Review/Giveaway: Jenna's Cowboy

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Jenna's Cowboy
Author: Sharon Gillenwater
Genre: Contemporary Christian romance
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: February 10, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.

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In the mood for a contemporary Christian romance? Check out this first-of-the-series book from Sharon Gillenwater...

Jenna's Cowboy, the first book in The Callahans of Texas series, is published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. List price on this 330-page paperback, just released this month, is $14.99.

Here's the publisher's synopsis:

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.

And more 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.

This is an easy-reading romance set in contemporary small-town Texas. Jenna and Nate are long-time friends who never acted out on their teen crushes, in part because of Jenna's father's influence. Jenna's back home with her toddler son following a disappointing first marriage. Nate's back home from his tour of duty, helping out at home because of his father's declining health, and dealing with some outward, but more inward, effects of war. And this time around, they connect...

What makes the book stand out for me, amongst the many Christian romances available today, is the way PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is handled in the book. I've never fully understood the dramatic effect this can have on a returning vet's life, and I guess I still don't, but I do have a more empathy, for both the veteran and his or her family. War is tragic, and it takes its toll in more than body counts and physical injuries... Vietnam vets are still dealing with consequences, and a new generation of Iraqi vets gets to take on the same challenge.

If you know someone who has served in a war zone, this book is an easy way to become more informed on how to help.

Thanks to Donna at Baker Publishing Group for the review copy of this book.