Emily's Chance by Sharon Gillenwater (Review)

Paperback: 338 pages
Publisher: Revell; Original edition (October 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0800733544

From the Publisher

Emily Rose may be in the tiny West Texas town of Callahan Crossing for the moment, but it’s just a rung on her ladder to success. Her work at the Callahan Crossing historical society will look good on her ever-growing resume as she attempts to break into the prestigious world of a big city museum curator. Little does she know cowboy and contractor Chance Callahan has decided that he can convince her to stay–both with the town and with him. As he helps Emily restore the town’s history after a devastating fire, he also helps her uncover her own hidden worth and the value of love.

The second book in THE CALLAHANS OF TEXAS series, Emily’s Chance is a heartwarming story of letting love take the lead. Readers will come away wishing they lived in Callahan Crossing.

My Review:

I thought this was a sweet contemporary Christian romance book set in a small town in Texas. It can be read without reading the first book in the series, Jenna's Cowboy. In this book the town is still recovering from a horrible fire that affected many of the residents. Chance Callahan is the main focus of this book but we still see a few things about the characters from the first book. Emily Rose is from the big city and is in Callahan only to set up a museum based on their history but Chance fell in love with the moment he met her during the fire. The book is a slow moving pure romance but well written and enjoyable to read. I liked my second visit to this town and look forward to the next book in the series. Recommended. :)

Author Bio

Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in West Texas and loves to write about her native state. The author of several novels, including Jenna’s Cowboy, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When she’s not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren. She lives in Washington.


Available October 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you Donna at Revell for my review copy.

Jenna's Cowboy by Sharon Gillenwater (Review)

Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2010)
ISBN-13: 978-0800733537

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Can you ever get a second chance at your first love?

Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content. A partner on her father's successful ranch, she is surrounded by family and friends. But she never expected to see Nate Langley back in town--the first guy she ever noticed, the one her father sent away all those years ago.And she never thought the attraction they felt would be as strong as ever.Jenna's cowboy has some healing of his own to do, though, after two tours of duty in the armed forces. With the help of good friends, strong faith, and a loving family, he hopes to put the horrors of the past behind him--and become the man Jenna deserves.

My Review:
Overall I really liked the book. The ending was not so great but the rest of the book made up for it. I loved the development of Nate and Jenna's relationship. Nate is home from two tours in the military including time in Iraq. He was awarded a medal for saving the lives of some of his fellow soldiers. The only problem is he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Nate has loved Jenna since they were in high school but her father did not think he was good enough for his only daughter. She ended up marrying a local football hero who makes it to the big time. After a few years he leaves her and their baby for another women. Jenna returns home to Callahan Ranch to recover and raise her son. They both have scars and the author deals with it in a realistic way. Her research on PTSD and the military is evident. I love romantic military stories for some reason. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and more about the Callahans. Recommended. :)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sharon Gillenwater was born and raised in west Texas, and loves to write about her native state. The author of ten novels, she is a member of ACFW and Romance Writers of America. When she's not writing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and adorable grandson. Visit her website to learn more - and to see some beautiful Texas bluebonnets!

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Thank you Donna Hausler at Baker Publishing Group for my review copy.