When Love Calls, You Better Answer

Book excerpt: The author of the hit Redemption Song returns with a sparkling new novel about looking for love in all the wrong places—and with all the wrong people. Bernita Brown is a quick-thinking, tireless social worker who is good at practically everything—except love. When her first marriage ends in divorce—a painful experience Bernita refuses to think about—she dives into a series of sad relationships and overwhelming commitments to community and church. But not even church can keep her from being courted by dogs. Bernita’ s married pastor begins making passes at her, then blames her for his backsliding. Along the way, the ghost of Bernita’s aunt Babe weighs in with plenty of advice (after all, Aunt Babe says, “You don’t need to be alive to tell folks how to live”). But when a marvelous man finally enters Bernita’s life, only time can tell whether she will be able to trust him. Written with Berry’s signature warmth, When Love Calls, You Better Answer addresses a host of powerful topics, from abusive relationships to corrupt church leaders. Bernita’s story will inspire readers to find the love they need, especially the love that can only come from within.