Saints and Sailors

By Pam Rhodes

Three groups of people come together for a more-or-less godly cruise around the British Isles: to Lindisfarne, the Loch Ness Monster Museum, Iona and Mull, Dublin and the Scilly Isles. There are familiar faces from St Stephens, Dunbridge; some new folk from Neil's new parish in Derbyshire; and the slightly long-suffering crew, not least her skipper. A cruise is a great place to make new friends, with leisure for decent conversations. It can also be an awkward, confined space with those you would really rather avoid. Some of the party are facing tough decisions - not least of which, whether to say 'yes' - and some tensions just cannot be left on land. This book is a delight: full of compassion, humour, and Pam's acute observations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lion Fiction
• Release date: Oct 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781782641575

Pam Rhodes

Pam Rhodes is known around the world as the presenter of BBC Television's Songs of Praise and her popular Hearts and Hymns programme on Premier Christian Radio. She describes herself as an 'anorak' in her fascination for hymns old and new, and her books on hymn-writers, like Love So Amazing, Then Sings My Soul and Hear My Song are essentials in many a church vestry! A natural storyteller with 25 varied books under her belt, Pam is perhaps best known for her novels packed with down-to-earth characters and situations that inspire and entertain.

Reviews for Saints and Sailors

[tea58 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've traveled on a joyful Christian journey to Iona, Guernsey, Scilly Isles and around other pieces of the British Isles with Pam Rhodes and congregants of Bishop of Bedford and his wife, Margaret in Saints & Sailors by Pam Rhodes. Amazingly, Pam Rhodes has written herself into this novel as a character. The Christian cruise is filled with the happy and sad moments of the passengers. It is also filled with quotes from the mouths of Christian saints. There are quotes from St. Columba, St. Ninian and St. David and Christian leaders like Charles Wesley. I could never tell all that happens on the sea trip. The book review would become too long. This is a small taste of it.There are many characters in Saints & Sailors. I didn't think it possible to see each character as an individual. However, I soon found the characters beginning to stand up and shout "look at me. I'm important. You will learn something from my life on this ship!" I first became concerned with Rob and his wife. I've always thought all couples leave their problems at home. No, not true. Big problems between couples can come aboard with everything else including the luggage.Nothing is funny about the sadness felt by Jill, the wife. Rob is distant from her. I think the sight of her is repugnant to him. She feels all of his venom and doesn't know where it's coming from and neither does she know why or if his feelings will reverse. The chasm between the two is huge. While the two live or don't live their lives on board and off board, the other passengers, congregants of the same church, are experiencing adjustments too. I came to feel that life on a ship is a little like life at home. The only change is on board ship there is the beautiful scenery and the stops on land along the way.I certainly will remember Holy Island, Iona and the Gardens of Scilly. There is also the entertainment. I met an Opera star named Rhydian. He is world famous. There is Songs of Praise and the forming of the Gospel choir. On and on this novelistic carousel goes. Where it stops, you will never guess. For sure, you will remember the times when there were prayers and lessons about God. Must I stop writing about this fourth novel in The Dunbridge Chronicles? Yes, but I will add there are many aides at the beginning of the novel: One is Who's Who in Dunbridge?Without a doubt, this is a trip that can stay on your heart and mind and in your life. The dedication at the beginning of the book is a honest one. "For pilgrims everywhere -- blessings on you wherever your journey takes you." pamrhodes.co.uk/shop.htmlkregel.com/fiction/saints-and-sailors/ bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/pam-rhodes

[staciew30 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great read.

[hobbitprincess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Like the three books before this one, I enjoyed reading more about the characters I have come to love. Neil's new congregation meets the old on a Christian cruise. Once again, I enjoyed that what happens in the book is so realistic, just like in the previous books. There is happiness and sadness, life and death, just as it would be in a real congregation. One thing I truly enjoyed in this book was the places that were visited on the cruise. I would read, then go to my computer and find images and information on the locations. Consequently, not only did I enjoy the story, but I also learned about some interesting places that I hope to visit myself one day. The message is strongly Christian and uplifting.

[katebaxter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story of love; love of family, friends, music, mankind, The Word, one's Creator and His creation. It is the fifth book in author Pam Rhodes' The Dunbridge Chronicles series. Each installment in this delightful series is even better than the last. Ms. Rhodes deftly navigates the compass of human behavior and emotion through her well developed characters. She affirms the goodness within and tenderly portrays forgiveness and redemption. This is a slice of parish life on holiday - the good, the bad and sometimes not too pretty. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first in the series which incorporates active non-fictional characters into the story line - an interesting addition. Well done Ms. Rhodes!I am grateful to Lion Hudson/Kregel Publications and LibraryThing Early Reviewers program for having provided a free copy of this book. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review, the words of which are mine alone. Synopsis (from book's back cover):Freshly-fledged vicar Neil Fisher, and a group of his new parishioners in Derbyshire, join members of his old church in Dunbridge on a Christian cruise around the British Isles. They set off on the high seas with high hopes, and even higher spirits. Neil's motley flock of pilgrim sailors face delights and disasters as friendships blossom, relationships evolve, secrets are revealed and old hurts nursed. As the ship circles Britain, visiting the Scottish islands, Ireland, the Scilly Isles, Guernsey, and the Normandy Coast, Neil's fellow passengers learn as much about themselves as they do about the places they visit. And love is in the air!

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I felt as if I was connecting with old friends when I read this book.I really enjoy this entire series. This book is no exception.It is always fun to catch up with the main characters and find out where they are going for the next adventure. The setting on the cruise ship adds extra interest to the story.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series from its beginning and I always look forward to the next book. That being said, this book was somewhat of a disappointment. Set on a Christian cruise and peopled with its passengers, this novel has too many new characters and not enough “page time” with the old ones. What made the other books so enjoyable, or perhaps I should say “who,” is the Reverend Neil Fisher and his exploits. Neil is sorely missing in much of this tale, along with his wry sense of humor. So many characters are featured in this tale, none were really developed very fully. Thoughtfully, the author provided a list of characters which proved to be very helpful because it was a bit difficult to keep everyone straight. Goodness, even the author herself was in this tale! Still, it was an interesting adventure, and indeed, some serious things do happen in it that advance the plot of series. But I enjoy reading about the humorous goings-on in church life, and this book could have had more of that aspect. Not the best book in the series, but certainly still very good. Hopefully, the next book will find Neil back on terra firma and dealing with his own parishioners and their complaints and problems in his own unique way.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There are three other books in this series, but this is the first that I have read. It is interesting in that you are taking a cruise with Neil’s old parish on the cruise together, they begin the journey as strangers, but become friends.I love the descriptions of the places we traveled and some historical information, it was so interesting. I loved the humor presented here, and would have loved to be on this cruise, or maybe a fly on the wall.With a Christian cruise things should be smooth sailing with like minds aboard, right! I loved how the ladies came to the aid of one of their own when her husband was abusing her with snide remarks, and they tell her all of her confidence has been knocked out of her by her husband, enjoyed how they helped her.We visit beautifully described places and learn a lot about the history of the area, I love history and this about places I’ve never heard of and oh so interesting.Sign me up for the next one of these cruises, I really want to go, and they really do exist!I received this book through Kregel Blogger Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.

[therealjim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wonderful Christian story of two church groups who go on a wonderful cruise. They visit many religious sites that saints of the past lived, a pilgrimage for many.There is a wonderful cast of characters including the author Pam herself. There are new friendships formed, and one even passes on while on board. A well written story that I highly recommend. I ordered the first three books in the series to get to know these wonderful people better.

[mizroady · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first book to read by Pam Rhodes. I have a mixed review. The story centers around an Anglican priest who joins his previous and new church members on a cruise that highlights historic religious locations. I had a lot of trouble getting into parts of the story. There were far too many characters, and I had difficulty keeping them straight, even with the list of their names and descriptions at the front of the book. It was not until the middle of the book that I was able to keep them straight. Also, the accounts of the special sites they visited on their tours, did not interest me. Don’t get me wrong, the book was well written. In spite of a very large character cast, I enjoyed the glimpses into their personal lives and struggles. There was a wonderfully board representation of the varied personalities people possess and how they interact or in some cases clash when put together. All of them had different reasons for taking the cruise. There was humor, sadness, personal discovery and even tragedy scattered throughout. I found it true to life and very interesting how the characters appeared one way in public, careful to hide actual problems and emotions from their fellow shipmates. I reminder that we have no clue what others are facing their private lives. I thought it was very clever of the author to cast herself as a character using her real name and doing what she does in real life! I received this book at no charge from Kregel Publications in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[drsyko_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is very religious, so if you aren't interested in Christianity, this probably isn't the book for you. It follows 2 church groups that go on a Christian cruise around the British Isles. It's more character than plot driven, and something that was strange to me is that the author is a character in her own book, even though this is a novel. I don't think I've ever seen that before. This was an OK story, with some interesting characters, but isn't a book I'll remember for long.

[lcjohnson1988_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: Saints & Sailors (The Dunbridge Chronicles #4)Author: Pam RhodesPages: 272Year: 2015Publisher: Lion FictionNeil Fisher has the bright idea to take a Christian cruise, visiting landmarks of famous saints of the early church. He has invited members from his current church family at Burntacre as well as members from his 3-year stint as curate at Dunbridge. The all comes together for a nine day cruise. While on board, a praise choir is assembled by none other than the author herself! I thought that was a clever twist of the author, putting herself in as a character in the story. As the cruise gets underway, readers are treated to lovely descriptions and faith-filled moments as we visit some of these historic sites. The relationships between various people unfold, making for a book I couldn’t put down.I liked everything about this story with the exception of the homosexual interaction between two minor characters in one brief scene. There were no graphic details, but I didn’t see the need for this in the story. Other than that aspect, the book was a tear-jerker in spots and had me applauding and laughing in other spots. Neil and Claire try to keep the peace between Iris and Harry as well as their old and new church families. Betty, Sheila and Marion were terrific! I enjoyed catching up with some of the familiar characters from Dunbridge while being introduced to new characters from Neil’s current church family. There were couples on the cruise with marriage troubles. One person returned to the spot he had landed on D-Day more than seventy years earlier. He had never returned because the memories were too painful, but now at the age of 91 he returns with his son and grandson at his side to share his memories of that day. Another woman returns to see her family after a 24-year estrangement, but has no idea what the outcome of this meeting will be. The subplots were woven together to form a nice, cohesive story and the writing was well done.My rating is 4 stars.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[janeaustennut · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is my first book by Pam Rhodes and my first book in the Dunbridge Chronicles series. This book is about a group of people who embark on a luxury cruise around the British Isles. The descriptions of the sights they saw and the history of the places they visited, were very interesting. I could almost see the sights from her descriptions of the places they visited. There was an opportunity to meet the characters and discover various issues the characters were dealing with. Included were dementia, loneliness, pregnancy, death, and different relationships. I found the book interesting and will probably revisit the other books in the series because I love series and British fiction. I received a free copy of Saints and Sailers from Kregal Publications in exchange for a review.