Megan's Hero by Sharon Gillenwater

Readers who want to fall in love with a true hero need look no further than Megan’s Hero, by Sharon Gillenwater. If I could give out a hero-of-the-year award, it would go to Will Callahan the dashing, tender-hearted, swoon-worthy hero of Sharon’s latest book.

Megan’s Hero is the third book in The Callahans of Texas series. But don’t worry if you haven’t read the first two books in this series, it’s not necessary in order to enjoy this book. However, I’m willing to bet you’ll enjoy this one so much you’ll make sure to go back and read the other two books.

I was privileged enough to hear the story line for Megan's Hero before it was written. From that moment, when it was still a brainstorm, I've waited to hold the printed book in my hand and devour the story – even more-so after reading the first two books in this series. It was well worth the wait because when I finished this book, I was happily satisfied.

Unfortunate circumstances cost Megan Smith her job. Now, pregnant, unmarried, and down to her last few dollars, she's reduced to living in her van. But when a tornado blows across the road, and destroys her van, her life is about to change forever.


Enter one seemingly too-good-to-be-true hero.

Will finds himself almost immediately smitten with the sweet mother-to-be, but there are things about her that don't add up: her reluctance to talk about her family, a secret past, and the fact that his father's private investigators could find nothing about her. What is Megan hiding, and will the truth about her past be devastating enough to keep them from pursuing a relationship?

With a little help from the rest of the Callahan crew, Will lives up to his title as the perfect hero for Megan’s wounded heart in this incredibly romantic story.

I have had favorite writers let me down with the second or third book in a series before, but not Sharon. Curling up with a book of hers is like curling up in front of the fire with family, friends and hot chocolate. Or maybe with some popcorn, Dr. Pepper, and a warm blanket. Either way, it’s comforting, soothing, and satisfying.

I love the risk Sharon takes with her unwed and homeless heroine. The way Megan struggles to overcome her past as well as her present troubles in order to find a promising future makes this heart-grabbing book the perfect one for a weekend-read.

Click here if you'd like to read my reviews of the first two books in this series.

Sharon grew up on Thompson's Ranch in the Rolling Plains of West Texas, near Colorado City. Her father was ranch foreman, and her parents lived there for over fifty years. The six thousand acre ranch provided pasture for Hereford cattle and an occasional Texas Longhorn, as well as fields of grain and grass to feed the stock and the primary crop, cotton. Love and marriage took Sharon across the country to state of Washington, but Texas is still dear to her heart.

Her books are honest down home love stories with laughter, conflict and sometimes tragedy that carries the reader along. The power of God working in the lives of the main characters is always evident as is their relationship to Him.

She again brings you the wonderful people, small towns and West Texas region she loves in Jenna's Cowboy, Emily's Chance and Megan's Hero in the Callahans of Texas series.

For Sharon, writing romance novels is a ministry. God has given her the talent to write, and she uses it to serve Him. She depends on Him to give her stories that will inspire, heal, entertain and bring her readers closer to Jesus.

Click here to visit Sharon’s website.

Sharon Gillenwater's The Callahan's of Texas series

I'm reviewing Megan's Hero, book three of Sharon Gillenwater's The Callahan's of Texas series over at Inkwell Inspirations today (Saturday, July 16th). Stop by and leave a comment before midnight tonight, because I'll be giving away a copy of the book to one lucky person. In the meantime, I thought I'd reprint my reviews of the first two books in this series. 

Jenna's Cowboy

Let’s get the important stuff over with right up front. . . .

This is one gorgeous book cover!

If you’re the type of person who buys a book based on the cover…then here you go. This particular cowboy, with those devastating blue eyes, should have this book flying off the shelves. But while it’s fun to dish about cute guys on the front of a book, how many of you would really buy a book for that reason alone? There’s so much more to this book than just the good looking guy. There’s a very believable cowboy suffering from an emotionally painful, very real and heart-wrenching disorder.

My favorite books to read, whether historical or contemporary, are always set in small towns. The cozy hometown feel has such an appeal to me. I love the fact that everyone knows each other, went to school together, and watches each others’ kids grow up. They band together to celebrate the wonderful things and they help each other through the tough times. Yes, you have your quirky characters, snooty characters, busy-bodies, and the occasional bad guy. But those are all the special extras that give a book its flavor.

Lucky for me, Jenna’s Cowboy is set in just such a town. Actually, the setting is based on author Sharon Gillenwater’s actual hometown, in West Texas. Maybe that’s why it curled all the way around my heart as I read it. Or maybe it’s the truly wonderful spirit Sharon creates in her characters. Not that they’re perfect. Like all satisfying books, her characters must experience the ups and downs of life and grow stronger in both in spirit and in faith. It’s because of those characters and the way Sharon shapes them that I always look forward to her books.

Nate Langley is a hometown hero. And he’s a true-blue Christian romance novel hero, the kind of hero that makes even the most cynical heart melt. Of course, he doesn’t want any special recognition for the sacrifices he made while serving his country. He did what any man who loves his country would do. But now it’s time to come home and help his father run the farm, time to be a cowboy, and though he might not know it yet, it’s time for Nate to heal. It might even be time to win the heart of one very special woman—the woman he’s been in love with since he was fifteen years old.

Jenna Callahan Colby is a woman who also has a lot of healing to do. She knows first hand the pain of betrayal. Could Nate possibly be the cowboy who can help her through it?

Right at the beginning of the book as Nate watches Jenna interact with some local teenagers, this book stole my heart. Actually, it gripped me even before that, when I read the very special dedication at the beginning of the book followed by the beautiful passage from Isaiah.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, the pain of divorce and betrayal, trusting the Lord to get through it all... All are very serious, very real issues, and Sharon handles them with the tenderness and sensitivity they deserve. She gives readers a deeper understanding for the effect war has on our young men and women, all the while leading us down the path of a blossoming romance.

This book is filled with heart-warming scenes and heart-aching scenes. I found my eyes filling with tears more than once.

When Jenna and Nate meet for the first time in the book, I couldn’t help but smile. It takes a special writer to blend serious issues with heartwarming romance and a touch of humor, and Sharon Gillenwater is just such an author. If you’ve read her books before, you know you’re about to read something special. If you’ve never read one of her books, you truly won’t want to miss this one. Her book Love Song remains one of my all time favorites, but I think Jenna’s Cowboy may have just pushed that one into second place.

I hope you’ll grab a copy of Jenna’s Cowboy, settle into your favorite reading spot, and let the entire world fade away while you escape to Small-Town-USA…my favorite place to be.

Emily's Chance

People in Callahan Crossing have a lot of pieces to pick up after a fire destroys much of the town. Emily Rose Denny is there to work on the town’s historical museum. And though Chance Callahan doesn’t see how restoring the museum will help the town recover after the fire, he’s glad to help, and even more glad that Emily is here to stay for a while.

The romance between these two characters evolves naturally and delightfully, and the book is filled with touching moments between Chance, Emily, and his parents. She doesn’t have the best of relationships with her own parents, and yet she fits into Chance’s family so perfectly.

Emily tries to keep herself from falling in love, knowing she’s only in town for the duration of the job. When it’s over, she’ll pack her suitcase and head for the big city, where she’ll try to land an even bigger job. But will she find that God has led her to this town for a different purpose?

When she makes a shocking discovery while restoring the museum, it causes Chance to question everything he’s ever believed in. And as he helps with the project, he hopes to convince Emily to give up her dream of being a curator at a large museum in Dallas and stay in Callahan Crossing—with him.

I love the small-town feel of this book, as well as every book Sharon writes. The setting is so vivid, I feel like I’m right there. The characters are so real; I can picture them laughing, talking, and interacting with each other. Sharon never fails to bring a smile to my face and evoke at least one tear from my cynical eyes.

Like I did, you’ll fall in love with these characters, and the charm of Sharon’s natural storytelling voice.

Sharon Gillenwater grew up on Thompson's Ranch in the Rolling Plains of West Texas, near Colorado City. Her father was ranch foreman, and her parents lived there for over fifty years. The six thousand acre ranch provided pasture for Hereford cattle and an occasional Texas Longhorn, as well as fields of grain and grass to feed the stock and the primary crop, cotton. Love and marriage took Sharon across the country to state of Washington, but Texas is still dear to her heart

Her books are honest down home love stories with laughter, conflict and sometimes tragedy that carries the reader along. The power of God working in the lives of the main characters is always evident as is their relationship to Him.

She again brings you the wonderful people, small towns and West Texas region she loves Jenna's Cowboy, Emily's Chance and Megan's Hero in the Callahans of Texas series.

For Sharon, writing romance novels is a ministry. God has given her the talent to write, and she uses it to serve Him. She depends on Him to give her stories that will inspire, heal, entertain and bring her readers closer to Jesus.

Visit Sharon’s website:
http://www.sharongillenwater.com/
Read the Romantic Times Author’s Spotlight on Sharon:
http://www.rtbookreviews.com/stage/sharon.html
To read some fun facts about how Sharon created the town of Callahan Crossing:
http://petticoatsandpistols.com/2010/01/02/sharon-gillenwater-excuse-me-may-i-borrow-part-of-your-ranch/

photo credits:
cowboy boots courtesy of scotsxc at http://www.sxc.hu
wild horses courtesy of guitargoa at www.sxc.hu
barbed wire courtesy of DawnAllynn at http://www.sxc.hu

Loved It, Loving It - A Different Sort of Book Review

Loved It:

Megan’s Hero – by Sharon Gillenwater 

I've been waiting o get my hands on this book ever since I first heard the storyline, and more-so after reading the first two books in this series. I just finished it, and am happily satisfied. This book was well worth the wait. Will Callahan, Megan Smith's hero, truly lives up to his title in this incredibly romantic story. And for all of you who read the first two books, the rest of the Callahan crew are on hand to help Megan through her crisis. I don't want to give too much away, since I'll be doing a complete review of this book at Inkwell Inspirations on July 9^th. But you should know I absolutely loved this book and if you like homespun romance that makes you sigh, you will, too. 

The Lightkeeper’s Ball – by Colleen Coble
Set in California at the turn of the last century, this is also the third in a series. I've enjoyed all of Colleen Coble's contemporary suspense novels, and though historical, this series also has a generous amount of suspense woven in. I truly enjoyed this book, the setting, the suspense, and I especially loved the way the heroine, Olivia, throws herself into the goal of discovering the truth behind her sister's death. I also loved the discovering Olivia's secret goal and her longing to fulfill it. I will be doing a full review at Inkwell Inspirations on June 25^th.

Witness on the Run – by Hope White

Hope White is one of the newer authors at Love Inspired Suspense, and I'm so glad she's there. Her novels are true romantic suspense, and I can't wait for more from her. After Robin Strand witnesses a murder, she suffers a head injury and amnesia. Jake Walters, former Homeland Security agent, now private detective, is just the hero to come to her rescue. Since I look forward to well-written Love Inspired Suspense novels each month, I can't help but hope there are more to come from this author.

Lawman-with-a-Badge – by Laura Scott 

Another premium Love Inspired Suspense by another fairly new author, and I can't wait for more by Laura Scott. This is the story of Megan O'Ryan, former crime scene investigator. Her sister was a victim of the St. Patrick's Strangler, and she helped convict him of the crimes. But someone's trying to kill her, and it appears to be the work of the the St. Patrick's Strangler himself. This is truly is an edge of the seat suspense, reminiscent of the old days of Harlequin Intrigue when they had M.J. Rodgers, Tess Gerritsen and Vickie York writing for them. 

…and speaking of Tess Gerritsen…

The Boneyard – by Tess Gerritsen 

Though not a Rizzoli and Isles story, Dr. Maura Isles is featured in the opening chapters of this book set in Boston. Not nearly as graphic in the forensic sense as the usual Rizzoli and Isles books, this story takes an interesting twist that I've never seen Tess Gerritsen do before. She skillfully and seamlessly weaves two stories together: one in the present, and one in the past where there’s a killer on the streets of 1830s Boston. To my knowledge, this is Tess Gerritsen’s only historical novel, and though it’s not Christian fiction, I felt as if I was reading a novel by Julie Klaasen. The other day at the Inkwell, Anita Mae Draper mentioned in a review how a particular book stuck with her for days. This one did the same for me. I was so caught up in the story, in the historical details, in the characterization, I did think about this book for a long time after reading it. I even woke up a couple of times while on vacation, thinking about it. I don’t often read books a second time, but this one, like Julie Klaasen’s books, begs to be read again.

Loving It:

Dance of the Dandelion – by Dina Sleiman 

I'm currently reading this book, which is not yet available in the print version. I wanted to make sure and tell people about it now, though, because the e-book version is available right now and you can download it for less than $4. That's a great deal, especially for this book, which is beautifully written in Dina Sleiman's trademark lyrical style. She has a touching poem at the beginning, which is a lovely prelude to the book. The cover is gorgeous, and especially special because Dina's daughter is the cover model. Even though I'm reading this on my Nook, I still can’t wait to hold the print version in my hand and celebrate with my fellow Inkwell Inspirations sister on her first sale. Hopefully I’ll be bringing you a full review and interview with this inspirational (literally and figuratively) author very soon. What I can tell you now, even before I've finished this book, is that Dina is destined to become one of my favorite authors.

Making Waves – by Lorna Seilstad

Just in time for the debut of her second book, Great Catch, I’m finally getting to read Lorna Seilstad's first book, Making Waves. It’s been on my virtual TBR for quite some time, and I’ve actually anticipated reading it for even longer...actually since the day I saw the cover in the publisher’s catalog before it even came out. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but when I saw the cover, I knew instantly it was a book I wanted to read. In the two cases where I've bought a book based solely on the cover, I was absolutely right. Courting Miss Adelaide by Janet Dean, and this one, Making Waves. Both covers feature heroines in jaunty hats with a hint of spunkiness in their facial expressions; and both books feature lively heroines and great plots. I'm thoroughly enjoying this book, and looking forward to adding Great Catch to my TBR.

And since I mentioned them...here are the covers from Lorna Seilstad's upcoming book, Great Catch, and Janet Dean's Courting Miss Adelaide - highly recommended if you haven't already read it!

If you’re a fan of a good Texas love story, you’ll want to be sure to read the latest book in Sharon Gillenwater’s The Callahan’s of Texas series: Emily’s Chance.

If you haven’t read the first book, don’t worry. You’ll still be able to pick this one up and read it without being confused. But when you’re done reading, you’ll want to rush out and buy Jenna’s Cowboy, because once you’ve read one book in this series, you won’t want to miss any of them.


People in Callahan Crossing have a lot of pieces to pick up after a fire destroys much of the town. Emily Rose Denny is there to work on the town’s historical museum. And though Chance Callahan doesn’t see how restoring the museum will help the town recover after the fire, he’s glad to help, and even more glad that Emily is here to stay for a while.

The romance between these two characters evolves naturally and delightfully, and the book is filled with touching moments between Chance, Emily, and his parents. She doesn’t have the best of relationships with her own parents, and yet she fits into Chance’s family so perfectly.

Emily tries to keep herself from falling in love, knowing she’s only in town for the duration of the job. When it’s over, she’ll pack her suitcase and head for the big city, where she’ll try to land an even bigger job. But will she find that God has led her to this town for a different purpose?

When she makes a shocking discovery while restoring the museum, it causes Chance to question everything he’s ever believed in. And as he helps with the project, he hopes to convince Emily to give up her dream of being a curator at a large museum in Dallas and stay in Callahan Crossing—with him.

I love the small-town feel of this book, as well as every book Sharon writes. The setting is so vivid, I feel like I’m right there. The characters are so real; I can picture them laughing, talking, and interacting with each other. Sharon never fails to bring a smile to my face and evoke at least one tear from my cynical eyes.

Like I did, you’ll fall in love with these characters, and the charm of Sharon’s natural storytelling voice. And be sure to watch for Megan’s Hero, the next book in The Callahans of Texas series, available in June.


Though she lives in Washington State, Sharon Gillenwater grew up on a ranch in West Texas. It’s hard to take the girl out of Texas, and that’s why she’s so good at creating her small-town Texas settings. You can visit Sharon’s website at: http://www.sharongillenwater.com/

To read my review of Jenna's Cowboy, click here: http://inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com/search/label/Sharon%20Gillenwater

Check out the Petticoats and Pistols Blog...

My dear friend and gifted author Sharon Gillenwater is guest blogging today and sharing the history of her Texas hometown. Here's the link:
http://petticoatsandpistols.com/