Lovely (A Preacher’s Passion
) continues to unravel the crazy, sordid activities of megachurches with a wicked flair. The promiscuous Rev. Nate Thicke, senior pastor of the Gospel Truth Church of Palestine, Tex., tends to his adoring female flock following the dubious example of his minister grandfather and father who saw nothing wrong in “spiritual covering.” When Nate suddenly decides to marry 16-year-old Destiny Noble, her mother, Simone, is appalled. The minister’s been bedding her and
her mother, Katherine, Nate’s administrative assistant. Simone was the one hoping to marry him, but Katherine believes Nate has the holy right to whatever he desires and whisks Destiny to an elaborate Florida Keys tryst. Destiny gets pregnant and to avoid scandal is taken away to have the baby and to finish school. Nate marries Destiny with the intention of becoming a “one-woman man” until wild child Melody Anderson not only beds him but tapes the encounter, leading to Nate’s ultimate exposure. Lovely once again expertly illuminates the wacky world of the devout and devoutly devilish. (Feb.)
