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SCANDALON
Running from Shame and finding God's Scandalous Love
A Memoir by Susan Elaine Jenkins
(cover image appears smaller than actual size)
"Your heart will be warmed, afflicted, and enticed ..." ~ David Spaite
| Trade Paperback - 288 pgs - 5.5" x 8.5" - $13.99 Publication Date: July 2009 --- |
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| About the Book: | Reader Comments: | |
| Running from scandal -- in her family, church and community life -- Susan moves from California to China. At first, the adventure of experiencing an exotic culture brings the escape she craves. Gradually, as the layers of mystery and reserve fall away, she gets to know her new Chinese friends on deeper levels. At the same time the self-protective layers around her own heart peel back painfully, exposing her inner brokenness. In this vivid and transparent memoir, Susan takes us on a fascinating journey into the streets and homes of modern China. The travel memoir is interspersed with Susan's personal story of emotional and spiritual sabotage, shame and shattered dreams. It all comes together as she opens her heart anew to God's love -- the most scandalous love of all. Find out more about Scandalon and the author at:
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"Count me a member in Susan's readership club, captivated by her memoir, Scandalon, a unique reading experience and 'people adventure.' I read it as slowly as I could to preserve each morsel of spiritual nutrition. Susan writes with a tender charm that draws the reader into her story. The device used, a double journal, reads as a drama in the California narrative, and a charming set of interactions presented in the China journal, as the reader is a passenger in an excursion among the people of China. Some readers will deeply experience the recovery theme. Others may read the scandal as a 'shocker' or focus on the contrast of societies. Either way, to read Scandalon is to experience a refreshing, endearing personal narrative of overcoming hardship and disappointment. This sometimes poignant memoir, coursing through a contrast of cultures, contains encouragement to learn from the ironies and interactions in our everyday relationships. ... Or, to go to teach school in China!" ~ William Wallace "A testament to fierce grace." ~ Mikele Rauch, author "Great writing; gripping story; Gospel laden." ~ Dr. Keith Pagan "In this exciting book, Susan brings her story of hope and courage to others who experience difficult life circumstances and people." ~ Curt Grayson, author of Healing the Hurts that Sabotage the Soul "You'll be pulled right along, holding your breath to find out what happens next. ... Jenkins shares something she has come to understand: 'The brokenness and malfunction that was left in the wake of sin was in itself becoming a way of finding God.' That's a lesson that will stay with the reader. I hope Jenkins will continue to write and publish in her fresh style because she will surely touch the lives of many." ~ Shirley Brosius, author "I have just finished Scandalon and it has really gotten ahold of me. It says what needs to be said to our generation. The deep human quandary and the way-beyond-us mercy of our God meet there in its pages." ~ Herb Cummings, retired minister, counselor, author "The most hidden scandals of all are the ones kept secret in the church. In this powerful, personal story of betrayal, Susan Jenkins pulls no punches regarding her sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted pastor. I salute her courage and clarity." ~ Alice Scott-Ferguson, author and speaker "This is a book that every church leader needs to read. It is not only a story of God's grace with a great ending but it is a sad commentary about a great need in the Christian church. As I read I kept wondering, 'Where was the church?' Susan's pastor dad didn't have anyone to challenge him in Christian love about his behavior. Her pastor didn't have anyone in authority who knew him well enough to help him in his weakness and sin. Even though Susan grew up in the church and worked in a church school she didn't have any trustworthy fellow Christian she could turn to for help." ~ Jack Tanaka, pastor "Wow! What an amazing story of God's redeeming love. Thanks for publishing it." ~ Barbi Roth I could not put it down. Gave it to my mother. She read it, passed it on. My brother-in-law could not put it down and now my niece just finished it. From my 19-year-old niece, to my 76-year-old mother and all points in between ... that's who should read this book. It's a beautiful story of God's redemptive love." ~ Jeanne Sutton Bayles "Compelling, start to finish. The literary device of going back and forth kept my interest the whole time. I read lots of memoirs; it's my favorite genre, and yours is a very good one." ~ Maggi Brown "Powerfully written and honestly vulnerable... What a testimony." ~ Vivian Gross "With disarming vulnerability Susan Elaine Jenkins unfolds a personal memoir spanning fifteen years and two continents. While teaching school in Mainland China she reflects on the most important relationships of her life: with her father, her husband and her pastor. She unfolds a compelling spiritual passage traveling beyond despair to deliverance which can encourage any reader to soulfully reflect on the greatest relationship of all, one with Jesus Christ. Jenkins captivates the reader with cultural insights and candid appraisal of life as an American expatriate in modern day China while alternately chronicling her exploitation by a person in a position of trust. From the darkness of sin a story of courage and victory is penned."~ David Krome, founding director of Tamar's Voice "Scandalon is rich in its account of pain and triumph, confusion and clarity.... An enthralling story that touches the very depth of the heart.... May God use Ms. Jenkins' personal journey of character; heart and soul to reach and restore, revive and rescue, resolve and repair, replenish and release, renew and revitalize-- its readers into the next phase of their life's journey." ~ Dr. Anita McLaughlin, Independent Voices "Thanks for the courage to share the story. And especially thanks for weaving your experiences in China into the other story. It made what could have been a tabloid shocker into an account of grace." ~ Rev. Bill Doggett "I stayed up all night reading Scandalon. It was wonderful, heartbreaking, life-affirming and beautifully written." ~ Laurie Hanley "Susan Elaine Jenkins has a special sparkling style of writing.... A story of personal healing, positive spiritual growth, and renewed hope." ~ Richard L. Marchal "If any life experience has left you desperate, helpless, broken, or searching, Scandalon is a must read. From the first to the last page, Susan's insightful journey from shame and betrayal to her rediscovery of God's love, kept me curious and captivated. I couldn't put it down. It's a book that I'll long remember as one that impacted me at the core of my soul." ~ Kathy England "The message of hope and spiritual healing was profound and invigorating! I am deeply moved in a way I am seldom affected. Susan, you are a wonderful storyteller. Thank you so much for sharing your journey. It broke my heart and then brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes." ~ John Hosier "Susan's stories range from hilarious to tear inducing.... The book is a good read and would be a valuable addition to all community and church libraries. It would also be a good study book for women's group and even for counseling. It gives a realistic insight into the struggles we all face. The book gives answers about Chinese culture, running and finding God and finding one's self." ~ Jimmie Kepler "It reads with the intensity of a great novel.Thank you for being 'brave' enough to share [your story] with everyone. I have a whole list of people that I'm going to tell to read it." ~ Deb Crabtree Read more reviews on Amazon.com |
This page updated Feb. 27, 2010