue Ella.

This book is an adaptation of a true story having changed the names and locations; the author’s hope is that its readers will realize that a child is a precious gift from God and that no spouse is worth sacrificing the health and well being of our children.  Equally important this is meant to show that there are good and bad ministers and the inappropriate actions of a few shouldn’t outweigh the efforts of the majority.