My Review: Jenna's Cowboy (The Callahans of Texas, Bk 1) by Sharon Gillenwater

Jenna's Cowboy

(The Callahans of Texas, Bk 1)

by Sharon Gillenwater

Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance

Publisher:  Revell

Copyright 2010

Pages:  330

ISBN:  9780800733537

Back cover synopsis:

Jenna Callahan Colby thought she was content.  A partner on her father's successful ranch, and 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 Thoughts:

I was so excited when I saw that Sharon Gillenwater was going to be releasing Jenna's Cowboy, the start of a new series!  I remember reading her Palisades romances back when I was just discovering Christian Fiction romance; they were wonderful books.  I must say that she has far exceeded my expectations with her newest release.  I was hooked from page one, and couldn't read fast enough to see what was gonna happen next.  She successfully brings her character to life, so much so, that I could easily picture everything as it was happening.  I told my husband, as I was reading the last few pages, that this book would make a wonderful movie.

Jenna Callahan Colby and her 2-year-old son, Zach, have recently moved back to her family's ranch in Callahan Crossing, Texas after her divorce from NFL footballer, Jimmy Don Colby.  She has deep, painful scars left over from her failed marriage, and stays hidden away on the ranch for six months before she allows her best friend, Lindsey Moore, to finally talk her into volunteering at The Mission in town.  Once she decides it's time to start living her life again, she meets with Pastor Brad, who helps her to begin healing both spiritually and mentally.

Zach Colby is one of my favorite characters...he is just the sweetest little boy.  He reminded me so much of my 2 nephews.  You never know what he's gonna say, or do, next. Zach has the whole Callahan ranch wrapped around his little finger, even down to the ranch hands!  He loves horses, cars, trucks, and Elmo.  He and Nate become fast friends, and their relationship is wonderful to watch.

Nate Langley is finally home for good, after two tours of duty.  He has spent time in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and was wounded during a rescue mission a few months before returning to the states.  Nate's life is quickly changing once he gets home, and not for the better.  He is starting to lose his mind!  He doesn't understand exactly what's wrong with him, but is afraid to mention his terrifying nightmares, memory lapses, and hair-trigger temper.  All of these things, combined with his daily flashbacks, are causing him many sleepless nights; which in turn, is affecting his everyday life.  Nate is afraid what people will think of him once they find out about his problems.

After a really close call with his best friends (Chance and Will Callahan), Jenna's parents, Dub and Sue, decide it's time for an intervention.  The whole Callahan family sits down with Nate and eventually convinces him that he needs professional help, if he wants to lead a normal life again.  As it turns out, Dub had similar problems when he returned from Vietnam, so he is very understanding of Nate's situation.

I didn't know anything about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but Sharon does a great job of helping her readers understand what Nate, as well as his family and friends, is going through.  This is a very touching story, and I'm excited to find out what happens next.  I'm assuming the next book will be about Chance, since he recently met someone who could possibly steal his heart very quickly.  This book will definitely be going on my "keeper" shelf!

Oh...let me mention (again!) that I absolutely love this cover, and have a feeling it's gonna be my favorite for 2010!  *sigh*

To find out more about Sharon Gillenwater, or her books, please visit her at:

*  Her website

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

* I would like to say "thank you" to Donna @ Baker Publishing Group for sending me this copy for review! *