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Small-Town #3
Small-Town Mom
The Widow's Rules of Engagement
Jamie Glasser has two ironclad rules: raise her kids the best way she knows how and…no more military men! The widowed mother of three lost to the army her late husband—and her faith in God—but she can't avoid former air force lieutenant colonel Eli Payton. The handsome high school guidance counselor is committed to helping Jamie's rebellious teenage son. But it's Jamie who's tested when she's irresistibly drawn to Eli. Here, in the family-centered community of Paradox Lake, can a woman at a crossroads find the courage to reclaim her faith and give love another chance?
Jamie Glasser has two ironclad rules: raise her kids the best way she knows how and…no more military men! The widowed mother of three lost to the army her late husband—and her faith in God—but she can't avoid former air force lieutenant colonel Eli Payton. The handsome high school guidance counselor is committed to helping Jamie's rebellious teenage son. But it's Jamie who's tested when she's irresistibly drawn to Eli. Here, in the family-centered community of Paradox Lake, can a woman at a crossroads find the courage to reclaim her faith and give love another chance?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published June 18, 2013
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293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 7, 2018
This is the 1st book I read by Jean C. Gordon. This book's storyline was okay. I liked the Christian theme in this story. I liked Jamie's character. I liked Eli's character. I liked the scenes with Eli & the kids. I liked the ending.
January 9, 2015
Paradox Lake
Book 3
I believe Jamie Glasser was in the first two books. I know she was heavily used int he second book. She was a military wife who loved her husband who was away and was very active in her church and caring for her children. But in this book, her husband is dead. He died a month before he was supposed to return to his family. Just like that, Jamie lost her faith. She began telling her children that God wasn't real and that believing in him was stupid and a waste of time. She refused to go to church and didn't want her children to have any part of the nonsense either.
When her son starts having trouble, she meets school guidance counselor, Eli Payton. Eli has his own ghosts - mainly a woman he dated in high school who hates him and accuses him of things that are untrue. He's also a retired airoforce man. Dating a military man is the last thing she wants to do. In fact, Jamie doesn't want to have anything to do with the military and she refuses to have her son have anything to do with it either...
The story was okay, but Jamie's change in faith and treatment of her children just made me very uncomfortable. I understand that losing a spouse can be rough, but if she is this against faith, I question on if she ever had it to begin with. Was she just playing the part and then when something happens, she finds an excuse to say "Nope,we're not doing that anymore." Also, I think she was a bit hateful with her son at times with her "You won't have any part in this and that's final." mindset. The fact that she stayed a nice person and a great mother...well...something just didn't ring true to me in all this.
I enjoyed the story as far as Jamie, Eli, and Charlie was concerned. I thought that was a great part of the story and probably saved this story from getting an even lower rating. I also enjoyed re-visiting characters from previous book. I'm wondering about the timing for Autumn. She is not a mid-wife after attending graduate school. There would have to be at least six years between the first book and the third book for that to be possible...
Book 3
I believe Jamie Glasser was in the first two books. I know she was heavily used int he second book. She was a military wife who loved her husband who was away and was very active in her church and caring for her children. But in this book, her husband is dead. He died a month before he was supposed to return to his family. Just like that, Jamie lost her faith. She began telling her children that God wasn't real and that believing in him was stupid and a waste of time. She refused to go to church and didn't want her children to have any part of the nonsense either.
When her son starts having trouble, she meets school guidance counselor, Eli Payton. Eli has his own ghosts - mainly a woman he dated in high school who hates him and accuses him of things that are untrue. He's also a retired airoforce man. Dating a military man is the last thing she wants to do. In fact, Jamie doesn't want to have anything to do with the military and she refuses to have her son have anything to do with it either...
The story was okay, but Jamie's change in faith and treatment of her children just made me very uncomfortable. I understand that losing a spouse can be rough, but if she is this against faith, I question on if she ever had it to begin with. Was she just playing the part and then when something happens, she finds an excuse to say "Nope,we're not doing that anymore." Also, I think she was a bit hateful with her son at times with her "You won't have any part in this and that's final." mindset. The fact that she stayed a nice person and a great mother...well...something just didn't ring true to me in all this.
I enjoyed the story as far as Jamie, Eli, and Charlie was concerned. I thought that was a great part of the story and probably saved this story from getting an even lower rating. I also enjoyed re-visiting characters from previous book. I'm wondering about the timing for Autumn. She is not a mid-wife after attending graduate school. There would have to be at least six years between the first book and the third book for that to be possible...
November 9, 2015
Small-Town Mom is a tender story of a military widow with a grieving son and a veteran school counselor. Small town gossips start rumors about the two adults. Jamie feels God has failed her by allowing her husband to die. Eli's faith in God guide him to overcome his past. The characters were very well developed. You will want to keep turning pages in this excellent book.
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December 29, 2014"Gordon's story demonstrates the destructive nature of gossip." RT Book Reviews
February 8, 2014
Lovely Love Inspired Romance. I like how it had a focus on the military and what military families went through. Another great read!
May 1, 2018
Sweet inspirational romance with nicely developed, likeable characters.
February 18, 2023
Awesome story
May 1, 2024
Nice story. Easy read. Happy to recommend to those that like a Christian romance. Would read this author again.
February 23, 2017
Jamie Glasser is determined to raise her children without going to church. She lost her husband to the army and, in the process, her faith as well. Now, she is antagonistic to Christianity, God, and the military, so she can’t fall for guidance counselor Eli Payton, no matter how much she is attracted to him. Eli is determined to help Jamie and her rebellious son, but he never imagined that an old girlfriend would cause so much trouble. The last thing he wants is to cause more difficulty for Jamie and her children. Can Eli and Jamie overcome her lack of faith and his ex-girlfriend to finally come together?
The characters in this book are both incredibly strong. Jamie is a mom trying to do the best for her children while coping with the loss of her husband, and Eli is a faithful man willing to do what he can to help others. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing them come together. The storyline was wonderful, as well. It kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened next. There was definitely a good flow, and it was well written.
I also loved the message of the book that God is always there for us. We may not have everything we want. We will experience losses, but God is always there to help if we reach out our hand to him. I loved the Christian message, and I loved seeing Jamie come to back to her faith and discover what was missing.
This book was an enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend it.
The characters in this book are both incredibly strong. Jamie is a mom trying to do the best for her children while coping with the loss of her husband, and Eli is a faithful man willing to do what he can to help others. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing them come together. The storyline was wonderful, as well. It kept me engaged and wanting to know what happened next. There was definitely a good flow, and it was well written.
I also loved the message of the book that God is always there for us. We may not have everything we want. We will experience losses, but God is always there to help if we reach out our hand to him. I loved the Christian message, and I loved seeing Jamie come to back to her faith and discover what was missing.
This book was an enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend it.
July 12, 2016
Jamie Glasser is determined not to ever get involved with another man — especially one who has a military background, or, Heaven help her, is on active duty. After all, Jamie lost her husband just before he was scheduled to return home.
Unfortunately, when she has to visit the school guidance counselor with her son, she the meets newly-hired, former air force lieutenant colonel Eli Payton. Of course, I was rooting for Eli part of the time — and Jamie part of the time.
What will happen? I can’t tell . . . there’s lots of twists and turns, but even when it doesn’t turn out the way I expect it to, it works out. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.
Jean continues the Small-Town saga . . . adding more delightful characters and lots of excitement. Be sure to get a copy and read it for yourself.
You’re gonna love it!
Happy Reading!
March 23, 2020
Jamie lost her husband to the military just days before he was to return home. Now she's against anything military or anything religious. The age old question of how can there be a God if all these horrible things happen. Now her son is getting in trouble at school and his guidance counselor is a retired Air Force man. Doesn't look good for any of them! With some help from her young daughters, soon Eli is entrenched in their lives.
April 7, 2021
This is the second time I've read this book. It was as good as I remembered. The only reason that I didn't give it a full 5 stars is because there were a few inconsistencies that were kind of distracting. I didn't notice them the first go reading go around because I didn't read the series back to back like I am now. Other than that, it's still a great story.
January 25, 2017
Really enjoyed this book. A nice pace for a romance story like the kind I loved years ago but definitely one for the current time period. All the characters are well-developed along with the real fear of falling for another military man who could die and leave her alone once more to struggle to raise a family as a single parent.
September 20, 2014
Small Town Mom inspires other mom out there, i think they should read this. Single or not. isn't t romantic, falling in love to someone who will accept you, appreciate you and love you as you are... anyway!
August 28, 2013
This was a book that I won through the goodreads first reads giveaway program. This is not a book I would normally read, but was very good. It shows if you believe in God anything is possible.
July 10, 2013
This story touched my heart. Can a war widow trust again?
August 1, 2013
Ok, I cried...don't judge...lol. Riveting, easy to read and definitely not a book you want to read on a day you have errands to run...lol.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews