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A Time to Serve: Never Lie, Never Settle, Never Quit
Never Lie
"Which stories were true?"
Jefferies watched the new guy survey the battlefield. "What makes you think they weren't all true? This is SEAL Team Three. Alpha Platoon. Never doubt us. Never cause us to doubt you. Every man's life depends on the trust between his brothers. If we catch you even in a white lie, we'll make hazing look like a ten-year old's birthday party. You feel me?"
Never Settle
"You don't want me. Not really. You see the car, the bike, the leather, the long hair. You see a projection. To love and be loved is the most selfless act a person can do for another. Life is too short to settle for the broken pieces of a shattered heart."
Never Quit
"I'll ask you again, Evie. Are you quitting?"
"I didn't come this far to quit."
"Good. I'm going to make you cry. I am going to cuss like a sailor, because I am one. I'm going to push you hard and demand nothing but your very best. You'll want to quit, but if you quit, ever, we're done--do not ring the bell Ms.Sinclaire."
"Which stories were true?"
Jefferies watched the new guy survey the battlefield. "What makes you think they weren't all true? This is SEAL Team Three. Alpha Platoon. Never doubt us. Never cause us to doubt you. Every man's life depends on the trust between his brothers. If we catch you even in a white lie, we'll make hazing look like a ten-year old's birthday party. You feel me?"
Never Settle
"You don't want me. Not really. You see the car, the bike, the leather, the long hair. You see a projection. To love and be loved is the most selfless act a person can do for another. Life is too short to settle for the broken pieces of a shattered heart."
Never Quit
"I'll ask you again, Evie. Are you quitting?"
"I didn't come this far to quit."
"Good. I'm going to make you cry. I am going to cuss like a sailor, because I am one. I'm going to push you hard and demand nothing but your very best. You'll want to quit, but if you quit, ever, we're done--do not ring the bell Ms.Sinclaire."
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 7, 2020
2 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Widemire Smith
1 book2 followersJennifer Widemire Smith is a writer with a long name who’s not on anyone’s best-selling lists—yet. And it’s pronounced wide-mire.
She can trace her writing skills to The Academy of Art University when she enrolled in Narrative Storytelling—an intriguing course that stuck. Unlike your average English 101.
She got married, grew tiny humans, and began turning her family adventures into fabulous stories parked at, "The D Word, Diary of a Dyslexic” blog.
A writing exercise on empathy turned into a story that her husband found, liked, and demanded to know what came next. His insistence turned into the book you’re thinking of purchasing. Take it for a test drive. See if you like what’s under the cover.
Why write a story about SEALs? Because they taught her to be “Unbreakable” and to never give up on a little idea that keeps her up at night.
She can trace her writing skills to The Academy of Art University when she enrolled in Narrative Storytelling—an intriguing course that stuck. Unlike your average English 101.
She got married, grew tiny humans, and began turning her family adventures into fabulous stories parked at, "The D Word, Diary of a Dyslexic” blog.
A writing exercise on empathy turned into a story that her husband found, liked, and demanded to know what came next. His insistence turned into the book you’re thinking of purchasing. Take it for a test drive. See if you like what’s under the cover.
Why write a story about SEALs? Because they taught her to be “Unbreakable” and to never give up on a little idea that keeps her up at night.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 15, 2020
I found the book an interesting read regarding the navy SEAL lifestyle and recommend you read it.
June 12, 2021
Ralph’s Party meets SEAL Team
I came at A Time To Serve from an unexpected direction. I thought I was getting an ‘Action and Adventure’ story. Perhaps something akin to the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. Instead I found myself immersed in the story of the relationship between a Navy SEAL who’s reluctant to let anyone in and a writer who’s trying to find her way back from a truly horrific experience.
Despite it not being what I expected, I nonetheless really enjoyed A Time To Serve. Jennifer Widemire Smith’s writing is excellent and the story rolls along at a good pace (although perhaps the scene in the diving shore could have been condensed). All in all, you can’t help but feel yourself rooting for Jeffries and Evie.
There are a few minor punctuation and grammar issues, most notably in the use of quotation marks when a character’s dialogue extends over multiple paragraphs. And for the record, ‘Macgyver’ should be written ‘MacGyver’.
Nevertheless, A Time To Serve is well written and captivating. Whether Jeffries acts and feels as a true SEAL would, I have no idea, but his personality and internal conflicts seemed credible to me.
And for the first time in a very long time, I didn’t see the twist in the tail until I was already on top of it! Please tell me there’s a sequel in the works!
I came at A Time To Serve from an unexpected direction. I thought I was getting an ‘Action and Adventure’ story. Perhaps something akin to the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. Instead I found myself immersed in the story of the relationship between a Navy SEAL who’s reluctant to let anyone in and a writer who’s trying to find her way back from a truly horrific experience.
Despite it not being what I expected, I nonetheless really enjoyed A Time To Serve. Jennifer Widemire Smith’s writing is excellent and the story rolls along at a good pace (although perhaps the scene in the diving shore could have been condensed). All in all, you can’t help but feel yourself rooting for Jeffries and Evie.
There are a few minor punctuation and grammar issues, most notably in the use of quotation marks when a character’s dialogue extends over multiple paragraphs. And for the record, ‘Macgyver’ should be written ‘MacGyver’.
Nevertheless, A Time To Serve is well written and captivating. Whether Jeffries acts and feels as a true SEAL would, I have no idea, but his personality and internal conflicts seemed credible to me.
And for the first time in a very long time, I didn’t see the twist in the tail until I was already on top of it! Please tell me there’s a sequel in the works!
April 11, 2020
A military romance is somewhat out of my reading comfort zone, but from reading various chapters before its release, I knew I'd enjoy it and couldn't wait to read the novel in its entirety. Great pacing, lots of heart, a thoughtful way of looking at grief, and more importantly, how to be there for friends who are experiencing grief. Mrs. Smith is very knowledgeable about SEALs but the military details never bogged the story down for civilian-readers.
While the romance between Jefferies and Evie made the story come alive, just as equally in my opinion, is the book about Jefferies' comradery and loyalty to his SEAL team brothers. It seems equal parts about brokenness, grief, hope, and about being there for your loved ones.
I'm very intrigued by Evie's past that is alluded to but we don't know much about as the story is solely in Jefferies' point of view. The discrepancy with her stalker, the subject of her new manuscript (yes, she's a well-known thriller writer and you know I love reading books about writers), etc...
And the biggest unknown... That ending. Whoa, boy. I knew it was coming but it still gave me all the feels. I was not ready for my time reading A Time to Serve to end.
While the romance between Jefferies and Evie made the story come alive, just as equally in my opinion, is the book about Jefferies' comradery and loyalty to his SEAL team brothers. It seems equal parts about brokenness, grief, hope, and about being there for your loved ones.
I'm very intrigued by Evie's past that is alluded to but we don't know much about as the story is solely in Jefferies' point of view. The discrepancy with her stalker, the subject of her new manuscript (yes, she's a well-known thriller writer and you know I love reading books about writers), etc...
And the biggest unknown... That ending. Whoa, boy. I knew it was coming but it still gave me all the feels. I was not ready for my time reading A Time to Serve to end.
August 8, 2021
Awesome new author
Nice smoke phoenix on the cover.
Good flow. Fast read. Feels realistic/believable. Plenty of action and humor to frame the romance. Reminds me of “Top Gun.” The traffic stop was funny. So was the dog. All in all, the author was awesome.
I would have given this a 5 but, the very ending was vague/confusing.
The novel lacks descriptions of anyone but cute girls and vehicles when we meet them.
Several soliloquies went on too long.
Serious cringe mistakes disrupted reading. Pour should be poor. I’s should be my. Accept for should be except. A random period at the start of a line. Missing a lot of open quotes, commas, em-dashes for interruptions, paragraph breaks for different people talking, scene breaks, proper punctuation for dialog tags, capitalization at the start of sentences, spelling (whoa), spaces between sentences, and other conventions of the publishing industry.
Nice smoke phoenix on the cover.
Good flow. Fast read. Feels realistic/believable. Plenty of action and humor to frame the romance. Reminds me of “Top Gun.” The traffic stop was funny. So was the dog. All in all, the author was awesome.
I would have given this a 5 but, the very ending was vague/confusing.
The novel lacks descriptions of anyone but cute girls and vehicles when we meet them.
Several soliloquies went on too long.
Serious cringe mistakes disrupted reading. Pour should be poor. I’s should be my. Accept for should be except. A random period at the start of a line. Missing a lot of open quotes, commas, em-dashes for interruptions, paragraph breaks for different people talking, scene breaks, proper punctuation for dialog tags, capitalization at the start of sentences, spelling (whoa), spaces between sentences, and other conventions of the publishing industry.
November 26, 2020
This is a superb read from start to finish, it never missed a beat. This tight knit group of people that make up the SEAL team go through a lot together and individually. I love the way each of the characters is portrayed and allowed to be human. The good times and the bad times are all included and that means an emotional rollercoaster for the reader, so get comfy and strap yourself in for an amazing ride.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 19, 2020
They are our Warriors!
Review by Author Robert J. Saniscalchi, December 19, 2020
A Time to Serve is a story about an elite Navy Seal, Lieutenant Jeffries and his team, a journey through the emotions of war. There is a romantic side as well to this story, good and rather steamy at times. This reader found plenty of action and adventure, twists and turns and the battle scenes are great. Highly recommended!
Review by Author Robert J. Saniscalchi, December 19, 2020
A Time to Serve is a story about an elite Navy Seal, Lieutenant Jeffries and his team, a journey through the emotions of war. There is a romantic side as well to this story, good and rather steamy at times. This reader found plenty of action and adventure, twists and turns and the battle scenes are great. Highly recommended!
May 18, 2021
This more than just a novel about a Special Ops team, and its leader. It's also about how that role affects civilian life and his relationships. It's got plenty of action, but it also has heart, emotion, romance and really good writing. The glossary in the front of the book helps with understanding the military jargon. Overall, this is very much worth reading. This book easily gets 4 to 4.5 stars.
June 9, 2021
Beautiful
This book was outstanding! My friend recommended this novel to, and I wasn't too sure of it. The main reason I picked this book up was to just give it a try, and it did not disappoint. I got hooked from the start, I usually don't like violence that much, but this book was more about the development of the character. Jennifer, you made a great book. 5/5 would recommend
This book was outstanding! My friend recommended this novel to, and I wasn't too sure of it. The main reason I picked this book up was to just give it a try, and it did not disappoint. I got hooked from the start, I usually don't like violence that much, but this book was more about the development of the character. Jennifer, you made a great book. 5/5 would recommend
June 17, 2021
A great blending of the romance genre with the Combat Action theme. In-depth character development and insightful study of the effects of p t s d on civilians and military personnel as well. All told with an engaging story about loss and recovery. It was a good book that needs a few editing Corrections that did not however detract from the story. I look forward to reading more from mrs. Smith.
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February 24, 2021Very Good but Weird
I don't get the ending at all but the rest of the book is spectacular! And, no, I am not explaining!
I don't get the ending at all but the rest of the book is spectacular! And, no, I am not explaining!
August 28, 2025
Exceptional book. I was immersed in the storyline and impressed by the accuracy. Her words are inspiring. It's a must read!
May 26, 2020
I can NOT say enough great things about this book. It has everything... Thrill and romance. I love how the writer can have you laughing in stitches one minute, and then reaching for a box of tissues the next. Such an awesome book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews