Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Review/Giveaway: Emily's Chance

Emily's Chance: A Novel (The Callahans of Texas)A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Emily's Chance (The Callahans of Texas series #2)
Author: Sharon Gillenwater
Genre: Christian contemporary 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: November 25, 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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Publisher:  Revell
Physical Description: 352-page paperback
List Price: $14.99 each
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3354-4
For More Info: http://www.sharongillenwater.com/

Synopsis:
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 Museum 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 that 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, can he help her uncover the value of love?
About the Author:
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 and Emily's Chance, 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.
What I Liked:  An easy-to-read romance with a happy ending, this book highlights the reality that God's plan for you may be far better than your own.  It also emphasizes that you can't just choose a course with God's blessings once and be done with it - but need to keep coming back to Him for direction.

Another spiritual lesson to be learned is the danger of reverse snobbery - criticizing people for their rich tastes in life, etc. and feeling justified in so doing.

There are also some interesting historical tidbits interspersed in this contemporary story, which I always enjoy.

While I have read Book #1 of this series as well, both books stand alone just fine.  There are a few references to the previous romance (between Chance's sister Jenna and her new husband), but enough explanation not to leave you hanging.

What I Didn't Like:  To be honest, I had a hard time relating to Emily.  I've been trying to pinpoint exactly why.  Perhaps because my relationship with my parents has been wonderfully different.  Or because I've never been able to afford plastic surgery on my nose.  Or because her romance is just syrupy sweet and her guy is totally committed to her from the very beginning, regardless of what challenges she passes his way. 

I don't think it's the writing style - I did enjoy reading the book - but I felt perhaps the conflict Chance experienced towards the beginning, realizing that his stance on purity needed to be modified, could have been fleshed out and dealt with further in the book as a way to add more realism.  It does pop up again in a way as he deals with old family secrets, but he and Emily never grapple with it together, and in real life, that would probably come back and bite them later.  Maybe if I understood Emily's perspective on it, I could better relate to her.

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

Posted by Jane from Mozi Esmé

41 comments:

Linda said...

This sounds like a book with good spiritual truths to be applied. Please enter me.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Charlotte Kay said...

Please, please, please enter me in this giveaway:)
THANKS!

wmmahaney said...

This book sounds wonderful. I would love to read it.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe to your blog in Google Reader.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

Unknown said...

Sharon is unknown to me as are her writings. I would like to see what Emily's real chance is all about. I read the review of pros and cons and I'd like to read the book to see if I fully agree and what I can learn from this book. Thank you for the giveaway and the opportunity to win "Emily's Chance." I hope I do.

Blessings,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Naasom André said...

This book sounds great. Please, enter me in this giveaway. Thanks!

letrassantas [at] hotmail[dot]com

Naasom André said...

GFC Follower.

letrassantas [at] hotmail[dot]com

Charlotte Kay said...

I am a GFC follower, too:)

Cindy W. said...

Ooh, what a great cover! I would love to win a copy of Emily's Choice. Thank you for the chance!

Smiles, =D
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am a GFC follower.

Smiles, =D
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

Cindy W. said...

I am an email subscriber.

Smiles, =D
Cindy W.

countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

sounds like a great read, please count me in.
sonflower277 at gmail dot com

holdenj said...

Looks like a good story, thanks for the review and chance to win.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I subscribe via google reader.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would gladly participate, - although it's the second book of the series. ea_dim@popmessenger.de

Anonymous said...

Aww, it's the second book from a series =). I'm in anyway :D. th_humanoid@popmessenger.de

jturner said...

I would love to read this book and then pass it on to my daughter...I think she would like it, too. Thanks for the opportunity.

David Johnson said...

Please count me in, thanks.

Anonymous said...

I love to read CHristain fiction

mjmeeks5@netscape.net

Katie Marie said...

I would love a chance at winning this book! Thanks for the entry!

- Katie
legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Katie Marie said...

I am a follower of winning reads!

- Katie
legacy1992(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

Would love to have a chance to read this one - please enter me.

Chrizette
baychriz at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I am also a google friend follower

Chrizette
baychriz at gmail dot com

PinkStuff28 said...

I would love to win and read this .

Sounds great


raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

PinkStuff28 said...

I'm also a GFC follower.



raluk.93 at gmail (dot) com

Damla said...

I want to win, thank you!

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

Damla said...

I'm a GFC follower.

annabell_lee_dk (at) yahoo.com

grannyvon said...

Would love to win this neat book. Thanks for the chance to win it! ybutler@oppcatv.com

grannyvon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
grannyvon said...

I subscribe by e-mail. Thanks for all the entries to win. ybutler@oppcatv.com

erma said...

This sounds like a great book.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Anonymous said...

For my neighbor!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Bakersdozen said...

Thanks for your review. i would love to read it. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

Email subscriber. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

bjerding said...

Sounds very interesting. Would love to read it. Thanks.

bjerding@live.com

bjerding said...

I am a GFC follower.

bjerding@live.com

Annerszz101 said...

I want this book!

Annerszz101@wowway.com

Annerszz101 said...

Already was a follower!

Annerszz101@wowway.com

Anonymous said...

Enter me please

jim.coyne2@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower on Twitter

jim.coyne2@verizon.net