Imagine if the meanest, loudest, smelliest people showed up at your church on Sunday morning. For the good people who attend Community Church, which is the nightmare that came true when the Freemans walked in the door for the first time.

For some reason, they stick around just like the stench on their pew. The odor hangs around long after they’re gone.

Will they ever change their ways?Donna McHugh has captured the essence of all the rude behaviors a family might bring into the church in her book The Taming of the Rude! How does the church show the love of Christ while dealing with such a family? The Freeman family is a combination of alcoholism, domestic abuse, drug dealing, food insecurity, and other family issues. Pastor Johnson and his congregation struggle with how to be accepting of the people and not of the sin, and behaviors that disturb them.

The book is reminiscent of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Donna has worked for years to make this book all God wants it to be.

How can Christians help families struggling with deep, systemic problems? The Taming of the Rude gives insight into ways to help hurting people. The family finds love and acceptance as the community comes together to help them.

- Diane E. Tatum, Mysteries at Kate's Bed & Breakfast series.