{"id":421,"date":"2010-05-11T10:11:00","date_gmt":"2010-05-11T10:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/2010\/05\/finding-jeena-by-miralee-ferrell-2.html"},"modified":"2010-05-11T10:11:00","modified_gmt":"2010-05-11T10:11:00","slug":"finding-jeena-by-miralee-ferrell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/2010\/05\/finding-jeena-by-miralee-ferrell\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding Jeena By Miralee Ferrell"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have not read this entire book yet…but I did read a few pages at the chiropractor’s office last night and it looks like a good book! I’ll probably be posting a review sometime within the next month!<\/em>
~Cecelia Dowdy~<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/a>It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour<\/a><\/span><\/strong> book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old…or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Today’s Wild Card author is: <\/strong><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Miralee Ferrell <\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

and the book:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Finding Jeena<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Kregel Publications (March 8, 2010) <\/p>\n

***Special thanks to Cat Hoort of Kregel Publications for sending me a review copy.***<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<\/span> <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n

\"\"id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469154966424690274\"<\/a>
Miralee Ferrell and her husband, Allen, live in a rural community in Washington State. She serves on staff at their local church as a licensed minister and is actively involved in ministry to women, as well as speaking to women\u2019s groups. She\u2019s always been an avid reader and dabbled in writing, but never considered it as a serious calling until 2005 when she felt the Lord directing her to write. Since then she\u2019s had several magazine articles published, two in book compilations, and four full-length novels released with a fifth releasing in early 2011. Miralee loves working in her flower beds, riding horseback with her daughter, and sailing with her husband. <\/p>\n

Visit the author’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Product Details:<\/p>\n

List Price: $13.99
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications (March 8, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0825426456
ISBN-13: 978-0825426452 <\/p>\n

AND NOW…THE FIRST CHAPTER:<\/span> <\/strong>
<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469154741096876386\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Jeena Gregory chewed on her lip as she stared at the red silk dress hanging in the closet. Would it be enough? She wiped her sweaty palms down the legs of her jeans, trying to vanquish the knot in her stomach. The same feeling she\u2019d experienced as a ten-year-old hit her. She\u2019d walked into her new school and tried to ignore the snickers as some of the students eyed her worn-out sneakers and hand-me-down clothes.<\/p>\n

She refused to let fear or insecurity take control. Fear couldn\u2019t hurt her\u2014only men could do that. And Sean loved her.<\/p>\n

No way would she believe the rumor she\u2019d heard from Connie, the biggest gossip in her small group of friends. Sean couldn\u2019t be seeing someone else. He was close to proposing; she\u2019d sensed it more than once. Jeena shook her head, trying to dislodge the disquieting thoughts. He\u2019d have a good explanation.<\/p>\n

Her confidence level soared after applying makeup and slipping into the dress. It had cost her two days\u2019 salary, but it was worth every cent. Hugging her in all the right places, the dark red silk accented her long black hair and green eyes. Working out at the club kept her figure where she wanted it.<\/p>\n

Sean\u2019s car flashed past Jeena\u2019s window and halted in front of her small condo. Jeena ran a hand over her trim hips. She\u2019d be thirty later this year, and her body still looked like that of a twenty-year-old\u2014she\u2019d maintain it if she had to work out every day.<\/p>\n

The doorbell chimed, but this time Jeena didn\u2019t rush to answer. Sean Matthews needn\u2019t think her life revolved around his arrival, even if it did. Playing a little hard to get might work in her favor.<\/p>\n

The bell chimed a second time, and Jeena imagined its tone changed to one of impatience. Better not overdo it. She opened the door and stepped back into the glow of the entry light to give him the full effect.<\/p>\n

A small frown turned down the corners of Sean\u2019s mouth, giving a serious aspect to his rugged face. His tapping toe stilled, but his lowered brows didn\u2019t lift until he stepped across the threshold.<\/p>\n

The smile Jeena expected didn\u2019t appear. Apprehension flickered through her mind. \u201cSomething wrong, Sean?\u201d She touched his arm.<\/p>\n

He ran his fingers through his dark blond hair, giving a slightly rumpled look to a man who prided himself on his appearance. \u201cOur reservation is in fifteen minutes. We\u2019re going to be late.\u201d<\/p>\n

He hadn\u2019t seemed to notice the gown or the accentuated curves. \u201cI had a bit of a struggle zipping up this dress.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou might need a jacket. That looks a little skimpy for a chilly evening.\u201d<\/p>\n

The small wisp of fear grew, fanned by the coolness of his impatience.<\/p>\n

\u201cSkimpy? That\u2019s it?\u201d She stepped back, folding her arms.<\/p>\n

He shot a quick, cool look at the dress. \u201cYou look great. Is it new?\u201d<\/p>\n

She pursed her lips. Something was up. \u201cYes, it\u2019s new.\u201d She swung toward the closet. \u201cFine. I\u2019ll get a jacket.\u201d She yanked open the door and pulled a black cape off the rack. Great start to our evening.<\/p>\n

He helped her into his silver Lexus, then slipped into his seat and turned the key. \u201cYou really do look stunning.\u201d Sean paused. \u201cIt\u2019s been a crazy day, and I\u2019ve had a lot on my mind.\u201d He gave her a soft smile before turning his attention back to the road.<\/p>\n

They pulled out into the street and headed through the residential area toward the edge of town. Silhouetted against the skyline, tall fir trees flanked the elegant homes along the way. Kids still played in front yards, and a couple of eager homeowners mowed their yards. Jeena sighed. She missed having a yard and flowerbeds. The new townhouse she\u2019d put a deposit on boasted a small backyard and window boxes in the front, so she could indulge her gardening hobby on her days off.<\/p>\n

She sank deeper in the seat and released a small breath. Peaceful silence enveloped her as the quiet car snaked around the curves and the sun glinted off the nearby Columbia River. Sean loved her. Losing sight of that was foolish. Sure, he\u2019d neglected to kiss her when he\u2019d arrived, but she understood the stress generated by work. His job as a financial consultant to a large corporation in Portland often kept him distracted.<\/p>\n

Connie was being catty and nothing more.<\/p>\n

Jeena gave a low laugh. \u201cYou had me worried. I thought aliens had taken over your body when you didn\u2019t react to this dress.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pulled away from a stop sign and glanced in his mirror, then reached over and took her hand. \u201cNever fear. If aliens attempt a takeover, I\u2019ll shoot \u2019em dead.\u201d His quick smile flashed. \u201cHungry?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery.\u201d She\u2019d been foolish to listen to Connie. An hour earlier, she couldn\u2019t have eaten a thing, but now she was ravenous. <\/p>\n

Sean had chosen a small, rather exclusive restaurant, a rarity in River City, Oregon. They could have driven an hour up I-84 to Portland, but the recent growth of tourism in the Columbia River Gorge had birthed new hot spots, popular with locals and tourists alike.<\/p>\n

They were seated by a window that afforded a breathtaking view of the river, and Jeena could see the colorful sails of windsurfers kiting along in the evening breeze, the soft glow of the late April sunset bronzing the multi-colored sails. Candles glowed against the damask tablecloth, giving off a subtle air of luxury. Strains of low music added to the ambiance, creating a soothing background for the trickle of diners still drifting in.<\/p>\n

Sean had requested a quiet spot in the corner, giving a sense of privacy that still allowed a good view. While he ordered, Jeena glanced around the room, wondering if any of their friends might be here tonight. No familiar faces appeared within her line of sight. Good. She wanted this evening to be theirs alone. Maybe they could sort out the nasty rumor starting to circulate and kill it before it morphed into something worse.<\/p>\n

Sean leaned back in his seat and sighed, stretching his legs out from under the heavy brocade cloth.<\/p>\n

\u201cLong day?\u201d Jeena reached across to stroke the side of his face. He didn\u2019t pull away, but he didn\u2019t wrap his long fingers around hers as she\u2019d expected. A small alarm went off in the back of her mind.<\/p>\n

He gave a small shake of his head, dislodging her hand. \u201cNot really. It feels good to sit across the table from a beautiful woman, instead of looking at bored businessmen all day.\u201d<\/p>\n

She sat back in her chair and relaxed. \u201cSomething going on at work that\u2019s bothering you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery little. How about you? When does your lease start on the new townhouse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn ten days, so I\u2019m boxing everything up now. I\u2019ve got my final interview a week from Monday with Browning and Thayer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too bad it\u2019s only a temporary job, but with your expertise in design, they can\u2019t go wrong contracting you.\u201d He straightened in his chair and leaned toward her, an affectionate smile flickering across his lips.<\/p>\n

She flashed him a grateful look. \u201cThanks. I hope they feel the same. But being a private contractor has its advantages, and the project is big\u2014it should last at least a year.\u201d<\/p>\n

The waiter arrived, placing steaming plates of fragrant pasta in front of them and gathering the empty salad dishes. A few minutes passed in comfortable silence, and Jeena\u2019s misgivings evaporated in the relaxed intimacy.<\/p>\n

Candlelight cast a warm light across Sean\u2019s face, accentuating his masculine good looks. Jeena smiled and settled deeper into her chair. \u201cSo tell me about your family. Last time we talked, you were concerned about your mom living alone, now that your dad\u2019s gone. How\u2019s she doing?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, from what I gather when I have time to call.\u201d He wound the last strand of pasta onto his fork and took a bite, then wiped his mouth with a napkin. \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u2014I see a client I need to speak to. I\u2019ll only be a minute. Do you mind?\u201d He nodded across the room to a silver-haired man sitting with an elegantly dressed woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot at all.\u201d She smiled, then watched him make his way through the tables.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d first spotted him at a party a little over a year ago. Tall, mid-thirties, dressed in an Italian three-piece suit, and built like a model, he stood out in the crowd of older businessmen. An air of sophistication clung to him, enhanced by vivid blue eyes set in a deeply tanned face. A striking blonde who\u2019d had too much to drink was hanging on his arm. He looked slightly disgusted and appeared to be searching for an escape.<\/p>\n

Setting aside her drink, Jeena strolled across the room, knowing she\u2019d captured his attention even before she approached.<\/p>\n

She extended her hand and smiled when he held it longer than necessary. \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ve been introduced. I\u2019m Jeena Gregory, a friend of our hostess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSean Matthews. This is . . . I\u2019m sorry, what\u2019s your name again?\u201d His bored gaze turned to the blonde.<\/p>\n

The woman released her grip on his arm and glared at Jeena. \u201cAngie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sean cocked his head toward the woman. \u201cRight. Sorry. This is Angie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Angie\u2019s lips turned down in a pout. \u201cI\u2019m getting something to drink. I\u2019ll find someone more interesting to take me home.\u201d Angie flounced across the room without looking back.<\/p>\n

Sean\u2019s blue eyes shone with something more than amusement. \u201cI didn\u2019t bring her, but she\u2019s had too much to drink and must have forgotten. She latched onto me when I arrived. Thanks for the rescue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeena spent the rest of the evening in his company\u2014and many evenings after that. Within a few weeks, she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with this man. Intelligent, witty, generous, and advancing up the corporate ladder at a fast pace, he possessed much that she found attractive.<\/p>\n

Sean, however, remained an enigma. While engaging and attentive, he had yet to commit to a permanent relationship. Jeena sensed his frustration at her adamant refusal to move in together. She enjoyed the party life and didn\u2019t judge others for their lifestyle choices, but she drew the line at moving in with a man before marriage. She deserved more. Besides, too many of her crowd had gone that direction, and she\u2019d seen disaster strike more than once.<\/p>\n

\u201cJeena? I\u2019m sorry I took so long. I hope you weren\u2019t bored.\u201d Sean\u2019s deep voice woke her from the memories.<\/p>\n

She brushed the hair from her eyes. \u201cNot at all. Just remembering our first meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yes. The party.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jeena tried to suppress a smile but failed. \u201cAnd poor Angie.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sean laughed outright. \u201cPoor Angie, nothing. That woman clung like a leech with no encouragement from me. You came along just in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

She leaned toward him and stroked the back of his hand. \u201cDid I?\u201d<\/p>\n

He slowly pulled back, and the smile disappeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d Her heart rate accelerated.<\/p>\n

He cleared his throat and picked up a napkin. \u201cThere\u2019s something I want to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tell. Not ask. Jeena leaned back and crossed her arms. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been offered a new job. It means a huge increase in pay and could lead to a partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sounds wonderful. I didn\u2019t realize you were looking.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t mention it until I knew something would come of it. I didn\u2019t want to worry you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would I care?\u201d Her palms grew clammy, but she refused to give in to fear.<\/p>\n

His lips set in a firm line; then he took a deep breath and plunged forward. \u201cIt\u2019s taking me out of the States. A large construction conglomerate wants me in the Middle East.\u201d<\/p>\n

A small shiver of fear traveled up her back. \u201cBut that\u2019s dangerous. Tell me you\u2019re not going to take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve said yes. I\u2019ll be living in Kuwait and going across the border occasionally, and then only to areas that are deemed safe. I leave in two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo weeks,\u201d she whispered. \u201cWhat about us?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shifted in his chair and looked at his hands, then raised his eyes. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, Jeena.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean, you\u2019re sorry? You\u2019re not asking me to come with you or wait? How long will you be gone?\u201d She tried to keep the pain out of her voice, but her words rose in tone and volume.<\/p>\n

An irritated look flashed across his face. The small, secluded spot he\u2019d chosen closed in around her. No longer did the flickering candles on the table give off an aura of romance\u2014instead, they gleamed with an ominous light.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll be gone at least a year, maybe two. You didn\u2019t want to live with me here in the States, so I didn\u2019t think you\u2019d be willing to move to Kuwait.\u201d Sean leaned back in his chair, holding her gaze.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d probably hold onto him if she gave in, but something inside protested. Her parents\u2019 marriage had been lousy, no doubt about that. But her mother had saved herself for the man she married and had often urged Jeena to do the same. Besides, Grammie would be be horrified if Jeena made that decision. A deep love for both her mother and grandmother had prompted Jeena to walk the same path.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if we were married . . .\u201d She could have bitten off her tongue for letting the words slip.<\/p>\n

Sean\u2019s lips twisted in a wry smile. \u201cI have no desire to get married.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo all of this has been what . . . a game? You aren\u2019t in love with me? Never have been?\u201d<\/p>\n

He shrugged. \u201cI think a lot of you. But marriage isn\u2019t part of my plan. I thought we\u2019d have a good time. Frankly, I hung around hoping you\u2019d change your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou knew how I felt about living together. It\u2019s not something I\u2019m comfortable with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sean smirked. \u201cYou told me your dad was a religious Jekyll and Hyde and you had no use for God. I never expected you\u2019d stick with your decision and be such a prude.\u201d<\/p>\n

His words brought the chaos in her mind to a halt. An icy calm washed over her. \u201cPrude. I see. So, who is she?\u201d<\/p>\n

His face flamed red, then faded to a dirty white. \u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

She rose quickly, her chair sliding into the waiter who was walking behind her. Pride stiffened her spine and held her head high. \u201cI nailed that one. Never mind. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll be very happy together, and my prudish life will be better off without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

She slipped around the table and started to walk past him, but he reached out and grasped her wrist. \u201cJeena. Don\u2019t be that way. I\u2019ll drive you home. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaking off his hand, she stepped out of his reach and lowered her voice, conscious of the curious looks from the tables nearby. \u201cI\u2019ll get a taxi. Have a great life, Sean.\u201d<\/p>\n

Somehow she managed to exit the restaurant without calling more attention to herself. Humiliation at making a scene while leaving the table forced her to increase her pace and not look back. The poor waiter\u2014she\u2019d nearly bowled him over while rushing from the table. But no way could she allow Sean to see her cry. She needed to get home and face this. The tears would come later, and no telling when they\u2019d stop.<\/p>\n

Men. Anger bubbled inside, momentarily pushing aside the sting of tears. Her father had proven men couldn\u2019t be trusted\u2014he hadn\u2019t loved her, either. Why had she forgotten? Never again would a man suck her in with promises and lies. From now on, her career would come first. She\u2019d show them all. The only person in the world who mattered was her grandmother. She\u2019d neglected her recently, but tomorrow was a new day. Grammie would be happy to see her, and Sean was no longer important.<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I have not read this entire book yet…but I did read a few pages at the chiropractor’s office last night and it looks like a good book! I’ll probably be posting a review sometime within the next month!~Cecelia Dowdy~ It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-first-wild-card-blog-tour"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paovYP-6N","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/421\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ceceliadowdy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}