The Upside of the Down Low, a Pastor's Wife's Memoir is an autobiography following the life of a southern Baptist pastor’s wife, Yolanda Jacksyn*. Turmoil and disorder ensue as she quickly finds out her affluent, positioned husband, Pastor Edgar Otis Jacksyn, III (PJ) is plagiarizing life in the pulpit. His parishioners love his candid, real-life preaching style and community leaders applaud his fresh ideas.

      But at home PJ squanders money, lies about deadly health issues, and preys on unsuspecting young men. PJ’s trickery and deceitful ways finally walk through his front door and confronts Yolanda - in the form of a teenage boy PJ has been having sex with since the beginning of their marriage.

     Not willing to deal with the outcome of his sordid past or succumbing to the street or court summons, PJ chooses to end his own life where it began: on the church ground.

     The Upside takes a vivid look at speculations surrounding church folk while shedding light on topics long considered taboo in communities across the country; depression, infidelity, and homosexuality.

     As she draws us into her world, Yolanda vividly depicts each chapter with a title from Edgar's real-life sermons such as, "Let's Get It On", "Watch the Signs", and "God Writes the Final Chapter." This nine-series sermon supplement drives the purpose of The Upside to the level it should be - up.

*To protect identities, names have been changed.

Sample More of The Upside

  Prologue

You've Got to Start From the Beginning Excerpt