Megan's Hero is the third, and final installment in the Callahan Crossing series by Sharon Gillenwater. Just like the first two, it's an excellent read! This one was a little different in the fact that one of the main characters is not a Christian in the beginning of the book. I liked that fact, because we got to see her journey to accepting Christ as her Saviour, and to me there is no greater thing than that (even though it was in a fiction book!).
Megan Smith didn't think things could get any worse, and then they did. The book opens with Megan pulling over on the side of the road, all her earthy possessions with her, in the middle of a downpour. The downpour goes from scary to frightening in minutes. With a tornado popping out of nowhere, and no time for her to run, she does the only thing she can think to do. Leave the van, lay herself down in a ditch, and pray (to whoever is out there) that she lives. Once the storm is over, Megan starts to panic some. Her van is totaled. She is pregnant with almost no money, and no where to go. What was she going to do?
Enter Will Callahan, the 32 year old Callahan bachelor. He and his family watched the tornado and after it was over, he goes to check and make sure no one was caught in the tornado. One look at Megan and Will is a goner. He is thinking about her constantly and takes up the role of "protector" in her life.
Will and Megan both have to struggle with the concept of God's amazing love and grace. Megan, however, has more to struggle with. Throughout the book we see her trying to grasp the concept of why God would save her after all she'd done in her past. I think she finally understands when she reads the last verse of Psalm 18:19, "He rescued me because he delighted in me." If she didn't understand why God would rescue her out of the muck and mire of the past, I certainly did. It brought tears to my eyes!
I love the fact that this book brings to light the challenges that a pregnant, single woman with no where to go faces. I also love the fact that it gives those women hope that there are some good men out there who are willing to accept the challenge of being with her. It shows God's mercy. This was just an excellent book, and I highly recommend it!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/megans-hero-sharon-gillenwater/1100079743?ean=9781441232496
Showing posts with label Sharon Gillenwater. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharon Gillenwater. Show all posts
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Emily's Chance
Man meets woman. Man loves woman. Man marries woman. If only it were that simple...
As you all know, I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series, Jenna's Cowboy. The second book, Emily's Chance, was no different. Sharon Gillenwater created another great book with in-depth characters you can relate to. Chance and Emily have qualities that all of us have and they struggle with problems and issues, just like we do. They are likable and both are stubborn to the core (and let's face it, how many of us out there are NOT stubborn??).
Chance Callahan, a 29 year old bachelor, is ready to settle down and he knows exactly who he wants to settle down with. Problem is, she doesn't know it yet. Chance owns his own successful business building and repairing houses, while helping out at the ranch occasionally. He is a typical, good-hearted, Christian man. He's stubborn, bossy, and struggles on a daily basis with a critical and sometimes "holier-than-thou" attitude. He is just like most Christians. I'll admit that I've had a problem with having an attitude that did not stem from Christian love as it should have, just like most of you have too.
Emily Rose Denny is determined to make a big name for herself. Unfortunately, with her chosen career path, that is taking a little longer than she hoped for. Emily dreams of being a curator for a big-city museum. She wants to prove to her mother and father that she's worth something and her life was not wasted. Emily is also painted in a most human way. She has a past, and she struggles daily in her faith. Half way through the book, though we see a suttle shift in Emily's character. As the book says "her head might be determined to have a big city career, but her heart was saying that life in Callahan Crossing would bring her happiness." She struggles with the fact that God's plans might not be her plans, just like most of us do in our lives.
In the end, God's will wins out just as it should. It shows us that if we listen to our hearts, God will make his will and way clear for all of us. This was a good, sweet, romantic read just like the last one. Go, read it!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emilys-chance-sharon-gillenwater/1102623804?ean=9781441213969
As you all know, I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series, Jenna's Cowboy. The second book, Emily's Chance, was no different. Sharon Gillenwater created another great book with in-depth characters you can relate to. Chance and Emily have qualities that all of us have and they struggle with problems and issues, just like we do. They are likable and both are stubborn to the core (and let's face it, how many of us out there are NOT stubborn??).
Chance Callahan, a 29 year old bachelor, is ready to settle down and he knows exactly who he wants to settle down with. Problem is, she doesn't know it yet. Chance owns his own successful business building and repairing houses, while helping out at the ranch occasionally. He is a typical, good-hearted, Christian man. He's stubborn, bossy, and struggles on a daily basis with a critical and sometimes "holier-than-thou" attitude. He is just like most Christians. I'll admit that I've had a problem with having an attitude that did not stem from Christian love as it should have, just like most of you have too.
Emily Rose Denny is determined to make a big name for herself. Unfortunately, with her chosen career path, that is taking a little longer than she hoped for. Emily dreams of being a curator for a big-city museum. She wants to prove to her mother and father that she's worth something and her life was not wasted. Emily is also painted in a most human way. She has a past, and she struggles daily in her faith. Half way through the book, though we see a suttle shift in Emily's character. As the book says "her head might be determined to have a big city career, but her heart was saying that life in Callahan Crossing would bring her happiness." She struggles with the fact that God's plans might not be her plans, just like most of us do in our lives.
In the end, God's will wins out just as it should. It shows us that if we listen to our hearts, God will make his will and way clear for all of us. This was a good, sweet, romantic read just like the last one. Go, read it!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/emilys-chance-sharon-gillenwater/1102623804?ean=9781441213969
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Jenna's Cowboy
This book intrigued me from the beginning. A lot of you may be wondering why, since it's about a soldier returning from war, and my soldier didn't get the chance to come home. Well, ever since I dealt with the "horrors" of war on the home front, I've met a lot of soldiers. Most of them were suffering. They wouldn't admit it, but they were. I also did a project at school on PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and it really opened my eyes.
That being said, I read this book in about 3 days. I absolutely loved it. Sharon Gillenwater brought the characters and the issue the characters face to life in a way that made it real and believable. This book intrigued me because it was about PTSD, something I think this country needs to recognize a lot better. It didn't disappoint. The author knew her stuff and did her research on the widespread trauma that our soldiers are facing. The fact that it also portrays how God can heal your broken spirit and heart in a way that doesn't over power you is great too.
I felt I could relate to both characters, having gone through what I did. The main female character, Jenna Callahan Colby, is a beautiful mother with a broker, bruised spirit. Her husband, Jimmy Don, left her and her son. She suffered from a deep depression, which only the Lord and her son could help bring her out of. After moving back home, she never thought she would love again. I can relate to the depression and the feeling alone and helpless. When Jenna realized that there was only one person who could heal her, and that was God, I was right there with her. She has a strong faith, one which I admire greatly, and tried hard to be the mother, daughter, and woman she needed to be for those she loved.
The main male character in the book is Nate Langley, former cowboy, farmer, and Iraqi/Afghanistan war hero. He is coming home after 10 years, 2 deployments, and a severe injury in the Army to help his parents on the farm. He is also starting to noticed the signs of PTSD. I won't go in to detail about the plot of the book. Suffice it to say that the author portrays the symptoms quite well. I know because I've heard stories and witnessed it first hand in some of the soldiers I've met since my husband died. His story ends happily, while many soldiers, in real life, will not. He faces his problem and seeks what little help there is out there for him, and especially comfort from his God.
There is no action, mystery or great suspense. Just a sweet love story about healing and the power of God to make things whole. I loved this book, bought the second and third book in the series and can't wait to read them!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jennas-cowboy-sharon-gillenwater/1100376998?ean=9780800733537
That being said, I read this book in about 3 days. I absolutely loved it. Sharon Gillenwater brought the characters and the issue the characters face to life in a way that made it real and believable. This book intrigued me because it was about PTSD, something I think this country needs to recognize a lot better. It didn't disappoint. The author knew her stuff and did her research on the widespread trauma that our soldiers are facing. The fact that it also portrays how God can heal your broken spirit and heart in a way that doesn't over power you is great too.
I felt I could relate to both characters, having gone through what I did. The main female character, Jenna Callahan Colby, is a beautiful mother with a broker, bruised spirit. Her husband, Jimmy Don, left her and her son. She suffered from a deep depression, which only the Lord and her son could help bring her out of. After moving back home, she never thought she would love again. I can relate to the depression and the feeling alone and helpless. When Jenna realized that there was only one person who could heal her, and that was God, I was right there with her. She has a strong faith, one which I admire greatly, and tried hard to be the mother, daughter, and woman she needed to be for those she loved.
The main male character in the book is Nate Langley, former cowboy, farmer, and Iraqi/Afghanistan war hero. He is coming home after 10 years, 2 deployments, and a severe injury in the Army to help his parents on the farm. He is also starting to noticed the signs of PTSD. I won't go in to detail about the plot of the book. Suffice it to say that the author portrays the symptoms quite well. I know because I've heard stories and witnessed it first hand in some of the soldiers I've met since my husband died. His story ends happily, while many soldiers, in real life, will not. He faces his problem and seeks what little help there is out there for him, and especially comfort from his God.
There is no action, mystery or great suspense. Just a sweet love story about healing and the power of God to make things whole. I loved this book, bought the second and third book in the series and can't wait to read them!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jennas-cowboy-sharon-gillenwater/1100376998?ean=9780800733537
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